Commentary

Commentary Ocean City Today July 2, 2021 Page 49 Depending on good Independence Day

With the celebration of Independence Day on Sunday, it might occur to a few people that we aren’t nearly as independent as we think we are, and not even close to what independence meant way back when.

That’s not a bad thing, despite the romantic notions of what life was like one or two centuries ago. The reality is we have no idea of what it was like then, nor do we realize how dependent we have become on the advantages provided by the development of this nation.

The pandemic — the first one in a lifetime for all but a very few people — proved that. A little more than 100 years ago, the Spanish Flu epidemic killed a far greater percentage of the national population than covid-19 has or will.

This much improved outcome is not just the result of better healthcare technology and pharmaceutical advancements, but is largely related to the huge increase in the availability of medical care and the government-sponsored services on which we can now depend.

Similarly, hundreds of area business operators were not only dependent on loans issued through the Small Business Administration as they struggled to survive, they rejoiced having been approved. And then there’s Medicare, the principle health insurance for thousands of county residents, and the government-provided emergency services and law enforcement that we have come to expect.

We want government to have the wherewithal, the organization and the resources to give us help when we want it. Yet, we insist at times that we’d be better off if things were more like they used to be.

But we wouldn’t be better off, not by a long shot. The fact is, the Declaration of Independence prepared the way for us to create a government by the people.

That’s certainly worth celebrating, even though both government and people have plenty of flaws and made plenty of mistakes.

Even so, by virtue of the easy travel and the abundant services that we now enjoy, we can expect the celebration of our beginning on that Independence Day to be a great one. In fact, we are depending on it.

Ocean City Today

P.O. Box 3500, Ocean City, Md. 21843 Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson MANAGING EDITOR................................ Lisa Capitelli STAFF WRITERS .................. Greg Ellison, Neely James, .................... Greg Wehner, Jack Chavez, Mallory Panuska ASSISTANT PUBLISHER .......................... Elaine Brady ACCOUNT MANAGERS.......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTIST .................................... Kelly Brown PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts

PUBLIC EYE Spawning stress

Funeral services will be held Tuesday for Mr. Lester P. Knuckle, 47, of Perturbia, Pa., following his demise Saturday as the result of spawning stress.

Mr. Knuckle’s next-to-last words, according to family members, were, “Come on, Mabel, we’re not horseshoe crabs, you know.” His final words could not be confirmed, but were said to be, “What th ...?” Spawning stress — the silent killer of 10 percent of adult horseshoe crabs, we have been told, as hundreds of these ancient marine creatures went bottoms up and down recently after a wild spree of horseshoe hanky-panky that sadly concluded in a deadend canal.

Incidentally, there is no such thing as a dead-end canal. A canal connects two bodies of water, whereas a dead-end canal is really a gut, which, when filled with dead horseshoe crabs, becomes what you might call a gut in-stink.

Moving on, it’s been 500 million years now that every tenth horseshoe crab gets a oneway ticket after doing the two-way tango, so you wonder why at least one of them hasn’t figured that out.

“Nooooooo. Thanks, but I think I’ll wait until the FDA issues its next report on spawning safety.”

Which brings me to the greater mystery. If humans knew they had a one-in-10 chance of croaking when they — you know — would they still risk it? Let’s say it’s closing time at the bar, would people still do the 2 o’clock shuffle if they knew that one out of every 10 of them would be headed out on what you might call an expiration date?

And at home, when you hear the words, “Ohhhh, honey-bunny, what are youuuuu doooooing?” What do you say, knowing this could be your last roundup?

“I’m hungry. Who wants a sandwich? Anyone?”

Of course not. “I’lllll beeee riiiiight theeeerrrre!”

Fine. But here’s the funny thing — it’s pretty evident that most members of the human race would eventually agree that a 10 percent chance of a fatal attraction isn’t that big of a deal.

Yet, almost half of the national population won’t get the covid vaccine, even though the odds of a severe reaction are about the same as getting hit by a flying toilet (see Forbes, Jan. 23, 2021).

“I think I’ll wait until they do more research,” is a frequent vaccine-resistant refrain.

It doesn’t make sense. Then again, neither does comparing humans to horseshoe crabs, which, when you think about it, look like Darth Vader helmets with legs.

“Hey there, you slow-crawling helmet of love,” one horseshoe crab says to another. “I’ve been dying to meet you.” “Hold on,” says the other. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

By Stewart Dobson

Advances in OCBP tech vital to saving lives

Editor,

In the Ocean City Beach Patrol technology article of June 18,2021, Ms. Kristin Joson notes the use of ATVs and AEDs by the OCBP.

She references the use of AEDs to “literally bring people back to life,” and 12 people who are alive today because of the equipment and the highly trained rescuers who arrived quickly and knew how to use the equipment and CPR.

I am one of those specifically-referenced dozen people who owes his life in this way to the OCBP, beyond all those many other people who were rescued in the surf over the years.

I have enjoyed Ocean City every year regularly since I was a teenager. For 50-plus years I have enjoyed it with my family, children, and later, grandchildren.

I am truly blessed that I can continue to do so since the Fourth of July 2018, when that skill and experience and equipment and preparedness on the part of two exceptional OCBP veterans came to my rescue.

Quick reactions by those with me and the chance occurrence the OCBP ATV was nearby helped make my rescue happen. I thank God and each of those involved at the outset and those who then were involved in getting me to Peninsula Hospital in Salisbury.

And I thank the OCBP as an organization and its technology and all the institutions and government agencies and contributors who provided those resources.

It paid off for me and continues to do so. And so it will also for others in the future. We are fortunate to have the OCBP along with the OC EMTs and the Peninsula Doctors and staff. Larry Buhl Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

OC Planning and Zoning uses common sense

Editor,

I want to say thank you to our “exceptional” Ocean City Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission. What is exceptional about them, you ask? In my opinion, it is the commission members’ ability to make building code “exceptions” for virtually every project submitted to them and provide very little in the way of protecting the quality of life for their already established residents.

The P&Z Commission has just allowed nearly 100 new residences, consisting of three new projects, to be built at the top of the Caine Woods neighborhood. Fifty-nine new townhomes, 36 new condos and a duplex.

