07/11/2025 OC Today-Dispatch

Fight against offshore wind continues as case is upheld

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) The Town of Ocean City’s lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s approval of the US Wind project will continue after a U.S. district court judge last week denied a motion to dismiss the case in its entirety.

On July 2, U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Gallagher rejected US Wind’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit led by the city and backed by 34 co-plaintiffs.

However, the court did grant motions to dismiss three of the city’s eight claims against the federal government.

“We prevailed on five major claims— under the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act,” Mayor Rick Meehan said in a statement last week. “This ruling affirms our standing and allows our case against the U.S. Department of the Interior, challenging the legality of the agency’s approval of the Maryland Offshore Wind project, to proceed.”

Last fall, Ocean City government and several other co-plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging BOEM’s approval of the US Wind project, which will involve the construction of 114, 938-foot-tall wind turbines starting at about 11 miles off Ocean City’s coast and stretching out toward the horizon.

The lawsuit alleges the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to conduct a transparent approval process and meet statutory and regulatory requirements.

Since then, however, the federal government filed a motion to dismiss two of the city’s claims under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). US

Wind also joined the lawsuit as an intervenor and subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety.

Last month, Judge Gallagher heard arguments for and against the motions to dismiss. And last Wednesday, she granted the federal government’s motion to dismiss two of the city’s claims alleging violations of the MBTA and CZMA, and ruled in favor of a portion of US Wind’s motion by dismissing a third claim that alleged BOEM’s decision violated the Administrative Procedure Act because it was “arbitrary and capricious.”

“For the reasons stated above, the Federal Defendants’ Partial Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ Sixth (MBTA) and Seventh (CZMA) Causes of Action, ECF 37, is Granted,” the opinion reads. “US Wind’s Motion to Dismiss, ECF 39, is Granted in Part as to the First, Sixth, and Seventh Causes of action and Denied In Part as to the remaining causes of action.”

The lawsuit will proceed in federal court on the five remaining causes of action.

“As we have stated for over eight years, this project threatens to devastate our tourism industry, commercial and recreational fishing sectors, and poses risks to national defense,” Meehan said in his statement. “It could lead to the deaths of hundreds of marine mammals, including the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale—all so that an Italian company can receive subsidies from the State of Maryland to produce unreliable and expensive electricity.

“The Town of Ocean City and our coplaintiffs stand united with our residents and property owners in the fight to protect our community, our economy, our ecosystem, our fishing industry, and everything that makes this place we call home special—today and for future generations.”

US Wind did not respond to requests for comment, and BOEM has stated it will not comment on litigation.

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Berlin motorist, passenger from Pennsylvania perished

(July 11, 2025) Delaware State Police this week were investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash on Tuesday morning near Selbyville that left two people dead including a Berlin woman.

According to the DSP, on Tuesday, July 8, around 7:54 a.m., a Chevrolet Camaro was traveling eastbound on Lighthouse Road, approaching New Road. At the same time, a Hyundai Santa Fe was traveling westbound on Lighthouse Road, approaching New Road. For reasons still under investigation, they said, the Camaro crossed the double-yellow center line and entered the Santa Fe’s path of travel in the westbound lane of Lighthouse Road. As a result, the front of the Camaro struck the front of the Santa Fe.

The driver of the Camaro, Veronika McCoy, 22, of Berlin, was taken to an area hospital, where she later died. Her name was released after family was notified.

The right front-seat passenger of the Santa Fe, Douglas Bachtell, 77, of Waynesboro, Pa., was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was initially withheld until his family was notified. The driver of the Santa Fe, a 74-year-old man from Selbyville, was hospitalized with critical injuries.

Lighthouse Road was closed for an extended time while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation remained ongoing mid-week. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is being asked to contact MCpl. K. Argo at 302-703-3264.

Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Frenzied Fourth brings chaos, terror for OC

ager Terry McGean said this week. “And it’s not something we’ll tolerate going forward.”

Fireworks discharge cause Boardwalk panic

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) Panic on the Boardwalk. Large gatherings at the beach. A shooting in the street.

These are just some of the incidents police responded to last Friday in the midst of Ocean City’s Independence Day celebrations.

While it was reported the city’s police, fire, and emergency services operations were fully staffed heading into the Fourth of July weekend, officials said Friday was challenging as illegal and disruptive behavior intensified throughout the evening.

“It was a difficult night,” City Man-

Chaos erupted Friday night at the start of Ocean City’s downtown fireworks show after one or more persons discharged fireworks into the Boardwalk crowd.

The noise was then erroneously reported as “shots fired,” which, in turn, created a stampede of people running away from what they believed to be an active shooter situation.

Shenanigan’s owner Greg Shockley said the situation escalated to the point that people were jumping over his restaurant’s fencing and ducking under tables trying to seek shelter. The rush, he said, came in waves and resulted in the business closing for

roughly half an hour.

“It was very disturbing …,” he said of the incident. “People were upset by what happened.”

Park Place Jewelers owner Todd Ferrante said he spent the evening at his storefront, giving his employees time to step outside and watch the fireworks. He said it was just after 9:40 p.m. when people started rushing into his business.

“I think they thought it was an active shooter,” he said of the incident. “That subsided and then a lot of people walked out. Five minutes later, it happened again, a rush of people coming into the store. I decided, to keep everyone safe, to close the steel door.”

The store, Ferrante said, then closed for the remainder of the evening.

“I wasn’t taking any chances,” he said. “It was more important to me to think about the safety and wellbeing of my family and staff than to be open for another hour.”

The Ocean City Police Department reported that several arrests were made in the vicinity of the fireworks discharge. As of Monday, however, officers had not been able to directly link those arrests to the incident.

“We did not arrest anyone in particular related to the discharging of the fireworks, but a separate handgun arrest was made in the same area and by the same officers,” OCPD Deputy Communications Manager Ashley Miller said this week. “The call for services got linked together when they should have been separate. There was NO shooting on the Boardwalk. A juvenile was arrested in the vicinity for having a handgun on their person.”

For his part, Ferrante said the incident was a first for Ocean City and “hopefully the last.” Both he and Shockley also recognized the police presence on the Boardwalk the night of July 4.

“I think they were doing the best they could,” Ferrante said. “It was just a little overwhelming.”

“It was something that was out of everyone’s control …,” Shockley

added. “The Boardwalk settled down after the fireworks, but everything spread north from there.”

Police investigating weekend shooting

The irony was not lost on the public when, roughly three hours after allaying fears of shots fired on the Boardwalk, police responded to a non-fatal shooting around 28th Street and Philadelphia Avenue.

There, police located a 22-year-old Cambridge man with a gunshot wound to his arm. The victim was transported by Ocean City EMS to TidalHealth, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Police say the victim is expected to make a full recovery but remains uncooperative with the investigation. They ask those with any information about the incident or who know any of the individuals involved to contact Detective First Class A. Gutowski at agutowski@oceancitymd.gov, or call 410-723-6610.

Individuals can also provide anonymous tips by calling 410-520-

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OC vows to fight tumultuous pop-up events

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) Ocean City government officials said they will explore ways to deter a pop-up gathering, such as the one that broke out last Friday night, from coming back to Ocean City.

At the conclusion of Monday’s Ocean City Council meeting, during which two residents spoke of the unruly and illegal activities witnessed in town late last week, City Manager Terry McGean made it clear that Ocean City would not tolerate the behavior associated with a “takeover” event organized on social media ahead of the July 4 holiday.

He said he would be meeting with Police Chief Raymond Austin and City Solicitor Heather Stansbury this week to discuss solutions, which will ultimately be forwarded to the city’s police commission for review.

“We don’t tolerate what happened, and we're not going to tolerate what happened,” he said. “I think we got that message out. That’s why there was a difference Friday night versus Saturday night.”

During the public comment period of Monday’s meeting, resident Martin Branigan shared the misconduct he had witnessed from those who came to Ocean City for last week’s “takeover” event. He warned city officials to be

prepared for upcoming Fourth of July holidays, which will fall on a weekend the next two years.

“I'm afraid that this behavior will be repeated,” he said.

Resident Scott Chismar also came before the council this week to share what he thought was a lack of law enforcement on the Boardwalk last Saturday night. He said he had witnessed public safety officers bike past people walking dogs and smoking weed.

“I couldn't believe, you know, they were 24 hours removed from the shenanigans of the night before and nothing was happening,” he said.

Chismar encouraged the city to increase its police presence moving forward. He also pointed to a $100,000 contribution the council had made toward an anti-wind campaign earlier in the meeting. He suggested the city use its money to stop such incidents from recurring.

“This can't be the new norm,” he said of last week’s incidents. “It can't be acceptable.”

For his part, McGean defended the city’s police department, saying the Boardwalk was fully staffed with officers, patrol captains, sheriff’s deputies and seasonal public safety officers. However, he did acknowledge the “difficult” weekend Ocean City had.

“At the staff level, we recognized

what happened and it’s not acceptable,” he said, “for the council or for the public.”

Mayor Rick Meehan said the city is currently in the planning stages and that changes will be made moving forward, although he did not elaborate on what those changes would be. However, he said city officials were well aware of the issues reported last Friday night.

“I think what we faced was 15 hours of hell by a group that came here – it was a social media generated event –with the express purpose to disrupt and cause chaos,” he said. “The OCPD was aware of that, they knew they were

here, and I think it was because of their advanced deployment and what they had planned to do to address that, particularly in the 27th and 33rd Street area, that really saved us a lot of problems and kept the general public out of harm’s way.”

Meehan also addressed last Friday’s fireworks incident, during which false reports of shots fired on the Boardwalk caused a stampede of people running from the area. He called the incident “a crazy anomaly."

“You know, 15 years ago, if somebody heard a firecracker or something go off, they would look around. Today they hear that, and everybody runs …

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Monday’s meeting of the Ocean City Mayor and Council saw officials speaking about the violent event of July 4 weekend that occurred throughout the resort.

Council backs OCPD response

,” he said. “But we’re not going to let an instance like those 15 hours define Ocean City.”

Several councilmembers this week also vowed to address the issues associated with the social media event.

Councilman John Gehrig said city officials and residents did not support the behavior witnessed last Friday.

“It’s easy for us to say we're going to fix it, but I encourage everyone to understand that this is not the first time we've had assholes in our community,” he said. “So disrespect will be treated with maximum respect from our professional public safety team.”

Gehrig said the city had a track record of dealing with troublesome events. He said he had confidence in both the police department and city staff to find a solution.

“This isn’t an empty promise,” he said. “We’ve done it in the past, and we’ll do it again.”

For his part, Councilman Jake Mitrecic acknowledged the “tough” weekend Ocean City had and thanked first responders on duty throughout the July 4 holiday.

He also addressed social media comments about the Town of Ocean City.

“Ocean City didn't put up a sign that said come here and act any way you want,” he said. “What we're seeing is a symptom of a state and a country that

is changing around us. It's been made harder to police, it's been made harder to do anything against juveniles, and our police force is doing absolutely everything it can. And we will supply them with the tools and everything that we can to make sure that this does not happen in the future.”

Mitrecic also responded to Chismar’s comments on police funding.

“I'd like to remind you that you should contact your county commissioner,” he said. “They denied a request from us for $1 million towards our police department. That’s money that would be well spent.”

“I happen to know a guy down there that would be happy to hear from you,” Mitrecic added, referencing his father, Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic (Ocean City District).

Councilman Larry Yates and Council President Matt James also shared their support for first responders.

“The behavior that we experienced on Friday night will not be tolerated, and our police department will not tolerate it moving forward,” James said. “And the people that came to Ocean City to cause the problems that they came here to cause are not wanted and we hope they do not return. If they do return, they will be handled appropriately by law enforcement personnel and hopefully through the criminal justice process.”

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Social media fuels pop-up ‘takeover’ event

5136 or submitting them through the department’s crime tips webpage, https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/police/crime-tips. Reference case number 2025-00-2374.

Social media pop-up brings youth to beach, streets

In the days leading up to July 4, the Ocean City Police Department became aware of a pop-up gathering being organized on social media platforms.

However, it appeared city officials underestimated the crowds that would turn out for the pop-up event, as throughout the weekend videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of participants crowding the streets and gathering on the beach and large groups jumping on cars.

Uptown, on the evening of July 3,

the police department reported it had received multiple calls regarding large groups of people congregating on the beach and surrounding properties between 120th and 125th streets.

“Officers, including our Mounted Unit and ATV patrols, worked proactively to address concerns from residents, businesses, and condominium properties,” a news release from the Ocean City Police Department reads.

“As in previous years, we observed a generational shift away from traditional Boardwalk activities towards beach gatherings and bonfires. Officers maintained a high-visibility presence in both beach and residential areas, including proactive saturation of ocean block communities such as Assawoman Drive to deter spillover gatherings.”

In a news release issued Monday,

both McGean and Mayor Rick Meehan condemned the behaviors associated with the pop-up event. Meehan said participants came to Ocean City “with the sole intent of causing disruption and chaos.”

“We recognize the concern from our residents and visitors who witnessed or experienced these incidents firsthand," Meehan said. "We share that concern and will continue to assess the weekend in partnership with public safety officials and use those insights to strengthen planning and response efforts. As we move through the peak summer season, the Town remains committed to proactive enforcement, strong community partnerships, and ensuring Ocean City remains a safe and welcoming place for all.”

McGean also recognized the first responders and allied law enforcement agencies that responded to the incidents.

"Our first responders showed strength, professionalism, and resilience during a weekend that tested every corner of our public safety network," he said. "These types of gatherings are not welcome in Ocean City. We are committed to taking a firm stance against disorderly conduct and will continue to work with our partners to deter this behavior, enforce our laws, and protect our community."

Police report enforcement efforts, other notable incidents

The Ocean City Police Department said the agency remained fully staffed throughout the weekend, with fulltime officers, public safety officers and command staff assigned to key locations throughout town.

The agency also worked with the Maryland State Highway Administration, which provided support through traffic safety details. Officers focused on impaired driving enforcement, bicycle and e-scooter regulation, and pedestrian safety initiatives. Additionally, OCPD deployed specialized enforcement along the beachfront, with ATV officers patrolling heavily populated areas.

Other notable incidents police responded to include a robbery and assault at 12th Street and Philadelphia Avenue, multiple handgun arrests involving teenagers, and a strong-arm robbery in the early morning hours of July 5.

Police officers also responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at around 12:25 a.m. on July 5. The pedestrian, struck by a northbound vehicle on Coastal Highway near 65th Street, was flown to TidalHealth while the driver remained on the scene. The police department’s traffic safety unit continues to investigate the cause of the accident.

Ocean City Fire Department reports busy weekend

The Ocean City Fire Department also kept busy throughout the July 4 holiday, according to Community Engagement Officer Ryan Whittington. Over the 24-hour period, the agency responded to 106 calls for service, making it one of the busiest days of the year, he said.

Whittington said firefighters and EMS clinicians were dispatched to a wide range of emergency situations, including a shooting, a pedestrian-involved accident, a building fire on 65th Street, and numerous dumpster, trash and dune grass fires. He said at one point, four Ocean City ambulances were simultaneously at TidalHealth in Salisbury managing medical emergencies.

“Thankfully, there were no reported firework-related injuries during the holiday,” he said. “However, one firefighter/paramedic was assaulted while on duty and transported to the hospital. They have since been released and are recovering.”

Whittington said the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office conducted preholiday fire inspections and oversaw the execution of north- and south-end fireworks displays. The agency also assisted in monitoring bonfire permits and addressing illegal fireworks activity.

“The Ocean City Fire Department extends our sincere gratitude to our

‘No textbook answer’ to pop-ups, sheriff says

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) More than a dozen Worcester County sheriff’s deputies were called to the Ocean City Boardwalk for a Fourth of July “takeover” that resulted terror and chaos after fireworks shot into the crowd were thought to be an active shooter.

Sheriff Matt Crisafulli credited his deputies on the scene, brought in at the request of Ocean City officials, with saving lives that night.

“It’s because of their efforts that we miraculously avoided any fatalities in Ocean City this weekend. I’m proud of my men and women and I’m extremely proud of the working partnership we have with our allied law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Resort officials were warned of a “takeover” event promoted through

social media, which lured a young and ultimately unruly crowd to the Boardwalk for the night of July 4.

Ocean City officials learned about a week in advance to expect the wave of activity and notified the sheriff’s office and state police that their help was going to be needed, according to Mayor Rick Meehan.

Police agencies were busy that Friday night dealing with a range of incidents, including handgun arrests, strong-arm robberies, assaults, a shooting, and a struck pedestrian. Videos online show people setting off fireworks and jumping on vehicles and running through the streets.

When someone discharged fireworks into the crowd on the Boardwalk at 3rd Street, it set off a near-riot, with hundreds of people stampeding away from the area in fear for their

lives.

“They feared it was a mass shooter,” Crisafulli said. “People coming into this community and instilling fear in our residents like that, it’s not going to be tolerated. When people bring behaviors we observed this past weekend, it’s going to deter people from wanting to come into our community and vacationing in our tourist location. From a public safety standpoint, it’s zero-tolerance.”

Crisafulli said this led to a emergency radio call that cops call a “signal 13” – an alert to police that one of their own is in need of assistance. He responded by sending 14 of his deputies who were already on the ground. The Maryland State Police also deployed their own troopers, including members of the Mobile Field Force, though an agency spokeswoman declined to

say how many troopers showed up.

“Friday just kind of exploded” with the incident downtown on the Boardwalk, Crisafulli added, calling it “the turning point for the entire evening.”

“These are rapidly evolving situations with a large contingent of people. It quickly escalates into different, chaotic situations that law enforcement personnel were chasing and trying to temper,” the sheriff added.

Crisafulli said his and other police agencies will continue to monitor all the social media outlets in preparation of future large gatherings. He called the July 4 conduct “deplorable” and vowed to meet violence with arrests and prosecution.

“There’s no textbook answer. You can’t eliminate people from visiting a tourist location, but you can implore them to act with civility. If they’re not going to take our messages of deterrence, then they will force our hands into making arrests,” the sheriff said.

public safety partners at the Ocean City Police Department, Maryland State Police, and Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for their unwavering support and teamwork,” Whittington said. “We also want to acknowledge our 911 dispatchers, whose calm voices and coordinated responses helped manage an exceptionally high volume of calls. Their professionalism was key in navigating the chaos of a busy July 4th celebration.”

Police department thanks assisting agencies

Following the hectic Fourth of July weekend, the Ocean City Police Department recognized numerous agencies who provided support throughout the holiday, including the Ocean City Fire Marshal's Office, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, the Maryland State Police, the Berlin Police Department, the Ocean Pines Police Department, and the Pocomoke Police Department.

Police also recognized the town’s 911 dispatchers, fire and EMS, and the public works department.

"Our officers and allied agency partners worked around the clock to keep Ocean City safe during this hectic holiday weekend," Police Chief Raymond Austin said in a news release. "While we did respond to several serious incidents, the quick action of our officers, the support of our regional partners, and the vigilance of our community helped us manage these isolated incidents safely and efficiently. We remain committed to maintaining a strong, visible presence throughout the rest of the summer season."

AT&T, city move forward on agreement ... with addition

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) Resort government officials say AT&T has agreed to install additional City Watch cameras in exchange for the City Council’s blessing of its plan to place small cell antennas at the inlet.

After tabling its decision last month, the council on Monday voted to approve a license agreement with AT&T for the installation of small cell equipment at the inlet. As part of the arrangement, the company has agreed to purchase additional surveillance cameras and equipment for the city’s use.

“The attorneys worked it out …,” AT&T representative Diane Quigley told the council this week. “They

added the provision that AT&T would pay for and install the cameras.”

In an attempt to improve cell service during the city’s yearly music festivals, Quigley came before the city council at its June 10 work session with a request from AT&T to install additional small cell antennas in the downtown area. To do so, officials said, would require a license from the city to place the company’s equipment in the city right-of-way.

The company has plans to install five antennas at the inlet parking lot, one near the Ripley’s building and another near a Boardwalk bathroom. The antennas, the company proposed, would be mounted on light poles ahead of next year’s C3 festivals.

“As you all know, there's an issue with coverage when you have all these large concerts down at the inlet, and then all of us cell carriers scramble to get what we call COWs – cell on wheels, temporary towers – to use to support the capacity that we need,” Quigley said at the time. “So, AT&T is looking to put small cell antennas down in the inlet.”

However, following a lengthy discussion, the council last month voted to table its decision after Councilman John Gehrig proposed an addition to the agreement – that the company install dark fiber and additional City Watch cameras in exchange for the placement of the small cell equipment.

Back before the council this week, Quigley said AT&T had agreed to most of the terms.

“The good news is AT&T agreed to pay for the cameras and installing the cameras and they will work with you to get the fiber,” she explained. “But they can't guarantee they can provide the fiber because it's provided by a third party.”

With no further discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to approve the license agreement. When asked about the company’s accommodations, City Manager Terry McGean said he was satisfied.

