7/21/2023 Ocean City Today

OC Today

FIREFIGHTER BARGAINING

OC officials advance amendment, will keep discussing contract detail – Page 12

SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY FREE

Council OKs $175K wind turbine study

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) Ocean City Council members are holding strong on their stance against visible wind turbines off the coast of the resort.

So much, that they agreed this week to spend $175,000 on an environmental consultant to take a deep dive into impending project plans and impact statements.

“There’s no amount of money that I wouldn’t approve not to see wind farms in Ocean City,” Councilman Tony DeLuca said before making his motion at a meeting Monday to hire SLR International to review US

Wind’s Construction and Operations Plan for turbines off the coast, and prepare comments in response to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Draft Environmental Assessment.

After some discussion, which included explanations of why the consultant is necessary and reiterations of city officials’ objection to the proposed project, council members voted unanimously to approve the contract.

City Manager Terry McGean said the bureau, which is responsible for approving offshore facilities in federal waters, is reviewing US Wind’s plan to construct up to 125 wind turbines as close as 13 miles off the coast of Ocean City. The turbines, which city officials have not been shy

See RESORT Page 4

School board battle becoming personal

body’s June 20 meeting.

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) Simmering disagreements between Worcester County Board of Education members

Katie Addis and Elena McComas broke out into the open last Tuesday, with McComas accusing Addis of tarnishing fellow members’ reputations since she was elected last November.

When the floor opened to board member discussion, Addis countered that McComas, who joined the board in 2016, had been unprofessional and had embarrassed herself at that

“I find it interesting that the very board member who indicated that I had too much to say during board comments, and called my comments manifestos, decided to have his own manifesto last meeting. Apparently these manifestos are catching on.”

McComas had alleged at the June session that Addis smeared her on social media by calling her a “porn lover” (presumably in a dispute over curricula or contents of certain books in the schools), while Addis denied having said or written that and then chastised McComas for turning to personal attacks (the existence of such a post has not been confirmed).

“For the past year, during your

See ADDIS Page 8

STEWART DOBS0N/OCEAN CITY TODAY

PERCHED

A Carolina chickadee strikes a pose, or a perch, behind canna lilies in an Ocean City flower garden. Small as these birds are, at around a third of an ounce, chickadees aren’t afraid of much, including photographers who get close enough with their lenses to see the sparkle in their eyes.

Resort officials hope to find new ammo to fight acres of windmills planned offshore

McComas, Addis mix it up as county’s budget politics still linger in background

City OKs code change to aid employee housing projects

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) After a lengthy rehashing of parking requirements, Ocean City Council members have approved the second and final reading of a code amendment that aims to create more employee housing in town limits.

The amendment, which adds an employee housing non-accessory option to the city’s code among some other revisions, passed unanimously in a 6-1 vote at a meeting Monday,

with Councilman Tony DeLuca opposed.

DeLuca voted against the final measure, which he voted in favor of during first reading two weeks ago, after changing his stance on parking details.

During discussions Monday on the amendment, Mayor Rick Meehan bought up a familiar argument that the solution the council came up with for parking requirements for employee housing projects would not be feasible

See HOUSING Page 4

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An employee housing building is shown at 104 Dorchester St. downtown. Ocean City Council members approved a final reading this week of a code amendment that aims to help developers create more seasonal workforce housing in town limits.

We have generations of experience and are well known

Resort looks to bolster anti-turbine stance

Continued from Page 1

about opposing, are set to be more than 800-feet tall and visible from the resort’s coastline. The current plan is to complete the construction in two phases, with the first turbines spinning by 2026 and the last by 2028.

McGean said US Wind’s plan consists of more than 3,300 pages between the base document and

appendices that he and his staff are not equipped to fully review and assess.

“It’s beyond my capabilities, beyond the staff’s capabilities,” McGean said.

He explained that it became apparent that officials needed to find a consultant with a specified level of expertise to review the document and prepare comments for the environ-

mental assessment who has not worked for a wind company and would be completely unbiased.

A search turned up SLR, a full-service international environmental, engineering, planning, and consulting firm headquartered in England that McGean said has done a lot of work in oil and gas. He said company officials understand the federal bureau’s process.

And while the consultants will be unbiased, thus setting up the possibility that the research and findings may not support the city’s position, McGean expects they will be able to produce information about environmental and other impacts that previous studies have not mentioned.

For example, the horseshoe crab.

While the impact to right whales has been researched and serves as the catalyst for lawsuits against a similar project in Massachusetts, McGean said no research has been done to

date on what the wind turbines could do to the local horseshoe crab population.

He said the consultants’ work could also produce information about the turbines’ potential effect on the local viewshed and fishing industry.

“Nobody is really holding these firms to some of this due diligence and this would be the way to do that,” McGean said of the reason for the study.

He added that if the information is not favorable to the city’s position, officials could decide not to share it.

Upon request from DeLuca, McGean also summarized the city’s position on the project Monday.

“While we support renewable energy, we support offshore wind, we only support it if it’s done responsibly,” McGean explained. “We are opposed to construction of any offshore wind turbines that are visible to our residents.”

Housing code change passes

Continued from Page 3

during the off season.

Essentially, a lack of parking requirements is fine for summer, as the housing projects would ideally accommodate J1 foreign students who do not have cars. However, people who drive and own cars may be living in the buildings in the fall, winter and spring.

The detail was changed during a council work session after members determined that leaving the code the way planning commissioners had proposed would not be much more desirable.

Council members debated the subject for a while Monday. The conversions included shutting down a motion DeLuca made to revert it back to the original version in a 5-2 vote, with both DeLuca and Councilman John Gehrig voting in favor of it. Gehrig also

voted in favor of a preceeding subordinate motion that Councilman Peter Buas, who spearheaded the parking change that passed first reading, introduced.

Buas’ final motion to approve the new code also included some other minor changes, such as adding a requirement that all leases for projects cannot be any less than 30 days, and eliminating a line that states condo association members can approve employee housing in individual units upon owner request.

Council members also discussed enforcement of the ordinance Monday. While Gehrig expressed concerns about being able to adequately impose all of the regulations and details, planning and legal staff members assured they have enough manpower now to handle projects as they come up.

A rendering shows what a row of wind turbines planned off the coast of Ocean City would look like from 99th Street. City Council members voted this week to spend $175,000 on a consultant to take a deep dive into a lengthy permit contract U.S. Wind submitted for the project.

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MLS MDWO2012960

Highly desirable 2BR/2BA first floor end unit waterfront condo hits the market! From the minute you walk in you will fall in love with this condo and all of the extensive upgrades. The kitchen is wonderful with granite countertops, white cabinets and a beverage cooler. The kitchen flows into the dining area which has plenty of room for the entire family. The family room has beautiful flooring and an electric fireplace for Fall nights. There is a glass slider off the family room to the balcony where you can enjoy entertaining while watching the boats go by. The primary bedroom is spacious and also overlooks the water, and the primary bath has a large custom shower. The second bedroom is large and there is a full second bath as well. Other upgrades include flooring, new hot water heater, upgraded barn door, new composite decking with stairs to the water, upgraded lighting fixtures, and upgraded kitchen and bathrooms. The condo is being offered furnished with only a few exclusions. The condo complex has assigned parking and spaces for visitors. There are boat slips available for rent for $150.00 a year. The condo association is well run and professionally managed. The condo is located off 94th St close to restaurants, shopping and a short walk to the beach. Come take a look today before it's SOLD!

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Commissioners ask for frequent legislative reports

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners are hoping to have a more communicative, coordinated strategy heading into the 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly next year.

On Tuesday, the county’s lobbyist Paul Ellington came to Snow Hill to brief the commissioners on his review of the 2023 session, which ended in April.

Ellington praised the way that the Eastern Shore — from Worcester to Cecil — “spoke with one voice in a parochial manner.”

“To have that permanent presence in Annapolis and be able to go to Washington on your behalf was helpful this time around,” Ellington said.

He spoke about a few “significant” bonds and bills that they were able to pass, including many for Atlantic General Health, Diakonia, and the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department.

He did, however, mention that Ocean City seemed to “go it alone” when it came to failed efforts to raise the room tax cap.

“I think in retrospect, we could have done more — not from (the county’s) point of view — but a more coordinated effort would have led to a better result.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said he was disappointed to hear that he thought Worcester County wasn’t on board with the room tax push.

“I knew,” Ellington responded. “What I’m saying is it wasn’t as well coordinated as it could have been (through) no fault of the county.

Ellington also spoke about the hardship coming with unfunded mandates like the state education department’s Kirwan Commission and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which calls for much more spending on public schools. Still, he expressed hope that something can be done, even with a new governor with “ambitious” goals.

“I know you’re aware of what the Kirwan Commission has foisted upon you,” he said. “This governor has an ambitious agenda but also appeals to reason. With recent concerns about gas tax being tied to inflation, he thinks the legislature should vote on that. That’s a refreshing point of view.”

“When we present a reasonable and united front, when we work not only as Worcester County but also right up the Shore, to Southern Maryland and across the top tier (of the state), and we all speak with one voice, rural Maryland helps us do that. I think we have a lot more leverage and impact.”

Mitrecic said he’d like Ellington and the county to get an earlier start

See COUNTY Page 8

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Addis, McComas animosity spills out on floor

campaigns and going forward, posts on Facebook and other social media have definitely been attacks on [me]” McComas said at the June board meeting.

“I can’t support you (Addis), because I refuse to associate with someone who attacks others unfairly to get their point across,” McComas said at

that time.

The high level of disagreement between the two school board members is a manifestation of the big philosophical split that occurred among the Worcester County Commissioners after last fall’s election.

With the election of Caryn Abbott of Pocomoke and Eric Fiori of West Ocean City/Berlin, a five-member

super majority on the all-Republican body took aim at what they believed would be state-mandated curriculum changes in sex education, which turned out to be otherwise locally, and focused on the Worcester County Public Schools budget.

When the commissioner majority demanded that the school board provide it with a fully detailed break-

down of its proposed spending for the year ahead, Addis backed the majority’s position in discussions with other board members.

That disagreement over how to handle the commissioners’ demands is largely responsible for the rift between Addis and McComas.

“I am for a sane and prudent approach to overseeing and reviewing our budget, not one filled with insinuations and half-truths,” McComas said in June.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Abbott told board members in June that they should have listened to Addis.

County wants regular updates

Continued from Page 6

on planning for 2024 and wants to be kept up to date more often during sessions.

“When we first talked about this, (chief administrative officer) Weston (Young) and I talked about bringing on somebody, I sold it as we would stay on top of stuff during session,” Mitrecic said. “To be honest, we didn’t hear from you, that I know of, during session. Here it is four months later and we’re getting a report. I thought that having somebody in Annapolis reporting back, even not necessarily daily but maybe weekly … I think next year I would like to have a little more day-to-day so we can plan ahead and as you said, be more coordinated.”

Young clarified that Ellington was instructed to wait until after budget season to come to make his presentation, and Ellington added that he kept in contact with Young “on a regular basis.”

The commissioners and Ellington agreed to reconvene in late September or early October.

Continued from Page 1

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Worcester County Board of Education members discussed personal disagreements at the June 20 and July 11 board meetings, with Elena McComas accusing Katie Addis of smearing her reputation and the reputation of other members. Pictured is the board at the July 11 meeting.

Planning commission talks parking code amendments

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission discussed amendments to parking space requirements, among two other issues on Tuesday and agreed to dive deeper into the subjects in the future.

Bill Neville, director of planning and community development for Ocean City gave commission members examples of parking space sizes for single-space and two-space garages.

“If we take this approach, a minimum size one-car garage — 12 feet wide by 22 feet deep — we add an extra two feet. A foot at the front of the car to allow the bumper to not hit the wall, and a foot at the back so that the garage door can actually close,” Neville said.

Right now, the zoning code requirement is 20 feet wide for a twocar garage or 10 feet for each space, Neville said. He suggested the width be widened to 23 feet, giving two feet and an extra foot for “good measure,” he said.

If the commission proceeds with a code amendment, that could ease concerns about using garages for storage space and allowing owners

and tenants to open doors. In addition, the state might mandate electric car charging stations in newly built residential garages, Neville said.

“At this point. we don’t know what that (electric vehicle stations) means dimension-wise, but to me it helps to support the idea that (we add) the extra foot on the front and back,” Neville said.

The next step would be to forward the revisions for a public hearing, Neville said.

Joel Brous, the commission secretary, and Joe Wilson, the commission chairman, agreed with Neville’s suggested dimensions, as did Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy, who said it’s better to have a little extra space, than not enough.

“It was pretty egregious when it was like an 18 foot-wide garage space because you really can’t get [it] open, so I think this a huge step in the right direction,” Wilson said.

Brous wondered if developers might resist the change because the few extra feet might throw off previously used housing models. Neville said there could be fewer parking spots for larger parking plans, and he doesn’t see the changes being a con-

Bronco Beach Bash coming to Ocean City

New event to replace annual Corvette show on weekend of Oct. 14 and 15 in downtown

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The increasing popularity of the new Ford Bronco has prompted a local event promoter to invite owners of the niche vehicles to celebrate their common taste in SUVs during an Ocean City fall weekend that was previously reserved for Corvettes.

At a meeting Monday, council members approved a private event request for the first-ever Bronco Beach Bash, set Oct. 14 and 15, on the south end of the inlet lot, and beach from 29th Street to the end of the Boardwalk.

Brad Hoffman, the CEO of event producer Live Wire Media, presented plans for the new event, which he said is the first of its kind to be held on a beach nationwide.

“We could be on the front side of something with this event,” Hoffman said.

He is expecting between 300 and 400 Broncos to take part in a beach obstacle course, similar to the one set up for Jeep Week, and beach-based parades. The event will also feature vendor tents and other accompanying

festival-style offerings.

Hoffman said Bronco owners have committed copious amounts of effort and money to outfit their vehicles, which have made a comeback from the old versions that were popular in the ’90s.

Craig Huffnagle, the owner of Krawl Works Motorsports in Pennsylvania, is hosting the event with Hoffman. He said Monday that Bronco

owners are customizing their vehicles similar to Jeeps, and that the market is growing fast.

“It’s never ending,” he said. “It’s going to be amazing.”

Hoffman also said that Special Events Director Frank Miller fully supports the Bronco event, especially since it is scheduled for the former Corvette weekend. City staff learned several months ago that the organizer

of the annual show decided not to bring the event back to Ocean City this year.

“[Miller] felt this was a niche event that could fill that void,” Hoffman said.

According to a staff report, the organizer is paying the town more than $4,000 in private event and asset and support fees to put on the Bronco Beach Bash.

A Ford Bronco sits parked in a lot near the South End Transit Station in downtown Ocean City. Council members recently approved a request for a Bronco Beach Bash, with events similar to those held during OC Jeep Week, on Oct. 14 and 15 in the inlet lot and along the Boardwalk..

MALLORY PANUSKA/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

OC comp plan could provide direction for code changes

Continued from Page 9

straint on planners for residential properties.

“We are going beyond what I think is a typical parking space dimension,” Neville said.

He said this change would be only for inside garages, not outdoor spaces.

“I think it’s important for us to say that we’re responding to, essentially, the market conditions, which are heading this direction of an increased number of garage parking units,” Neville said.

Any projects that have already made it through site-plan approval would get to build according to its previously agreed upon parking standards should the code change pass, Neville said.

Neville said that one of the things the commission needs to consider on all the discussed code amendments is whether downtown projects need to be treated differently. The current code in the upper downtown zoning district allows a percentage of parking spaces to be compact, Neville said.

The commission also tentatively decided that these standards should only apply to residential buildings and not larger commercial garages.

Besides parking, the commission discussed possible zoning code amendments that would create clear definitions for “attics,” “habitable attics” and “dormers,” which is a term used to describe vertical windows that stick out from a sloping roof.

The commission decided that Neville will draft a definition of

dormers and an update of building height definitions in order to move the project forward.

“At this point, I wouldn’t recommend that we try to tackle doing separate zoning definitions for attic and habitable attic, because it’s just a mess,” Neville said.

The commissioners then discussed changing how building heights are measured, and perhaps allowing complexes to begin measuring height starting from above-ground-level parking for structures that fall in downtown or upper downtown flood zones.

Wilson said it doesn’t seem like there is a “big appetite” to move anything forward with this amendment, and that it seemed to be the lowest priority of the three.

Wilson suggested having a public hearing for the amendment would help put the commissioners in the right direction on the issue.

Neville said he would look into some dates for a meeting with the state planning office about Ocean City’s Comprehensive Plan, which commissioners thought could help them understand how to proceed with code changes.

“To me it’s almost like the vision would be the comprehensive plan and then everything would fall underneath that, and it seems like that we’re coming up with the laws and regulations and not really knowing what the vision is,” said Commission Member Pam Robertson.

The commission decided to try to schedule some code amendments for public hearing on Sept. 6.

“We are going beyond what I think is a typical parking space dimension.”

Bill Neville

OC advances new firefighter pension request

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The novelty of Ocean City’s International Association of Firefighters’ amicable union negotiations with resort officials last spring may be wearing off as the parties prepare for the possibility of going back to the bargaining table over a new detail.

Less than two hours before a City Council meeting Monday, Association President Ryan Whittington sent an email to the mayor and council members expressing concern over an agenda item pertaining to the public safety pension plan.

The proposed amendment, which passed 7-0 on first reading, aims to help public safety employees by allowing them to buy pension service credits for up to five years beyond the allowance of their existing plans, a prac-

Union wants part-time service credit benefit

tice currently not allowed.

But the way the amendment was designed, requiring employees to buy service in lump sums for what came out to be six-figure totals, was not enough for Whittington and his fellow staff members.

“While the idea of allowing for the purchase of pension years may seem favorable on the surface, the reality is far less promising,” Whittington said in the email. “When we delve into the actual figures, it becomes apparent that this option is simply not feasible for the average person coming from another municipality with a pension system.”

While Whittington was referring to a specific employee — Training Chief Michael Wood, who attended Monday’s meeting with him — he also addressed the bigger picture.

“In our pursuit of building a strong and resilient fire department with a focus on safety and confidence, it is crucial that we consider the importance of part-time service credit,” Whittington’s email said. “The fire department seeks to recruit individuals with previous experience in other departments. When considering the benefits of part-time employees, especially firefighters and paramedics, it is essential to recognize that some decisions cannot be solely based on financial calculations.”

Whittington said during the meeting that the only benefit the department has to offer part-time employees, who are not knocking down the door to work in Ocean City, is money.

“They can go other places and make about the same money and run less calls,” he said.

Offering part-time service credit would help Wood as well, who came to work in Ocean City about a year ago from Baltimore City and recently learned that the number of pension years eligible for transfer from his former job is limited.

Whittington said during Tuesday’s meeting that Wood has extensive education and a degree that has significantly helped the department. For example, Whittington said the department’s quick and exceptional response to a recent fire in a downtown residential area was a direct result of Wood’s training practices in action.

“We’re seamless,” Whittington said. “All of our cadets — volunteer, career, full-time, part-time — are on the same page like we’ve never seen before.”

With that, losing Wood would be a major blow to the department. So when Wood learned his pension would transfer to Ocean City at only a fraction of the credit, staff members jumped into action to find a way to help.

The solution was the amendment passed Tuesday. However, as Whittington pointed out during the meeting, Wood does not have the $109,000 he would need to buy his time back.

“Approving this ordinance to keep

him here is actually not going to work,” Whittington said.

But the amendment, which will go to a second reading before final approval, is a start.

Council members agreed to keep the conversation going, which Wood said after the meeting gives him at least some hope that a solution is possible.

Council members agreed to look into what it could cost to provide parttime service credit, although City Manager Terry McGean cautioned against the potential implications of the conversations.

“It’s important to remember, parttime workers working part time, they are not contributing to the pension,” McGean said. “I just have to be frank, you all are opening up a huge Pandora’s Box if we want to start talking

about this. This is not something that’s going to get settled in 30 days.”

He also said that the proposed amendment is “cost neutral” while the addition of part-time credit is not.

“I believe honestly the correct time to do that would be as part of the bargaining agreement,” McGean said.

Union members and city officials recently met outside of the regular bargaining process to approve changes to pay and pension contributions. The contract, signed in April, expires in three years, which McGean said would essentially be the time to have discussions on any other budgetary changes.

Councilman Tony DeLuca, however, who expressed a desire for staff to look into the cost of implementing part-time contribution capabilities, disagreed.

“I understand it’s a contract, but

anytime you have an opportunity presented to you that could improve safety, help get more part-time, improve, retain, reduce overhead, I don’t agree that you just go with the contract. At all,” DeLuca said.

During the most recent negotiations, members of both bargaining parties said the discussions were some of the best and most productive ever, which Whittington said is proof that they should continue talking.

“We need to keep having these conversations,” he said. “Because sometimes the union can go above and beyond, as well as the mayor and council can go above and beyond.”

Council members also voted on Tuesday to approve the first reading of a similar pension purchase plan for regular employees, as well as those in public safety.

Commissioners approve ARPA funds to OPVFD

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners continued their dispensing of American Rescue Plan funds to rectify inadequate EMS service countywide by awarding $82,300 to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday.

The OPVFD requested the funds to purchase new equipment for a new engine it just ordered, due to arrive in early 2025. The engine will be staffed with a paramedic and two firefighters and will respond to “Delta and Echo

calls,” or life-threatening emergencies that include chest pains, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, seizures and trapped individuals in sinking vehicles, according to a memo from OPVFD Chief Steve Grunewald.