They have added a whole new neighborhood on top of an already established neighborhood. Think about it — 400 to 600-plus new residents encroaching on the neighborhood and local area, all at once.

And here are some of the “exceptions” that were allowed by the P&Z Commission — exceptions to required number of onsite parking spaces; exceptions to required setbacks; exceptions to required sidewalk sizing; and exceptions to required driveway approaches. I could go on, but you get the point.

Notably, the P&Z Commission gave up 29 required onsite parking spaces for these residences to be built. It’s bad enough the neighborhood streets get beach-goers parking on them in the summer.

Now they will have to contend with beach-goers and residents parking on the neighborhood streets. By the way, does the P&Z Commission really believe the new residents of the condos are going to park in a remote lot when they can park on the street in front of their residences? Come on, stop fooling yourselves.

At least stop trying to fool us.

I can somewhat understand how this all happens. The almighty tax dollar reigns supreme. It seems the P&Z Commission’s mindset is more money, more money, more money and do not offend the builder’s pockets that provide it. But what about the people that already live here?

It appears the P&Z Commission is trying to turn North Ocean City (NOC) into South Ocean City (SOC). If you live here (or visit here often), you know what that means.

NOC is relaxed and laid back to SOC’s exuberance and bustle; NOC is roomy and breathable to SOC’s congestion and asphyxia; NOC is calming and peaceful to SOC’s fervor and intensity. Neither area is necessarily wrong or bad, but the twain should never meet! Or be engulfed.

In the “no comments from the public” meeting, the P&Z Board not only gave little credence to their own tangible codes, supposedly designed to protect the established residents, but they ignored other intangible issues as well.

For example, Caine Woods already has issues with speeders cutting over to Route 54, particularly on 141st and 142nd streets. OCPD has been trying to deal with it for years, to little avail. With no planning, hundreds of additional cars will now be utilizing both these streets.

And to top it off, there is only one cross street (142nd) that allows you to go north on Coastal Highway between 140th Street and 145th Street, the area where these residences are being built. The streets of Caine Woods and Sinepuxent Avenue, the parallel back street to Coastal High-

way, are now going to be overwhelmed with traffic.

And, if there is only one cross street where these residences are being built, where do you believe the residents are going to cross Coastal Highway to get to the beach? That’s right. In the middle of the blocks.

Now it will be overcrowded and dangerous for both the pedestrians and traffic in that area. I could go on with more tangibles and intangibles, but again, you get the point.

So let’s see. Heavy traffic, speeders, congestion, lack of parking, jaywalkers, accidents, crowded beaches — I’d say you’re on your way, P&Z Commission, to changing North Ocean City into South Ocean City. I guess this is where my original thankyou in the first sentence comes into play.

Rich Martin Caine Woods

Safety, common courtesy essential on beach

Editor,

As we approach the start of the busiest time of the summer, I want to share some safety reminders if you head to the beach. Eleven years ago today, I held the end of an umbrella sticking out of a lady’s thigh while the paramedics sawed the top off after it blew down the beach.

Twenty-six years ago, I was on scene while the fire/paramedics tried to locate a 12-year-old boy who dug a tunnel in the sand with his friends and it collapsed.

When the boys went for help, they forgot where the exact spot was. He died after 45 minutes of being under the sand from suffocation and was found almost 90 minutes later.

I came to the beach too many times the morning after to start my shift when a family on vacation lost their child or husband for swimming when the guards were off duty.

I was involved in CPR a few times on someone who dove head first into the ocean and became an instant paraplegic.

I watched the aftermath of a crew chief on our Beach Patrol give CPR to his best friend who was struck by lightning on his four-wheeler trying to get people off the beach who wouldn’t listen during a storm (he lived, thank God).

My post is not to scare anyone. My post is to educate. Please take your umbrella down on a very windy day. Make sure it is secure in the sand.

There is a reason holes on the beach are only allowed to be dug to the smallest person in your group’s knees (the story above is just one of many of those types of incidents).

And please fill it in when you leave. When the guards [whistle] you out of the water at 5:25 p.m. to let you know they are leaving at 5:30 p.m., stay out.

Trust me when I say Mother Nature is stronger than you (local surfers thank you for the many rescues you have done before and after hours).

Please do not run and dive into the ocean, especially without checking the depth of what you are diving into. And if there is a bad shore break, don’t use a boogie board or body surf.

Not sure if the shore break is bad? Ask the lifeguard.

And please if the guards blow you off the beach for an upcoming storm, leave. And do not sit under your umbrella. An entire family was killed before my guarding days sitting under an umbrella in the inlet. Automatic lightning rod.

Give your children a good identification spot of where you are on the beach. When they move with the current, that “orange” umbrella looks like everyone else’s.

Also let them know to go to a lifeguard if they get lost: 100 percent of our lost children have been found and located by our awesome beach patrol and police department.

Remind them to never leave the beach if lost. Many of the hand signals you see the guards doing with the flags are on lost and found children.

There are none right now, but if you get a jellyfish sting, rub wet sand on the area. Also guards carry sting kill for those as well as bee stings.

Oh and wear your sunblock and hydrate.

Thank you for reading and I hope everyone has a safe and happy summer.

Colby Phillips Sergeant OCBP

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We invite you to share it, but all letters are subject to verification, so please include your name and phone number. All letters are subject to editing for space and to protect the author and this newspaper from legal action. Email letters to editor@oceancitytoday.net. For questions, call 410-723-6397.

By Brendan Miller Intern (July 2, 2021) The Ocean City LifeSaving Station Museum is offering six different summer programs starting July 4, which will run through Aug. 28, and are free to the public.

The programs are scheduled to take place Monday through Saturday each week, with a different theme for each day. The daily programs will begin at 10 a.m. All except for the aquarium feeding will take place outside of the museum, located at the southern end of the Boardwalk.

“They are fun, educational, interactive and offer a wide range of program options for people of all ages,” said Curator Christine Okerblom.

The museum has partnered with the Ocean City Beach Patrol and the United States Coast Guard, who will assist with the beach safety and knot-tying programs, respectively. The rest of the programs are run by museum staff.

