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OC Today-Dispatch SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
STUBBORNLY LOCAL, EQUALLY INDEPENDENT
WILL THE SHOW GO ON?
PRICELESS
BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Workers at the Oceans Calling site are pictured preparing the site Wednesday. Friday’s event was canceled due to flooding, but plans for Saturday and Sunday remain on as of Thursday. See page 3.
Ørsted parcel sold Shorts gets five for theft Judge finds even though Denise Shorts made full restitution and has apologized, the former assistant superintendent of schools deserves years in prison to make up for stealing $118K in county schools’ money. — PAGE 20
Boatbuilder Duffie bought harbor parcel from wind farm developer that moved on for $4.2 million — PAGE 13
Gehrig pleads for complex Resort councilman all but begs his colleagues to continue pursuing sports facility somewhere — PAGE 14
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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Our $10 Breakfast Menu is Back! Mon-Thur 9-11am
BREAKFAST
HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS
Monday-Thursday 9-11am Friday-Sunday 8am-Noon
Monday-Friday Drinks Noon-6pm Food 3-6pm .............................. SUNDAY NFL SPECIALS 1-7PM
HHHENTERTAINMENTHHH CHRIS BUTTON KARAOKE W/ CMILLER FRIDAY, 9/25 • 7PM TUESDAY, 9/29 • 5-8PM BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Crews continued setting up for the Oceans Calling Festival this week despite windy conditions. The event is now scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with Friday being canceled on Thursday.
Amid weather concerns, OC prepares for Oceans Calling Promoter cancels Friday as weather conditions impact setup along beach, boards By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) With flooding and erosion putting a damper on the festival setup, promoter C3 Presents announced this week that Oceans Calling will be scaled back to a twoday festival, with Friday’s performances being canceled. However, crews continue to prepare for an influx of visitors to Ocean City ahead of the fourth annual Oceans Calling Festival, now set for Sept. 26-27. “Despite the extraordinary efforts of our production, site, safety teams, and the city staff/officials the impacts of this week’s continued weather, including beach erosion that affected the festival site, have made it impossible to safely complete the build in time for Friday,” a Facebook post reads. “As a result, Friday will not move forward as planned. The safety of our fans, artists, crew, and community must come first.” As a result of Friday’s cancellation, one-day Friday tickets and 33% of three-day tickets purchased directly through Front Gate Tickets will be automatically refunded within 30 days. The promoter said updates on this weekend’s festivities will be shared through official channels. “We are working very hard to get the show up for the remainder of the weekend, and hoping the conditions improve,” the Facebook post reads. Oceans Calling will now begin Saturday with performances by Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, All Time Low, 311, Violent Femmes, Dashboard Confessional, Corinne Bailey Rae, Everclear, Dishwalla, Goldford, American Authors, Cassandra Coleman and The Criticals.
The festival concludes on Sunday with Mumford & Sons, Matchbox Twenty, Caamp, My Morning Jacket, The Head and the Heart, Hanson, Jet, OK Go, Susanna Hoffs, Cory Wong, Fastball and Thesaurus Rex, with a special set by O.A.R. and Friends. The festival will also feature Jolly Roger rides, food vendors and guest appearances and cooking demonstrations by chefs Robert Irvine, Antonia Lofaso and Alex Guarmaschelli with host Jason Biggs. Promoter announces ‘no drone zone’ this year Since the first festival in 2023, promoter C3 Presents has rolled out a series of changes with each iteration of Oceans Calling, with the goal of improving safety and the overall festival experience. And this year will be no different, officials said this week. For the first time since the festival’s creation, Oceans Calling will implement a “no drone zone,” which covers a one-nautical-mile radius around the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Somerset Street in downtown Ocean City. The Temporary Flight Restriction, which will take place from 11 a.m. to midnight each day, is being implemented at the request of the Ocean City Police Department through the Maryland State Police. “In simple terms, no drones may be flown within a one-nautical-mile circle around this location during the restricted hours. The restriction extends from the ground up to 400 feet above ground level,” a toolkit reads. “The restriction is being established under federal law to protect large public gatherings and help prevent unsafe or unlawful drone activity during the festival.” Transportation options, traffic changes announced As in previous years, the promoter is encouraging festivalgoers to walk, See RESORT Page 6
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OC Today-Dispatch
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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Stunning New Construction in Ocean Pines – Move-In Ready! Built by RBR Homes LLC, this exceptional 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home has just been completed and is ready for immediate occupancy in the desirable Tipple Crown section of Ocean Pines. From the moment you arrive, you'll appreciate the home's charming coastal character, highlighted by beautiful blue siding and an inviting front porch. Inside, thoughtful design, high-end finishes, and exceptional craftsmanship are evident throughout. MDWO203878
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12301 JAMAICA AVE #351N • HIDDEN HARBOUR III OCEAN CITY • $499,900 Welcome to this beautifully updated top-floor 2-bedroom, 2-bath waterfront condo in Hidden Harbour III, complete with Boat Slip #98. Ideally located just a few blocks from the beach and within walking distance of Northside Park, this fully furnished property is move-in ready and waiting for you to start enjoying the coastal lifestyle. MDWO2039360 MOVE-IN READY TOP FLOOR CONDO
424 LARK LANE UNIT #E303 OCEAN CITY $264,000
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Beautifully furnished maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath 2BR/1BA topcondo overlooking floor condo located just minutes the pool and located from the beach and boardwalk! just steps from Northside Park! Priced This move-in-ready unit features a to sell below recent comparable sales in bright and spacious open floor plan the building, this condo presents an exthat is perfect for entertaining. cellent opportunity for a quick sale. Being on the top floor provides added privacy and peace Sold fully furnished. MDWO2040518 with no neighbors overhead. MDWO2037970 COMMERCIAL
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Experience the best of coastal waterfront living in this charming 3BR/2BA home situated on a spacious 7,500-square-foot lot in the desirable Caine Keys community. Just a short stroll to the beach, this exceptional property offers the perfect combination of waterfront living, outdoor recreation, and coastal convenience. MDWO2039952
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MOBILE HOME PARKS FENWICK ISLAND, DE OFFERED AT $2.1 MILLION EACH $4.2 MILLION TOTAL This is a prime location in sought-after Fenwick Island! This is an extremely rare opportunity to purchase C-1 commercial land in Fenwick Island DE close to the beach and Atlantic Ocean. A salty breeze carries the scent of the Atlantic Ocean as you stand on these 4 commercially zoned C1 parcels in Fenwick Island. DESU2059932
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The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate 2026 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 10771BALT_07/15
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PAGE 6
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Resort preps for festival weekend
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bike or take public transportation to the festival site. For those taking public transportation, the Ocean City Beach Bus will operate both northbound and southbound on Coastal Highway throughout the festival weekend, but with reduced stops. A shuttle will also run between the south terminal bus station on South Division Street and the West Ocean City Park & Ride. In addition to the bus system, the OC Bay Hopper Water Taxi will operate from the 118th Street kiosk, the Ocean Pines Yacht Club, the Ocean City Convention Center and West Ocean City. Some hotels may also offer courtesy shuttles to the festival site. Residents and festivalgoers can also expect road closures and changes to traffic patterns throughout the festival weekend. Southbound St. Louis Avenue will be restricted to emergency vehicles, residents and employees of downtown businesses. From the Route 50 bridge, the south turn lane of Philadelphia Avenue will also be restricted to emergency vehicles, mass transit and downtown residents. Traffic will be diverted onto North Division Street and then to northbound Baltimore Avenue, where only the left lane will be open for travel. Parking restrictions are also in place ahead of this weekend’s event. Additional information can be found on the Oceans Calling website, oceanscallingfestival.com. Country Calling Festival set for following weekend Following the conclusion of this weekend’s festival, officials will begin their preparations for the third annual Country Calling Festival, which will take place Oct. 2-3. The event, which will return to a two-day format, will take place in the same festival footprint downtown. Headlining this year’s festival are Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton and more. For more information, visit countrycallingfestival.com.