Grunwald added in his memo that the equipment is required by both Worcester County and the National Fire Protection Association.

Commissioner Chip Bertino asked for clarification on how this fits the criteria the county uses in awarding ARPA funds in ways that enhance EMS.

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said that these engines offer basic life support.

Still unsure after the explanation, Commissioner Caryn Abbott said she didn’t see anything in the invoice related to advanced life support or basic life support.

“I just see fire equipment,” she said. “If we’re saying this is going to be a paramedic fire apparatus, I don’t see where they’ve out anything into the EMS side of it.”

Ultimately, the vote was unanimous.

So far, the commissioners have approved rescue plan requests to Ocean City EMS for medical devices, Ocean Pines EMS for heart monitors, Showell Volunteer Fire Company for a new pumper engine, Girdletree Fire Company for SCBA equipment, Bishopville for an ambulance, Pocomoke Fire Company for a utility truck, Pocomoke e EMS for an ambulance, Newark Fire Company for an ambulance, Stockton Fire Company for a new pumper engine and Berlin Fire/EMS for an ambulance, rescue rope and electrical vehicle firefighting equipment.

Worcester buys 12 acres of Berlin Lions Club property

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners completed the purchase of 12 acres from the Berlin Lions Club for about $1.2 million on Tuesday.

The purchase completes a project that includes the county’s acquisition of the Lion’s Club land adjacent to the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex.

The purchase was made with Project Open Space funding and is intended to expand the athletic complex and renovate the fields on the property.

The figures attached to the lengthy process changed over time, and Commissioner Jim Bunting felt that it justified the county not having to pay for the surveying costs.

“We’re responsible for the cost of deeds, filing deeds and I voted against this previously,” Bunting said. “We had an agreement that we were going to buy this property (and) they were going to take two acres out. We had a price. Now they’ve come back and now they want to give us 12 acres of the property and keep six and then add two more acres for the Lions Club, at a cost that’s more than we

verbally agreed to during the meeting.

“At that time they had a surveyor survey the whole property and all we had to do was draw a line for two acres. My understanding now is it’s more complicated because it’ll be three parcels instead of two and I’m just concerned that it’s going to get very expensive. I’ve been told that they’re not even talking to the surveyor of the original work, which didn’t agree. I would like for us to not be responsible for any of the surveying costs.”

The commissioners agreed unanimously to take out the surveying costs.

The Berlin Lions Club property consists of six baseball-softball fields and a permanent concession stand. Once the 18-acre property is fully owned by the county, the Department of Recreation and Parks will began repairing the baseball-softball fields.

The requested project asks for an engineering firm to formulate a master plan that includes the fields as well as trails, playgrounds, site amenities and other recreational features, according to a June memo from Recreation and Parks Director Kelly Rados.

Public has say on Heron Park at multiple public meetings

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) As promised, Berlin officials continued to provide opportunities for residents to share their opinions about the potential development of Heron Park during last Tuesday’s Parks Commission meeting and last Wednesday’s Planning Commission session.

Most people who spoke seemed to support the idea of a garden center and small entertainment venue on the property, as well as Rails and Trails to connect the property to the downtown area.

Much of the discussion revolved around protecting the natural assets on the property, the demolition of existing structures and whether the offer from Coastal Ventures was enough to address the $2.3 million the town owes on the property in bought in 2016.

There was also extensive discussion of a skate park on the property.

“The biggest question in this room is: ‘Where is the skate park going to be?’ That property could be the ideal place for a skate park,”

Parks Commission member Laura Stearns said.

Resident Ed Hammond agreed that Heron Park is the most logical place for a skate park to go because it would create the least environmental issues.

Parks Commission member Sarah Hooper thought skaters could use the rails and trails pathway to get to the skate park, getting them off the street.

Resident Marie Velong, however, disagreed and advocated selling the entire parcel.

“It is a dangerous place for children. You have bars on both sides, an auto place with a bunch of junk. You put kids back there with no way to monitor them,” Velong said.

But Palmer Gillis of Coastal Ventures Development, the would-be purchaser of roughly 20 acres of the 63-acre tract, encouraged the idea of a skate park on Heron Park. He said the skate park would take up less than one half of an acre.

“Families can go to the garden center and send their kids to the skate

See HERON Page 18

CINDY HOFFMAN/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Berlin residents consider what type of development should occur on the site of the old chicken plant, where much of the property has been reclaimed by local wildlife.

Heron Park future in question

Continued from Page 16

park,” Gillis said.

Commission members and residents also raised concerns about the costs and process for demolition of the buildings left standing on the property when previous owner Tyson departed after ceasing its poultry processing operations there. The town has received a $500,000 demolition grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for demolition on the property.

Mayor Zack Tyndall said during the Monday working meeting that a decision on the use of the grant will need to be made by the end of August.

While Sterns said the proposal by Gillis was a lovely design, she expressed concern about losing open space.

“There will be a lot of expenses in regard to tearing it down and building what we need. Will it be worth giving up that open space we can never get back?”

“Demolish what you can of the building. If that is not enough, do the rest when you get the money,” Velong said.

Gillis reminded attendees that if he purchased the property, he would use the $500,000 grant for a partial demo and pay for any additional demolition costs himself. He also suggested that he would keep the water tower on the site and incorporate it into part of the stage for a small entertainment venue. He saw it as an artistic method for reusing the st ructure.

While there has been much debate on what type of development should be on the property, and questions on whether Gillis could flip the property or go in another direction once he owned it, he re-

minded residents that the RFP provided guidance on what the town wanted.

“We are bound by the boundaries of the RFP,” Gillis said. “Our plan is the town’s plan. We copied and pasted what the town plans were.”

He said the town has been discussing this project for seven years. He promised that in three to five years, “we will all stand on the corner and say this is the best thing that ever happened in Berlin.”

“This issue has been moving around in circles for a lot of time. There is a general feeling of frustration in town,” Hammond said. “We need a process for citizen engagement. There is no doubt of the earnest desires and efforts of members of the [Heron Park] subcommittee. But they do not have the skill set to negotiate on this proposal. We can do a lot better than what is in this proposal, economically and by incorporating public uses.”

He suggested recruiting skilled people in the town who would be willing to volunteer their time to have a more favorable outcome.

“What we can’t do is give up because everyone has been frustrated by the process.”

The possibility of a referendum was also discussed during the parks meeting.

“My recommendation is not to go in that direction,” said Town Administrator Mary Bohlen.

She said that a referendum question would have to be very carefully thought out.

“The question itself has to be carefully worded so people can understand it so it gets you the answers you are looking for.”

She added that there could not be a laundry list of options for development on the property.

The Town of Snow Hill has a buyer lined up for the Black Eyed Susan riverboat, the maligned paddlewheel boat that the town had once pinned its hopes on to be a lucrative tourist attraction. Town manager Rick Pollitt said the town could be paying off the vessel for 12 years.

Snow Hill nearing sale for riverboat

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Town of Snow Hill is finally poised to say goodbye to the beleaguered Black Eyed Susan riverboat.

On Tuesday, Snow Hill town manager Rick Pollitt said that the town has lined up a buyer for the woebegone watercraft that the town a year ago pinned its hopes on to be its marquee tourism attraction.

The mechanical issues that doomed the endeavor were only part of the obstacle to finally selling the 149-passenger, 111-foot paddlewheel boat.

The town borrowed $400,000 from the county to make the purchase, and $100,000 of that came

from a repurposed state grant to the county, meaning the county first needed to determine if the state would require repayment of that funding.

Pollitt said that, to his knowledge, the state will not pursue collection.

And still, the town will have to figure out how to repay the county for the rest of that loan, considering that the final sale price will be “nowhere near” the $324,900 that the town paid for the boat itself in 2020.

“The boat will be gone [soon] but we will be paying for it for another 12 years maybe,” Pollitt said.

The $400,000 also helped with repairs that the town needed to make that it was aware of at the time of purchase.

It didn’t take its maiden voyage

until late summer 2021. At that point, it looked like smooth sailing ahead and the private operator for the vessel began booking trips into 2022.

But the good times quickly ran aground in spring 2022 when a mandatory U.S. Coast Guard inspection uncovered $600,000 of work that needed to be done to make the riverboat legally qualified as a passenger vessel.

On top of the repairs and inspections the town had already dealt with from the time it purchased the boat to its maiden voyage nearly 10 months later, the latest bill proved to be the Black Eyed Susan’s iceberg in the dead of night.

Details about the buyer the town

See BLACK Page 21

Man dies after found floating in Bay, more recent incidents

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) A man was pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital after being found unresponsive in Sinepuxent Bay last Wednesday around 5:30 p.m., according to a press release from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

Bystanders saw Ronald Charles Lingenfelder, 65, of Ownings Mills, floating face down in the bay waters near the tiki bar beach at Castaways Campgrounds. They brought Lingenfelder to shore and started lifesaving measures until emergency services arrived and took him to the hospital.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the area.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and an investigator from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the incident, according to the press release.

The Sheriff’s Office said there are no updates yet.

Ocean City Firefighters and EMS performed CPR on a swimmer after a water rescue in Assawoman Bay around 5:30 p.m. on July 12 near Eagles Nest Road in Ocean City, accord-

ing to a Facebook post from the Ocean City Fire Department. The OCFD did not respond with further information.

• • •

The OCFD posted a photo of a Maryland State Police Aviation helicopter landing at Northside Park for a trauma fly-out around 5 p.m. on July 15. The OCFD did not respond with further information.

• • •

On July 14, around 4 a.m. a Chevy Equinox and a Ford F150 crashed on Route 113 near Georgetown Road, according to Maryland State Police. The 70-year-old driver of the Equinox and a 64-year-old passenger were taken to Atlantic General Hospital for injuries, police said. The driver of the Ford F150 was uninjured.

• • •

Maryland State Police Aviation flew a critically injured person to Shock Trauma around 2 a.m. on July 17, after they were involved in a crash between a motorcycle and another vehicle at the intersection of Grays Corner Road and Ocean Gateway, according to a Facebook post from the OCFD. The motorcycle caught fire. The OCFD did not respond with further information.

Black Eyed Susan almost gone

has lined up are scarce at this stage, but Pollitt said he is under the impression that the buyer is not interested in using the Black Eyed Susan as a “working boat.”

“Frankly, I think the cost of bringing it up to the Coast Guard’s standards is prohibitive to anyone who wants to buy it,” he said.

There were rumblings about possible efforts to sell the riverboat to a local buyer or group who could, in theory, keep the boat local, but Pollitt said no one was able to come up with the financing to make such a deal fea-

sible.

“We had to tow it back to Snow Hill from (the Coast Guard shipyard in) Norfolk because we couldn’t afford the seaworthy repairs,” Pollitt pointed out. “Anyone will have to spend some money just to get it down the river to wherever (and) no one has come up with a workable finance plan.”

Pollitt said the county communicated to him that they hope to have their dealings with the state settled by the end of next week, making him hopeful that the issue can be brought to the commissioners by their next meeting on Aug. 1.

The OCFD posted a photo of a Maryland State Police Aviation helicopter landing at Northside Park for a trauma fly-out around 5 p.m. on July 15.

Ocean City Police still searching for koi fish

(July 21, 2023) Members of the Ocean City Police Department are seeking help from the public in identifying multiple suspects in an animal cruelty case that involved fish from a koi pond from the beginning of July.

According to a news release, just before 3 a.m., July 1, a group of five males reportedly stopped at a home in the 10 block of 77th Street. Surveillance video showed the group trespassing as they entered a privately fenced-in koi fish pond area.

The video included footage of the individuals removing several fish from the pond, tossing them around, chasing each other, and using a shovel in the pond. The release said one of the fish that was removed from the pond did not survive.

The group of males also reportedly appeared to be photographing and/or

filming the incident.

Police issued descriptions of the men in the video, which were as follows:

•White male; 18-25 years old; short, light brown hair; wearing a black t-shirt with yellow writing on the front, dark blue shorts and carrying a shovel

• White male; 18-25 years old; wearing a black ball cap, gray T-shirt, gray shorts and white Crocs

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; black hair; wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; brown hair; wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and gray sneakers

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; black hair; wearing a black T-shirt, gray pants and carrying a beach chair

The Ocean City Police Department

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originally posted still photos of the suspects on social media accounts, in hopes someone would recognize them, or that the individuals would come forward.

The surveillance video was also updated to the Ocean City Police Department’s YouTube page at youtube/SCkGVvea-ic. The video is considered graphic and shows the individuals harming the fish.

The release said the Ocean City police are taking the incident seriously

and exhausting all efforts to bring the fish owners some closure and justice. Anyone who can identify the subjects in the video, is asked to contact PFC E. Rhode at erhode@oceancitymd.gov, or the Ocean City Police Department at 410-723-6610.

Anonymous tips may be left by phone at 410-520-5136, or electronically at oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/police/crime-tips. Tipsters are asked to reference case number 2023-00-2813.

PA man sentenced five years for deadly motorcycle crash

(July 21, 2023) A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a Worcester County motorcycle wreck that killed one woman and injured two other people in September 2021.

According to the original police report, on Sept. 18, 2021, Brian P. Riley, 47, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, was driving a 2011 Harley Davidson with a passenger, Lorrie J. Buoymaster, 49, also of Altoona, at the intersection of routes 610 and 50 in Berlin.

Riley reportedly crashed into a 2002 Harley Davidson driven by a male driver with a female passenger.

Buoymaster was seriously injured in the wreck and flown by helicopter to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment, where she later died.

The driver and passenger of the 2002 Harley were also injured.

Riley was taken into custody at the scene and later released.

Nearly a year later, at the conclusion of the investigation, Riley was charged with several felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the crash.

On July 10, according to Maryland Judiciary Case Search records, Riley pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter with a vehicle or vessel,

and two counts of causing life-threatening injuries in a vehicle or boat while under the influence. The charges are all misdemeanors.

According to the records, Riley was sentenced to three years on the negligent manslaughter charge with all but one suspended, and three years each on the other two charges, with all but two suspended, for a total of five years in prison.

POLICE/COURTS Hit-and-run

The OCPD charged Austin Lee Humphreys, 23, of Delmar, with DUI and failure to stop at or report an accident that he had been involved in, according to a police report.

On Saturday, July 15, around 3 a.m., police saw a Toyota Camry with heavy rear-end damage stopped near 62nd Street on Coastal Highway. A witness told police a white sedan involved in the crash had left the scene.

Officers found a white Hyundai Sonata parked in a nearby lot with front-end damage, and saw two men walking away from it. When police approached them they ran down an alleyway, but eventually stopped, police

Continued on Page 24

said.

One of them was Humphreys, according to police, who said the other man told them he had been in the passenger seat when the airbags suddenly deployed while they were driving.

The man whose car had been struck told police he was driving north on Coastal Highway when it occurred. He said when he found a place to stop, he didn’t see any other cars around with damages.

The victim gave police the suspect’s front license plate that had fallen off in the crash. It matched Humphrey’s Sonata.

The man who had been the passenger in the car told police he and Humphreys had been at a local bar.

Humphreys told police he couldn’t recall anything about the crash besides the airbags deploying, and that he didn’t drive far or mean to flee.

Police arrested Humphreys, and police could see signs he was intoxicated. At the booking facility, Humphreys failed a sobriety test.

Intent to distribute

Triston Maurice Butler, 20, of Pittsburgh, received seven charges from the OCPD, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, obstructing and hindering and making a false statement to an officer, according to a police report.

On Sunday, July 16, around 10:30

a.m., police near 17th Street and Baltimore Avenue saw a blue Nissan Rogue by a nearby hotel. Officers recognized it as a car related to Butler, who was wanted in Pittsburgh for reckless endangerment involving a firearm.

Police pulled the car over after they noticed the occupants weren’t wearing seatbelts, and they detained Butler in handcuffs.

When police asked Butler for identification, he allegedly gave officers a fake name. Police told Butler they knew who he was and that he had an active arrest warrant, but he stuck to the fake name, according to the report.

Officers arrested Butler and searched him. Inside Butler’s bag, police found a plastic bag containing 71 Alprazolam pills, the same drug used in Xanax, and more than $3,500 in cash.

Inside the car officers found another bag containing psilocybin mushrooms.

Assault

Police charged Kenna Marie Ward, 21, of Abingdon, Maryland with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful order and assault, following an inci-

dent last Sunday.

Police said a bicycle patrol officer was flagged down on Sunday, July 16, around midnight, because a fight on the 10 block of North Division Street. There, a man told officers he had been jumped by four black men, and that they had punched Ward, his girlfriend.

Police saw the group of men walking away and advised other officers to detain them.

While police tried to talk to Ward, she was speaking on the phone about the incident and used the N-word while describing the men she and her boyfriend had fought, according to the report. A passerby told her not to use that word, and she cursed at them.

Police put Ward in handcuffs and asked her to stop yelling. Ward’s boyfriend told police he had been hit in the jaw, and Ward said she’d also been hit in the jaw. The two alleged that the other group had started the fight.

Police arrested Ward for disorderly conduct.

Police wrote that when they reviewed the security footage, Ward’s boyfriend had appeared to be the main aggressor. In the video Ward hit one of the men from behind, according to the report.

Pavlova with whipped cream and fresh fruit artistic work

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(July 21, 2023) Art is a highly diverse range of human skills that are engaged in creating visual or auditory artworks that express one’s imaginative and technical skills.

A work of art is intended to be revered for its beauty and emotional power, and must evoke one’s senses to a degree of amazement and irresistible wonderment.

Cooking also falls under this classification. Food is carefully presented on a canvas by way of a plate and is embellished according to height, color and texture.

The end result is a piece de resistance that incorporates unbelievable flavors, a reflection of one’s heritage, and professional skills that are brought together by way of seasonal ingredients.

The hot summer is here and a gorgeous, snow-white pavlova accompanied with whipped cream, fresh fruit, and a decadent sauce can be a simple

but stunning dessert. If you are not familiar with pavlova, allow me to share the enchanting story behind this international dessert.

The bragging rights for pavlova, paa-vlow-vuh, are unclear. But the name and recipe began appearing soon after Russia prima ballerina, Anna Matveyevna Pavlova, toured Australia and New Zealand during the years of 1926 through 1929.

According to What’s Cooking America, Pavlova was considered the greatest ballerina of her time and her visit to New Zealand has been described as the most anticipated event of 1926.

Her devoted fans described her dancing style as one who glides across the stage as if she had wings. One can presume the light whipped egg whites and whipped cream of this famous dessert was created in likeness of the celebrated ballerina.

Australia and New Zealand have long been at odds over which country invented the antipodean dish. An article titled, “The Pavlova: New Zealand or Australian Dessert,” gives a detailed account on why the bragging rights are not so clear cut.

The article maintains that the dessert we know today can be traced back to 1926, when the cookbook, “Home Cookery for New Zealand,” included a recipe for Meringue with Fruit Filling.

The name “Pavlova” is not mentioned, but the recipe is very similar.

One year later, the sixth edition of Davis Dainty Dishes is published in New Zealand, which included the first known recorded recipe using the name “Pavlova,” but the recipe in-

cluded a gelatin as opposed to a meringue base dish.

Professor Helen Leach, a culinary anthropologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand, said the earliest recipe that uses traditional Pavlova ingredients was published in 1929 in a magazine titled, “New Zealand Rural Magazine.”

So, one might be asking where does Australia come into the picture?

Anna Pavlova stayed at the Hotel Es-

See HOMEMADE Page 27

Carol Quinto named crafter of month in July

(July 21, 2023) Ocean Pines resident Carol Quinto was recently named the Pine’eer Craft Club’s July Crafter of the Month.

According to a news release, Quinto and her husband Phil retired to Ocean Pines from New Jersey in 2004. In retirement, Carol has discovered crafting to express her creativity. She is a self-taught sewer, and her coverups, plus embroidered towels and placements, are among the best sellers in the craft shop.

Quinto joined the Pine’eer Craft Club soon after moving to Ocean Pines and has been an essential member of the executive board, holding multiple positions within the group.

Carol has chaired the popular summer and holiday craft fairs as well as held the position of vice president and manager of the gift shop.

She currently serves as treasurer of the shop and unofficially as the tech advisor, as she is the go-to for all questions and installations regarding the square system.

“The club and shop would not run smoothly without the benefit of Carol’s help,” Club President Sharon Puser said in the release. “I know I rely on her, and while we love our new members, seasoned members like Carol help keep everything going

without a hitch.”

The release added that Quinto is such a resource to the newer craft club members, that it’s amazing she still has time to craft.

But, along with sewing and embroidery, Quinto creates fabric decoupage plates — that are safe to eat on — plus festive Ocean Pines ornaments. She, like many members, enjoys crafting of all varieties and dabbles in something new when it

suits her.

“My other love is golf. I am member of the LPGA Amateur Eastern Shore Golf Association,” Quinto said in the release. “I play in a lady’s 9hole League, and while I’ve only been playing a few years, I really enjoy it.”

Quinto’s creations and other gifts can be found at the Pine’eer Artisan Gift Shop, which is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, holidays excluded.

The Club’s August Craft Fair is set for Aug. 5 at the Ocean Pines Community Center and White Horse

Park. Admission and parking are free, and everything sold is 100 percent handmade.

