07/25/2025 OC Today-Dispatch

SIDECASTER

Rental ban ordinance killed

The battle over an eventual ban on short-term rentals in single-family residential neighborhoods ends Tuesday as opponents kill the enabling ordinance by 34 votes.— PAGE 6

Three-year pact detailing pay raises, new benefits allows city officials and Fraternal Order of Police to avoid binding interest arbitration.— PAGE 16

UNREPLENISHED

Ocean City beach replenishment was supposed to take place this fall, but no money has been allocated for it in this year’s federal budget. Local officials hope Maryland’s congressional delegation can change that for next year. The last replenishment project took place in 2021 (above).

Officials still hoping to have lifeguards for federal side

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) State and local officials said this week they’re trying to work around a federal hiring freeze to supply lifeguards for the remainder of the summer season at Assateague Island National Seashore.

Lower Shore state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza said she’s been in contact with the National Park Service and the state’s Department of Natural Resources to see about the possibility of lifeguards on the state park side of the island picking up some shifts on the national side.

“I think all the partners are trying to work together to see what the options might be to have coverage this summer with lifeguards on Assateague on the national side in Maryland,” said Carozza (R-38, Worcester).

Carozza struck out with the Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) when asking whether they could spare any lifeguards.

Resort officials declined to share personnel because “we’ve got to cover our own beach,” said Capt. Butch Arbin, who leads the Beach Patrol.

“The city manager has basically said, I can give technical assistance,” Arbin said this week, “but we’re not going to share personnel. We’re local government and we work at the wishes of our City Council and our city manager.”

Arbin added that there was no good way to make it work, between the infrastructure that Ocean City lifeguards use – their radios, their ATVs, their team supervision – as well as the liability that would be involved.

The lifeguard shortage on the National Seashore is a direct result of the federal government enacting a hiring freeze earlier this year for seasonal employees.

While some 55 seasonal and public safety positions in the U.S. Interior Department – the parent agency of the National Park Service – were exempted from the freeze, lifeguards did-

n’t make that list.

The Park Service typically staffs about a dozen lifeguards in specific areas on both the Maryland and Virginia side of Assateague Island National Seashore, park Superintendent Hugh Hawthorne has stated. He did not respond to requests for comment for this report.

By the end of summer, that crew typically dwindles, when some leave to attend fall classes – and this year, Labor Day falls at its earliest possible point on the calendar, affecting coverage for all seasonal lifeguards.

For now, emergency responders from the Berlin Fire Company are tasked with making water rescues on the island, officials have said.

Worcester County leaders also have been involved in trying to find temporary Assateague lifeguards.

“We’re kind of at the 11th hour,” said County Administrator Weston Young. “We’ve confirmed the National Park Service has approximately $90,000 they’ll put towards it. Whoever does it would use their stands; all the equipment’s there.”

Young also said the Virginia said of the National Seashore will be staffed with lifeguards from a private lifeguard service that also operates out of Virginia Beach. But that company isn’t licensed to operate in Maryland.

“What actually seems to make the most sense ... partnering and expanding with what the Assateague State Park has,” Young added. “I’m hoping to hear more today from the state as to what they can do, and what they may or may not need. Maybe we do a scaled-down version. We have 3 lifeguard booths manned this year – that’s better than nothing.”

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has stated that Lifeguards are fully staffed at nearby Assateague State Park and will continue to monitor emergencies on the National Seashore. A spokesman did not respond to a question about sharing guards in the summer’s final weeks.

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Short-term rental ban shot down in special election

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) An Ocean City ordinance that led to a ban on short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods was voted down during Tuesday’s special election.

The referendum, which asked the city’s electorate to vote “for” or “against” an ordinance to ban vacation rentals in R-1 residential and MH mobile home districts by 2027, was decided by 34 votes.

The election board reported 834 votes were cast against the ordinance, while 800 votes were cast for the ordinance. The turnout was 23%, based on 7,116 registered voters, according to Clerk Diana Chavi.

“Therefore, the ordinance fails,” Election Board Chair Mary Adeline Bradford announced at the conclusion of the special election.

Those organizing the campaign against the short-term rental ban celebrated the outcome Tuesday evening, calling their win a “David and Goliath” moment.

Ocean City resident Terry Miller and property owner Robert Knauer, the two leading the charge against the proposed rental restriction, recognized the citizens who came out to vote against what they saw as an attack on property rights.

“We are incredibly grateful to the citizens of Ocean City,” Miller said. “We are very excited, and it's amazing what we were able to accomplish because we had no experience. This was a whole new ball game for us, and we're thrilled.”

From the outset, those in support of the ban argued that short-term rentals are a business, and as such are not allowed in single-family neighborhoods. Officials have also reiterated the need to preserve the residential nature of those districts and minimize the noise, trash, and parking issues that are sometimes associated with short-term rentals.

However, those against the ordinance argue the ban not only fails to fix

See OC’S Page 10

those problems but also violates the property rights of R-1 and MH owners. They also contend that short-term rentals are a pathway to full-time residency in Ocean City and support Ocean City’s tourism industry.

“I understand both sides and that's why for months I have been begging the council to come together to work on fixing the very few problems that exist with these rentals, and not taking peoples’ property rights,” Miller said. “If you are next to a problem property – it doesn't matter if you're in a condo or a home – it's a big impact on your life. Those owners that have problem properties, they should lose their rights. You penalize people that aren't following the rules, not everyone. And the majority of these homeowners have never had a problem.”

rental ordinance rejected

In March, the council voted to enact a five-night minimum stay on shortterm rentals located in R-1 and MH districts during the 2025 and 2026 rental season and a 31-night minimum stay beginning in 2027. As the city code defines short-term rentals as 30 days or less, the ordinance would effectively ban vacation rentals in those districts in two years.

However, that same month, Miller submitted a petition on behalf of several property owners to bring the vacation rental ban to referendum. And in May, the city’s election board confirmed the group had collected 1,090 valid signatures, or enough to bring the ordinance before voters.

“This was new to us,” Knauer said of the referendum process. “You know, this was a David and Goliath kind of moment. Those against are a bunch of newbies and those for are all your state senators, councilmen and so forth, and mayors past and present. They obviously had experience in this, but we’ve always had the facts on our side, and we had the right intentions on our side.”

Knauer argued that messaging worked. He said Tuesday’s win was welcome news after a challenging campaign process.

“We talked to hundreds and hundreds, or over a thousand people in this town, and they supported us and wanted to ensure that they got out and supported us, and to also give voice to the thousands of other people who can’t vote in this town,” he said. “So I’m excited. It’s been very taxing on my family the last couple of months, but we fought for what was right and I’ll do it again in a heartbeat.”

He continued, “This was the right thing to do, and I’m glad the citizens of Ocean City came out and supported us.”

While a group of property owners launched a campaign against the ordinance, a group of residents from singlefamily neighborhoods also organized their own campaign in support of the ordinance. Following Tuesday’s special election, Little Salisbury resident John

McMahon said he was disappointed by the outcome.

“We got a lot of people coming out to vote,” he said. “It just wasn’t enough.”

However, McMahon thanked those who voted for the ordinance. He also recognized the mayor and Ocean City Council for attempting to regulate short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods.

“I think they had the right frame of mind for what they were trying to do for the city,” he said.

McMahon also pointed to the 34vote margin between the two sides. He acknowledged that Tuesday’s special election was a close one.

“I think some people were misled a little bit about the areas that were going to be affected, and people thought once the mayor and City Council got the R-1 and MH through, they were going after R-2 and R-3,” he said. “I’m only a fiveyear resident, but I’ve talked to people that have been here 40 years and there has never been and talk of R-2, R-3 or commercial areas being part of this.”

Regardless, McMahon said the city is “now back to square one.”

“We’re in a situation here where this means the ordinance never existed …,” he said. “The mayor and City Council could easily make their mind up to try and do something else.”

A total of 1,634 votes were cast in this week’s special election, with 1,379 voting in person and 255 voting through an absentee ballot, according to the election board.

A breakdown of the votes, however, shows “against” ballots led by narrow margins in both categories.

The election board reports 696 inperson votes were cast against the ordinance, while 683 were cast for the ordinance, representing a 13-vote difference. Among absentee ballots, 138 votes were cast against, while 117 were cast for, representing a 21-vote difference.

Anecdotally, residents say the narrow lead represents just how much the issue has divided the community.

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH Ocean City residents were split on an ordinance to further regulate short-term rentals in areas

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New mosque for West OC in planning phase

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) A local congregation of Muslims, having outgrown their small worship space, is planning to build a new mosque along Route 50 in West Ocean City.

“We wanted to be a positive addition to Ocean City and the surrounding areas,” said Ashraf Ahmed, the imam – or religious leader – of the congregation. “This new mosque will not only be a mosque. We want it to be like a community center as well to communicate with other churches and organizations in the area.”

The congregation was founded in 2017 and now worships at the Islamic Community Outreach of Ocean City. With the place of worship located in a small West Ocean City shopping center off Sunset Avenue, Ahmed

said it’s not unusual for busier summer prayer services to spill into the parking lot, leaving more worshippers praying outside than inside.

“The community grew very fast,” he said, “and we started to look for a bigger place.”

They spent the last three years looking for a building site before finding a 4.1-acre property for sale that was once home to an animal boarding facility called the Dogtel Motel, which is now defunct.

Ahmed said some members of the congregation pooled funds and purchased the land, then donated it to the congregation. Property records show the lot sold for $650,000 in November 2024.

Drawings submitted to county planners show a two-story building featuring a 1,500-square-foot prayer

room, as well as four classrooms, an office area, a kitchen, restrooms, and storage. There also would be a new 32-space parking lot built to the rear of the mosque. A former on-site kennel, located at the far rear of the lot, would be turned into storage.

Ahmed said he hopes to prioritize the “outreach” part of Islamic Community Outreach. That includes helping the needy and the poor, hosting interfaith dialogues with visiting local churches and organizations, and engaging with community groups.

Even more so, they want to be able to answer any questions people have about the Islamic faith, about Muslims, and what goes on in their community, Ahmed added.

Like any house of worship in a beach town, attendance swells in summertime as families seek out the

Islamic Center for Friday worship services, where as many as 200 to 300 people may attend.

“Every Friday we see new faces,” Ahmed said.

Their biggest holy day is called Eid – equal to Christmas for Christians –and it comes twice a year. Ahmed said it’s their congregation’s biggest gathering twice a year, and it’s gotten so large that they’ve moved Eid prayer service to a local hotel.

Maryland has more than 100 dedicated Islamic worship spaces, with most mosques located in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Montgomery County. The West Ocean City facility would be just the third mosque on the Eastern Shore, with others located in Salisbury and Cambridge.

After having reviewed landscaping with Worcester County planners, the next step is for county planners to issue a final permit in the coming weeks, and then construction will begin. Ahmed said he’s grateful for the county staff who walked him through this process.

“I want to take this chance to thank very much the people of the county. They are so helpful. They help us so much – more than we expected. They made it go faster than we thought. We are ready to go,” he said.

Electric bill grants available for users as one-time offer

Applications are rolling out for electricity relief funding

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) Worcester County residents may qualify for some relief from electric bills in the form of a joint program through the governor’s office and the power company.

Delmarva Power is now offering up to $300 in grant funding. Eligible recipients include limited- or moderate-income customers carrying a balance of at least $250, with a bill at least 60 days past due. Effective July 18, the one-time grants also will be available to customers in Wicomico, Somerset, and Harford counties.

The grants are sourced from a $19 million Customer Relief Fund, which was provided through a one-time donation from Delmarva Power parent company Exelon. Other customers across Maryland, who get their power from Potomac Electric Power (Pepco) and Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) also are eligible for grants.

Grants are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Nonprofit partners

Power company supplies funds

Shore Up! and The Salvation Army will work with Delmarva Power to administer the program, according to Exelon spokeswoman Mary Oakey.

“We are opening applications as the partners are ready to receive them, wanting customers to have access to funding as soon as each partner is ready to process the applications. We anticipate all counties to be launched in the coming weeks and will communicate to customers when they open,” she said.

Major Wilma Mason, Area Commander at The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command, said in a statement that she’s proud to work with the utility company.

“Every person and family in Maryland deserves to live with dignity and respect, without consistent stress over critical needs like how to keep your electricity on,” she said.

Marylanders get electricity from four providers: BGE, Allegheny Power, Delmarva Power, and Pepco.

In recent years, some coal-fired power plants have gone offline, and the resulting bottleneck of electrical generation capacity has put stress on the electrical grid, according to an August 2024 report from the state Office of People’s Counsel.

In the meantime, state officials have been keeping their eye on the rising cost of electricity.

Earlier this year, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38, Worcester) sponsored a new law requiring the state’s Public Service Commission to weigh the pros and cons of various sources of electricity generation, including natural gas, nuclear power, and offshore wind. That report is due by the end of next year.

Also during the 2025 legislation session, state lawmakers passed the Next Generation Energy Act, which authorized tapping into a $200 million Strategic Energy Investment fund to offer two rebates for residential electric customers.

Gov. Wes Moore announced the ratepayer credit program last month, saying the funds would provide “meaningful relief” in the immediate future. As demand rises without the supply to meet it, customers can expect another increase in energy costs driven by increasing supply costs, his administration said in a June 12 statement.

“Not a day goes by without me hearing from Marylanders about their real and justified concerns over steep bill increases. We need to work together to get them relief – and today, we are taking new actions to achieve exactly that,” Gov. Moore said.

For more information, visit the website www.delmarva.com/ReliefMd.

Torrential rain overwhelms storm drain system in OC

Flash flood warning takes effect after high waters inundate downtown areas

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) An afternoon rainstorm contributed to significant flooding on Ocean City streets last weekend.

A storm system moved through Ocean City last Saturday, dumping between 2 and 3 inches of rain on parts of the resort in a short period of time, according to local weather reports.

With heavy rainfall reported, a flash flood warning remained in effect throughout the afternoon and early evening hours last Saturday. Video footage and photos also captured the rain event, which inundated several streets, both downtown and uptown.

However, Public Works Director

Hal Adkins said those images are “fine examples of what Mother Nature can do to OC when an abnormal level of rainfall occurs in an extremely short duration of time.”

“It is noteworthy that we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years cleaning out our storm drain system and catch basins, citywide,” he said this week. “So, if someone was to ‘assume’ that was the problem they would be wrong. In rainfall events of that sort, the sheer volume of rain exceeds the capacity of the piping system.”

In 2018, the city began the herculean task of cleaning out the city’s

storm drainage system, which had remained untouched over the last three decades. Officials at the time noted the lack of a systematic cleaning schedule had resulted in some storm drains clogging to the point where they were contributing to the city's chronic flooding problems.

Now, each fall, the city’s public works department begins a new phase of storm drain maintenance, during which crews clean out thousands of linear feet of piping and hundreds of catch basins in a designated area.

In an update this week, Adkins said public works staff are now in the process of generating a list of locations and storm drain systems to be cleaned later this year.

He also noted that the department began cleaning out and reconstructing the city’s bayside retention ponds this spring.

“Those are the locations that the storm drain pipes discharge into before the water reaches the bay waters,” he explained. “The ponds are surrounded by rock walls and the ponds are designed to allow sediment to settle out and improves the quality of the water that discharges into the bay waters. We cleaned out all the built up sediment and vegetation so the ponds would function ‘as originally designed and installed’ from the 1980’s.”

Adkins said the cleaning project was yet another example of the many projects Ocean City Public Works spearheads to keep the city maintained.

North Ocean City around 94th Street is pictured last Saturday afternoon.

In OC, Boardwalk bike hours extended to midnight riders

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) The Ocean City Council this week opted to give bicyclists two more hours to ride on the Boardwalk during the summer.

At the recommendation of the Ocean City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the council on Monday agreed to move the start of Boardwalk bicycling hours up from 2 a.m. to midnight.

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, the committee’s council liaison, said the change could encourage nighttime workers traveling home to use the Boardwalk rather than the street.

“We would like to make it 12 to 12, because of visibility, because J-1s are getting off at 12 …,” he said. “Midnight to noon is our recommendation.”

Currently, bikes are allowed on the Boardwalk from 2 a.m. to noon from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. All other times of the year, bikes are allowed on the boards at any time.

However, during a joint meeting earlier this year, members of the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission asked city representatives to consider allowing bikes on the Boardwalk at all times during the summer, as the city

was no longer running the Boardwalk trams.

During his presentation Monday, DeLuca said the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee did not support the elimination of bicycling hours, but did support an extension of those hours.

Mayor Rick Meehan, however, said he wanted to see bike hours kept from 2 a.m. to noon.

“I think at 12 o'clock at night, you have people coming out of service establishments, there's still a large number of people on the Boardwalk …,” he said. “I understand the intent, but I think the hours of 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. work fine. Change is good but in this case I don't think it’s the right thing to do.”

Meehan also asked if the change was supported by the police department.

“We ran it by the police and they have no problem with it,” DeLuca replied.

With no further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to change bicycling hours from 2 a.m. to noon to 12 a.m. to noon.

The mayor this week also gave the committee his blessing to have 11 members and an honorary membership position. DeLuca said the honorary member would have no voting rights.

Ocean City, police union reach 3-year deal

New agreement to include pay increases, take-home vehicle program for officers

By Bethany Hooper

Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) Representatives for the Town of Ocean City and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 struck a deal this week on a new collective bargaining agreement that in-

cludes a pay increase and the creation of a take-home vehicle program for all sworn officers.

On Monday, the Ocean City Council ratified the three-year contract, ending a months-long dispute over what was reported to be pay and benefits. The agreement, officials said, will cost the city $11.9 million – $2.2 million in fiscal year 2026, $3.8 million in fiscal year 2027 and $5.9 million in fiscal year 2028.

STEVE JACOBS FOR OCEAN PINES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“It was a long process,” City Manager Terry McGean said, “but it was done very professionally, I think, from both sides.”

Earlier this year, the police union declared an impasse in its triennial contract negotiations with the Town of Ocean City. However, both parties were able to come to an agreement this week before having a third party settle their dispute in binding arbitration.

The contract, which runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, increases the starting salary to $64,000, incorporates a 20-year longevity bonus of 2%, and restructures the pay scale to include a 3% gap between pay steps.

The restructuring is implemented in phases, starting at step 5 in fiscal year 2026, and then steps 3 and 4 in fiscal year 2027, and steps 1 and 2 in fiscal year 2028.

The contract also includes one step move on July 1, 2025, 2026 and

2027, as well as a 3% cost-of-living adjustment on Jan. 1, 2027 and 2028. K-9 pay was increased from $17 a day to $34 a day, and the shift differential increased from 50 cents an hour to $1 an hour. If a grant allows a shift differential, officers on grant work will also receive a shift differential.

The agreement also outlines the terms of a phased-in, take-home vehicle program, in which each sworn officer will be provided a police cruiser for professional and limited personal use. The two parties also agreed to increase officers’ clothing allowances and change the department’s bereavement leave policy.

“I think we're good,” FOP Lodge 10 President Justin Hoban told the council this week. “I think everybody's happy where we are.”

The City Council voted unanimously on Monday to adopt the new police pay and benefits package. Mayor Rick Meehan thanked the

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Lodge President Justin Hoban shakes hands with City Manager Terry McGean after the Ocean City Council voted to ratify a new, three-year agreement between the city and the police union.

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The mayor and members of the Ocean City Council are pictured with representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 during Monday’s contract ratification.

City, FOP avoid arbitration process

union’s collective bargaining team, as well as those who represented the city during negotiations.

“There was a lot of give and take,” he said of the negotiation process. “And for those of you that have ever been involved in collective bargaining, it's sometimes not the most comfortable process because you're sitting across the table from people you really respect, and you're both trying to come to an agreement that will satisfy the needs of the organization and also meet the test for our taxpayers as well.”

However, Meehan stressed the importance of supporting the city’s police officers and carrying out the council’s commitment to public safety.

“I think it’s important to us that

you're comfortable and that you're satisfied, that you're happy in your positions,” he said, “because we're hoping you make the Ocean City Police Department your career and you work with us for the public and for our residence for many years to come.”

Hoban agreed.

“A lot of us here are officers that have been here 15-plus years. We plan on making this a career. We want to be here …,” he said. “I'm happy, we're happy. Thank you. We appreciate everything you guys have done.”

In March, Hoban announced that the police union would go to arbitration with the Town of Ocean City, as the two parties had reached a standstill in contract negotiations. Hoban declined to elaborate further on the impasse at the time, but implied the

dispute was over pay and benefits.

Officials painted a clearer picture in April, when, during budget discussions, they outlined the city’s final offer to the police union – a step increase, an 8% cost-of-living adjustment and a phased-in, take-home vehicle program for all active officers.

That offer would require an additional $1.8 million in general fund expenditures, a figure included in the fiscal year 2026 budget, which was adopted in May.

It remains to be seen if any budget adjustments will be needed to meet the terms of the agreement in the current fiscal year. As contract negotiations were not settled before the union’s previous agreement expired on June 30, McGean said salaries would be adjusted and back pay would be calculated from July 1.

OC replenishment project tabled as city seeks funding

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) Citing a lack of federal funding, City Manager Terry McGean said beach replenishment will not take place in Ocean City this fall.

While a quadrennial project to replenish Ocean City’s beaches was scheduled to take place this year, McGean said the city did not receive the federal funding it needs to proceed with the project this fall.

Now, city officials are working with Maryland’s congressional delegation in an attempt to restore federal dollars in the next fiscal year budget.

“It is disappointing,” McGean said in an email this week, “but fortunately we have not had a severe storm event since the last replenishment, so we are OK for one more year.”

In 1994, the state of Maryland, Worcester County, and the Town of Ocean City entered into a 50-year agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform periodic replenishment as needed. Typically, Ocean City’s beaches are replenished on a four-year cycle, with the most recent replenishment project taking place in the fall and winter of 2021.