Inside this week
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Calendar ..............................53 Classifieds ..........................55 Crossword ............................50 Dining Guide ........................46 Editorial/Letters ..................78 Entertainment ......................42 Horoscope ............................51 Obituaries ............................83 Police/Crime........................23 Public Notices ......................58 Sports ..................................85
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
LUNCH & DINNER AT DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND NORTH, 12305 COASTAL HWY. With Homemade Sodas & Other Soda Fountain Treats
A Family Tradition For 85 Years!
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4901 COASTAL HWY.
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ICE CREAM MADE DAILY IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Ice Cream Our Specialty. Stop By Any Dumser’s Location For A Wide Variety Of Homemade Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Sundaes, Floats And Much More.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
County challenges human composting ruling Worcester appeals zoning board decision, asks judge to stop funeral home’s plan By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) Worcester County has asked a judge to halt Earth Funeral’s plan to spread composted human remains on farmland outside Snow Hill while the county challenges the project’s zoning approval. “If the BZA’s order isn’t stayed, Worcester County soil could be permanently contaminated with this amendment while this case is pending,” county attorney Roscoe Leslie wrote in a motion filed Sept. 18. The county has requested a hearing on the motion.
Hugh Cropper, the attorney representing Earth Funeral, said the company has 15 days to file a response and that, unless the stay is granted, the zoning board’s approval remains in effect while the appeal proceeds. He declined to comment on the county’s request to halt the project. The underlying zoning case, which was heard Aug. 13, centered on whether applying composted human remains to grow trees qualified as an agricultural use. Earth Funeral argued that it did, and the Board of Zoning Appeals agreed, approving the project as a special exception subject to conditions. Cropper at the hearing compared the practice to spreading chicken manure or treated wastewater on
farmland, both of which Worcester County considers agricultural uses. Notably, it’s a case that pits the Worcester County Commissioners against a zoning board whose members they appoint. Cropper said he had never seen the commissioners appeal a BZA decision in almost 38 years of practicing land-use law in Worcester County. The county’s motion rests largely on two arguments: that the BZA failed to explain its decision and that allowing Earth Funeral to proceed before the appeal is resolved could cause permanent damage. At the hearing, once testimony ended, BZA members discussed conditions for the project and voted 4– 2 to approve it. The county argues they did not publicly work through the seven standards required for granting a special exception before voting. The board’s later written decision included separate findings addressing each standard. Leslie, however, called those findings “mainly boilerplate statements with sparse analysis” of the evidence presented during the hearing. The county also argues that temporarily halting the project would cause little harm because Earth Funeral has not completed its purchase of the 14-acre property on Scotty Road. Without a court order, the motion says, the composted material could be tilled into the property while the appeal remains pending. Leslie wrote that weather could then cause it to blow onto neighboring land, leach into the ground, or run into nearby waterways. “It will be impossible to undo this damage,” Leslie wrote. The county’s motion cites no scientific studies or expert testimony supporting its warnings about contamination, leaching, or runoff. Earth Funeral representatives at the hearing testified that the company’s finished soil is nontoxic and odorless and that its Howard County processing facility complies with Maryland’s quality requirements for
finished soil. Other BZA witnesses said the land could accommodate the soil without runoff. Licensed forester Tony DiPaolo described the site’s soils as well drained and said he did not foresee runoff. Soil scientist Brooks Clayville said he expected no runoff or migration from the property and that compost releases nutrients slowly. Wetlands consultant Chris McCabe said there were no wetlands within the proposed application area. He described the property as high and well drained, with ground capable of accommodating the added soil. Neighbors raised concerns that dust from the composted soil might blow toward their homes and that state restrictions would permanently prevent the farmland from being used to grow food. Conditions of the BZA’s approval included limiting applications to no more than two acres annually and maintaining a 50-foot buffer where the composted soil could not be applied along neighboring properties. The company also must have forestry and nutrient-management consultants visit the site twice a year. Maryland legalized natural organic reduction in 2024. Earth Funeral’s process, which takes about two months, transforms a dead body into roughly one cubic yard of soil. Families of the deceased may keep the resulting soil or donate it to Earth Funeral for use in reforestation projects. The company plans to till the donated soil into the Scotty Road farmland in stages to support the growth of native trees. Company representatives described the plan as a reforestation project and estimated it could take as long as 15 years to complete. Earth Funeral operates natural organic reduction facilities in Seattle, Las Vegas and Elkridge. The company told the BZA it has also used donated soil for four years at a conservation forest in Washington state.