The club is always seeking new crafters and meetings are open to the public.

Artisans who would like to sell their creations at the shop, can contact Debbie Jiwa or Barbara Herzog, shop managers, or email opcraftclub@aol.com for more information. Since inception, the craft club, which has existed in Ocean Pines for 49 years, has donated nearly $179,000 back to Ocean Pines.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Ocean Pines resident Carol Quinto, a selftaught sewer, poses with some of her creations at the Pine’eer Craft Club in Ocean Pines. Club members recently named Quinto the July Crafter of the Month.

CROSSWORD

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Sometimes you feel a need to be in charge to prove that you are capable, Aries. This week take a back seat and fall in line with the established modus operandi.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

You may get into the habit of focusing on past mistakes, Taurus. This week, instead of falling into old habits, think about how you can grow and learn from your mistakes.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, it’s time to be sociable and put out feelers for different adventures. Make sure you share on social media channels that you’re available and ready to have fun.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, keep track of your mood this week, as it is easy to swing from glad to glum in no time at all. Friends can help keep you on a more even keel for the time being.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, a refreshing sense of energy comes your way, and you start to jump head-first into all of those projects that have been pushed aside. You’ll sail through tasks in no time flat.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

An interesting travel opportunity comes your way, Virgo. However, at first glance it might not seem like the type of trip you would normally take. Keep an open mind and be surprised.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Treat yourself to something special in the days to come, Libra. Perhaps it is a costly fragrance you’ve been spying or a new piece of furniture. You earned the indulgence.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

It’s time to take your foot off the gas and slow down to a crawl, Scorpio. A well deserved break should be on your itinerary; otherwise, you may burn through all of your fuel prematurely.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, teamwork is the answer right now, especially when your to-do list seems to be growing exponentially. Recruit some close confidantes to help you along the way.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Make your career a priority this week, Capricorn. You may be feeling unsettled where you are now. There is no saying where things will go, so exercise caution when making decisions.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, wanderlust is on your brain. You’ve been fantasizing about all of the grand adventures you can take. Figure out a way to fund a getaway and get started.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, something profound may have happened to you and you may need to sift through all of your feelings over the next few days. Take all the time you need to process.

Homemade dessert is work of art

Continued from Page 25

planade in Perth, Western Australia, in 1929. According to the Paxton family legend, Chef Herbert Sachse of the Hotel Esplanade found a recipe for Meringue Cake, and sought to improve it.

The resulting recipe was called “Pavlova.” The sweet offering became quite popular at the Hotel Esplanade and pivoted Chef Sachse to national acclaim.

In summation, most culinary professionals believe New Zealand first developed the recipe, for a meringue cake which was sometimes called Pavlova. But it was not until Chef Sachse created his Pavlova recipe that the name became infamous and widely known around the world.

Pavlova can be served plain or with a sauce. A ruby red raspberry sauce will add decadence and boost the flavor profile. This step is optional but for those who prefer a sweet topping, the recipe follows.

Place 3/4 pint of fresh raspberries, ½ cup of sugar, and ¼ cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 4 minutes.

Combine the cooked raspberries and one cup of seedless raspberry jam into a blender. Puree until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve and set aside until ready to serve.

Variation embellishes the chances for spontaneity and the pursuit of distinction.

The crusty exterior of the meringue cake is a wonderful contrast to the soft, marshmallow-like interior. Fresh whipped cream and

seasonal fruit adds lightness, which makes the dessert a great option year-round. Edible gold dust makes this majestic dessert fitting for any occasion. Enjoy!

Pavlova

Meringue

4 extra-large egg whites, room temperature

pinch of table salt

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Place sugar in a food processor and pulse a few times to break up the granules. Superfine sugar dissolves easier in egg whites as opposed to regular sugar, and is the reason for this step.

3. Pavlova can be served as a cake or individual portions. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a sheet pan. Draw either a 9-inch or 4 (4-inch) circles on the paper. Use a pie pan or ramekins as a guide. Turn the paper over so the ink does not get on the meringue.

4. Beat the egg whites in a glass or metal bowl with a hand-held mixer for two minutes. Gradually add sugar and beat for another two minutes. Add salt, cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla, and beat until stiff.

5. Carefully place the egg white mixture in the middle of the large circle or pipe. The egg white filling into the smaller circles. Create a crater in the center (for the whipped cream and fruit). This is going to be the ves-

sel for the dessert, so take your time with the beautification.

6. Reduce heat to 200 degrees and bake for 1 ½ hours. Turn off the oven, keep the door closed, and allow the meringue to cool completely in the oven for 1 hour. Do not open the oven door until the timer goes off. The exterior will be crispy and the interior will be soft.

Whipped Cream

1 cup cold heavy cream

1 ½ tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Using a hand-held mixer, whip the cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl. The beaters should also be chilled. When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla. Beat the cream until it becomes firm.

Filling

2 cups assorted fresh fruit

fresh mint as a garnish powdered sugar as a garnish edible gold as a garnish.

Presentation

1. Place the meringue disk on a serving plate. Pipe whipping cream into the crater of the disk. This adds flavor and will act as a glue. Artfully arrange assorted fruit on the whipped cream and center of the meringue disk. Serve with a side of raspberry sauce (optional) and garnish with fresh mint, powdered sugar, or gold dust.

Secret Ingredient – Art

“The principles of true art are not to portray, but to evoke.”

— Jerzy Kosinski

3 x 4.14

Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street

■ ANGLER RESTAURANT

312 Talbot St., Ocean City 410-289-7424, www.angleroc.net

$$ | Reservations | Kid’s menu | Full bar

$6 cruise with $15 lunch or dinner food purchase. Serving lunch, dinner, and lite fare. Seafood is our specialty and great landlubber choices. Boat Bar Happy Hour is 3-6 p.m. Open daily. For lunch, dinner, and Lite fare. Dine in or carry out available.

■ ANTHONY’S CARRYOUT

1608 N Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, (corner of 17th and Coastal Hwy) 410-213-4803, anthonyscarryoutoc.com

$$ | Sandwich shop

American restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Locally baked rolls with overstuffed and oversized subs, sandwiches, hand cut Idaho fries, fried chicken and much more. Thinly shaved slow roasted roast beef and hams daily. Breakfast sandwiches stuffed meats, eggs and cheese piled high. A must try!!! Open daily, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

■ CABANAS BEACH BAR & GRILLE

Located in the Plim Plaza Hotel, 109 N Atlantic Ave., 2nd Street & the boardwalk, Ocean City, 410-524-1776, www.cabanasoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open to the public. A full-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner inside and Signature smash burgers, fresh cut fries, handhelds, signature salads, and much more. Indoor and outdoor bar. Fresh squeezed crushes, frozen drinks, tropical libations. Dine in or carry out. Open 7 days a week starting with breakfast 8-11 a.m. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at least 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The bar is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at least midnight Friday and Saturday.

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE

15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-2897192, www.captainstableoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

A local tradition for more than 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and regional seafood. Open for breakfast and dinner every day. Happy Hour: 7 days a week, 4-6 p.m. Breakfast: Monday through Friday, 7:30-10:30 a.m.; Saturday through Sunday, 7:30-11:30 a.m. Dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 410 p.m.

■ CARUSO’S PIZZA & SUBS

Downtown & Boardwalk across from Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Ocean City, 410-289-1990, oceancitymdpizza.com

$$ | Kids’ menu Pizza, subs, calzones, stromboli’s. Fresh lemonade, orange crushes and beer. Open 7 days a week. Dine in or carry out available.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT

28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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 through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out. Ordering online www.coinspuboc.com.

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR

17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, www.coralreefrestaurant.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites. Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharable, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m.

■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND

Caroline Street, Wicomico Street and S. Division Street on the boardwalk, Ocean City

www.dumsersdairyland.com

Ice Cream is made daily. Stop by any Dumser’s location for homemade ice cream, milk shakes, sundaes, floats and much more. Open 7 days a week.

■ FISHTALES BAR & GRILL

21st Street and the Bay, Ocean City 410-289-

0990

$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Fishtales located in a premier outdoor beach location on the bay with the best sunsets. Come for the best local fare in town. We offer lunch and dinner with great happy hour food and drink specials. Kids play area too. So, sit back and enjoy. Open 7 days a week.

■ HAMMERHEADS RAW BAR & GRILL

913 Atlantic Ave. on the boardwalk, Ocean City, 410-289-0006, www.hammerheadsocmd.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Oceanfront deck. Try our Seafood steam pots and 1/2 lb burgers, creative cocktails like the shark and tank and rum punch bucket. Take a break from the beach with a cool frozen drink or one of our refreshing fresh squeezed fruit crushes. Open 7 Days a week, noon to 10 p.m. Dine in or carry out is available.

■ HARBOR WATCH RESTAURANT

806 S. Atlantic Avenue, Boardwalk & Inlet, Ocean City 410-289-5121, www.harborwatchrestaraunt.com

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

The highest quality seafood, unlimited sides, award-winning raw bar, certified angus beef and home to the best view of Ocean City, Inlet and Assateague Island. Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Raw Bar specials, Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m, featuring half priced steamed shrimp and $4 draft beer. Call for banquet and large-party details.

■ OCHO RIOS JERK & TINGS

11805 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City 443-664-7275, www.ochoriosjerkandtings.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Authentic Jamaican food in Ocean City. Serving lunch and dinner. Yardies’ Jerk Wings, soups, salads, chicken seafood, beef, oxtails to curry goat and coco breads. Finish off a delicious meal with Jamaican rum cake and fried sweet plantains. Vegan options are available. Open 7 days a week, Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

■ PICKLES PUB

706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City 410-289-4891, www.picklesoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open daily. Serving food until 1 a.m. Free parking across the street. Daily food and drink specials. Live entertainment 6 nights a week. Lots of pool tables. Liquor store attached. Game room. 30+ drafts on tap. Dine in or carry out.

■ PIZZA MAMBO

710 Philadelphia Ave., between 7th and 8th Streets, Ocean City 410-289-1200; 7205 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410-524-0090, ocpizzamambo.com

$$ | Kids’ menu

Serving pizzas with homemade crust, sauces, and 100 percent cheese. Specialty pizzas, wings, appetizers, and salads. Also, calzone, subs, and sandwiches. Fast free delivery with 2 locations. Open year round. Order online at ocpizzamambo.com

■ TOAST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

221 Wicomico St, Downtown Ocean City, Inside Emerson Towers on the Bay 410-237-7070, www.toastocmd.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Serving NY specialty pizzas, home of the Super Slice Challenge, brunch breakfast, soups, salads, sandwiches & subs, Italian & Seafood. Relocated to Ocean City’s downtown bayfront. Check out Facebook for daily specials, days & hours open. Dine in and carry out available. Open 7 days a week. Serving brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner 3-9 p.m. Happy Hour 1-6 p.m.

■ THE WEDGE BAR

806 S. Atlantic Ave., Boardwalk and Inlet, Ocean City www.thewedgeoc.com

$-$$ | Full bar

Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, bay and Assateague Island. Enjoy small plates, sandwiches and burgers grilled on Ocean City’s only

Josper grill. Happy Hour, Sunday through Thursday, 3-5 p.m. Open Daily, 11:30 a.m.

■ 32 PALM 32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-2892525, www.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. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m.

■ THE BONFIRE

7009 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City 410-524-7171, thebonfirerestaurant.com

$$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar

The ultimate all-you-care-to-eat seafood and prime rib buffet. 150 feet of delicious food with prime rib carving to order station, chicken, ham, steamed and fried shrimp, briskets, salad and soup bars, homemade desserts, and so much more. Crab legs are available by the pound. Check out the early bird specials. A special section of foods for children when the kids are happy so are the parents. Plenty of seating for large parties. Call for reservations. Voted the best buffet in Ocean City for 6 years. Open 7 days a week, Monday through Friday, 4 p.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 4 p.m.

■ MARLIN MOON

3301 Atlantic Ave. in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, www.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 crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring July drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.

■ MACKY’S BAYSIDE

54th Street & The Bay, Ocean City 410-7235565, info@macky.com

$$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar

Macky’s Bayside Bar & Grill, where life is good!

Macky’s is open daily during the season and features chef inspired specials, an awesome happy hour, and the best bayside sunset on the Eastern Shore. Visit mackys.com to check out our music schedule and upcoming events. Come hang out where life is good, Macky’s Bayside Bar & Grill open all summer long!

■ PGN 29th Street, Ocean City, 3301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City 410-289-8380, 410-289-4083, www,pgncrabhouse.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Beer & Wine

Know for their famous steamed crabs. Dining in or carry out is available. Casual seasonal seafood stop for the all-you-can-eat specials. Steamed crabs, chicken and corn on the cob. You can find clams, ribs, crab cakes, seafood platters and more. You can call for daily specials. Open 7 days a week. 11 a.m.

■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. through midnight with island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.

UPTOWN

■ BAHAMA’S CRAB SHACK CARRYOUT & OUTLET

Oceanside MD/DE Line and Coastal Hwy, Fenwick 302-537-5882

Premium seafood, fat crabs by weight, sandwiches and dinners. Open daily at 10 am, closed Wednesdays. Seafood, chicken, homemade soups, super crab cakes, steamed shrimp, fresh clams, soft crabs, scallops, oysters, and snow Crab Claws.

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS

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

Enjoy one of four restaurants in the Carousel.

Serving breakfast; The Bistro, Saturday through Sunday, 7-11 a.m. proudly serving Starbuck’s brand. Reef 118 Restaurant, Saturday through Sunday, 7-11 a.m. buffet or A la carte. Serving Dinner; Bamboo Lounge, Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to

9 p.m. The Bistro, Friday, 3-10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reef 118 Restaurant, Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy cocktails in the Bamboo Lounge, Sunday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

■ SQUARZ PIZZA & RESTAURANT

In Montego Bay Shopping Center, 12825 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City 443-664-8149, www.squarzpizza.com,

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

New Ownership. Open 7 days a week at 4 PM. Serving soups, salads, build your own pizza, small plates, sandwiches, dinner entrees and desserts. Full bar and HH 7 days a week, 4 to 6 PM. Dine in special menu that changes weekly in addition to the regular menu. Wide variety of gluten free options. No fryers on premises, Dine in, carry out and delivery available. Check out the menu and order online. 10% of entire check excluding alcohol.

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT

Located on the 8th Floor of the Fenwick Inn, 13801 Coastal Highway, Ocean City VISTAROOFTOPOC.COM / @VISTAROOFTOPOC

$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Check out this beautiful restaurant overlooking the ocean, bayside view and looking down Coastal Highway. Now open. Serving lunch and dinner with a Happy Hour menu. Soups, salads, house specials, starters, fork & knife specials to fabulous deserts. The drink menu is a must including specialty cocktails, martini list to crushes. Check out the menu online for more information.

■ WHISKER’S PUB

11805 Coastal Hwy., Located in the Ocean City Square Shopping Center 410-524-2609, whiskerspub.com

$$/$$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar

Under new management. Serving lunch and dinner with new menu items. Finger foods, savory sandwiches, soups, salads, and delicious entrees. One of the highlights is the famous burgers. High quality ingredients and cooked to perfection. Also, serving fresh seafood, steaks, and chef’s special dishes. Open 7 days a week at 3 p.m. Happy Hour, daily, 4-7 p.m. Dine in, carry out and curbside pickup. Come for the food and stay for the fun.

OCEAN PINES

■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE

100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, Oceanpinesgolf.org/dining

$$ | Full bar

Indoor and outdoor dining with sweeping views of the 18th green and pond, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items with a full bar menu. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Carry out also available.

■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB

1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410641-7222, www.OPYachtclub.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar

The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more. Open daily at 11 a.m.

WEST OCEAN CITY

■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL

12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com

$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar

Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m.

Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.

■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistr

12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-801-1111, www.occhopsticks.com

$$ | Beer | Premium Sake

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

■ PIZZA TUGOS

9935 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City 410-524-2922, pizzatugos.com

$$ | Full bar | Celebrating 40 years in Ocean City. Offering pizza, wings, burgers, subs, salads, pasta and more! Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 2 a.m.

NOW PLAYING

HAMMERHEADS RAW BAR & GRILL

913 Atlantic Ave. on the boardwalk, Ocean City 410-289-0006 / www.hammerheadsocmd.com

July 21: Josh Pryor, 7-11 p.m.

July 22: Will Simms, 1-5 p.m.; Rough Citizens, 7-11 p.m.

July 23: Angeline Leech, 1-5 p.m.

MACKY’S BAYSIDE BAR & GRILL

54th Street and the bay, Ocean City 410-723-5565 / mackys.com

July 21: DJ Casper, 10 p.m.

July 22: DJ Vybe, 10 p.m.

July 23: Trivia w/Brandon Speedbump Myers, 10 p.m.

July 25: DJ Vybe, 10 p.m.

July 27: DJ Casper, 10 p.m.

PICKLE’S PUB

THE ANGLER RESTAURANT

312 Talbot St., Ocean City, 410-289-7424 / www.angleroc.net

July 21: Zion, 5 p.m.

July 22: WACK, 5 p.m.

July 25: Chino Rankin, 5 p.m.

July 26: Steve Founds Duo, 5 p.m.

July 27: AJ Fox, 5 p.m.

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, Located in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-289-7192/7191 / Captainstableoc.com

Friday & Saturday: Phil Perdue, 5-9 p.m.

CAROUSEL BEACH BAR - TSUNAMI

In the Carousel Hotel, 118th Street, Ocean City 410-524-1000 / www.carouselhotel.com

July 21: DJ Nigel, 7-9 p.m.

July 22: DJ Nigel, 7-9 p.m.

July 23: Chino Rankin, 5-8 p.m.

July 27: Chino Rankin, 5-8 p.m.

CARRIBBEAN POOL BAR

In the Plim Plaza Hotel

109 N. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410-289-6181 / www.plimplazaoc.com

July 21: Naked Nation Duo, 1-5 p.m.; The Rogue Citizens, 7-11 p.m.

July 22: Dunehounds, 1-5 p.m.; Permilla Project, 7-11 p.m.

July 23: No Byscuyt, 1-5 p.m.; Family Tradition, 7-11 p.m.

July 24: Dave Sherman, 1-5 p.m.; Spencer Joyce, 7-11 p.m.

July 25: John Remy, 1-5 p.m.; Ray Holiday, 7-11 p.m.

July 26: Cup of Joe, 1-5 p.m.; Royal Flush Duo, 7-11 p.m.

July 27: Endless Ember, 1-5 p.m.

COCONUT’S BAR & GRILLE

3701 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, 21841 410-289-6846 / castleinthesand.com

July 21: DARIN ENGH, noon to 4 p.m.; BEG TO DIFFER, 59 p.m.

July 22: CHRIS DILLER DUO, noon to 4 p.m.; THE CHEST PAINS, 5-9 p.m.

July 23: MATT TICHON, noon to 3 p.m.; THE DUNEHOUNDS, 4-8 p.m.

July 24: SEAN LOOMIS, noon to 3 p.m.; FIL RHYTHM DUO, 4-8 p.m.

July 25: DAVE HAWKINS & JOE MAMA, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; WHISKEY TRAIN, 3:30-7:30 p.m.

July 26: KERI ANTHONY, noon to 3 p.m.; THE DUNEHOUNDS, 4-8 p.m.

July 27: JESS ARMS, noon to 3 p.m.; ONE NIGHT STAND, 4-8 p.m.

COINS

28th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100 / www.coinspuboc.com

July 21: Park Avenue, 8 p.m.

Every Saturday: “Jim Long” Get Off the Beach Party, 3:306:30 p.m.; Park Avenue, 8 p.m.

Every Tuesday: DJ Jeremy Karaoke Party, 9 p.m.

July 26: Support Your Local Bartender Night, DJ Wax w/Jimmy & Danny Boy, 9 p.m.

706 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, 410-289-4891 / picklesoc.com

July 21: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

July 22: Desert Shade, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

July 23: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

July 24: Karaoke w/Wood, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

July 25: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

July 26: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

July 27: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

SEACRETS

49th Street and the Bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com

July 21: Bobby-O on De Bay, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Full Circle, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Tuff, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; 9 Mile Roots, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Turning the Tide, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

July 22: Bobby-O on De Bay, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; DJ Tuff, noon to 2 a.m.; Turning the Tide, 1-5 p.m.; 9 Mile Roots, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Uncle Jesse, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; The Event Horizon, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

July 23: DJ Connair on De Bay, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 4-8 p.m.; Triple Rail Turn, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Tuff, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; The Burnsiders, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; DJ Davie, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; The Event Horizon, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

July 24: Bobby-O on De Bay, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Blake Haley, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Tuff, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; The Burnsiders, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; DJ Davie, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Party Fowl, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

July 25: Bobby-O on De Bay, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Opposite Directions, 5-9 p.m.; I&I Riddim Reggae, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; DJ Tuff, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; DJ Davie, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Billy Walton, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

July 26: Bobby-O on De Bay, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Full Circle Duo, 5-9 p.m.; Little Stranger, 7-11 p.m.; I&I Riddim Reggae, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; DJ Connair, 9 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.; DJ Davie, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Stealing Savanah, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

July 27: Bobby-O on De Bay, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; John McNutt Band, 5-9 p.m.; I&I Riddim Reggae, 9 p.m. to 1:30

a.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; DJ Davie, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Go Go Gadjet, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT

Located on the 8th Floor of the Fenwick Inn, 13801 Coastal Highway, Ocean City vistarooftopoc.com / @Vistarooftopoc

July 21: Steve Kuhn, 4-7 p.m.