“Their commitment to put the cameras where we need them was a great request by the council,” he replied.

With the license agreement now approved, permits for the installation of the small cell equipment will be submitted to the city’s engineering department for review. As part of the agreement, AT&T will pay the city $344 per year, per location.

Officials say installation of the small cell equipment would likely begin on Nov. 3, following this year’s Oceans Calling and Country Calling music festivals. McGean said both AT&T and Verizon would continue to

Convention center set for new LED lighting

Color-changing perimeter lights part of continuing upgrades to tourism hub

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) Ocean City Officials this week selected a vendor to install new exterior lighting at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

The City Council on Monday voted to accept Lebow Lighting Solutions LLC as the sole source vendor for an exterior lighting project at the convention center.

Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo said the project is part of an effort to refresh the facility’s appearance and expand convention center business.

“It's going to stand out,” he said of the lighting project. “It will be a great attraction.”

Perlozzo said the new LED lights would be installed along the building’s perimeter and can be programmed to change colors. For example, he said lighting could change to green for St. Patrick’s Day or red, white and blue for the Fourth of July.

As the vendor provided a proprietary product, Procurement Manager Matt Perry also told the council this

week the competitive bidding process could be waived.

“That is why we offered a sole source justification for the approval,” he said.

As the project is expected to exceed $100,000, staff sought the council’s approval on Monday to award a contract to the vendor. City Manager Terry McGean said the project, estimated to cost nearly $172,000, would be paid for with special event ticket revenues, not tax revenues.

“It’s reinvesting funds from tourism-related activities,” Councilman John Gehrig added.

Mayor Rick Meehan noted the new lighting would be a “great addition” to the convention center. He said it would also highlight the city’s continuing efforts to refresh the facility. In recent years, the city has undertaken a phased improvement project inside the building.

“The convention center is a focal point in the community,” he said, “and to let that stand out and bring more attention to a building we invested so much in … I think it will have a tremendous effect.”

With no further discussion, the council voted 5-1, with Council President Matt James opposed and Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to

award a contract to Lebow Lighting Solutions LLC, with expenditure approval up to $172,000. Officials noted the project did not involve the Maryland Stadium Authority, which is Ocean City’s partner in the convention center.

“I think it would be a great project, I’m just not comfortable with the sole source,” James said.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

This photo of exterior LED lighting was provided to the Ocean City Council as an example of what the final result may look like when the Convention Center is outfitted with perimeter lights.

Five rescued from capsized boat

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) Five people were rescued from the Ocean City Inlet Tuesday after their pontoon boat

At approximately 5 p.m., the Ocean City Fire Department was called to the Ocean City Inlet for a capsized pontoon boat with victims in the water.

Upon arrival, the department’s Fireboat 1 found Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) already on the scene, as well as Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguards, who were assisting the boat’s passengers, according to Ocean City Fire Department Community Engagement Officer Ryan Whittington.

From there, personnel on Fireboat 1, in coordination with NRP, began removing the victims and lifeguards from the water. A rescue swimmer deployed from Fireboat 1 assisted the final victim onto the boat with support from the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

All five occupants of the overturned vessel were taken to the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Ocean City, according to Whittington. The U.S. Coast Guard handled the vessel recovery and tow operation.

“We commend the seamless collaboration between all partner agencies involved in this successful rescue,” he said. “This incident serves as a reminder of the challenging conditions present in the Ocean City Inlet and the importance of operating vessels within safe limits.”

The circumstances that led the boat to flip over were unavailable.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Ocean City Fire Department Fireboat 1 is pictured with a Maryland Natural Resources Police boat rescuing victims, assisted by members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

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Berlin historic board okays business signs, adjustments

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) Last week, the Berlin Historic District Commission approved a slew of additions and storefront adjustments for a few businesses in town.

Kelly Dean of Sylvie Rose LLC, a flower shop at 17 Jefferson Street in Berlin, came before the commission at its Wednesday, July 2 meeting. She asked the historic district group to approve her request to add a vinyl decal to an existing sign structure on the roof of her business.

The new addition will display, in vinyl lettering, the company’s name, “Sylvie Rose,” with “floral designs” underneath. The decal will be placed on the surface of a sign structure currently on the building.

According to Dean, the existing sign attachment is a 108 inches wide by 48 inches tall wooden frame with a flat metal surface, which will remain as is. The lettering will be added to the structure and will occupy the entire interior space of the frame. Dean said that the decal will be professionally designed and printed by the Queen Anne-based company, Sign Connection. The logo can be easily removed from the frame and replaced as needed.

Currently, lights are hanging over the frame. These fixtures will remain, Dean

said. Berlin’s Historic District Commission unanimously approved the floral shop’s signage request.

Kevin and Brianne Chmielewski also appeared before the commission to request adjustments to the storefront of their new snowball stand, On Thin Ice.

The pair sought the group’s approval to place a sign with the stand’s logo to the building’s brick, above the old bank teller window, and also requested permission to attach a menu sign to the building’s old deposit box, holders for an American and Maryland flag, which will likely be made of stainless steel, and an 18x18 window cling with the company’s logo to the structure’s glass side door.

The historic commission approved the On Thin Ice owners’ requests, with the stipulation that the cling’s measurements pertaining to the side door’s size meet the town’s code, to be determined upon further research.

A building at 13-15 South Main Street, a former warehouse, has been converted into a small furniture market. As such, a green sign with white letters, reading “Berlin Furniture Market,” will be placed on the building’s front. According to the district’s meeting agenda, the attachment will be made of medium density overlay plywood. The request was approved unanimously by the commission.

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Boy scout to repair rundown bridges at park this summer

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) An upgrade is planned for the bridges at Stephen Decatur Park in Berlin later this summer to address instability and overgrowth as part of a local student’s Eagle Scout project.

Parker Gill of Boy Scouts of America Troop 261 has proposed a rebuild of two bridges at Stephen Decatur Park on the area’s pond side. The initiative is to be undertaken as Gill’s Eagle Scout project, with the assistance of Town of Berlin staff and fellow Boy Scout troop members.

Gill presented his plans to Berlin’s Parks Commission at the group’s meeting on Tuesday, July 1. Cody Chesser, Berlin’s public works superintendent, who attended the gathering, said that the bridge improvement was already on the

town’s docket as a project, but will now be spearheaded by Gill, who requested to take it over.

“[Gill] thought it could help the town, thought it could help the parks,” Chesser said.

The improvement work will address the deteriorating condition of the current bridges. Gill said that there are missing railing pieces, and what is left is unstable.

“If someone were to put their hand on the railings, they would rock a bit,” he said.

The Boy Scout added that there is also overgrowth of vegetation on the bridges, creating a hazard for those walking across.

To address the bridges’ issues, Gill intends to relocate the structures’ posts to create approximately six to eight more inches of space.

“When I met with [Chesser], he said they would likely be able to get some service vehicles over the bridges [with the modification], so that will help with that problem,” the student added.

Gill’s blueprint also includes the removal of the up and down railings. This will leave the horizontal, right-to-left fencing in place. Gill noted that the crossed planks are redundant.

“They sort of have the same purpose,” he said. “That’s just my choice. I didn’t think we needed both.”

Gill hopes the materials to complete the project, such as the treated lumber, screws, and nails, will be provided to him for free by Home Depot and The Adkins Company. Gill maintained that these businesses have been “very generous” to his troop in the past. He will also send out letters to family and friends to solicit donations.

The endeavor is expected to begin in mid-to-late August, spanning one to one and a half days. Gill will gather helpers from his Boy Scout troop, and Chesser said that members of the town’s public works crew will be on-site to help with the work and handle equipment, such as power tools.

Once completed, the structures will likely contain a plaque with Gill’s name, his troop number, and those who aided the effort to acknowledge the boy scout’s contribution to Stephen Decatur Park. The design of the marker will need to be approved by the Parks Commission and the Berlin Town Council before it is placed. .

Gill said that he was inspired to spearhead the bridge project due to his appreciation for public parks. The student noticed the bridges’ disrepair and wanted to solve the issue and create a safe path for pedestrians.

“This is just something that I saw while walking in the park with my dad, it caught my eye mostly because of the missing up and down railings,” he said. “A lot of those were broken, and one had fallen onto the bridge.”

The initiative is expected to be com-

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Second Friday event opens new exhibits in Ocean City

Center for the Arts to host annual Bassford Juried Art Show

(July 11, 2025) The Art League of Ocean City has announced its monthly art opening reception will be held on “Second Friday,” July 11. The public is invited to the free event from 5-7 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside.

Opening in the Thaler Gallery is new work by artist Petra Bernstein in a show entitled, “The Space In Between.” Born and raised in the German countryside, Bernstein learned to appreciate nature at an early age. Her artwork ranges from paintings of flora and fauna to abstract interpretations of nature’s mystery. The Maryland-based artist captures intriguing reflections, patterns, colors, and textures. “Art has become a beautiful journey, and I can no longer imagine my life without it,” she said.

The annual Beverly Bassford Juried Art Show will be exhibited in the Sisson Galleria in an extended run through Aug. 15. After Bassford’s death in 1999, her family honored her love of art by establishing a prize in her name that grew into the annual show, with continued sponsorship by

the family. Christy Cox of Salisbury University Art Galleries will juror the show, selecting winners for the cash prizes sponsored in part by the Bassford family, the Worcester County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

The Schwab Spotlight Gallery is shining a spotlight on artwork created by Art League staff and members of its Board of Directors, titled “Faces of the Arts.”

“Our staff and board members are passionate about the arts and devote their time and energy to serving the mission of the Art League. We are excited about this exhibit that will showcase the talents of these people who make the arts accessible to all in Ocean City and beyond,” said Art League of Ocean City Executive Director Rina Thaler.

Jonathan Nordstrom occupies Studio E during July. Nordstrom often paints his dreams in acrylic on canvas with an emphasis on pointillism as a technique, adding a feeling of movement to his finished pieces.

“When I look at a great piece of art, what usually holds me in place is when I can find something new in every square inch, and that is what I try and convey in my paintings,” he said.

Main, satellite galleries opening latest exhibits

The artisan for July is jeweler Dee Dobson of Ocean City who uses traditional gold and silversmithing methods to create her one-of-a-kind pieces. Her metals of choice are sterling and fine silver, varying carats of gold, and copper. Dobson cuts her own semi-precious stones and adds them in colors chosen to represent the Southwestern deserts and the display of light on the oceans.

Aria Islam of Ocean City is the new artist in the Burbage Staircase Gallery, showing through December. A graduate of Worcester Prep, she a rising artist who has previously exhibited in the Art League’s Shirley Hall Youth Art Exhibits.

New shows are also opening in July at the Art League’s satellite galleries. The Princess Royale, 9100 Coastal Hwy., is featuring the artwork of Jessica Schlegel in their main lobby. A watercolor artist who delves into the world around her, Schlegel grew up on the Eastern Shore, falling in love with the array of landscapes and wildlife, and often paints plein air.

Sally Miller is the featured artist at the Coffee Beanery, at the corner of 94th St. and Coastal Hwy. Miller is a Baltimore-based artist whose primary work is training resident spiritual care practitioners at The Johns Hopkins Academic Medical Center. Her artwork is inspired by people she meets in the hospital and two losses in her own life.

Montgomery Financial Services is sponsoring complimentary beverages at the event, and the Art League will provide complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

More information about the exhibits can be found at OCart.org, on the Art League’s app, or by calling 410-524-9433.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Petra Bernstein’s work will be featured.

Berlin hosting ‘Summer Swing’ event on Saturday

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) To celebrate 135 years of Taylor Bank in Berlin, the town’s chamber of commerce is hosting a 1920s-themed event this weekend as an ode to the business’s earlier days.

On Saturday, July 12, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Hot Summer Swing” concert with live music, dancing, street performers, and food and beverage vendors. The festivities will kick off at noon and finish up around 5 p.m.

According to Berlin Chamber of Commerce President Garrett Neville, this will be the organization’s first “Hot Summer Swing,” which will be held in conjunction with Taylor Bank.

“It’s to celebrate their 135 years in business,” Neville said. “They are certainly a staple here on the Eastern Shore.”

The party will feature live music from the appropriately named Gatsby Gang Band. There will be kids’ games, and, as a highly different part of the day, a stilt walker will trek up and down Main Street.

“The swing theme is an ode back to vintage Berlin,” Neville said. “It’s something a little bit different but also very family-friendly. We wanted to pick a genre that encouraged hot summer nights and dancing with family and friends on historic Main Street, Berlin.”

The first 200 children will receive complimentary cotton candy, while the first batch of adults will enjoy complimentary beer from Evolution Craft Brewing Company. Food vendors will also be on-site for attendees to purchase lunch or dinner.

To celebrate Taylor Bank’s 135th anniversary, the Gatsby-themed band will take a break every hour, allowing representatives from the banking group to offer history lessons and stories about the Eastern Shore and the business’s legacy in the community.

Shore leaders will also speak at the Hot Summer Swing.

“At 3 p.m., there will be presentations from various elected officials from the Eastern Shore, just saying wonderful things about Berlin and Taylor Bank,” Neville added.

The chamber president hopes the event will be filled with dancing and fun, appropriate for the whole family.

“This will showcase another incredible event that the Berlin Chamber can put on for the community,” Neville said. “There will be good music and just something for everybody to do. It’ll just be a good way to spend a summer evening. We hope everyone comes out, and we can make this an annual event.”

Neville

OC Art League hosts raffle

(July 11, 2025) The Art League of Ocean City, a nonprofit organization, announced a fundraising raffle where the winner receives $5,000 towards travel or cash. The raffle supports the many community programs of the Art League.

Raffle tickets are $100 each or six for $500, and only 350 tickets will be sold. The Art League will announce the winner at their annual “pARTy of the Year” on Oct. 9, 2025. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.

"This could be your lucky day, a chance to check that vacation you’ve always dreamed of taking off your bucket list, thanks to our sponsor, Oasis Travel,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. “Or take the $5,000 cash. The good news is that we all win, because when you

take a chance on hitting it big, you’re also supporting your local nonprofit arts organization."

The sale of the raffle tickets helps the Art League keep the doors of the Ocean City Center for the Arts open and free to all and supports outreach programs. “It allows us to go into our community’s schools with enriching art programs, assist those with disabilities in expressing themselves through art, and provide a safe and nurturing space for everyone to express their creative sides,” Thaler continued.

The raffle winners in 2024, Brian and Whitney Mannion, chose Acapulco as their destination. "My wife and I had the time of our lives celebrating our anniversary in Mexico,” he said. “Oasis Travel did a great job putting together the trip. We bought the ticket to help the Art League, never thinking we would win, but we did."

Raffle tickets may be purchased at OCart.org, by calling the Art League at 410-524-9433, or by purchasing them in person at the front desk of the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside, Ocean City.

Wor-Wic reform program

Wor-Wic Community College has been selected as part of the Aspen Institute College Excellence program’s Presidents & Trustees Collaborative for community college leadership development. Ten colleges from across the United States were chosen to participate.

“Wor-Wic is honored to be selected to be a part of this inaugural national cohort. Embedding student success into college governance with strong alignment with our board of trustees is crucial to our mission fulfillment for our local communities and workforce,” said Deborah Casey, Ph.D., president of Wor-Wic.

The initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of community college presidents and their boards of trustees to sustain systemic reform that improves student outcomes. Aspen’s research into community college excellence reveals that longterm, scaled change depends on college presidents and trustees having a shared understanding of why student-outcome reforms are needed,

agreeing on prioritized reform strategies and aligning their review of metrics, policies and budgets to those priorities.

Through a year-long series of sessions, presidents and trustees are guided through Aspen’s trustee framework and learn lessons from Aspen prize-winning colleges, with the goal of strengthening their capacity to align decision-making with their colleges’ student-success reform priorities.

Other participating colleges include Cerritos College, El Camino Community College District and Santa Rosa Junior College in California; Forsyth Technical Community College and Vance-Granville Community College in North Carolina; Monroe Community College in New York; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Wisconsin; Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma; and UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey.

Documentary recognized

Warriors Beyond the Battlefield was awarded Best Documentary in June at the Black Filmmakers Festival in Toronto, Canada. Beach to Bay Heritage Area helped produce the documentary with Unscene Productions. Warriors Beyond the Battlefield: African Americans in the Armed Forces, debuted at the Ocean City Film Festival in March of this year and

won the Audience Choice Award for best short documentary.

The film highlights the untold stories of brave African Americans who have served in the United States military from the Civil War to present day. Featuring personal, emotional narratives and archival resources, the documentary explores struggles against racial injustice, key contributions to American history, and the complex legacy of service and sacrifice.

The film has been entered in multiple other festivals throughout the country. The project was funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.

The Black Filmmakers Festival is a monthly Documentary Film Festival in the heart of downtown Toronto at the Carlton Cinemas.

Showings of the documentary will be scheduled locally in early 2026.

Recreation forum planned

The public is invited to a town hall meeting with Snow Hill, Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development (WCTED), and National Park Service (NPS) Chesapeake Gateways professionals to discuss the future of outdoor recreation and adventure in Snow Hill. The meeting will take place Tuesday, July 15, from 5-7 p.m. in the Worcester County Government Center’s first-floor board room at 1 West Market Street in Snow Hill.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Snow Hill to bring our stakeholders and tourism partners together to assess our community’s natural assets and chart a path forward to improve their functionality and attraction,” Snow Hill Economic Development Director Lorissa Mcallister said. “We encourage everyone in the community to come out and engage in the town hall to ensure all perspectives are included in this planning process.”

This open forum will also focus on opportunities along the Pocomoke River. Community members will have the chance to share feedback, ideas, and visions for improving the unique recreational experiences in Snow Hill for both residents and visitors. NPS Chesapeake Gateways staff will also discuss the programs and opportunities they offer.

All are welcome, and no registration is required. Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees can expect a welcoming, open-dialogue environment where all voices are encouraged.

“We want to hear directly from the community,” WCTED Director Melanie Pursel said. “Snow Hill has incredible natural and cultural assets, and this is an opportunity to help shape how they’re presented and made accessible to everyone for future generations.”

For more information about the town hall, contact WCTED Communication and Marketing Manager Brianna Dix at bdix@marylandscoast.org or call 410-632-3110.

Ocean Pines swim team celebrating milestone season

(July 11, 2025) For most students in the area, the end of the school year marks a chance to sleep in, relax, and ease into summer. But for the swimmers of the Ocean Pines Swim Team (OPST), also known as the Hammerheads, summer begins in the water, bright and early. For many of the older swimmers, that means continuing with two-hour practices six days a week beginning at 6:50 a.m.

What keeps them coming back? It’s more than just best time and ribbons. It’s the discipline, determination, friendships, laughter and a shared love of the sport that binds this team together. And this year, there’s even more to celebrate as OPST is celebrating its 50th summer season, marking half a century of fostering dedication, commitment and realizing potential of young athletes both in and out of the pool.

The team began in 1975, the brainchild of Virginia “Ginny” Reister, who was simply looking for a way to keep her three sons active. That first summer, the team consisted of just a few local children practicing at the Sports Core Pool—then still an outdoor facility with a towering diving platform some longtime residents may remember fondly.

By the following year, OPST became an official member of the newly formed Delmarva Swim Association (DSA). With community-donated funds, the team purchased lane lines and starting blocks, setting the stage for its first competitive season with around 20 swimmers.

As the team grew in size, they moved to their current summer home at the Swim & Racquet Club. By 1982, some swimmers began craving more than just a six-week summer season so OPST started winter clinics in rented pool space, though many of the more advanced swimmers eventually joined other teams for year-round training with some earning success at the national level and planting seeds of ambition for future generations on the shore.

In 1995, several OPST swimmers and families led a movement to also bring competitive swimming to Stephen Decatur High School continuing to help the growth of the sport on the Eastern Shore. Thanks to generous community support, the team launched as a junior varsity program—entirely self-funded. It was such a success that swimming became a varsity sport the following year and continues to thrive. However, talented swimmers were still longing for more.

To help meet that need, the team launched its first full winter season in 2010, practicing in the now indoor Sports Core Pool. In 2014 OPST ushered in a new era as the team affiliated with USA Swimming—first offering it as an optional track, then officially becoming a USA Swimming team in 2016. By 2018, OPST had its first full year-round program, competing exclusively in

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Ocean Pines Swim Team today features 80-year-round swimmers with about 140 summer swimmers. A team photo is shown from 1981 when the participation rate was much lower.

Hammerheads popularity has grown since ‘75 launch

throughout the year, while also maintaining its summer DSA program.

Today, the Hammerheads are a USA Safe Sport Certified, Level 1 Recognized USA Swimming team, with more than 80 year-round swimmers, 140 DSA summer swimmers, a full-time head coach and several part-time assistant coaches. The talent pool also continues to deepen. When the team first began competing in USA Swimming meets across the bridge, only a small handful of swimmers would attend and now it is not uncommon to see over 50 Hammerheads at these larger meets.