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 11
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Amazon zoning amendment to be considered By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) One day before the Worcester County Commissioners imposed a moratorium on data centers and cable landing stations, an Amazon lobbyist asked the county to exclude cable landing stations so the company’s Fastnet transatlantic cable project could proceed. “We respectfully ask that the Cable Landing Station language be taken out of the resolution proposed for this week,” wrote John Fiastro, an Amazon lobbyist. “Alternatively, we’d be happy to work on language with you that accomplishes the larger aims of the Board of County Commissioners whilst also facilitating the Fastnet project.” Emails obtained by OC TodayDispatch show Amazon had already devised a smaller alternative at the Ocean City Municipal Airport before the moratorium passed – while also considering another, smaller cable landing station elsewhere in Worcester County. At the time, Virginia-based Globalinx was proposing a 25,000square-foot cable landing station on five acres along Route 611 outside West Ocean City. It would have connected Amazon’s undersea cable
with land-based telecommunications networks. The project drew fierce opposition over its size, power demands, proximity to homes, and proposed location beside a historic African American cemetery. In his July 20 email to County Administrator Weston Young, Fiastro outlined a less disruptive alternative: a 900-square-foot power-feed equipment building on airport property. The building would power the cable and send its optical signal to transmission equipment elsewhere. Fiastro in his email added that equipment could be placed either in a smaller cable landing station elsewhere in Worcester County or at a facility in the Washington, D.C., region. “We would be open to developing a Cable Landing Station (CLS) in a more appropriately zoned site that could be suggested by Worcester County,” Fiastro wrote. He said a smaller station ideally would be within 10 miles of the airport – to avoid degrading the cable’s optical signal – but added that it was not a firm requirement because the equipment could be placed nearer to Washington, D.C. Young, the county administrator, forwarded Fiastro’s email to all
seven county commissioners later that day. He summarized Amazon’s position by saying the company was “backing away from the property on 611” and “presumably breaking away from Globalinx.” The following day, July 21, commissioners voted 6-0 to adopt the yearlong moratorium with cable landing stations still included. Amazon says its position changed after the moratorium passed. Before the vote, Amazon was considering both the airport power-feed building and a smaller cable landing station elsewhere in the county. Afterward, the company dropped the local landing-station option and moved forward with the airport proposal. “After the county adopted a moratorium on data centers and cable landing stations in July 2026, we listened to the community’s concerns and changed course,” Amazon said in a Sept. 16 statement. “Rather than pursue the larger facility, we are proposing the smallest, least impactful option that can do the job.” Amazon is now seeking a zoning amendment allowing one powerfeed building on airport property. The proposed law would permit a facility as large as 1,200 square feet, although Amazon says its building
would be smaller than 700 square feet. Equipment that ordinarily would be housed in a local cable landing station would instead be placed at an existing Amazon facility in the Washington region. The company told OC Today-Dispatch earlier this month that it has “no intention to build a CLS or a data center in Worcester County.” Separately, Amazon has a lease agreement with Ocean City to route its cables through the city-owned airport property. Worcester County controls the zoning there. Amazon representatives are scheduled to present the zoning amendment to the Worcester County Planning Commission on Oct. 1, according to Commissioner Eric Fiori, whose District 3 includes the airport and the Route 611 site. Fiori said residents should get a chance to weigh in before the county acts on Amazon’s zoning request, especially while officials are already rewriting the county’s broader landuse rules. “The public should have ample opportunity for input,” Fiori said. “We are undermining the comprehensive plan by instituting major zoning changes during the comprehensive process.”
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Local boatbuilding company buys former Ørsted property Duffie Boatworks to utilize West Ocean City parcel for service, repair operations By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) A West Ocean City property once intended to serve as the operations hub for a defunct offshore wind project has been sold to a local boatbuilding company that plans to expand its repair and service operations. Duffie Boatworks founder Jon Duffie said his company acquired the former Ørsted property at the commercial fishing harbor this summer. He said the site, which includes a boat lift and two small office buildings, will be put to use for in-water repair and service work on sportfishing boats, center consoles, and other vessels. Workers at the Harbor Road property can take advantage of the waterfront location to refinish wood, touch up paint, and perform other boat maintenance without hauling vessels out of the harbor. “Sometimes there’s work that needs to be done on these boats that you don’t want to do in a crowded marina,” Duffie said. It’ll also be a place to service boats Duffie Boatworks has built themselves, as well as other vessels sold through brokerage Delmarva Marine Group, which Duffie operates with his family and a business partner. Some companies famously start in a garage. Duffie Boatworks, in true Eastern Shore fashion, started in a pole barn off Old Bridge Road. By 2020, Jon Duffie had opened a 25,000-square-foot boatbuilding facility on Route 611, where each oneof-a-kind boat is built by hand, some taking years to complete. The shop has three boats under construction now. He’s constructed a few smaller skiffs and a handful of sportfishing vessels ranging from 64 to 80 feet – including his family’s own boat, the
Billfisher, which won the White Marlin Open in 2022 and 2025. The company now employs more than five dozen people, including carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. Duffie said many of his crew members came on board without any boatbuilding experience and learned their trades on the job. “You have to think outside the box constantly in this industry, and that doesn't just apply to new boat building,” he said. “Hiring people that are forward thinkers and want to get creative with ways to solve problems, that's what we're always looking for here.” Duffie said he hopes the new parcel will not only give the business room to grow, but can be something he can pass along to his own children. “You grow something like this business along with raising a family, and you want it to have longevity and be generational,” Duffie said. Offshore wind developer Ørsted listed 12905 Harbor Road for sale in March. State property records list Buildaq I LLC as the buyer in the July 22 transaction. The sale price was $4.27 million. Ørsted had acquired the one-acre site for $2.575 million in 2021. At the time, the company announced a nearly $20 million investment in an operations and maintenance facility for its Skipjack wind farm project, one that would support crew vessels and more than 100 jobs. That project was never developed as proposed. Ørsted withdrew Skipjack from Maryland’s offshore renewable energy credit process in 2024. An Ørsted spokesman acknowledged the property sale but did not respond to emailed questions about why the land was sold or the company’s future for offshore wind in Maryland. The Ørsted sale is unrelated to another proposal from developer US Wind for an operations and maintenance facility located farther down Harbor Road.
Let Bunting G
o To Bat For
You!