July 22: Neal Hooks, 4-7 p.m.

July 23: Rachael Quillen, 4-7 p.m.

July 24: Marcella Peters, 4-7

Beach to Bay Heritage Area awards range of mini grants

(July 21, 2023) The Beach to Bay Heritage Area has awarded a total $25,000 to nine organizations on the lower shore, including some in Worcester County, for a variety of projects ranging from performances and art installations to interpretive signage.

The recipients, according to a news release, are the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Delmarva Discovery Museum, Community Players of Salisbury, Rackliffe House Trust in Berlin, Sturgis Museum, Crisfield Heritage Foundation, Pemberton Hall, Whitehaven Heritage Association and Art League of Ocean City.

The Beach yo Bay Heritage Area receives funding through the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, which is designed to assist and encourage the preservation of historical, archaeological, natural, and cultural resources, and support economic development through heritage tourism within the 13 certified heritage areas in the state.

The funding for the mini grant program is at a record level this year. The next opportunity to apply will be in June of next year. For more information on the Beach to Bay Heritage Area, visit beachesbayswaterways.org.

The historic Rackliffe House is shown overlooking the Sinepuxent Bay in Berlin. The trust for the 18thcentury coastal plantation house recently received a Beach to Bay Heritage Area mini grant.

Affordable health screenings slated to be offered in OP

(July 21, 2023) Residents living in and around Ocean Pines can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings at an event next month.

According to a news release, on Aug. 3, officials with Life Line Screening are hosting a community screening event at 239 Ocean Parkway in Ocean Pines.

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

Screenings are affordable and convenient and free parking is available.

The release said special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with attendees to create a package that is right based on age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

Tickets currentlty on sale for OC Art League fundraiser

(July 21, 2023) As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Art League of Ocean City depends on fundraisers to keep services going and the doors of the arts center free and open to the public.

To further the mission, and celebrate the league’s upcoming 60th anniversary, nonprofit officials recently announced a new 50/50 raffle, in which ticket holders can win up to $30,000.

Raffle tickets are on sale now for $20 each, or six for $100. The Art League will only sell 3,000 tickets. The winner will be drawn at the league’s 60th Anniversary Gala on Nov. 4. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.

“This is a good opportunity to support a worthy cause and maybe take home a jackpot of cash,” Rina Thaler, the executive director of the Art League, said in a news release. “Our community’s support has been strong over our 60 years here, and we’re encouraged to see it continue into the future.”

Tickets are available online at OCart.org or at the front desk of the Ocean City Center for the Arts, at 502 94th St., bayside.

For more information, call the arts center at 410-524-9433.

Fri., July 21

STEAM SOCIAL

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 11 a.m. An hour of open-ended STEAM activities. Build, experiment and create with a variety of materials. For ages 5 years and older. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SUPER POWERED STEM: ICE CREAM IN A BAG

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Beat the heat with some homemade ice cream. Shake it till you make it, and share it with friends. For ages 6 years and older. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

VOLUNTEER’S BBQ

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 5-7 p.m. All volunteers and those who wish to volunteer welcome. Food, drinks, music and games. RSVP: https://form.jotform.com/2319243807 01148. www.artleagueofoceancity.org

PTSD911 COAST TO COAST BIKE AND FILM TOUR

Ocean City Performing Arts CenterOcean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 7 p.m. PTSD911 A Documentary Film. Tickets: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-ocean-city-md. Bike Tour: https://ptsd911movie.com/coast2coast/ . Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/iRq6rOy6qLM.

Sat., July 22

TINKER TIME: LETTER WRITING STATION

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Drop in anytime and visit the letter writing station and pen a note to a friend. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ASSATEAGUE ADVENTURES

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. A ranger-led adventure featuring crafts, puppets, stories and cool props from Assateague Island National Seashore. Children and their families are invited. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Join in any time during the day to use your creativity and build using one of the STEM building kits. For all ages. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL DAY

Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Complimentary meals and snacks, Bible lessons, games, crafts, music and more. Register at www.bethanyberlin.org “contact us.” Megan Cooke, 443-614-3870, mjcooke11@gmail.com

CHILDREN’S CRAFTS IN THE COURTYARD

Art League of Ocean City - Courtyard, 502 94th St., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Engage in hands-on activities from painting to paper crafts and beyond. In case of inclement weather, classes will be held inside. Held every Saturday until Labor Day. artleagueofoceancity.org

SUMMER MUSIC @ FURNACE TOWN: THE FOLK HEROES & THE FOLK VILLAINS

Furnace Town Historic Site (Nassawango Iron Furnace), 3816 Old Furnace Road, Snow Hill, 5-8 p.m. Tickets Free-$10. Furnace Town is over the moon to welcome back The Folk Villians - this time with The Folk Heroes in tow! Come on out from 5 - 8 for food, music, and more! 410-632-2032

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. Open to the public.

Sun., July 23

TERRY FATOR: ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Ocean City Performing Arts CenterRoland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 7 p.m. Featuring Terry Fator and his cast of America’s favorite puppets and Terry’s celebrity impressions. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/248274 9/terry-fator-ocean-city-oc-performingarts-center.

SUNDAES IN THE PARK & FIREWORKS

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Music by Among the Stars (Tribute Band), activities for children and fireworks. Ice cream and beverages for sale. Free event. Bring your picnic basket and beach chairs.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., July 24

STORY TIME: MARYLAND HISTORY

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Meet local history librarian Erin Scott and listen to fun stories about history, sing silly songs and enjoy crafts. For ages 2-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

WRITING FOR WELLNESS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m. Writing about stressful experiences like illness may boost health and psychological well-being. Group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MONDAY MOVIE MATINEE: SUMMER

READING EDITION: VIEWERS’ CHOICE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2:30 p.m. Watch movies related to this year’s summer reading theme. Snacks provided. Come into the library the week before to vote on the which movie will be presented. For all ages. 410-208-4014

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

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS NIGHT

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 5:30 p.m. An evening of high adventure, fantasy and magic with the world’s most famous tabletop roleplaying game. All experience levels welcome. For adults and teens. Registration requested: 410524-1818.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 6-8 p.m. Held July 24-28. Dinner provided at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Family Fun Night is Friday at 6 p.m. Free event. Pre-registration appreciated www.stevensonchurch.org/VBS, 410641-1137.

OC BEACH DANCE PARTY

Caroline St. Stage, 2 N. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free event held every Monday from July 10-Aug. 28. Grab your beach chair or blanket for an evening of interactive entertainment hosted by local DJs. For all ages. www.ococean.com, 410-250-0125

Continued from Page 31

FIREWORKS ALONG THE BOARDWALK

2 N. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 9:30 p.m. Dazzling spectacle of fireworks scheduled every Monday night from July 10Aug. 28. www.ococean.com

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, 302-242-7062.

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 25

PLAY TIME

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-957-0878

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Welcome back Mr. Boom Boom for some interactive activities teaching children how to create harmony by working together to play different instruments. Ages 3 years and older. 410-641-0650

OC KNITTING GROUP

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN PINES LIBRARY

ANNUAL BOOK SALE - TEASER!

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1-4 p.m. The Specials Room will be open for a limited time with collectibles, signed copies, rare books, sets and vintage books. Cash or check with ID. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Welcome back Mr. Boom Boom for some interactive activities teaching children how to create harmony by working together to play different instruments. For ages 3 years and older. 410-208-4014

ZUMBA

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 5:306:30 p.m. Join Zumba instructor Joyce Landsman for an hour of movement. These classes uplift and improve mood. Registration required: 410-524-1818. www.worcesterlibrary.org

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.

Wed., July 26

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Held via Zoom the third and fourth Wednesdays of each month. For surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatrics Center, 410-641-9568.

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Join in for a time just for you and your teeny tiny. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years and their caregivers. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Welcome back Mr. Boom Boom for some interactive activities teaching children ow to create harmony by working together to play different instruments. For ages 3 years and older. 410-5241818

FIRST STATE DETACHMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE MEETING

American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 12 p.m. Any Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have served in our Corps, living in Worcester and Sussex counties, are welcome to join in. 410-430-7181, websergeant@firststaetmarines.org

FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN PINES LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE - TEASER!

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1-4 p.m. The Specials Room will be open for a limited time with collectibles, signed copies, rare books, sets and vintage books. Cash or check with ID. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Atlantic General Hospital, Conference

Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5:30-7 p.m. The goal of the support group is to provide participants with hope for the future. Gail Mansell, 410641-9725, gmansell@atlanticgeneral.org

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays through Aug. 25 - Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and will be updated monthly on the website and Facebook. Guests are welcome. www.kiwanisofopoc.org

Thurs., July 27

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Welcome back Mr. Boom Boom for some interactive activities teaching children how to create harmony by working together to play different instruments. For ages 3 years and older. 410-632-3495

CHESS CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Com to the library and bring your boards. All are welcome. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN PINES LIBRARY

ANNUAL BOOK SALE - TEASER!

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1-4 p.m. The Specials Room will be open for a limited time with collectibles, signed copies, rare books, sets and vintage books. Cash or check with ID. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 2 p.m. Welcome back Mr. Boom Boom for some interactive activities teaching children how to create harmony by working together to play different instruments. For ages 3 years and older. 410-957-4773

FIRESIDE CHAT

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3 p.m. Book discussion featuring books you have read and want to share. Come and find your next great read. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ZUMBA

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join Zumba instructor Joyce Landsman for an hour of movement. These classes uplift and improve mood. Registration required: 410-641-0650. www.worcesterlibrary.org

ROMANCE BOOK CLUB: ‘OCEAN’S ECHO’

The Buzzed Word, 11805 Coastal Highway, Unit C, Ocean City, 6 p.m. Join the Ocean City Library with The Buzzed Word for an afternoon of Queer Romance and Wine. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

JESUS REVOLUTION

SonSpot Ministries Inc, 12 Worcester St., Ocean City. 7 p.m. Free movie premiere of Jesus Revolution. Followed by Beach Baptisms on July 28 at 10 a.m. https://sonspot.org

SUNSET PARK PARTY NIGHTS

Sunset Park, 700 S. Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Free concert featuring Lennex (90’s variety). Rogue Citizens opening. Beverages, including beer, are available for purchase. Bring your own seating. https://ocdc.org, 410-289-7739

BEACH SINGLE 55 PLUS MEET AND GREET

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

ONGOING EVENTS

FREE SUMMER PROGRAMS

OC Life-Saving Station Museum, 813 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, July 3-Aug. 25. Held Monday through Saturday, 1010:30 a.m. Mondays feature History of Our Surfmen; Tuesdays, Beach Safety; Wednesdays, Knot Tying; Thursdays, All About Sharks; Fridays, Land, Sky, & Sea; Saturdays, Aquarium Feeding. www.ocmuseum.org

ALL TOGETHER NOW: COMMUNITY JOURNALING PROJECT

Pocomoke library, 301 Market St., during the month of July. Contribute your ideas, sketches, drawings of favorite memories. Read through pages already filled out to learn about others through their writing and art. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CREATIVE KIDS CORNER

Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, all day, every day in July. Come grab an art kit to create at the library or take it with you. Most supplies included. For all ages. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

KIWANIS 2024 “LOTTERY RAFFLE” TICKETS ON SALE

Every Saturday at the Ocean Pines Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $20. A tickets is good for all 365 days of 2024 drawings of the Maryland evening “Pick 3” drawing. There are 17 Special Dates that pay up to $250. See www.kiwanisofopoc.org.

Crossword answers from page 26

July 21, 2023

Ocean City

MARKETPLACE

HELP

WANTED

HIRING

Code of Enforcement & Building Official. Full-time with benefits for the Town of Selbyville. Complete job description at Selbyville.delaware.gov

Snow Plowers Needed Dependable plowers with truck & insurance for services in Ocean City, Bethany, Lewes and Rehoboth areas. Call 610-459-5857

An Innovative Approach to Property Maintenance

FULL-TIME MECHANIC

for a property maintenance company in Frankford, DE

MINIMUM 3 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR Repair & maintenance for 2 & 4 cycle engines, and trucks.

WE OFFER: Great, competitive pay, paid holidays and vacation, partial health and Simple IRA.

Email resume to Gherker@comcast.net or call 610-459-5857

HIRING

THE LOWER SHORE CLINIC IS GROWING!

We are building a new team and expanding our services thanks to a $4 million funding stream.

We are a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center that offers integrated behavioral health services, outpatient therapy, substance abuse, and primary care services. We offer a rich benefit package, competitive salaries, and tuition assistance. We hope you join our team! Check out our website lowershoreclinic.org.

HERKER PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

An Innovative Approach to Property Maintenance

Seeking (2) full time FIELD MANAGERS for full service landscaping & property maintenance company in Frankford & Delaware beach resort areas. Salary position, benefits include partial health, Simple IRA, holidays & vacation.

(2) OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Customer Service, MS Word & Excel, knowledge of Basic Office Procedures; Strong Math Skills are a plus.

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

Email resume to Gherker@comcast.net or call 610-459-5857

Youth/Young Adult Minister! Tyree AME Church needs creative/energetic person for 12 months, part-time, temporary with possibility of permanent/ part-time. Contact: tyreeamechurch@gmail.com

Cleaners - Vacation rentals needed for OC and the Pines. Experience preferred but not required. OC Purifiers. Call or text 443-397-1189 or email karen@ocpurifiers.com.

Thunderbird Beach Motel

HIRING NOW FOR:

- PT NIGHT AUDIT

Midnight-8am

Apply in person

Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm. 32nd St. & Baltimore Ave.

Classifieds 410-723-6397

Ocean City Elks Lodge PT Cook Call Bernie Huster 410-627-1144

Hiring Cooks, Audio/Video

Techs, Maintenance Staff, Painters, Carpenter, Plumber, Housekeeper, Liquor Store Attendant, Boat Mates, Receivers, Food Runners

Apply in person or online at seacrets.com

NOW HIRING!!

Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $20/hr. Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com

RENTALS

RENTALS

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

Yearly & Seasonal Rentals

Warehouse/Contractor Shops/Storage/ Flex Building for Lease/ Option to Purchase 1000-10,000 sq. ft. In town Ocean City on 142nd St. 410-723-4400 or 410-430-8332

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

STOP BEING A SNOWBIRD AND BE A FL HOMEOWNER: 3BR w/Den, coffered ceilings, ceiling fans all rooms, extended lanai and patio screened in, full outdoor kitchen, 2-car garage, gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry and more. Resort pool, pickleball, bocce, activity director and more ... close to 5 beaches! Watch video on Zillow and get more details for 440 Casalino Dr., N. Venice, FL. Price: $645,000 w/$2500 toward closing costs.

PETS

PETS

Standard Poodle Puppies. Cream or black. Born May 10th. $800. Vaccinated, microchipped. Jasjas123@gmail.com, 843-455-3517

BOATS/PWC

BOATS/PWC

Full-Time, Customer Service Representative

Provide exceptional customer service to shoppers, tenants, vendors and visitors to our outlet shopping destination. This person will handle customer inquiries and successfully meet marketing and operational goals to ensure a positive experience. Candidates must be able to work a flexible schedule including some nights, weekends and holidays. Responsibilities include but not limited to:

- Assist customers/retailers/vendors with questions, route incoming phone calls appropriately

- Answer incoming phone calls, accurately maintain data bases, complete reports/logs, order supplies

- Provide vendor waivers, assist with check-ins

- Inform shoppers of promotions/special events, distribute coupon books

- Participate in special events/projects

- Able to navigate computers, complete documents in a variety of programs

- Report all accidents/incidents according to policy in absence of GM

Qualifications

- Ability to accurately use math skills, type documents, maintain databases, demonstrate attention to detail, utilize a computer effectively, assist with customer situations, multi-task, etc.

Avison Young/Outlets Ocean City is committed to employing the best talent with the most fair and equitable recruitment practices. Additional information and apply at: https://us-avisonyoung.icims.com/jobs/3743/ customer-service-representative/job

COMMERCIAL

COMMERCIAL

1 Office/Retail Space available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200

Industrial Warehouse Spaces: 2100 sq. ft., 1867 sq. ft. and 1500 sq. ft. Masonry construction, 18 ft. high ceiling, large garage door, bathroom. Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.

Commercial Warehouses 600 and 800 sq. ft. spaces

West Ocean City and Bishopville, MD

Yearly Leases Only

Call 646-812-1212

AUCTIONS

The contents of mini storage units will be sold online at Lockerfox.com.

Ocean City Mini Storage.

Units to be auctioned; B28B43-B45-S35-S189-O42O136-O164-O170-O175.

Units are being sold due to non-payment of rent. Common items in units are household items, furniture, tools, fishing equipment, paintings, antique and vintage items.

Date: Friday, July 28th, 2023

Time: 10:00 am

This will be an online auction. Please go to Lockerfox.com and register. Feel free to call 410-2132029 for any questions regarding the online auction.

Quick

No Waiting, No Calls

Days, Nights

&

Outlets Ocean City

MARYLAND STATEWIDE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK FOR SALE

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-855993-0969

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 877-738-0991.

BOATS/PWC

2006 Kawasaki STX 12 F Jet Ski in perfect working condition. $5000 repair work at Bayside Jet Ski. Motor has only 43 hours. $6000. Price negotiable. Call Jim at 410428-9080.

VEHICLES

VEHICLES

WE BUY CARS Running or not. 302-732-3529

CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK

MISC. FOR SALE

DISH Network. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1-855407-6870

MISC. SERVICES

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

PETS/PET SUPPLIES

Use Happy Jack® DD-33 on dogs & cats to kill fleas and deer ticks on contact. Biodegradable! At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com)

PETS/PET SUPPLIES

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on Vet Bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-888-928-1656 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow.com/mddc SERVICES

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-337-5228 www.dental50plus.com/ MDDC#6258

VEHICLES WANTED DONATE YOUR CAR/TRUCK/ RV - Lutheran Mission Society of MD Compassion Place ministries help local families with food, clothing, counseling. Tax deductible. MVA licensed #W1044. 410-228-8437 www.CompassionPlace.org

ROBINS & ROBINS, P.A.

128 East Main Street

Salisbury, Maryland 2l801

TRUSTEES’ SALE

BUILDING LOT [2.34 ACRES +/-] S/S ST. MARTINS NECK ROAD

Pursuant to power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust filed for foreclosure in Case No. C-23-CV-23000161 in the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, the undersigned Substitute Trustees will offer the following described property for sale to the highest bidder at public auction to be held at the front steps of the Worcester County Circuit Courthouse, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, on

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023, at the HOUR OF 10:00 A.M.

All that lot or parcel of land situate in the Fifth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, on the southerly side of and binding upon St. Martins Neck Road, containing 2.34 acres of land, more or less, and being shown and depicted as Lot 2 on plat entitled “Minor Subdivision, Lands of Edgar Grace, Jr., & Patricia Grace,” dated February 28, 2012, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in Plat Book S.V.H. No. 236, Folio 72.

The property is an unimproved building lot and is more particularly identified by Tax Account Number 05-768508.

TERMS OF SALE: The property will be sold to the highest bidder at public auction. The purchaser will be required to tender on account of the bid price at the time and place of sale cash, certified funds, or cashiers payable or endorsed to the undersigned, in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). If the party secured by the Deed of Trust is the successful bidder, no deposit will be required, and the cash deposit or price shall be credited against the obligation. The deferred portion of the bid price shall be evidenced by the Promissory Note of the Buyer, bearing no interest provided settlement is made and the full price tendered on or before fifteen days after the date of ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland; otherwise, the deferred portion of the bid price shall bear interest from the date of sale at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum. Neither the Substitute Trustees nor the auctioneer make any representation or warranty concerning the property, the same being sold “as is”; and, if for any reason the Substitute Trustees are unable to deliver good and marketable title to the real estate, subject only to easements, rights of way and use restrictions of record, the sole and exclusive remedy of the Buyer shall be a refund of the deposit money. Neither

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Call: 410-723-6397 | Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@oceancitytoday.net

the Substitute Trustees, auctioneer or note holder are aware of any violation of any federal, state or municipal environmental law or regulation; however, in the event any such violations exist, they are not responsible for same. All settlement costs, including, but not limited to, document preparation, recordation and transfer taxes, including agricultural transfer tax, if any, recording costs, and title examination, if any, shall be the obligation of the Buyer. State and County taxes and assessments, shall be adjusted as of the date of sale. Buyer shall be entitled to possession upon final settlement and payment of the purchase price in full, which shall occur not later than fifteen days after final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please contact the undersigned Substitute Trustees or Auctioneer.

John B. Robins, IV Christopher S. Robins Substitute Trustees 410-749-3791

Pete Richardson Auction Sales, Inc. 410-546-2425

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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

14000 COASTAL HWY., UNIT #204 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust dated March 3, 2006, recorded in Liber 4659, Folio 534 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, with an original principal balance of $560,000.00, 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

AUGUST 8, 2023 AT 4:05 PM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with any buildings or improvements thereon located in Worcester County, MD and described as Unit No. 204 in the "Avalon Condominium" 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 $50,000 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. 359347-1)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19794

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Common Pleas Court of Chester County, Pennsylvania appointed Lauren Gibbons, 19 Abby Road, Avondale, PA 19311 as the Executor of the Estate of Ronald A. Wollaston who died on February 21, 2023 domiciled in Pennsylvania, America.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Victoria L. O’Neill whose address is 6200 Coastal Highway, Suite 200, Ocean City, MD 21842.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Lauren Gibbons

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: July 06, 2023 OCD-7/6/3t _________________________________

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL

REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19458

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Circuit Court of Fairfax County, VA appointed Lisa J. Berkman, 5111 Marshal Farm Court, Fairfax, VA 22030; and Lori N.M Mills, 8801 Talbert Road, Lorton, VA 22079 as the Co-Executors of the Estate of Marvin Wray Michell who died on July 29, 2022 domiciled in Virgina, America.