The agreement also outlines the funding commitments of each party, with the federal Army Corps paying 53% of the cost of renourishment the city reports. However, federal dollars are “subject to appropriation,” McGean said this week.

“For many years now, it has not been included in the president’s budget (Republican or Democrat) and we have had to lobby Congress to get the funding added,” he explained. “In the past, we had always been successful in that effort, this year we were not.”

To that end, McGean said the city is working with the state’s members of Congress to secure federal dollars for the project next year. Both Congressman Andy Harris and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not respond to requests for comment this week.

When the beach replenishment took place in 2021, the Army Corps awarded a $15.7 million contract to pump roughly 800,000 cubic yards of sand onto Ocean City’s beaches.

While the city works to restore federal funding for beach replenishment, the Army Corps has received emergency approval to remove 7,500 cubic yards of dredged material from the Ocean City Inlet.

The project, officials say, will allow the U.S. Coast Guard to better respond to emergency events.

“With increased boating traffic during the summer months and the arrival of the White Marlin Open fishing tournament in early August, there is an increased risk of emergency response by the USCG,” the Army Corps said.

Ocean City modifies pension plan

Benefit program for town’s public safety staff adjusted specifically for police chief

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) A change in the Ocean City government’s pension plan will allow certain public safety employees to decline to participate.

On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to amend the city’s public safety employees’ pension plan and trust and 401(a) money purchase plan and trust.

The change, officials say, will allow command staff not covered by a collective bargaining agreement a one-time irrevocable election, upon hire, not to participate and instead allow them to enroll in a 401(a) plan.

“It is for our police chief, who retired from the Ocean City Police Department a couple of years ago now, and is now coming back,” City Manager Terry McGean told the council this week.

“He already receives a pension. There’s no purpose, really, for him to reenter the pension plan. So, this allows him, instead of entering the pension plan, to participate in the 401(a) plan.”

McGean said the change could also apply to the city’s next fire chief. Fire Marshal Josh Bunting is currently holding the position in an acting capacity.

“We will have the same issue, potentially, moving forward, depending on who we select as the permanent fire chief,” he said.

The council this week also voted

to amend its fire prevention and protection code, which currently states “the fire marshal shall receive such salary as the mayor, together with the advice and consent of the majority of the City Council, shall from time to time prescribe.” City Solicitor Heather Stansbury said the change would clean up code language on how the fire marshal is paid.

“In review, we found a very archaic terminology,” she explained. “I suspect, and in talking with the mayor and those who have been around a long time, this goes all the way back to when the fire marshal’s office was created. Now that we’re having, potentially, some changes within the fire department, we thought it was best to get this resolved.”

Signing bonus for new out-of-state officers approved

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) Resort officials this week agreed to implement a signing bonus for police officers who transfer to the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) from an out-of-state agency.

On Monday, the City Council unanimously approved the $5,000 bonus, which OCPD command staff report will aid in the agency’s recruitment and retention efforts.

The initiative parallels a $15,000 signing bonus the City Council adopted earlier this year for officers who transfer from other in-state agencies.

“In-state lateral transfers can literally go out on the street almost immediately, and an out-of-state lateral transfer does require additional training on Maryland laws,” City Manager Terry McGean said this week.

In an effort to fill the police department’s ranks, the Ocean City Police Commission in March recommended a $15,000 signing bonus for in-state laterals, or police officers who transfer from other Maryland agencies. That bonus, which was approved by the City Council later that month, would be paid out over a three-year period.

Last week, however, Police Chief Ray Austin asked commission members to consider a sign-on bonus for officers who transfer to the OCPD from out-of-state police departments. He noted the department had at least two officers – one from Virginia Beach, and another from Massachusetts – interested in coming to work in Ocean City.

“That $5,000, talking to some of these guys, it helps them with moving and getting their foot in the door to this area,” he told the commission last week.

Austin said hiring out-of-state officers would be more complicated, as they would need to complete a weekslong comparative compliance course before they could begin working for the department. That training, he said, cost roughly $3,650.

However, he said the all-in cost for securing additional out-of-state officers was less than what the city provides as a bonus to in-state officers who transfer to the OCPD. He also noted the department would establish some longevity requirement to be eligible for the $5,000 bonus.

“Currently it’s three years for instate [laterals] …,” he said last week. “It will probably be the same thing.”

With unanimous support from the police commission, the City Council on Monday voted 7-0 to adopt the $5,000 signing bonus.

As of last week, Ocean City had 117 police officers, with 104 on full duty. The city has budgeted for 126 officers in the current fiscal year.

OC fire department to be reviewed

Outside team will analyze emergency services, FY26 budget not to be impacted

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 18, 2025) The Ocean City Fire Department will hire an outside firm to review its fire and EMS operations.

On Tuesday, the Ocean City Council agreed to have staff contract with International City/County Management Association: Center for Public Safety Management, which will conduct a comprehensive analysis of fire and EMS deployments over the coming fall and winter months.

Fire Chief Josh Bunting said the review will guide strategic planning in the coming years.

“My plan is to use that study, when it gets completed over the next six to eight months, as the foundation to build our next series of strategic plans for the next five years after that,” he said.

Bunting said the department’s previous administration completed its last strategic plan in 2019. And in fiscal year 2023, the department completed a more narrowly focused comprehensive staffing plan.

But with new leadership at the

helm, Bunting said he was seeking an outside review of department operations, staffing, deployments and risk analysis. To that end, he asked the council to permit him to hire ICMA: Center for Public Safety Management.

“You all probably recognize that they did the study for the police department, for deployment analysis, and I think they did a previous study

‘So, I'd like to have that standing relationship extended to the fire department in the coming fall and winter.’

Fire Chief Josh Bunting

for the dispatch center, for communications and where they benchmarked against national standards,” he said.

“So, I'd like to have that standing relationship extended to the fire department in the coming fall and winter.”

City Manager Terry McGean noted a different branch of the same company conducted a manpower study for the Ocean City Police Depart-

ment.

However, some council members, including Councilman John Gehrig and Council President Matt James, shared their reservations about using the same company, which used some associates based on the West Coast.

“There were some differing opinions on how police work occurs on the East Coast versus the West Coast, I believe, and maybe their recommendations didn’t fit with our desires,” James said of the manpower study.

McGean said Bunting had had a long discussion with the company and had shared the city’s goals for the comprehensive analysis. Bunting added that team members would not base their analysis on what other states have done, but what the city is doing.

“These people should know a little bit about Ocean City,” Gehrig concluded.

City officials this week also asked about the travel costs associated with the contract. Gehrig said if the city paid the company to develop the analysis, it shouldn’t pay the company to present the analysis to the council.

McGean, however, said those costs are often included in consulting contracts. While the city wouldn’t pay the company an hourly rate to present the results of the analysis, it would reimburse travel expenses.

“They are itemized to us,” he said, “so we can go through them.”

Following Bunting’s presentation, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to approve a contract with International City/County Management Association: Center for Public Safety Management.

The company’s work is expected to cost the city $49,760, not including travel costs for onsite visits. However, Bunting said the project should be covered by an unexpected grant overage.

“It should not impact our FY26 budget,” he said.

In third encounter with police, felony drug charges filed

By Steve Green Executive Editor

(July 25, 2025) For the third time this summer, a Maryland man was arrested in Ocean City, with this latest incident involving felony drug distribution charges of crack cocaine.

Ocean City police officers were alerted shortly after noon on July 19 to a malicious destruction of property complaint at a Baltimore Avenue motel.

Police learned Issac True, 25, of Gaithersburg, with whom officers are familiar because of his recent arrests, had “trashed and damaged” the room and refused to vacate the room after his reservation had lapsed, according to statement of charges.

After True was escorted out of the room and chose to leave behind his belongings, police located a sawed-off shotgun under a pillow with a barrel measuring 15 inches long. The overall length of the Ranger Model 30 pump action, 20-guage shotgun was 27 inches and with a serial number obliterated, according to police, making it illegal.

A further search of the room located two unfired yellow Winchester shotgun shells in zipper bag along with four plastic bags containing crack cocaine, a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.

In the same zipped compartment, police found a motel ladle with burn marks. Another bag contained clear evidence drug manufacturing for distribution was taking place. Police also seized a camping propane tank with a torch attachment, a digital scale, baking soda and four 9 mm bullets.

At the police substation, officers measured each prepacked bag recovered with a cumulative weight of 30.5 grams, which is estimated to have a street value of about $3,000. True

Issac True

OC police department reports positive stats

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 18, 2025) Officials say wet weather, better crowds and stronger enforcement resulted in a 2,000-plus drop in service calls to the Ocean City Police Department last month.

During Monday’s meeting of the Ocean City Police Commission, Police Chief Raymond Austin provided an update on police activity for the month of June.

He noted the police department received 9,540 total service calls last month, the lowest number of June service calls the police department has recorded when compared to the six prior years of statistics provided to commission members this week.

“Overall, we had a very good June,” he said.

Last month, the police department recorded 6,855 officer-initiated calls for service and 2,685 citizen-initiated calls for service. Those 9,540 calls, in total, were significantly lower than the 11,769 service calls recorded last year, and the 11,501 service calls recorded the year before that.

“Rainy weekends,” City Manager Terry McGean told commission members this week.

Mayor Rick Meehan pointed to certain service call statistics – including calls for city ordinance violations and

disorderly – all of which had declined from the June prior. He asked the police chief for his thoughts on the issue.

“From what I’ve seen – again, this is my first summer back in two years – it just seemed like we had better crowds on the Boardwalk,” Austin replied. “I think that’s evidenced from what you saw on July 4. You can gauge what crowd we’re dealing with that comes into town.”

Austin also noted that police presence had increased along the Boardwalk. He said the Ocean City Police Department worked with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to bring additional deputies to town.

“I think overall, the behavior was good in June,” he concluded.

Meehan also applauded the public safety officers (PSOs) manning the Boardwalk.

“The PSOs are much more active than they were in the past,” he said. “Maybe the program is just developing, but they are very active.”

As part of his update on police activity, Austin this week also provided commission members with a breakdown of the top 25 calls for service in June. He said calls for traffic stops increased from 1,399 in June of 2024 to 1,506 last month, while calls to assist citizens and motorists decreased from 957 to 825, calls for city ordinance violations decreased from 762 to 684, and calls for disorderly decreased from 655 to 544.

Under June enforcement, custodial arrests decreased from 491 to 390 and criminal citations decreased from 58 to 13. Drug arrests decreased from 14 to eight, marijuana citations decreased from 15 to four, and DUI arrests increased from 45 to 49.

“Even though our DUI arrests were consistent, they are a little bit up,” Austin said. “I will note that our collisions are down. So you can somewhat make a correlation.”

Austin also pointed to weapons arrests, which decreased from 50 last

year to 30 this year. While the department made 11 arrests for firearms, 14 arrests for knives and six arrests for other weapons, he said the number of weapons seized was higher than the arrests reported.

“So 37 incidents of weapons resulted in 30 people being charged with weapons violations in June of 2025,” he said. “Seventeen of those arrests, which is about 46% of these incidents, were the result of a traffic stop. So half of our arrests are coming off of traffic stops.”

Austin also noted a trend in handgun arrests, which the department started following this month. He said 10 arrests occurred in areas south of 28th Street, while one occurred in the area of 49th Street.

“Basically, it’s a southern problem, from 28th Street south,” he said. “In the future, as we start pushing our manpower, our saturation of patrols, particularly for handguns, that’s where they’ll go.”

consented to allow police to examine his cell phone, which confirmed drug dealing was taking place.

While on the way to police headquarters for processing, True asked the transport officer “if that was the most crack he had ever seen,” according to the statement of charges.

True faces charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)-not cannabis, possession of CDS paraphernalia, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, manufacturing CDS narcotic and multiple weapons possession violations including possession during the

commission of a felony.

True has become well known to Ocean City police this summer.

On July 14, True was arrested after ignoring warnings to not ride an electric scooter on the Boardwalk and becoming combative with police. Police located six white and orange sublingual film packets in his backpack labeled “Suboxone Sub-lingual” film, which is a brand name for buprenorphine, a schedule III controlled dangerous substance.

Buprenorphine is medicine often prescribed to treat opioid use disorder for pain management and withdraw symptoms. True was charged

with disorderly conduct and possession of a controlled dangerous substance and traffic citations for riding a scooter on the boards and not obeying a traffic light.

At the time of the July 14 arrest, True was under pre-trial release conditions from a second-degree assault on June 12. A condition of his release was not to engage in criminal conduct.

The latest drug and weapon felonies put True in Worcester County Circuit Court with an initial appearance planned for Aug. 20 and a jury trial tentatively scheduled for November.

Builder highlights vision for parcel off Old OC Boulevard

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 24, 2025) Burley Building Company, a Berlin-based construction business, is looking to create a multi-phase mixed-use project in its hometown to include the business’s headquarters, additional commercial space and employee housing.

The Berlin Planning Commission reviewed the project’s conceptual site plan at its meeting on Wednesday, July 16. The commission expressed its approval for the initiative. As next steps, Burley Building Company (BBC) will outline the items and work to be completed in each of the two intended phases.

Nate Reister, BBC’s president, came before Berlin’s Planning Commission last week, presenting the business’s phased structural project to be located at 9933 Old Ocean City Boulevard.

The site, zoned B-2 commercial, will feature the construction of a headquarters for BBC, employee housing apartments, and additional commercial space. Reister said that the project will work to address the BBC’s needs, ensuring they can continue to operate in Berlin.

According to the president, BBC has upwards of 12 W-2 employees, as well as several 1099, or contract, workers. The proposed space will enable the construc-

tion company to ship and receive materials, as well as train new staff.

The project will include construction on the front of the property, against the street, as well as buildings at the back of the property. Reister said that BBC will occupy the entirety of the backend space. The first floor will be used for the BBC’s new retail aspect of the business. Reister said that they plan to offer items like high-quality hardware and ply goods.

Reister maintained that he does not intend to rival existing, similar construction storefronts in Berlin.

“I’m not looking to compete with The Adkins Company,” he said. “We are not looking to compete with other businesses in town; we are looking to provide a unique retail experience where people can walk in and get those goods that are otherwise not in stock locally.”

The remainder of that building’s first floor will include BBC offices, staff restrooms and spaces for the workers to create and store goods.

The top floor of the property’s backend will be used as employee housing. Reister said that four multi-bedroom apartments will be constructed on the second story of BBC’s retail and office building. This inclusion will allow the BBC to continue its youth apprentice-

See MIXED Page 30

Mixed-use project envisioned

ship program.

“Part of our goal is to provide housing for [apprenticeship] kids,” Reister said. “If they come out of living with their parents, and they go to pursue a career full time, we want them to be able to have a comfortable, safe space to be able to learn what we do. A significant part of our mission as a company is to continue elevating blue-collar work and making it a respectable trade.

“Pulling these kids into a place where they can safely learn and have a good residences over their head with something we can help subsidize so that we can keep them for a longer period while they’re learning to excel at their work is a big portion of what we consider to be our mission, the future of our company in this town.”

Reister added that as part of the new construction plan, BBC is introducing a German apprenticeship as part of the J1 Visa program, with which the proposed housing will help.

The front end of the property will include additional construction, likely to be completed in the project’s second phase. Reister noted that these spaces may be sublet.

“There is a potential for some collaboration there with some other local business that might need a portion of that space to house stuff,” he said. “We had talked about that originally with Adam

Davis from Berlin Beer Company as an option.”

Still, Reister added that while this collaboration is a possibility, it is likely that the BBC will need to access most of the building’s capacity.

“I do believe we’re going to need most of that space to do what we intend to do in terms of operating,” the BBC president said. “As anybody who has been involved in development knows, you know that space is the biggest limitation we currently face, for storage and all of those things.”

The property will also feature a BBC staff lounge for training sessions, as well as a space for workers to relax and unwind.

The construction will likely look different than the historic architecture Berlin is known for. Reister said that BBC creates its new homes, made almost entirely out of concrete, which will be the basis of this project, specifically the bottom commercial units. This material enhances sound, reverberation, and stability, which is particularly vital when combining residential and retail spaces into one building.

“The second floor will be set in lightweight construction and will be more traditional to what you would be used to seeing,” Reister added. “... It does represent a shift … our work in Berlin, from the Taylor House Museum to the facade grants we do in Berlin to keep the historic stuff together has been a big portion

of what we do, but our larger model as we move forward as a business does focus on more modern buildings and a lot of what we’re doing revolves around meeting energy codes and managing future, potential crises. A lot of these ICF (insulated concrete forms) buildings have a 350-mph wind rating.”

Members of the Berlin Planning Commission seemed pleased with the proposal, giving its preliminary approval.

“Conceptually, it's something we always touch on. Infill and mixed use is something we are always speaking of up here,” said Austin Purnell, planning commission member. “It checks those boxes, providing housing whether it's for your workers or anybody. And retail and business on the first floor. Conceptually, it's a great idea.”

Commission member Jenelle Gerthoffer asked if the property could include bike racks for the young employees who may not own vehicles.

“Absolutely,” Reister responded.

A conceptual rendering shows the vision for the new development planned by Berlin Building Company on Old Ocean City Boulevard just west of the railroad tracks and Heron Park.

“That’s a big portion of what we’re trying to do here: make Berlin accessible to young tradespeople who are right on the cusp of being able to grow into a professional career. You know, Berlin has a particular draw. We want to keep it that way so that young people can stay in these spaces. We are using this to attract and maintain good talent.”

According to Reister, achieving phase two is contingent upon the successful completion of phase one. If phase one flourishes, the equity obtained through the construction can be used to move on to the final aspect of the project.

“It's a lot of money,” he said. “My biggest concern is getting to phase two. It does require successful completion of the first phase.”

BBC will work to nail down the specific items to be completed within each stage of the project. Additional elements of the endeavor will come before the planning commission as the initiative progresses.

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Tree-like cellular tower subject of town hall meeting

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 24, 2025) Ocean Pines residents will have the opportunity to hear from project representatives at a town hall meeting next week, where they will detail the proposed wireless cell tower for the wooded community.

Ocean Pines is hosting a virtual town hall on Monday, July 28, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to discuss a potential structure in Ocean Pines that could alleviate poor cell phone reception. According to a press release issued by the Ocean Pines Association, attendees at the meeting include representatives from Milestone Towers, the contractor responsible for the tower’s construction, and Verizon Wireless, a carrier already on board to offer its services from the site.

The town hall will allow OPA residents to hear directly from initiative leads about Milestone Towers’ proposal to build a 130-foot monopole, along with equipment to operate the facility. If approved, officials hope that the structure will remedy spotty reception that often plagues Ocean Pines, particularly during the busy summer months.

“The project will help Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile to bring improved cell phone coverage to the Ocean Pines community,” the press release reads.

Ocean Pines Police Department Chief Tim Robinson first introduced the potential cell phone tower. Late last year, the chief stated he noticed his calls were dropping during the weekend of the Fourth of July while he was inside the neighborhood’s Food Lion. This was especially worrisome in the context of emergencies, as endangered individuals were unable to reach a 911 dispatcher.

The idea for a cell phone tower within Ocean Pines’ limits was thus born.

“The project will help AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile bring improved coverage to your community,” the proposal reads. “The new facility will improve Internet connectivity speed and voice connectivity—especially inside homes and buildings—and help your area respond to the

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Pictured is what a cell phone tower in Ocean Pines could like look, blending in with the sur-

Tower expected to improve service for some

increasing demand for quality wireless service. Users outside of the circle may also see improved service as the new facility off-loads some of the traffic from the existing facilities in the area.”

The initiative has been slowly progressing through internal channels and has been met with some pushback and confusion.

If constructed, the tower will likely be situated behind the maintenance building on the Ocean Pines golf course, said Matt Forkas, project manager at Milestone Towers, at a board of directors meeting last month. However, at that meeting, the scope of the structure’s reach was questioned. According to Forkas, the tower will not directly benefit the entire Ocean Pines community. Initially, residents within the areas closest to the site feel improvements to their service. Others, like those in “south south” Ocean Pines, will see residual effects.

“The best impact will be in a onemile radius, but the individuals outside that one-mile radius, you’re communicating with this tower, so there will be a growth of service even outside that service,” Robinson said at last month’s gathering.

“You may get improved service, but you may not get the most reliable service,” Forkas added.

The project manager noted that

“small cell solutions” could be implemented in conjunction with the tower. These would be smaller towers, approximately 40 feet tall, mounted on light posts that could target specific streets and roads not directly impacted by the larger, central tower.

The possible cell site has also been met with some pushback from residents. At a January OPA Board of Directors meeting, homeowner Dave Tanner argued that a cell tower would disrupt Ocean Pines’ natural beauty. He added that the community is surrounded by cell coverage outside its limits, including a tower near the Ocean Pines North Gate. Tanner said that anything within the neighborhood would be overkill and that if a consumer is unhappy with their service, they should address the issue directly with the carrier.

“The Ocean Pines board needs to put an immediate halt to discussions with a contractor to erect a tower in our community,” Tanner said earlier this year.

“Folks chose to live in Ocean Pines because of its natural beauty and the assurance that no commercial structures will be built in the neighborhood. Cell towers degrade property values and may have radio frequency health issues.”

Despite Tanner’s concerns, community officials maintain that OPA’s cell re-

ception would be improved, at least to some extent, with the addition of a tower. Additionally, to address the natural beauty concern, Milestone Towers will build the structure to resemble a natural feature, such as a tree, rather than a commercial site.

If the tower is approved, cell carriers will offer service from the location, improving the spotty reception that currently exists in Ocean Pines. Forkas noted last month that Milestone Towers would bear the cost of erecting the structure. OPA would not incur any expense.

The new site could also be a way for Ocean Pines to make additional revenue. The proposal stipulates that each carrier is to pay $2,500 per month to provide service outside the structure. Milestone Towers would receive 40% of all gross revenue generated.

“In this case, we have three carriers, and after the revenue is split, it would be $36,000 annual revenue to Ocean Pines,” Forkas said.