JUST LISTED! CORN HAMMOCK ISLAND BISHOPVILLE
+/-25-acre property in Assawoman Bay. Previously used for water fowling. Small sandy beach, hunting cabin, fresh-water pond, saltwater pond, wooden walkways & pine trees. Cabin has kitchen, living room & 4 bunkbed bedroom. When last used - stove, refrigerator & lights used gas. Oil used for heating. Well with hand pump in kitchen. The cabin size is approximately +/-16' X +/-44'. Old dock was +/-80' out & a +/-45' pier. Views are east showing Ocean City, Montego Bay & Northside Park. All showings on the property must be made through listing broker. $1,000,000
Cam Bunting, Broker Bunting Realty, Inc. 24 Broad Street, Berlin, MD 21811 Office: 410-641-3313 • Cell: 410-713-2065 • www.buntingrealty.com
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OC Today-Dispatch
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Gehrig pushes to keep sports complex alive By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) An official’s plea to revisit the sports complex project capped yesterday’s meeting of the Ocean City Council. At the end of Monday’s regular meeting, Councilman John Gehrig implored other members of council to take proactive steps in bringing an ndoor-outdoor sports complex to Worcester County. While the project has stalled since the council decided last month not to proceed with the purchase of a 193acre property roughly 9 miles from the municipal limits, he asked that the topic be revisited following the city’s election in November. “The one thing at the top of our strategic plan was this, and we are made for this,” he told council members this week. “We are built for one thing. And we get a couple of questions and we shut it down. It’s embarrassing.” Gehrig told his colleagues this week that changes in tourism trends are affecting destinations around the country, including Ocean City. Capturing a portion of the $40 billion youth sports industry, he said, could bring families back to the resort. But to do so, Gehrig said the city would need to develop a state-of-the-
art, indoor-outdoor facility. He said conversations in recent weeks about expanding the convention center to host more indoor sports events was not the answer. “There’s been some thoughts that we should replace meetings with more sports,” he said. “We do need a broad variety of events. We can’t just turn the convention center into an indoor sports complex. We need meetings, we need groups, we need trade shows, we need expos.” Last week, in a letter to the OC Today-Dispatch, former councilman and city manager Dennis Dare made the argument for re-evaluating the city’s plans for a large facility outside municipal limits and exploring other options like expanding the convention center, which already hosts numerous sporting events each year. He said that strategy would keep visitor spending in Ocean City, while using the city’s existing resources. “Ocean City already has the hotels, restaurants, workforce, transportation and tourism infrastructure needed to support major events,” he wrote. “Expanding the convention center would keep more visitor spending in Ocean City while creating additional employment and economic activity during the shoulder and winter seasons. And it comes
with an existing working relationship with the Maryland Stadium Authority and an existing funding mechanism.” However, Gehrig told the council this week that the convention center was already at capacity. He said the city’s purchase of new rubberized flooring is already drawing new sports events at the facility, including a new USA Field Hockey event. “We just heard in the tourism commission we could get more of those events if we had the space, but we don’t have the space,” he said. “The convention center, outside of weekdays, it’s pretty much full.” City Manager Terry McGean agreed. “Because I’ve heard this a couple of times, the other thing people need to remember is, when these events come in, there’s time they need to move in and a time when they need to move out,” he said. “So, while you may not see the parking lot full, we may not be able to lease the building, because of the events moving in or moving out.” Gehrig argued that the resort’s elected officials needed “to be bold and to think big” when it came to the sports complex, just as they had done with the Oceans Calling, Country Calling, and Boardwalk Rock music festivals. Despite the pushback from
residents and business owners, he said those events ended up being an economic generator for the city. “In the past when we thought of concerts and live entertainment, we thought of Springfest ... we thought of Sunfest,” he said. “And that's great. There’s nothing wrong with those events, but that’s who we were. Now look. The same businesses that were threatening lawsuits are now pissed when old entertainers who have to go into rehab need to cancel, and we don’t have the concert in the spring.” While acknowledging that the community had legitimate questions and concerns about the sports complex project, Gehrig said it was the city’s responsibility to address them. He noted that any location the city chooses will come with questions. “For us to shut the light switch off because some people have some questions,” Gehrig said. “The questions are good. The questions aren’t the problem. We’re the problem. To turn it off is the problem. That is not leadership. And it’s not dead.” He then left the council with one ask – “don’t shut it down.” “Let’s use the questions as fuel to get it right,” he said. “We need people who think differently and have questions. The questions are good. We can’t run and hide.”
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OC Today-Dispatch
Boardwalk Rock will return in ‘27 By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) The Boardwalk Rock music festival officially has a date on next year’s special events calendar. On Tuesday, promoter C3 Presents announced the second Boardwalk Rock music festival will return to Ocean City May 14-16, 2027. The announcement comes after officials were forced to cancel this year’s event. Last fall, the Town of Ocean City said the second edition of the Boardwalk Rock music festival would not be held in 2026. While organizers and city staff
were optimistic about the event’s return in 2027, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo said challenges in securing headline acts forced the promoter to cancel the 2026 event entirely. “Everything, operationally, was set and ready to go,” Perlozzo told the OC Today-Dispatch last fall. “But we had two headliners drop out over the course of getting this thing ready, and we couldn’t find a replacement that was suitable and meet the expectations for a firstclass event here in Ocean City.” While expressing disappointment
over the cancellation, Perlozzo at the time confirmed that C3 Presents was working to bring Boardwalk Rock back to Ocean City in 2027 with top-tier entertainment, often booked between 18 months and two years in advance of an event. “We’re extremely disappointed,” Perlozzo said of the cancellation. “It’s a great opportunity and puts a shot in the arms of the businesses. But I think 2027 will be bigger and better.” The lineup for next year’s Boardwalk Rock festival has yet to be announced. For more information, visit boardwalkrockfest.com.
Wet weather hurts Aug. bookings By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) Resort officials say lodging metrics for this month are making up for declines reported near the end of August. Last week, Bill Obreiter of Zartico, the city’s data analytics firm, presented members of the Ocean City Tourism Commission with an update on lodging data for the month of August. While average daily rates increased from the month prior, overall hotel revenue decreased when compared to August 2025. Vacation rental revenue, on the other hand, increased. However, Zartico reports those numbers still fell short of revenue projections. Officials say a shift in the Labor Day holiday weekend affected bookings. Last year, Labor Day fell on Sept. 1, which placed a higher demand for overnight bookings entirely in August. “This year, the holiday weekend occurred entirely in September, shifting that revenue out of the August reporting period,” a commission report reads. The company also reports that weather conditions also played a role. In August, Ocean City received more than 9 inches of rain over three separate weekends, causing cancellations for vacation rentals to nearly double, year over year. Despite those setbacks, officials say events such as White Marlin Open and the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference drove demand in August. Average daily rates for White Marlin Open also grew by $30, increasing from an average of $368 in early July. However, a heavy rainstorm during the opening days of the tournament dampened overall demand and revenue per available room, when compared to the same period last year. While demand for hotels and vacation rentals lagged, specifically at the end of August, Zartico reports those losses were fully offset by gains this month. Hotel revenue for September increased 10% over last year, a jump officials attribute to the Labor Day shift and visitors rescheduling their canceled trips due to August rain. Zartico also reported year-over-year increases in average daily rates, revenue
per available room, total revenue and paid occupancy. “Major events created massive spikes in demand, including Labor Day, BikeFest, the Kite Festival, and the highest-demand event, Oceans Calling,” a commission report reads. “Hotel [average daily rate] for upcoming fall weekends averaged $406 per night, while vacation rental [average daily rate] approached $500.” Looking ahead to October, Zartico reports that hotel bookings show strong demand with $4.5 million in revenue already on the books and room rates
higher than last year. Driving that demand, the company said, was Endless Summer Cruisin’, Corvette weekend, Sunfest and the Country Calling music festival. “The Country Calling festival was shortened by one night, which negatively impacted overall potential revenue for this high-demand period,” Zartico reported. “However, hotel pacing made up 9 points compared to last month, with vacation rentals showing year-over-year growth.” For November, inventory begins to decline. But an increase in revenue is shown for the second weekend.