To ensure continued excellence OPST launched a developmental competitive program for the team’s youngest swimmers (Pups), focusing on technique and form right from the start. The program has grown rapidly, building Hammerheads for the future.

A story of 50 years would be incomplete without recognizing the parent volunteers who have kept the team afloat. Since day one, OPST has been run by dedicated parents who pour in countless hours to keep the team operating. Today, a parent volunteer Board of Directors oversees operations year-round and every single parent on the team volunteers their time in some form or another.

As a nonprofit organization, OPST re-

lies on a combination of member dues, sponsorships and fundraising to ensure sustainability and help with expenses such as payroll, pool rental, travel expenses, equipment, training and more. Sponsorships and fundraising are critical to offset some of the costs to families.

This summer, several local sponsors contributed to OPST, including three special 50th Anniversary Sponsors: The Pines Public House, Bradley Atlantic Insurance and Brother’s Bistro. The new Yacht Club of Ocean Pines also signed on as our Platinum sponsor. The team is currently running its largest fundraiser of the year - their 6th Annual Swim-aThon. For information on how to support OPST, please visit www.opsthammerheads.org.

OPST has a long legacy of past Hammerheads returning as coaches or bringing their own children and even grandchildren to follow in their footsteps. As the team celebrates its golden anniversary, it remains rooted in the past while looking boldly toward the future. What began as one mom’s effort to give her kids something to do in the summer has grown into a thriving, year-round community of swimmers, coaches, and families — chasing dreams, building resilience, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

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Shore break a hidden, serious danger in the surf

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer

(July 4, 2025) Playing in the surf is one of the best parts of a beach day. It’s fun, exciting, and free, one of the main reasons so many people choose Ocean City for their summer vacations. So far this season, we’ve had our fair share of heat and humidity (though nothing like some other parts of the country), and we’ve also enjoyed many beautiful beach days.

As we move through July and into August, we typically see hotter, more humid weather, and rougher surf, due to increased tropical storm activity. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are forecasting an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, meaning more tropical activity than average along the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of America. Even if storms stay hundreds of miles offshore, they can still send larger, more powerful waves our way. With those waves come rip currents, shore break, and what some people optimistically call “great bodyboarding waves.” But these waves can pose serious dangers to swimmers and waders of all ages. Each season we have several weeks in various areas of the beach (always changing) when shore break is present in Ocean City. Shore break is when waves build as they approach shores and break in very shallow water, or even directly onto the beach. This most commonly occurs in Ocean City on areas of the beach that do not have a prominent sand bar. Shore break can be very dangerous for bathers of all ages and can cause severe injury, paralysis, and even death.

Shore break can occur anywhere in Ocean City and depends on the shape and depth of the sea floor bottom (bathymetry). When waves approach shallow water near the shore, their height increases, so a three-foot wave can become a five- or six-foot wave that will then “break” onto the beach with incredible force.

As the wave approaches, the increased depth of water will lift your body (buoyancy) and cause your feet to lose contact with the bottom and reduce your stability. Once this happens your body can be propelled with a great amount of force, and when you hit the bottom or beach, the wet sand, is like hitting concrete.

The Beach Patrol always advises people not to body surf or boogie board in shore break, but people do

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Shore break can be dangerous for bathers of all ages and can cause severe injury, paralysis, and even death. Last week SRTs practiced the extraction technique at Rookie Graduation.

Beachgoers encouraged to practice swimming safety

Continued from Page 43

not always listen. Some of the injuries sustained are minor although even an abrasion to the forehead or a bloody nose is treated as the most serious spinal injury as a precaution, due to the mechanism of injury. However, other injuries sustained can be much more serious.

For this reason, our SRTs go through extensive training and review of a technique that was perfected in Ocean City to remove a suspected head or neck injury without causing further damage. Many of the most serious injuries that occur in shore break are 30 to 50year-old males. According to researchers, this age and gender demographic is more likely to exhibit poor decision-making in the surf; furthermore, the body becomes more fragile (reduced flexibility of the spine) and more susceptible to injury in this age group. If you have any questions about whether the waves are safe for boogie boarding or body surfing, please talk to a lifeguard. Our lifeguards are trained to assess the surf condition and will gladly give you

information about the ocean conditions.

Shore break can also cause many problems for children and elderly or less mobile individuals. Please make sure you are standing near your child at all times so they don’t get knocked down and pulled out into the ocean by the wave action. Elderly or less mobile individuals tend to get stuck in the area where waves are breaking on shore (impact zone), and often time will get knocked down repeatedly.

When exiting the water, watch the incoming waves (they come in sets) so you do not get caught off guard! Another hazard that people don’t think about is standing close to shore and allowing waves to strike you in the back, which is like being in a rear end car collision, which may result in a whiplash type of neck injury.

Remember: “When in doubt, don’t go out,” and “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand.” As added protection for you and your friends, always locate the nearest stand with a guard and swim on that beach.

Who’s Where When

BURLEY OAK BREWING COMPANY

443-513-4647

10016 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin

Fri., July 11: Joey Hickey

BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy.

Fri., July 11: Full Circle

Sat., July 12: Aaron Howell

Sundays: Local Party w/ DJ Deogee

Wednesday: Karaoke w/ DJ Hundley

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192

15th & Boardwalk

In The Courtyard Marriott

Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue

CARIBBEAN POOL BAR

410-289-6181

In The Plim Plaza Hotel

109 N. Atlantic Ave.

Fri., July 11: True Country & Free State Country

Sat., July 12: Chis Diller Band & Star Spangled Hustlers

Sun., July 13: Mercury Agenda

& Steve O’Boyle

Mon., July 14: DJ Mary Jane & Ryan Jackson

Tues., July 15: Matt Tichon

& Rogue Citizens Duo

Wed., July 16: Chis Diller & Jason Lee

Thurs., July 17: Full Circle Duo & Schizophrenic Boogiemen

COCONUTS BEACH BAR

410-289-6846

Oceanfront At Castle

In The Sand Hotel

37th & 38th Streets

Fri., July 11: Darin Engh

& Colossal Fossil Sauce

Sat., July 12: Kevin Poole & Joe Mama

& The Everafter

Sun., July 13: Jess Arms & Sister Midnight

Mon., July 14: Nate Clendenen

& Matt Tichon Duo

Tues., July 15: Jack Bannon

& Dave Hawkins & Joe Mama

Wed., July 16: The Bilenki Duo & Bleech

Thurs., July 17: Kevin Poole Solo & The Dunehounds

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy.

Fri., July 11: Monkee Paw

Sat., July 12: Jim Long Party & Beach Bandits

Tues., July 15: Karaoke

Thurs., July 17: DJ Wax

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd.,

Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE

Sun., July 13: Aaron Howell

Wed., July 16: Fil Rhythm

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Fri., July 11: Reggae Lou & The Kind Budz

Sat., July 12: Fuzzbox Piranha

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500

60th St., In The Bay

Fri., July 11: The Rockoholics, DJ RobCee

& John Frase Project

Sat., July 12: Making Waves, DJ Dnial & Big Machine

Sun., July 13: Brew Fest w/ Passafire & Michael Sky (Ticket Event), Hydra FX & DJ Mary Jane

Best Beats On The Beach

Dry Dock 28: Friday, July 11

Seacrets: Wednesday, July 16 (Duo)

Caribbean Pool Bar: Thursday, July 17 (Duo)

Seacrets: Saturday & Sunday, July 12 & 13

GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY Fager’s Island: Monday, July 14

HAIR FORCE ONE Purple Moose Saloon: Friday & Saturday, July 11 & 12

JAH WORKS

FULL CIRCLE

THE DUNEHOUNDS

Coconuts Beach Bar: Thursday, July 17

BEACH BANDITS

Coins Pub: Saturday, July 12

Jolly Jellyfish Beach Club: Thursday, July 17

FUZZBOX PIRANHA

Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, July 12

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Harborside: Sunday, July 13

Seacrets: Tuesday, July 15

Dry Dock 28: Saturday, July 12

Sunday, July 13

SCHIZOPHRENIC BOOGIEMEN

The Wedge: Tuesday, July 15

Caribbean Pool Bar: Thursday, July 17

ROGUE CITIZENS

Harborside: Saturday, July 12 • 1pm

Pickles Pub: Saturday, July 12 • 9pm

Caribbean Pool Bar: Tuesday, July 15

PARTY FOWL

Purple Moose: Sunday, July 13

KEVIN POOLE & JOE MAMA

Coconuts Beach Bar: Saturday, July 12

REGGAE LOU & THE KIND BUDZ

Crawl Street Tavern: Friday, July 11

Who’s Where When

Mon., July 14: DJ Wax, Great Train Robbery, DJ Nick & The Biscotti Boys

Tues., July 15: DJ RobCee & Latin Night

Wed., July 16: The Chest Pains

Thurs., July 17: DJ Groove

FISH TAILS

410-289-0990

22nd St., & Bay

Sun., July 13: Nate Clendenen

Tues., July 15: Bilage Rat

Wednesdays: DJ Wax

Thurs., July 17: Blake Haley

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500

Route 611, West OC Sat., July 12: TBA

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Fridays: DJ Billy T Sat., July 12: Rogue Citizens & TBA

Sundays: Opposite Directions & Lost Figures

Wednesdays: DJ Billy T

Thursdays: Dust N Bones

JOLLY JELLYFISH BEACH CLUB

443-664-6147

98th Street Coastal Hwy., Plaza Condominium

Fri., July 11: Dust N Bones

Sat., July 12: Cup Of Joe

Sun., July 13: Identity Crisis

Mondays: First Class

Tuesdays: Lost Figures

Wednesdays: Joe Mama & The Friends

Thursdays: Beach Bandits

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee

Sat., July 12: The Rogue Citizens

Sundays: Beats By Styler

Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wax

Wednesdays: Beats By Madame Dutchess

Thursdays: Beats By Connair

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON

410-289-6953

Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards

Fri., & Sat., July 11 & 12: Hair Force One Sat., July 12: Wayne Blake (2pm)

Sun., July 13: Bryan O’Boyle (2pm) & Party Fowl (10pm)

Wednesdays: Balkan Party w/ DJ Papi

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Fri, July 11: 5 DJs, Dear Zoe, Radio Stranger & Kono Nation

Sat., July 12: 6 DJs, Radio Stranger, Jah Works, Kono Nation, Radio Stranger & Garden State Radio

Sun., July 13: 4 DJs, Triple Rain Turn, Jah Works & No Filter

Mon., July 14: 2 DJs, Blake Haley & No Filter

Tues., July 15: 3 DJs, Opposite Directions & Turning The Tide

Wed., July 16: DJ E-State, Full Cirlce Duo, DJ Wax, & The Benderz

Thurs., July 17: 3 DJs, Faith Noel & Go Go Gadjet

THE WEDGE

410-289-5121

806 S. Atlantic Ave.

Sun., July13: Jason Lee

Mon., July 14: Lauren Glick

Tues., July 15: Schizophrenic Boogiemen

Wed., July 16: Kasey Briggs & Charlie Travers

Thurs., July 17: Joe Esham

AARON HOWELL

Crabcake Factory Bayside:

by Steve Green

CThe Adventures of Fatherhood

ommunication with teens can be challenging.

I have learned in recent years to understand communicating with my teenage son Beckett, 17, will be inconsistent. He shares things when he wants to but oftentimes internalizes.

Pam and I do demand he keep us informed of what he’s doing, such as his work schedule, where he’s going when he’s not at the restaurant and general courtesies as he lives under our roof.

One interesting change this summer is he basically feeds himself. I include him in a breakfast smoothie Pam and I have every morning, but otherwise he essentially buys his own meals, eats at work or makes his own food when he’s ready.

Every day it’s clear our once-verbose kid has become more reserved. It’s why it’s special when he does get excited and shares a lot. This was the case Monday night at midnight when he got home from work.

It was the day we were to hear how he did on his AP U.S. History exam. We talked briefly about it in the morning, but we didn’t follow up throughout the day for an update. We figured he would tell us when he got the notification.

It was awesome to see his enthusiasm as he came into our bedroom after work that night. His score was solid enough to allow him to get as many as six college credits depending on where he attends in the fall of next year.

After an extended stretch of casual conversations that define summer with teens, it was special to get this kind of update. It was especially awesome to see how proud he was of himself.

The communication changes over the years was fun to reflect back on this week. About 12 years ago, I wrote in this space about the ridiculous things we say to our kids, who were 5 and 3 years old at the time.

Here’s a walk back in time of some memorable exchanges:

• “There’s no hitting, it doesn’t matter if he’s wearing a helmet or not.”

That’s what I said after Beckett playfully smacked Carson in the head right before we were about to run in a RavensSteelers 5K race on the Boardwalk.

“But Daddy, he has his Ravens helmet on, I can’t hurt him … oh man, that’s so unfair,” Beckett said, leading to that comment above.

Later, due to the fact Beckett continued to think his little brother wearing a helmet merited some shots to the head, I put on the helmet and was subsequently wacked in the head by Carson.

Beckett then gave Carson a celebratory hug for that one, saying, “That was a good one, little buddy.”

• “Why am I the only one picking anything up in this house?”

That was Pam’s question the other day. Beckett quickly followed that up with, “because you are the Mommy.” I cringed, quickly grabbed his hand and walked him away.

• “Stop sticking crayons in the air vent.”

If we ever run out of crayons at our house, we know where to look, as Carson for some reason has been stockpiling them in the air vents around the house.

He probably would have gotten away with it had he not begun using his feet to push them through the vents. That’s the scene I came upon the other day when I heard repeated stomping from the other room. There he was with a bucket full of crayons in his hand while using the sole of his shoe to push the crayons down into the vent.

• “No, his ear is not a pencil sharpener.”

What I said to Beckett after he told me he thought Carson’s ear could be used to sharpen his unsharpened pencil. I had to say this a few times because he was begging, “let’s just see if it works, let’s just

see …”

• “Remember, no peanut butter and jelly on the iPad.”

This was my warning to Carson at lunch over the weekend, and clearly that’s something I never would have imagined saying to one of my kids.

• “Is that the rest of my sandwich?”

What I asked Carson the other day after I discovered the last couple bites of my lunch disappeared from my plate mysteriously while getting him a drink. All I got back was one hand motioning at my empty plate, while the other pointed to his full mouth. Once he swallowed what was in his mouth, he laughed and laughed.

• “It’s going to stop growing if you keep doing that.”

In a pathetic display of desperation, it was what I said to Beckett when he would not remove his hand from his nether region the other night on the couch, despite repeated requests to do so.

It was preceded by a comment from Pam. “You have to do something about that,” she said, pointing to our son on the couch.

• “What would Mrs. Mancini and Mrs. Mason think?”

I refer to Beckett’s pre-kindergarten teachers quite often when I am having a time trying to get him to listen. He seems to care a lot about what they think of him, making me wonder why he doesn’t feel the same way about his father or mother.

• “I kept wondering why he would not leave the trash can alone.”

Pam’s words while she recounted a story about Carson throwing her phone in a trash can at his grandparents’ house. Unbeknownst to her, he was trying to tell her what he did by repeatedly grabbing the trashcan as she was trying to leave.

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

No matter locale, always safest to respect the ocean

Surfing with others also a key safety reminder for all

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(July 11, 2025) It seems as though the general public has a certain fascination with surfing. This idea doesn’t hold with everyone, of course, but there’s enough of the populace that has an interest, I think, to validate the statement.

Many factors come into this notion. Foremost is that surfing is done in a foreign environment. As soon as one enters the water they may as well be on another planet. The ocean, especially, is very dynamic. It must be dealt with accordingly and always respected. A healthy fear could be considered, but respect is paramount. One needs to know their limitations.

Surfing is an individual sport/activity as opposed to a team sport, although more fun when done with friends. It’s dependent on nature and formation of waves as a playing field and doesn’t happen just anywhere. It’s not a team sport although a team is, practically speaking, a necessity in the attempt to ride giant waves for the sake of safety. It’s most probably easy to say that it’s more of a fringe activity and not as available as more traditional sports such as baseball, football, and basketball. Maybe mountain climbing is a fair comparison. Mountains, like ridable waves, are not found everywhere. It’s an individual activity although a team is a good idea in certain situations.

As much as surfing is an individual pursuit it’s always a good idea to not surf alone. Granted there’s times when it’s unavoidable but even if one is surfing with strangers it’s best to watch out for one another. Don’t forget the previous line about surfing being done in a foreign environment. There you have a little run down on why or how surfing might be fascinating to those that know little of it or even those that practice it frequently. I’d speculate that it might have to do with really big surf which we rarely get around here, but that for now is topic for another column.

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

Kids invited to paint outside this summer in arts contest

Young artists to compete in plein air event, sponsored by local art organizations

(July 11, 2025) The Art League of Ocean City invites youth ages 6 to 17 to participate in “Kids Paint OC,” an opportunity for children ages 6-17 to paint outdoors in July. This is the third year for the event, sponsored by the Art League, the Worcester Co. Arts Council, and John Sisson.

The “Kids Paint OC” event is part of the Art League’s annual “Artists Paint OC Festival,” now in its 20th year, happening Aug. 13-17, 2025. Any young person ages 6 to 17 is eligible to enter a “plein air” painting they create during the month of July 2025.

Plein air painting goes back to the French Impressionists when artists wanted the freedom to paint “in the open air,” which is what “en plein air” means. July’s young plein air artists will paint outside in the resort or surrounding area and capture what inspires them.

“We hope any young person interested in the arts will take up the brush and make a plein air painting,” Rina Thaler, Art League Executive Direc-

tor, said. “Then come to the Arts Center on August 17 to see their worked displayed and experience what it’s like to have their art exhibited.”

There is no fee to enter, and participants will receive a free “Kids Paint OC” t-shirt while supplies last. The youth artists must paint from July 131, 2025 and paint outdoors. The finished paintings must be turned into the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside, by Aug. 7, 2025.

Paintings must be original works of art, painted with acrylics, oil paints, pastels, watercolors, pencil, ink and wash, or other traditional media. Maximum size is 8x10-inches.

Young artists may use their own materials, or free painting kits are available at the Arts Center, while supplies last. Digitally-created artwork is not eligible. Limit one entry per young artist.

All of the entries will be displayed on Sunday, Aug. 17 from noon-3 p.m. at the Arts Center. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges, and more than $500 in cash prizes will be awarded.

More information is available at OCart.org/kids-paint-oc-a-plein-airevent/or by calling the Arts Center at 410-524-9433.

Showell Elementary student Shiloh Gurung, 9, is pictured with his second-place entry in the last year’s event.

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

With Bunk Mann

In 1878, the US Life Saving Service opened a small station on Caroline Street in the tiny village of Ocean City. There was no permanent Boardwalk, Inlet, or Pier in those days and less than 50 year-round residents in the whole town. The lifesaving service was tasked with the mission of saving shipwrecked sailors along the mostly deserted beach. It was hard and dangerous work.

In 1891 the station was replaced with a larger 2 ½ story frame building that is now located at the Inlet where it was moved in 1977 to become the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum.

The US Life Saving Service merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to become the US Coast Guard in 1915 and the Coast Guard continues to play an important role in Ocean City to this day.

Pictured is the Coast Guard Station circa 1945.

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

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Netflix’s “Blindspot”

An ocean dip after a morning of yard work

Good Samaritans doing what’s right

First-hand accounts of the 4th in OC

The first couple days with a new phone

No rain on my days off

Smell of surf wax in a car

Supportive players on a team

BBQ chicken hot off the grill

Coming home with dinner from a fishing trip

Good-natured pranks

EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST

We have generations of experience and are well known for our exceptional dental care. We want to help you keep that bright and beautiful smile every season!

PREVENTIVE CARE • INVISALIGN

PERIODONTAL TREATMENT • FULL MOUTH RESTORATIONS • IMPLANT RESTORATIONS SMILE ENHANCEMENTS

EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR OUR CURRENT PATIENTS

Tourney exceeds fundraising goal

(July 4, 2025) Believe In Tomorrow's Annual Ocean City Golf Classic once again shattered all fundraising records for the second year, raising more than $90,000 to support critically ill children and their families.

With clubs in hand and hearts full of purpose, more than 250 golfers gathered at the Ocean City Golf Club on June 6 for the highly anticipated

event. Both courses were filled to capacity as participants teed off in support of Believe In Tomorrow's beach respite program — and together, they surpassed last year's record-breaking total.

The tournament success was made possible thanks to the dedicated leadership of Golf Committee chairs Buck Mann and Igor Conev, along with

several volunteers, whose tireless efforts help make this event a highlight of the season year after year.

After a rainy day of friendly competition, golfers and supporters kept the celebration going with a muchanticipated return to Sunset Grille for the Golf Classic After Party. The evening was filled with camaraderie, See ANNUAL Page 55

About 250 golfers participated in the annual Believe In Tomorrow Golf including the team of Royal Plus, above left, consisting of Jerry Hybiki, Danielle Nauschuetz, Tony McEvoy and Matt Odachowski, and the team from Engineering and Technical Consultants including, above right, Kirk Parsons, Paula Parsons, Trey Parsons and Kyle Parsons.

Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street

■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON

DRY DOCK 28

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

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

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m. Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 25:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out.

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

■ CRAWL STREET

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

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

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

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

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

■ FISH TALES

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

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

■ HARBOR WATCH

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

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

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

■ PICKLES PUB

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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

■ PIT & PUB

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

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

■ THE WEDGE BAR

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

$-$$ | Full bar

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

MIDTOWN

■ 32 PALM

32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-2892525, 32palm.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year!

■ THE BONFIRE

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

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

■ COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL

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

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

■ FAGERS ISLAND

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

$$ | Full bar

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

■ HOOKED

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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

■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ

6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6645693, longboardcafe.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar

Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.

■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT

3301 Atlantic Ave., in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com

$$ | Full bar

Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.

■ SEACRETS

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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

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

■ DIRTY HARRY’S

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

$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

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

■ NANTUCKETS

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

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

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

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

■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS

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

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

■ THE CRAB BAG

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY USA

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

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

■ JOLLY JELLYFISH BEACH CLUB

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

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

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT

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

$$-$$$ | Full bar

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

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

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

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

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

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

■ BREAKFAST CAFE

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

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

■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL 12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com

$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar

Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.

■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND

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

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

■ GREENE TURTLE WEST

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

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

■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL

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

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

UPTOWN 91st to 146th streets

FENWICK ISLAND

WEST OCEAN CITY

Annual classic benefits charity

Continued from Page 53

fun, and a shared commitment to making a difference for the families who need it most.

The day ended on a high note not only for the foundation, but also for the top foursomes — Newport Bay: Bethany Travel and Seaside: Baltimore BIRDies — who claimed this

year's winning title after a spirited round of play.

For more than 17 years, the Ocean City Golf Classic has brought together community members and supporters to combine their love of golf with a mission to provide hope and comfort to families during their greatest times of need.

Mann Properties has been a valuable organizer and sponsor of the Believe in Tomorrow golf tournament. One of the Mann Properties’ teams is pictured, from left, Mark Horowitz, Buck Mann, Billy Carder and Jim Devine.

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

FAREWELL TO ‘DUTCH’

After 32 years of living in Ocean Pines, Roelof “Dutch” Oostveen, 93, recently relocated to Easton to be closer to family. A farewell party for Oostveen, center, was held on June 25 at Taylor’s Restaurant in Ocean Pines to say goodbye to all his biking buddies in the Worcester Bike Club.  Oostveen started the club 30 years ago and retired from biking just last year.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

STAR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Emily Ferguson, graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, was awarded a STAR scholarship for $2,500. The Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) STAR scholarship is awarded to women in their final year of high school who demonstrate outstanding leadership, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service and plan to pursue post-secondary education. Ferguson will attend the University of Maryland and major in cell biology and genetics. Her plans are to become a Nurse Practitioner and return to the Eastern Shore to practice medicine.

FLOUNDER TOURNEY

SU RALLIES FOR COMMUNITY

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Salisbury University has partnered with several organizations to make free feminine hygiene products available to the community, donating pallets and cases to organizations including the Hope and Life Outreach Ministry (HALO), Help and Outreach Point of Entry, Inc. (HOPE), the Life Crisis Center, Diakonia, the Village of Hope, Salisbury Urban Ministries, and Christian Shelter, Inc., as well as Wicomico County Public Schools, among others. The university also donated to the Wicomico County Commission for Women to help stock the Eastern Shore’s first Little Pink Pantry, a free menstrual care initiative at the Newton Street Community Center in Salisbury — believed to be the first of its kind on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Pictured, from left, are Rachael Savage, SU recycling coordinator; Maggie Atherton, SU FLARE (Freedom, Learning and Advocacy for Reproductive Equity) founder; and recycling student workers Drue Hairston and A.J. Sainsbury.

SERVING ON THE FOURTH

The Kiwanis “Dawg Team” had the opportunity to sell its concessions at the Ocean Pines 4th of July Celebration at Veterans Memorial Park to raise funds for the program to benefit children and families of Worcester County.  Volunteering were Kitty Wrench, Skip Flanagan, Barbara Southwell, Ron Wildgust, Teri Westbrook, Tom Southwell and John Hanberry.  Funds raised will be provided to the community through the club.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Ocean Pines Anglers Club recently hosted its annual Summer Flounder Tournament with close to 40 anglers participating. The top finishers, from left, were first place Josh Fallon (20 ½ inches); second place, Budd Heim (20 1/8 inches); and third place, Ron Kuhar and John Rokowski (18 ¾ inches).

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Leftover nachos with Greek twist

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(July 11, 2025) What is the most dreaded question in the history of gastronomy? If you guessed, “What to do with leftovers,” you are correct. Serving the meal a second time is the most common option, but is it always the most interesting one?

Summer is here and grills are rocking. Believe it or not but grilled proteins are an interesting twist for nachos. Before we delve into the intracacies of nachos, does one know it’s origins? You might be surprised.

In 1943, the wives of U.S. soldiers stationed in nearby Eagle Pass, Texas were in Piedras Negras, Mexico which is just across the border. A day of shopping and sightseeing perked their appetite and led them to a restaurant that had just closed. The maître d’, Ignacio Anaya, invented a new snack for them with what he had available in the kitchen.

On a whim, he fried tortilla chips, topped them with cheese and sliced jalapenos, and heated until the cheese was melted. He named the dish after his nickname, Nacho, and the rest is history. There is a preconceived notion that

nachos are just a dish that is composed of throwing together chips, toppings, and cheese, and bake until warm. This thought process could not be further from the truth. For clarity, let us deconstruct classic nachos and see the detailed considerations that comprise this dish.

Chips are the first consideration. The ideal chip is a medium-thick consistency, thin versions will not hold up to all the toppings. Blue chips are dark by nature and are a great contrast to the bright toppings. Many supermarkets offer house made tortilla chips that are located in the deli section. I find these to be tastier and fresher than the national brand tortilla chips.

I adore cheese and want my nachos loaded up like there is no tomorrow. A variety of cheeses are more interesting and give the dish depth of flavor. Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and mozzarella are standard choices. Stay away from liquid cheeses.

The protein is the next consideration. Shredded, pulled, or ground meat makes for easy building. If you are going to use chicken breasts, brine them for a juicier and more tender consistency. Simply place your chicken breast in a large Ziploc bag with 1/8th cup of salt and 1 quart of water. Brine for at least six hours and cook accordingly.

Seafood adds sophistication and upscales what is considered a “poor man’s

feast.” The most common mistake is overcooking the crustaceans; there is a fine line between under and over cooked.

Onions are another consideration. Yellow and red onions can be aggressive and overpower the nachos. Sweet onions are preferred and should be coarsely chopped for better contrast in texture. Finely chopped scallions are a great garnish.

Gardens are flourishing with colorful peppers and are a nice addition. Grilled peppers add variance and add to the presentation.

Tomatoes or salsa will be an eternal debate. I prefer fresh tomatoes for the simple fact that salsa will turn the chips soggy. Roma tomatoes have less juice and seeds and are the best option for tomato connoisseurs. Serving salsa on the side gives your guests more options which is always a good thing.

Shredded lettuce breaks up the richness of the dish. The base of Romaine lettuce is crunchy and loaded with natural juices.

Jalapenos are a must; they give the nachos a burst of heat. Pickled or raw allows guests to personalize their heat index.

Don’t be afraid to add a touch of fruit. Grilled pineapple and chicken are a perfect pairing. There is a reason why sweet and salty gets rave reviews.

Sour cream is served on the side and

calms the palette from all of the bold flavors.

A dusting of fresh cilantro is the final touch to a mouthwatering meal.

Just recently, I had company over and grilled leg of lamb was on the menu. The next day, I had every intention of diving into the succulent protein with all the sides for a second time. But at the last second, I thought the smokey lamb would make an interesting choice for nachos.

Instead of the traditional toppings, I decided to use ingredients associated with Greek cuisine. Olives, capers, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, pepperoncinis, grilled peppers, grilled lamb, marinated mushrooms, and a cheese combination of 50 percent feta, 25 percent grated cheddar, and 25 percent grated mozzarella were the foundation for my grilled Greek Nachos.

Place your chips on a heat proof serving dish. Load up on cheese, then place the toppings on top. Add some more cheese and bake in an oven at 400 degrees until the cheese has melted.

In closing, if you have left over grilled lamb, consider grilled Greek nachos.

Secret Ingredient – Details

To create something exceptional, your mind must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.

—

Giogio Armani

Coconut Caliente making waves in sun care

(July 11, 2025) In the evolving world of sun care, Coconut Caliente Costa Rica LLC is carving out a fresh, natural path after its founding in January of 2024.

Founded on the shores of Costa Rica, the brand was born from a vision of healthier, more nourishing skin protection. Now officially in distribution as of late May 2025, Coconut Caliente has already made an impressive splash with over 80 retail accounts spanning from New Jersey to Florida and Puerto Rico, according to a recent media announcement.

Coconut Caliente’s line of tanning, sunscreen, and skincare products is crafted with an abundant blend of natural and skin-loving ingredients. These include hyaluronic acid, carrot, avocado, grape, red raspberry, sunflower, and safflower oils; shea and mango butters; extracts of chamomile, green tea, and pomegranate; plus, vitamins A, C, E, niacinamide, and aloe vera. Together, these ingredients along with anti-oxidants deliver deep hydration, fight signs of aging, offer natural UV protection, and help soothe redness, dryness, and acne. With alpha hydroxy acids to refine pores, improve skin elasticity and boost collagen, Coconut Caliente leaves skin feeling smooth, supple and radiationally youthful.

Among its featured products:

• Face 50 SPF: A mineral-based sunscreen packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamins A, C, and E, mango and shea butter,

and raspberry, carrot, and sunflower oils.

• Aloe Mist Spray: A refreshing alternative to sticky gels, formulated with cooling menthol, hyaluronic acid, and the brand’s signature oil and butter blend for soothing sunburn relief.

• Sunless Self-Tanning: Not everyone can be in the sun because of previous skin cancer or sensitivity so this is a healthier alternative. Different than a spray tan, self-tanning works by using a chemical reaction between the active ingredients in the product and the proteins in the skins top layer (epidermis or stratum corneum) creating a temporary browning effect. The active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA) reacts with amino acids to produce melanoidins which are brown pigments.

• SPF 30, SPF 50, SPF 50 Kids: Fullbody protection formulas.

While product ingredients provide SPF-like benefits, current FDA regulations do not permit SPF on the bottle even though these natural SPFs have skin protection without paying for costly governmental testing.

With past experience distributing for Australian Gold and a successful career as executive director of the Eastern Volleyball Association and the $120,000 Molson Pro Beach Tour, founder and executive director Bill Ardito brings passion and expertise to the business. Owner of Beach Detailing and retired health edu-

cator, coach and athletic director certified in biology and science, he has a personal motivation for launching Coconut Caliente after two bouts of skin cancer.

Coconut Caliente also offers what Ardito proudly calls “the best lip balms on the market,” with eight delicious flavors featuring SPF, beeswax, vitamin E, aloe, and shea and sunflower butters.

“With the right moisturizers, SPF 15 is all you need to prevent lip cracking,” he says, “so you don’t have to suffer the taste of zinc oxide like with most SPF 45/50 lip balms.”

Coconut Caliente is already generat-

CROSSWORD

ing buzz in Ocean City retail locations:

• Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City reports Coconut Caliente is outselling Panama Jack in the gift store and Tiki Hut.

• At Seacrets, a customer bought four bottles in one visit.

• A manager of 7-Eleven shared the Dark Tanning Lotion gave her the best tan of her life with smoother skin.

• At Shade Shack at 66th street, an employee bought four bottles before going on vacation with positive results.

• In Lewes, Del., the health-focused Daily Market replaced all its other sunscreen lines with Coconut Caliente.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Fill your mind with positive and motivational thoughts and you’ll be much happier in the long run, Aries. It’s easy to focus on negatives, but a change of perspective is liberating.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

It is possible that a lack of energy is affecting your ability to do the things that you normally enjoy, Taurus. Figure out ways to get more rest so you will not lack energy.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

It seems your social skills have been less consistent than in the past, Gemini. Do you have a reason why you have been pulling away from others lately? Get back on track.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, someone might recommend you for a leadership position and you could be inclined to take it. This is something that is out of your wheelhouse, but you’ll make the most of it.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, trusting someone else right now is something you might find challenging. It could be because you don’t trust your instincts. You’ll have to find a way around these feelings.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, you haven’t been available for some key people, and you’ll find they’ve pulled away. You may miss their presence, but you can mend fences if you hope to.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, you have been making excuses for someone in your life in the hopes that the relationship could be salvaged. But the other person must make an effort as well.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you have been putting your goals aside due to overwhelming circumstances and general procrastination. Now is the time to get things back on schedule.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

It’s time to engage with the activities that you are passionate about, Sagittarius. There is never a “right” opportunity to get things started; you just need to take that first step.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Someone who understands you may enter your life, Capricorn. It may feel like you already know and understand this person, even though you have just met.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

It’s possible that you might feel stuck with someone in a situation that is not to your liking, Aquarius. You can be a catalyst for change if you start taking action.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

You are about to have a eureka moment, Pisces. Everything you have been fretting about will then fall into place. It will be some smooth sailing afterwards.

OP library announces book sale

(July 10, 2025) Book lovers from Ocean Pines, Berlin, Ocean City, and beyond will once again flock to the Ocean Pines Library this July for one of the region’s most anticipated summer traditions: the 25th Annual Book Sale hosted by the Friends of the Ocean Pines Library.

With over 20,000 books to choose from and many starting at $1.00, the event promises something for every reader — and every dollar spent supports the local Ocean Pines library and the library’s community programs. Contributions are also welcome.

This year’s sale kicks off on Friday, July 25, from 6-8 p.m. with a Members Only Preview Night for Friends of the Ocean Pines Library. Not a member? No problem, as you can join at the door for just $5/year for individuals or $10/year for families to gain early access to the full collection.

The sale continues on Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and wraps up on Monday, July 28, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. with everything on Monday offered at half price.

Shoppers can expect an incredible selection of hardcovers, children’s

books, and paperbacks, most priced at $2.50 or less with the majority just $1.00. The sale features more than 40 categories, with all books sorted for easy browsing. Popular genres include mystery, fiction, cookbooks, history, biographies, coffee table, and children's books. Every book is donated, with 65% being hardcover, and all are in very good to like new condition. Only cash is accepted.

A fan favorite, the Specials Area will once again feature rare and unique finds, including collectibles, signed books, first editions, ephemera, historic items, and other unusual treasures—all individually priced.

Those who attend this event know that it takes large numbers of volunteers and many hours to make this event happen. Last year, over 126 volunteers gave more than 800 hours doing set-up, tear-down, cashiering, counting, organizing, greeting, and other essential tasks. The Friends of the Ocean Pines Library would like to thank all those who donated their time last year—and offer a special thanks to the many dedicated volunteers who have already committed to helping again this year.

“The sale is a celebration of community spirit,” said Lisa Schoch, volunteer chair of the Friends of the Ocean Pines Library Book Sale. “It’s a wonderful way to promote literacy and support the library that gives so much back to our residents yearround.”

The Annual Book Sale is more than just a bargain hunt. It’s a community event that promotes reading, encourages sustainability by recycling books, and supports a wide range of library programs. Proceeds help fund events for children, teens, and adults, reading initiatives, as well as technology and physical upgrades across the Worcester County Library Ocean Pines Branch.

The library is ADA accessible, with ample free parking, and volunteers will be on hand to assist anyone needing help carrying purchases. With colorful displays and rows of carefully sorted books, the event also offers plenty of selection to choose from.

If you’re inspired by the spirit of the event, the Friends of the Ocean Pines Library encourages community members to consider volunteering for future sales.

Calendar

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

Fri., July 11

38TH ANNUAL OCEAN CITY TUNA TOURNAMENT

Ocean City Fishing Center, 12940 Inlet Isle Lane, Ocean City, 4-8 p.m. World’s largest tuna tournament. Weigh-ins held from 4-8 p.m. Spectators can enjoy cocktails, food and vendors selling everything from boats and tackle to jewelry. https://octunatournament.com

SECOND FRIDAY OPENING RECEPTION FOR JULY EXHIBITS

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 5-7 p.m. In observance of the July 4th holiday we will be hosting a SECOND Friday Opening Reception for our July exhibitions! FREE. All are welcome. 410-524-9433

MARYLAND CRAB CAKE DINNER

Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 4-6 p.m. One crab cake sandwich platter, $14; two crab cake sandwich platter, $24; and crab cake sandwiches, $10. Platters include green beans, baked potato and cole slaw. Bake sale table available.

ANIME ART

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Choose a favorite character to create. From Hello Kitty to Pikachu, the library has them all. For ages 6 years and older. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. A great opportunity for babies (0-2 years) and their caregivers to socialize, play, read and explore in the library’s play space. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC MAHJONG CLUB

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

MOVIE MATINEE: SHARK WEEK MOVIE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m.

Come celebrate Shark Week with this infamous 3D shark movie starring Dennis Quaid. Glasses provided. Registration required: 410-208-4014. www.worcesterlibrary.org

DIY KOMBUCHA

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 2 p.m. Join Michaela Eggers and learn all about kombucha, its benefits, and how to make it yourself. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SIPPIN’ WITH SLOTHS

Coastal Wilds, 34215 Peppers Corner Road, Frankford, 6-8 p.m. Music by Bryan Scar. Cost is $40 and includes sloth encounter, self-guided tour, and one complementary glass of wine. Tickets: https://book.singenuity.com/469/activity/details/2284/rates. 302-829-1548

FAMILY FORT NIGHT

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 6:30 p.m. Build a fort, read in the stacks and play some games, all when the library is closed. For ages 6-18 years. 410-6323495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO

Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410524-7994

Sat., July 12

38TH ANNUAL OCEAN CITY TUNA TOURNAMENT

Ocean City Fishing Center, 12940 Inlet Isle Lane, 4-8 p.m. World’s largest tuna tournament. Weigh-ins held from 4-8 p.m. Spectators can enjoy cocktails, food and vendors selling everything from boats and tackle to jewelry. https://octunatournament.com

2025 PRO FOOTVOLLEY TOUR

Ocean City Beach at N. Division St., 1 N. Division St., Ocean City, 4-8 p.m. Watch pros from Team USA compete in finals. Opportunities for beginner as well. https://footvolley.net/pro-footvolleytour-returns-to-mid-atlantic-with-stop6-in-ocean-city-md-july-12-13/, 305-213-3275

SLIPPERY STAIRS

Ocean City Beach at N. Division St., 1 N. Division St., 7-11 p.m. Challenging contestants with unpredictable steps, slippery slime, dodging balls in the challenge of being the first to the top. https://www.instagram.com/theslipperystairs/, 949-412-7023

SUMMER SPORTS SAFARI AKA S3 FESTIVAL

Atlantic Hotel, Inc, 403 S. Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Offering a unique blend of sand lacrosse, beach volleyball Footvolley, spike ball and teqball. Also, food, music and vendor booths. Tournament teams and drop-ins welcome. https://www.s3festival.com, 970-792-7818

ANNUAL SUMMER PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 8-11 a.m. Pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, OJ, coffee and tea. Carryout available. Cost is $9 for adults, and $5 for kids 11 years and younger. Proceeds benefit the youth the community.

CRAFTY SATURDAY: SUMMER TREATS

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

FAMILY LIBRARY DAY: ART EXPLORATION

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10 a.m. Get creative and explore your artistic side. 410957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ANIME ART

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 12:30 p.m. Choose a favorite character to create. From Hello Kitty to Picachu, the library has them all. For ages 6 years and older. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

THE DELMARVA CHORUS’ ANNUAL CHORUS SHOW

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 7 p.m. “Coffee, Tea & Who Dun It Harmony.” Free coffee, tea, &a homemake desserts, door prizes, a 50/50, raffles, raffle baskets and more. Tickets cost $15. Tickets: Barb, 814-4213437 or Elaine, 410-703-1262.

OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

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

Sun., July 13

38TH ANNUAL OCEAN CITY TUNA TOURNAMENT

Ocean City Fishing Center, 12940 Inlet Isle Lane, 4-7 p.m. World’s largest tuna tournament. Weigh-ins held from 4-8 p.m. Spectators can enjoy cocktails, food and vendors selling everything from

boats and tackle to jewelry. https://octunatournament.com

2025 PRO FOOTVOLLEY TOUR

Ocean City Beach at N. Division St., 4-8 p.m. Watch pros from Team USA compete in finals. Opportunities for beginner as well.

https://footvolley.net/pro-footvolleytour-returns-to-mid-atlantic-with-stop6-in-ocean-city-md-july-12-13/, 305-213-3275

SUMMER SPORTS SAFARI AKA S3 FESTIVAL

Atlantic Hotel, Inc, 403 S. Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Offering a unique blend of sand lacrosse, beach volleyball Footvolley, spike ball and teqball. Also, food, music and vendor booths. Tournament teams and drop-ins welcome. https://www.s3festival.com, 970-792-7818

OC CRUZERS ON SOMERSET PLAZA

Somerset Plaza, Somerset Street, Ocean City, 3-6 p.m. Free, family-friendly car show featuring classics, hot rods and customs from the OC Cruzers Car Club. Also featuring live music by “Troy Sawyer.” https://ocdc.org

SUNDAES IN THE PARK WITH FIREWORKS Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Featuring “Be Kind and Rewind” (the ultimate tribute to 90s alternative). Kids enjoy free activities and entertainment. Ice cream and beverages available for purchase. Concluding with fireworks.

2ND SUNDAY BERLIN ART & VINTAGE MARKET

Berlin Main St. & Maryland Welcome Center Parking Lot, 14 S. Main St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Takes place during the Berlin Farmers Market. https://berlinmainstreet.com

JIMMY JOHNSON’S CHAMPIONSHIP FISHING WEEK RETURNS TO ATLANTIC CITY, NJ AND OCEAN CITY, MD Sunset Marina, 12911 Sunset Ave., Ocean City, 5 p.m. Tickets $3000. Jimmy Johnson “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week is making its highly anticipated return to Atlantic City, NJ and Ocean City, MD from July 13-19, 2025.

BERLIN FARMERS MARKET

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

SEWING FOR A CAUSE

Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30

CALENDAR

a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., July 14

OC BEACH DANCE PARTY WITH FIREWORKS

Caroline St. Stage, 2 N. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Radio Ocean City present BK & Chrissy. Fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. https://www.ococean.com/things-to-do/free-familyfun/oc-beach-dance-party/

GAME DAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Drop in to play games all morning. From Mario Kart to chess, challenge yourself. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: SHARK AWARENESS DAY

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

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. The group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TIME TRAVEL WITH MARY KATHARINE

GODDARD

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Mary Katharine Goddard comes alive to share her journey as a Maryland publisher and first Federal postmaster. Researched, written and performed by Rosemarie Law. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FIBER CRAFT MEET-UP

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

BRIDGE

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

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

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Held July 14-17. The theme is “Abundance Orchard: Where faith grows and people are fed.” Supper, stories, crafts, games, music and fellowship. info@bethanyberlin.org, 410-6412186

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-2427062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

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

Tues., July 15

TIME TRAVEL WITH VIRGINIA HALL

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6-7 p.m. Join performing artist Rosemarie Law as she steps into the shoes of Virgina Hall, WWII spy and hero. Cost is $5 per person. Register: 410-641-7052.

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. The workshop starts with a 20-minute lesson on genealogy research by Tom Dempsey, followed by a Q&A. Bring a laptop, tablet, or papers containing family information, if possible. 410-208-4014

PLAY TIME @ CYPRESS PARK

Cypress Park, 7 Bridge St., Pocomoke City, 10:30 a.m. Meet at the playground for outside play and to socialize with other families. Bring a blanket. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878

STORY TIME

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

CROSS FARMS POP-UP FARMERS MARKET

Tuesdays - Flower Street Field across from Henry Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Accepting Maryland Department of Agriculture FMNP (WIC & Seniors) Checks and Maryland WIC Fruit & Vegetable Checks. Also offering a "Produce Bucks" program, which doubles purchases for eligible residents. https://www.facebook.com/theberlinfarmersmarket. Continued on Page 62

Continued from Page 61

CIRCUS SCIENCE

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Join silly scientist Gregory May on a tour of the scientific principles behind his circus skills. Best for ages 6-11 years. 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC KNITTING GROUP

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Do you love to knit or crochet? Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. 410-524-1818

CIRCUS SCIENCE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Join silly scientist Gregory May on a tour of the scientific principles behind is circus skills. Best for ages 6-11 years. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SEAFOOD NIGHT WITH THE KNIGHTS

Knights of Columbus Hall, 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Held Tuesdays in the Columbus Hall behind St. Luke’s Church. Pre-order crabs Monday or Tuesday morning of that week: 410-524-7994. Non-seafood options will be available.

SURGICAL CLASSES

Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6 p.m. Learn what to expect, information about your upcoming surgery and directions about post-operative care. No RSVP required. Atlantic General Hospital’s Pre-Admission Testing Department, 410-641-9814

BEACH HEROES-OC

Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410289-4725

OC KNITTING CLUB

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

ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE

Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.

ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS

Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with

optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP

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

Wed., July 16

MOVIES ON THE BEACH

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

KIDS PAINT NIGHT

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 5:30-6:30 p.m. All materials and instruction provided. Cost is $22 per painter. For ages 8 years and older. Pre-registration required: 410641-7052.

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Meets the third and fourth Wednesday of each month. For surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410-6419568

EASTERN SHORE SEWISTS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Promoting the needle arts through sewing education, activities, and textile crafts. For artisans of all skill levels. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CIRCUS SCIENCE

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join silly scientist Gregory May on a tour of the scientific principles behind his circus skills. Best for ages 6-11 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BACKGAMMON CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Drop in for a game of backgammon, whether you’re an expert or want to refresh your skills. Beginners welcome. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PUZZLE SWAP

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with a new-to-you puzzle. Don’t have a puzzle to exchange but still want one? That’s OK too. All puzzles must be in their original boxes. 410-641-0650

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 1-2 p.m. For survivors and current patients battling breast cancer. Women Supporting Women, 410-5487880

PURRFECT

THRIFTED PORCELAIN

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m. Cats invade the night as the group revamps thrifted plates and dishes. Refreshments provided. All supplies provided. Registration required: 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS

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

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

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

Thurs., July 17

SUNSET PARK PARTY NIGHTS

Sunset Park, 700 S. Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Free concert by “Monkey Paw” (rock), views of the sunset over the Isle of Wight Bay and free admission. https://www.ococean.com/things-todo/free-family-fun/sunset-park-partynights/

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

White Horse Park Pavilion, 235 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 7-9 p.m. Featuring music by Whiskey Graves. Free family entertainment. Bring chairs, blankets, etc. Food will be available for purchase and BYOB is acceptable. Smoking area is in the rear. 410-6417052

CPAP MASK FITTING

Atlantic General Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Diagnostic Center, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin. Free mask fitting clinic for patients who are having trouble adjusting to their CPAP equipment. Appointments required: Robin Rohlfing, 410-641-9726.

STORY TIME: COLORFUL LOVE

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

PLAY TIME

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

CIRCUS SCIENCE

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m.

Join silly scientist Gregory May on a tour of the scientific principles behind his circus skills. Best for ages 6-11 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC CHESS CLUB

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

CIRCUS SCIENCE

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 2 p.m. Join silly scientist Gregory May on a tour of the scientific principles behind his circus skills. Best for ages 6-11 years. 410-9570878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BUBBLE PARTY AT NORTHSIDE PARK PAVILION

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 2 p.m. There will be colored bubbles, super-sized bubbles, bubble blowing competitions and more. For ages 0-11 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

VOLCANIC FUN

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2:30 p.m. Create your own volcano and learn how to make it erupt. For tweens and teens. Registration required: 410-208-4014.

POP CULTURE BOOK CLUB: ‘GUILTY CREATURES: SEX, GOD, AND MURDER IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA’ Game Theory Board Games & Coffee, 1822 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 5 p.m. Join the Ocean City library with Game Theory Cafe for an afternoon of popular culture nonfiction. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ONGOING EVENTS

FREE SUMMER PROGRAMS AT THE OC LIFE-SAVING STATION MUSEUM Summer programs take place at the OC Life-Saving Station Museum, 813 S. Atlantic Ave., from 10-10:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday, July 7-Aug. 29.

Monday - History of Our Surfmen

Tuesday - Beach Safety

Wednesday - Knot Tying

Thursday - All About Sharks

Friday - Land, Sky & Sea

Saturday - Aquarium Feeding For more info: 410-289-4991, emma@ocmuseum.org

Crossword answers from page 58

MAINTENANCE Full Time ~ Year Round. Experience Preferred. Flexible Schedule. Apply in person Comfort Inn Gold Coast, 11201 Coastal Hwy. ~ OC

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

(Daytime 11am-5pm) (Mon.-Thurs.) Apply within 56th St. or Call Pam 410-726-7061

FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN: Locally Owned Co looking for an experienced TECHNICIAN. Must have good driving record and some background in Fire Alarm systems. Competitive pay with benefits. 410-641-4411

AMERICAN LEGION

Assistant Manager, PM Shift

2 Line Cooks, experience required. Part-time. Apply at Post, 2308 Philadelphia Avenue or call for information at 410-289-3166

MAINTENANCE

FULL-TIME, YEAR-ROUND

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

SPEEDWORLD

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

RENTALS

WOC YR HOUSE

3BR, 3BA, W/D

Unfurnished

$3,000 per mo. 410-430-9185

WATERFRONT BAYSIDE

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

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

Commercial Space for Lease. 2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 800-1000 sq. ft. ea. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885

Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.

2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200

Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be tax-

Carquest Auto Parts & Marine, now has an opening for a PARTS ASSOCIATE at our location in Ocean Pines. We will train the right person. Must be reliable and have great customer service experience. Call: 302-344-9769

Over 40 years of carpentry experience. Please call Larry, 410-251-9066

MISC. FOR SALE

Get Boost Infinite! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 855-977-5719

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HDDVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855-4076870

SALE

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-993-0969 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

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

I flung it away, Never to see it again! Little did I know! What, now, would I give, One moment’s return?

www.CompassionPlace.org REAL ESTATE We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-866-541-7929 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 MISC./OTHER

1099 WINTERSON ROAD, SUITE 301

LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MARYLAND 21090 www.cgd-law.com/sales

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES' SALE OF IMPROVED REAL PROPERTY

8203 ATLANTIC AVENUE #8PH OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

By authority contained in a Deed of Trust dated January 4, 2006 and recorded in Liber 4621, Folio 66, among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, with an original principal balance of $417,000.00, and an interest rate of 3.500%, default having occurred thereunder, the Substitute Trustees will sell at public auction at the Courthouse door for the Circuit Court for Worcester County, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, on

July 21, 2025 AT 11:00AM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE property more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. The property being sold is a condominium unit and all common elements appurtenant thereto.

Terms of Sale: The property will be sold “as is” subject to any conditions, restrictions, easements and agreements of record affecting same with no warranty of any kind. A deposit of $38,000.00 by certified funds only (no cash accepted) required at time of auction. Balance of the purchase price to be paid within 10 days of ratification of sale by the Court, with interest at the note rate from date of sale to settlement. If settlement is delayed for ANY reason, there shall be no abatement of interest or taxes. All private utility, water and sewer facilities charges, front foot benefit payments, ground rent, or condo/HOA assessments, not otherwise divested by ratification of the sale are payable by purchaser without adjustment. Real estate taxes and all other public charges, or assessments, to be adjusted as of date of sale. Transfer and recordation taxes, and all other costs incident to settlement, shall be borne by purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. If purchaser fails to go to settlement within ten days of ratification, or otherwise fails to comply with the terms of sale, the Trustee may declare the entire deposit forfeited and resell the property at the risk and expense of defaulting purchaser, who agrees to pay reasonable attorneys' fees and costs if a motion to resell the property has been filed, purchaser waives personal service of any paper filed in connection with such motion, and agrees to accept service of any such paper by regular mail to the address provided at time of sale. If the Trustee cannot convey insurable title, or the loan servicer determines that the sale should not

have occurred, the sale shall be null and void, and purchaser's sole remedy shall be the return of deposit without interest.

This property will be sold subject to the IRS right of redemption for a period of 120 days after the sale.

Richard E. Solomon, et al., Sub. Trustees

Tidewater Auctions, LLC (410) 825-2900

www.tidewaterauctions.com

CGD File #: 461769

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

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ESTATE NO. 17401

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the CIRCUIT court of WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA appointed (1) STEVEN PETER YEATRAS whose address is 12 140TH ST UNIT 3 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-6329 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of PETER S YEATRAS who died on MARCH 20, 2015 domiciled in VIRGINIA, USA

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) RAYMOND D COATES JR whose address is 6200 COASTAL HWY STE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-6678. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER COUNTY

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

ONE W MARKET STREET

ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

OCD-6/26/3t

JOSEPH E. MOORE ESQ

WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON

3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of KAREN MARY ASKLAND PIPPIN Estate No. 20715 Notice is

given that JORDAN J PIPPIN whose address is 3 PENDERS CT BERLIN, MD 21811-1462 was on JUNE 18, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of KAREN MARY ASKLAND PIPPIN who died on JUNE 01, 2025 without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of DECEMBER, 2025.

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

OCD-6/26/3t

NOTICE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

(1) Dawn Hartman

Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott Register of Wills

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

Name of Newspaper:

Ocean City Digest

Date of first publication: June 26, 2025

OCD-6/26/3t

NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Class: "B" BEERWINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Julie Lynn Wallace, 5005 Nassawango Road, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863; Robert Steven Dornes, 5005 Nassawango Road, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

For: Hang 10, LLC

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: Hang 10 104 West Green Street Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: July 16, 2025 @ 1:05 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us

OCD-7/3/2t

NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Promoter’s License.

For: OC Rock and Ride, LLC

T/A: OC Rock and Ride OC Rock and Ride – September 10, 2025, through September 13, 2025 Hours of Alcoholic Beverage Sales –Begins 1:00 p.m. and ends 10:00 p.m. each day

Ocean City Inlet parking lot, 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 16, 2025 @ 1:15 P.M.

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

OCD-7/3/2t

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20718 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF WALTER SHRIEVES SR. Notice is given that Robin Nock,

2304 Bird Hill Rd., Stockton, MD 21864-2054, was on June 20, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Walter Shrieves Sr. who died on April 13, 2024, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20th day of December, 2025.

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

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

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

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 26, 2025

OCD-6/26/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

AKA: CHARLES CARROLL WAESCHE SR.

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

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20th day of December, 2025.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present

the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

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

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

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

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

OCD-6/26/3t

VICTOR H. LAWS ESQ.

LAWS, INSLEY & BENSON, P.A.

209 E. MAIN ST., P.O. BOX 75

SALISBURY, MD 21803-0075

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

AKA: DOLORES SUSAN COLEMAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

livery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative:

Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 26, 2025

OCD-6/26/3t

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

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

Notice is given that Kathryn A. Mulcahy, 612 N. Pinehurst Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801-6161, was on June 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Benjamin C. Pennewill who died on April 29, 2025, without a will.

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

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

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

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

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

Kathryn A. Mulcahy Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House

Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 26, 2025

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

POBOX 910115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20721

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the PROBATE court of BANDERA, TEXAS appointed (1) JACK L RAUSCH whose address is 7904 24TH PL HYATTSVILLE, MD 20783-2622 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of JACK LEE RAUSCH who died on JUNE 09, 2013 domiciled in TEXAS, USA. The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is N/A. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER COUNTY

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

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

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

LEWIS MCDANIELS, LLC 50 Citizens Way Suite 305 Frederick, Maryland 21701

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No. C-23-CV-25-000160 (TAX SALE)

Insight Real Estate, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Louis Costen; Ada L. Costen; Worcester County, Maryland; any and all unknown owners of the property and premises situate in Worcester County, Maryland, described as APP 55'X165' 113 ROSS STREET SNOW HILL and being identified on the Tax Roll as Parcel ID: 02-017385, and which may be known as 113 Ross St.,

Snow Hill, MD 21863, the unknown owner's heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest; and, any and all persons that have or claim to have any interest in the property and premises situate in Worcester County, Maryland, described as APP 55'X165' 113 ROSS STREET SNOW HILL and being identified on the Tax Roll as Parcel ID: 02017385, and which may be known as 113 Ross St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property situate in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County, Maryland, and the State of Maryland: described as APP 55'X165' 113 ROSS STREET SNOW HILL and being identified on the Tax Roll as Parcel ID: 02-017385, and which may be known as 113 Ross St., Snow Hill, MD 21863.

The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 24th of June, 2025 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having general circulation in Worcester County, Maryland, once a week for three (3) successive weeks, the last insertion on or before the 21st day of July, 2025, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 23rd day of August, 2025, and redeem the property and/or answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in and as to the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title free and clear of all encumbrances.

True Copy

Beau H. Oglesby JUDGE

Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk at the Circuit Court Worcester County MD

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PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP

3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20678

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF LARRY J. PIZZA

Notice is given that Kimberly Pizza, 18 East Wind Dr., Berlin, MD 21811-9629, was on June 25, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Larry J. Pizza who died on December 11, 2023, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 25th day of December, 2025.

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

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

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

Kimberly Pizza 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 03, 2025 OCD-7/3/3t

SINAN CESUR Plaintiff v.

ESTATE OF PAUL MCMANUS

WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

S/O Roscoe R. Leslie, Esq.

STATE OF MARYLAND

Office of the Attorney General

S/O Anthony Brown, Attorney General

All persons who have or claim to have any interest in the Tax Rolls of the Finance Officer and Collector of State Taxes for WORCESTER COUNTY as follows: 75' X 165' W SIDE PIT CIRCLE RD FRANKTOWN Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000095

ORDER OF

PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as 75' X 165' W SIDE PIT CIRCLE RD FRANKTOWN, sold by the Finance Officer of WORCESTER COUNTY, State of

Maryland, to SINA CESUR, the Plaintiff.

A description of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: 75' X 165' W SIDE PIT CIRCLE RD FRANKTOWN.

The Complaint states, among other things, that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

It is thereupon this 24th of June, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, ORDERED that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear before this Court by the 23rd day of August, 2025, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting title to the property in the Plaintiff, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Beau H. Oglesby Judge, Circuit Court for WORCESTER COUNTY

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

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JOHN P CUSTIS ESQ

JOHN P CUSTIS, LLC

ATTORNEY AT LAW 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD

SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN F JONES JR Estate No. 20731 Notice is given that ANN I JONES whose address is 7942 WHITON RD SNOW HILL, MD 21863-3144 was on JUNE 26, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN F JONES JR who died on APRIL 22, 2025 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 26th day of DECEMBER, 2025

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

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

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not pre-

sented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

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

COATES, COATES, & COATES, P.A.

RAYMOND D. COATES JR., ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20732

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Circuit Court of Winchester County, Virginia appointed (1) Steven P. Yeatras, 12 140th St., Unit 3, Ocean City, MD 21842-6329 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Pitsa V. Yeatras who died on November 17, 2019 domiciled in Virginia, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Raymond D. Coates, Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County.

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

(1) Steven P. Yeatras

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 03, 2025

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BREZA & ASSOCIATES, LLC

ELIZABETH A. GREEN ESQ. 11019 MCCORMICK RD., STE. 400 HUNT VALLEY, MD 21031-1407

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

ESTATE NO. 20733

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Circuit Court of Palm Beach County, Florida appointed (1) Jay Taustin, 11491 Key Deer Cir., Lake Worth, FL

33449-8450 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Cheryl M. Taustin who died on August 05, 2024 domiciled in Florida, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Elizabeth A. Green, 11019 McCormick Rd., Ste. 400, Hunt Valley, MD 21031-1407.

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

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

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

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

(1) Jay Taustin 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 03, 2025

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MICHAEL B. MATHERS, ESQ. WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, FORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP P.O. BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20717

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MARTHA JANE ARTHUR

Notice is given that David Stanton, 9 52nd St., Unit 6, Ocean City, MD 21842-3657, was on June 27, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Martha Jane Arthur who died on May 26, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 27th day of December, 2025.

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

(1) Six months from the date of

the decedent’s death; or

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

David Stanton 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 03, 2025

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20689 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF GEORGE T. ROCHE

AKA: GEORGE THOMAS ROCHE

Notice is given that Kathleen R. Davenport, 1212 Topiary Pl., Virginia Bch., VA 23455-2268, was on June 24, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George T. Roche who died on May 18, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 24th day of December, 2025.

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

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

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

Kathleen R. Davenport 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 03, 2025

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DONALD EDWARD GRANT

Estate No. 20719 Notice is given that DAVID ALAN GRANT whose address is PO BOX 301, ATLANTIC, VA 23303-0301 was on JUNE 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DONALD EDWARD GRANT who died on JUNE 05, 2025 with a will.

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

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

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

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

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

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

COATES, COATES, & COATES, P.A.

RAYMOND D. COATES JR., ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO

CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20735

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Surrogate’s Court of Morris County, New Jersey appointed (1) Kodsia Najem, 44 Battle Ridge Rd., Morris Plains, NJ 07950-3418; (2) Nazifa Najem Given, P.O. Box 330609, Miami, FL 33233-0609 as the Foreign Personal Representative of the

Estate of G. Reza Najem who died on February 04, 2025 domiciled in New Jersey, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Raymond D. Coates, Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698; (2) Raymond D. Coates Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698.