Howard N. Bierman,

Carrie M. Ward, et. al., Substitute Trustees OCD-7/20/3t

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Jacqueline Loren Grein whose address is 63 Bramblewood Drive, Ocean Pines, MD 21811.

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.

Lisa J. Berkman

Lori N.M Mills

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on:

July 26, 2023

@ 1:00 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

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NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

July 26, 2023

@ 1:15 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

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JAMES J. COLLINS

THE COLLINS FIRM

1501 FARM CREDIT DR #2000 MCLEAN, VA 22102

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT

OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ESTATE NO 19795

5. Holland, Mark and Candy, TM 100, P 1, 134; Tulls Corner Road; 50.01 acres

6. Levinh Farms Inc.; TM 92, P 69; Sheephouse Road, Pocomoke City; 144.93 acres (new owners, previous owners applied in FY22 and FY23)

7. Queponco Farms, Inc., TM 49, P 71; 6636 Basket Switch Road, Newark; TM 187.75 acres (re-application, FY22 and FY23)

8. Riley, Whitlock, et al; TM 31, P61; 8720 Evans Road, Berlin; 470.4 acres

Foreign

Personal Representatives

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: July 07, 2023

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Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Request to Modify Licensed Premises, Ocean Calling Event - September 29, 2023 through October 1, 2023. Hours for Alcoholic Beverage Sales - Begins 12 Noon and ends 10:30 p.m. each day for a Class: "EF" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR

License: 7 Day, By: Richard W. Meehan, 465 14th Street, #18, Ocean City, Maryland 21842; Anthony J. Deluca, 2 48th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842; Terence J. McGean, 12104 Sugar Hill Court, Bishopville, Maryland 21813

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the SUPERIOR COURT of WASHINGTON DC, appointed DENISE YVONNE TURNER whose address is 10535 JOYCETON DRIVE, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20774 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of MARGARET ANN JACKSON who died on JANUARY 7, 2019 domiciled in WASHINGTON DC, USA.

The public hearing on these applications will be held on TUESDAY, August 1, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 –Government Center One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

OF SPACE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR LEASE

Worcester County, Maryland

The purpose of this public hearing is to hear comments on leasing approximately four by five feet of floor space in the front lobby of the Government Center located at One West Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. The proposed lessor is State Employees Credit Union of Maryland (SECU) for the purpose of providing at Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The proposed lease term is five years with zero consideration.

The public hearing will be held on TUESDAY, August 1, 2023 at 10:35 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 –Government Center

One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

For additional information, please contact County Administration at (410) 632-1194 or visit the County website at: online at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a "B" B/W/L 7 Day and Request to Designate as Multiple License #2 for a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Anjeeb Shrestha, 12046 Pimlico Lane, Berlin, Maryland 21811.

For: Cambria Liquor, LLC

For the premises known as and located at: T

For: Mayor And City Council Of Ocean City

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: Mayor And City Council Of Ocean City

Ocean City Inlet to N. Division Street, including the inlet parking lot, the beach, the boardwalk, and portions of businesses adjacent to the boardwalk

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: July 26, 2023 @ 1:15 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

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NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Promoters' License to be used for the Oceans Calling Event September 29, 2023, through October 1, 2023. Hours for Alcoholic Beverages are 12 Noon and ends 10:30 P.M. each day for the Class: Promoter's License, License: 7 Day, By: Richard W. Meehan, 465 14th Street, #18, Ocean City, Maryland 21811; David H. Smalley, 29389 Robinson Road, Spring, Texas 77385

For: Spectrum Concessions, LLC

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: Spectrum Catering, Concessions and Events

Ocean City Inlet to N. Division Street, including the inlet parking lot, the beach, the boardwalk, and portions of businesses adjacent to the boardwalk

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on:

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is DAMIAN J. O’CONNOR whose address is 201 CHIEFTAN LANE, BOONSBORO, MD 21713. 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.

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

OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR AGRICULTURAL EASEMENT ACQUISITION

Worcester County, Maryland

The purpose of this public hearing is to hear comments on petitions to sell an agricultural easement to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) on the following properties in Worcester County:

1. Aydelotte, Ben, TM 92, P 62; Aydelotte Road; 114.4 acres

2. Drew, Kathy and Mark, TM 10, P 55; 11539 St. Martins Neck Road, Bishopville; 28.5 acres

3. Drew, Kathy and Mark, TM 10, P 99/100; 11828 Back Creek Road, Bishopville; 29.6 acres

4. Hahn, Jimmy and Theresa, TM 90, P 6; 356 Hickory Point Road; 71.2 acres

Additional information is available for review at the Department of Environmental Programs, Worcester County Government Center, Suite 1306 (3rd floor), One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863 during regular business hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Questions may be directed to Katherine Munson, Planner V, by calling (410) 632-1220, extension 1302 or email at kmunson@co.worcester.md.us

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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C. LEE GORDON, ESQ. PARKER COUNTS

129 N. WASHINGTON STREET EASTON, MD 21601

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 17697 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HELEN W. CZAPIEWSKI

Notice is given that Brian Windsor, 1610 Montmorency Drive, Vienna, VA 22182, was on July 07, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Helen W. Czapiewski who died on November 12, 2018, 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 7th day of January, 2024.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the cred-

itor 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.

Brian Windsor

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:

July 13, 2023

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: 07/21/2023

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GINA D. SHAFFER

SHAFFER LAW OFFICE

836 S. MAIN STREET, SUITE 101 BEL AIR, MD 21014

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 19802

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JAMES W. JUMP

AKA: JAMES WARD JUMP SR.

Notice is given that Judith Brest, 27 Harborview Drive, Berlin, MD 21811, was on July 10, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James W. Jump who died on May 31, 2023, 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 10th day of January, 2024.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Judith Brest

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

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

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication:

July 13, 2023

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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 Estate No. 19692 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DORSEY SAMUEL TRUITT

AKA: DORSEY S. TRUITT SR.

Notice is given that Pamela B. Truitt, 12632 Sunset Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, was on July 11, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorsey Samuel Truitt who died on April 12, 2023, 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 January, 2024.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise

delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Pamela B. Truitt

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:

July 20, 2023

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AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND P.A.

VICTORIA L. O’NEILL ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

ESTATE NO. 19810

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Luzerne County, PA appointed Marie Uram, 50 Forest Drive, MT Top, PA 18707 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Betty Jane Wojcik, AKA: Elizabeth Jane Wojcik who died on September 13, 2022 domiciled in Pennsylvania, America.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Victoria L.

O’Neil whose address is 6200 Coastal Highway, Suite 200, Ocean City, MD 21842.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Marie Uram

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: July 20, 2023 OCD-7/20/3t AYRES

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Bucks County, PA appointed Hunter W. Wooleyhan, 2928 Durham Road, P.O. Box 1118, Buckingham, PA 18912 as the Executor of the Estate of Jon Clyde Wooleyhan who died on September 11, 2020 domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Victoria L. O’Neill Esq. whose address is 6200 Coastal Hwy., Suite 200, Ocean City, MD 21842.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Hunter W. Wooleyhan

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: July 20, 2023

THOMAS

K.

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COATES ESQ

COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 19805

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF

KIMBERLY ANN PHILLIPS

Notice is given that James Richard Phillips IV, 9719 Golf Course Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, was on July 06, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kimberly Ann Phillips who died on June 8, 2023, 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 6th day of January, 2024.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with

the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

James Richard Phillips IV 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: July 13, 2023

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WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP

REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

ESTATE NO. 19813

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Sussex County, DE appointed Brett J. Abbott, 1780 Highway 56, Spartanburg, SC 29302 as the Executor of the Estate of Howard S. Abbott who died on August 05, 2022 domiciled in Delaware, USA.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Regan J. R. Smith whose address is 3509 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Brett J. Abbott Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott

of Wills

Room 102 - Court House

Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest

Date of first publication: July 20, 2023

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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, August 2, 2023

At 3:00 PM

BAAV 23-067 – Requesting a variance from the strict application of Town of Ocean City Code Section 38-71(a)(5) minimum elevation requirements, to allow a reduction of up to 1.0 foot from the required 3.0 foot freeboard elevation for substantial improvement of current structure. The building is in the AE-6 and X flood zone. The existing floor elevation is 7.9’. Requesting to raise floor to a new elevation of 8.3’, which is .7’ below the 3’ freeboard requirement. Locally known as 601 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 15 parcel number 10057779 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

Owner: Laura Bankeroff, Joann Koutsioukis

Applicant: Stephen Kansak

VICTORIA L. O'NEILL ESQ. AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND P A

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY

SUITE 200

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ESTATE NO 19819

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the SUPERIOR court of BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ appointed BARBARA

C. JONES whose address is 46 FITZGERALD LANE, COLUMBUS, NJ 08022 as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of DAVID M. JONES who died on SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 domiciled in NEW JERSEY, USA

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is VICTORIA L. O'NEILL whose address is 6200 COASTAL HWY., STE 200, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-7/20/3t

Snow Hill earns state designation

(July 21, 2023) The Town of Snow Hill is among three areas in Maryland recently named new Enterprise Zones.

According to a news release, Gov. Wes Moore announced the Maryland Department of Commerce included the Worcester County town on a list of communities throughout the state that provides real property and state income tax credits for businesses that create jobs and make capital investments.

Businesses in the state’s 34 Enterprise Zones will receive $47 million in property tax credits based on more than $4.3 billion in investments made in Fiscal Year 2023.

The other new Enterprise Zones named were Woodlawn in Baltimore County and Betterton and Worton Kent County. The department also approved the redesignation and expansion of an existing zone in the town of Princess Anne, and has approved the redesignation of existing zones in Baltimore County’s Southwest area, Cecil County, and the City of Cambridge in Dorchester County.

The release said the state Department of Commerce approves the Enterprise Zones, while local governments run administration. Businesses operating within an Enterprise Zone may be eligible for tax credits toward state income filings

based upon the number of new jobs created, and credits on local real property taxes based on overall capital investment in properties.

The release said the Snow Hill area will use the new enterprise zone status to help revitalize the downtown historic commercial district, which welcomes a significant number of visitors for arts- and tourism-related events.

Currently, one-third of the commercial properties in Snow Hill’s downtown area are vacant or underused, and potential owners face high costs to renovate. Town officials hope the zone will attract new businesses,

BUSINESS BRIEFS

New doctor

TidalHealth recently welcomed Dr. Ravjyot Chawla to TidalHealth Cardiology in Ocean Pines.

Chawla received her medical degree from JJM Medical College in Davangere, India. She performed her internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York and her cardiovascular fellowship at Loyola University in Chicago.

Chawla has many years of research experience, and her board cer-

encourage the expansion of existing businesses, and improve the town’s position as a center of commerce and tourism in the county.

“The Snow Hill Mayor and Council look forward to leveraging enterprise zone benefits toward continued revitalization,” Snow Hill’s Director of Economic Development Lorissa McAllister said in the release. “This designation is indicative of the strong support from Worcester County and the State of Maryland in creating new opportunities for Snow Hill. It is with great excitement that we will promote this program to incentivize job creation and business development.”

tifications include ABIM Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation, ABIM Cardiovascular Subspecialty, and ABIM General Internal Medicine

When she is not seeing patients, Chawla enjoys running, shopping and traveling.

Chawla is accepting new patients at TidalHealth Cardiology at 11107

Continued on Page 43

Ravjyot Chawla

The

decided

the

County delays vote to revise boat ramp rules

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners listened as the residents of South Point and the legal counsel for a charter boat captain stated their case for redefining the code that governs the use of countyowned boat landings and, ultimately, decided there was too much at stake to make a decision just yet.

The legislation in front of the commissioners would define “commercial users” and limit their access to boat ramps by requiring heavy-equipment operators to register with the county and limit parking spots available to them to just one.

The commissioners voted 4-2 with Commissioners Joe Mitrecic and Diane Purnell voting against the motion. Commissioner Eric Fiori recused himself since he has a conflicting business interest.

A public hearing segment allowed residents and legal counsel to offer testimony to the legislation.

Under the current ordinance, the county code expresses no definition of

“commercial users.” It says only that “commercial activities, including loading and unloading of produce, seafood, freight or merchandise” is prohibited.

A letter-of-the-law interpretation has never been enforced.

The proposed overhaul would define a “commercial user” as “an individual or entity using a county landing in a manner that is connected with or that furthers an ongoing profit-making activity.”

Unlike the existing ordinance, the proposal states that commercial uses are allowed, so long as they don’t create a conflict with the general boating public, interfere with recreational boater needs or risk damaging the landing or county property.

Ironically, the status quo is more favorable to some commercial users.

“For as long as there have been public boat ramps in Worcester County, those boat ramps have been used by a variety of commercial operators — trappers, hunting guides, fishing guides, marine contractors and marine service and sales business and owners,” said attorney Mark Cropper, rep-

resenting charter captain Marc Spagnola.

“All of those … businesses have used the county boat ramps … to facilitate their businesses. To my knowledge, the only commercial operator to spend the time, effort and money to come before the commissioners to get a specialuses exemption is my client, Marc Spagnola. If I’m wrong on that, someone correct me.”

Cropper referred to the special-use exemption that the commissioners granted Spagnola one year ago to use the South Point ramp for his charter fishing business, despite concerns from South Point Association residents, several of whom testified after Cropper.

Concerns among the residents varied, but for the most part, stayed within the boundaries of pedestrian safety, and mitigating the summertime rush caused by the influx of tourists.

In his testimony, South Point Association President Michael LeCompte pointed out that local users are often out of luck during the summer due to

the congestion at many county boat ramps.

“(That’s the case) I’d venture to say 40 to 50 local people that live anywhere in the region of South Point,” LeCompte said.

LeCompte met Spagnola for the first time at a meeting earlier this month regarding the boat ramp, he said, and he told him then that the association’s displeasure is not personal.

“We are not picking on him or anybody else,” LeCompte said. “We have no reason to. I don’t know the man … We’ve got an issue in this county — we’re growing.”

Commissioner Jim Bunting, whose district includes the much busier Shell Mill public boat ramp in Bishopville, said that commercial users if they’re to use the county ramps, need to “do it the right way” in a way that’s equal to everybody.

“We have to get it under control somehow,” he said.

Cropper used the term “selective outrage” to describe disapproval of Spagnola’s ramp use and claimed that

See COUNTY Page 43

commissioners

to table

amendment of the ordinance regulating commercial activity at County landings in order to conduct further research in their meeting on Tuesday. Charter Captain Marc Spagnola and his attorney Mark Cropper testified in support of the new ordinance, stating that businesses have always needed to utilize the boat ramps, while residents of South Point raised concerns about the influx of summer traffic impacting pedestrian safety.

Continued from Page 41

Cathage Road, Suite 201 in Berlin. To schedule an appointment, call 410912-6726.

New hygienist-Hassler

Atlantic Dental staff recently welcomed Jessica Hassler as a new hygienist.

According to a news release, Hassler adds efficiency and experience to the practice, allowing Atlantic Dental to better meet the needs of the community.

She is a New Jersey native and moved to the Eastern Shore in 2018. Hassler graduated in

2007 with her associates in applied science degree - dental hygiene from Allegany College in Cumberland.

She has more than 15 years of experience and enjoys making her patients feel relaxed and comfortable during their visits. Hassler She has a seven year old son, Tyler, and enjoys the beach and being outside with him and her yellow lab, Nala.

New hygienist-Snead

Atlantic Dental staff recently welcomed Samantha Snead as a new hygienist.

According to a news release, Snead is highly experienced and always educates her patients about how to improve their dental health. Her education and experience will

County tables boat ramp vote

Continued from Page 42

marine sales businesses have more impact on public boat ramps than Spagnola by “three or four lifetimes.”

One of the concerns discussed by the commissioners was that the proposed legislation doesn’t limit parking for recreational fishing. A personal boat with four occupants could mean four cars in the parking lot, but commercial users are still limited to their single space.

Bunting brought up a couple of crabbers he knows that use the Shell Mill ramp and noted how they’ve gotten along fine with using only one parking spot.

A pilot program at Shell Mill to test ways to enforce parking guidelines, Bunting hopes, will give the county a viable blueprint on how to handle other county ramps like South Point. The program will include striping the parking lots so that boat-and-trailer spots can be outlined and routine enforcement of parking violations.

“We have to get a handle on this somehow,” Bunting said. “If we can do it at Shell Mill, we’ll probably try to do it at the boat ramps in the rest of the county. It’s going to be applicable to everybody if I have something to do

with it.”

Parking overflow was brought up by South Point residents, and the narrowness of South Point Road was cited frequently. But Mitrecic keyed in on the electiveness of such a critique.

“Sounds to me that the roads are so narrow down in South Point that we ought to just pull the boat ramp out,” Mitrecic said. “That wouldn’t fly very well, would it? Next, what are we going to do, ban FedEx and UPS from coming down your roads to make deliveries because the roads are too narrow?”

“I feel bad that the roads are narrow down there. I really do but maybe that’s where you should look in the future, to get the roads widened in that area so that you do have a walking path or a bike path. But then you have to get everyone down there to agree to give up a piece of their property to buy that.”

The commissioners did not set a time to revisit the legislation.

allow Atlantic Dental to better serve the needs of the community.

Snead is a true local, born and raised in Berlin. She graduated from Allegany College of Maryland in Cumberland in 2014.

She loves bonding with her patients to help them maintain a healthy mouth and lifestyle.

Snead lives in Willards, with her husband, Skylar, and their two sons, Jaxon and Finn.

Her family enjoys taking the boat out on the bay, fishing on and offshore, and their mini farm with goats, chickens, ducks and turkeys. Her boys enjoy practicing soccer and jujitsu and playing with their two dogs, Fletch and Colt.

Co Hosp promotes Lovely

Coastal Hospice officials recently appointed Ann Lovely as chief clinical officer.

Lovely is a certified hospice and

palliative care nurse with more than 20 years of experience in end-of-life care.

Lovely began her hospice career in 1999 as a certified nursing assistant at Coastal Hospice while attending Wor-Wic Community College, pursuing a nursing degree. She became a registered nurse case manager, mentoring new hires and student interns.

After completing her bachelors in nursing, Lovely rose quickly to the ranks of clinical leadership, becoming education coordinator, bringing end-oflife education to healthcare professionals in the community and later becoming manager of quality and education.

In the past 24 years, Lovely has been involved in almost all aspects of the organization. She has been instrumental in the continued quality care high scores obtained by the organization, along with the accreditations that ensure the high standards of our care for patients and families.

Ann Lovely

Jessica Hassler

Samantha Snead

Sen. Carozza Calls calls for special session

(July 21, 2023) Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38), who recently called for a special legislative session to stop Maryland’s automatic 10 percent gas tax increase that went into effect July 1, renewed her support this week for the request, and added a push to address state gun violence.

According to a news release, Carozza wants members of the General Assembly to act now on moving legislation to address both issues.

“Over the Fourth of July holiday, we saw Maryland’s largest mass shooting in Baltimore that left two dead and 28 others wounded by gunfire and another shooting involving juveniles right here on the Shore in Wicomico County with one dead and six others wounded,” Carozza said in the release. “We in the Maryland General Assembly should take immediate action now and show a sense of urgency in passing meaningful legislation with accountability and consequences that goes after gun violence.”

Carozza added that she has talked to Gov. Wes Moore (D), her Senate

REAL ESTATE REPORT

colleagues on both sides of the political aisle, and local state’s attorneys and law enforcement officials about the need to take address the issues.

lican colleagues last month to call for a special session to reduce the gas tax was a “heavy lift.”

outraged Marylanders who expect us to act now to keep our homes and communities safe.”

Mary Beth Carozz

She wants lawmakers to introduce bipartisan legislation that penalizes repeat violent offenders, and restores law enforcement officials’ ability to search vehicles for illegal guns and speak with juvenile suspects.

Carozza said Maryland General Assembly members have passed legislation, which she has opposed, that makes it more difficult for law enforcement and the judiciary to hold juvenile offenders accountable.

“Urgent matters call for urgent action,” she said in the release. “This dramatic spike in juvenile gun violence across the State of Maryland more than justifies a Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly.”

She added that joining her Repub-

“[But I] believed there was an opening with the Governor who indicated that he did not support an automatic gas tax increase,” she said. “This was before the mass shootings in Baltimore and in Wicomico County, and now we’re hearing from

She added that if Moore and the chamber leaders decide not to hold special session this summer or fall, then lawmakers will “keep pushing for bipartisan, commonsense crime legislation that goes after repeat violent offenders.”

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIEFS

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners discussed the following during their meeting on Tuesday:

Building remodel

The commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Delmarva Veteran Builders for $391,000 to remodel the Berlin Roads Division building. Funding for the project was

More on new real estate legislation

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(July 21, 2023) As a continuation to past two weeks’ articles, below are items from a report the Maryland Realtors issued on the recent legislative session on the real estate-related bills passed. Next week’s article will complete reporting on the legislation.