Participants are not required to sign up for programs in advance.

Monday’s program is called the History of Our Surfmen, which takes participants through the history of the life-saving service. Visitors will learn about surfmen who rescued distressed ships off the coast of Ocean City.

The program on Tuesday focuses on beach safety and is led by the Ocean City Beach Patrol. It provides visitors with insight on the important duties of the organization that keeps the beach and its patrons safe. Visitors will also learn about semaphore how Beach Patrol uses the flag-signaling system.

“We feel that an educated beach patron is a safe beach patron. Often times, beach goers find themselves in dangerous situations because they had no idea what they were doing was dangerous,” said Kristin Joson, Beach Patrol public education coordinator.

The Knot-Tying program on Wednesday is run by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Visitors will learn how to tie various nautical knots.

The Shark program in previous years has been the most popular. On Thursdays visitors can learn about the sharks that migrate off the coast of Ocean City. It will provide various facts about sharks, but also teach participants about some common misconceptions about them.

Friday the Land, Sky and Sea program is offered.

“The Land, Sky and Sea program teaches visitors how the island was formed, takes visitors through the 1933 storm and what birds fly overhead here in Ocean City,” Okerblom said.

Saturday is the Aquarium Feeding program. It takes place inside the museum, where visitors are able to feed the various fish and other aquatic animals found in the Eastern Shore waters. Some examples include seahorses, blue crabs and horseshoe crabs.

There is also a daily aquarium program offered Monday through Saturday that meets at 11:30 a.m. with paid museum admission. This program is available until Aug. 31.

“We have such a diversity in our programs so that people with all interests can participate in the cultural and natural history here,” Okerblom said.

The programs typically draw between 10 and 30 people per day. This year the programs will be much more hands-on and interactive than last year’s activities, due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The programs allow guests to immerse themselves in the rich history of beach life, safety and culture. More information about the programs can be found at ocmuseum.org.

BRENDAN MILLER/OCEAN CITY TODAY Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum Curator Christine Okerblom shows children a horseshoe crab during the daily aquarium feedings. Free summer programs offered at the museum begin this week.

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OC Film Challenge rewards work of local movie makers

(July 2, 2021) The Ocean City Film Festival presents the fourth annual Ocean City Film Challenge to filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers across Delmarva and beyond.

Deadline to register for the challenge is July 9.

The challenge is for filmmakers to shoot a film in or about Ocean City over the month of July and enter for a chance to win an Ocean City hotel stay, swag, cash prizes, and screenings of the winning film.

The challenge is open to any artist who wishes to make a short film that takes place in Ocean City and tells a story about the resort, preferably suitable for viewing by all ages.

The film must be made July 1-31, and be no longer than 10 minutes. Complete rules and entry details are available at http://www.ocmdfilmfestival.com/ocean-city-film-challenge.html.

Filmmakers must register for the challenge by July 9 at https://forms,gle/pKGGeo(sbPwDBYa7.

Final cuts are due on July 31, and sent via online transfer to Oceancityfilmfest@gmail.com or delivered on flash drive to the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

Entries will be screened on Saturday, Aug. 21 at the ArtX Festival at Northside Park and at the sixth annual Ocean City Film Festival in March 2022.

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

First prize includes all-access passes for the 2022 Film Festival complete with a hotel package and $150 cash prize. Second prize receives $100 cash prize, passes, and swag. Third prize receives $50 cash prize and passes.

Contact Strang-Moya at OceanCityFilmFest@gmail.com with questions.

The Ocean City Film festival is a program of the Art League of Ocean City, a 501c3 nonprofit community arts organization.

The Art League of Ocean Cit is dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. Financial support comes primarily through membership dues from individuals and corporate sponsors. More information is available at 410-524-9433 or www.artleagueofoceancity.org.

Evictions coming back, but many still need assistance

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) With eviction moratoriums coming to an end on Aug. 15, Worcester County organizations that help those in need of rental assistance are devising ways to keep families in their homes.

The moratorium was officially lifted yesterday, but Gov. Larry Hogan announced last week that the state will enforce a 45-day grace period so at-risk residents can adjust before evictions process.

Diakonia Executive Director Bea Miller said her organization has taken to negotiating with landlords directly, resulting in an agreement with some in the county who will offer a 90-day period past the state’s date until they begin enforcing evictions.

“I think the 45 days is difficult (for some tenants to work with),” Miller said. “But I think with the programs we have in place, plus the 45, we will be able to help some people.”

Earlier this year, Diakonia secured $3.25 million of a $6.5 million grant, split with the Worcester County Department of Social Services, much of which goes to helping at-risk tenants. Once the money is at Diakonia’s disposal, it will be available through 2022.

Diakonia is also receiving grant money from the Emergency Rental Assistance Plan, a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development initiative that utilizes federal emergency rental funding for at-risk tenants.

One issue right now, Miller said, is simply waiting for the funding to become available.

“We’ve explained to everyone that we’re still waiting for funds to be released,” she said. “Our case managers have been trying to work with landlords and clients to let them know that it’s coming and that we’re waiting on that.”

Miller said the shelter is working with 25 households that are waiting for assistance.

To qualify for rental assistance, individuals have to show that they have incurred a hardship that has made paying rent and utilities a burden. See DIAKONIA Page 54

PHOTO COURTESY DIAKONIA The eviction moratorium in Maryland officially expired yesterday and will be given a 45-day grace period until Aug. 15 before enforcement is allowed. Shelters like Diakonia that specialize in emergency rental assistance have been working on ways to better help local residents who are at risk of evictions.

Diakonia working with landlords to prevent evictions

Continued from Page 53

“You can’t just pay someone’s rent because they didn’t pay it. They have to be eligible,” Miller said. “If a tenant is eligible, then we try to get that commitment from the landlord to catch them up, if possible, and keep them housed until they can help themselves.”

“I’m thankful (the ERAP) grant has come around so we can catch people up, secure their housing and maintain that relationship with their landlord.”

Individuals and families who are in need of rental assistance can apply online. For more information, visit https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/E victionPrevention/ or https://diakoniaoc.org. By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) A plane carrying four skydivers made an emergency landing on Sunday that ended in Sinepuxent Bay.