Since last month’s meeting, the press release indicates that Sprint has signed on as well, bringing the total to four carriers.

Ocean Pines residents will have the opportunity to have their questions and concerns heard and addressed next week. Monday’s town hall will be conducted virtually and will kick off at 6 p.m. Those interested in attending the meeting can register at https://events.teams.microsoft.com/ev ent/662c0f5e-905f-405f-83e30ffc152d6fac@37ca2ed5-019e-4295abbe-0f6663e955b9.

Additional project information can be found here: https://www.oceanpineswireless.com/.

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Berlin to reimplement downtown uplighting

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) Uplighting will replace the current in-tree string lighting found in the trees in downtown Berlin, along Main Street, per a favorable vote by the municipality’s council last week.

On Monday, July 14, the Berlin Town Council green-lit a change in downtown that will see the transition away from cool, tree lights to warm uplighting. The discussion and motion were brought to the table by Councilman Jack Orris. The lighting modification was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Dean Burrell, council vice president, opposed.

Orris initiated the lighting conversation at last week’s Berlin Mayor and Council meeting, arguing that the stark white lights do not match the aesthetic of historic downtown Berlin. Orris said that he spoke with town staff, including Berlin Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence, who stated that his team has the bulbs on hand to proceed with the change.

“I'm not sure how long it would take [Lawrence] to replace all those lights, but I think it would be great to get kind of a head start so it's in place for the holidays,” Orris said.

The majority of Berlin's governing group agreed that the downtown trees’ string lighting should be changed back to uplighting, which was previously in place, before a council vote in 2021 to in-

stall the wire lights used on Christmas trees.

Now, the town will transition back to uplighting, which Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall has long favored. The new illumination will provide downtown Berlin with a warmer, softer glow, officials agree.

“[The string lights] don't fit the historic charm,” Tyndall said. “In my opinion, it doesn’t match. With the [string lights], you can’t trim the trees.”

“I prefer uplighting,” Councilman

Steve Green added.

The decision comes four years after the Town Council voted to replace the tree’s uplighting with string lights in 2021. At that time, Councilman Jay Knerr initiated a discussion to replace the existing uplighting. He said that several businesses had advised him that this was their preference.

“I don’t think the uplighting has the impact we’re looking for,” Knerr said in 2021. “They like the old-world charm of

the in-tree lights and would prefer us to move in that direction.”

At the time when Knerr advocated for in-tree lighting, Tyndall had directed staff to remove string lights and implement uplighting just a year prior. The mayor noted in 2021 that string lights are more likely to fail and must be removed to conduct tree maintenance.

Lawrence also said at that time that string lights are not meant to be used all year long, thus making them more susceptible to deterioration over time.

Many on the council in 2021 pointed out that town residents preferred the string lights, leading to a 3-2 vote to replace the uplighting with in-tree fixtures. Knerr, Burrell, and Troy Purnell, a council member at the time whose seat now belongs to Green, approved the alteration. Orris and Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols opposed.

That decision will now be rolled back with the retirement of the string lights, to be replaced with uplighting. While Burrell maintained his position from 2021 opposing uplighting, Knerr changed his vote this time around, expressing his preference for the warmer uplighting.

“I was a big proponent of the tree lights, but I’ve changed my mind,” Knerr said last week.

A specific timeline for the modification has not been announced.

FILE PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The downtown trees along Main Street have featured wire lights since a 3-2 council vote in 2021 did away with uplighting.

OC LANDMARK ENHANCED

A months-long project to refurbish the Boardwalk arch at N. Division Street has been completed, featuring a fresh coat blue paint to match Ocean City’s smile brand logo. Part of the project also included uplighting during the evening hours. The arch was previously red and white.

Grants awarded with aim to protect history and heritage

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) Modern-day stewards of Ocean City’s historic Henry Hotel plan to use new grant funding to track down former guests who stayed at the property in the mid-tolate 20th Century.

In an era of segregation, the hotel on the corner of South Division Street and Baltimore Avenue famously was one of the few establishments in Ocean City that provided rooms for Black guests. Now, using old guestbooks once owned by longtime proprietor Pearl Bonner, the Henry Hotel Foundation now hopes to find lodgers from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.

They’ll put to use a $27,000 state grant for heritage tourism organizations to conduct the search, according to foundation board member Nancy Howard.

“The story of the Henry Hotel needs to be told and hopefully we will find some of the people to tell that story,” she said. “These people were the very backbone of the hospitality industry; they worked in hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, etc. but were not allowed to take advantage of any of these establishments.”

Grant funding will flow from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, which awarded 91 matching grants for nonprofits, local jurisdictions, and heritage tourism organizations.

Totaling more than $4.6 million, the awards will support the development of heritage-related, place-based projects across Maryland that promote economic growth through tourism and community enhancement, the governor’s office announced July 11.

Overall, organizations receiving awards include museums, parks, arts organizations, historic sites, schools and other educational institutions.

On the Lower Eastern Shore counties of Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset, six grants were issued, totaling $286,700.

The largest grant goes to the Beach to Bay Heritage Area. The Berlinbased nonprofit will get both a $100,000 management grant and a $25,000 block grant. The agency is tasked with preserving, protecting, and promoting the Lower Shore’s cultural, natural and historical heritage, according to its website.

Another $50,000 each will be awarded to both the City of Salisbury and the Crisfield chamber of commerce. Salisbury’s funding is for its Maryland Folklife Stage, and Crisfield will use the money to enhance its annual Hard Craby Derby.

Also in Salisbury, a $34,700 grant was awarded to Salisbury University for a program called Her Common Thread: Women and the Fiber Arts.

“History is an active force for promoting economic development and building strength in our communities,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. “Projects funded through our Heritage Grant Awards will make Maryland more competitive, support a diverse array of new partnerships, and enrich the lives of thousands of people.”

The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority is an independent unit of government chaired by the Maryland Department of Planning and is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust.

Since 1997, the authority has awarded more than $74 million dollars in grants to hundreds of organizations. These grants have generated over $175 million in non-state matching funds for heritage tourism projects and activities in the state’s 13 heritage areas.

Several projects being awarded money are connected to honoring Maryland’s role in the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday, or semiquincentennial, according to Rebecca L. Flora, the state’s Secretary of the Department of Planning and chair of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.

Berlin’s Town Hall renovation plans

tweaked, okayed

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) The Berlin Town Council approved a proposal from Haley Architecture this week for additional services to the Town Hall renovation project.

The initiative will now include an interior renovation of the existing planning and zoning building, an update to the primary front of Town Hall, and a more focal main entrance.

The Berlin Town Council approved Haley Architecture’s proposal at its Monday, July 14 meeting. The additional architectural services will yield a cost of $75,130.

The newly added services to the initiative include “a total interior renovation of the existing planning and zoning building to accommodate Economic Development’s relocation, as well as added architectural services to update the main front facade of Town Hall, create a more prominent main entry, and reconfigure the service entry areas.”

A significant change to the plans includes brand-new mechanical systems. According to the firm’s submission, the initial scope of the work “was limited to reuse and reconfiguration of the Town Hall building to accommodate the architectural renovations.” Now, the project will be expanded to “demolition and replacement of all HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems. It will also include the planning and zoning building.”

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall added that the replacement of mechanical systems is necessary because the main entrance is being changed, allowing for easier access to the facility’s new elevator.

“The main entrance will be where the stair tower is now, so that people can come in, and it will flow better with planning services and customer services as well as access,” Tyndall said. “We wanted access to the elevator in the first and second buildings without having to go outside of the building. If someone needs an elevator, you don’t have to walk outside for those things, whereas the original first draft of the design kept the mechanical systems that were there intact.”

Tyndall added that another modification to the renovation project is to create a more prominent front entry.

“Some of us may recall coming into public meetings through the front door,” the mayor said. “Security reasons and the way the building is laid out now are not suitable for that. Changes to the Town Hall plans would allow folks to again enter through the main entry point. The public will not have full, unfettered access to the building due to current societal conditions; however, we felt it was important for people to be still able to come through the front. We’re going to try to make that more of a [place] where people can learn about Town Hall history. It's been a police station, a fire station, a library, a dance studio, lots of things along the way.”

The council intends to keep the project’s cost within the estimated $2.5 million.

Eastern Sho at Eastern Shor

re

Church to kick off annual OC Greek Festival on Friday

(July 25, 2025) St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church will bring its annual Greek Festival back to Ocean City this weekend, serving "all things Greek” for three full days of traditional food and entertainment at the Roland Powell Convention Center, 40th Street and Coastal Highway.

Free admission is offered with hours on Friday, July 25, noon-10 p.m.; Saturday, July 26, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Give yourself permission to overindulge in your favorite Greek delights as the parishioners of St. George’s will be cooking and serving mouthwatering favorites such as: Souvlaki, Spanakopita, Dolmathes, Tiropitas, Pastitio, Mousaka, Lamb Shanks, Greek Lemon Chicken, and world famous Loukomathes.

Residents and visitors are invited to

have a leisurely meal and treat yourself to unique gifts from vendors offering a variety of specialty and handmade items. Then put your dancing shoes on and “opa” your way around the dance floor to the authentic Greek music of Golden Flame from Washington, DC who will be performing Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, 1-7 p.m. and Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m.

A press release said, “St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church’s festival, not only raises necessary operational funds but also strengthens the Church’s role as a vital and vibrant part of the community. Our ‘little Church by the sea’ welcomes all who visit Ocean City most especially our Eastern Orthodox young adults who come each year to support the small businesses that make Ocean City such a special vacation destination.”

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Local skate icons named in hall of fame’s first class

Skateboarding organization plans Ocean City ceremony

(July 25, 2025) The Mid-Atlantic Skateboard Hall of Fame (MASHOF), a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich history of skateboarding in the Mid-Atlantic region, has announced its inaugural induction ceremony will be held in Ocean City this fall. Three individuals with local ties will be recognized including Marc Emond, the late Josh Marlowe and Denny Riordon.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 20, at the Cambria Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland, and will honor people, places and things that have significantly impacted the Mid-Atlantic skateboarding scene. The organization considers the MidAtlantic to include Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

Ocean City holds a particularly special place in Mid-Atlantic skateboarding history, boasting the Ocean Bowl, the world's oldest municipal skatepark. Its genesis in 1976 was spearheaded by local mother Dorothy "Haystack" Marlowe, whose tireless efforts provided a dedicated space for skateboarders at a time when the sport was facing public bans. The Ocean Bowl has since become a landmark, attracting skaters and hosting events for decades, contributing significantly to the culture and community of skateboarding on the East Coast.

The MA-SHOF's mission is to recognize the passion, dedication, and vital contributions of historical skateboarders, cultural icons and locations, and business leaders and entities, ensuring their stories and impacts on skateboarding are preserved for future generations.

The inaugural induction class includes a remarkable group of individuals and contributors:

• Marc Emond: a Maryland coast native, is celebrated for his smooth, surf-influenced skate style and his pivotal role at Ocean Bowl. He managed the park throughout the 1980s, championing its significance as a pioneering municipal skatepark. Emond also channels his passion into art, creating works that embody and celebrate the skate culture of the region, including cartoons for local publications and murals for the Ocean Bowl. His contributions span skating, management, and artistic expression.

• Josh "Bomb King" Marlowe: son of Ocean Bowl pioneer Haystack Marlowe, he was an Ocean City local and a legendary East Coast skater. A

Skaters to be recognized in OC

daily fixture at the Ocean Bowl with best friend of Patrick Truitt, since opening day, his powerful style and towering inverts defined his skating. Josh's aggressive style and audacious personality inspired countless skaters, young and old, to push their own boundaries. Though he passed away in March, Marlowe’s legacy as a "force of nature" endures.

• Denny Riordon: an iconic East Coast skateboarder, embodies the spirit of the scene since its inception. A long-time professional skater across various styles, including vert, freestyle, and bowl riding, Denny competed at the highest levels with sponsors like Kryptonics and Toxic. Riordon also built skate terrain, repped numerous brands, and owned multiple board shops in Maryland. He continues to skate in his mid-60s, currently owning the Assateague Island Surf Shop off Route 611 and inspiring new generations.

• Mike "Micro" Mapp: a dedicated skateboarder and ramp builder, significantly shaped East Coast skateboarding. As CEO of Ramptech, a Northern Virginia-based ramp building company, Mapp introduced innovations like "Phenolic" ramp surfaces and patented ramp designs. He was instrumental in building the iconic Cedar Crest Ramp, a global destina-

tion for skaters and music fans. Mapp's work, including his role as a producer of the "Blood and Steel" documentary, has influenced generations of skaters and the terrain they ride.

• Chuck Treece: a Philadelphiabred legend in both skateboarding and music. In 1984, he became the first African American featured on the cover of Thrasher Magazine. He's the driving force behind the skate punk band McRad and a prolific session musician, working with artists from Billy Joel to Pearl Jam. Treece continues to skate and perform, influencing both worlds since the 1980s. His impact includes breaking barriers and merging skate and music cultures

• Lapper Magazine: A Virginiabased skate fan zine founded by Bruce Adams and Wade Herren in 1984, that began as a home photocopied mag. Lapper documented and represented the East Coast skateboarding scene, featuring local skaters, spots, and contests, becoming a significant voice in the community and spreading across the country before stopping publication in 1988. Lapper is run today as an online magazine by one of its early contributors, Andy Bittner

• Tom Groholski: "The New Jersey Devil," quietly shaped vert and pool skating with his raw style and in-

LEGENDS Page 43

CROSSWORD

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS GARRITY

Marc Emond

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, the week kicks off with a surge of vitality and determination. You’re eager to take action, and the universe backs you. It’s a perfect week to push ahead with goals.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Creative energy flows in and a longdormant idea may spark back to life, Taurus. You’re in the right mindset to pursue something artistic and innovative. Reconsider a refreshing hobby.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, you’re in your element this week and buzzing with charm and curiosity. Engaging conversations abound. Opportunities to connect, both socially and professionally, come easily.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, a small act of courage pays off in a big way, and you’ll find that trusting yourself leads to a fulfilling outcome this week. Embrace your instincts.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Love and joy surround you, and this week is ideal for connecting with someone special or deepening an important bond, Leo. Your heart feels open, and good things are flowing your way.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

A chance to help or support someone brings a deeper sense of purpose. Kindness flows easily from you now, Virgo, and the gratitude you receive in return is both touching and inspiring.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

This week your relationships are in harmony, Libra. You’re feeling strongly supported. Conversations flow with ease, and people are drawn to your warm personality.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

A milestone is within reach, and the progress you’ve made starts to emerge this week, Scorpio. Your persistence and inner fire have been guiding you forward.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, a fresh perspective allows you to release old worries or doubts. This is a week of clarity and growth during which inspiration meets personal freedom.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Practical matters — especially career or finances — are looking up, Capricorn. A smart decision made now could lead to something even better down the line.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, you’ve had your eye on the prize for some time now, and the good news is that the finish line is within arm’s length. Stick with things for just a little longer.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, you have been making some changes this week. Your perspective and surroundings at home have changed. This can be a refreshing endeavor.

Legends of skating to be honored

Continued from Page 42

novative tricks like the "groh-plant". A pioneer of East Coast skateboarding and a 2022 California Skateboarding Hall of Fame inductee, his authentic approach and technical prowess, including mastering lip tricks like the "Hurricane," influenced generations who valued skateboarding's integrity. Groholski's impact stems from his love for skateboarding, not fame.

• Cedar Crest Ramp: Located at the Cedar Crest Country Club in Centreville, Virginia, and owned by Mark Hooper, this steel halfpipe ramp, known as "The Crest", was a major mecca for skaters and music fans in the 1980s, attracting visitors from every corner of the world. The Crest was one of the most amazing vert ramps in existence at the time and also a true cultural hot-spot, hosting epic weekend-long “Ramp Jam’s”. The Crest is the focus of the documentary movie, “Blood and Steel”.

• Dorsey Truitt: The Hall of Fame’s first ICON, Dorsey Truitt was a true business mastermind, whose impact revolutionized Mid-Atlantic skateboarding. Dorsey was a successful race car driver and owner of the Holiday House Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland in 1974 when he founded the world’s first skateboard distribution company. Truitt also founded and manufactured numerous major brands, such as Toxic, Brand-X, and Kryptonics. He was instrumental in nurturing East Coast talent, fostering early skateboarders and industry professionals. Dorsey passed away at age 90 in 2023, and his son Patrick continues the ‘Truitt Skates’ family legacy in Ocean City, Maryland.

• Reggie Barnes: a North Carolina based retired professional freestyle skater and founder of Eastern Skateboard Supply. A pioneer of

East Coast skateboarding, Barnes was ranked among the top five American freestyle skaters in 1986. Through his skating career and business ventures, Barnes has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the skateboarding industry, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region

• Henry Gutierrez: a Virginia Beach native and vert skating legend, is celebrated for his consistent dedication and ability to push the limits of vert skating. Known for blasting impressive airs and 540s, he's been a formidable presence for over 30 years, notably competing in the Renegade Vert Series. His early years skating the Mt. Trashmore vert ramp in Virginia Beach, alongside the influential "Fork Crew," solidified his East Coast roots and fueled his passion. Gutierrez continues to inspire, representing brands like Embassy Skateboards

"These pioneers, who have left an indelible mark on skateboarding in the region, are incredibly proud to be recognized," according to a Mid-Atlantic Skateboard Hall of Fame spokesperson.

"Their dedication and contributions have built the foundation for the thriving east coast skateboard community today."

The induction ceremony will be a celebration and reflection, uniting skateboarders and their supporters from all generations. Tickets can be found at www.ma-shof.com.

PHOTO COURTESY BRENDAN MEDIARY

Denny Riordan

PHOTO COURTESY GBJ

Josh Marlowe

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Calendar

Friday, July 25

GREEK FESTIVAL

Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Featuring authentic Greek cuisine, spirited dances and unique vendors. Admission is free. 410-524-0990, https://www.greekfestivalocmd.com

12TH ANNUAL HUK BIG FISH CLASSIC

M.R. Ducks, 311 Talbot St., Ocean City, 49 p.m. Scales open at 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Vendors open every day in the Big Fish Village at 3 p.m. https://www.bigfishclassic.com

FREE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR ADULTS

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

STORY TIME AT THE THEATER

Mar-Va Theater Performing Arts Center, 103 Market St., Pocomoke City, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a special story time at the Mar-Va Theater with stories, songs and games about performing arts and drama. For families. 410-632-5622, 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. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Fish Tales Bar and Grill and Bahia Marina, 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Winter wonderland with Santa arriving via the Cruisin’ Tiki in the afternoon to bring treats for the kiddos. Bring cameras. A special gift for those who donate to Toys for Tots. 410-289-0990

FIBER ARTS PETTING ZOO AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 2-4 p.m. Come learn about and try out different fiber arts tools and techniques. 410-6323495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN PINES LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 6-8 p.m. Friends only night. Thousands of book for sale, most priced at $2 or less. Memberships available for $5 for individuals and $10 for families. Proceeds benefit the Ocean Pines library. 410-208-4014

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. 410-524-7994

Sat., July 26

GREEK FESTIVAL

Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Featuring authentic Greek cuisine, spirited dances and unique vendors. Admission is free. 410-524-0990, https://www.greekfestivalocmd.com

ILLUMINATE OCEAN CITY MIND-BODYSPIRIT-ARTS FESTIVAL

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission, free workshops, exhibitors including aura photography, crystals, essential oils, luxurious spa products, psychic mediums, energywork, original art & more. www.illuminatefestivals.com, 575-519-5883

TOM PAPA: GRATEFUL BREAD TOUR

Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 8 p.m. Tom Papa’s unique perspective on absurdities of daily existence will have you in stitches. Tickets:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/4467046 9/tom-papa-ocean-city-oc-performingarts-center.

SAND DUELS BEACH SOCCER CHALLENGE SERIES

On the beach between Wicomico and N. Division streets, 1 N. Division St., Ocean City, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. A 5-on-5 soccer tournament for youth ages 8-18 years and adults with divisions based on age, gender and ability. https://ocbeachsoccer.com

12TH ANNUAL HUK BIG FISH CLASSIC

M.R. Ducks, 311 Talbot St., Ocean City, 49 p.m. Scales open at 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Vendors open every day in the Big Fish Village at 3 p.m. https://www.bigfishclassic.com

18TH ANNUAL FLOUNDER TOURNAMENT Ocean Pines Swim & Racquet Club, 10 Seabreeze Road, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Weigh Station closes promptly at 4 p.m. Registration is $60 at https://business.worcestercountychamber.org/events/details/18th-annualflounder-tournament-in-ocean-pines-154 74. Rain date is July 27.

RUNAWAY BRIDGE FUN RUN/WALK

Berlin Main St. & Maryland Welcome Center, 14 S. Main St., Berlin, 8:30 a.m. Cost is $20 per person. Proceeds benefit Worcester County GOLD. www.WorcesterGOLD.org, contact@worcestergold.org, 443-235-6525

MOVIES AT THE MUSEUM

Calvin B. Taylor House, 208 N. Main St., Berlin, 8 p.m. Featuring “Runaway Bride.”

FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN PINES LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Thousands of books for sale, most priced at $2 or less. Proceeds benefit the Ocean Pines library. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TASKMASTER LIBRARY EDITION

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10 a.m. Compete against one another in fun, slightly quirky challenges. Finish some tasks, earn some points, win some prizes. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CRAFTY SATURDAY: MESSY ART

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Create different art styles with a variety of materials. All ages. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CORAL REEF AWARENESS WEEK AT THE OCEAN CITY LIFE-SAVING STATION MUSEUM

Ocean City Life-Saving Museum, 813 S. Atlantic Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Book signing and reading of “A Fish Named Fancy” with author Ellwyn Autumn. Creature Feature and Take-Home Craft at 12 p.m. Watch a live feeding and learn about marine habitats. www.ocmuseum.org, 410289-4991

LIBRARY LEGO LEAGUE

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Bring your friends and explore your imagination with LEGO bricks provided by the library. Your creation will be displayed in the library for the next whole month. For ages 6-11 years. 410-641-0650

COMIC BOOK CLUB: BABYSITTERS CLUB AND BIG NATE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Check out this month’s featured series, create your own comic and craft. No experience required. For families. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SIPPIN’ WITH SLOTHS

Coastal Wilds, 34215 Peppers Corner Road, Frankford, 6-8 p.m. Music by Bob Wilkinson. 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

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. 410-641-7052, https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages/ farmers-artisans-market

Sun., July 27

GREEK FESTIVAL

Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Featuring authentic Greek cuisine, spirited dances and unique vendors. Admission is free. 410-524-0990, https://www.greekfestivalocmd.com

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 a DJ. https://ocdc.org

12TH ANNUAL HUK BIG FISH CLASSIC M.R. Ducks, 311 Talbot St., Ocean City, 48 p.m. Scales open at 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Vendors open every day in the Big Fish Village at 3 p.m. Awards banquet at 8:30 p.m. https://www.bigfishclassic.com

SUNDAES IN THE PARK WITH FIREWORKS

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

CHRISTMAS IN JULY AT THE BERLIN FARMERS MARKET

Historic Downtown Berlin, 124 N. Main St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.,Featuring a visit from Santa and music by Stevenson’s Crossroads. https://berlinmainstreet.com/farmersma rket/

BERLIN FARMERS MARKET

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

SEWING FOR A CAUSE

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

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., July 28

FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN PINES LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy half price on your entire purchase during the last day of the sale. Proceeds

CALENDAR

benefit the Ocean Pines Library. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 05 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MOSAIC ART

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Love art? Learn how to create a mosaic using glass beads. For tweens and teens. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3-4 p.m. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in treatment or in remission, the group is here for you. Friends and family also welcome. 410-641-2626

FIBER CRAFT MEET-UP

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

T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169

Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 56:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a

weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-6410157

COLORFUL SEASHELLS

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m.

Local artist, Evie Eggers, will guide participants through color theory as the group creates their very own painted seashell. Registration required: 410-632-3495. www.worcesterlibrary.org

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING QUARTER AUCTION

Church of the Holy Spirit Episcopal, 10001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Attendees must be at least 18 years of age. Tickets: Jackie, 443-735-4275; Marena, 443-9443276.

BRIDGE

Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-804-3971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-242-7062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

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

Tues., July 29

SENSORY STORY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Make some new friends to play with and improve language and motor skill development. For ages 0-5 years. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PLAY TIME: CLAY-N-PLAY

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Mold, sculpt, squeeze and stamp with dough and clay. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MISTER BOOM BOOM PRESENTS ‘COLOR OUR WORLD WITH MUSIC’

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Children explore instruments from around the world through play, singalongside and rhythm games. For families. 410-632-3495, 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/theberlinfar

mersmarket.

OC KNITTING GROUP

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

MISTER BOOM BOOM PRESENTS ‘COLOR OUR WORLD WITH MUSIC’

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Children explore instruments from around the world through play, sing-alongside and rhythm games. For families. 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.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

BEACH HEROES-OC

Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Continued on Page 48

Continued from Page 47

Check the Facebook page “Beach HeroesOC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

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. 410-289-4725

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. 410641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.

Wed., July 30

OCEAN CITY TOURISM POP UP EVENT

M.R. Ducks, 311 Talbot St., Ocean City, 24 p.m. Celebrating 150th Anniversary. Stop by to grab a photo with the OC photo ops, win smile swag and more. Download the app (https://www.ococean.com/planyour-visit/) to play games at the pop up.

MOVIES ON THE BEACH

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

MISTER BOOM BOOM PRESENTS ‘COLOR OUR WORLD WITH MUSIC’

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Children explore instruments from around the world through play, sing-alongside and rhythm games. For families. 410524-1818, 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.

CASH BINGO

Wednesdays - Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave. Door open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Food available before bingo and at intermission. Open to the public. 443-605-5028

Thurs., July 31

SUNSET PARK PARTY NIGHTS

Sunset Park, 700 S. Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Featuring “Randy Lee Ashcraft and the Saltwater Cowboys” (country), sunset over the Isle of Wight Bay and free admission. https://www.ococean.com/things-to-do/free-familyfun/sunset-park-party-nights/

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

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

STORY TIME: COLORS IN NATURE

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

PLAY TIME

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

MISTER BOOM BOOM PRESENTS ‘COLOR OUR WORLD WITH MUSIC’

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Children explore instruments from around the world through play, sing-alongside and rhythm games. For families. 410-6410650, 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. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MISTER BOOM BOOM PRESENTS ‘COLOR OUR WORLD WTH MUSIC’

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 2 p.m. Children explore instruments from around the world through play, sing-alongside and rhythm games. For families. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

HARRY POTTER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Join in for a spellbinding adventure with crafts and fun games. For all ages. Light refreshments served. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FIRESIDE CHAT

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3 p.m. A popular and entertaining book discussion featuring books you have read and want to share. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

NEXT WAVE BEACH BASH FUNDRAISER WITH SHAUN TOMSON

Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 7 p.m. World Champion Surfer Shaun Tomson keynote, film, raffles, giveaways, photo ops. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/8984410 6/surfers-code-shaun-tomson-ocean-cityoc-performing-arts-center.

Crossword answers from page 42

JULY 25, 2025 OC Today-Dispatch 49

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

FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN: Full Time/Part Time 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

MAINTENANCE

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

HELP WANTED FT/PT

MAINTENANCE PERSON For small community in the Berlin area. General maintenance knowledge needed. Good pay! Large equip. exp. helpful. 410-641-5102

JOLLY ROGER Small Engine Mechanic. Ride Maintenance. Year Round. Wage starts at $15/hour & up based on experience. Benefits available. 410-289-4902

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

PARTS STORE ASSOCIATE

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

Tidewater Physical Therapy NOW

HIRING

Physical Therapist

Ocean Pines, MD - FT/PT licensed PT. $95-$120K, benefits (FT only), growth and future shareholder potential. Physical Therapist Assistant Ocean View, DE - FT/PT licensed PTA (Delaware or compact), temporary license acceptable. $27-$30/hour, M-F schedule, NO weekends. Benefits for FT. Apply on our website at tidewaterpt.com

HELP WANTED

BARBER wanted at Charlie’s Barbershop, Berlin, MD. With clientele. To rent a chair. 443-944-2240

THE IRENE CONDOMINIUM on 111th Street in Ocean City is hiring a full/part-time Maintenance Person for seasonal and/or year-round work. Great work environment with flexible hours in a friendly beachfront building. Competitive hourly wage based on experience. Duties include routine maintenance, minor repairs, light painting and grounds keeping. Light physical labor is required. Text or call Ed @ 443-415-8000

RENTALS

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. ONLY 1 UNIT LEFT! 2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 1000 sq. ft. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885 for more information.

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

SERVICES

LARRY’S HANDYMAN SERVICE

No job too small. Entrance doors, interior doors, storm doors, shower doors, drywall repairs and paint, laminate floors, interior paint. Over 40 years of carpentry experience. Please call Larry, 410-251-9066

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 taxdeductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.

CEMETERY PLOT FOR SALE

SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK Plot # 171-C $850. Rt. 50, Berlin, MD Call 410-641-1734.

MISC./OTHER

A warm afternoon, He whispers, “Come, sit with me, See what I have done”.

the Newspapers of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia since 1908.

MARYLAND STATEWIDE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK

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

FOR 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 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

AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. TRUSTEE

COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS OF BOARDWALK ONE, INC.

P.O. BOX 762

Ocean City, MD 21842

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND C-23-CV-24-000014

COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS OF BOARDWALK ONE, INC.

P.O. BOX 762

Ocean City, MD 21842

Plaintiff v.

High Hopes Inc, et al. Defendants

TRUSTEE’S SALE

OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN Boardwalk One Condominium OCEAN CITY, MD

By virtue of the power and authority resulting from a Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in Liber 8599 folio 15, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland for case no. C-23-CV-24-000014, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction on the steps of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, located at 1 West Market Street (Main Entrance), the following described property located in Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland, on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM the following timeshare intervals:

and/or to reject any and all bids. Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash, check, or electronic payment. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2025 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser at settlement. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland. Time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited, and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting the deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. The purchaser waives personal service of any papers filed in connection with its failure to settle within ten days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail at the address provided by the Purchaser as identified on the Memorandum of Sale. The defaulted purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds resulting from said resale even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulted purchaser. For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443.672.8107.

OCD-7/17/3t

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. 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.

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

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 law will 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

OCD-7/10/3t

Each time interval being one per year in the corresponding unit, each being part of the Boardwalk One Condominium Time-Share Regime, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale

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

(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

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 Solici-

tations 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.

OCD-7/10/9t

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

OCD-7/10/3t

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 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.

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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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 es-

tate 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

OCD-7/10/3t

LAW OFFICE OF SHAWN VINSON, LLC SHAWN VINSON 1740 E. JOPPA RD., STE. LL6 PARKVILLE, MD 21234-3667

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20725

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Surrogate of the Court of Hunterdon County, New Jersey appointed (1) Barbara Tutela, 242 Highway 12, Flemington, NJ 08822-4015 as the Executrix of the Estate of Lawrence A. Tutela Sr. who died on July 22, 2005 domiciled in New Jersey, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Shawn Vinson, 1740 E. Joppa Rd., Ste. LL6, Parkville, MD 21234-3667.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

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

(1) Barbara Tutela 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 17, 2025

OCD-7/17/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20747

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HENRY MELVIN HAGWOOD

Notice is given that Laurie H. Parker, 115 Fox Knoll Ln., West Chester, PA 19380-7206, was on July 07, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Henry Melvin Hagwood who died on June 01, 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 7th 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.

Laurie H. Parker

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:

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ESTATE NO. 20744

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the COMMON PLEAS court of YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed (1) SETH MILLER whose address is 2003 W. MARKET ST., YORK, PA 17404-5508, (2) MARELLA MILLER whose address is 12322 LOU ST., BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813-1105, (3) BRITTANY CRIST whose address is 839 MARYLAND AVE., YORK, PA 17404-3135, (4) MELANIE MILLER whose address is 3336 RACOON CT., ABINGDON, MD 21009-2612 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of LAURA LEE MILLER who died on FEBRUARY 14, 2022 domiciled in PA

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) MELANIE MILLER whose address is 3336 RACOON CT., ABINGDON, MD 21009-2612, (3) MELANIE MILLER whose address is 3336 RACOON CT., ABINGTON, MD 21009-2612. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER COUNTY

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-7/17/3t

ALISHA L. JACOBSEN, ESQ. 11 N. WASHINGTON ST., STE. 520 ROCKVILLE,MD 20850-4265

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20751 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF GARY M. STEVENS

Notice is given that Danny M. Stevens, 1324 W. Byron St., Apt. 2, Chicago, IL 60613-2868, was on July 14, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gary M. Stevens who died on June 03, 2025, with a will.

Further information can be ob-

tained 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 14th 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.

Danny M. Stevens 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 17, 2025

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

P.O. BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN COLCORD Estate No. 20750 Notice is given that COLLEEN M. HAHN whose address is 321 N. MAIN ST., BERLIN, MD 21811-1005 was on JULY 14, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN COLCORD who died on JUNE 02, 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 14th 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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PATRICK D. HANLEY JR. SHAFFER LAW OFFICE 836 S MAIN ST STE 101 BEL AIR, MD 21014-4169 SMALL ESTATE

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of RODNEY SCHLEGEL Estate No. 20753 Notice is given that DEBORAH M VRANKIN whose address is PO BOX 712 FOREST HILL, MD 21050-0712 was on JULY 15, 2025 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of RODNEY SCHLEGEL who died on JUNE 16, 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 claims 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.

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

WEST SIDE OF RACETRACK ROAD

SOUTH OF GUM POINT ROAD, BERLIN

THIRD TAX DISTRICT

WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to Section 1-113 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, Rezoning Case No. 448 has been filed by Mark Cropper on behalf of Racetrack Plaza, LLC, property owner, for an amendment to the Official Zoning Maps to change approximately 1.0729 acres of land located on the west side of MD Route 589 (Racetrack Road) south of Gum Point Road, Berlin, in the Third Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland, from RP Resource Protection District to C-2 General Commercial District. The Planning Commission has given a favorable recommendation for Areas A and B, and an unfavorable recommendation was given for Area C.

Pursuant to Sections 1-113 and 1114 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, the County Commissioners will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING ROOM

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

At said public hearing the County Commissioners will consider the rezoning application, the staff file on Rezoning Case No. 448 and the recommendation of the Planning Commission, any proposed restrictions on the rezoning, other appropriate restrictions, conditions or limitations as may be deemed by them to be appropriate to preserve, improve, or protect the general character and design of the lands and improvements being zoned or rezoned or of the surrounding or adjacent lands and improvements, and the advisability of reserving the power and authority to approve or disapprove the design of buildings, construction, landscaping or other improvements, alterations and changes made or to be made on the subject land or lands to assure conformity with the intent and purpose of applicable State laws and regulations and the County Zoning Ordinance.

Maps of the petitioned area, the staff file on Rezoning Case No. 448 and the Planning Commission’s recommendation, which will be entered into record at the public hearing, are on file and available to view electronically by contacting the Department of Development, Review and

Permitting, Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Room 1201, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. (except holidays), at (410) 632-1200 as well as at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-7/24/2t

TOWN OF BERLIN, MARYLAND NOTICE

OF A PUBLIC HEARING(S)

ORDINANCE 2025-03

AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE TOWN CODE, ENTITLED BUSINESSES, ARTICLE II, BUSINESS LICENSES, SECTION 8-26, RULES AND REGULATIONS ORDINANCE 2025-04

AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE TOWN CODE, ENTITLED BUSINESSES, ARTICLE III, PEDDLING AND SOLICITING, SECTIONS 8-47 THROUGH 8-56, AND ADDING NEW SECTIONS 8-57 AND 8-58 TO UPDATE DEFINITIONS, REGISTRATION, LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, TIME AND LOCATION RESTRICTIONS, AND TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS GOVERNING PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS; AND GENERALLY RELATING TO THE LICENSING AND CONDUCT OF PEDDLING AND SOLICITING WITHIN THE TOWN.

Both ordinances are scheduled for introduction and first reading on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM. A public hearing on the ordinances will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Both meetings will take place during the Regular Session of the Mayor and Council at Berlin Town Hall, 10 William Street, 2nd Floor, Berlin, MD 21811.

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

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

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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

To all persons interested in the estate of ROBERT L MANN JR Estate No. 20758 Notice is given that STEPHANIE PHELPS whose address is 319 WOODCREST DR LANCASTER, PA 17602-1389 was on JULY 17, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ROBERT L MANN JR who died on JUNE 29, 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 17th 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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QUINN W. MCGINNES WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP 3509 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20759 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HANNAH A. ESHAM

Notice is given that Amanda Holly Eckman, 13 Greenwood Ln., Berlin, MD 21811-2033, was on July 17, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Hanna A. Esham who died on January 17, 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 17th 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 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.

Amanda Holly Eckman 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 24, 2025

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 Administration, Article IV, Division 5 of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland hereinafter referred to as Code, same being the Board of Adjustments and Appeals Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearing will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland. Wednesday, August 6, 2025

At 3:00 PM

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

Owner: Keith and Shelley Coffin

Applicant: Keith A. Coffin

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Housing Inspection Services

Worcester County is seeking proposals from qualified Vendors to contract for housing inspection services for the Worcester County Housing Rehabilitation Program 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 nor-

mal business hours, or via the 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 thirdparty bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

The last day for questions will be noon on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than 2:30 pm on Tuesday, August 12, 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 – Housing Inspection Services” 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-7/24/1t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20749 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH DICARA SR.

Notice is given that Joseph DiCara Jr., 8075 Vail Ct., Long Grove, IL 60047-5256, was on July 15, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joseph DiCara Sr. who died on April 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 15th 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.

Joseph DiCara Jr.

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 24, 2025

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SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF

APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20271

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF PHYLLIS ANN KNAUF

Notice is given that Tracy Lyn Rush, 6 Coventry Ct., Berlin, MD 21811-1614, was on July 11, 2025 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Phyllis Ann Knauf who died on May 13, 2024, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment 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.

Tracy Lyn Rush 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 24, 2025 OCD-7/24/1t

NOTICE

OF

APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 20756

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ANNA FERN WEINMAN

Notice is given that Shawn Patrick Weinman, 2 Ivy Ln., Berlin, MD 21811-1616, was on July 17, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anna Fern Weinman who died on December 30, 2020, 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 17th 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.

Shawn Patrick Weinman 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 24, 2025

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DIANA KHAN

DK LAW GROUP

10451 MILL RUN CIR STE 755 OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117-5667

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of TERESA HANLON AKA: TERESSA DOLORES GUY-HANLON Estate No. 20763 Notice is given that TANYA BLEVINS whose address is 3128 GREENWOOD CT NORMAN, OK 73072-3317 was on JULY 21, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of TERESA HANLON who died on MAY 31, 2025 without a will. Further information can be ob-

tained 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 21st 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 orother 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-7/24/3t

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. 20739 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL JOSEPH CASTRIGNANO SR. Notice is given that Michael Joseph Castrignano Jr., 68 Anchor Way Dr., Berlin, MD 21811-9615, was on July 17, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael Joseph Castrignano Sr. who died on June 03, 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 17th 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.

Michael Joseph Castrignano Jr. 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 24, 2025

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TOWN OF OCEAN CITY ORDINANCE

2025-19

RE: Office of the Fire Marshal

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2025-19 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of July 21, 2025. Second reading is scheduled August 18, 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 21, 2025, agenda packet. This ordinance updates language regarding the appointment of the fire marshal to reflect the current process.

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BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND

IN THE MATTER OF TPE MD WO73, LLC’S APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO CONSTRUCT A 5.0 MW SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATING FACILITY IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

CASE NO. 9772

NOTICE OF EVENING PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING

The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a public comment hearing to consider TPE MD WO73, LLC’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct a 5.0 MW solar electric generating facility approximately ½ mile northwest of the intersection of Old Ocean City Boulevard and Main Street, Berlin, MD.

DATE: Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

TIME: 7:00 p.m. EDT

PLACE: Worcester County Public Library, 13 Harrison Avenue,

Berlin, MD 21811

Anyone wishing to view the live stream of the hearing may do so via the Public Utility Law Judge’s (PULJ) YouTube Channel, https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP. The hearing will include a presentation by the Applicant and Parties, followed by an opportunity for members of the public to provide comments on the proposed Project.

Written comments may be submitted electronically or by first-class mail. Comments submitted electronically must be submitted through the Commission’s Public Comment Dropbox, which can be accessed at www.psc.md.us. Instructions are available at www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-publiccomment. Comments submitted by first-class mail must be addressed to Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore MD 21202. All comments must include a reference to Case No. 9772. OCD-7/24/4t

TOWN OF BERLIN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, July 28, 2025

6 PM

The Town of Berlin will conduct a Public Hearing to update the citizens about the progress of the FY25

Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) MD25-CD-32, Architecture and Engineering related to the Berlin Community Center on the Historic Flower Street School site.

The hearing will be held at the Mayor and Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Berlin Town Hall, 10 William Street, Berlin, MD 21811 at 6:00pm on July 28, 2025.

The Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federally funded program designed to assist governments with activities directed toward neighborhood and housing revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities and services. It is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The Maryland CDBG Program reflects the State's economic and community development priorities and provides public funds for activities which meet one of the following national objectives, in accordance with the federal Housing Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, that:

1. benefit to low and moderate income persons and households;

2. aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight;

3. meet other community development needs of an urgent nature, or that are an immediate threat to community health and welfare.

Efforts will be made to accommodate the disabled and non-English speaking residents with 5 days’ advance notice to Sara Gorfinkel, 410641-3858, mayorzack@berlinmd.gov. Zack Tyndall, Mayor OCD-7/24/1t

Award winners announced, art remains displayed

(July 25, 2025) The Worcester County Arts Council has announced the winners of its summer juried exhibition, "Travels," now on view through Aug. 31 at the gallery in Berlin.

Juried by local artist Doris Glovier, the exhibit features a compelling array of artwork across various media that explores the theme of travel, whether through geography, memory, or imagination. Artists were invited to interpret movement, exploration, and discovery in their own unique ways, resulting in a dynamic and thought-provoking collection.

Award winners include first place, Rebekah Simonds, “Pollen Pilgrimage,” acrylic; second place, Ellen Scott, “Florida Intercoastal” watercolor; and third place, Dee Brua, “Norway,” watercolor.

Honorable mentions included Kathryn Redden, “Monet’s Giverny,” mixed media; Martha Pileggi, “Pony Crossing, Mesa AZ,” oil; and Mary Shelsby, “Long And Winding Road,” watercolor.

Winners were announced during the opening reception on Friday, July 11, which welcomed community members and visitors to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and hear remarks from juror, Doris Glovier.

"This exhibit speaks to the universal human experience of movement, whether it's through space, time, or imagination," said Anna Mullis, exec-

utive director of the Worcester County Arts Council. "We're honored to showcase these powerful works and celebrate the artists who help us see the world - and ourselves - with fresh perspective."

In addition to the juried exhibit, the public is invited to explore original artwork by over 30 members of the WCAC Artists Co-Op Gallery, also on view and available for purchase. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Attending the opening reception at the Worcester County Arts Council were, from left, Ellie Scott, Mary Shelsby, Doris Glovier, Judge; Kathryn Redden and Becky Simonds. Not pictured were Dee Brua and Martha Pileggi.

Blood shortage considered emergency now on shore

(July 25, 2025) Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) has declared a blood emergency in Delmarva as the region’s blood supply drops below a two-day inventory, far below the 7-day supply needed to meet hospital and patient needs. While all blood types are urgently needed, the shortage is especially severe for types O-negative and O-positive, which are vital for emergency situations and trauma care.