SB 579/HB 728 – Residential Property - Service Agreements – Prohibitions, effective June 1

Service agreements which bind a property owner to a future contract for the maintenance, purchase, or sale of residential property may not

be in effect for longer than one year or be recorded as a lien against the property.

SB 443/HB 662 – Real Estate Brokers, Salespersons, and Associate Brokers - Continuing Education Courses, effective Oct. 1

The 15-hour continuing education requirement for a new licensee’s first renewal period will consist of required classes in contracts, disclosures, property management, advertising, deposits, professionalism, condominium and HOA laws, and real estate financing.

SB 651/HB 1235 – Real EstateReal Estate Brokerage Services and Termination of Residential Real Estate Contracts (The Anthony Moorman Act), effective Oct. 1

When a buyer properly terminates a real estate contract, the holder of the escrow funds shall return the buyer’s deposit within 30 days.

Sellers may object by filing for mediation or initiating court action within 10 days of receiving notice of the deposit release.

HB 1225 – Real Estate BrokersDisability or Death and Termination of Employment of a Broker, effective Oct. 1

Allows the owner of a real estate company to remove a terminated broker and petition the Real Estate Commission to reissue a certificate and pocket card to another broker.

HB 11/SB 483 – Private Well Safety Act, effective Oct. 1, 2024

Requires that properties with a private or domestic water supply undergo water quality testing as a condition of sale. Purchasers may waive the water quality testing requirements in writing, and test results are valid for three years.

HB 98/SB 403 – Condominiums

- Mandatory Insurance Coverage –Alterations, effective Oct. 1

Allows detached condominium units to obtain property insurance coverage as HOAs, with unit owners insuring their individual dwellings and the association insuring common areas.

reserved in the budget at $430,000. The Roads Division falls under the Department of Public Works.

Fencing

The commissioners unanimously approved bid documents for new fencing to be purchased and installed around the Roads Shop in Pocomoke. The Public Works Department requested the funds — about $54,000 — from available FY22 assigned funds. The fence will be the latest upgrade to the shop, aimed at making it more secure and habitable for its crew.

Track loader

The commissioners unanimously approved the leasing of a new compact track loader with a brush cutter at about $156,000, or $2,747.20 per month for five years. The loader will be added to the Solid Waste Division equipment fleet and will be used to maintain the vegetation at the central site landfill and all three closed sites in the county.

Wheel loader

The commissioners unanimously approved the leasing of a wheel loader for the Roads Division at $256,925 — or $4,112 a month for five years. According to a memo from Public Works Director Dallas Baker, purchasing the model they selected will save the county $10,661.28 annually, since it comes under budget. The new loader will replace a 50-yearold model that is now obsolete.

Buying process

The commissioners unanimously approved the modification of its methods for purchasing vehicles for FY24. Procurement officer Nicholas Rice said in a memo that the current process requires commissioner approval for each purchase, but ongoing problems with ordering fleet vehicles have deterred bids.

The pilot program for FY24 will use state contract pricing where practical and off-the-lot purchases will be prioritized. Commissioner approval will still be required for any purchases that exceeded budget constraints.

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

Engine re-dedicated to fallen OC firefighter

(July 21, 2023) Members of the Ocean City Fire Department recently held a “solemn yet heartfelt re-dedication ceremony” for Engine 704 in honor of one of their own who died 40 year earlier in the line of duty.

According to a news release, Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Firefighter Jeffrey L. Dieter Sr. died July 16, 1983, whole fighting to a blaze at the Saute Cafe on 123rd Street.

The ceremony to re-dedicate on July 16 commemorated the “invaluable contributions” Dieter made to the department’s history.

The fire broke out 40 years ago around 6:30 a.m. The flames reportedly escalated rapidly, reaching fouralarm status and requiring the efforts of roughly 115 firefighters to get the situation under control. While batting the fire, the building’s roof collapsed, claiming the life of Dieter, who was 24 at the time.

At the recent ceremony, the release said Deputy Chief James L. Jester expressed the importance of commemorating Dieter’s selfless service.

“Today, we gather to remember a true hero, Firefighter Jeffrey L. Dieter, Sr., who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Jester said in the release. “His bravery and ded-

ication to protecting our community serve as an enduring inspiration to each and every one of us in the Ocean City Fire Department. We honor his memory today as we re-dedicate Engine 704, symbolizing the ongoing

Assateague Coastal trust seeks full-time coastkeeper

(July 21, 2023) Assateague Coastal Trust, Inc. is seeking a full-time assateague coastkeeper, to serve as the eyes, ears, and voice of Delmarva’s coastal waters.

According to the job description, the full-time employee will coordinate scientific water monitoring efforts across the region, identify sources of pollution threatening local waters, work closely with members of the community to protect the waters, and work with the trust’s executive director

to advocate for clean water solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for clean water, and experience collecting robust scientific data and reviewing environmental policies, as well as the capability to operate and maintain watercraft.

The job also calls for someone with excellent written communication and public speaking skills, the ability to energize and engage the community, and persistence in pursuing outreach and advocacy opportunities.

commitment of our firefighters to serve with valor and selflessness.”

The re-dedication ceremony of Engine 704 stands as a powerful tribute to Dieter’s legacy, an emblem of the undying spirit that drives the men

and women of the Ocean City Fire Department.

As the department pays homage to the past, members also recommit themselves to the safety and wellbeing of those who they serve.

Ocean City Chronicles

Reminiscing Maryland’s Beach Resort BY HUNTER “BUNK MANN

Ocean City Chronicles is the final book in Bunk Mann’s three volume historical series which began with “Vanishing Ocean City” in 2014 and continued with “Ghosts in the Surf” in 2019. His latest book features 285 of the most popular ones over the past eleven years. It includes hundreds of photos of long vanished hotels and restaurants, the great storms and fires, deep sea fishing, Boardwalk attractions and amusements, and stories of the people who turned a small 19th century fishing village into a modern year-round destination. “Ocean City Chronicles” is a comprehensive history of Maryland’s famous oceanfront resort in a hardbound coffee table book featuring cover art by noted artist Paul McGehee. Supplies are limited so order your copy today!

BOOKS AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS:

PHOTO COURTESY RYAN WHITTINGTON

Members of the Ocean City Fire Department listen to a speech during a re-dedication ceremony for Engine 704 on July 16. The event was held to commemorate Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Firefighter Jeffrey L. Dieter Sr., who died 40 years ago battling a fire North Ocean City.

John VanFossen recognized for OCVFD service

By Steve Price Contributing Writer

(July 21, 2023) This week we recognize Gold Badge Member John VanFossen.

After visiting Ocean City many times with his family as a child, John moved permanently to the resort in June 1970 and began his career in the accounting department with the Town of Ocean City.

After working at City Hall for 15 years, John transferred to the public

works department, ending his career as one of the deputy directors. He retired in 2018 after 48 years of service as an employee with the town.

John and his wife, Lorraine, and their two children have established several successful businesses in town over the years. As owners of the Assateague Crab House on Route 611, just prior to the Assateague Island Seashore, they sponsor an annual crab feast for the Ocean City and the Berlin volunteer fire companies.

This annual tradition to “thank” our local volunteers was started in the 1970s by Ed Horner, an honorary member of the OCVFC and former owner of Waterman’s Seafood Restaurant in West Ocean City.

John and his wife have now leased the Crab House and decided to enjoy time traveling with friends in their RV. Last Summer they traveled across the U.S. to Alaska and are planning a trip to Newfoundland this fall.

Firefighter VanFossen joined the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company on June 11, 1971. He recalls that at the time, “the mayor and City Council members were all members of the OCVFC. The Volunteer Fire Company was the ‘hub’ of Ocean City and the most prominent organization in town. Not only was it a group devoted to helping each other in protecting our families and their properties but it was also the center of our social life as well.”

During his 33 years of active service and 52 years of membership in the OCVFC, John served on various committees, including the 100th Year Anniversary Celebration Committee and the Station #5 Building Committee. He was recognized as the OCVFC “Member of the Year” for his long-

time work as a member of the Financial Audit Committee.

He attained the Firefighter III classification and was EMT certified. He served as lieutenant on Engine #709 under Capt. J.D. Quillin and was named captain on the new Engine #709. Capt. VanFossen proudly drove the new Engine #9 from the Pierce Manufacturing Facility in Wisconsin back to Ocean City.

VanFossen cites three significant events during his active years of fire fighting. The first was the number of

John VanFossen

Man hit while walking hopes drivers exercise more caution

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(July 21,2023) Logan Tucker, 22, was hit by a car on Ocean Parkway in June and is talking about it in hopes that it prevents something similar happening to others.

It was about 9:30 p.m. on June 12, he said, when he and his friend, Gavin McGraw, were walking home. Tucker said McGraw had a flashlight to illuminate their path and make sure drivers could see them.

The driver, however, hit Tucker from behind. Tucker said he thought she was trying to make a turn. They were walking about 100 yards from the fire department.

When Tucker was hit, he said the impact sent his body into the grass area. His friend was not hit. Tucker said his friend told him the driver did not have her headlights on.

“When I came to after I was hit, I knew something was wrong with my leg,” Tucker said. He was able to walk to the car though. He said he gave the driver a hug because she seemed upset and was very apologetic.

“I did not want her to freak out.”

“My phone was dead, so I asked her for a ride home.”

He did not think to get her insurance information and only got her

OCVFC VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

first name.

He was injured enough to ask his father to take him to the emergency room that night. At the hospital, he was informed that he had a hip contusion. Later on, he had foot pain. Two weeks later, he got an x-ray.

He said he had numerous issues with his leg and foot for the first two weeks, but it has gotten better over time. Fortunately, nothing was broken, and he was able to treat his aches and pains with ice.

A few days later, he went to the police station to file a report. He said he

Gold Badge Member recognized

Continued from Page 46

large arsons on the Boardwalk during the late 1970s that risked our firefighters’ lives.

He will never forget losing two of his friends and fellow firefighting brothers, Jeffrey Dieter in the Saute Café fire in 1983, and Leroy Cropper in the Plim Plaza fire in 1995. Both men made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting lives and property in Ocean City – they are “True Heroes of Ocean City!”

Firefighter VanFossen is proud to see the fire service’s efforts to stress safety and professionalism using innovative technology, better equipment and advanced training.

He is also immensely proud to

have served along with his son, Scott, a Life Member of the volunteer fire company.

He is honored to be a Gold Badge Member of the OCVFC and continues to enjoy attending the fire company meetings and helping in any way he can.

“Though my time has passed, it is still a brotherhood of men and women that carries a special bond for life among all firefighters,” he said.

We thank John for his many years of service committed to protecting the lives and property of Ocean City residents and visitors.

For membership information or to learn more about the volunteer fire company, visit ocvfc.com.

Logan Tucker

See PEDESTRIAN Page 48

33RD STREET & OCEANSIDE

St. Paul’s asking local residents for donations

By Remy Andersen Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The Shepherd’s Crook Food Pantry, the primary outreach of St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church, is experiencing a food shortage because of increased costs and is asking for financial help from area residents, businesses and organizations.

Founded in 2002, the food pantry helps feed the homeless and local residents who don’t have enough to eat.

“In general, we have noticed an increase in patrons to the Crook, but the summer months also bring an influx of student workers in need,” said Pastor Jill Williams. “As of this week, the Crook is feeding over 100 clients a day. That is over double the amount of people in months earlier this year.”

Nancy Knotts, a volunteer of the food pantry since 2017, also noted how a significant increase in international J1 arrivals has affected the pantry. “The summer months have been especially a challenge due to the influx of students needing to utilize the pantry to supplement their diet while in Ocean City,” Knotts said.

“The amount served triples in the

summer so the amount spent to buy food increases accordingly. Summer is always the busiest time for the pantry but due to inflation, the amount that we are spending this year has never been higher.”

The Shepherd’s Crook, at 302 N. Baltimore Avenue, is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. During the off season, the Crook is also open on Saturdays. During its operational hours, The Shepherd’s Crook takes in donations

such as produce, canned and dry goods. The Crook gives out pantry items and fresh food while also providing a bagged lunch. Visitors are welcome to sit down and relax with a beverage and enjoy being surrounded by members of their community.

Monetary donations can be sent via check to the St. Paul’s By-The-Sea address, with special designation that it is for the Crook. Cash is also accepted during hours of operation. “Donations are made through individuals, organ-

izations, other churches, and businesses in Ocean City and the surrounding community,” Knotts said.

“As a church, we are compelled by the gospel to help the least among us, the hungry, the needy,” said Williams. “We hope that this Ocean City community that we love so much will join us as we work to bring dignity to the least among us.”

St. Paul’s By-The-Sea is located at 302 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842.

Pedestrian urges driver vigilance

Continued from Page 47

was given the impression that they knew the woman who hit him, but he has not heard from them since.

Tucker hopes that by sharing his story, it will remind people to slow down and pay more attention to bikers and those walking on the street, especially at night.

“Check to make sure your headlights are on, and stay three feet away from pedestrians,” Tucker reminded

drivers.

“She scared me to death, and I scared her to death,” he said.

“Everything is OK now, and that is the important thing.”

He believes Ocean Pines might want to consider street lights or walking paths to make it more safe for everyone.

“I worry about the kids. I have lived here for 10-12 years. Other people are not as fortunate as I am.”

According to the Ocean Pines Police Department, there has been one fatal collision involving a pedestrian on Ocean Parkway this year.

Pamela Shellenberger, 64 of Berlin was walking across Ocean Parkway at 9:23 a.m. on May 1 when she was struck by a car. Shellenberger was reportedly airlifted by Maryland State Police to Tidal Health Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Volunteers

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

State Senator Mary Beth Carozza, second from left, was recently awarded an honorary membership in the First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League for her support of the military and military veterans. She received her membership at the detachment’s June meeting held at Ocean City American Legion Post 166. Pictured with Carozza are, from left, Judge Advocate Don Coffin, Immediate Past Commandant Bob Broderick, Commandant Al Soto, and Junior Vice Commandant Milt Warren.

FURNITURE MONEY

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Members of the First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League pose recently with a check presented to the Ocean City American Legion Post 166 to the organization buy furniture for a new roof-top patio ba under construction. Pictured, from left, are FSD Commandant Al Soto, Post Commander Tom Wengert, and former FSD Commandant Bob Broderick. The Legion continued giving efforts in June, donating $23,000 to 15 local charitable causes.

DEBT RELIEF

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

KIWANIS SPEAKER

Christy Gordon, the executive director of the Delmarva Discovery Museum, poses with Kiwanis Club President Bob Wolfing after speaking to the club and guests at a recent meeting. The museum was conceived as a place where visitors could explore the rich history of the Delmarva Peninsula. It offers a variety of exhibits. public events and educational programs. Children visit on field trips and attend summer camp, which will be offered the second week of July. The museum will also host a golf tournament fundraiser Sept. 9 at the Ocean Resorts Golf Club.

BASEBALL PLAQUES

Pictured, from left, Geraldine Day, widow of Leon Day, Former Negro League player and Baltimore Black Sox pitcher; Worcester County NAACP President Ivory Smith; and Rayner Banks, Negro League goodwill ambassador pose with plaques recently awarded for support of the 2023 Worcester County NAACP Negro League Baseball Softball Classic. Day brought her friends and church members from Baltimore to participate in the Flower Street Memorial Day Parade and softball game classic held at Stephen Decatur High School.

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Randy's Crew recently preselected a $500 check to Danielle Jackson, center, representing Pocomoke Elementary School, for the school’s Debt Relief Program. Pictured, from left, are Randy’s Crew board members Jim Hamlin, Cindy Malament, Shelley Leach, Jackie Siejack, Wayne and Gerri Littleton, and Maria McEvoy.

NEW LIONESSES

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Recently elected and installed officers of the Ocean City Lioness Lions Club for the 2023-2024 term pose for a photo. Pictured from left are Treasurer Susan McHenry; Vice President Amy Bishop; Director Liz Scott; Directors Barbara Wasaikowski and Roberta Taylor, Recording Secretary Ginni Bonarrigo; Corresponding Secretary Autumn Fenton; Past President Bev Topfer; President Ann Runo, Membership Chair Faye Cathell; and Service and Retention official Donna Greenwood.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID LANDIS SR.

ANNUAL BEVERLY BASSFORD JURIED ART SHOW

Evan

opened his show “Persona” in the Thaler Gallery of arts center, with sponsorship from Matt Covell of Surf House Properties who provided the complimentary raw oysters, orange crushes and exhibition catalog.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Artist Jonathan Nordstrom won first place in the art show for his submission. The show runs through July 29.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Barbara Kern-Bush, pictured with the Bassford family, won Best in Show in the Art League of Ocean City’s annual Beverly Bassford Juried Art Show that opened on First Friday, July 7, at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. The family provides cash prices for the winners in memory of Beverly Bassford.

Susan Hunsberger greeted guests to her exhibit in Studio E at the recent art show.

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Fitzgerald

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Kevin Logue of Surf House Properties serves up fresh orange crushes to the guests attending the art show.

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Artist Sarah Hancock won third place for her submission in the show.

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Pictured, from left, are Kiwanians Kitchen Krew head and pancake chef Mike Castoro, servers Dick Clagett, Tony Winter and Lyle Dillon, and volunteer Angelina Li at the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City’s most recent pancake breakfast on July 8.

WOMEN’S GATHERING

Members of the Republican Women of Worcester County pose with Battsetseg (Baggi) Shagdar, one of the original delegates of the Democratic Women’s Union of Mongolia, at a recent dinner at Assateague Crab House. Pictured sixth from left, Shagdar has held several government positions and is currently the outgoing Ambassador to Cuba.

NEW MEMBER

Saunie Wolstenholme stands with Commandant Al Soto of the First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Wolstenholme was recently sworn in as an associate member of the league. She is the fiancee of member Bill Aguirre and took her oath at the detachment’s June meeting at Ocean City American Legion Post 166.

PROTESTING TURBINES

Members of Protect Our Coast Delmarva hold up protest signs during coastal Hands Across the Beach Day in a fight against wind turbine farms planned for construction along the shores of the East Coast.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Recipients of 2023 Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City scholarships pose with their awards at a recent meeting. Pictured from left in front are students Natalie Canham, Keeley Catrino, Corbin Denk, Ava Elliot, Gabriel Geiser, Kameron Harris, Candence Hughes, Kora Ketner, Emily Sandt and Aryavir Sangwan. Pictured back row from left are Kiwanis Club Scholarship Committee Members Kathey Hill, Tony Winter, Chairman Jim Maratea, Tom Foreman, Dick Clagett and Lyle Dillon.

SURF CLUB DONATION

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Members of the Ocean City Surf Club recently donated two ocean rescue boards to the OC Junior Beach Patrol. Members of the club are pictured posing with junior Beach Patrol children, who they meet every Friday morning in the summer to explain what their organization does for the community, and teach life lessons both in and out of the ocean.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID LANDIS SR.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN OSTROWSKI

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PHOTO COURTESY DAVID LANDIS SR.

Summer weekend offerings underway at OC Arts Center

(July 21, 2023) On weekends for the rest of the summer, the Ocean City Center for the Arts is hosting free activities for anyone who wants to attend.

According to a news release, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on summer Saturdays, the arts center will host free children’s craft projects with new themes each week.

The projects will be outside in the arts center’s tented waterfront courtyard overlooking the bay on 94th Street, weather permitting, and will move indoors on rainy days. All ages are welcome, but an adult must accompany a child.

“This is make-and-take event,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League of Ocean City, said in the release. “It’s a fun opportunity for children to engage their creative sides and make something special they can take home and be proud of with a special memory of Ocean City. We supply the materials and some creative ideas, and let the children take it from there.”

At 1 p.m. on summer Sundays, the arts center staff docents are guiding gallery

tours, free of charge, and discussing the art exhibitions and other offerings at the center.

Tours last about 15 minutes. The docents guide guests through the main Thaler Gallery, the Sisson Galleria on the balcony, the Spotlight Gallery, Studio E, the Staircase Gallery, the studios of the artists-in-residence, and the in-center gift shop.

The docents also highlight the multitude of classes offered at the arts center — painting, drawing, pottery, collage, book making and more — that allow artists to hone their skills and non-artists to discover their hidden talents.

“Whenever I go to an art gallery or museum, I love to take tours so I can learn the stories and ideas behind the art,” Thaler said. “Our docent tours will introduce you to some of our most prolific and talented artists, and answer questions you may have about what you see on our walls and in our galleries.”

For more information about the free weekend art projects call the Arts Center at 410-524-9433 or visit OCart.org.

ART LEAGUE CHECK

Jim Motsko of the White Marlin Open poses with Rina Thaler, the executive director of the Art League of Ocean City, after presenting her a check recently for sponsorship of the group’s Artists Paint OC Plein Air Festival set Aug. 9-13. The event annually coincides with the fishing tournament.

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Alex Warner of Westfield, New Jersey, holds up a project he completed at one of the Art League of Ocean City’s summer Saturday art classes.

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Creator registration deadline July 22 for OC Film Challenge

(July 21, 2023) Filmmakers who want to take part in this year’s Ocean City Film Challenge have until July 22 to register.