Skydive OC, a Berlin-based company that takes people skydiving out of the Ocean City Municipal Airport, said a company-owned plane took off from the airport at 1:30 p.m.

When the plane reached 5,000 feet, the aircraft reportedly had an engine failure that forced the pilot to begin preparations for an emergency landing into the bay, according to a press release from the skydiving company.

Maryland State police said preliminary investigations into the incident found the pilot of the plane, Matthew Cortigiani, 25, of Utah, shut off the single-engine plane after the cabin filled with smoke.

Cortigiani then attempted to land the aircraft onto the runway, but as he came down, the plane bounced and crashed into the bay.

PHOTO COURTESY OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT FACEBOOK PAGE A plane carrying four skydivers crashed into Sinepuxent Bay on Sunday after the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing at Ocean City Municipal Airport.

Emergency crews including the Ocean City Fire Department, Maryland Natural Resources Police and United States Coast Guard then responded to scene, which was just east of the Ocean City Municipal Airport.

All five individuals who were on the plane were rescued by area boat operators.

Of the five individuals who were rescued, one was transported to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury and treated for injuries out of caution.

“We are all breathing a major sigh of relief that this accident didn’t have a tragic outcome,” Jeanice Dolan, the company’s owner said. “At this moment, my team and I are working with the FAA and local authorities to try and determine what caused the engine failure.”

Severe injuries from car crash Sun.

By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) Berlin Police are investigating a collision between a pickup truck and a parked car Sunday evening on Route 50 near Friendship Road that left two men with non-life threatening injuries, with a woman who was hit while outside the vehicle severely hurt and flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

Police Chief Arnold Downing said a family of five from Newark had pulled over on the side of Route 50 around 5:30 p.m.

While three children waited in the back seat, the woman exited the car to remove items from the trunk.

Downing said at the same time a pickup truck driven by a Berlin resident entered Route 50 from Friendship Road and while accelerating struck the back of the car and the female victim.

Downing said both the man driving the pickup and the man behind the wheel of the parked car were injured and transported to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.

Both men were released in brief order.

By contrast, the woman struck by the pickup was left in grave condition and was immediately flown to Shock Trauma.

“She had surgery that evening and the next day,” he said. “Her condition was serious but stable.”

Downing said in addition to Berlin Police and fire/ EMS responders, also assisting at the accident scene Sunday were EMS units from Ocean Pines and Showell, while Maryland State Police conducted traffic control.

Worcester County is assisting with the ongoing accident investigation.

“Reconstruction is happening as we speak,” he said.

Further details and any potential charges are pending until after the investigation is completed.

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) A Brooklyn, New York man was charged with DUI after riding his bike into the rear end of a police squad car last Saturday, according to police.

Police were finishing up paperwork from an accident that happened on 32nd Street when suddenly, the officer “heard a thud” come from the rear end of his squad car.

When the officer got out of the car to see what happened, he saw Christopher J. Martin, 30, of Brooklyn, New York had run into the back of the car with his bicycle.

The officer said he saw Martin pick his bike up with one hand while holding a cheese steak sandwich in the other, while wobbling and struggling to gain his balance.

Martin told the officer he was riding his bike with no hands when he struck the back of the car.

A brief investigation by police led them to believe Martin was under the influence of alcohol, so they asked him to get off his bike. Initially he refused to get off the bike, according to police, but eventually complied.

Then, officers asked Martin for his license several times, and each time he refused – he also refused to sit on the curb.

Martin took a bit of his cheesesteak sandwich, police said, and when the officer asked him for his license again, he said, “when I am done chewing.” Martin then handed his license to the officer. Police told Martin to sit on the curb again, but instead, he jumped up to be able to sit on an electrical box on the sidewalk before the officer told him he could not sit there. The officer then placed his hand on Martin’s shoulder, the police noted, and told him one more time to sit down on the curb. After not complying, police said, Martin was placed under arrest for hindering the investigation and exhibiting disorderly intoxication.

Two officers then used physical force to put Martin on the ground, and when told to put his hands behind his back, her refused and kept his arms clenched against his chest, police said, before ultimately complying.

He was then taken to headquarters, where police said he started jumping around in the booking room saying, “You want me to start grabbing you?”

Martin was placed in a cell, police said, and admitted to drinking two orange crush vodka drinks before hopping on his bicycle.

He was charged with DUI, two counts of second-degree assault, obstructing an investigation, failing to control his speed on the highway to avoid a collision, following too closely, and failing to make a lane change to avoid hitting a stopped vehicle.

C. Martin

Man charged in Boardwalk assault misses court date

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) One of the final defendants facing charges in a brutal June 2020 assault that took place on the Ocean City Boardwalk is now wanted after missing a court date last month.

Sincere Sorrell, 19, of Cambridge, is one of roughly eight men who allegedly attacked a man around 10:15 p.m. on June 9, 2020 on the Boardwalk near 11th Street.

While most of the other cases have been closed, with the accused pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges and receiving jail sentences ranging between five and 10 years each, Sorrell’s case is still open. According to information from the Worcester County Circuit Court, Sorrell Sincere Sorrell was set for a hearing on June 17 but never appeared. He is now wanted on charges of first- and second-degree assault and wanton endangerment.

According to testimony from the victim, he was minding his own business on the Boardwalk that night when he was suddenly pushed to the See SEVEN Page 57

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By Susan Canfora Staff Reporter/Coastal Point (July, 2, 2021) Two Maryland men have been arrested and charged with third-degree criminal trespassing and related charges, including charges made by Ocean City police, after allegedly shooting in a home in Fenwick Island on Friday, June 25.

No one was injured in the incident, but a vehicle was set on fire, police said.

Delaware State Police said they obtained warrants for Andre Jamal Blakeney, 33, of Waldorf, Maryland, and Finis Aaron Miles, 27, of Clinton, Maryland, for the trespassing charge, plus four counts each of first-degree reckless endangering, criminal mischief over $5,000 and second-degree conspiracy. The men were taken into custody by the Ocean City Police Department after the incident. According to State of Delaware charging documents, the charge of first-degree reckless endangerment “creates a substantial risk of death to another.” At the request of the Fenwick Island Police Department, the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over investigating the incident, which occurred on Atlantic Avenue, on the bay side of the resort town, after 911 was dialed to report suspicious activity outside a residence there.