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

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

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

(1) Kodsia Najem (2) Nazifa Najem Given 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 03, 2025

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RAYMOND D. COATES JR, 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 To all persons interested in the estate of RUBY G HALE Estate No. 20736 Notice is given that SHARON GIDDINGS UNDERWOOD whose address is 11117 BELL RD P O BOX 49 WHALEYVILLE, MD 21872-2004 was on JUNE 30, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RUBY G HALE who died on JUNE 20, 2025 with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 30th day of DECEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

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

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TOWN OF BERLIN REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP # 2025-06

Comprehensive Plan Update

Due Date: Friday, September 5, 2025

Time: 3:00 P.M. EST

The Town of Berlin is seeking Proposals for Consulting Services to update and revitalize the Comprehensive Plan of the Town. Qualified firms are encouraged to visit the Town of Berlin website at www.berlinmd.gov/government/request-for-proposals/ for the official RFP.

Sealed proposals will be accepted until 3:00 PM on Friday, September 5, 2025. EEO.

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CHARLES T. CAPUTE ESQ

MCALLISTER, DE TAR, SHOWALTER & WALKER LLC

100 N. WEST STREET EASTON, MD 21601-2710

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN OLIVER SMITH JR Estate No. 20737 Notice is given that BRIAN SMITH whose address is 9407 SHOCKLEY RD BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813-1410 was on JUNE 30, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN OLIVER SMITH JR who died on MAY 30, 2025 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 30th day of DECEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO

CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of LLOYD J ROUNDS Estate No. 20708 Notice is given that LORISSA S ROUNDS whose address is 407 TALAMORE CT SALISBURY, MD 21804-2431, KAREN Y LEWIS whose address is 523 STOCKBRIDGE CT SALISBURY, MD 21804-5252 were on JULY 02, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LLOYD J ROUNDS who died on JUNE 03, 2025 without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 2nd day of JANUARY, 2026

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET

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COATES, COATES, & COATES, P.A.

RAYMOND D. COATES JR., ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO

CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20741

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Adams County, Pennsylvania appointed (1) Lori K. Edwards, 78 Carrolls Tract Rd., Fairfield, PA 17320-9439 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Larry E. Edwards who died on April 02, 2025 domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Raymond D. Coates Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698.

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

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

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

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

(1) Lori K. Edwards 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 10, 2025

OCD-7/10/3t _________________________________

CHRISTOPHER T WOODLEY ESQ

WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON

3509 COASTAL HWY

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of FRANK J PALUMBO SR Estate No. 20742 Notice is given that TERIANN HAMMOND whose address is 10310 HOTEL RD BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813-1238 was on JULY 03, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of FRANK J PALUMBO SR who died on JUNE 27, 2025 with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in

the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 3rd day of JANUARY, 2026

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

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WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON

CHRISTOPHER T. WOODLEY ESQ. 3509 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20743

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Probate And Family court of Norfolk County, Massachusetts appointed (1) Jennifer Costa, 58 Captain Courtois Dr., Attleboro, MA 02703-8157 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Ralph James Hyde who died on June 23, 2022 domiciled in Massachusetts, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Christopher T. Woodley, 3509 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842-3334.

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

be barred.

(1) Jennifer Costa 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 10, 2025

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Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION

B01-26 – Eagles Landing Golf Course Flood Remediation

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Eagles Landing Golf Course Flood Remediation and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

BID Documents for the Eagles Landing Golf Course Flood Remediation may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A Pre-BID Meeting will be conducted on TUESDAY, JULY 22ND, 2025, AT 8:00AM AT EAGLES LANDING GOLF COURSECLUBHOUSE. Pre-BID Meeting attendance is mandatory for Vendors intending to submit BID proposals for consideration. The Town of Ocean City will additionally provide a virtual attendance option, via Zoom, to Vendors unable to attend the Pre-BID Meeting in person. A site survey shall immediately follow the Pre-BID Meeting. The last day for questions will be on MONDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2025 AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on TUESDAY, AUGUST 5TH, 2025. Sealed BID Documents are due no later than MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2025, BY 4:00PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

WORK SESSION, ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2025, AT 1:00PM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (B01-26 – Eagles Landing Golf Course Flood Remediation) must be noted on the outside of the package.

Late BID Documents will not be accepted.

Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.

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SMALL ESTATE

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20740

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF STEVEN EDWARD BARTLETT

Notice is given that Carolyn Ann Bartlett, 11515 Hammock Pt. Rd., Berlin, MD 21811-2505, was on July 01, 2025 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Steven Edward Bartlett who died on May 31, 2025, with a will.

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

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

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

(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: July 10, 2025

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 20720

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BERNICE MAGNONE

Notice is given that Leah Magnone, 500 S. 2nd St., Denton, MD 21629-1405, was on June 30, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bernice Magnone who died on May 22, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 30th day of December, 2025.

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

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

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

Leah Magnone

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 10, 2025

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County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A pre-proposal conference will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 9:30 am at the Government Center located at 1 West Market Street –Room 1103, Snow Hill, MD 21863. The last day for questions will be noon on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than 2:30 pm on Thursday, August 7, 2025, and will be opened, and only vendor names will be read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted.

Envelopes shall be marked "Proposal Solicitation – Outdoor Warning Siren System Upgrade”, in the lower left-hand corner.

Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for the award of solicitation.

Nicholas W. Rice, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP Procurement Officer Worcester County, Maryland OCD-7/10/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of LLOYD J. ROUNDS Estate No. 20708 Notice is given that LORISSA S. ROUNDS whose address is 407 TALAMORE CT., SALISBURY, MD 21804-2431, KAREN Y. LEWIS whose address is 523 STOCKBRIDGE CT., SALISBURY, MD 21804-5252 were on JULY 02, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LLOYD J. ROUNDS who died on JUNE 03, 2025 without a will.

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PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION

Outdoor Warning Siren System Upgrade

Worcester County is seeking proposals from qualified Vendors to perform an upgrade to the existing outdoor warning siren system in conformity with the requirements contained herein Proposal Documents. Proposal Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer, Nicholas Rice, at nrice@co.worcester.md.us or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours or via the

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 2nd day of JANUARY, 2026

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

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

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

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TOWN OF OCEAN CITY ORDINANCE 2025-18

RE: Public Safety Employee Pension Plan Amendment

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2025-18 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of July 7, 2025. Second reading is scheduled July 21, 2025. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the July 7, 2025, agenda packet. This ordinance allows command staff who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement a one-time irrevocable election upon hire not to participate in the Pension Plan and to allow a public safety employee to enroll in the 401(a) Plan in lieu of the Pension Plan.

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CYNTHIA B. MACDONALD ESQ

208 CALVERT ST P. O. BOX 33 SALISBURY, MD 21803

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of GAIL D JANKOWSKI Estate No. 20748 Notice is given that JOSEPH A JANKOWSKI JR whose address is 11112 SPRING BRANCH LN BERLIN, MD 218113255 was on JULY 08, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GAIL D JANKOWSKI who died on MARCH 12, 2025 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 8th day of JANUARY, 2026

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

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

ONE W MARKET STREET

ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

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NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that

public hearings will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:

Thursday, July 24, 2025

AT 6:00 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an application has been filed under Sections 110-94(3)(a) and 11094(3)(b) to request (1) a special yard exception for a proposed dwelling to be 3.3 feet from the front lot line (2) a special yard exception for steps of a proposed dwelling to be 1.7 feet from the front lot line; and (3) a special yard exception for a proposed storage shed to be 3.4 feet from the rear lot line. The property is described as Lot 36 of the Sundowner Mobile Home Park Plat. It is further described as being located on the north side of Marine Circle and is locally known as 125 Marine Circle, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: ANDREW SWINDER (BZA 2724 #2509400008)

AT 6:10 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an application has been filed under Section 110-94(3)(a) for (1) a special yard exception for a proposed habitable attic to be constructed to the legally nonconforming front yard setback of 2.0 feet from the front lot line along Coastal Highway; and (2) a special yard exception for a proposed habitable attic to be built to the legally nonconforming side yard

setback of 3.0 feet from a side lot line. The property is described as Lots 156A and 156B of the Sundowner Mobile Home Park Plat. It is located on the west side of Coastal Highway between Denny Lane and Bea Lane and is locally known as 100 Denny Lane in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: CHRIS CAULK (BZA 2725 #25-09400009) AT 6:20 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an application has been filed under Section 110-94(3)(a) for (1) a special yard exception for a proposed hotel to be built to a legally nonconforming front yard setback of 22 feet from the front property line along Atlantic Avenue, the Boardwalk. The property is described as Tax Map 110, Parcel 2853, Lot 12; Parcel 2854, Lot 11; Parcel 2864, Lot 2; and Parcel 2865, Lot 1, Block 7N of the Sinepuxent Bay Company Plat. It is further described as being located on the corner of Atlantic Avenue (the Boardwalk) and the south side of 7th Street and is locally known as the The Majestic Hotel located at 613 Atlantic Avenue in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: JOSEPH E. MOORE, ESQUIRE (BZA 2726 #25-09400010)

Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall.

Christopher Rudolf, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney OCD-7/10/2t

Chick-fil-A lease signed

Chick-fil-A has officially signed a longterm ground lease for the property located at 828 - 840 S Salisbury Boulevard, marking the brand’s second full-service location in the Salisbury market.

The site, part of a joint venture partnership, will be developed into a full-service, drive-thru Chick-Fil-A restaurant. The new location will complement the brand’s existing presence in Salisbury and provide expanded access to one of the nation’s most sought-after quick-service brands.

Tonney Insley, Senior Advisor with SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate, represented the landlords in the transaction. Bob Morris of KLNB represented Chick-Fil-A.

“This transaction reflects both the strength of the location and the trust national brands have in the Salisbury market,” said Insley. “We’re proud to help bring Chick-Fil-A’s high-quality offering to this strategic corridor and look forward to seeing the positive economic and community impact this new location will create.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Chick-Fil-A to this prime signalized intersection,” said Developer/Landlord Brent Miller. “From the beginning, our goal was to attract a best-in-class operator that would add real value to the corridor and the broader Salisbury community and Chick-

Fil-A does that. We’re excited to see the site come to life and to be part of a project that brings long-term benefit to Salisbury.”

New care unit to open

TidalHealth has announced the creation of a new Intermediate Care Unit at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional through the merger of its Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and 3 Layfield critical care unit.

The consolidation aims to better coordinate critical care services and address long-standing space and geographic challenges within the Salisbury hospital. The transition will officially begin July 29 with units taking on different patient responsibilities to best prepare for the changeover. Care will not be impacted in any way.

Renovations for the new 28-bed Intermediate Care Unit, located on the third floor of the Layfield Tower, are underway and are expected to take roughly six months to complete.

Once officially opened, the unit will provide an optimized environment for higher acuity patients requiring intermediate levels of critical care, offering enhanced coordination across the TidalHealth system’s three hospitals in Salisbury, Berlin (Atlantic General Hospital), and Seaford (TidalHealth Nanticoke).

In conjunction with this upgrade, the space currently occupied by the PCU on

2 South will be transformed into a permanent 18-bed Observation Unit. This unit will serve patients who require hospital care for less than 24 hours, bridging a long-standing gap and providing a permanent space for patients with short-stay care needs.

During the renovation period, the Intermediate Care Unit will temporarily operate out of the current PCU space, while the Observation Unit will be based in 3 Layfield. Staff members from both units are undergoing training and crosstraining to ensure a seamless transition and high-quality patient care throughout the process.

“These changes are part of a strategic effort to improve the quality and accessibility of care across our network,” said Angela Brittingham, DNP, MS, RN, CEN, CPEN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, Chief Nurse Executive & Vice President, Patient Care Services. “By consolidating our resources and redesigning our spaces, we’re not only improving workflow for our care teams, physicians and resident physicians, but also enhancing the experience and outcomes for our patients.”

When opened in July, the new Intermediate Care Unit will serve TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s more critically ill patients while the new Observation Unit will focus its attention and care to lower acuity patients, including those requiring a shorter length of stay and/or diagnostic testing.

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

NAR economist’s market review

long-term housing demand. Affordable regions like the Midwest and Upstate NY are seeing the most price appreciation due to this affordability.

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

• Builders Are Gaining Edge: New home sales are outperforming resales thanks to available inventory and incentives like rate buydowns and price flexibility. Builders are responding by offering smaller, more affordable homes.

(July 11, 2025) At the National Association of REALTORS® Legislative Conference held in Washington, D.C., early in June, Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, gave a presentation on the real estate market. Here is a summary of his key points:

Market Takeaways:

• Buyer Demand Is Strengthening: Mortgage purchase applications are up 20% year-over-year— a strong early indicator of returning demand. Many potential buyers are still on the fence, but the interest is clearly building.

Fri-Mon 11am-4pm H Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Friday 1-3 pm1230 Friday5-7pm 123

• Mortgage Rates Hold the Key: With Treasuries at 3.4%, a typical spread would place mortgage rates closer to 6% (not 7%) — but volatility and uncertainty are keeping spreads wide. A Fed rate cut could spark new momentum, especially as inflation trends toward their 2% target.

• Inflation Pressure Is Easing: The shelter component ( of CPI) is softening as rents stabilize and multifamily supply increases. Lower energy prices and potential deregulation may further cool inflation.

• Job Market = Stable Demand: 70 million-plus Americans are employed post-COVID — a strong foundation for

• Home Prices Are Holding Firm: Despite high rates, national home prices remain at or near all-time highs. Default rates are historically low, even among FHA borrowers — no sign of a crash.

• Home Equity = Long-Term Wealth: In markets like Denver, 10-year owners have seen $400K+ in equity gains. It reinforces the value of ownership over renting.

• Watch List: Days on market and price cuts are ticking up — strategic pricing and staging are more critical than ever. Long-term risks include government spending, tax reform, and Treasury yield volatility.

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

July 10 - July 17

Wilson/Salt Life C 01 Jamaica Avenue, C209, Ocean City1BR/1BA

Rosemarie Leonarrdd/Coldwe 304 Southhampton Drive, Bishopville4BR/3.5BASingle

12428 Sea Oaks Lane #4, Berlin5BR/4.5BA

13031 Hayes Ave #4, Ocean City3BR/2BA

01 Jamaica Avenue, C209, Ocean City1BR/1BA

Manklin Crreeek Rd, The Parke/Ocean Pines 3BR/3BA

12430 Old Bridge Rd, W Weest OC 2BR/2BA

87 Boston Drive, Ocean Pines3BR/2BA

eg Er Grre rddie/BHHS Pen

of 2 T Teeam/Hilema

McCoy/The Real

Rosemarie Leonarrdd/Coldwe

City to add funding for anti-wind campaign

Ocean City Council votes to contribute up to $100K in funds for opposition effort

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) Officials in Ocean City this week agreed to provide additional funding for the continuation of a Stop Offshore Wind campaign.

On Monday, the Ocean City Council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to match any county contribution, up to $100,000, for an anti-wind campaign coordinated by the Worcester County Office of Tourism and Economic Develop-

ment.

The money, officials say, will be used to continue the program through the next legislative session, which begins in January.

“We’d like to continue to support the group,” City Manager Terry McGean told the council.

Late last year, the Town of Ocean City joined Worcester County and other organizations to support Stop Offshore Wind, a nonprofit coordinating local opposition to US Wind’s offshore wind project, which calls for the construction of 114 wind turbines, beginning at about 11 miles from Ocean City’s coast.

Since that time, the campaign has

NOTICE OF ELECTION

Town of Ocean City SPECIAL ELECTION

JULY 22, 2025

The Town of Ocean City is holding a Special Election at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hall A.

A sample ballot detailing the Referendum Question is provided below. Municipal Election voters will fill in the oval to the left of their chosen answer. Absentee Ballot Applications are available at https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/cityclerk/2025-ocean-city-municipal-special-election/.

Once the application is received and vetted, an absentee ballot, along with a self-addressed, return envelope, will be mailed to you. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail or dropped in the white mailbox located outside of City Hall and labeled Municipal Election Absentee Ballots Only. Absentee Ballots can also be obtained in person at City Hall.

Questions regarding the Special Election can be directed to the City Clerk at 410-289-8824.

grown to include the hiring of a public relations firm, the launch of a public awareness effort, the development of a Stop Offshore Wind website and participation in various regional conventions and meetings, to name a few.

However, Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development Director Melanie Pursel told council members this week the nonprofit was seeking additional funding to continue its campaign in the coming months. In addition to private fundraising efforts, she said the coalition has been seeking matching funds from both Worcester County and Ocean City.

“We don’t want to take the foot off the gas, if you will,” she said.

McGean told council members the Stop Offshore Wind campaign has been successful in raising public awareness and swaying the Sussex County Council to deny US Wind’s conditional use permit for the construction of an electrical substation in Delaware.

He said he was recommending the council match the county contribution for the continuation of the group’s work.

“We’re starting to make some good progress,” he said. “We had a favorable ruling from the United States District Court to keep our lawsuit moving forward, so we’re seeing some positive results. We’d like to keep them all up.”

Pursel said it took money to lead the advocacy effort, from installing billboards to running print and digital advertisements. She said she was hoping to get approval from both the commissioners and the City Council.

“It’s been a lot of work but very fruitful and we’re very proud of where we’ve gotten so far,” she said, “and we appreciate the town’s support.”

With no further discussion, the council voted to approve up to $100,000 in additional matching funds for the Stop Offshore Wind campaign. The contribution has not been budgeted.

Endless Summer Cruisin OK’d for

city’s planning and community development department and public works department.

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 11, 2025) City officials this week approved a private event request for this fall’s Endless Summer Cruisin event.

As part of Monday’s consent agenda, city officials approved a private event request for the 28th annual event, which will take place in Ocean City Oct. 9-12.

As part of the agreement, the car show’s producer will pay the city $6,250 in private event fees, 10% of the Inlet lot car show gate admission, 10% of the participant registration fees and 10% of the Inlet lot vendor fees.

In exchange, the city will provide police, fire, EMS and lifeguard services, as well as the services of the

As part of the agreement, the city will also provide fencing, cones, trash cans, picnic tables, barricades, electric and parking space, to name a few.

Last year, city assets and support provided to the event totaled $25,620.

The producer will also be responsible for selling trailer parking permits, with 100% of revenue paid back to the city. Last year, the producer sold 124 permits and collected $6,200 in revenue.

With no further discussion, the Ocean City Council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor opposed, to approve the private event as presented. A final contract, which will include the terms of the agreement, will be developed by the city’s tourism department and the city solicitor.

This year’s Endless Summer Cruisin will feature music, automotive vendors and exhibits at the inlet parking lot Thursday through Sunday, and Boardwalk parades taking place from 27th Street to the inlet Thursday through Saturday with a rain date on Sunday. The event will also feature a neon and LED light

car show on South 1st Street on Oct. 11.

Car show festivities will also take place at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. However, the city will draft a separate agreement that details event elements, including packet pickup, merchandise sales and more.

Ferrante tries again for multifamily housing

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) With the backing of planning officials, a local businessman is one step closer to bringing new workforce housing to the West Ocean City corridor behind his existing shopping plaza.

The Worcester County Planning Commission voted to support a change to zoning law, one that would allow for limited multifamily housing to be built on certain commercial properties. The amendment would require the approval of the County Commissioners to take effect.

The July 3 vote came on the petition of jeweler and developer Todd Ferrante, who wants to build a threestory, 12-unit apartment building behind his Park Place Plaza shopping center.

Each floor would house a pair of two-bedroom units around 900-1000 square feet, and another pair of three-bedroom units around 1,1001,200 square feet.

While its retail storefronts – including Ferrante’s flagship Park Place Jewelers – sit directly along the south side of Route 50, the shopping center property extends back hundreds of feet into a dense wooded area and could accommodate the housing project.

“What we’re trying to do is put year-round affordable housing in West Ocean City, which it desperately needs,” Ferrante said in an interview, comparing his project to the nearby Oceans East apartments on Seahawk Road. “We’re just trying to bring something to the community, which it desperately needs. People have to

live several miles outside the area they work in to even find a place. Even in Berlin, any year-round housing is taken.”

However, to construct any standalone housing behind the shopping center, Ferrante will need the zoning changed.

That’s because Worcester County’s zoning code does not allow for standalone multifamily housing in the C-2 commercial zoning district, which is meant for intense commercial development.

Instead, C-2 zoning only allows for multifamily residences to be attached to a commercial structure – like a mixed-use building where condos sit above ground-floor retail.

While parts of Worcester’s zoning code do allow for housing to be built separately on the same lot as a com-

mercial facility, that’s a different story – it’s in the C-3 zoning district, which is meant for big box stores. If passed, then, Ferrante’s requested zoning amendment would align C-2 with C-3 in terms of multifamily housing options.