The challenge is an annual contest that takes place during the upcoming Ocean City Film Festival. Filmmakers of all levels register to create shorts films in or about Ocean City for a chance to win prizes, bragging rights, and the opportunity for their work to be immortalized in the Ocean City Film Festival catalog.

As part of the challenge, all films must include a certain line of dialogue and at least one Ocean City landmark from a provided list.

Registration is open until Saturday, July 22. All films must be shot between July 1 and July 31. Filming

OC Performing Arts Center to hold PTSD911 film screening

can only commence after registration. All deliverables are due no later than Sunday, August 13.

The line of dialogue that all films must include is: “You’re disgusting and I don’t want to be friends with you.”

The list of landmarks that entrants must include in their film for at least one location are: the Ocean City Fishing Pier, Northside Park dock, Trail of the Whispering Giants Statue (down by the Inlet), Sunset Park, underneath the Route 50 bridge, The Art League of Ocean City, Isle of Wight Park, and the dinosaur bones playground on the Boardwalk.

For more information, and to register for the challenge, visit ocmdfilmfestival.com.

MD DNR grant program now open to applications for 2025

(July 21, 2023) Maryland Department of Natural Resources officials recently announced the Grants Gateway application period is open for local governments and organizations for Fiscal Year 2025.

According to a news release, funding is available for projects across the state that restore local waterways, increase communities’ resilience to climate change and storm impacts, strengthen local economies, develop the next generation of environmental stewards, and foster sustainable development and use of Maryland waterways with projects that benefit the general boating public.

The department’s Grants Gateway provides a streamlined, single point

of entry to several state and federal programs, maximizing the resources available to restore the Chesapeake Bay and help coastal communities.

The program, now in its fourth year, enables communities better access to financial resources and a more intuitive reporting and management process.

Grants are funded through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, the Waterway Improvement Fund, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

More information on the programs can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website.

(July 21, 2023) A nationwide bicycle tour to promote PTSD911, a documentary film that highlights the struggles of first responders, is ending this week with the final screening in Ocean City.

For the past two-plus months, film director Conrad Weaver and his friend, John Patterson, have been on the PTSD911 Coast to Coast Bike and Film Tour, traveling across the country on bicycles promoting the film and the people featured in it.

The pair Astoria, Oregon, on May

15 with plans to stop and stay in fire houses in various cities and towns along the way in exchange for screenings of the film.

At 7 p.m., Friday, July 21, they are showing the film for the final time at the at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center on 40th Street.

For more information about the tour and film, visit ptsd911movie.com/coast2coast/. To buy tickets to the Ocean City screening, visit: ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-ocean-city-md

Spending $175K for answers? Yes

As the Town of Ocean City continues its long search for ways to block the installation of dozens of wind turbines off the coast within sight of the beach, elected officials have engaged the services of a specialized international company to do it for them.

The cost is $175,000 and the question residents and taxpayers are undoubtedly asking themselves is whether spending that kind of money is worth it.

Well, it is so far.

With no way of knowing what the environmental consulting company SLR International will find, betting $175,000 that it will discover something to bolster Ocean City’s objection to US Wind’s location off the coast is a roll of the dice.

Although Councilman Tony DeLuca declared this week that there’s no amount of money he wouldn’t spend to prevent wind farms from sprouting offshore, that’s hyperbole because there’s always a point where continued spending ceases to make sense.

In Ocean City’s case that would be when taxpayers begin to feel it’s not worth it, since they will be shouldering most of the expense. So far that hasn’t happened, and this outlay isn’t enough to tilt the scales of public opinion against the council’s desire to fight offshore wind development for as long as it can.

Besides, if SLR does find the city a winnable argument it can make to state and federal regulatory bodies and the courts, as opposed to something possibly valid but not that compelling, this expenditure would be worth it.

Equally important, however, is that independent research by SLR should give officials and the public a more precise picture of what the financial and environmental impacts of offshore wind on Ocean City might be, rather than obligating many opponents and proponents to rely on instincts, unproven assertions and personal opinions.

To accomplish that, however, the city must make SLR’s final report public as soon as it is bound and delivered, no matter what the findings may be. To do otherwise would be a waste of $175,000 and the knowledge the payment purchased.

Ocean City Today

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson

MANAGING EDITOR ............................ Mallory Panuska

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR .......................... Lisa Capitelli

STAFF WRITERS ................Jack Chavez, Cindy Hoffman, ..........................................Hunter Hine, Remy Andersen

ACCOUNT MANAGERS .......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier

Kelly

CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .............. Laura Blair

SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks

GRAPHIC ARTISTS ............ Kelly Brown, Jane Leibowitz

PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts

A touch of absurdity

Although I have frequently used this space to complain about pharmaceutical commercials on television, especially the ones that depict people overcoming their ailments and conditions in joyful slow-motion — “Looook ... aaaattttt ... meeeeeeee! I’mmmmmm ... alllllll ... betterrrrrr ...” — I am particularly aggravated by a recent one that begins with a woman singing, “I have a touch of diabetes ...”

A touch of diabetes. Hmmmm.

By Stewart Dobson

“Oh,” she seems to imply as she sings and dances in a fun and frolicky musical number, “it was going around the neighborhood and I caught a light version of it.”

This is like saying, “I have mild homicidal tendencies.”

Ask any endocrinologist, i.e., a glandular guru, a helpful hormone guy (non-genderspecific), or an expert endocrine evaluator, and he, she or they will advise you that claiming to have “a touch of diabetes” is about the same as telling people you’re growing a second head but it really isn’t all that big.

Diabetes is a terrible disease, and people who suffer from it don’t sing and dance upon learning they have it, except maybe those who also happen to be afflicted with a touch of being completely nuts-o.

Granted, the medication this commercial is pushing may help diabetics control their

circumstances, but I seriously doubt that its warning label says, “Side effects may include:

1. An urge to buy a yellow dress and sing the night away; 2. Being stupidly happy; 3. Telling your friends, “Hey, gang, let’s put on a show!”

Maybe I’m being too harsh or my BS meter has gone kerflooey because of a voltage spike and needs to be recalibrated, but it just gets me that the marketing departments of these pharmaceutical companies pitch their products by making it look as if people with health problems have more fun than just about anyone:

“Hey, Mildred, whaddaya say we get chronic skin conditions and go to the pool?”

There’s one commercial that shows a guy dragging himself around like a 2oo-pound tea bag because of his disorder, only to become insufferably perky after taking his daily dose of Hippityhoppity-o-nab.

The next thing you know, he’s ping-ponging his way through someone’s yard sale, with his busy little hands touching everything like it’s a game of tag:

“Hey, pal, you touch my stuff again, and I’ll bounce your ping-pongy self off the sidewalk, capeesh?”

I do understand that you’re not going to sell much of anything with scenes of people moping around or looking all darty-eyed like a dog in the veterinarian’s waiting room, but “I have a touch of diabetes” goes too far.

If that’s true, then so is, “Guess what, honey, I’m semi-pregnant.”

We invite you to share your opinion, 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.

Wind turbine study

Editor,

I’ve just read Anna Henderson’s letter, once again making the carefully worded claim “no scientific evidence” the survey work currently happening along the East Coast has a known link to the 164% increase of large whale deaths we have seen in the past year.

Why not take a pause and do the research to ascertain a true answer regarding the massive increase in whale deaths?

FYI:

• Two people primarily responsible for overseeing the development of the U.S. coastline are former employees of a major law firm that is council to the offshore wind industry. The firm is Latham and Watkins. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Tommy Beaudreau. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Ms. Laura Daniel-Davis, who signs the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Record of Decisions, was a senior manager. Many other decision making officials currently employed by BOEM and NOAA have similar connections to the industry.

• Environmental departments of several states have acknowledged that the wind turbines “will destroy marine habitats, compress the seafloor, severely damage marine communities, compromise migration corridors for the endangered marine mammals, cause commercial fishing stocks to decline and injure the beach economy.”

• Ørstead, in its environmental impact statements, admits there will be a 15% decrease in tourism…AKA… MONEY.

• BOEM, in 2021, states in its Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Vineyard Wind 1 project, “the construction of multiple offshore wind projects along the East Coast would have negligible impacts on climate change during these activities

and an overall minor beneficial impact on Green House Gas Emissions.”

• Wind turbines ingredients: aggregates and crushed stone, bauxite (aluminum), clay and shale, coal, cobalt, copper, gypsum, iron ore, limestone, molybdenum, rare Earth minerals, zinc, sand and gravel.

• Fossil fuels required for operation, per turbine (per Ørstead): grease 187 gallons, hydraulic oil 40 gallons, gear oil 106 gallons, dielectric fluid 1,585 gallons, diesel fuel 793 gallons, sulfur hexaflouride (SF6) 243 pounds — (FYI massively more toxic than Co2 and lives in the atmosphere for thousands of years), propylene glycol 357 gallons, ethylene glycols 48 gallons.

• Fossil fuels are required to operate each substation (per Ørstead): transformer oil 79,252 gallons, diesel fuel 52,834 gallons, sulfur hexaflouride (SF-6) 4,950 pounds, hydraulic oil 317 gallons.

Each Substation and each Turbine, require a cooling system outlawed for use at every other type of electricity generating plant using natural water as a coolant EXCEPT wind turbines IN THE OCEAN. These cooling systems kill all marine life sucked into them with the ocean water. That ocean water is then released back into the ocean at 90 degrees fahrenheit. Tens of thousands of gallons per day, seven days/52 weeks.

• Wind electricity generation is not reliable.

Nothing “green” is being constructed by these subsidiaries of “big oil.”

Dianna Harris West Ocean City

Wind farm study concerns

Editor,

I was surprised when I learned that the Ocean City Council had voted to spend $175,000 on a study by SLR Consulting for review of the US Wind Construction and Operations Plan for the offshore wind farm off the coast

of Ocean City.

My surprise comes from the fact that there are already studies (by the OSW Industry itself - including US Wind) regarding the impacts to the environment, sea life, commercial fishing, tourism, etc., of these wind farms. The studies clearly show a range of negative impacts (from minor to major) in all of these areas.

The studies are entitled: Visual Impact Assessment, May, 2022, Maryland Offshore Wind Project Prepared for US Wind, and Ocean Wind I Offshore Wind Farm Draft Environmental Impact Statement, June, 2022, authored by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Office of Renewable Energy Programs

If I have access to these, then surely the Town of Ocean City does, too.

Another foreign wind company, Ørstead, has included in its literature reference to another study, The Effect of Offshore Wind Projects on Recreational Beach Use on the East Coast of the United States: Evidence from Contingent- Behavior Data, Elsevier, September, 2020.

The study reaches conclusions that would indicate that Cape May, New Jersey may see a 15% decrease in tourism as a result of Ørstead’s Ocean Wind projects.

Of course, as anyone can tell from my previous letters, in my opinion most of the negative impacts of OSW farms are just common sense - it hardly needs another study by an-

other OSW connected

Carol Frazier Ocean Pines

People under the pier Editor,

For two years I have been emailing the mayor regarding people sleeping on the beach under the fishing pier which occurs on weekends in the summer they set up camp in tents and hammocks and barbecue grills.

In the beginning the mayor seemed to not care about the violations to the beach ordinance and told me those people deserve to have a vacation they work hard during the week!

He also told me those people spend money on the Boardwalk.

So in summation anyone who works hard during the week and spends money on the Boardwalk has the right to set up tents and sleep on the beach?

Recently he seemed genuinely interested in these violations mostly because I continued to try and make him aware of the violations in spite of his personal feelings toward them. Why do I spend my time?

Because in my younger days it was made perfectly clear to me that the ordinance would be enforced and I feel that when you make allowances for some people to break the law then the rest of the vacationers should be allowed to set up camp anywhere on the

Continued on Page 56

Rip currents account for most OC rescues

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer

(July 21, 2023) If you spend any time at the beach and listen to local television or radio at this time of the year, you will hear about the dangers of rip currents.

Although they are often mistakenly referred to as “rip tides.” they are in fact, a current.

A current is simply a volume of water moving from one location to another. In contrast, tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and occur about every six hours.

What makes a rip current dangerous is that it moves water away from the beach and out to sea, where north or south currents (littoral current) just move water along the beach.

As water flows away from the beach, in the RIP, anything or anyone in that water will also be pulled steadily away from shore. Someone standing in waist-deep water can be swept out to greater depths in seconds due to a rip current.

This action not only accounts for how unsuspecting bathers and people that never intended to go out further than their waist are pulled into water that is over their heads. It is also responsible for creating the telltale signs that identify a rip current to the trained eye.

As waves break and stir up the sandy bottom and create foam, the discolored water and foam are carried away from the shore, clearly marking the location of a rip current.

While the mechanics of a rip current are easily understood, they remain the greatest surf zone hazard

for anyone enjoying water activities at any beach (80 percent worldwide) and account for over 95 percent of all water related rescues in Ocean City. They are also responsible for most ocean drownings.

Rip currents are such a wellknown natural hazard that the National Weather Service has identified them as the third leading cause of weather-related death, although in the past few years they have moved into second place.

Unfortunately, this year there have been more rip current-related drowning deaths than in any recent years in the US. In Panama City Beach, Florida, there were six deaths in a 10day period and yes, we had one in Ocean City, three weeks before guards were on duty for the season. Heat-related deaths remain the leading cause (over 30 years), but rip currents are more deadly than tornados, hurricanes or cold.

If you question the seriousness of this threat, then just take a moment to realize that not all states could even contribute to this statistic because not all states have ocean beaches. So being the second or third leading cause of weather-related death is quite significant.

Nationally, there have been 65 deaths through July 4, this season compared with 69 during all of 2022 and the 10-year average is 71 deaths. Believe it or not, even the Great Lakes has rip currents.

To understand how to escape a rip current it is important to understand the cause.

Rip currents occur when water that comes into the beach by wave action and wind needs to make its way back out.

Because a sand bar runs the length

of Ocean City (a barrier island), water that has come over the sand bar needs to make its way back out. Because wave action continues to bring water over the sandbar, the water has difficulty going out against the incoming flow. Water will take the path

of least resistance and find a lower spot along the sandbar to become the natural path for the flow of the water.

As more water comes across the

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continued from Page 55

beach without recourse and let the eyesore spread.

In response to my latest email he advised me that it would be better served if I contacted the Ocean City Police directly when the violations occur (How many times do you think the police are in the inlet parking lot and see these violations?), and do you think it would be better served when the police observe these violations that they enforce the ordinance without me or the mayor’s involvement.

George Dobson Ocean View, Delaware

DRONE PHOTO COURTESY MIKE ARBIN

Drone footage shows members of the Beach Patrol having a safety talk on the beach near 14th Street after performing multiple rescue drills in the rip current in the water.

Swim north or south out of Rip, not against

sandbar the volume in the trough (water trapped between the beach and sandbar) increases and the additional volume of water causes an increasingly greater volume to flow through the path.

As water flows along the path, it will move sand and create a deep underwater channel from the shoreline through the sandbar.

As waves break near the beach, they cause a change in bathometry (the contour of the ocean bottom), which causes a constant change in the sandbar and thus rip current locations and severity are constantly changing.

Rips can open at any given time, sometimes referred to as “flash rips.”

Just last week I was out swimming, and I could see little rips opening up where just minutes before there weren’t any in the area where I was swimming. It was a rough, choppy day and the sandbar was being broken away.

Another factor that has an influence on the frequency and severity of rip current activity is water depth, which is directly related to changing tides. Therefore, rip current risk may be reported as moderate at 1 pm and become high at 4 pm. The Ocean City Beach Patrol provides rip current assessments to NOAA 3 times each day. We have also worked directly with scientists to understand rip currents and how to better forecast and predict them.

Although rip currents do not pull a person under water as a lot of people believe, it is the deep channel cut into the sandbar that gives the impression that a swimmer may be pulled down.

What is happening is a non-swimmer who intended to remain only in waste deep water is moved by the rip current into an increasingly deeper water channel.

Since they cannot swim, they try to stand on the bottom or bounce to keep their head above water, and as they move away from the shore, the water becomes over their head and they are no longer able to keep it above water.

Therefore, a person watching from the beach may think that what they believe they are seeing is a person being pulled under. In fact, it is a non-swimmer who does not have the ability to keep their head above water.

If this occurs while the Beach Patrol is on duty, the lifeguard will simply assist the person back to safety. However, if this occurs while lifeguards are not on duty, the outcome could be deadly (over 98 percent of all drowning deaths in Ocean City over the past 90 years have occurred when the Beach Patrol was NOT on duty).

You may believe that only non-

swimmers drown because of rip currents while many rip current drowning victims had moderate to good swimming ability.

This brings up the question, why would a person who knows how to swim, drown? The answer is simple: Panic, fatigue, and lack of ocean awareness all contribute to the outcome.

A rip current is very much like a treadmill. As water is flowing away from the beach, a swimmer attempting to swim straight in will make little or no progress against the outgoing current.

Since a rip current may flow faster than an Olympic swimmer (like Michael Phelps) can swim, swimming against this current only causes a person in this situation to become fatigued while getting no closer to the beach. Eventually they become so fatigued that they are no longer able to keep their head above water and once they slip below the water’s surface and are no longer able to get air, they become unconscious and only have moments before they become a statistic.

In contrast, a swimmer or someone with a flotation device can easily escape the pull of the rip. By nature, a typical rip current is not very wide, usually 20 yards at most, which means that a person who is pulled out can be out of the rip after a few swimming strokes.

Also, once the rip current flows through the cut in the sandbar the pull disperses and the current no longer continues to pull you away from shore.

With these facts in mind if you find yourself being pulled away from shore, do not panic. Simply swim parallel to shore and once you no longer feel the pull of the rip, swim back into shore.

To help escape the “grip” of the rip, swim with the littoral current (north or south). Before you go swimming, take time to study the water and know which direction you would want to swim out of the rip. If you feel you are unable to swim across the rip, relax, let it take you out to the sandbar, and then swim back to shore.

Whatever you do, never abandon a flotation device, and always signal the lifeguard if you want their assistance. In most cases they will already be on their way to assist you back to safety.

Even our lifeguards will not attempt to swim straight in against a rip current. They use their knowledge of the ocean to swim parallel to the beach until they are out of the rip current and then make their way back into safety with a victim in tow holding onto the buoy that the SRT has handed them as a flotation device to keep them above water.

If you can remember the word rip

then you can remember what to do to save your life, R = Relax and do not panic, I = I need help (wave your arm), P= swim Parallel to return to safety.

For more information about rip currents and other water safety topics visit ococean.com/ocbp and follow the safety button. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, has a very informative site to learn more about how they occur and how to remain safe, at ripcurrents.noaa.gov/ .

Not only do our SRTs play an important role in educating the public about rip currents and beach safety, as an organization, we have been involved in scientific research about rip currents and surf zone hazards with NOAA, the University of Delaware, Johns Hopkins University, and Maryland Sea Grant. We were also recognized internationally for educational outreach efforts.

It’s always exciting to be able to network with other organizations, in-

cluding NOAA, about current rip current and surf zone research. The administration also presented the Beach Patrol with an award for “Rip Current Awareness and Prevention” at a City Council meeting a couple of seasons ago.

Scott Schumann, an IT officer from NOAA, comes each year to train our lifeguards as we continue our partnership for identifying, predicting and understanding rip currents.

My best advice to you is to only swim when lifeguards are on duty, and you can always approach any of our friendly and knowledgeable lifeguards and ask them to talk to you about current conditions and information about rip currents, as well as looking at the rip current diagram on the back of every stand along the beach.

If you think you would like to make a difference and have an exciting fulfilling position with the Beach Patrol, ask any of our guards or visit JoinBeachPatrol.com.

Operation Gomorrah lays waste to Hamburg

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

(July 21, 2023) This week, 80 years ago, Hell came to Hamburg, Germany. It was delivered by the Allied Air Forces and was titled, “Operation Gomorrah.” When it was finished 42,000 of the city’s citizens were dead —21,000 women, 13,000 men and 8,000 children — and a million displaced.

Today, Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and, with more than 1.8 million residents, the sixth largest city in the European Union. The greater metropolitan area counts 5 million inhabitants. It is located on the River Elbe and its port is the second largest in Europe and the 10th largest in the world. Its location on the Elbe gives it easy access to the North Sea and from there, the world.

By the time of Operation Gomorrah, Hamburg had already been subjected to more than 35 air raids of varying sizes, intensity and duration. But nothing prepared it for what occurred this week, eighty years ago.

On the night of July 24, 1943, 791 British bombers attacked the city. It was the first time that Allied bombers had used “Windows,” an anti-radar measure in which small pieces of aluminum are dropped to overwhelm

the radar screens. The search lights, anti-aircraft guns and night fighters were all blinded, leaving them virtually useless. Hamburg was rendered defenseless against the Allied airborne terror.

The next day, approximately 100 American B-17 Flying Fortresses attacked the submarine pens at Hamburg. The Americans repeated this attack with 71 of the big bombers the following day. A 700-plane nighttime attack by the British was diverted to

Essen because of the smoke still lingering over Hamburg. Instead, six British de Havilland Mosquito bombers attacked Hamburg.

On the evening of July 27, another 787 British bombers — 353 Lancasters, 244 Halifaxes, 116 Stirlings and 74 Wellingtons — attacked the defenseless city using a high concentration of incendiary bombs. Unfortunately for the city, this particular summer, 80 years ago, was exceptionally hot and dry. These factors all coalesced to create a horrific fire storm. Winds reached up to 150 miles per hour, while temperatures reached 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The fires climbed to a height of more than 1,000 feet.