When a Fenwick Island police officer responded to the call, police said, the officer saw a Jeep Wrangler on fire. The officer and victims were able to extinguish the fire. Then they noticed bullet holes in the siding of the house and a front window that was shattered. At least six shell casings were found in the roadway in front of the house, likely fired from a handgun, police said. Police said they learned during their investigation that four women had been waiting for an Uber outside a midtown bar in Ocean City when they were approached by two men. A conversation ensued, and the two men offered to drive the women home. They agreed, but along the way, the women felt uncomfortable and asked to be let out of the vehicle, police said.

According to police, there was discussion about paying for the ride and one of the women gave the driver $35.

The women then went to what police called “an undisclosed location” before going home because they were afraid of being followed, police said.

Once they felt safe enough to go into their house, police said, the women heard someone talking outside and saw the male passenger from the vehicle walking to the home’s front door. They heard banging on the side of the house and thought the men were hitting the house with an object. It was later determined that the sound was gunshots.

The subjects fled before the Fenwick officer arrived, but the officer was able to put out a description of their vehicle, a black Toyota Tundra. The Ocean City Police Department located the vehicle and the two drivers, and arrested them without incident.

The Ocean City Police Department charged Blakeney with possession of

Andre Blakeney Finis Miles

See FENWICK Page 57

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Trio charged with possessing drugs after cat-calling

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) Three men were charged with possession of drugs after they were reportedly harassing and “catcalling” one of the female Beach Patrol guards last week.

Police said they responded to reports of a group of men harassing the lifeguard, and when they arrived, the officers were directed to three men who were standing next to a vehicle. When the officers approached the car, they noticed a beer bottle inside then asked the men for identification. The driver, Jonathan Levi Alfaro, 27, of Lanham was placed under arrest for the open container in a public parking lot, though initially, police said, he refused to provide his contact information. Eventually, officers found Alfaro’s license inside the car. A further search of the vehicle uncovered a small bag of powder that police recognized as cocaine as well as a pair of brass knuckles and an electronic weapon.

Alfaro and the other two men – Brian Ariell Abarca, 27, of Laurel, Maryland, and Melvin Josue Morales-Zuleta, 24, of Lanham – were charged with possession of drugs, a martial arts weapon and an electronic weapon.

Brian Albarca Jonathan Alfaro M. M.-Zuleta

Fenwick residents express concern following shooting

Continued from Page 56 controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana, illegal possession of ammunition, operating a vehicle on the highway with unauthorized window tinting and the fugitive warrant.

Ocean City Police charged Miles with possession of controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana and the fugitive warrant, according to Ashley Miller, deputy communications manager for the Ocean City Police Department.

Charging documents state both Blakeney and Miles “did recklessly engage in conduct which created a substantial risk of death … by firing a 9mm firearm at residence,” posing that risk to the four victims.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office also obtained warrants for Blakeney and Miles for second-degree arson and second-degree conspiracy, police said. Both Blakeney and Miles will be arrested on these charges in Delaware upon extradition from Maryland at a later date, police said.

Fenwick Island Police Chief John Devlin said Friday afternoon, during a town council meeting held via Zoom, that no one had been hurt in the shooting and that the suspects were in custody.

According to the PulsePoint app, which records emergency calls and lists responding agencies, a call was received regarding a “vehicle fire” at 2:48 a.m. Friday.

Fenwick Island property owner Janice Bortner said she feels the incident is an indicator of what can happen if the town allows such things as outside alcohol service.

“This is a sign of what’s to come if we go down this slippery slope,” Bortner said. “Let’s protect the image of the quiet family resort now.”

Fenwick Island resident Mark Tingle said he was on the scene of the incident after it happened. It was, he said, “something very shocking in our town,” adding that watching the Fenwick Island Police Department handle the shooting incident “gave me a new level of respect for what they do. This is not something they do on a day-to-day basis.”

Tingle said that the police had a suspect’s photo “within an hour” after the incident, which he found “absolutely amazing.”

The town council amended its agenda on Friday afternoon to hold an executive session shortly after the meeting started at 3:30 p.m. The reason given by Mayor Eugene Langan for the closed session was to discuss the “incident with the police department that happened last night.” Town Manager Terry Tieman said the council would discuss “information collected regarding criminal activity” at the home.

(Coastal Point reporter Kerin Magill contributed to this story.)

Seven others already pleaded

Continued from Page 55 ground from behind. From there, the victim said he was sucker punched by a large man and tried to get up to defend himself but was knocked back down when “at least seven other people” came up and started to yell and punch him.

While on the ground, according to the victim’s statement and two cell phone videos of the incident, the victim turned his body into the fetal position to protect himself as the group of attackers continued to stomp and kick him. At one point he was hit by what he thought was a large two-by-four, later identified as a skateboard. He suffered serious injuries to his head, shoulder, hand and face, some of which are permanent, and he has said that he is lucky to be alive today.

The victim said he did not know any of the individuals who attacked him or what, if anything, provoked the incident.

To date, seven other people charged in the incident have pleaded guilty for their roles in the attack and received the following sentences:

• Marquis Demby, 23, of Lincoln, Delaware; sentenced in November to six years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault; was also implicated in a June 9 stabbing on the Boardwalk near 15th Street. • Davione Cephas, 21, of Cambridge; sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault. • Orlando Nichols Jr., 21, of Cambridge, sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault. • Marcus Butler, 28, of Cambridge, sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault. • Xavier Spencer, 20, of Cambridge, sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to second-degree assault. • Ka’Breon Nichols, 19, of Cambridge, sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault. • Cortez Murray, 24, of Easton, sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault.

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PAGE 58 Oh Snap! Chat leads OC police to cocaine bust

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) A man selling cocaine over the social media platform “Snapchat” was arrested last week after being lured in by detectives working undercover. Ocean City Police Department detectives struck up a conversation with a man on “Snapchat” about purchasing two grams of cocaine for $180. After coming to an Corey R. McCann agreement, the undercover detectives agreed to meet with a distributor at a convenience store located on North Division Street. The distributor said he would be arriving in a red pickup truck.