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County to develop nondisclosure guidelines By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) Worcester County government will develop guidelines for nondisclosure agreements amid rising concerns that data center companies are asking government officials elsewhere to sign them. Commissioner Eric Fiori proposed the measure at the board’s Sept. 15 meeting. He said such agreements can restrict what elected officials and government employees may disclose publicly. “When it comes to government non-disclosures, I take extremely seriously, as being an elected official, transparency in government,” said Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City). His motion directed county staff to recommend when such agreements would be appropriate and how offi-
cials should proceed if asked to enter one. It passed 5-2 without discussion, with Commissioners Jim Bunting and Ted Elder opposed. The push for new guidelines comes as two companies involved in global data infrastructure have submitted proposals this year in Fiori’s district. He did not say either company had sought a nondisclosure agreement from Worcester County. Virginia-based Globalinx previously sought to build a roughly 25,000-square-foot cable landing station along Route 611 to support Amazon Web Services. That proposal stalled amid local opposition. Commissioners subsequently approved a 12-month moratorium on new data centers and cable landing stations in July. Amazon later asked the county for
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a zoning-text amendment allowing one power-feed-equipment building in the commercial aviation district at the Ocean City Municipal Airport. Amazon expects the building to occupy less than 700 square feet. An Amazon spokesperson told OC Today-Dispatch that the proposed “power hut” would supply electricity to inbound submarine cables but would neither store nor process data. The company maintains it has “no intention” to put a cable landing station or a data center in Worcester County. The commissioners’ vote came moments after Commissioner Joe Mitrecic (District 7, Ocean City) announced that Drew Van Dopp, president and CEO of the Salisbury-based nonprofit Maryland Broadband Cooperative, would address commissioners at their next meeting about cable landings and data centers.
Mitrecic encouraged people on either side of the issue to attend, saying he hoped the presentation could function as “more of a public hearing” where residents could “get some of the facts.” In a Sept. 16 Facebook post, Fiori encouraged opponents of Amazon’s airport proposal to attend and speak. He expressed concern about possible effects on Assateague Island and said bringing the cable inland could open Worcester County and neighboring jurisdictions to future cable landings and data centers. County Administrator Weston Young confirmed that Van Dopp is scheduled to appear at the commissioners’ Oct. 6 meeting. Because the presentation will appear on the agenda, members of the public may speak for up to two minutes on the subject. The meeting begins at 10 a.m.
Elks Lodge launches essay contest with patriotic theme (Sept. 25, 2026) With students back to school, Ocean City Elks Lodge is launching its 2026–2027 Americanism Essay and Poster contests. The programs are designed to encourage patriotism while inspiring awareness, pride, and respect for our nation among today’s youth. This year’s Americanism Essay Contest theme is “Explain a Constitutional Right or Privilege and How It Affects You and Your Family.” The contest is open to middle school students within the Lodge’s service area. The Poster Contest theme is “My Favorite American Symbol.” It is open to young people ages 3–17, with entries judged by age group. The use of
artificial intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited in both contests. Lodge members who own businesses or lead nonprofit organizations have been asked to support both programs by donating money, gift cards, or other items suitable as awards for first-, second-, and third-place winners. Members with children or grandchildren, or donors interested in participating in the programs, should contact Public Relations & Americanism Committee Chair Debbie Brune at dbrune53@gmail.com or 410-4302912 or Vickie Del Grosso at Vikivale2u@gmail.com or 410- 913-1064. the Elks for complete contest details.
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OC will miss ADU deadline Task force planning to By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) Despite being behind schedule, Ocean City Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler says the municipality is working with state planners to pass an accessory dwelling unit policy this fall. Last week, the Ocean City Planning Commission agreed to hold a hearing on Oct. 6 to receive public comments on a new state mandate authorizing the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on property already accommodating single-family detached houses. While the state has given jurisdictions until Oct. 1 to pass local laws, Bendler said the city is working with the Maryland Department of Planning to get something on the books in the coming weeks. “While our formal adoption will occur after October 1, the Town has been actively working toward compliance and has kept MDP informed of our progress and anticipated schedule,” Bendler said in an email to OC Today-Dispatch.
In July, planning personnel came before the City Council to discuss a new state mandate requiring local governments to adopt laws that facilitate the construction of the accessory housing units. The goal, according to the state Department of Planning, is to help solve a 96,000-unit housing shortage and create affordable housing options for Marylanders. At the council’s direction, staff this summer began drafting an ordinance using the state’s requirements. Now, the Ocean City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Oct. 6 to get the public’s views on the subject. “The Town has completed the draft ADU ordinance, and the Planning Commission is scheduled to hold its public hearing on October 6,” Bendler said. “Following the hearing, the draft will be forwarded to the Mayor and City Council for consideration.” Currently, the city allows accessory structures on singlefamily lots – for example, a converted room above a garage. However, once those
units include kitchens, it becomes a separate dwelling unit, which is currently not allowed in single-family residential districts. State law will now require municipalities to allow ADUs on such lots. Those local regulations must exclude ADUs from density calculations and residential growth limitations and cannot establish setback requirements that are more stringent than those that currently exist. The legislation also prevents municipalities from requiring additional off-street parking without first conducting a parking study. “The town has a parking consultant they use in the parking department,” Bendler told the planning commission last week. “We discussed with them about doing a parking study. Ultimately, the parking study wasn’t going to yield the results that we needed to get to where we wanted to be with this. And from the mayor and council standpoint, there wasn’t a real will to engage a parking survey. So we took that off the table.”