“We urgently need the community’s help to rebuild the blood supply and prevent this situation from becoming more dire,” said Keith Heim, Vice President at Blood Bank of Delmarva.

“Donating blood is one of the most direct and impactful ways to support our healthcare system and save lives.”

Summer has brought an expected

decline in donations, driven by vacations and school breaks, but combined with increased trauma cases, the impact on the local blood supply has been severe.

“Every time you hear a siren or see a helicopter overhead, there’s a chance that patient will need blood,” said Heim. “We need to make sure it’s on the shelves before they ever get to the hospital.”

Delmarva’s hospitals aren’t alone in this crisis. Blood shortages are a growing concern nationwide. But the solution is local – and immediate. BBD is calling on community members to step up now and ensure blood is available for those who need it.

Mark R. Marcantano, JD, President of Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley, emphasized the urgency.

“A successful blood transfusion can mean the difference between life and death for one of our young patients,” he said. “The need for a diverse blood supply is constant, but the supply is not, which can cause blood emergencies like the one we are currently experiencing. Please consider donating blood with Blood Bank of Delmarva today, and as often as possible after that. Help us to maintain a healthy blood supply, and in turn, you will help to save the lives of community members in need.”

State health leaders are also urging residents to take action, highlighting the essential role of blood donors in maintaining the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

"Blood donations save lives and support our neighbors. If everyone donated blood once per season, it’s likely that shortages would not occur,” said Delaware Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay, a blood donor herself. “Thank you to Blood Bank of Delmarva for doing this critical work, helping to build stronger, healthier communities in the First State.”

Residents can help in three ways:

• Donate now. Schedule a blood or platelet donation at a BBD donor center or mobile drive near you — including our recently reopened Salisbury donor center. Visit delmarvablood.org or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 to book an appointment.

• Host a drive. Start one at your school, business, or place of worship. Learn more on the website.

• Spread the word. Invite a friend to donate with you and share this urgent message.

In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. Blood donors can donate every 56 days, and platelet donors can give up to twice per month. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, visit delmarvablood.org or call 1-888-8-BLOOD8.

WSW nonprofit receives $14,000 from tuna tourney

(July 25, 2025) Women Supporting Women has received over $14,000 in donations after fifth annual ladies tuna fishing tournament, "Tuna & Tiaras.”

From Thursday, June 12 through Saturday, June 14, Pam Taylor held her tournament at Micky Fins in West Ocean City. The tournament only allows women to enter and fish, which is partially why Women Supporting Women was chosen to participate in the event.

Through Johnson's Seed & Feed's First Annual Pinktober Fest in 2024, the 2025 Ocean City Boat Show donations, Better Bees Cleaning, Team Sea Flame donations, registration fees, and the silent auction, Taylor was able to raise a total of $14,830 in donations.

WSW staff attended the three-day event to represent the organization and run the table displaying information about WSW. The organization also held the Bra Pong Raffle, where participants played "Bra Pong" to enter. A total of 63 boats registered, with the Lady Anglers catching nearly 4,000 pounds of Tuna across both tournament days. After the scales closed, WSW staff traveled to Beach Bum OC in West Ocean City, for the awards ceremony and after-party, where the check was presented, the winner of the Bra Pong Raffle was selected, and winners of the tournament were announced. This year, a total of $143,000 in prize funds were handed out to winners of the tournament.

The organization wants to deeply thank Taylor and her whole Tuna & Tiaras team who organize, plan, and run the event.

Pictured, from left, are Megan Schulte (assistant tournament director), Pam Taylor (tournament director and founder), Raven Cook (WSW public relations and marketing coordinator), Jocelyn Feist (WSW executive director and mentoring coordinator) and Andie Hess (WSW events coordinator).

Drinking on beach hazardous, also prohibited

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer

(July 25, 2025) While the beach may feel like the perfect place to crack open a cold drink and unwind, drinking alcohol on the beach is not only illegal in Ocean City, it’s also dangerous.

The combination of summer heat, the dehydrating effects of alcohol, and impaired decisionmaking can quickly turn a relaxing day into a risky one. Alcohol lowers your body’s ability to stay hydrated, affects coordination and judgment, and can give swimmers a false sense of confidence in the water. These risks are exactly why Ocean City prohibits alcohol on the beach for your safety and the safety of those around you.

Almost every lifeguard has a story about rescuing someone who drank too much before entering the water. People who normally understand their own limits and respect the power of the ocean can

make dangerous choices under the influence of alcohol. That false sense of confidence, sometimes called “liquid courage” can lead to risky behavior, like swimming out too far or diving into shallow water. One tragic example involved a young man celebrating his high school graduation; after drinking, he dove headfirst into just two inches of water and was left paralyzed from the neck down.

More recently, a young adult under 21 ignored his friends’ warnings and went swimming after drinking too much. His body was recovered an hour later. These heartbreaking incidents are entirely preventable. Alcohol impairs judgment, endangers lives, and leaves lasting pain for loved ones left behind.

Intoxicated swimmers’ reaction time and physical ability are diminished and often lead to the person finding themselves in trouble in the water. If this occurs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. they will be lucky enough to be rescued by a lifeguard, although the individuals are often transported to a med-

ical facility for further evaluation.

Although we do a very good job of keeping people safe while we are on duty - regardless of how reckless they are (poor decision making) - we unfortunately respond to several off-duty “swimmer in distress” calls each season, some of which are fatal, and almost all are alcohol related. If you’re going to drink, don’t swim or drive, and use caution crossing the highway. Most pedestrian accidents that occur each season involve alcohol on the part of the driver or the victim (pedestrian) or both.

In addition to water-related accidents, heat-related illnesses also have a direct correlation to alcohol consumption. Historically, as temperatures rise throughout July, so do our onshore medical emergencies. Some alcohol-related incidents can be related to events up to 12 hours before the incident.

In addition to Maryland’s drinking laws, you might not be aware that Ocean City has its own laws and ordinances.

Public Consumption of Alcohol has been reclassified (2012) as a Criminal of-

fense and may lead to your arrest.

Consuming alcohol in public by anyone is prohibited.

Carrying an open container of alcohol is a violation. This includes the beach areas, sidewalks and the Boardwalk. Using false identification to purchase alcohol or enter a bar is a criminal offense that can result in a fine and/or loss of license.

If your beverage is in a glass container, you are also guilty of violating the ordinance of no glass containers are allowed on the beach.

You should note that the law is specific about the consumption of alcohol and has nothing to do with the container it is in (except that glass is also prohibited). Pouring a beverage into a cup is not acceptable. Some patrons know the law but choose to disobey and take their alcohol to the beach, then attempt to hide it from the Beach Patrol, which is in charge of enforcing Ocean City’s ordinances on the beach. This behavior means the lifeguard must then divide their time dealing with challenging patrons and watching the water at the same time. When an SRT has to leave the stand to enforce the law (part of their responsibility) which the person is usually already aware of, that causes the surrounding SRTs to not only have to guard their water but now they have the added responsibility of the now vacant stand. This isn’t fair to the SRTs who are just trying to do their job and manage their beach, so HELP your SRT so they can concentrate on their primary responsibility of keeping people safe in the ocean, by not attempting to get away with breaking the law.

Obey the laws, listen to your lifeguard, and leave the alcohol at home. Violating beach alcohol laws can result in fines or even a mandatory court appearance, definitely not the kind of memory you want to make on vacation. More importantly, following these rules helps protect you, your friends, and everyone else enjoying the ocean. Do your part to keep the beach safe and fun for all. And always remember:

“Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand!” For added safety, be sure to locate the nearest lifeguard stand and always swim near an on-duty guard.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH SHARK CAUGHT OFF ASSATEAGUE

The local fishing duo of Pat McCracken and Mike Slechter caught and released this shark off the coast of Assateague Island, measuring nine feet and about 400 pounds. The shark was hooked aboard John Forman’s boat.

SU adds new major

Students can contribute to lifechanging advancements in biomedical science and shape the future with groundbreaking research thanks to Salisbury University’s new biochemistry and molecular biology major.

“It was one of the most requested majors by prospective students that we did not offer,” said Dr. Michael Scott, dean of SU’s Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology. “Demand from employers in the region for students with expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology has continued to increase, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the faculty at SU have a long history of teaching excellence in these fields, the logical step to respond to these needs was to develop the new program.”

The major is designed for students interested in careers in the life sciences, pharmaceutical research, genetic research and biotech companies.

“Biochemistry and molecular biology are at the forefront of innovations in human health and disease treatment, pharmaceutical development, agricultural improvements, and the creation of sustainable energy solutions,” said Dr. Stephen Habay, professor and chair of SU’s Chemistry Department. “The new degree pro-

gram will give students a strong foundation in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, math and physics), then builds on that foundation to focus on advanced topics in biochemistry and molecular biology. The program also has enough flexibility that students can add a minor, do an internship, or pursue other academic goals.”

Through hands-on experience gained through research, coursework and labs with cutting-edge technology, students at SU will be well prepared to take the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) certification exam and ready for careers in the field.

Local students excel

A total of 551 Wor-Wic Community College students have been recognized for superior performance by being named to the dean’s list for the recently completed spring term. Students from Worcester County included:

Berlin: Cameron Andrews, Aaron August, Jason Baione-Leiderman, Jacob Bauer, Emily Bitner, Samantha Boger, Raelyn Bonebrake, Kirby Bounds, Michaela Brown, Brock Brushmiller, Alexandra Burton, Riley Calloway, Morelia Camacho-Arriola, Sydney Charlton, Chance Coley, Claire Cutlip, Julia Danner, Brodie Dehart,

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Kelly Dellies, Amani Dixon, Kimberly Duffy, Christian Elliott, George EppardAnnis, Guadalupe Espinoza-Fonseca, Honey Evans, Carter Fannin, Mitra Fooks, Aydin Gordon, Bailey Griffin, Sydnie Harrington, Nadeen Hassanein, Chakirah Henry, Isabel Hernandez, Jennifer Higgins, Juan Hinojosa, Amy Holland, Matthew Holland, Victoria Hornsby, Emily Hyatt, Jeff Jacobson, Dylan Jung, Lydia Kappelmeier, Brandon Karvoski, Zach Ketterman, Paul Knight, Sam Krasner, Elizabeth Kufchak, Jessica Lee, Kyle Lokey, Tiffany Long, Colin Martin, Nicole Mays, Sean McCrystal, Samantha McManus, Brittany McTernan, Mara Minkey, Brandon O'Brien, Adelina Olerta, Reid Phillips, Payton Piercey, Jonathan Pinkham, Bayley Price, Landon Pryor, Daisy Pugh, Grace Riekert, Katherine Rimel, Hunter Simon, Riley Smith, Stacey Smith, Jeff Spurrier, Bri'Kyra Tingle, Alexandria Urbanski, Blake Wallace, Lukas Wandling, Sarah Wasem, Kimberly Wheeler, Rowan Wilkins and Vienna Williams.

Bishopville: Safaa Alsharaydeh, Brooke Berquist, Shayleigh Boyle, Juliana Brown, Dalton Bunting, Ellie Cheynet, Jessica Cropper, Autumn Drew, Cristina Esch, Jessica Morris,

Chase Ponton, Lucas Popielaski, Kylie Record, Mary Soghomonian and Lilly Zalewski.

Girdletree: Riley Richardson

Newark: Rebecka Keller and Laura Truitt

Ocean City: Jazmine Abu-Zaid, Amber Alexander, Amanda Berry, Jamie Consigli, Madelyn Dill, Miranda Garliss-Griffith, Lizzie Grasso, Seth Hetherington, Tiffany McClain, Amella Mehan, William Melgar, Paul Mihalek III, Isabella Milite, Garv Patel, Tyler Pursel, Lana Sbih, Hannah Snyder, Abigail Stabinski, Alexandra Szabo, Tina Walas, Alexander Ward, Samantha Whitehead, Delaney Williams and Meredith Windsor.

Pocomoke City: Jose Castillo Enriquez, Rylee Covington, Deyton Dean, Edward Fulton IV, Elisha Kees, Jermaine Logan, Zach Outten, Sherita Taylor and Lucas Webster

Showell: Allison Swift

Snow Hill: Brad Boyer, Kendyl Cylc, Alexis Harper, Victoria Harper, Anthony Jenkins, Elizabeth Lonsdale, Kernighan Mitchell, Jaymee Pay, Paul Pierson Jr., Laylynn Prettyman, Michael Smith, Cheyanne Tunnell, Diana Walsh and Savvy Wertz

Stockton: Abigail Gaskill

Whaleyville: Eric Weaver

Who’s Where When

BURLEY OAK BREWING COMPANY

443-513-4647

10016 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin

Sat., July 26: Widley Grown

BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy.

Sundays: Local Party w/ DJ Deogee

Wednesday: Karaoke w/ DJ Hundley

Thurs., July 31: Johnny Cardo

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 25: Higher Education Duo & Free State Country

Sat., July 26: Permilla Project

& Star Spangled

Sun., July 27: Cecilia’s Fall

& Steve O’Boyle

Mon., July 28: DJ Mary Jane

& Ryan Jackson

Tues., July 29: Nick Hundley

& Briggs & Mama

Wed., July 30: Johnny Cardo & Jason Lee

Thurs., July 31: Shortcut Sunny & Schizophrenic Boogiemen

COCONUTS BEACH BAR

410-289-6846

Oceanfront At Castle

In The Sand Hotel

37th & 38th Streets

Fri., July 25: Darin Engh

& The Lime Green Band

Sat., July 26: Aaron Howell Trio & Beg 2 Differ Band

Sun., July 27: Carley Twigg

& 33 RPM Band

Mon., July 28: Sean Loomis

& The Rogue Citizens

Tues., July 29: The Bilenki Duo & The Castaway Band

Wed., July 30: Tony Mowen & Monkee Paw

Thurs., July 31: Honey Du Duo & Full Circle

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy.

Fri., July 26: Opposite Directions

Sat., July 27: Jim Long Party & The Rockoholics

Tues., July 29: Karaoke

Thurs., July 31: DJ Wax

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE

Sun., July 27: Eric Paul Levy

Wed., July 30: Brian Bishop

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Fri., July 25: Rehab (Ticket Event)

Sat., July 26: Rogue Citizens

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500

60th St., In The Bay

Fri., July 25: No Go Romeo, DJ RobCee & Shake The Room

Sat., July 26: The Chucks, DJ Dnial & Shake The Room

Sun., July 27: The Regal Beagles & DJ Azul

Mon., July 28: DJ Wax, Animal House, Pineapple Band & DJ N9NE

Tues., July 29: DJ RobCee & EDM Night

Best Beats On The Beach

STRATUS FEAR

Pickles Pub: Saturday, July 26

ROGUE CITIZENS

Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, July 26

Coconuts Beach Bar: Monday, July 28

Fager’s Island: Wednesday, July 30

THE DUNEHOUNDS

Harborside: Saturday, July 26

THE HEAT & THE COLD SWEAT HORNS Fagers Island: Thursday, July 31

SCHIZOPHRENIC BOOGIEMEN

The Wedge: Tuesday, July 29 Caribbean Pool Bar: Thursday, July 31

ON THE EDGE

PICKIN’ PARTY

Harborside: Sunday, July 27

FULL CIRCLE

Seacrets: Wednesday, July 30 (Duo) Coconuts Beach Bar: Thursday, July 31

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Coins Pub: Friday, July 25

Seacrets: Tuesday, July 29

Who’s Where When

Wed., July 30: Rogue Citizens & Latin Night

Thurs., July 31: DJ Groove & The Heat &

The Cold Sweat Horns

FISH TALES

410-289-0990

22nd St., & Bay

Sun., July 27: Rymac & Friends

Tues., July 29: Bilge Rats

Wednesdays: DJ Wax

Thurs., July 31: Blake Haley

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500

Route 611, West OC Sat., July 26: TBA

HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Fridays: DJ Billy T

Sat., July 26: Dunehounds & DJ Bigler

Sun., July 27: Pickin’ Party & 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 25: First Class

Sat., July 26: Chris Diller

Sun., July 27: On The Edge

Mondays: First Class

Tuesdays: Lost Figures

Wednesdays: Joe Mama & Friends

Thursdays: Beach Bandits

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee

Sat., July 26: Stratus Fear

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., July 25: The Reagan Years

Sat., July 26: Johnny Cardo (2pm) & Mad Decent (10pm)

Sun., July 27: Sonic OCM

Wednesdays: Balkan Party w/ DJ Papi

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Fri, July 25: 5 DJs, The Collective, Lights Out By 8 & Kono Nation

Sat., July 26: 6 DJs, Kono Nation, Not Leaving Sober, Lights Out By 8 & Garden State Radio

Sun., July 27: 3 DJs, Triple Rail Turn, Dueling Pianos & Amish Outlaws

Mon., July 28: 2 DJs & Blake Haley

Tues., July 29: 3 DJs, Opposite Directions & Turn The Tide

Wed., July 30: 2 DJs, Full Circle Duo & The Benderz

Thurs., July 31: 3 DJs, Faith Noel & Kristen & The Noise

THE WEDGE 410-289-5121

806 S. Atlantic Ave.

Sun., July 27: Jason Lee

Mon., July 28: Lauren Glick

Tues., July 29: Schizophrenic Boogiemen

Wed., July 30: Kasey Briggs & Charlie Travers

Thurs., July 31: Joe Esham

Jolly Jellyfish Beach Club: Sunday, July 27

SONIC Purple Moose: Sunday, July 27

Museum to show ‘Runaway Bride’

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 24, 2025) The Berlin-filmed “Runaway Bride” movie will be honored for its 26th anniversary this weekend with a showing on the lawn of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum.

This Saturday, July 26, the Taylor House will screen “Runaway Bride,” the 1999 film starring household names Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, which was shot primarily in Berlin. The showing will kick off at 8 p.m. on the lawn of the museum. Entrance into the event is free. Popcorn, candy, and soda will be available for sale.

The showing will commemorate the 26th anniversary of the film’s release, which premiered in July of 1999. Taylor House President Melissa Reid said the film’s screening will enhance the museum’s mission of telling the stories of Berlin by remembering the iconic movie that, in some ways, brought life back to a small town rebuilding itself.

“’Runaway Bride’…in my opinion, provided the economic stability that gave Berlin the foothold to continue to grow and become a cool small town,” Reid said. “’Runaway Bride’ was a cornerstone of that because of the money the movie provided when they came here for extensive filming.”

According to the Taylor House president, “Runaway Bride” came at a time when the Town of Berlin was on the rise after a period of stagnation, giving it the final push to become what it is today: a flourishing historic downtown district.

Before Berlin experienced its most recent period of prosperity, the municipality had endured times of economic stress. In the 1960s, a peach blight threw a massive wrench into the success of the Harrison family’s orchards,

a major employer in Berlin. Reid noted that the commercial health of many town businesses was dependent on the orchard’s profitability. Without the agricultural fortune, Berlin’s financial position struggled.

The museum leader added that the town also underwent a period of decline during an architectural movement in the 1940s and 1950s that favored more modern styles and less of Berlin’s specialty: Victorian, old-fashioned buildings.

Reid said that the town was in a situation where they didn’t have enough money to comply with the push towards modernity by tearing down the aged buildings and replacing them with new ones, but had enough financial room to cover up the structures.

“In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, a lot of Berlin stores were boarded up and empty,” she said. “There were plywood coverings over stained glass windows in Berlin, and formstone covering over some of the buildings. Where Relish and Treaty are now, that whole storefront on the second and third floor was covered over with aluminum siding. Also, we had these huge telephone poles going right down the sidewalks on either side of Main Street.”

Berlin began to emerge from its depressed period slowly but surely. Reid said that a former mayor secured the financial backing to hide the aesthetically displeasing power lines underground. As part of a historic space appreciation resurgence in the 1970s, a group of townsfolk advocated for the restoration of old-fashioned staples, such as the Taylor House and the familiar Atlantic Hotel.

“That started this appreciation for Berlin,” the museum president said. “It was starting, some small businesses were coming in.”

Giving it that final boost, Reid said, was the filming of “Runaway Bride.”

Production staff were scouting locations in Maryland to shoot the movie and settled on Berlin for its intact historic downtown. The film not only brought the townspeople together but also gave the area notoriety, increased tourism, and put it on the map to eventually be named ‘America’s Coolest Small Town’ by Budget Travel in 2014.

“We like to use the phrase at the museum, ‘they threw money around like confetti,’” Reid said. “I mean, it’s a Hollywood blockbuster movie, so they threw money all over the place, which gave those small businesses the economic stability to be able to weather the waves of tourism. Then, once the movie was released, tourism increased because people wanted to visit the town. It is a link in a chain that led us to where we are now.”

The goal of showing the movie on the museum’s lawn this week is to honor its impact on the Town of Berlin.

“It’s always a great time to see that movie with Berlin people in a collective setting because Main Street, even at the time the movie’s been made, Main Street itself has changed,” Reid said. “So it’s cool to see that sort of time capsule of what it looked like when the movie was being made, compared to what it looks like now with other community members. It’s a cool collective event.”

Reid, who was raised in Berlin, shared stories of what it was like to be a resident during the movie’s production. In one particular story, Reid said that her grandmother was at Rayne’s Reef when the town mayor entered with Richard Gere and the film’s director, Garry Marshall, on a site visit. Reid also noted that Gere’s presence in Berlin brought quite a stir.

“There was a scene in the movie where one shot they needed was

Taylor House to screen film shot in Berlin this weekend

[Gere] walking through the doors going into the restaurant in the Atlantic Hotel,” Reid explained. “Word had gotten out that Gere was filming, and so many women had come into the restaurant, to the point it was so crowded in there that when they would try to film the scene and they would open the door, there would be so many women screaming that they had to tell the restaurant that they had to close so that they could get this one shot filmed and move on with their day.”

Reid added that the stars were active in Berlin, to the extent that Marshall would often show up at the Atlantic Hotel just to play the restaurant’s piano. He also signed books and conducted talks at The Globe.