At approximately 11:30 p.m., police said, a red truck pulled into the parking lot and Corey Robert McCann, 26, of Reisterstown got out and walked into the store.

McCann matched the description of the man who was supposed to be delivering the cocaine and when he walked out, he was detained by police.

Just before being handcuffed, police added, McCann dropped a cellphone and a small plastic baggie containing what detectives recognized as cocaine.

When police questioned him, McCann admitted to going to the convenience store to deliver cocaine to an individual, and he was placed under arrest.

McCann was charged with criminal possession of drugs with intent to distribute them.

OceanCityToday.com

Colin Gregory Carmichael, 18, of Warminster, Pennsylvania was arrested by Ocean City Police at approximately 11 p.m. on June 22 near Fifth Street and charged with hindering an investigation and not wearing a seatbelt.

Carmichael was the passenger of a vehicle that was stopped because he was seen by officers leaning out of the window. When officers asked for Carmichael’s license because he committed a traffic violation by not having his seatbelt on, he said he did not have one and that his name was Rob Charles Lebion, police said, and that his date of birth was Nov. 18, 2002. Police added that after about 25 minutes of Carmichael lying about his name, he ultimately provided his license.

Hit-and-run

Kalpesh Jayendra Patel, 50, of Lewes, Delaware was arrested by Ocean City Police at 9:20 p.m. on June 23 near 130th Street and charged with DWI, hit-and-run, second-degree assault and various traffic violations.

Police said Patel was the driver of a vehicle involved in a two-car crash before fleeing the scene of the crash on foot. A female passenger of the vehicle Patel was driving identified him as the driver and pointed toward a nearby bank as the direction he fled.

Police eventually found Patel near the bank, and when officers asked where he had been, he said he came from drinking beers at a liquor store, though he could not say where. Throughout the questioning, officers said Patel changed his story and that he was not making sense. A further investigation determined he was under the influence of alcohol and Patel was placed under arrest and taken to headquarters.

Resisting arrest

Perry Stevens Hazard, 31, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at 2:25 a.m. on June 23 near Seventh Street and the Boardwalk and charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and destruction of property.

Police said Hazard was passed out on a picnic bench outside of a nearby café with vomit covering his mouth, shirt, and hands when an officer walked over to check on him.

The officer was able to get Hazard to wake up, and he agreed to have EMS check him. But throughout questioning, Hazard began to get belligerent with the officer, yelling profanities and causing people to stop and take video.

Hazard was ultimately placed under arrest for disorderly conduct before he started resisting and pulling away, according to police. Once in custody, Hazard was placed inside a police vehicle where he reportedly kicked at the glass three times and urinated all over the seats. He was then placed into another police vehicle and taken to headquarters.

Drug bust

William F. Cronin, 23, of Centereach, New York; and Anthony J. Ellia, 29, also of Centereach were arrested by Ocean City Police at approximately 6:45 a.m. on June 24 for various drug charges.

Officers said they approached a vehicle with two men inside and saw what appeared to be a clear glass smoking pipe on the rear middle seat of the vehicle. Cronin and Ellia were awakened when officers knocked on the glass and both men were asked to get out of the car Directly behind the center console in the back seat, police said, was a backpack containing a license belonging to Chad W. Janes, 23, of Selden. Police also discovered the backpack, along with two others found in the vehicle, contained several sandwich bags of marijuana, psilocybin mushroom-infused chocolate bars, THC in the form of wax and crystal, THC nuggets containing a peanut butter coating, marijuana cigarettes, rolling papers, a butane torch, an electronic vape device, glass pipes, and metal grinders.

A cigarette box in the passenger door handle also contained four baggies of what police determined to be cocaine and a short yellow straw used to snort the powder. As officers detained Cronin and Ellia, Janes walked toward the scene before turning around. He and Cronin were charged with possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. Ellia was charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Stolen car

Traquan T. Timmons, 21, of Exmore, Virginia was arrested by Ocean City Police at 9:20 p.m. on June 24 near Wicomico Street and charged with theft of a vehicle and driving without a license.

Police said Timmons was stopped after it was determined the car he was driving was reported stolen out of Virginia Beach, Virginia. During the stop, narcotics detectives ordered Timmons and his passenger, James Edward Rasin, out of the car before placing them in handcuffs.

An investigation revealed Timmons did not have an active driver’s license and that he had an active warrant out for his arrest. Timmons told police he did not know the vehicle was stolen, and that he purchased the car from a person named “Sulaay” with a down payment of $1,500 and still had one more payment of $500 to make on the car – Timmons failed to provide Sulaay’s last name or a bill of sale, according to police.

Rasin told police he did not know the car was stolen and that he only met Timmons a few days earlier. Timmons was placed under arrest and taken into custody.

Hit-and-run DUI

James Heinbaugh, 43, of Altoona, Pennsylvania was arrested by Ocean City Police at approximately 8 p.m. on June 25 at a bar near 36th Street and charged Continued to Page 62

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) Yumi Hogan, the First Lady of Maryland, has made it an unofficial tradition in recent years to stop by the Believe in Tomorrow — House by the Sea on 66th Street whenever she’s near Ocean City.

On Monday morning, she made her seventh or eighth trip, by her count, to the respite house that allows children (and their families) suffering from serious illnesses to catch a break from the arduous daily battles.

“I hope you enjoy going to the ocean, swimming and having good, long days,” Hogan said to the families before everyone dug into a pizza lunch.

Hogan visited with each family and joined the children as they decorated cupcakes on the sun-soaked deck of the respite house.

During her husband’s well-documented battle against stage-three nonHodgkin lymphoma in 2015, Hogan said she saw up close how taxing childhood cancer can be on children and their families.

She particularly supports the cause that respite houses like Believe in Tomorrow represent.

“They forget for a moment that they’re cancer patients,” Hogan said. “They see all the (other) children and families and (enjoy themselves. The effect) lingers. This is good for them. As a mom and grandmother, I really support this program for them.”