meet on bikes, Cruisin’ By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) The Ocean City Motor Event Task Force will convene next week to review this month’s OC Rock and Ride motorcycle rally, and to discuss the upcoming Endless Summer Cruisin’ event. On Sept. 28, beginning at 10 a.m., committee members will meet at City Hall to discuss the outcome of this year’s OC Rock and Ride, which returned to the resort Sept. 9-12 for the second annual motorcycle rally. Event organizers also will provide update the committee on their plans. In 2017, the Town of Ocean City formed the Motor Event Task Force to discuss the challenges associated with both sanctioned and unsanctioned motor events that occur within town limits. Those events included the annual, sanctioned Cruisin’ events, as well as the unsanctioned pop-up car rallies that plagued the resort for years. The goal of the committee is not only to identify the chal-
lenges those events bring, but to develop strategies and solutions to the problems they might cause. In 2024, for example, following a troublesome OC Bikefest event, the task force agreed to implement a special event zone for the 2025 event, effectively reducing speed limits and enhancing penalties for violators. With a second year now in the books, it will be the new promoter of the annual motorcycle rally, Kickin Events, that will go before the task force next Monday. The meeting will also include comments from Mayor Rick Meehan and Ocean City Police Chief Ray Austin. The committee next week will also receive an update on the 29th annual Endless Summer Cruisin’, which will take place Oct. 8-11. This year, car shows will take place at the Ocean City convention center parking lot and inlet parking lot, as well as vendor setups, a swap meet, live music and more.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Former schools administrator to serve five years Shorts on three years of probation upon her release
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By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) Former Worcester County Public Schools assistant superintendent Denise Shorts will serve five years in prison following a guilty plea in Worcester County Circuit Court Wednesday. Shorts, facing three charges for stealing more than Denise Shorts $118,000 from the public school system to buy personal items and then falsifying the receipts, pleaded guilty this week to theft scheme over $100,000. The open-ended plea, unlike the binding agreement she reached with state prosecutors earlier this year, gave presiding Judge S. James Sarbanes the discretion to impose a 10year sentence, with all but five years suspended. Restitution for the funds she had stolen had already been paid, attorneys shared this week. “I offer no excuses. What I did was unacceptable and something I will have to live with the rest of my life,” Shorts told the judge. “I truly apologize for what I’ve done to Worcester County Public Schools.” In April, the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor charged Shorts, 61, with embezzlement, theft scheme and misconduct in office after a state audit of Worcester County Public Schools last year revealed discrepancies between Amazon purchasing data and receipts Shorts submitted to the school system. Auditors passed on their findings to state prosecutor’s office, which handles cases of public corruption and official misconduct. Through their investigation, prosecutors found that Shorts was abusing her work-issued purchasing card by spending $118,741 in school funds on personal items through Amazon over a period of six years. Shorts then hid those purchases by altering invoices to make them appear as legitimate school system transactions. In one example, prosecutors say Shorts used her purchasing card to buy a $1,869 pool vacuum for her home. She then altered the receipt to claim the purchase was for a classroom area rug. In another example, prosecutors say Shorts used the purchasing card to buy five Apple iPads for a daycare center she co-owns in Berlin. While the iPads were delivered to the Board of Education building in Newark, they were ultimately used at the daySee SHORTS Page 22
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Shorts will serve time for theft Continued from Page 20 care facility. Last December, the state prosecutor’s office raided both Shorts’ home in the Oyster Harbor community and her workspace at the Board of Education in Newark. That search uncovered more than 500 falsified receipts. “This was an act that was quite calculated on the part of Ms. Shorts,” prosecutor Sarah David said in court Wednesday. In total, prosecutors this week told the judge that Shorts stole $118,741 from the school system, which was used to buy makeup, clothing and items for her daycare, her home, and a vacation home she owns in Florida. Of that $118,000, Shorts claimed $84,365 in personal purchases as legitimate Title I grant expenditures, money that was then deducted from federal funding intended to benefit students from lowincome families. “She offers no excuses,” Shorts’ attorney, Brian Thompson, said this week. “She knows what she did was wrong and the people she did it to were vulnerable people.” In July, Circuit Court Judge Beau Oglesby rejected a plea deal between Shorts and the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor in which Shorts would serve 18 months’ incarceration and three years of super-
vised probation in exchange for a guilty plea to theft scheme and paying the $118,741 in restitution. Unlike a standard agreement, in which a judge can impose any sentence, the binding agreement presented in court this summer would have held the judge to the sentence both parties agreed to. In court this week, attorneys came forward with an open-ended guilty plea, in which the state recommended a five-year sentence with all but 18 months suspended and three years of supervised probation upon release. The restitution, Thompson added, had been paid months ago. “She told me all she can do is make amends and make it up to the community,” he said of his client’s guilty plea. After hearing the facts in the case, as well as a victim impact statement from the school system, Sarbanes sentenced Shorts to 10 years in prison, with all but five years suspended, and three years of supervised probation upon her release. While acknowledging Shorts’ apologies and restitution payment, Sarbanes said it did not make up for the violation of public trust. “The optics of this are terrible,” he said. “It’s taking money from underprivileged kids for excess items.” See WCPS Page 24
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POLICE/COURTS
Drug and weapon charges Felony drug distribution charges have been filed against two people after their car was stopped because it was missing the registration tabs on its license plate. On Sept. 20, around noon, Ocean City police on patrol saw a white Chrysler traveling on 5th Street without the proper registration and two rear passengers not wearing seat belts. A traffic stop was initiated, and the vehicle’s occupants were identified as Cody T. Polis, 35, Gary A. Young, 42, Chastity N. Bynaker, 29, and Erica C. Berry, 44, all of the Baltimore area. Police immediately noticed Young had a knife affixed to his pants, and Berry told police there was a knife in her purse. Bynaker and Polis then informed police there was a machete between the driver’s seat and the center console and within reach of the motorist and passenger. When asked if there was other contraband in the car, Bynaker said there was “Hard,” “Soft” and “Dope,” according to the statement of charges. Officers noted what each of the slang term references in the report meant — “Hard” refers to crack cocaine, “Soft” alludes to cocaine and “Dope” refers to fentanyl. All three are illegal drugs. During an interview on site, By-
naker told police most of the drugs were located within a safe in the vehicle with the other substances spread out in the car. A search of the vehicle located electronic scales, portions of metal wire mesh and bags of baking soda and laundry detergent used to cut drugs like powder cocaine for distribution. A small pouch was found on the ground outside the rear passenger door containing numerous clear pill capsules known as “Scramble,” which is an “amalgamation of heroin, fentanyl and other substances,” per the police report. Other paraphernalia and loose illegal drugs were found in the vehicle. Inside the safe was the largest load of drugs: 70 “Scramble” pills, crack cocaine rocks and bags filled with cocaine. Bynaker told police he spent about $1,800 on the drugs inside the safe with the intent to distribute it amongst the four of them. Polis and Bynaker are both charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance not cannabis, possession of a paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous weapon. Young is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance not cannabis, posses-
sion of a paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous weapon.
Disorderly with ecstasy A woman was charged after an aggressive incident outside a bar led police to discover ecstasy in her purse. Ocean City police assistance was sought on Sept. 21 around 1:20 a.m. for a disorderly female creating a scene outside of a bar. Police arrived on the scene and heard Keshon Nunn, 33, of California, from 235 feet away screaming at a male and running after him. Nunn was seen chasing the man with a metal chair and continuing to scream. Due to her aggressive and refusal to adhere to police commands, Nunn was placed under arrest. Police searched Nunn’s purse and found a bag with six multicolored rectangular
tablets recognized as ecstasy, a schedule I narcotic. Nunn has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, disorderly conduct and a noise violation.