The movie brought the town together. When the piece was filmed and edited, Berlin received two early cuts. Townspeople could purchase a ticket, and they would be bussed to the West Ocean City movie theater, where the film played. Reid said that she remembers the excitement felt by residents during that initial screening.

“There was a scene in the movie, it was an early scene, where it was an overview shot, a long shot down Main Street,” she said. “I have such a vivid memory of when that scene came up.

We didn’t know what the movie looked like. We had been there for the filming, but we had no idea what the finished product looked like. When that scene came up on a movie theater screen, the entire movie theater burst into applause, cheering and screaming. It was such a great collective community happening.”

Reid hopes this weekend’s lawn showing will reignite some of that community pride. She said that the town used to show the movie each summer, but interest tapered off. However, when the film was shown on the museum’s lawn last July for its monumental 25th anniversary, Berliners flocked to the outdoor screening. Reid said that she believes this year’s occurrence will yield similar attendance rates.

“We’re glad we could, at least for this year, show [“Runaway Bride”] again just to provide people with another opportunity to see it with a group of fellow townspeople,” she said.

“Runaway Bride” is this month’s movie on the lawn, but the museum has planned additional film showings for the rest of the year. Reid said that the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus” is set for October, while “Night at the Museum” will play on the facility’s grass in November.

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

29th to 90th streets

■ 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.

■ 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.

FENWICK ISLAND

■ 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 selections 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.

WEST OCEAN CITY

■ 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, Ocean City, 410-390-5112

Family owned for over 25 years. Serving the best homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. Free salad bar with delicious dinner. Local’s favorite. 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

Upzoning allows Salt Life to move ahead with developing

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 18, 2025) An upzoning request for the next phase of an affordable West Ocean City housing project was approved by Worcester County leaders this week.

Home developer Mark Odachowski may now expand into a Phase 3 of his Salt Life mobile home park, located along Old Bridge Road. The County Commissioners on Tuesday approved his request to re-classify an 18-acre parcel from R-2 Suburban Residential to R-4 General Residential zoning.

When it comes to the county’s zoning designations, R-2 is meant for singlefamily homes and duplexes, while R-4 is for denser and more mobile homefriendly developments.

Odachowski hopes to start construction sometime in early 2026, pending not only site plan approval from county planning officials, but also when they’re able to secure additional water-sewer hookups for the property.

Notably, Odachowski’s own singlefamily home on this parcel will ultimately fall to a bulldozer in order to make way for another cohort of his cozy but modern stick-built mobile homes.

He’d already cleared out the frontage of the expansive property to construct 34 new mobile homes for Phase 2 of the project. Phase 1 involved taking the adjacent Greenridge Trailer Park and renovating 58 homes there, including new water and sewer connections. For now, it’s unclear how many more properties Phase 3 would add.

Odachowski held a grand opening for the rechristened Salt Life mobile home park on June 20. The community offers 92 two-bedroom homes, about 1,200 square feet apiece, and priced in the $200,000s. Homes aren’t available for short-term rentals but can be rented on a 12-month basis.

“Trying to find affordable housing in the area, with the costs and everything, is so difficult. That was really our goal, to provide affordability,” Odachowski said at his zoning hearing in Snow Hill before the commissioners.

To that end, Odachowski – whose family operates both a disaster cleanup service and an electrical contractor under the umbrella of Royal Plus, Inc. – admitted that he absorbed the unexpected $500,000 cost that came with extensive roadway improvements along Old Bridge Road as mandated by the State Highway Administration.

Punctuated with quirky street names like This Way and My Way, residents of Salt Life also will have a bundled community fee that includes ground rent, lawn service, water and sewer, property taxes, and trash pickup. Amenities include a clubhouse and pool. Golf carts are welcome.

Because it’s a private community that targets homeowners in their 50s, Odachowski said he reserves the right not to sell to younger buyers.

With the expansion of this project, county officials have recognized that this part of West Ocean City is undergoing a bit of a growth spurt.

According to the county’s planning commission, there’s a “strong demand” for affordable housing and manufactured units that’s coincided with an increase in commercial growth, as mentioned in the commission’s May 1 findings of fact for this project.

To that point, just down the street on Old Bridge Road, another project underway called Crepe Myrtle Court will build 25 new homes on what’s now an empty lot.

Other projects in the pipeline hinge on water-sewer availability, meaning leaner and smaller home projects are more likely to proceed in the near future.

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Members of the community are pictured at June’s grand opening celebration for the Salt Life community in West Ocean City.

MONTHLY ART RECEPTION

The Art League of Ocean City held its monthly opening art reception on July 11 at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th St. bayside. Above left, the family of Beverly Bassford, shown with Art League of Ocean City President Crystal Collins, honored her love of art after her passing by establishing a prize in her name that grew into the annual Beverly Bassford Memorial Juried Art Show, with continued sponsorship by the family. Above right, from left, are winners of the Beverly Bassford Memorial Juried Art Show include Joyce Rose, honorable mention; Don Hartman, honorable mention; Art League President Crystal Collins; and first place winner Carol Ward. Not shown were Karen Lembo, Best in Show and honorable mention; Daijah Richardson, second place; and Ruth Ann Kaufman, third place.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Other exhibitors for the July show at the Ocean City Center for the Arts are, above from left, Aria Islam, resident artist in the Burbage Staircase Gallery through the remainder of 2025; Aubrey Sizemore, volunteer and events coordinator for the Art League of Ocean City, showed her paper quilling creation in the Spotlight Gallery; and Dee Dobson, displaying her handmade jewelry. Below are artists Jonathan Nordstrom, left, and Patrick Lieb.

YOUTH FISHING

The Ocean Pines Anglers Club hosted a record 97 young anglers at the 29th Annual Art Hansen Memorial Youth Fishing Contest last Saturday at the South Gate Pond at Veterans Park in Ocean Pines. The contest was divided into three age groups -- 4-7, 8-11, 12-16 years old -- with trophies awarded for biggest fish in each age group and special awards for the top three and most fish. Over 100 fish were caught. All registrants received a gift bag compliments of the Anglers Club and the Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club. Pictured, front from left, are ages 4-7 division top finishers Tayde Brown (most fish) and largest winners third place Carson Newton, second place Veronica Steele and first place Dasey Koons; ages 8-11 division top finishers Reid Landis and Lorenzo Torrz (tie for most fish) and largest winners third place Tyler Musser, second place Zoe Duncan and first place Reid Landis.; and, back from left, ages 12-16 division leaders Carma Jean Valdez (most fish) and largest division winners third place Lincoln Towers, second place Larenzo Gargiard and first place Daniel Baer.

by Steve Green

TThe Adventures of Fatherhood

wo special stories to share this week as a result of this column.

• First, we met a wonderful family on Saturday who recognized me from this space. We have been spending this summer renovating a rental house in Ocean City and we are now to the point we need to update the furniture without breaking the bank.

Pam found a perfect couch and matching chair on Marketplace that was available around the corner from our second home. As we walked into the unit, a man recognized me from the newspaper. He would become my best friend that day due to his willingness to help us move this heavy furniture down a few flights of stairs and into our place. The furniture looked much lighter online, but we got the job done and had a good workout.

Over the years, it’s become common for people to recognize me from my day job. It’s special when they remark how they feel like they have watched my kids grow up through the column. I think my kids like it as well, but they are teens and it’s hard to tell the difference between sincerity and politeness.

We bonded with our new friends over the tight confines of moving the heavy furniture and identified multiple small-town connections including an affection for the Grateful Dead. After the stuff was relocated, the amazing couple offered to gift the furniture to us rather than accept the agreed upon deal. What a kind gesture and just another example of how kindness is still alive and well with some.

• Another communication, a result of this column, was received over the weekend from a reader. The man’s daughter was a teacher of Carson’s in his younger years. The reader and his

family happen to be at Jolly Roger water park last week while Carson was working in a position made possible by a county/state program.

The daughter recognized Carson and pointed him out to his father, who was able to observe Carson from afar. He shared the most amazing email with me over the weekend that moved me and Pam.

The email read in part, “I read with interest, as I do every week, your column in today's Dispatch. We have owned here in OC for only 5 years but during that time, I have found myself looking forward every Friday to your column and getting an update on your family. It has really been inspiring to me, as a father and grandfather myself.

Imagine my surprise then, when yesterday at Splash Mountain at about 1 pm when I'm sitting in the kids pool where the mermaids were, as I watched over my granddaughter in the mermaid line waiting for face paint, when my daughter, her mother, comes up beside me and points to a young man sitting quietly next to the one mermaid, and says, that's Steve Green's son.

I looked and indeed, the name tag said Carson. It was a marvelous feeling, "meeting" someone who I had read so much about and admired his journey. But learning from his father's writing, I knew the best approach was to just observe from my short distance.

Your son was inspiring. He quietly helped, he listened patiently to the boy to his left from his group who was very talkative, and your son smiled and laughed easily. For the 30 minutes I got to observe your son Carson, knowing from your writings what it has taken from you and Pam and so many others, to get him to be this best version of himself, as you put it, I was humbled and proud for you.

God bless you and everyone who is helping Carson on his life's journey. Thank you for sharing your family's journey which has truly helped me be a more patient father and grandfather myself.”

These sorts of communications were not why this column was started, but it’s special when feedback like this is received. It hits the heart in all the best ways. I am so appreciative of the man taking the time to reach out.

This column began back in 2008 as a means to document our adventures of raising our oldest son, Beckett, who was a month old when I started writing this piece. There was a selfish motivation at first as writing about him seemed like a good way to reflect on this new journey of being a father blessed by adoption.

Then came Carson a year later and the column has evolved over the years. In recent years, I have devoted more of the column to Carson, 15, because of this incredible journey through the special needs world we have lived. It’s often what’s most weighing on my mind and heart when it comes time to write with my dad hat on.

At 17, I think Beckett would prefer his name not be mentioned at all in this space, but I think one day he will like reading these columns. However, I do often reflect on our experiences with him, especially the newfound independence and the fact he’s entering his senior year in high school.

After nearly 900 columns over the last 17 years, it’s special when connections are made with readers especially when the roots lie from this weekly space. I am grateful for these experiences.

(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.)

Surf icon to make an appearance at convention center

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(July 11, 2025) Coming up on Thursday evening, July 31 at the Ocean City Performing Arts Theater, located in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 41st Street, will be a special evening with former world champion surfer Shaun Tomson.

Tomson, one of the greatest surfers the sport has ever known, especially noted for his tube riding skills, is also a gifted motivational speaker and author. He’s a great ambassador for the sport, well spoken, a gentleman and a credit to surfing.

This is not so much an evening about surfing as it is about any person’s purpose, power, and path. For some of us, motivation can be hard to come by. Life has its “bumps in the road,” which often seem more like mountains. Shaun is sure to bring inspiration to anyone who attends. He too has had his share of challenges.

The iconic movie “Bustin’ Down The Door” will also be presented as part of the evening’s program. It’s a story of conflicting ideas and how professional surfing got started. It’s also the 50th year anniversary of the movie’s inception.

In addition, there will be a surfboard raffle, giveaways, signed posters and sales of Tomson’s book “The Code-The Power of I Will.” Proceeds from the event will go to the Ocean City Museum Society dedicated to preserving the history of Ocean City, MD.

It is rare for a world champion athlete like Tomson to come to town for a public appearance. Surely it will be an evening to be remembered. Tickets are $25. For more information and ticket sales Google “Next Wave Beach Bash.” Spend an evening with a world champion and learn about the sport of kings.

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

The Next Wave event is set for July 31.

Fresh tuna salad on avocado

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(July 25, 2025) Residing at the beach manifests a whole different feeling than living in other residential communities. Hot, steamy weather, the allure of amusement parks, and the infamous boardwalk entices massive crowds seeking a fun day with family.

Besing surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean supports the theme of seafood; the delectable proteins are reflected in menus across the Eastern Shore. Spicy, steamed shrimp, Maryland blue crab, and succulent oysters are a popular choice among tourists and locals. Tuna, another favorite, is in season and fisherman are heading to sea in hopes of catching the “big one.”

Seared tuna is probably the trendiest way to serve this delicious delight. The textured crust is a wonderful contrast with the rare, luscious interior. The secret to this dish is to cook the fresh tuna in a very hot pan.

As a child, canned tuna was our blue plate special. My parents were always working to support the family and our palettes and pocketbook could not support a delicacy such as

fresh tuna.

I was always mesmerized how many steps went into making tuna salad which by the way was one of my favorite lunches. Mother insisted that albacore tuna was the best and as a result it was the only tuna that graced our kitchen.

The secret to mom’s tuna salad is to squeeze out all of the liquid that is added during the canning process. This liquid helps preserve the tuna but it also has a fishy small which is not appealing and will make your salad soggy.

Mom would also add finely chopped sweet onion, green pepper, and celery to her tuna salad. She said the veggies needed to be finely chopped so they would not overpower the tuna. Some cooks add a touch of sweet pickle or relish to the tuna mixture. I like it either way, but adding some sweetness certainly changes the dynamics of the salad.

Mother would also add a touch of apple cider vinegar to the mayonnaise before mixing it in the salad. The reason is very simple; the vinegar cuts the fishy smell of the tuna and also adds zest to the mayo.

As my curiosity of cooking intensified, I eventually developed my own style of cooking. I will always remem-

ber the fun times mother and I had in the kitchen.

But the greatest gift she gave me was to understand that cooking embodies much more than just a place where families sit down to eat. It symbolizes love and harmony, and it is these ingredients that are essential to our everyday lives which ultimately preserves tradition.

consider fresh Mexican tuna

I am still a huge fan of canned tuna salad but fresh tuna salad has more depth of flavor and a richer texture. The most important step is not to overcook the tuna. In fact, I poach the tuna in canola oil and sweet butter. The butter and oil enhance the richness of the fish while locking in moisture.

Fresh tuna is a dense fish, so do not be afraid to use salt. Kosher salt is the preferred choice for several reasons. The coarseness of the salt allows one to be consistent with the application, it has better flavor, and is equivalent to table salt. If you use sea salt, make sure you cut back a little for it has a stronger flavor.

If you want to step it up a notch,

The addition of black beans, chopped tomatoes, red, yellow, and orange peppers, cilantro, and a touch of pickled jalapeno add a whole new favor profile and change the dish completely.

Cut an avocado in half, remove the seed, and you have a natural indentation for the salad. Or place tortilla chips on a platter with a bowl of Mexican tuna salad for a delicious twist on dip. Hot opened face Mexican tuna sandwich under the broiler with cheese and salsa is another option during the months of winter.

The element of surprise and variation is what makes for memorable moments. Thinking out of the box will always score points with family and friends. Fresh Mexican tuna salad is one of them. Enjoy!

salad.

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

WIth Bunk Mann

The Misty Harbor began life as a one-story motel known as the “New Beach Motel” in the early 1950s. Located at 2501 Philadelphia Ave., the motel was sold to Ocean City Mayor Hugh Thomas Cropper in 1964.

The name was changed to the “Misty Harbor” for the 1965 season and a second floor was later added. A popular motel in the 1970s and ’80s, the Misty Harbor offered its guests free rowboats and boat docking on its bayside lagoon.

Demolished in 2007, the site is currently home to a Fairfield Inn and Suites and other businesses.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com. Postcard Image Courtesy David Dypsky

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Early mornings on the beach

Seeing my wife relaxing

Christmas in July fundraisers

Humble pro athletes

Sitcom bloopers

All the Coldplay concert memes

Flipping to a new month of a personalized calendar

Seeing a ‘We Heart Berlin’ sticker in a different state

When old friends visit

All appetizers for a dinner

Early evenings on the beach

State fights back on permit claim

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) We’ve done it the right way, federal rules don’t apply here, and we won’t be reissuing any permits.

That’s the upshot of a July 17 letter from Maryland’s Department of the Environment (MDE) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a response that pushes back against the federal agency’s claim that Maryland mishandled a key permit for US Wind’s offshore wind project.

Earlier this month, EPA Regional Administrator Amy Van BlarcomLackey told MDE that Maryland’s final approval of the permit was flawed because it didn’t explain how the decision could be appealed through federal channels. The omission invalidated the permit, EPA argued.

Based on this technicality, the feds told MDE not only to issue a new permit for US Wind, and to direct any public petitions to EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board. Otherwise, the whole thing could end up being thrown out in court – at least, according to EPA.

However, the state rejected those claims. MDE Secretary Serena McIlwain wrote that Maryland has legally been issuing permits like this “for

decades” under authority approved by EPA. She said appeals to these sorts of permits are handled through state courts, not the federal system.

“The authority to issue these permits is a state function under Maryland law, not a direct implementation of federal regulations,” she wrote.

‘MDE will not re-issue the permit and will continue to follow the proper state procedures to consider appeals.’

MDE Secretary

Serena McIlwain

The state’s rebuttal also says its offshore wind permitting process not only meets but exceeds federal requirements, and that EPA had already acknowledged and approved this already.

EPA in its July 7 letter to MDE also asked the state to direct any appeals to a federal process and to therefore scrub online mentions of a state appeals process. But the state rejected that request, too.

“MDE will not re-issue the permit and will continue to follow the proper state procedures to consider appeals,” the state wrote. “We hope this

response addresses your concerns and clarifies any misunderstanding.”

US Wind has been working for years toward a planned offshore wind farm located about 11 miles off Ocean City’s shoreline. Its field of up to 114 turbines would tower roughly 90 stories above sea level, providing enough power for more than 700,000 homes.

But opposition at the local level remains at a fever pitch despite state officials shepherding the process for US Wind. The municipal governments of both Worcester County and the Town of Ocean City have promised to fight the wind farm, with each pledging $100,000 toward an ongoing antiwind PR campaign. Both are also a party to a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior to stop or slow the project.

In Washington, Congressman Andy Harris (R-1st) called the EPA’s ruling a victory for offshore wind opponents, and President Donald Trump in an Executive Order says he wants subsidies stripped from wind and solar projects. Congress’ latest budget bill also rescinded subsidies for green energy projects that aren’t completed by 2028.

A spokeswoman for US Wind said its permits were issued validly and the company remains committed to the project.

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

Saturrdday 12:30-2:30pm

PHOTO

Berlin to adjust the code on peddling, soliciting practice

Municipality has opted to alter its rules on door-todoor selling, tightens limits

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(July 24, 2025) The Berlin Town Council prepares to adopt a new ordinance that would restrict peddling in town outside the hours of Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and prohibit the soliciting practice on holidays.

‘Our

At its meeting last week, the Berlin Mayor and Council discussed a draft ordinance that would redefine the limitations on peddling and soliciting within the municipality’s boundaries. Town of Berlin Attorney David Gaskill created the updated code. A first reading is planned for the governing group’s upcoming meeting on Monday, July 28. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 11, with an anticipated adoption date of Sept. 1.

months. Berlin’s Town Council initially discussed the drafted document last week. Gaskill stated that an enhanced ordinance was necessary for the benefit of Berlin residents, who are the target of solicitors.

“Our [current] peddlers ordinance, in my opinion, was just poorly drafted,” the town attorney said. “So, we’re going to get rid of all of it and start over.”

[current] peddlers

ordinance, in my opinion, was just poorly drafted.’ Town of Berlin Attorney David Gaskill

Per the proposed code, peddlers, defined as those “selling or offering for sale of any goods, wares or merchandise for immediate delivery which the person selling or offering for sale carries with him or her in traveling, or has in his or her possession or control, upon any of the streets or sidewalks or from house to house within the town,” are required to obtain a peddlers license. Manufacturers or producers for the sale of bread or bakery products, meat products, milk products, produce, eggs, or other agricultural products are exempt from this rule.

The new peddlers code is likely to be implemented within the next few

The council’s conversation also

See TOWN Page 85

NOTICE OF FY 2026 ADOPTED EXPENSE BUDGETS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY

The Worcester County Commissioners adopted the expense budgets for the General Fund on June 3, 2025 and Enterprise Funds on June 17, 2025, all of which became effective as of July 1, 2025.

Town drafts new peddling code

touched on the timeframe of when peddling is allowed in Berlin. The current code does not have a time limit. Gaskill’s draft proposed permitting the activity between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day of the week, except Sunday. The council expressed a desire to restrict peddling further.

Upon the council’s request, peddling will be restricted to the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Soliciting in the early morning, late afternoon and night, and on weekends and town-sanctioned holidays will be strictly prohibited once the council adopts the new code.

Berlin Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said that the initial 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. timeframe was, in her opinion, reasonable as it extended an entire workday; however, she noted that it was ultimately up to the town council to decide.

The governing group said that they were in favor of tighter time restrictions.

“Part of this, too, is yes, we want to make sure it’s reasonable, but people also in the Town of Berlin have the right to be able to reasonably enjoy themselves,” Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said. Many on the council expressed dissatisfaction with the permission of peddling in Berlin at all.

“When I’m sitting on my front

porch, I do not want someone stopping and asking me if I want to buy their nail polish,” Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said.

Councilman Steve Green added that while he was initially in favor of banning the practice of the town issuing permits entirely, research revealed that prohibiting peddling is unconstitutional.

Furthermore, peddlers are required to apply for an official permit and are subject to a basic background check. Licenses will not be provided to those with a criminal history.

Per last week’s council discussion, peddling will be prohibited on holidays. The body decided to limit this to townrecognized holidays, to avoid any confusion. The Berlin Police Department, the group that issues peddlers licenses, will be provided with a list of days when door-to-door selling is banned.

The updated ordinance will have its first reading at the Berlin Mayor and Council’s upcoming meeting on July 28.

Concerns surrounding peddlers came to light in the spring when a resident, Mary Hedlesky, expressed her concerns at a public meeting about an unfortunate experience she had with a window replacement salesperson. The incident, caught on video, showed the salesman trying to get into the woman’s home while she was reviewing the permit handed out by police.