Brian Morrison, founder and CEO of Believe in Tomorrow, said the respite house felt it was important that others see the efforts Hogan puts into brightening their guests’ days.

“The First Lady has been very supportive of our foundation. She’s been a strong advocate for everything we do,” Morrison said. “She is a very kind person to the children. Whenever she visits, she tends to do things with them. She remembers them, too. It’s pretty cool.”

Jesse Davidson made the trip to Ocean City from Beaufort, South Carolina, for her four-year-old daughter Elizabeth, along with her two sons. She said the break has been a welcome change.

“Believe in Tomorrow gave us a place to come out to the ocean where we didn’t have to worry about getting CT scans and chemo and radiation, all that stuff,” Davidson said. “We don’t have to think about it this week. It’s a place where we can reset.”

“The property is awesome. They provide you with everyone you can think of.”

Hogan’s parting words for the group were a message of hope that more people get involved with similar causes.

“I hope more communities get involved with helping these kinds of children,” she said.

JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY First Lady of Maryland Yumi Hogan stopped by the Believe In Tomorrow — House By The Sea Monday morning to greet families staying at the respite home. The families and the First Lady decorated cupcakes after a pizza lunch.

ICAC and CRICKET keep web safe for minors

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (July 2, 2021) Summer typically signifies fun in the sun — not looking at a screen.

But in the ever-connected culture of today’s world, the masses on the beach are staying logged in, and so, too, must Worcester County’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

The task force, which is comprised of personnel from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, is an affiliation of the Maryland State Police’s official ICAC Task Force, a part of the MSP’s Computer Crimes Unit.

When the MSP task force receives a tip about a potential crime that occurred or is occurring in Worcester County, it notifies the sheriff’s office, where an officer such as Cpl. Allison Herrman will look into the case.

The summer months bring a challenge with newcomers to the area, Herrman said, but the way technology has weaved itself into so many aspects of life now presents year-round challenges.

“Everyone has a device now — an iPhone, an iPad,” Herrman said. “We’ve seen a significant increase with kids in schools because they now have (their hands on more technology). Before, it seemed like it was mostly adults who had multiple connections to technology, but now it’s like, every kid’s got a laptop and phone. They pop up in a lot of investigations like that — a boyfriend or girlfriend, maybe a teenager meets someone online they think is a kid but is really an adult.”

The pandemic has only exacerbated that trend, she said.

“With covid, a lot of people were stuck inside the house and had no contact with people in person. Most of their contact was online,” Herrman said. “People had more time spent online and we saw a huge increase come in after covid restrictions.” During summer, though, the local task force often must work with other agencies in and outside of Maryland to move a case along. Whether the case involves people from the next county over or across the country, if the crime happened in Worcester County, the task force will likely have a hand in the case.

“When I receive information, if a crime was committed here and I can ID the person … (even if) they were here on vacation, if I have enough that a crime was committed here and I can find where they live, we work with other agencies (to move along the investigation),” Herrman said.

Those agencies include other entities within Worcester County, like the Children’s Resource Intervention Center, Kids Empowerment Team (CRICKET) Center.

“We partner with all the agencies that investigate those crimes,” said Executive Director Wendy Myers. “We share prosecutors as well. We have dedicated processes and investigators that work on the crimes against children.”

“The CRICKET Center is the nonprofit that coordinates all of these agencies. The investigators and detectives from the sheriff’s department and prosecutors from the State’s Attorney, when children need to be interviewed, specially trained interviewers from the Department of Social Services.”

Myers also pointed to the work that Atlantic General Hospital and the Life Crisis Center do.

“All of these agencies come together to provide the services these children and families need — assault, ICAC, they all fall under the CRICKET Center umbrella.”

Myers echoed the pandemic issues and increase in crime that Herrman brought up, focusing on the danger that comes from inside the home.

“This is an unusual year in that children were trapped with their maltreaters and we had the period this spring when kids were back in school and seeing (professionals) they haven’t seen in many months,” Myers said. “This led to an increase in professional referrals in the spring.”

Because of the area’s tourism, the crimes against children trends locally tend to skew differently than other parts of the country, where the reporting of crimes tends to taper in the summer when children are once again away from the classroom.

“2020 changed everything,” Myers said. “We were already sort of spiking through the spring and it’s just continuing through the summer. It will most likely continue through the fall.”

When a trafficking victim is identified, the investigation will involve CRICKET’s team, Myers said.

“We’d provide services here and if (anyone involved in the case) go elsewhere we try to hook (investigators and victims) up to services in their area,” Myers said. “We help to coordinate those services for the family.”

Myers went on to say that the trend continues to climb and all the help the CRICKET Center receives is greatly appreciated.

“We’re grateful for our community, Myers said. “We’re (required) to have a child abuse mandate, but it’s non-funded.”

Herrman added that awareness of these efforts goes a long way to educating the public and helping fight internet crimes against children.

“I want people to be informed about (our task force)” she said. “A lot of people really don’t know what we do and it makes a difference — the awareness.”

Wendy Myers

Continued from Page 58 with DUI, negligent driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and various other violations.

Officers responded to the scene of a car accident at 6:55 p.m. and spoke to a witness, who said she saw a white Ford F150 sideswipe a parked car near 31st Street, breaking off the driver-side rear-view mirror of the other vehicle.

The witness said she saw the F150 drive to 36th Street, which is where police spotted the truck. When officers found the truck, they saw glass fragments on the front passenger seat, a scuff mark on the passenger-side rearview mirror, and a parking permit with a room number for the hotel in which he was staying.

Heinbaugh, the driver of the truck, was located at the hotel’s bar and when asked what happened to his truck, he told police he believed kids threw glass fragments at the vehicle. Heinbaugh also told police he was not sure where the black scuff mark came from.

After an investigation, police said they believed Heinbaugh was under the influence of alcohol, and he was placed under arrest.