Police officers assaulted A Connecticut woman became physical with police officers after refusing to leave a hotel room she had not paid for. On Sept. 20, around 3 p.m., Ocean City police were called to a hotel for a disorderly person and a possible burglary. A woman, Mylene L. Burke, 41, of Middletown, Conn., was creating a disturbance on the hotel’s pool deck before retreating to a room she had not rented. Burke refused to leave the unit and locked herself inside when confronted by hotel staff. Continued on Page 24
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WCPS works to repair public trust Continued from Page 22 Shorts was immediately remanded into custody following Wednesday's sentencing. School system leadership also addressed Shorts’ plea in a statement this week. "While we are pleased that full restitution has been made and that this matter has concluded, the actions that led to today's plea represent a serious breach of the public trust," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Annette Wallace said in a news release. "The funds involved were intended to support educational opportunities and services for our most vulnerable students, and we will not minimize the impact of these terrible actions and the hurt it has caused throughout our school system." Board of Education President
Todd Ferrante noted that the impact of the misconduct extended beyond the financial loss itself. “Our community expects and deserves clarity, accountability, and responsible management of taxpayer dollars," Ferrante said. "Although the financial loss has been repaid, this incident required significant time, attention, and resources and affected the public’s confidence in our school system. We remain focused on learning from this situation and continuing to strengthen safeguards that protect the resources entrusted to us.” While recognizing the work of state prosecutors and the judicial system for bringing the matter to a conclusion, the school board said its work will continue. “Through the comprehensive in-
dependent financial examination currently underway and other strengthened oversight measures, the Board remains committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that every public dollar entrusted to Worcester County Public Schools is protected and used to support the students and families of Worcester County,” the news release reads. After Wednesday’s sentencing, Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III issued a statement, saying, “Our office remains committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses a position of public trust” said Howard, “including individuals who enrich themselves for personal gain at the expense of the community members they are entrusted to serve.”
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POLICE/COURTS Continued from Page 23 Police eventually gained access to the hotel room and charged her with burglary. While being searched, Burke allegedly tried to bite the responding officer repeatedly before kicking one officer. While being escorted into headquarters, Burke reportedly kicked another officer in the leg. Burke is facing fourth-degree burglary and three counts of second-degree assault.
Credit card theft charges An Ocean City man, believed to be homeless, was charged after breaking into a vehicle and stealing a wallet. On Sept. 19, Ocean City police officers were alerted to a theft that had occurred on the Boardwalk at N. Division Street. A witness told police his friend’s vehicle was broken into on Talbot Street and his wallet was stolen. The driver’s side window of his Acura was destroyed by a large piece of concrete located on the car seat. The man became aware of the theft when the victim received a notification his credit card had been used at a nearby bar for $20. Another attempt at a surf shop was declined. Police were able to access surveillance cameras at the businesses and CityWatch to disburse images of the suspect, later identified as Joseph C. Lane, 26, of Ocean City. Lane, who is known to police as an individual who recently became homeless, was found asleep on a city bench nearby. Lane told police he was trying to buy food with the money and buy a raincoat from a surf shop. Lane has been charged with credit card theft scheme $100 to $1,500, theft less than $100, two counts of stealing a credit card, malicious destruction of property under $1,000 and rogue and vagabond.
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PAGE 25
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PAGE 26
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Berlin scrambling to get ADU law on books pre-Oct. 1 By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) Berlin officials are finalizing the municipality's guidelines for building accessory dwelling units ahead of a state-mandated Oct. 1 deadline, with this week's discussion focusing on how big or small these structures should be. On Sept. 14, the Berlin Planning Commission, the mayor and Town Council met for a work session to develop provisions for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which were authorized by the General Assembly last year. The law was created with the hope that accessory dwelling units — apartment-like structures detached from a lot’s primary home —could provide affordable housing options amid a supply shortage. The law gives local governments until Oct. 1 to establish how and where ADUs may be built. The Town of Berlin began work on its ADU guidelines earlier this year with a work session between the mayor and Town Council and the planning commission in February. When the group met Monday night, they agreed to limit these units to between 350 and 600 square feet, instead of an proposal that would have permitted units of up to 800 square feet or 35% of the primary dwelling’s livable space. Councilmember Shaneka Nichols was a proponent of reducing the size of allowable ADUs. She argued that these accessory structures should not be comparable to “second homes” and are instead intended to be a step down from a lot’s primary dwelling. While there was some discussion that small ADUs next to large houses would look disproportionate, Matt Stoehr, the planning commission chair, suggested property owners could include a garage to expand the size of the building without increasing the square footage of livable space beyond what is allowed. Officials also talked about how the town would review the design of proposed ADUs. The draft ordinance calls for planning commission oversight of materials, windows, proportions and screening, and other aesthetic elements. The commission’s review would be recommendation-based rather than an additional approval that could prevent an otherwise compliant ADU from being constructed. Properties within Berlin’s historic district would be required to comply with applicable design criteria. Parking requirements for ADUs also were addressed this week. Stoehr noted that the town’s residential parking study is from 2019, which Tyndall said is too outdated to rely on for new regulations. Under the ADU guidelines up for consideration, applicants would be encouraged to provide an off-street parking space. The town also continued working See ADU Page 29
PAGE 27
OC Today-Dispatch
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PAGE 29
OC Today-Dispatch
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TARA FISCHER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Members of the Berlin Planning Commissioner and Mayor and Council are pictured discussing how a new ordinance should be written on ADUs.
ADU guidelines under review Continued from Page 27 through how ADUs would affect water and sewer capacity and the associated equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) fees. Berlin currently charges about $17,000 for one EDU. However, Tyndall said the town does not currently sell less than a full EDU. Rather than requiring every ADU to pay the full amount, officials considered calculating a proportional EDU fee based on a property’s water and sewer usage. Tyndall said the town could review the previous 24 months of usage and determine whether additional capacity is needed. The exact fee structure has not yet been established. Other criteria stipulate that only one accessory unit is permitted per lot and that it should be limited to one bedroom. Occupants must also be residents living in the space. The accessory units are not
to be rented to corporate entities or LLCs. During Monday night’s regular Town Council meeting, the governing team also established proposed permit fees for ADUs. Under the updated fee schedule, applicants would pay a $300 filing fee. New construction ADUs would carry a permit fee of $500 in fiscal 2027, increasing to $575 by fiscal 2030. Converting an existing accessory structure into an ADU would cost $350 in fiscal 2027, increasing to $425 by fiscal 2030. An ADU certificate of zoning, occupancy and covenant would cost an additional $150 in fiscal 2027, increasing to $165 by fiscal 2030. Tyndall said that a second work session on ADUs will take place ahead of the Town Council’s Sept. 28 meeting, when a public hearing on the proposed guidelines is scheduled.