“My plan was always to try to build residential back there,” Ferrante said of the shopping center, which he opened in 2018. “It already has a pad site and we’ve already put the infrastructure there to support a building. That was done when I built this place, so we had planned for that. We just didn’t have the text amendment in to build residential which I thought the best fit was.”

While a potential zoning change would apply countywide, most of the 60 or so properties affected by such a narrowly tailored amendment are in the West Ocean City corridor, according to attorney Kristina Watkowski, who represented Ferrante at the planning meeting.

She told the planning commission that such a zoning change would only help address a growing shortage of year-round workforce housing in a walkable area close to employers and transportation.

In the meantime, other zoning elements, such as density, lot width, and setbacks, also would have to be considered to meet the criteria for separately built multifamily housing. Planning commission members voted 4-1 in favor of the zoning change, with Gerald Barbierri the only “no” vote, based on density concerns. While Ferrante’s amendment would allow for up to 10 units per acre, Barbierri said he preferred to see the density here brought more in line with existing R-3 and R-4 multifamily zoning districts, where the cap is set at six and eight units per acre, respectively.

It’s not the first time Ferrante has tried to move forward on his housing project with a zoning petition. Despite planning commission support, the County Commissioners in a 4-3 vote denied Ferrante a similar zoning amendment in March 2024.

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Improvements planned for Snow Hill library

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) Plans are underway to renovate and modernize Worcester County’s oldest library branch in downtown Snow Hill ... with or without a new HVAC system.

The goal of the project is to improve the overall layout, expand a history exhibit, and improve some office spaces for library administrators. The Worcester County Commissioners approved a request for proposals at their July 1 meeting.

The branch has been at its current location since 1975 and the building is starting to show its age, according to Library Director Jennifer Rank.

“Libraries are still in the business of checking out books, but we also offer space for people to study, learn, and meet. We are incredibly grateful and proud to serve the residents, and this renovation project will allow us to continue that work in a more accessible and comfortable setting,” Ranck said in a statement.

The work is estimated to take three to five months. Renovations will include updated restrooms, new shelving, improved lighting, and a kitchenette for meeting rooms.

Additional work will include installing flooring and carpet tiles, a new ceiling, attic ventilation, as well as a security system, according to publicly

available bid paperwork.

Ranck said this phase of the project will concentrate on upgrading the building’s plumbing and electrical systems, which will include wiring additional electrical outlets for visitors who want to plug in their phones or laptops.

An early estimate from the firm of Davis, Bowen & Friedel puts that cost at $3.1 million. For now, the county has set aside $2.7 million for the project,

with another $276,000 provided by a bequest. The bequest is specifically to pay for new shelving, according to Ranck.

In a few years, officials hope to replace the HVAC system, too, which would add another $1.5 million to the cost, for an updated estimate nearing $6 million.

They also hope to add an accessibility ramp to their garden space, Ranck

added, though that would be another side project for which they hope to find grant funding.

Located near the Pocomoke River in the heart of Snow Hill’s downtown, this branch averages 2,500 visits each month. A staff of nine people offer about 15 programs for visitors of all ages, and about 20 community groups make use of the library’s public meeting spaces.

PHOTO COURTESY JENNIFER RANCK/WORCESTER COUNTY LIBRARY

The Snow Hill branch of the Worcester County Library on North Washington Street is pictured during its construction in 1975.

Ocean Pines group ponders progress report

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 10, 2025) The Ocean Pines Association’s Strategic Planning Committee is seeking to enhance membership communication through a regular article or an updated webpage, informing the community about ongoing activities and initiatives that have been most frequently mentioned in recent surveys.

OPA’s strategic planning group met late last month, where they brainstormed how to best communicate to residents that projects referenced in feedback-gathering efforts collected earlier this year have been heard, and if and how they are being prioritized by OPA staff.

Rob Keesling, chair of the strategic planning group, said his team and the OPA’s Communications Committee have been working together on a possible outlet to inform Ocean Pines homeowners about how their concerns are being addressed. Communications Committee member Connie Corbett attended the strategic planning team’s meeting, where she presented her idea of publicizing survey

results via the quarterly newsletter, a regularly published article, or a constantly updated webpage. The survey findings will be accompanied by an explanation of how the association is handling the feedback.

“We have an opportunity with the survey to match the statistics with specific actions that have been taken,” Corbett said. “The improvements, the outcome. I've heard a lot of good things about the amenities being self-sustaining and generating a net profit. If we can marry that action and impact with the survey, what we have is an opportunity for a branding campaign to describe that we hear you, we have your input, and we have a strategic plan.”

Corbett noted the strategic plan is available on the Ocean Pines official website and aligns with OPA General Manager John Viola’s monthly recaps of new and ongoing initiatives, such as the new racquet center and bocce ball courts; however, the webpage is seldom updated.

“We could match up the survey results with the corresponding strategy and show how the departments are aligned to support and address these various issues,” Corbett added.

This information could be compiled into an article that the association publishes regularly or promoted

on the community’s social media channels. Corbett noted that these reports could be divided into “snackable content,” in which a few items, expressed as priorities by homeowners, such as safety and infrastructure, are bundled together. The communications committee member added that these promotional or “campaign” materials would likely be an ongoing occurrence.

“I use the word campaign because I don’t think this is a one-time article where you contact a reporter and get it in a newspaper and be done,” she said. “I feel like there is a theme, if you will. A campaign is eternal. We can take small pieces of the survey, of the actions, the progress that [Viola] reports to the board, and develop snackable content so we can promote that in various ways, whether that's social media, or it’s mentioned at the board meeting. He’s connecting his team’s results with what the community has said.”

Corbett said that this information could also be incorporated into OPA’s quarterly mailings or could be used to create a strategic plan progress report on OPA’s website.

Additionally, according to Corbett, these updates about the communitywide efforts could quell negative social media comments. If people are

unaware of an upcoming update to an aging building, they are more likely to take to Facebook to comment on its disrepair.

“Not everything is perfect,” Corbett said. “You won’t find a perfect community, and I don't want us to be concerned with trying to debate or deflect any of the negative comments. Those are going to come. But I think if we can create an understanding of what is happening out there, that is the power of a survey. That way people feel like they’re heard, they're seeing action, and they’ll have more of a positive outlook on the community.”

Keesling added that a key step in updating the community’s strategic plan efforts is strengthening the synergy of the advisory committees. The committee chair stated that maintaining constant communication among the groups is vital in avoiding overlapping project conversations, ensuring each team spends its time as productively as possible.

“This might be another way to say, this is what the survey says about pools, let's go talk to aquatics,” he said. “Or, let's go talk to Parks and Rec. What actions are they taking? What are the advisory committees at large reporting on what they’re doing and what they have going forward?

Commission recommends Rt. 589 rezoning

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) A petition to rezone a protected parcel outside Ocean Pines into a commercial zoning district passed muster with Worcester County planning officials last week, though it’s too soon to say how the owner will redevelop the property.

The county’s Planning Commission at its July 3 meeting voted unanimously to approve rezoning 0.81 acres at 10329 Racetrack Road (Route 589) from RP Resource Protected District to a C-2 General Commercial District. C-2 is a designation for more intense commercial development, like a shopping center.

Attorney Mark Cropper said his client’s rezoning was warranted because the character of the neighborhood had changed, an argument he supported by citing the county’s 2024 rezoning of 15 adjacent properties from agricultural to commercial.

He also argued that officials in 2009 erred when they classified the parcel as Resource Protected, a zoning for environmentally sensitive areas like wetlands and conservation areas.

“There should be no dispute at all that there has been a change in the character of the neighborhood to commercial,” Cropper told the Plan-

ning Commission. “That’s why the county commissioners rezoned all those properties across from the casino.”

Ultimately, the planners’ vote is a recommendation only, and no zoning will change unless approved by Worcester County’s Board of Commissioners.

Located across from Ocean Downs Casino on Route 589, the 9.16 acres of woodland property includes an abandoned home in a small clearing. It’s been vacant and listed for sale since at least 2008.

Property records show Michael Lupacchini purchased the land in January 2024 from Robert Wayne Nock for $500,000. Records also show the landowner is now listed as “Racetrack Plaza LLC.”

The applicant didn’t want to rezone all 9 acres, just the 1.07-acre portion nearest to the roadway, so it would match the underlying commercial zoning for the rest of his parcel.

The Planning Commission, however, in its consideration, split this portion into three smaller pieces –separating the portions of land they’d be willing to rezone from the land they weren’t, according to Cropper. It means about a quarter-acre of the woodland, 500 feet back from the roadway, got the thumbs-down for

rezoning and will remain in protected status as a Resource Conservation Area.

Since 1964, the site had been zoned A-1 Agricultural. It wasn’t until a comprehensive rezoning in 1992 that the land was rezoned to the E-1 Estate District zoning, internal county memos show.

In 2009, the south half of the property retained the E-1 designation, while the northern portion was designated as RP Resource Protection District. A decade later, the E-1 portion was reclassified as C-2 Gen-

eral Commercial.

While his client is optimistic about developing the property, the applicant has no firm development plans in place, according to Cropper. What comes next for the land will depend on what the net building envelope ends up being – “which is why my client is going through this process,” Cropper said, “to make consistent the property lines, the zoning lines, and the critical area lines. Once he has exhausted that effort, he can then determine how best to develop the site.”

OP to get strategic report card

And doing it regularly.”

The strategic planning team’s next step will be to accumulate survey feedback, research the steps being taken by advisory committees and staff to address membership concerns, and confirm progress with Viola, Keesling said. The effort will be ongoing, with updates occurring often.

The strategic planning and communications committees hope that the initiative will inform OPA residents on upcoming and tabled projects. A regularly updated report card,

Corbett said, can also help keep citizens in the know on when necessary endeavors are taking place. For instance, she noted that maintaining a schedule of road paving can ease homeowner worries.

“I think it's important to use all of our communication outlets to continue to remind people what they said, and here's the progress and giving them a resource to go to,” she said. “Like when people’s roads are scheduled to be paved. So, people are now empowered. They have that information.”

Continued from Page 80

County gets new emergency services leader

Longtime member of OC’s fire department to take on director role next month

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 11, 2025) A just-retired Ocean City Fire Department deputy chief has been hired as the director of Worcester County’s Department of Emergency Services.

In his new role, Chris Shaffer will be responsible for all matters relating to emergency management, including the county’s 911 system, its radio broadcasts, and development of emergency operations plan. The position also liaises with the county’s fire, ambulance, and police departments. He starts next month.

“Chris is a seasoned and highly respected public safety professional who has established strong working relationships with all of the fire stations in the county,” said Ted Elder, president of the Worcester County Commissioners, in a statement.

“His skills, training, and professionalism make him ideally suited to bring together the people and partnerships Worcester County needs to plan for, respond to, and bounce back from any crisis, whether it’s a natural or manmade disaster,” Elder added The emergency services director

also coordinates with the county’s mapping and data department, known as GIS, to maintain a comprehensive address system so first responders can find your home in an emergency.

County spokesperson Kim Moses said Shaffer was selected from a competitive pool for the $130,000-a-year job.

Shaffer replaces Matt Owens, who has pulled double duty as both the county’s fire marshal and interim emergency services director for the last 15 months.

Worcester County had reorganized to put both emergency services and the fire marshal under the oversight of one director. This ended up not working because the responsibility was such that each department needed an individual director, county officials have said.

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young thanked Owens in a statement for stepping up to lead the agency after former director Billy Birch left for another position after six years in the role. Owens will continue to oversee the fire marshal’s office.

“On top of his duties as director of the Fire Marshal’s Office, Matt guided every aspect of WCES until we found the right person to take the helm. His dedication and leadership

made all the difference, and we’re truly grateful for his commitment to our community,” Young said.

Shaffer retired from a 38-year career with the Ocean City Fire Department on July 31. An Ocean City native whose father also served the OCFD for more than six decades, Shaffer began his fire service career in 1987. Starting as a dispatcher, he rose through the ranks to become deputy chief in 2016.

“Chris has been the backbone of this department for nearly four decades,” said Fire Chief Josh Bunting in a statement earlier this year. “His tireless dedication and ability to bring people together has helped make the Ocean City Fire Department the gold standard for EMS care and fire suppression in our region. It goes without saying how

sorely he will be missed – by the department, our extended OCFD family, and by me personally.”

Chris Shaffer

Opinions

In defense of cop response July 4

To everyone asking where the police were when the chaos broke out late last Friday and early Saturday in Ocean City, the best answer is: where do you think they were?

Every available Ocean City Police Department officer, along with law enforcement personnel from state and neighboring agencies were on the streets trying to maintain the peace in a city of between 200,000 and 300,000 people.

To be blunt, accomplishing that with the force assembled is a mathematical impossibility. Moreover, to complain about cops not being everywhere all at once not only ignores reality, but is also a disservice to department personnel who did the best they could under impossible circumstances.

Despite city officials’ initial attempt to put a positive spin on a 24-hour period that saw panicked crowds and near riots, the amount of trouble that occurred was greater than the force out to control it. That the department handled the myriad disturbances as well as it did is to its credit, considering it was dealing with random outbursts and gatherings as well as many unrelated situations that also demanded their presence.

Forgive the facetiousness, but all this happened with no one having the courtesy to provide the police with a detailed schedule of who would do what, when and where. Even knowing in advance, as the department did, that some groups planned to descend on Ocean City and cause trouble is not enough to formulate a strategy of where to go and when to be there.

According to the FBI, the national average ratio of sworn officers to inhabitants is 2.4 per 1,000 people. By this standard, summertime Ocean City would need 720 officers instead of its 110 to serve its seasonal population.

As it is, if the people of Ocean City want their police to respond to every difficult situation and every concern on virtually every street corner day or night, they can have it ... if they’re willing to pay for it. And that’s knowing that 80 percent of these officers won’t be needed during the offseason.

PUBLIC EYE

Dear sir,

Delayed at drive-thru

You know who you are. You’re the person who spent a lifetime at the donut place drivethru the other day.

NEWS

EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN

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By Stewart Dobson

You know, the one who sat there while those of us in the cars behind you were aging in place, experiencing the arrival and passing of personal milestones, birthdays, anniversaries, deaths in the family and what not.

Here’s a tip — if you don’t know what the shop has or what you want, go inside and ask.

Don’t sit there and ask for the precise chemical breakdown of the Boston Krème, and don’t go on about how your corner donut shop back in Upper Peapod, West Virginia broils donuts for people like you who don’t eat fried food.

Next time, park the car, go inside the shop and ask your question. In the meantime, Get. Out. Of. My. Way!

Thanks, and have a nice day.

I don’t know what this guy’s problem was, but he was either having the window clerk recite the complete menu or was mistaken as to his location and was trying to get a prescription filled, because he sat in his car next to the drive-thru speaker for an interminable length of time.

It’s difficult to say how long he actually remained there, because I was two cars back and was lost in wondering what this character might be saying.

All I know is that whatever it was, it was accompanied by more hand gestures than a

Battle of Gettysburg reenactment using finger puppets.

I’m not kidding. The mileage calculator on my car dropped from 18 mpg to 14 or something, as I waited there idling and supposing that this guy might have been trying to order Thanksgiving dinner.

“Uh, do I get mashed potatoes with that?”

“No sir, this is a donut shop. We don’t have mashed potatoes. But we do have hash browns.”

“With gravy?”

“No sir. Ketchup.

“Well, what kind of donut shop is this that doesn’t serve what I want? My shop back in Upper Peapod ...”

It was right about then that the horns on the other cars began to emit polite little honks as if to say, HEY BOZO, GIDDYUP!?

I was about to issue a little yippie ki yay myself (see the movie “Die Hard” for more information) but he began to pull away, leaving me to roll up to the speaker finally and order what had to be a day-old donut at this point.

As I rounded the turn toward the delivery window, I could see Mr. Hand Gesture gesticulating as he awaited what I had concluded had to be a banquet for 20. But no. Out from the window came a bag so small it wouldn’t have held a single serving of parakeet nuggets, not that they serve those at a donut shop, and a tiny drink.

“What was that all about,” I asked when I got to the window. “That guy went on and on, didn’t he?”

“Yeah, that was my Uncle Roy. He was bringing me up to date on some things.”

“Yeah, well, we waited and waited ...”

“Here’s your order, sir. Now, please move along. You’re holding up the line.”

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

Ocean City was not a safe place to be on the Fourth of July. The holiday was everything Ocean City does not want to be -- the antithesis of “somewhere to smile about.” It was also far from the norm, thanks to a social media “takeover” event, which Ocean City is familiar with from recent years and has been successful in deterring in the past.

Time has a way of dulling experiences, but the conversations with multiple people, including locals, visitors and business owners, on the morning of July 5 matter. It was dangerous. It was unlike anything many folks have ever experienced on the Boardwalk. Fortunately, there was no shooting but it was thought to be for several minutes, resulting in a stampede on the boards.

For one family watching the fireworks on the beach, the 30 minutes of thinking it was an active shooting was frightening. A couple hours later, they were awoken from their rental off 28th Street to the havoc that unfolded from a shooting that appears to be as much of a mystery today as it was hours after it happened.

The good news for this family is they stayed in Ocean City and were able to see the quick turnover after the takeover the rest of the weekend.

It was surprising Ocean City did not proactively address the building social media frenzy about this holiday takeover event, which was promoted far and wide on TikTok and YouTube. Messages like, “If your in Ocean City Maryland 4th of July, it will get took” were abundant as early as Monday of last week with promotions of a beach party at 11 p.m. that night. On the holiday, it was clear a different day tripper crowd was in Ocean City, resembling more like a Senior Week-type environment than the typical holiday family scene.

These “takeover” events are nothing new. In April 2013, the event in Virginia Beach resulted in crowds estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 college-aged individuals invading the town’s oceanfront area, disrupting traffic and businesses and generally scaring residents and visitors to the Virginia resort. Three shootings and multiple stabbings occurred.

In the summer of 2014 and 2016, Ocean City was impacted negatively by these events, but not to the magnitude of last Friday. In advance of the 2014 event, police leaders were proactive in their messaging, reporting far and wide heightened enforcement will be on hand with zero tolerance for criminal behavior. Tough messaging was issued. An OCPD police statement read, “We have a very comprehensive strategic plan ready that includes increased enforcement and high visibility, as well as assistance from our allied agencies.” Similarly, in advance of July 21-23, 2017, OCPD issued a statement, saying “our intel unit has been watching this event on social media.” That year the event was not what was feared. It was thought the early message impacted it.

Hindsight is always clean, but it seemed like a missed opportunity to warn miscreants of the looming consequences and approach toward them.

After being silent all weekend, it was refreshing to hear the tough talk from Ocean City officials on Monday. A press release was issued but it was the blunt comments later that got my attention, confirming the severity of the situation. It was, as Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said Monday night, “15 hours of hell.” At one point, according to the police scanner, there were as many as five active fires in Ocean City dunes and trash cans the night of July 4. The OCFD reported 106 calls for service in 24 hours. Boardwalk businesses had to close for safety. It was an ugly night and public safety officials were right to be saluted for their service and bravery in dangerous conditions. However, it was also smart of Ocean City officials on Monday to not put lipstick on the pig, addressing instead the matter head on.

City Manager Terry McGean called it a “difficult night… not something we’ll tolerate going forward.” Council President Matt James said, “The behavior that we experienced on Friday night will not be tolerated, and our police department will not tolerate it moving forward.” Councilman John Gehrig, “... this is not the first time we've had assholes in our community … Hard situations require hard thinking and hard decisions, and we’re going to make them and succeed again. This isn’t an empty promise.” Councilman Jake Mitrecic said, “Ocean City didn't put up a sign that said come here and act any way you want. What we're seeing is a symptom of a state and a country that is changing around us. It's been made harder to police, it's been made harder to do anything against juveniles, and our police force is doing absolutely everything it can. And we will supply them with the tools and everything that we can to make sure that this does not happen in the future.”

Federal cuts to impact Worcester County schools

Editor,

I am writing this letter to educate the community about how the proposed federal funding cuts will negatively impact our schools and our broader Eastern Shore community.

I am expressing deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed “Big Beautiful Bill.” This is not about politics, democrats or republicans. This is about our schools and our children.

While its title may suggest promise, the bill threatens to eliminate or significantly reduce funding for critical programs, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants. These grants are not just federal line items — they are lifelines to the students and families in our local communities.

In Worcester County alone, this funding supports vital afterschool programming and summer learning academies, which provide learning and meals for students who need it most: students receiving special education services, children living in poverty, and families who often lack the resources to fully support their children’s academic and developmental needs.

Stripping away these supports would be nothing short of devastating. We have seen firsthand the difference that access to extended-day programming makes — not just academically, but emotionally and socially — for our youth. These programs provide a safe, structured environment after school hours and during the summer, when many families struggle to find adequate care, academic reinforcement, or consistent meals. Without this funding, we would be forced to turn away stu-

dents who rely on us most.