Indecent exposure

A 20-year-old man from Revloc, Pennsylvania was arrested by Ocean City Police at 11:06 p.m. on June 26 near 12th Street and charged with indecent exposure. Police were on patrol when they witnessed two men arguing on the sidewalk. One of the men, police said, walked away while the other followed. Officers approached the men and one told them the other had exposed his genitalia to him and urinated on the ground in front of his store. Police caught up with the man and took him into custody

DUI with a minor

Matthew Joseph Baroch, 32, of Street, Maryland was arrested by Ocean City Police on June 26th near 90th Street and charged with DUI while transporting a minor.

Police said Baroch was stopped after swerving out of his lane with his oneyear-old son in the back seat. Officers determined he was under the influence of alcohol, and he was arrested.

Hungary and Finland join Germany

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer (July 2, 2021) This week, 80 years ago, Hungarian and Finnish soldiers joined German, Slovakian and Romanian soldiers in their assault on the Soviet Union. Finland had a score to settle with the USSR. and Hungary owed a debt to the German Reich.

Prior to World War I, Hungary had been a significant part of the AustroHungarian Empire. The Emperor of Austria was also the King of Hungary and each country had its own Parliament to govern its internal affairs.

With the empire’s defeat in WWI, the “Dual Monarchy” was dismembered and the Treaty of Trianon imposed upon the Kingdom of Hungary. Pursuant to that Treaty, the Kingdom of Hungary lost 60 percent of its population, 89 percent of its timber, 84 percent of its iron, 61 percent of its arable land, 74 percent of its public roads, 65 percent of its canals, 62 percent of its railroads, 83 percent of its pig iron, 55 percent of its industrial plants, 100 percent of its gold, silver, copper, mercury and salt mines, and 67 percent of its credit and banking institutions.

Industrial output dropped by 65 percent. In addition, the treaty restricted the Hungarian Army to 35,000 men, with no heavy artillery, tanks or air force.

After the Nazis took power in Germany, trade was increased with Hungary and in 1938, in the First Vienna Award, over which German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and Italian Foreign Minister Count Galeazzo Ciano presided, Hungary was able to recover some of the territory that it had lost, in the Treaty of Trianon, from Czecho-Slovakia. Pursuant to the Second Vienna Award, two years later, over which the same two Foreign Ministers presided, Hungary was able to recover half of Transylvania, which had been lost to the Kingdom of Romania, in the same treaty.

In the meantime, the Hungarian populace moved further to the right, politically, enacting laws restricting Jews, and finally in 1939, giving the Fascist-style Arrow Cross Party, the second highest number of votes in the Parliamentary election.

On November 20,1940, Hungary executed the Tripartite Pact and formally allied itself with the German Reich, the Japanese Empire and the Italian Kingdom. These countries would be joined by Slovakia, Croatia and the Kingdoms of Romania, Bulgaria and Thailand.

When the German Reich and the Slovak Republic launched their invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, Hungary was not asked to assist. However, many Hungarian officials felt that it ought to participate in order to continue incurring Hitler’s favor regarding further border revisions.

The Hungarian City of Kassa was bombed by three planes on June 26, 1941. Kassa was located in the territory recovered by Hungary from Czecho-Slovakia in the First Vienna Award. The Slovakian name of the city is Košice. At the time its population was 67,000. Today it has a population of 242,000 and is the second largest city in Slovakia, behind the capital of Bratislava.

The bombing killed and wounded over a dozen people and became the pretext for the Hungarian Declaration of War on the Soviet Union the next day. The Soviets denied responsibility, and no solid evidence was ever presented regarding responsibility.

One explanation is that the bombers were Soviet, but that their targets were Slovakian — since Slovakia was now at war with the USSR — and that Soviet maps had not been updated to reflect the border change effected by the First Vienna Award, or they simply made a mistake, intending to bomb Slovakia. Remember when, on April 29,1999, NATO/U.S. forces intended to bomb Serbia, and instead bombed the Bulgarian capital of Sofia?

There was no doubt of the identity of the 460 planes sent to bomb 18 Finnish cities on June 25, 1941. In addition, Soviet artillery from the Hanko Naval Base began shelling Finnish targets and the Red Army was launched against the town of Parikkala, in the southern part of Finland, near the current border with the Russian Federation.

The excuse was that Finland had allowed German troops to cross its territory and when the invasion began, there were five German divisions and Luftwaffe units in Finland. In addition, Finland allowed German planes to refuel at its bases and Finnish forces occupied the heretofore autonomous island of Åland, located between Sweden and Finland, in the Baltic Sea, in the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia.

Finnish military leaders were informed of the Reich’s plans for an invasion in May 1941. Between June 3-6, details of military cooperation were discussed in Helsinki. The Finnish government was informed of the negotiations between the military leaders on June 9. Finnish mobilization began six days later. On June 20, 45,000 Finns were evacuated from the border regions. The next day, the Finns were informed that the Axis’ attack would be launched the following morning.

At the meeting of the Finnish Parliament, on June 25, 1941, Prime Minister Johan Wilhelm Rangell announced that a “Continuation War” existed between the Republic of Finland and the USSR. This would be a “Continuation” of the “Winter War” between the two countries.

Finnish Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim called it a “Holy War.” Finnish President Rysto Ryti declared that this time, “...we are not alone. Germany has decided to wage war against the Soviet Union, and other nations have joined it. The USSR is facing a united front from the White Sea to the Black Sea.”

In October 1939, the Soviets, knowing war was imminent, and concerned about the security of Leningrad, had demanded that the border near Leningrad be moved westward to a point 19 miles east of Finland’s second largest city, Viipuri; that Finland cede to the Soviet Union the islands of Suursaari, Tytärsaari and Koivisto in the Gulf of Finland, as well as the Kalastajansaarento Peninsula; and lease the Hanko Peninsula

Celebration of Life Service

Joseph Velenovsky, born May 30, 1950, passed away December 21, 2020, at his residence in Georgia. He is survived by his daughter Annie Morgan and his son Joseph Velenovsky III, also a brother Robert Velenovsky and sister Debbie Bova. His good friend Katherine Mohr was by his side at the time of his passing. Celebration of Life Service will be held on July 12, 2021, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ocean City, Maryland at 11:00 am. There will be a continuation of his life's celebration at Fiesta Park, 145th St. directly following the service. Continued on Page 64