State data shows housing market slowdown

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(July 25, 2025) In a news release from the Maryland REALTORS® earlier this week, it was reported that Maryland’s statewide housing market experienced a modest slowdown in June, with 6,479 homes sold statewide, marking a 1.3% decline compared to June 2024 (6,563 homes), according to data released by Maryland REALTORS®. Despite the dip in activity, home prices continued to climb. The average sales price in June reached

$543,801, up 3.9% year-over-year, while the median price rose 3.3% to $450,000.

In comparison to the statewide numbers, Worcester County data revealed a more dramatic decline of a nearly 11% decline in homes sold year over year, and an average sales price decline of 13.1%, from $513,866 in ’24 to $446,328 in ’25. However, these numbers fluctuate month over month; for example, in May of this year, the figures showed much less disparity with an average sales price of $478,445 in ’25 vs $476,798 in ’24, representing a 0.3% increase year over year.

In Maryland, homes are taking longer to sell. The median days on mar-

Rebranding announced

(July 25, 2025) After more than a decade of delivering exceptional physical therapy and balance care, the team behind your trusted local clinic is proud to announce a new chapter: the launch of Gardner Physical Therapy & Balance Centers.

Previously operating under a franchise name, the practice has chosen to rebrand under owner Scott Gardner’s

last name — a name that reflects a more personal, community-rooted identity. While the name may be new, everything else patients value remains unchanged: same staff, same locations and same great care.

Gardner Physical Therapy continues to offer a full spectrum of services including orthopedic and sports injury rehabilitation; post-surgical therapy; balance and vestibular treatment; fall prevention programs; chronic pain

ket statewide climbed to 11 days, a three-day increase over the same time last year. For Worcester County, the median days on market has climbed to 37 over 19 days on market the same time last year. In Wicomico County, the year over year trend is less dramatic with a 17 days on market median June ’25, which represents a three-day increase over the same time last year.

Maryland’s market reflects national trends. According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, builder confidence plunged to 32 points in June—its lowest level in over two years. Measures of current and future sales, along with buyer foot traffic, are all on the decline.

Meanwhile, homes are sitting longer on the market across the country, and price reductions are on the rise.

“Maryland, along with other markets across the country, is seeing an increase in the number of price reductions. If this continues, it could indicate a shift toward a buyer’s market,” said Cheryl Abrams Davis, 2025 President of Maryland REALTORS®

“This is where a REALTOR® makes a real difference—helping buyers and sellers read the market, time their decisions, and navigate trends to get the best outcome.”

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

management; and customized wellness and mobility programs.

“This rebrand is more than just a name change — it’s a reflection of our independence, our values, and our dedication to serving this community with personalized care,” said Scott Gardner, founder and lead physical therapist. “We’re staying true to what makes us great, while looking ahead to expand with new offerings in the near future.”

Gardner Physical Therapy & Balance Centers will continue operating from the same convenient location, offering state-of-the-art equipment, one-on-one attention, and tailored treatment plans designed around each patient’s lifestyle and goals.

There will be no disruption in services or insurance coverage. New and returning patients are always welcome and encouraged to schedule a consultation.

Freeman concert schedule

sizzles

with late summer fun

Outdoor concert venue packed with performances to thrill for July and August

(July 25, 2025) Summer memories are still being made at Freeman Arts Pavilion.

The outdoor performing arts venue in Selbyville may be halfway through its 18th season, but there’s a lot more in store. With performances continuing through mid-September, there’s still plenty for residents and visitors of Delmarva to enjoy.

The lineup ahead includes a mix of cultural and free or low-cost events, such as The High Kings on Sunday, July 27; Pink Martini featuring China Forbes on July 30; Locals Under the Lights on July 31; SODELO: The Southern Delaware Orchestra on Aug. 12; Call Me Dancer: A Special Screening & Directors’ Discussion on Aug. 14; Clear Space Theatre Company presents “Hairspray,” on August 19; Go Go Gadjet on August 20; Arts & Jazz Festival on Aug. 22; Twitty & Lynn: Together Again on Aug. 23; First State Ballet on Aug. 27 and Bill Blagg Family Magic on Aug. 29.

Don’t miss legendary music icons, such as John Fogerty on Aug. 2, Lyle Lovett and his Large Band on Aug. 6, ZZ Top on Sept. 11 and Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas on Sept. 14 or pop music favorites, including Andy Grammer on Aug. 28, Maren Morris on Aug. 31 and Lake Street Dive on Sept. 4.

Step back in time with fan-favorite tributes, including The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on Aug. 8; Dark Star Orchestra on Aug. 13; Yächtley Crëw: Seas The Night Tour on Aug. 21;

Stay informed with our digital newsletter

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We have developed an in-yourmorning-email product (with updates for breaking news) and invite you to give it a try.

If you sign up now, you’ll get a free three-month trial subscription, to what will become available by paid subscription only for a nominal charge. How nominal? $1 a month or $10 a year to cover our production costs.

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Changes In Latitudes — America’s Premiere Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show on Aug. 30 and Face 2 Face: A Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel on Sept. 2.

“Whether it’s your first visit or your 10th this summer at Freeman Arts Pavilion, there’s still so much to experience — from iconic performers to engaging community events,” said Patti Grimes, executive director.

“Whether you’re a local or just visiting, we hope you’ll come and enjoy world-class artists in your backyard this summer.”

Freeman Arts Pavilion is located in Selbyville, about four miles from Fenwick Island and Ocean City. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit freemanarts.org.

KIWANIS CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBER

On July 16, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City inducted Karen McInturf as a new member. Pictured with the new member are sponsor Skip Flanagan and Kiwanis Club President Tom Southwell. McInturf shared she's been a resident of Ocean Pines for only one year and learned about Kiwanis from the many events she's attended where Kiwanis was involved.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Candidates must live in OC longer to run for council

New residency restrictions follow electoral controversy

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(July 25, 2025) Despite public objection, city officials this week enacted new requirements for those seeking elected office.

On Monday, the Ocean City Council adopted a charter amendment on candidate qualifications. The resolution, passed in a unanimous vote, effectively sets new residency requirements to run for office.

“It was open-ended previously,” Council President Matt James said of candidate eligibility. “This puts a lot of closure to it.”

Last fall, weeks before the municipal election, the Ocean City Council voted to disqualify council candidate Leslie Smith, with a majority arguing she did not meet the city’s domicile requirements.

While Smith declared her Ocean City property, which she rented out on Airbnb during the summer months, to be her main residence, many argued she resided full time at her property in Bishopville.

That, in turn, kicked off a larger discussion about residency, as well as the need for charter amendments, which were presented for discussion in February and again in May.

As presented for adoption Monday, the charter amendment would increase residency requirements from four months to two years; require candidates, once elected, to maintain their Ocean City residency throughout their term in office and abstain from obtaining a rental li-

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Former council candidate Leslie Smith, left, is pictured addressing the Mayor and Council, including Carol Proctor, Will Savage, John Gehrig and Matt James.

Former council candidate voices objections to change

cense at their domicile; and adds language that states a candidate’s permanent residence cannot have a rental license for two calendar years prior to the municipal election, unless that domicile is a multiple-family dwelling which maintains a rental license for the other units but not the candidate’s domicile.

However, during a public hearing prior to Monday’s vote, Smith came before the City Council to voice her objection to the changes. She argued the charter amendment was a targeted attack on her candidacy.

“Let's be clear, this charter amendment is not about improving governance, it's about exclusion,” she said. “It targets voices that challenge the status quo and discourages civil participation.”

gage like so many others do and who stays just 10 minutes away at my second home, I'm being penalized.”

She said that, as written, the charter amendment would exclude her from running for office, as she held a rental license. She added that the changes should be decided by residents, and not the council.

“It is deeply unprincipled for the council alone to have the power to unilaterally write or alter the rules of this charter,” she said. “The people, not the politicians, should be the one shaping how our government functions.”

‘It is deeply unprincipled for the council alone to have the power to unilaterally write or alter the rules of this charter.’

Leslie Smith

Smith questioned why she was being singled out for her dual residency, when Council Secretary Tony DeLuca traveled between his condo in Ocean City and his home in Annapolis.

“It is generally understood that a person's primary residence is defined by spending at least six months and one day in that location,” she said. “If he is meeting that threshold then I have no issue. But I, as someone who legally rents my unit for less than 90 days a year to help offset my mort-

Residents Scott Chismar and Terry Miller agreed. Miller added the charter amendment to be “restrictive” and “unnecessary.”

“It really should be something that's taken to the voters and not decided by the seven of you,” she said.

Prior to Monday’s vote, Councilman John Gehrig clarified that the proposed charter changes were not aimed at a particular candidate, but rather at the definition of “domicile.”

He said the amendment addressed any “vagueness” associated with its definition.

“These are clear rules that all of us can understand and apply,” he said.

The resolution was then adopted in a 7-0 vote.

Shuttle business pivots after county denial

Operators seek new, private location to run water ferries in advance of OC concerts

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(July 25, 2025) In the shadow of the gridlocked Route 50 bridge, one charter boat captain quietly built a water shuttle system that brought thousands of passengers to Ocean City’s biggest music festivals – until county officials ordered him to stop.

Tony Battista engineered a spontaneous workaround for choked concert traffic during Oceans Calling, Country Calling, and now Boardwalk Rock. But now, two years in, the Worcester County Commissioners decreed last week his flotilla of festival ferries can’t use a public boat ramp as a launch site.

Capt. Tony is speaking out, saying he and the handful of other captains who have joined him aren’t fly-bynight opportunists, but established business operators who want to help solve a problem – and yes, they may make some money in the process.

“If the county understood that we were all licensed, we all do have drug cards, we all have responsibilities when those people step on our boats,” Battista said in an interview with OC Today-Dispatch. “We're responsible

for their lives. No one else.”

Battista, 61, has operated Saltwater Adventures LLC as a licensed charter boat captain since 2017. From his slip at Bahia Marina, he’s licensed to carry two crew and six passengers on his 25-foot center console boat. He’ll take clients not just fishing, but on pony- and birdwatching excursions. He’s even brought mourners out to sea to send off loved ones’ cremated remains.

When the first Oceans Calling event came to Ocean City in 2023 (the first iteration in 2022 was rained out) a neighbor asked Battista if they could catch a ride over the water, to avoid concert traffic. To his surprise, it caught on.

“The more friends I told, the more people were interested,” he said. “But I found out on day one, I couldn’t do this by myself.”

By the end of that inaugural concert night, Battista had personally ferried 197 passengers from a wee public dock at the West Ocean City commercial harbor. Their landing point was The Angler restaurant at the foot of the Route 50 bridge in downtown Ocean City.

Everything went smoothly – until the concert let out. Suddenly, dozens of people he’d ferried over throughout the day now needed a ride back all at once. But Capt. Tony was still limited to six passengers per run.

“What I didn't realize is everybody

was going to come out at the same time,” he said. “So here I am at 11 o’clock at night. I got 197 people sitting at The Angler. I had to scramble.”

He called in favors from two other charter boat captains who live on the water and were free to help. It was chaotic, but everyone got dropped back off at the public boat ramp.

“I said to a friend of mine who’s a charter captain, you know, we may be onto something here. We need to get organized,” he said.

By day two of Oceans Calling, they had five boats, working together for the duration of the three-day show and shuttled 800 people.

Since then, in collaboration with seven other boats, the festival flotilla has moved 1,000 to 1,300 people per concert. Battista estimates he’s made thousands of trouble-free, one-way trips.

“We have three concerts under our belt with no issues,” he said. “We’ve only had two medical emergencies. We had maybe a dozen people had to go back, babysitter problems, whatever the issue was.”

From there, Battista approached a handful of West Ocean City hotels with a new twist: to move guests, carfree, they’d use charter buses. For $10 per person, a shuttle bus looped from hotel to hotel and dropped guests off at the boat launch site.

Eventually, some people complained: Capt. Tony technically wasn’t supposed to set up a tent and banner advertising his service at the boat ramp, but he did. He admits it was a mistake.

“ The reason this whole thing came to a push,” he said, “is because a couple of haters – I'm not gonna say any names, but you know, the haters, there's one or two of 'em – stirred up enough crap. That that's why we ended up in this position.”

Battista got called on the carpet by the county’s recreation and parks department, which has oversight of the boat ramp. Initially they were supportive – “they went to bat for us,” Battista says – but ultimately told him he’d need permission to keep using the public boat ramp.

When the issue came before the commissioners on July 15, county attorney Roscoe Leslie noted that the public boat ramp is supposed to be for recreational use, legally, and that other watermen nearby paid to rent their slips.

“This sounds like it would be a very profitable business venture that we would essentially be giving to one vendor without having a competitive process,” Leslie said.

Battista charges passengers $15 per trip. For some other shuttle captains, prices go up with the distance traveled on the water. He admits the

Public boat ramp use frowned on

venture is “very lucrative.”

“I don't want to get into their financial details, but believe me, everybody's really happy,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I make a fair wage for what I do. I do all the prep and planning. I get the people to the boats. I get 'em with the right captains. I get 'em safely to The Angler. And I get a lot of compliments from our customers.”

Battista said he’s also used the concert shuttle service – where guests from all over the United States come to Ocean City – to piggyback onto his main charter offerings.

Every bit helps, he added, since the days of having a regional word-ofmouth charter business are over. The market has been flooded and overtaken in recent years by booking websites and online reviews. It means having a side hustle like the shuttle can only help his

and other charter captains’ bottom lines.

“I’m always thinking marketing,” he said. “My mind always was, if these people are only here for three days, from all over, how do I get them back in my boat? It’s all about your business.”

Commissioner Eric Fiori, who represents the West Ocean City district, led the discussion against Battista last week. Fiori said the shuttle service was “invasive” and represented unfair competition. The commissioners voted to reject his bid to keep using the public dock.

“We already have licensed businesses that are doing this,” Fiori said at the meeting. “I do appreciate the community need for this, but I think our county attorney put it best: it unlevels the playing field.”

Battista disagrees with that.

“I appreciate the commissioners

hearing it. A few of 'em are way off base, just by not having all the facts. They made it seem like I was some guy just kind trying to come in here and suck up all the business. I mean, I've been a captain for almost 20 years,” he said.

For now, Battista says he won’t challenge the commissioners’ decision and won’t return to the public boat ramp when Oceans Calling returns.

He’s already met with his flotilla team and they’re putting together a plan for a private launch site, though he wants to keep that information to himself, for now.

“I would feel that it would be in the best interest of everybody in the town and in the county to welcome these people here and provide the best service and transportation that we have,” he said. “I would love to continue providing service I do for these people.”

Capt. Tony Battista, whose Saltwater Adventures charter company is based at Bahia Marina, runs a multi-boat water taxi service when Ocean City’s

Opinions

Fed beach money gets zeroed out

Despite Ocean City officials’ optimistic outlook for beach replenishment funding in the next fiscal year, the situation is not as sanguine as it is being made out to be.

For the first time since 1996, the federal government has allocated no money for beach replenishment projects scheduled in New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. That fund has been zeroed out and no one at this point can say if this vital work will receive federal financial support in future years.

Beach replenishment is expensive, given coastal communities’ never-ending need to combat the effects of rising sea levels, coastal storms, wave action and erosion. In addition, many environmental organizations don’t like it because mining offshore sand to rebuild the beach alters the sea floor and creates a beach that slopes unnaturally into the water.

And yet, for coastal towns like Ocean City, the Army Corps of Engineers’ beach nourishment or replenishment program, and its 53% share of the cost, is the only thing that stands between billions of dollars in real estate and the deep blue sea.

According to the Corps, the $100 million or so spent on rebuilding the beach over the last few decades has prevented $927 million in damages, and that’s a critical point these days with future funding for FEMA also in question.

Although other issues, such as offshore wind farms, dominate the discussion in government meeting rooms and in the public arena, the subject of beach replenishment and how to pay for it if the federal government bails out of the program is more important.

Local officials have contacted Maryland’s members of Congress about securing funding for the project next year, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to know more about how they intend to go about that, as well as their outlook on their chances of success.

In the meantime, planning for the future should entail an examination of what the state, Worcester County and Ocean City government will need to do if things go south.

PUBLIC EYE

Dogs: eat, gag, repeat

A dog is the only animal in the world that will eat something that makes it gag and then continue to eat it as if nothing happened.

It goes like this: chew, yak, munch, yak, gnaw, yak, chew ...

NEWS

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By Stewart Dobson

This strange process would go on forever, one supposes, without human intervention.

Futhermore, once the dog is somehow separated and led away from the source of its dietary discomfort, it will look back at it wistfully as if it was leaving behind its best friend in the whole wide world.

I suspect if dogs could talk, they would say at this moment of separation, “But that was mine! I found it!”

I don’t know about anyone else, but if I took a bite of something that made me gag, I would not be inclined to give it a second opportunity to do it again.

“Oh great ... string bean and mushroom soup casserole, the original upwelling of creamed evil, with bread crumbs.”

Eat, yak. Mmmmm. Let me try that again. Eat, yak, eat, yak.

Nope, that would not happen. I wouldn’t care if this vegetable-infused wallpaper paste contained only the finest canned string beans (yuck), home-toasted and delicately scattered breadcrumbs, and special top-of-the-line gold medal Campbell’s Mushroom Soup. I am not eating it! I’m not even going to share a room with it, I hate it so much.

This intense dislike is all in my head, of course, going back to the time my dear old dad thought it would be funny to inform me — as I shoveled in globs of this midweek

budget entrée — “You do know they grow mushrooms in chicken manure, right?”

Yak.

Other yak-worthy foods on my list are cantaloupe (I was once made to eat it when I didn’t want it, thus scarring me for life) and yogurt, which, as I have pointed out numerous times over the years, was named for the sound its discoverer made after tasting it for the first time: “yo-gurrrrrt.”

But don’t get me wrong, as indiscriminate as dogs are when it comes to eating unidentifiable substances, there are things a dog won’t eat, such as hamburger or peanut butter with a pill embedded in it.

You try to give your dog a prescription pill for whatever ails it and it will extract the tablet or capsule from its highly desirable wrapper and spit it out, eventually.

It may take some time for this to occur, since some dogs seem to be aware that swallowing the pill is something you want it to do. So, rather than disappoint you, it will hold it for as long as possible and then, when you’re not looking — Bloop! Allow it to roll out on the floor, with the dog looking at it as if to say, “Hmph! Where’d that come from?”

Some dogs are such masters of this subterfuge that I think they’re like birds and have a craw where they store unwanted pills until they can safely expel them, like on a nighttime walk.

Its ears perk up, it strains at the leash and you look into the darkness trying to see what it sees. And then — Bloop! A dozen pills roll out quietly in the night.

I don’t understand it. A dog won’t swallow a pill but will eat string bean casserole. Maybe we’ll trade. It will eat its fill and I won’t have worms. That’s a harmonious relationship.

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

When the summer special election was announced in Ocean City to decide the short-term rental ordinance’s future, turnout was a concern. I think 1,634 voters is a solid turnout all things considered, although it seems silly to say when it represents just 23% of the electorate (there are 7,116 registered voters in Ocean City).

After Tuesday’s 834 to 800 vote to reject the approved short-term rental ordinance, it’s accurate to say the results simply served as confirmation the city is divided on this matter. There is robust passion on both sides of the debate and the ordinance went too far in regulating short-term rentals for the majority – albeit slight -- of city voters. In fact, the constituency’s sentiments at the ballot box mirror those of the divided decision-making body in Ocean City. The council has reviewed, rejected and approved multiple different measures over the years in attempts to regulate the growing short-term rental industry. At every turn, officials have been divided on how best to address the issue. In fact, it was in March when the ordinance on the ballot this week was approved in a 4-3 vote with Council members Tony DeLuca, Matt James, Will Savage and Larry Yates and Mayor Rick Meehan, who does not have a vote, in support of a five-night minimum on short-term rentals in the R-1 and MH districts effective immediately and a 31-night minimum in 2027. Opposed were John Gehrig (who preferred once a week turnover egislation); Jake Mitrecic (who did not want the mobile home district, such as Montego Bay, included); and Carol Proctor (who opposed the five-night minimum). The three who voted against each believed the city needed to do something about short-term rentals, but the specifics of the legislation led to their nay votes.

What’s next? The assumption here has been Ocean City officials will now simply start over and craft tamer restrictions, such as the three-night minimum. My guess is nothing will happen in the near future, as it was stated in a public meeting by Meehan the government will follow the will of the people in the special election. Meehan said, “Whatever the outcome is, that’s what the Mayor and Council’s going to do.” Whether there is a common ground with a new ordinance that will not result in another petition drive will be interesting to see whenever the issue comes back for discussion. ***

On the matter of division, one of the most hotly debated topics continues to be offshore wind. Maryland supports the offshore wind project off Ocean City at all costs, while the federal administration opposes along with just about every municipal and county government in the region.

While an Ocean City-led lawsuit and an anti-offshore wind project marketing campaign continues, there’s now a bureaucratic spat, a not so friendly one at that, between the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE).

Here’s some excerpts from the respective letters I found humorous in a bureaucratic way:

EPA letter on July 7 to MDE: “The EPA has identified an error in the MDE final permit decision for the Maryland Offshore Wind Project being developed by U.S. Wind, Inc. … Specifically, the MDE identified the incorrect appeals process in the Notice of Final Determination and provided conflicting information about the appeals process for this permit on its website. … To remedy this issue, and to satisfy the requirements … Maryland must reissue the final permit decision for US Wind … Failure to rectify this error could result in invalidation of the permit on appeal and confusion among relevant stakeholders with respect to where to bring such an appeal.”

MDE response dated July 17: “Thank you for the letter … where you alleged that the Maryland Department of the Environment made an error in the US Wind permit. … Long-settled procedure dictates that state-issued permits are appealed under State law, not Federal law. MDE adhered to both State and Federal law and precedent when issuing this permit … In your letter, you argue that, despite being issued by a state with an EPA-approved program, the permit is subject to Federal regulations governing PSD appeals … This is contrary to the findings made by EPA’s EAB, the very body that would hear such Federal appeal … We do not intend to include the specific text you requested as part of the final permit decision because the Maryland Department of the Environment follows Maryland’s state-level procedures for the appeal of issued permits. … MDE will not re-issue the permit and will continue to follow the proper state procedures to consider appeals … we hope this response addresses your concerns and clarifies any misunderstanding.”