The streets burst into flames. As fuel from damaged and destroyed ships spilled into canals and harbor, it ignited. While the firestorm raged, it sucked the oxygen from the city and its bomb shelters, killing all. It swept people off the streets like dry leaves.

The next night, the city was attacked by four more British Mosquitos. On the night of July 29, 777

British bombers returned to attack the stricken city. After a two-day respite, 350 more British bombers returned on the evening of Aug. 2. Although Hamburg would be hit another 54 times before war’s end, it would never suffer death and destruction such as this week.

A total of 2,353 British heavy bombers dropped 7,196 high explosive and incendiary bombs, with a weight of 4,300 tons in less than a week. In all, the two air forces dropped about 9,000 tons of bombs, with 4,400 tons being high explosives, 2,700 tons of stick bombs, weighing 3.5 lbs. each and 1,900 tons of liquid incendiary bombs.

The operation involved more than 100,000 men, including air crews, technicians and ground support. The British lost 57 planes, or 2.4 percent. The RAF’s chief, Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris described the losses as “minute.”

On the ground, half of Hamburg’s dwellings were destroyed with the remainder suffering varying degrees of damage. More homes were destroyed in Hamburg in this operation than all the homes destroyed by the Luftwaffe in England during the entire war.

In addition, industrial buildings,

Continued on Page 59

de Havilland Mosquito bomber

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris

KENNETH THOM

Snow Hill

The Rev. Kenneth Stow Thom, 85, of Snow Hill, ascended to his Savior on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Born in Philadelphia on July 28, 1937, he was the son of the late William Angus Thom and Catherine Stow Thom.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Arlene McElhaney Thom; his daughter, Catherine “Cate” Easmunt, and her husband, David, of Hardin, Kentucky; his son, Kenneth Thom, and his wife, Nicole, of Palo Alto, California; and four grandchildren, Mitchell, Nicholas, Alexander and Zachary.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Angus Malcolm Thom.

Rev. Thom matriculated with the first class of the United States Air Force academy. He received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

He had been employed with GE Aerospace later acquired by Lock-

WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page 58

businesses, schools, hospitals, churches, banks and offices were all destroyed, as well as 180,000 tons of shipping sunk in the harbor. An estimated 40,000,000 tons of debris were created. From all the air raids, 55,000 citizens of Hamburg died - almost as many casualties as the British Army suffered between the evacuation of Dunkirk, in 1940, and the Battle at Arnhem, in 1944. Almost as many Hamburg residents died from the Allied bombing, as died on the front lines — 63,000.

Operation Gomorrah eliminated the last vestiges of the Luftwaffe Chief, Reichsmarschal Hermann Göring’s good standing among the German citizens. Once popular, he had guaranteed that “his” Luftwaffe could supply the Sixth Army at Stalingrad — and it failed — and as a consequence, their sons and brothers had died.

He had guaranteed that “his” Luftwaffe would protect German homes and cities from enemy air attacks — and it failed — and as a consequence German mothers, sisters and children were killed, maimed and left homeless.

Next week: Ploie ti

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.

heed Martin at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. When living in Anne Arundel County, he enjoyed sailing with his family.

He also earned his private pilot and flight instructor certificate. He achieved the rank of Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and served as a pilot and Aerospace Education Officer. He

He had long felt a calling to ministry, so after retiring from Lockheed Martin he attended Virginia Theological Seminary and received his master of divinity.

He was ordained a deacon in May 2001, and a priest in November 2001.

He served as the Priest-In-Charge at All Hallows Episcopal Church in Snow Hill for ten years. After retiring from full-time ministry, he served as a supply priest at several Episcopal churches in Wicomico and Worcester counties, most recently serving for several years as Vicar of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Quantico.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., July 25, at All Hallows Episcopal Church, 109 W Market St, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Visitation will be one hour prior, The Right Rev. Robert Ihloff and The Rev. Andrew Cropper will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Hallows Episcopal Church, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 6457 Quantico Rd, Quantico, MD 21856, or to the Civil Air Patrol at gocivilairpatrol.com/?form=CAP2023. Letters of

condolence can be sent to the family via burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

JEANNE DONALDSON TOWNSEND Snow Hill

Jeanne Donaldson Townsend, 92, of Snow Hill, passed away July 17, 2023.

A lifetime resident of her beloved Snow Hill, Jeanne served her community with commitment and a passion for the town’s long history.

Graduating from high school at the age of 16, Jeanne immediately began working at the Snow Hill Court House, later becoming the first woman supervisor of assessments in the state of Maryland.

She also volunteered for numerous organizations, was a member of her local DAR chapter and served in her church, All Hallows Episcopal Church, for decades.

The Worcester County Commission for Women named her a Worcester County Gem for her accomplishments in her community.

Jeanne spent her retirement years feeding her love of history as a genealogist. She helped families from all over the country research their roots as a hobby. Her love of travel

also nourished her love of history. All of these accomplishments pale in comparison to her greatest achievement, her family.

Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents, James and Elizabeth; husband Melvin; son-in-law Earl; and great-grandchild, Easton, 2, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

She is survived by her daughter Janet; grandchildren Elizabeth (Brandon) and Thomas (Katie); great- grandchildren Grant and Emily; and many cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733 Salisbury, MD 21802; All Hallows Episcopal Church, 109 W. Market St. Snow Hill, MD 21863; or The Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Company, 4718 Snow Hill Rd. Snow Hill, MD 21863.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 22, at All Hallows Episcopal Church in Snow Hill. Friends may call from 10- 11 a.m. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Condolences can be shared with the family at burbagefuneralhome.com.

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Kenneth Thom

Jeanne Townsend

OCTT gives biggest single-boat payout in tourny’s history

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The 36th annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament paid out around $990,000 in prize money last weekend – the third largest purse in tournament history – although the weather made trouble for many anglers.

“We unfortunately had some pretty rough seas for the weekend of the tuna tournament, so Friday, Saturday, Sunday. (It) looked beautiful right before … so we got the short end of the stick on the weather, but the turnout really didn’t get affected too poorly,” said Hunter Dortenzo, assistant dock master at the Ocean City Fishing Center, which hosted the tournament with Sunset Marina and Micky Fins. “We were thrilled with the outcome, with the number of boats fishing and the fish brought into the scales.”

Of the 74 boats registered, 35 went out Friday and 44 headed offshore Sunday, the two days that brought the roughest weather, Dortenzo said. Saturday was relatively nice out, and 71 boats took advantage for a day of fishing.

Bad weather forced many smaller boats to abstain this weekend, Dortenzo said.

“Winds out of the south (were) anywhere from 10-25 knots, seas probably four- to eight-foot range, so not the most pleasant conditions out there and definitely a bumpy ride for our guys fishing in the tournament, but the guys that did go out there and deal with those weather conditions got rewarded for it,” Dortenzo said.

The Cabana team took first place in the single heaviest tuna division, with a 236-pound bigeye caught by Mike McCarthy.

Cabana also brought in the heaviest tuna stringer with 763 pounds of fish caught across two days.

It was the tournament’s heaviest stringer since 2007, and the fourth heaviest in tournament history, Dortenzo said.

“That anticipation of seeing a big tuna come off the boat at the scales is always really exciting,” Dortenzo said. “That will get the crowd riled up pretty good.”

However, Cabana did not place for the stringer because competing boats can only win for either single heaviest fish or heaviest stringer, not both, in some added entry levels, Dortenzo

said.

Also, in other winner-take-all categories that are split 50/50 between heaviest single fish and heaviest stringer, participants can only win one of the two categories.

“(In) levels G and H (the jackpot calcuttas) you can win both sides, which Cabana did,” Dortenzo said.

The Cabana team won a total of $495,100 along with a $5,000 Atlantic Capital gift card, which was also for the single heaviest fish, earning them the highest single-boat payout in tournament history.

Cabana also won heaviest single fish among 52-foot-and-up boats, which was included in the prize total.

“With the weather, with a number of registered boats, we couldn’t be happier to be able to give out payouts that big,” Dortenzo said.

The Boss Hogg crew took second place for single heaviest fish, earning $49,800 for a 230-pound bigeye landed by Mike Runk, Sr., and third place went to Full Service, who weighed Dan Brandt’s 209-pound bluefin to win $67,970.

Full Service also won heaviest bluefin and heaviest single fish for boats between 36-51 feet, the earn-

ings of which were included in their total.

The Marli team took home $132,325 for the heaviest stringer, with a two-day combined weight of 506-pounds. Marli also won heaviest stringer among 52-foot-and-up boats, which was included in the total.

The BAR South crew came in second for stringers with a 471-pound total weight that won them $59,565, and the third-place prize was $27,835, which went to Ro Sham Bo whose stringer totaled 439 pounds.

Raymie Caiola was the top junior angler. He caught a 54-pound yellowfin aboard Talkin’ Trash. He was presented $1,500.

J.L. Cropper earned $2,000 after taking the first-place spot among the top lady anglers with a 108-pound bluefin she reeled in on Myra HT.

Heaviest dolphin fish, and the calcutta’s carry-over money from last year, went to the Lucky Duck team for its 32-pound catch, winning them $61,230.

The wahoo calcutta went unclaimed yet again this year, adding to the jackpot and bringing the payout money to over $60,000 for next

year’s tournament.

The Fluid Dynamics team received $13,500 for the heaviest stringer in the category for boats between 36-51 feet with a two-day-total weight of 308 pounds.

In the small boats category (35 feet and under), the Zippy crew won $2,250 for the heaviest single fish and the Cluster Fish team won the same amount for heaviest stringer of 130 pounds.

The tournament was also able to give around $11,000 to Marlins for Mason, an organization that benefits the Dravet Syndrome Foundation in honor of Mason Prather, a 5-year-old Ocean City angler who lives with Dravet Syndrome, a rare lifelong form of epilepsy.

Dortenzo said the scales brought around 200-400 spectators each day with consistent lines of fish getting weighed at the marina and boats backed up from 4:15-7:30 p.m.

“Even Sunday when we had terrible weather here inland – it was pouring down rain, heavy winds, lightning at times – and we still had people out here at the scales, so we’re always thrilled with the spectators and we make it fun with them,”

PHOTO COURTESY OCEAN CITY FISHING CENTER FACEBOOK

The Cabana crew took first place in single heaviest tuna division, with a 236-pound bigeye caught by Mike McCarthy. The group won a total of $495,100 and a $5,000 Atlantic Capital gift card, earning them the highest single-boat payout in tournament history.

Big Fish Classic set for July 28-30

Final registration for 10th annual event Thursday near M.R. Ducks on Talbot Street

By Lisa Capitelli Contributing Editor

(July 21, 2023) More than $1 million was paid out to the winners of the Huk Big Fish Classic in both 2021 and 2022, and organizers of this year’s event hope to keep the trend going.

“It’s our 10th anniversary [and] our goal is $1.5 million and participation – 100-plus boats,” said Brian Roberts, co-director of the Classic. “I think they are possible.”

A total of 97 boats were entered into the ninth annual competition last year, and approximately $1.08 million was awarded. The year prior, a record 110 boats participated and the tournament broke the milliondollar payout mark for the first time, awarding $1,224,740 to the winners.

“I hope we have good weather,” Roberts said. “We’re super excited … Fishing is definitely picking up.”

Base entry fee for the 10th annual Classic, scheduled for July 28-30, is $1,000. While about 30 teams have pre-registered as of Wednesday, the majority will sign up for the tournament on the final day, Thursday, July 27.

On-site registration, located near M.R. Ducks on Talbot Street in down-

town Ocean City, will run from noon to 8 p.m. A captains’ meeting will follow.

Added entry-level divisions range in cost from $500 to $5,000, and include billfish, tuna, meatfish (mahi and wahoo) and small boat (38 feet and under). There is also a billfish release division.

Teams can select five qualifying fish of any species they catch for the Talbot Street Stringer division.

Additional entry-level calcuttas have been added for swordfish and in the small boat division this year.

Gret’s Three J’s landed the largest fish of the 2022 tournament – a 436pound blue marlin – and won $201,885.

The second largest fish was a 258.5-pound big eye tuna, caught aboard No Limit. The crew’s total tuna stringer catch weight was 686 pounds. The group received $192,253.

The Big Stick team boated a 170.5pound swordfish and was presented $98,550.

The Boss Hogg crew landed a 76pound white marlin and took home the most money of the tournament –$225,000 – because of participation in added entry-level calcuttas.

Teams can choose to fish between two 32-hour slots: 7 a.m. Friday, July, 28 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, or 7 a.m. Saturday, July 29 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

Crews can fish the entire 32 hours or come back to the dock and head out offshore again after a break with the same or different anglers.

Boats can depart from any port between New Jersey and Virginia. Teams can fish up to 125 nautical miles from the Ocean City sea buoy. All fish must be weighed at the Talbot Street Pier.

Tournament weigh-ins will take place from 4-9 p.m., Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29. The scale, located between M.R. Ducks and The Angler, will be open from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

Those who can’t attend in person can watch online at www.bigfishclassic.com. Barstool Sports will also be covering the tournament.

There will be tournament merchandise and other vendors set up in the Big Fish Classic Village near the weigh-ins.

Singer-songwriter Jared Wade will perform in the village beginning around 4:45 p.m. next Saturday.

In addition to a successful 2022 tournament, several hundred pounds of fish was donated to Diakonia in West Ocean City, an organization which helps individuals and families by providing shelter, food, clothing and program services, as well as $2,000. About $12,000 went to the Ocean City Fire Department.

The Raymond A. Wood Founda-

Stormy weather troubles anglers

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Dortenzo said.

Many spectators who showed up to weigh-ins got free T-shirts and vendor merchandise, Dortenzo said. The awards dinner brought with it the presentation of awards, like big checks and sponsor prizes for boats in added entry level calcuttas including YETI, Squidnation and Park Place Jewelers, Dortenzo said.

“When you’re able to get all that stuff at the end of the night, it makes it really rewarding for both us and the tournament teams,” Dortenzo said.

tion, which provides quality of life support for childhood brain tumor survivors and their families (www.rawoodfoundation.org), also received a donation.

Talbot Street Pier is the original spot where some of the first fish caught off the coast of Ocean City were weighed.

Nearly 100 years ago, the pier in downtown Ocean City was bustling with activity as anglers took their daily catches there. Organizers started the Big Fish Classic to bring the action, and big fish, back to the pier.

For more information, visit www.bigfishclassic.com. Updates will also be posted on the tournament’s Facebook page.

OCMC’s 19th annual Kid’s Classic July 22-23

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) All anglers 19 years old and younger are welcome to fish one or both days of the 19th annual Kid’s Classic, held July 22-23 and hosted by the Ocean City Marlin Club.

“The nice thing about it is it’s a local tournament, [it] gets all the children out there fishing, and you’ll see a 6-year-old or a 5-year-old, young girl or boy coming down to the dock to weigh their five croaker in a bucket, [and] they’re all full of smiles,” said tournament chairman Dale Withers, who has been helping run the Kid’s Classic for about a decade. “It’s just a great family tournament. Everybody has a real good time.”

Registration is Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the OCMC clubhouse located on Golf Course Road in West Ocean City. The captains meeting is at 7:45 p.m. and can be attended in-person at the clubhouse, or online through a virtual meeting link on the OCMC Facebook page.

Attendees can also register online in advance.

The registration for boats is $200, but the head boat entry fee is $25 per angler, Withers said. The cost is $25 for each angler fishing from shore.

In 2022, 196 anglers registered for the Kid’s Classic, and 53 boats entered.

This year the tournament will again benefit the Wish-A-Fish foundation, an organization based in Maryland and Virginia that hosts fishing events for special needs children and their families, according to its website.

Last year the tournament raised $1,100 in donations for Wish-AFish.

Today, Wish-A-Fish will host what Wither’s described as a mini-pretournament on charter boats for affected children and their families, which will be followed by a dinner at the clubhouse on Saturday.

The OCMC pays for the charter boats in the Wish-A-Fish event, and put forward $3,890 last year to do so.

For the next two days, young an-

glers can catch-and-weigh wahoo, tuna, mahi (dolphin), bonita, bluefish, rockfish, sea bass, tautog, spot, croaker, flounder and mackerel. There is even a category for “unusual” catches.

Participants – who can fish offshore, inshore and from land – will be awarded first, second and third place for the heaviest fish of each species.

For spot and croaker, each angler is allowed five fish in a bucket per day. OCMC asks that all anglers keep their catch alive for release.

Young anglers can also catch-andrelease billfish, such as white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish and swordfish, which are rated through a point system.

Blue marlin must be photographed and shown to weigh masters in order to receive their 150 blue-marlin points. If not, the fish will be counted with white-marlin points, which is 100.

Swordfish are also 150 points, and all other billfish are worth 100.

For both Saturday and Sunday, it’s

lines in at 6:30 a.m. and lines out at 3 p.m., and the tournament boundaries are 100 nautical miles from the Ocean City sea buoy.

Withers said earlier this week that the weather looks like it will be great for the tournament.

“It’s usually in July, it’s going to be 90-something degrees and the heat index is way up there. Looks like Friday, we’re going to get some thunderstorms,” Withers said. “Humidity is supposed to go down for the weekend and I just looked at Berlin’s weather, it’s supposed to be a high of 84. The weather, if it holds, [then it] will be a good, comfortable tournament.”

Weigh-ins are 3-6:30 p.m. Saturday and 3-6 p.m. Sunday at Sunset Marina in West Ocean City. Boats must be in the marina cut by the final minutes on both days.

The carnival and awards banquet is 6:30-9 p.m. on Sunday, and will be located under the OCMC clubhouse. Attendees can expect bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, cotton candy machines and snow cones, Withers said.

More discussion on different fins

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(July 21, 2023) This article will continue with our discussion on fins.

Last time we concluded with singles and twin fins in popular usage. The era was the early years of the 1970s. Surf boards had become quite short and the search was on for ways to make them go faster and perform better.

Around 1973, a radical new design emerged from Malcom and Duncan Campbell, two brothers who, with the help of their father, came up with the idea. It consisted of a single fin and two more tapered fins, placed outside toward the rails.

There were also two deep concaves or channels between the center single fin and the outside tapered fins.

All of this was based on the Venturi principle which states that water and other fluids cannot be compressed. If the flow of the water meets with a constricted area, as in a large pipe going into a smaller one, the flow of the water goes faster.

In an attempt to not make things too complicated, suffice to say that this created quite a “buzz” in the surfing world. The Campbell Brothers wanted to share

their idea and got in touch with large manufacturers of the day.

Bing Copeland of Bing Surfboards and Mike Eaton, Bing’s head shaper, were quite intrigued with the idea and decided to go forward and build an extensive campaign around what came to be known as the “Bonzer.” The term is Australian slang for something first rate or excellent.

These days the term is probably considered to be rather archaic and oldfashioned but as has been said on many occasions, old school is good school.

Some of the Bonzers had a single concave placed forward of the fin area and this single to double concave idea is seen extensively in many surfboards today.

I tend to think of them as moderate Bonzers and is probably due to a lot of boards made without nearly as much thickness.

Bonzers were not the easiest boards to make, though.

Mike Eaton found ways to quicken the process, but this was just in the shaping. This isn’t said to lessen the step of shaping. After all it’s the foundation of the surfboard.

Every step in the process is important and there are many more steps of surf board building. I remember reading about a sign in a sander’s work room to

Poor Girls Open needs sponsors

the effect of “you can lead a bonzer to the water but you can’t sand the darn things” (any expletive can be inserted!).

Plenty of single fins were still around as they always have been but another design of note that made an impact during the 1970s was what became known as the “Fish” due to the split in the tail board.

This created two pin tails, essentially, and was combined with twin fins.

The Fish was originally a kneeboard conceived by Steve Lis. It was short, wide, and thick and became a standup surfboard for many a surfer.

So singles, twins and three fins were all going on in this era.

It was exciting and there can be no claim by myself to know all of it. The act of riding a wave is supposed to be fun and the process of evolving surfboard design to increase the performance level ostensibly is to increase that fun!

As we shall hopefully discuss in future articles, there is more to be done with fins. The late 1970s and the early 1980s became ground breaking in their own right. Like a lot of other equipment and endeavors things can change.

Again, stay tuned.

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

(July 21, 2023) The annual Poor Girls Open ladies-only fishing tournament is seeking sponsors for the 29th annual event, scheduled for Aug. 16-20.

The 28th annual Capt. Steve Harman Poor Girls Open in 2022 drew 797 lady anglers fishing on 161 boats, with prize money distributed to the winners totaling $243,265.

In addition, a check for $100,000 was presented to the American Cancer Society.

Since 2005, the tournament has donated more than $1.8 million to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research and program development.

In 2004, the tournament was renamed to honor the founder of the event, the late Capt. Steve Harman.

He and his wife, Pam, started the Poor Girls Open in 1994 to provide women with an opportunity to compete for prizes and money in a ladies-only tournament, and to raise money for local charities.

Harman died in February 2004, so organizers thought it was appropriate the tournament be renamed in his memory. For more information about the Poor Girls Open, call Bahia Marina at 410289-7438.

To become a sponsor, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/pwprn8w dggytcsv/2023%20PGO%20SPONSOR%20KIT%20%283%29.pdf?dl=0

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