I respectfully urge you to contact your Congressman and ask them not to support these spending cuts and instead work to protect and preserve 21st CCLC funding. I also ask members of our community to amplify our voice of opposition and advocate for the children and families whose wellbeing will be directly and negatively affected by this legislation.

Tamara Mills Snow Hill

Bring back Ocean City tram service

Editor,

As a handicapped senior citizen of Ocean City, I miss the tram. For 20 years, I rode once a week either with friends, guests or alone. The tram unlike a stationary bench was shady and breezy; and I could see all the sights and changes; and there were also dozens of options for lunch.

How can motor vehicle parades of cruisers, graduating high school seniors, etc. still be allowed as safe on the boardwalk but not a tram with a professional driver and a conductor in the back covering his back?

I hope the city reconsiders its decision and puts the trams back in service. As sad as accidents can be, you don’t permanently close the beach if there is a drowning or a highway if a pedestrian is killed. In my observations the drivers and conductors have always put safety first from assisting those in need from getting on or off the tram to making certain children were seated on inside seats to warning pedestrians.

I miss the tram and the boardwalk and hope to enjoy them again.

June Scott Ocean City

County gov’t. warns residents of email scam

Here are a few examples in the scam emails that should raise multiple red flags with recipients:

(July 11, 2025) Worcester County Government (WCG) warned the public this week about an email scam designed to trick residents and business owners involved in the permitting and plan review processes into wiring money for alleged fees. The scammers impersonate Development Review and Permitting (DRP) staff members and claim the recipient must pay a fee without delay.

“Several individuals in our business community have received emails requesting payment for actual projects going through the review process,” DRP Director Jennifer Keener said. “Fortunately, we live in a tight-knit community, so recipients have felt comfortable picking up the phone and calling to confirm that the emails in question were in fact scams.”

- @usa.com, the sender’s email address, does not match a WCG address. Even if an email appears to come from an authentic county address, always hover your mouse over the sender’s email address to reveal the actual address it was sent from. If the true address doesn’t match the legitimate county domain, it may be a spoofed email.

- require recipients to reply to the email for wire transfer instructions or include a link to a suspicious website. WCG DOES NOT accept wire transfers. Payments for valid fees can be made in person, by mail to the county’s Snow Hill address, or a secure online portal. We encourage residents to confirm the validity of any payment address by calling DRP at 410-632-1200.

- claim that all correspondence must be conducted via email. WCG staff would NEVER limit communi-

cation methods. Citizens and Government Working Together, as our motto indicates, includes personalized service ranging from phone, email, and in-person meetings.

Scammers are utilizing actual county agendas, staff reports, and other online documentation to make their emails appear legitimate.

“DRP staff communicate directly with constituents going through the plan review process, so if you haven’t had a conversation with an actual

county staff member, red flags should be going off if you receive an email requesting payment,” Keener said. “When in doubt, call the county directly.” If you or anyone you know receives a call or email from someone claiming to be a county employee and alleging that you owe an unanticipated fee for an application or service, do not share sensitive information, hit reply, or click any unknown links. Instead, call WCG directly, and staff will be glad to assist you.

Baron von Richthofen turned the tide of war

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

Tomorrow, 80 years ago Field Marshal Baron Wolfram von Richthofen died in a U.S. POW hospital of brain cancer.

The name of Baron von Richthofen is the most recognized name in the history of aerial warfare, if not for his 80 victories in World War I, (the most by any airman in that struggle), then certainly for his duels with Snoopy!

But that was about World War I and this is about World War II. That was the Red Baron — Manfred von Richthofen. This is Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen! The von Richthofens were a very wealthy, ancient (400 years) Silesian family.

At the time of the Red Baron’s death, he was the commander of a squadron that was known as the Flying Circus, because of their brightly painted planes. After the Red Baron’s death, his brother, Lothar, assumed command. Lothar was also a great ace. He notched 44 victories, before he was sidelined by injuries, in August 1918.

of “Ace.” He had earned the “Iron Cross” while serving with the infantry in the first month of the war.

Just before the death of the Red Baron, his 21-yearold cousin, Wolfram, joined the famed Flying Circus. Before war’s end, he had achieved eight victories, enough to earn him the title

Although Baron Wolfram von Richthofen is not as well-known as his illustrious cousin, the Red Baron, his impact on the development of air power was far greater. He was, “...the Luftwaffe’s foremost expert on close support tactics.”

These were the tactics — the close support by the Luftwaffe of German Panzers and infantry — that came to be known as “Blitzkrieg.”

Wolfram von Richthofen was an able administrator, and an excellent and courageous leader. As the British said, in 1943, “...with his good name and appearance, brutal energy and great personal courage, he is the German ideal of an Air Force General.”

He has been recognized as the best tactical air commander of World War II. If one looks closely, von Richthofen and his units can be found at the site of almost every Wehrmacht success — Poland, France, the Balkans, Crete, Russia, Crimea, and the Caucasus.

After the Great War, he earned a doctorate in aeronautical engineering. In November 1923, von Richthofen rejoined the military.

From April 1929 to October 1932, he served as air attaché in the German embassy in Rome. While in Italy, he became fluent in Italian.

In October 1933 he joined the Reich Air Ministry, which became the Luftwaffe two years later. There, he was very involved in research and development. In May 1935, Maj. von Richthofen proposed building a rocket-powered interceptor.

In 1936, Lt. Colonel von Richthofen went to Spain as chief-ofstaff of the Kondor Legion, which was Germany’s contribution (primarily air force) to Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War.

While in Spain, he learned the language, which endeared him to the Spanish troops. While serving as chief-of-staff, he planned and directed the infamous raid on the Basque town of Guernica, immortalized in a painting of the same name, by Pablo Picasso.

Promoted to major general, Baron von Richthofen became commander of the Kondor Legion in November 1938. While in Spain, he was able to experiment and refine the tactics of close air support with infantry and armor.

Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen

Following the lessons learned in the Spanish Civil War, the Luftwaffe consolidated more than half of its Stuka dive bombers into a Nahkampfdivision (“close battle division”), under the command of Gen. von Richthofen.

By the time Germany went to war with Poland, von Richthofen was a lieutenant general commanding Fliegerkorps VIII. Just prior to the invasion, he had established his headquarters at Schönwald Castle in Silesia, six miles from the Polish border.

The task of his planes was to support the Tenth Army under the command of Gen. Walther von Reichnau. But for von Richthofen, his headquarters were too far from the front and from von Reichnau. So he asked the Tenth Army’s commander if he could share his headquarters. Gen. von Reichnau gladly agreed.

To improve coordination between the services, von Richthofen sent Luftwaffe liaison officers equipped with either signal vans or portable radio sets, into the front line. By 11 a.m. on the first day of the invasion, von Richthofen was conducting his own aerial reconnaissance in an unarmed, light, Fieseler Storch, almost getting shot down in the process.

Gen. von Reichnau acknowledged that von Richthofen’s forces had, “...led to the decision on the battle-

field.” After the Poles refused German demands to surrender Warsaw, von Richthofen was given the task of bombing the capital into submission. The next day it surrendered.

When the fighting shifted to France in the spring of 1940, Fliegerkorps VIII was assigned to support Panzergruppe Kliest in its advance through the “impassable” Ardennes Forest, crossing of the Muese River, and subsequent race for the English Channel, which split the Allied Armies. Baron von Richthofen’s planes performed superbly.

When the Army was ordered to stop at Dunkirk to allow the Luftwaffe to finish the British Expeditionary Force, von Richthofen called the Luftwaffe chief of general staff and said, “Unless the Panzers can get moving again at once, the English will give us the slip! No one can seriously believe that we alone can stop them from the air.”

Of course, he was overruled and told that Luftwaffe chief, Field Marshal Hermann W. Göring, thought that the Luftwaffe could, indeed, “...stop them from the air.”

Fliegerkorps VIII didn’t fare so well during the Battle of Britain. Its slower Stukas were decimated by the quicker and more agile British Hurricanes and Spitfires. Following that debacle, and a period of refitting, it

participated in the lightning conquest of the Kingdoms of Greece and Yugoslavia.

The Wehrmacht’s airborne invasion of Crete began on May 20, 1941. It quickly became a test of German air power versus British naval power. By the end of the month, von Richthofen’s planes had sunk the British light cruiser Gloucester and destroyers Fiji, Kelly, Hereward and Kashmir, while damaging the battleship Warspite and cruisers Ajax and Orion.

The work of Fliegerkorps VIII drove the Royal Navy from the seas surrounding the island of Crete, and allowed a small, but elite, group of German paratroopers under the command of Gen. Kurt Student, to take the island from a numerically superior Allied force. For this, Baron von Richthofen was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross.

The next assignment for Gen. von Richthofen and Fliegerkorps VIII was Operation Barbarossa. Fliegerkorps VIII was assigned to support Armeegruppe Center under the command of Field Marshal Feodor von Bock.

Its initial assignment was the destruction of the Soviet Air Force (VVS), which was accomplished by the end of the first day, with most of the VVS being destroyed on the ground.

By the second day, Fliegerkorps VIII switched to supporting the Army. At the end of July, it was switched to Armeegruppe North, and in September, participated in the assault on Leningrad.

During the Soviet Winter Offensive, Fliegerkorps VIII was transferred back to Armeegruppe Center and provided outstanding support of the Army during that crisis. On Feb. 1, 1942, Baron von Richthofen was promoted to “Generaloberst” or colonel-general.

In the spring of 1942, Fliegerkorps VIII was transferred to the Crimea and was ordered to support the Eleventh Army’s assault on Sevastopol. This teamed two of the Wehrmacht’s most talented commanders, Erich von Manstein and Baron von Richthofen. Their coordination and cooperation were excellent and showed in the results.

Von Manstein said later, “Baron von Richthofen was certainly the most outstanding air force leader we had in World War II. He made great demands on his units, but always went up himself to oversee important attacks. Moreover, one was always meeting him at the front, where he would visit even the most advanced units to get a clear picture of the possibilities of providing air support for army operations. Our cooperation,

See WORLD WAR II Page 90

both at Eleventh Army and later at Army Groups South and Don was always excellent.”

Before the Wehrmacht could launch its assault on Sevastopol, it had to eliminate the Soviet presence on the Kerch Peninsula. Its effort was successful in the face of prepared defensive positions manned by a numerically superior enemy. As Gen. von Manstein said, “Fliegerkorps VIII contributed decisively to this successful outcome.”

By 5:45 a.m., on June 2, 1942, von Richthofen was in the air over Sevastopol. Fifteen minutes later, 1,300 German guns opened the final battle for the city. By the time the city fell, a month later, his planes had flown 23,751 sorties and dropped 20,258 tons of bombs.

After the city’s capture, Baron von Richthofen was given command of Luftflotte 4. He was also awarded the Romanian Order of Michael by Romania’s

Conducator, Marshal Ion Antonescue. Luftflotte 4 was tasked with supporting Operation Blau (Blue) as the Wehrmacht’s summer offensive was called. Its objectives were the capture of Voronezh on the Don River, Rostov-onDon, Stalingrad on the Volga River, and the oilfields in the Caucasus region.

The Baron established his headquarters at Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, on July 20. He directed Fliegerkorps VIII to assist in the assault on Stalingrad, while Fliegerkorps IV assisted in the invasion of the Caucasus.

By Aug. 11, 1942, with the capture of Maikop and Krasnodar, in the Caucasus he began concentrating his forces to Stalingrad. When the Red Army launched its counteroffensive on Nov. 19, von Richthofen withdrew all of his support for the forces in the Caucasus, and concentrated on the Soviet breakthrough on either side of Stalingrad.

On Nov. 23, the Soviet pincers

snapped shut near the town of Sovetskii, 12.5 miles southeast of Kalach. Inside the trap were the Sixth Army, portions of the Fourth Panzer Army, two Rumanian divisions, a Croat brigade, and various specialist, auxiliary signals units. A Luftwaffe Flak Division, a fighter wing and 3 Reconnaissance Groups were also caught in the pocket.

When the decision to supply the trapped Axis forces was being made, von Richthofen told everyone, including Hitler, Sixth Army’s commander Frederick Paulus and the Luftwaffe’s commander, Reichsmarshal Göring, that it could not, “...be accomplished, because the necessary transport resources are not available,” and that it was, “Impossible even to imagine such a thing!” The Baron’s views were ignored.

Consequently, on Nov. 26, he reorganized Luftflotte 4 and directed that its primary focus was no longer on combat operations in support of ground forces, but rather supply operations and the protection of the supply planes and bases.

Of course, as von Richthofen had predicted, the Luftwaffe did not have the ability to mount the size operation necessary to supply the encircled troops. On Feb. 1, 1943, the tattered and starving remnants surrendered to the Red Army.

Two weeks later, von Richthofen was made the youngest ever German field marshal, at age 47. Luftflotte 4 was crucial to Field Marshal von Manstein’s successful spring counteroffensive, which captured Kharkov for the third time.

The British said that, “The main factor behind von Richthofen’s success was extreme flexibility, coordination and concentration....”

After that campaign, Field Marshal von Richthofen was given command of all Luftwaffe units in the Mediterranean theater. He was now under the command of Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, with whom he had

never gotten along.

By now, the Allies had obtained air superiority. Consequently, von Richthofen did not enjoy the same success as in earlier years. However, he did achieve two triumphs.

The first was at Salerno, when, with the use of newly developed guided bombs, the Luftwaffe, in a week of night raids, badly damaged the cruisers USS Savannah and HMS Uganda and battleship HMS Warspite.

However, the new bombs were difficult to use and the Field Marshal was unable to replicate the Salerno success. The raid on the Italian port of Bari was von Richthofen’s most spectacular success of the Italian campaign.

Scrapping together almost every bomber in the Italian Theater, the Luftwaffe, in a raid meticulously planned by the baron, hit the harbor on the night of Dec. 2, 1943.

The port was packed with Allied shipping. Sixteen Allied merchant ships were destroyed and eight others damaged. The port facilities were inoperable for three weeks. Naval historian Samuel Morison described the raid as, “...the most destructive air attack since Pearl Harbor.”

After serving about a year in the position, he took sick leave in October 1944, after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Two operations were unsuccessful. He died on July 12, 1945, at the American Air Force Hospital in Bad Ischl, Austria. He was 50. He left a wife, two sons and a daughter.

The Baron had kept a very detailed diary, which is widely used as a primary source by WWII scholars.

Next week: Trial of Marshal Pétain 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.

Cpl. Ray Land remembered as pioneer of mounted unit

Ocean City Police mourning loss of 36-year veteran, long respected colleague

(July 11, 2025) The Ocean City Police Department announced the passing of Retired Corporal Raymond Land, who proudly served our community from 1975 until his retirement in 2010.

Land was a dedicated officer and a beloved member of our department. Best known for his iconic partnership with his mount, Mr. President, he was instrumental in establishing and leading the mounted unit, where he made a lasting impact both with the department and in the community.

As a mounted policeman, Cpl. Land was involved in over 2,000 arrests, more than 500 of which he personally carried out, and played a role in approximately 20 felony arrests. One of the proudest moments of his career came in 2002, when he tracked down and apprehended two robbery suspects just three hours after the crime.

In his role as a Boardwalk Supervisor, Land managed patrol shifts and helped ensure the safety of thousands of residents and visitors each summer. His quick thinking and bravery were on full display when he apprehended an alleged kidnapper while on duty.

Land was a 36-year member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a respected presence in the law enforcement community. He earned his B.A. in Criminology from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College). He continually pursued professional development, including training at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy and completion of the First Line Supervisors Training School.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Land was recognized for his dedication to community service, having spent five years with our Community Services Division and maintaining an active membership in the National Police Athletic League. Off duty, he enjoyed horseback riding, softball, football and basketball.

“Ray Land was more than a colleague; he was a pillar of this department for nearly four decades,” said Chief Raymond Austin. “Ray embodied the values of public service, dedication, and compassion. He demonstrated this time and again in his mentorship, not just to me, but to countless officers over the years. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched, both within our department and throughout the Ocean City community.”

To honor his life and legacy, a memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842

Family, friends, current and for-

mer colleagues, and community members are invited to gather in remembrance and gratitude for Land’s extraordinary service.

“Land’s dedication, leadership, and impact will forever be remembered by the Ocean City Police Department and the town he so proudly served. He will be deeply missed,” said a press release from the department.

JAMES MUNSEY

Ocean Pines

Pastor James “Clayton” Munsey, 66, of Ocean Pines, formerly of Monrovia, MD, was called home by his Savior Jesus on Tuesday, July 5, 2025.

Born September 16, 1958, in Montgomery, WV, he is the son of Robert T. Munsey and the late Emma “Jane” (Buster) Munsey. He and his wife, Carole (Pittore) Munsey celebrated 40 years of marriage on April 20, 2025.

Clayton retired as a Project Manager of Field Technologies in May of 2014 from Washington Gas Light after 36 years of service.

Clayton possessed a quiet and gentle spirit and truly enjoyed studying and sharing the Word of God. Clayton felt the call to enter the ministry and was ordained in 2017 at SonRise Church. He remained active in spreading the Gospel at Fathom Church, Berlin. He and Carole facilitated a GriefShare Program for over 10 years.

Clayton was a man of many talents. He and Carole enjoyed riding motorcycles, and he was a true car enthusiast. He was an all-around outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, shooting and using his tractor. He was valued as a true handyman that could repair anything and was proud of the home he built in Vir-

ginia. Clayton was an avid sports fan who followed NASCAR and rooted for the Redskins.

Most of all, Clayton relished time spent with his family, especially his grandsons. Survivors in addition to his wife and father include a daughter, Heather Darr and her husband, Steve; grandsons, Landon and Brody Darr; brother, Larry Munsey; and his faithful border collie sidekick, Belle. Clayton was predeceased by his son, Robert “Robby” Munsey.

A celebration of life will be held at Noon on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at SonRise Church, 10026 N. Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM – Noon in the church. Memorial gifts may be made to one of the following: the Macky and Pam Stansell House, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802 (Please use Stansell House on the Memo line), Fathom Church, 10445 Georgetown Road, Berlin, MD 21811 or SonRise Church, 10026 N. Main Street, Berlin, Md. 21811.

Arrangements with Eastern Shore Cremation & Funeral Service, 504 Franklin Ave., Berlin, Md 21811. Please visit www.easternshorecremation.com.

Raymond Land

James Munsey

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

These nice flatties, above left, ended up in the cooler of On the Run with Captain Dave Ca rey. Above right, this crew had an awesome offshore day on board the Boss Hogg with Captain Brian Porter when they put 12 fat yellowfin tuna and a nice mahi in the boat.

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

Captain Chris Watkowski of the Spring Mix II put these anglers on six yellowfin tuna, above left. Above middle, 13-year-old Christian Bohlen caught and released his first ever blue marlin fishing with his dad Shawn on board their JEB. Above right, the crew of the private boat Instigator had an awesome overnight trip that ended with a limit of yellowfin tuna and tilefish. Below left, Rich Daiker had a limit of flounder that included fish of 27” and 28.5” and a whopping 8.2 pounds. Below middle, these nice flounder ended up in the net of the Lucky Break with Captain Jason Mumford at the helm. Below right, this group had a great day on the Foolish Pleasures with Captain Dale Lisi putting nine yellowfin tuna on the dock.

Wor-Wic holds 23rd annual golf tournament fundraiser

(July 11, 2025) Wor-Wic Community College recently held its 23rd annual golf tournament at the college’s Ocean Resorts Golf Club in Berlin. Proceeds from the tournament totaled $45,000 and will support the educational needs of Wor-Wic students.

This year’s top team with the lowest gross score was the Wilmington University team of Malone Harmon, John Dickerson, Linwood Parker and Donnell Griffin, followed by the Avery Hall Insurance team of Shayne Ray, John Hooker, Kris Hooker and Ben Smith. Third place went to the Charles Brown Glass team of David Brown, Kevin Brown, Tim Perunko and Rogan Perunko.

The top team with the lowest net score was the Bank of Ocean City team of Scott Edmonston, Hank Fisher, Jason Parker and Brandon Tolan, followed by the Mountaire Farms team of P.J. Cercena, Zach Evans, Mark Ondo and Jimmy Sweet. Third place in net went to the TidalHealth team of Warner Crumb, Roger Follebout Jr., Tom Jones and Mike Laroque.

Longest drive winners were Cindy Kleger and Brian Shockley. Winners of the putting contest were Eddie Downes and Jason Parker. Closest to the pin prizes were awarded to Mitchell Adams, Rogan Perunko, Hank Fisher and Malone Harmon.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of golfers raising funds for Wor-Wic Community College, including, from left, Bill McCain, John Cannon, Kevin Hayes and David Ryan.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Bank of Ocean City team, from left, Hank Fisher, Scott Edmonston, Jason Parker and Brandon Tolan, had the lowest net score in the Wor-Wic Community College golf tournament.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Finishing with the lowest gross score was the Wilmington University team of Malone Harmon, John Dickerson, Linwood Parker and Donnell Griffin.