***

Can we all agree the summer Route 50 bridge construction stinks? We all knew it would be a major problem, despite assurances crews would be flexible and work to minimize disruptions. Traffic backups in both directions have been the norm every morning during the week and will continue through the summer. Unfortunately, the bridge repairs are deemed an emergency and had to be done during the summer months. It doesn’t do any good to complain, so let’s just call this a quick vent session.

Punishment needed for Ocean City disrupters

Editor,

While the Worcester County Sheriff indicated in your paper that there is “no textbook answer to pop-ups,” and the Ocean City Council “vows to fight pop-up events,” I do believe there is at least one way to deter some of the behavior as failure to obey lawful commands of officers, assaults on officers, thefts, disorderly individuals, etc. associated so-called pop-up events.

Prosecution of all such actions needs to be followed through and the judges need to administer the monetary fines and sentences required by law. Suspended sentences are not acceptable in events where individuals gather for the sole purchase of creating chaos where they believe that they will not be held responsible for their actions.

Excuses such as one might lose their job or their license or my parents don’t have the money for the fines should never be accepted for not prosecuting the individuals. Juveniles need to be held and their parents or guardians need to come to Ocean City to retrieve their children and face the consequences of their actions.

A few years ago, Ocean City created the “special event” zones. While this may or may not have totally alleviated all of the problems, it has discouraged some with the high fines and towing charges. You may not be able to deter all unlawful activities of such events but prosecution, without plea deals, and fines and sentences will dissuade some from participating.

Ken Kuyawa Frankford, Del.

Renewables, desalination plants needed for future

Editor,

I suppose the same people against renewables around here, would also be aghast at the idea of a desalination plant. But we need them both.

The Town of OC's gov't, the county gov't, Purdue, Salisbury School and even the wood mill in downtown Snow Hill, all have solar power plants at their disposal. Those have all been around a very long time and have saved those entities lots of dollars. Why can't the people insulate themselves from AI's war for grid space?

Whether we build renewable power plants or desalination plants now, we will need them in the future for sure. Why not get started?

Greg Gunther Snow Hill

A flood of lies in wake of Texas disaster

Editor,

Do you remember August 29, 2005 when hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and killed over 1800 people? FEMA’s response at the time was terrible. Lessons were learned and since then, FEMA has greatly improved its handling of natural disasters. That is until now in central Texas.

President Trump stated “We had people there as fast as anybody has seen.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated “FEMA went to an enhanced level immediately…we were able to get them resources and dollars right away; we’re cutting through the paperwork of the old FEMA.” Not so according to FEMA employees. Noem didn’t authorize Continued on Page 94

Continued from Page 93

FEMA to begin Urban Search and Rescue teams for over 72 hours after the flooding started. Gabe Cohen and Michael Williams of CNN reported on July 10th that FEMA’s delayed response to the Texas flood was caused by Noem’s cost controls. She recently created a cost cutting rule that requires every contract and grant over $100,000 must have her signature before releasing any funds.

Where was Noem for three long days while Texans lost lives and property? Why didn’t she immediately authorize contracts so FEMA could provide immediate support? Elizabeth Crisp (The Hill) and others report that Mexico sent rescue teams to Texas the day before FEMA authorized aid.

Furthermore, 66% of calls to FEMA from families in Texas can’t get through. Only 15.9% of calls got

through July 7. The Government Accountability Office reports a 35% staffing gap for the FEMA call center. According to the New York Times, this is because Noem allowed contracts to lapse on July 5. Contracts for the call center weren’t renewed until July 10, five days after the flood. Kristen Welker asked Noem the correct questions on Meet the Press last Sunday. Noem either didn’t answer, redirected or maintained the claims which generated Welker’s questions were “absolutely false and fake reporting”. What is the truth? Should she be immediately fired?

Trump appointed acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson on May 8. He hasn’t been seen since until he finally made an appearance in Texas over a week after at least 130 people lost their lives in the flood. So, what’s his story and where has he been?

Secretary Noem has canceled a grant for $3,000,000 to improve FEMA communications with local authorities during disasters. Really, what’s with that? DOGE cut 200 people from FEMA in February. As hurricane season is upon us, 1800 more FEMA employees have been cut or chosen early retirement. President Trump has stated that he plans to totally dissolve FEMA so that local governments will have to solely deal with natural disasters occurring in their area at a critical time when Federal help is most needed. Perhaps his visit to Texas last Friday will have him reconsider his plans for FEMA.

The Trump administration is also proposing significant changes to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which will most likely impact our National Weather Service. Do we really want this for our beach community? I

think not. I remember my grandmother telling me about the incredibly destructive hurricane of ’33 that created our inlet. Our last hugely devastating storm was on Ash Wednesday of 1962. We’ve been fortunate to mostly “dodge the bullet” since then. We are surrounded by water. Just how long will our luck hold? One only needs to look at the increased frequency of high winds and Nor’easters in our area to realize we are experiencing more extreme weather events. Regardless of political party, this moment in time require action from all of us who love and want to protect our home and family. Please call, write or email the White House and our Representatives in Congress to demand Noem’s replacement and to save FEMA, NOAA and the National Weather Service.

Tish Michel Ocean City

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

DELMARVA DISCOVERY MUSEUM OPENS INDIAN WALL

MURAL

On Friday, July 11, many Delmarva Native American Indians, with state and our local officials, came to the Delmarva Discovery Museum, in Pocomoke to celebrate the grand opening of the new hand painted full wall mural, all about the history of Delmarva’s Indian tribes. The interior mural was completed over the last year to document the history and scenery of our past Indian tribes, throughout the lower eastern shore. During the opening ceremony on Friday, Maryland’s older Native American Indians, explained the long history of American Indian culture, survival and heritage, here on Delmarva. Also, presented was the way of life for native Indians living on the Pocomoke River, whose American Indian villages and natural resources encompassed the rivers of Choptank, Wicomico, Annemessex, Monokin, Pocomoke, and the bays along Delmarva.

While you’re soaking up the sun, take a short break & wander over to the 37-acre Delaware Botanic Gardens.

Just a stone’s throw from the beach. This peaceful retreat features the stunning Piet Oudolf Meadow, designed by the world-renowned Dutch plantsman. Meander along shaded woodland trails or unwind by the peaceful Pepper Creek–your perfect escape.

Open Thursday - Sunday • 9am - 4pm

Adults - $15 • Children 16 & Under - Free Guided Tours Available • Additional $10 • Make Reservations Online

Allied leaders meet at Potsdam Conference

Truman, Churchill, Stalin negotiate terms for end of World War II, reorganization

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

This week 80 years ago, leaders of the three victorious nations — the United States of America, the U.S.S.R. and the United Kingdom — were meeting in Potsdam, a suburb of Berlin. Today Potsdam is the capital of the German state of Brandenburg and has a population of 160,000. It is located 15 miles southwest of Berlin’s city center.

Within three days of the German capitulation, Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill wrote to the new American president, Harry S. Truman, proposing that they should invite the Soviet leader to a conference. The president agreed, but was hoping that the American and British ambassadors would be able to persuade Stalin to propose the meeting, which they did. Stalin suggested they meet in Berlin, and on June 1, 1945, President Truman so informed the British PM.

The parties agreed to meet in Potsdam, because it had not been as heavily damaged as Berlin. Although Churchill objected to meeting in the

Soviet zone of Germany, he, nevertheless, attended. With him was Clement S. Attlee, the head of the opposition Labor Party, who was there in the

event that the recent elections in the United Kingdom gave his party the victory and him the top job in the country. The conference itself was held in

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Cecilienhof Palace. The palace was built by Kaiser Wilhelm II, as a residence for his son, the Crown Prince,

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC

A crowded conference room with the delegations of the “Big Three” at the negotiating table at the Potsdam Conference, July 19, 1945.

and his family. A contract, for its construction, was executed on April 13, 1914, and work began shortly thereafter. Construction was interrupted with the commencement of The Great War, but resumed in 1915. The palace was completed in August 1917 and the crown prince and his wife, Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (for whom the palace is named), and their children, took residence immediately. Although the royal couple had six children, they were able to squeeze into the palace’s 176 rooms. During the conference, only 37 of them had been rehabilitated and were utilized.

The conference commenced on July 16, 1945. It was the only time that Truman and Stalin would meet, and was the second, and last, time that Stalin traveled outside of the borders of the U.S.S.R.

The president departed the White House, at 9:40 p.m., July 6, 1945 by

car, arriving at Union Station ten minutes later. The president’s train departed Union Station at 11 p.m., bound for Newport News, Virginia. The presidential party arrived at its destination at 5:50 a.m., where they transferred to the heavy cruiser USS Augusta at 6:01, with the cruiser departing at 7 a.m.

Together with newly appointed Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and Adm. William D. Leahy, the president crossed the Atlantic, escorted by the light cruiser USS Philadelphia, and landed in Antwerp, Belgium, at 10 a.m., on July 15, where he was greeted by Allied Commander-in-Chief Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. From there, he departed, by motor car, at 11:10 a.m., for Brussels.

The forty-car motorcade arrived at the Brussels airport at 12:30 p.m., from whence he flew aboard the “Sacred Cow” to Berlin, arriving at 4:15 p.m. From Berlin, he went by auto to Babelsberg, which is between Berlin

and Potsdam. The American delegation brought with it 5,000 linen sheets, 3,000 rolls of toilet paper, 100 garbage baskets, 100 bedside lamps, 250 bottle openers, 50 vacuum cleaners, and 20 electric typewriters.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Churchill had been engaged, during the month of June, with national elections. The polling concluded on July 5, 1945, and Churchill determined to enjoy a little R&R before the conference.

On July 7, he, Mrs. Churchill and their daughter, Mary, flew to Bordeaux, France. From there, the Churchills made their way to Hendaye, where they were comfortably ensconced in a villa owned by Brig. Gen. Raymond Brutinel. Although born in France, the general had emigrated to Canada in 1904, and during WWI had commanded the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade.

Hendaye is located on the French side of the border with Spain, on the Atlantic Coast. It is the most southwesterly town in France and today has a population of 14,000. On Oct. 30, 1940, the German Führer met for nine long hours with the Spanish Caudillo in der Führer’s train Amerika, in a vain attempt to convince Franco to bring Spain into the war on Germany’s side. After the meeting with the Generalissimo, Hitler said he would prefer a visit to the dentist than a repeat with the Spanish leader!

On July 15, with the results of the election still unknown, because the votes of the soldiers and sailors still had to be counted, Churchill traveled, by car from Hendaye to the Bordeaux airfield, from whence he was flown to Berlin. The next morning, he met the new president for the first time.

After their meeting, they went on a tour of the war-ravaged German capital. He and the president were housed in separate villas on Lake Griebnitz. Later that day, the president met the Soviet leader, who confirmed that the Red Army, would, as he had promised at Tehran and Yalta, soon enter the war against Japan. Soviet participation in the war with Japan was so important to the Western Allies, that upon receiving Stalin’s confirmation, Truman whispered to Secretary of State Byrnes, “Could go home now!” Ever since the German surrender, Soviet men and equipment had been moving east along the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The following day, news arrived that the atomic bomb was a success. For the British and Americans, this seemed to change everything vis-a-vis the Soviets, because, at Tehran and Yalta, they were seeking the assistance of the Red Army to help defeat the Wehrmacht, and subjugate the Japanese. Now, with Germany defeated, they thought that one or two of these new atomic bombs would do the trick with the Japanese, and they no longer needed the Red Army. Churchill noted that Truman’s mood brightened considerably with receipt of the news of the successful detonation of the atomic bomb. Now, what, when, and how to tell Stalin?

The Soviet Dictator arrived on July 16 aboard a special train composed of 11 armored cars, and four green cars of the tzars, that had been removed from museums for his use. The dictator traveled 1,195 miles, with 500 miles in Poland and Germany being rebuilt to conform to the gauge of Soviet tracks, so that Stalin would not have to change trains. Security was provided by 17,000 NKVD troops. As the train rolled through the Soviet Union, guards were stationed four per mile. This was increased to seven in Poland and 10 per mile in Germany. This does not include the 900 bodyguards. This was increased to 2,000 in Potsdam. Upon arrival, Marshal Stalin stayed in the former home of the late WWI Gen. Eric Ludendorff.

The British staged an “End of the War Parade” on July 21, 1945, in Berlin.

Three days later, in a private conversation, the president casually mentioned to the Soviet leader that the U.S. had developed a new bomb, more powerful than could be imagined, which it intended to use against the Japanese if they refused to surrender. The inscrutable Stalin merely nodded. He already knew.

Churchill attended his last meeting on July 25, for his party had, unexpectedly, lost the election. He flew home that afternoon. The next day, he drove to Buckingham Palace, where he tendered his resignation to the King, and requested that he send for the victorious Labor Party’s leader, Clement Atlee, who had served, during the war, as deputy prime minister. He now succeeded Churchill as prime minister and represented the United Kingdom for the remainder of the conference. Also that day, “The Potsdam Declaration” was issued, by the U.S., the U.K., and China, calling for Japan’s immediate, unconditional, surrender. The declaration ended by warning that, “The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.” Meanwhile, the atomic bombs — “Fat Man” and “Little Boy” — were being transported to, and assembled at, the island of Tinian in the Pacific, and the Red Army was preparing an assault, the likes of which the

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

President Harry S. Truman

EMMA L. BRANIFF

Berlin

Emma L. Braniff, age 100, of Berlin, died Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. She was born in Blandburg, Pa. and was the daughter of the late James Harrison (Harry) Letcher and Katheryn (David) Letcher.

She was a coal miner’s daughter who grew up during the great depression and did her bit during World War II. She was a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother. She was the mentor to many and the matriarch of both members of her family and others that she adopted. As an USAF wife, she traveled our country and the world, enjoying the people, the culture and the cuisine wherever she lived. Emma is survived by two sons, Byron Braniff and wife Anne of Berlin and Cmdr. Gregory Braniff, USN Ret. and wife Lynda of The Villages, Fla.; seven grandchildren Kristen Mayle (Keith), Ashley Koca (Rob), Whitney Nye (Bob), Jamie Beecham (Michael), Justin Braniff (Erika), Connor Braniff (Danielle) and Dr. Jordan Braniff (Melissa); 13 great-grandchildren; and one sister. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, LT. Col. James Philip Braniff USAF; daughter, Sheila Braniff; and nine brothers and sisters.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday July 31, 2025, at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, 19 S. Main Street, Selbyville, Del. 19975. A visitation will be held one hour before the service. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill UMC Cemetery, Glasgow, Pa. at 1 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 2, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations in her

WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page 98

Japanese had never seen.

A force of 1,700,000 Soviet soldiers, equipped with almost 30,000 guns, more than 5500 tanks and 5300 aircraft, was set to descend on the Imperial Japanese Army in Manchuria. The U.S.S. R. did not join in the “Declaration” because it was not, yet, at war with Japan.

The conference concluded on Aug. 2, 1945. By the time that it had ended, the following agreements were reached: Germany and Austria would each be divided into three zones — British, American and Soviet — with a French zone carved out of the British and American zones in Germany; the Soviet-backed Polish Provisional Government of National Unity was recognized and Poland was moved west, to the line running along the Oder and Neisse Rivers, while its eastern border was roughly that established by the Ribbentrop-Molotov Agreement of August 1939; approval of the displacement of the 3,500,000

memory may be made to Sassycaps.org or Crystal Spring Camp Meeting Assoc., C/O Jason Bryant, 1030 N. Breezewood Rd., Breezewood, P. 15533. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.

JAMES PHILLIPS

Ocean Pines

James “Ray” Phillips age 75 of Ocean Pines, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025.

Born in Washington D.C. he was the son of the late James Phillips and Ann (Jefferson) Phillips. He was the loving husband to Cindy Phillips.

with lung cancer. Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Francis Brune Sr. and Connie (Jarrell) Black.

Ray was a volunteer fireman in Laurel, MD, a diamond miner in Venezuela and a Harbormaster for Pines Point Marina in Ocean Pines. He enjoyed acting in local dinner theatre productions, sailing to Key West and traveling with his wife, Cindy.

Ray is survived by his children Trisha Moore (Jack) and Andrew Moore (Cindy Cooley) as well as his grandchildren, Gabrielle, Julia and Austin, brother Jeff Phillips. He was preceded in death by a brother Bradley Phillips.

Cremation followed Ray’s passing. No formal services are planned at this time. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland. Condolences may be shared with the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

SANDRA LEE AKERS

Berlin

Sandra Lee Akers, age 61, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Salisbury, Maryland after a brave battle

Sudeten Germans from Czechoslovakia; the displacement of millions of Germans from the former German territory that was to be occupied by Poland’s move west; an agreement as to reparations from Germany to U.S.S.R.; destruction of German war and heavy industry; Allied and Soviet troops to withdraw from Iran.

Following the conference, President Truman sailed aboard the Augusta to Plymouth England for a brief visit with King George VI, and then on to Newport News, arriving there on Aug. 7, and then back to Washington, the same day.

Next week: The Bomb

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.

Sandy was a loyal employee of Food Lion for 33 years, where she was known for her strong work ethic and friendliness that welcomed customers and coworkers alike. A devoted dog lover, Sandy shared a special bond with every four-legged friend who crossed her path. Having a true rock ‘n’ roll spirit, Sandy was a lifelong fan of the Rolling Stones, often heard singing along to their classic hits. She will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

Sandra is survived by her longtime partner, Christopher Greenwood; two daughters, Connie Arnold

(Jason) and Jamie Heaney (John); two sons, Edward Ulrich and Frank Ulrich; a sister, Jennifer Vogel; and her grandchildren, Faith Ulrich, Kyra Arnold, Xavier Arnold, Juliet Arnold, Frank Ulrich II, Benjamin Ulrich, Avery Heaney, and Sydney Heaney.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Francis Brune, Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at noon at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. At Sandy’s request, anyone who plans to attend her memorial service is asked to wear either a Rolling Stones Tshirt or a T-shirt displaying any other band of their choice. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Emma L. Braniff

James Phillips

Sandra L. Akers

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

Above left, Captain Shawn Gibson of the Wound Tight put this group on a white marlin release and a 69” bluefin tuna. Above middle, Scott Lenox, that’s me, fished the Nantucket Shoals this past weekend and landed his personal best flounder of 29.5” and 9 pounds. Above right, this young fella caught a sweet keeper flounder while fishing on board the Morning Star with Captain Monty Hawkins.

Below left, Captain Chris Watkowski of the Spring Mix II put this group on 11 fat yellowfin tuna. Below middle, this group had a great day aboard On the Run with five keeper flounder and a bonus sea bass. Below right, this family had a great time catching some keeper flounder on board the Lucky Break with Captain Jason Mumford.

Captain Dave Warren and the crew of the private boat Floor Reel had a great showing in the Jimmy Johnson Quest for the Ring with this big 510pound blue marlin, far left, The OCMC Kid’s Classic crew, left, fishing on board the Marli with Captain Mark Hoos had a great trip with two white marlin releases, a yellowfin tuna and some tilefish..

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

Ocean City Marlin Club’s 21st Annual Kids Classic final results

(July 25, 2025) More than 100 youth participated in last weekend’s 21st Annual Ocean City Marlin Club’s Kids Classic.

The following is a look at the results, listed by division and in order of finish.

White Marlin: Boys Toy, 300 points, and Marli and Tara Jessica, 200 points each.

Blue Marlin: Absolut Pleasure and Power Factor, 150 points each.

Tuna: Marli, Trey Hoos, 48 pounds; Luci Bri, Aiden Burns, 43 pounds; and Lit Up, crew, 39 pounds.

Dolphin: Shotski, Bryce Huyett, 39.5 pounds; Floor Reel, Annabelle, 16.5 pounds; and Parker’s Pirates, crew, 14 pounds.

Bonita: Allen Crew, 1.58 pounds; Allen Crew, 1.54 pounds; and Grande Pez and Allen Crew, 1.42 pounds.

Sea Bass: Miss Mary, 2 pounds; Alternating Currents & Miss Mary, 1.92 pounds; and Carol’s

Tea Kettle, 1.90 pounds.

Bluefish: Hix’s Hooker, 8.98 pounds; Betsea, 7.36 pounds; and Betsea, 7.02 pounds.

Unusual Catch: Bottle with barnacles and hermit crab, Jenny Poo; Blue Runner, Betsea, 4.3 pounds; and Stingray, Crusader, 29 pounds.

Tilefish: Marli, 22.5 pounds; Marli and Parker’s Pirates, 22 pounds; and Floor Reel, 18 pounds.

Mackerel: Trouble Makers, 1.96 pounds; Allen Crew, 1.8 pounds; and Allen Crew, 1.72 pounds.

Flounder: Get Sum, 4.28 pounds; Reel Chaos, 3.54 pounds; and Reel Chaos, 3.42 pounds.

Croaker: Partnership, 1.86 pounds; Jenny Poo, 1.50 pounds; and Partnership, .82 pounds.

Spot: Partnership, 2.2 pounds; Parker’s Pirates, 1.60 pounds; and Miss Mary, 1.56 pounds.

Kingfish: Partnership, .1 pounds.

PHOTO COURTESY SUNSET MARINA

The Betsea crew had a successful day in the Kids Classic, taking two of the top three spots in the bluefish division.

PHOTO COURTESY SUNSET MARINA

The team aboard the Trouble Makers placed first in the mackerel division.

PHOTO COURTESY SUNSET MARINA

Bryce Huyett and the team on the Shotski caught the biggest dolphin at 39.5 pounds.

PHOTO COURTESY SUNSET MARINA

Get Sum angler Reese caught the biggest founder in the Kids Classic with this 4.28-pound beauty.