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DIRECT WATERFRONT 1 BR, 1 BA MID-TOWN CONDO 735 BRADLEY RD #204 • PONTE VISTA • OCEAN CITY
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Long tree lined driveway & beautifully manicured grounds. Impressive upgrades include Gourmet kitchen granite counters, SS appliances & overlooks spacious family room with wood burning fireplace with brick hearth. Screened NOW $999,000 in porch off kitchen & patio and fire pit area. Main level formal dining room with hardwood floors, office with custom book shelving, laundry room with full size washer/dryer & powder room. Upstairs large primary suite with ensuite BA & soaking tub. 3 BRs and BA also upstairs. Finished lower level has 1600+ SF & includes BR & BA perfect for guests or multi-generational living. 2-car attached garage. Seller will allow $5K credit for carpet. Added value: separate 2-car garage with space for contractors, hobbyists, boats, RV's or recreational vehicles. Above garage private apartment with living space, BR, full BA & private balcony. Enjoy life in this private, estate-like setting. Call for a private showing.
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Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. © 2026 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered service mark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLS. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Opportunity. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 30
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Two named to WCPS Hall of Fame Superintendent says ‘class of inductees is a small group but a powerful one’
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) Family members, friends, and fellow educators packed the Worcester County Board of Education meeting Tuesday afternoon as two longtime employees whose careers collectively spanned 94 years were honored as the latest inductees into the Worcester County Public Schools Hall of Fame. Barbara Butler and the late Lana Rae Williams were inducted during this week’s board of education meeting. The two educators make up the third class of retirees inducted into the school system’s hall of fame, a
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recognition program established in 2022 through a partnership between WCPS and the Worcester County Retired School Personnel Association. Schools Superintendent Annette Wallace, who presented the nominations, said submissions for the hall of fame are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by a committee each spring. “This year’s class of inductees is a small group but a powerful one,” Wallace said. “Both members of this year’s class have made remarkable contributions to our school system.” Butler devoted more than five decades to educating, mentoring, and advocating for Worcester County children and families. According to Wallace, her career in this county included teaching at Cedar Chapel Special School, Snow
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Hill Elementary School, and Snow Hill Middle School. She later moved into administration and became the first vice principal at Snow Hill Elementary. Butler also extended her work beyond the traditional school day through the Haven House Tutorial program. Wallace said the offering began as a community-based effort and “grew into a school partnership serving some of Snow Hill’s most vulnerable students.” Butler said she spent 25 of her 58year career with the Haven House afterschool program and later helped with Snow Hill Elementary’s 21st Century Community Learning Center, which the superintendent noted earned state recognition for student achievement. Butler said she began her education career in 1964 after graduating from Bowie State College, now Bowie State University. While she was born and raised in Frederick, she said she had worked only in Worcester County’s school system. “I have served for 58 years in Worcester County,” Butler said during Tuesday’s presentation. “This is the only county I’ve ever worked in. And I’m so proud of that, I really am.” The second inductee, Williams, dedicated 35 of her 38 years in education to WCPS, first as an elementary and middle school teacher before moving into central office leadership. Her central office work included professional development, public relations, and special projects. Wallace said that among Williams’ lasting contributions was helping establish and coordinate the WCPS Teacher of the Year program beginning in 1988. Williams also developed summer enrichment and acceleration programs during her career. Williams died in 2004. Her son, Sean Allen Williams, accepted the honor on her behalf during Tuesday’s meeting. “My mom loved her job here,” Williams said. “She loved Worcester County and she would be very honored by this.” Board President Todd Ferrante remembered Williams as a welcoming presence in the school system. “Not only was she a fashion statement, but when she smiled, she lit up the whole room,” Ferrante said. “She was nice to everybody. She was a very warm, welcoming person. We were lucky to have her in our school system.” The hall of fame program recognizes retired WCPS personnel for their contributions to students, schools, and the Worcester County community. Information about the hall of fame program, including nomination materials and selection criteria, is available on the WCPS website.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PAGE 31
OC Today-Dispatch
Large land could be exempt from Berlin’s open burn ban By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) Berlin’s outdoor burning policy returned to the council agenda last week as officials try to maintain town safety while acknowledging the needs of large property owners, who require special considerations for disposing of yard and storm debris. Under a proposed code amendment discussed at last Monday’s Town Council meeting, open burns could be permitted on properties of more than five contiguous acres, provided they meet specific criteria. The proposed policy revision would limit owners of these large parcels to one open burn per year and require them to notify the Town of Berlin of their intent at least 48 hours in advance. Landowners must also receive approval from the Worcester County Fire Marshal before ignition. Additionally, the fire must be attended at all times, means of extinguishing the flames must be readily available, and the burn location must be at least 200 feet from any habitable structure. Landowners must also provide alternative dates in case weather conditions on the scheduled day are not conducive to burning. The Town of Berlin has been working to tighten its outdoor burning ordinance for the past few months. A public hearing on a previous policy draft was held during the Aug. 24 council meeting, which included updated language explicitly prohibiting open burning within municipal limits. However, residents at the August meeting raised concerns that a blanket ban would unfairly affect owners of large parcels who rely on open burning to clear regular yard waste and natural storm debris. In response to these considerations, town staff revised the draft to develop a compromise that accommodates these large properties while still strictly limiting open burning. The updated policy was introduced for a first reading last Monday. The proposed guidelines will allow open burns on tracts of five or more acres, provided landowners follow all necessary safety precautions. Berlin Planning Director Ryan Hardesty added that neighbors will be notified ahead of any approved open burns on nearby properties. The debate over allowing open burning in a reduced capacity was sparked by resident Ed Hammond, who stated last month that he conducts roughly one open burn annually to maintain his 30-acre property. “I may be in a relatively unique situation in town where I have an agricultural property…I have 30 acres, and it generates a lot of debris, and I need to get rid of it,” Hammond said in August.
Hammond maintained that his family has safely conducted open burns for years with official approval from Worcester County. He added that while he could theoretically push his yard waste back into the wooded areas instead of burning it, doing so would leave the land vulnerable to invasive species. Beyond open burns, the Berlin mayor and council addressed other fire ordinance concerns, including a previous debate regarding how close cooking grills can be to houses during use. Hardesty noted that most residents store their grills against their homes and only pull them out a foot or two to cook, making a strict distance requirement virtually unenforceable. The council ultimately agreed that the fire code should not include a space mandate for cooking devices. However, bonfires and recreational fire pits will still be required to maintain a safe distance from all structures. The proposed outdoor burning code will appear on a future council meeting agenda for a public hearing, at which time citizen comments will be heard.
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PAGE 32
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OP police department now seeking eight more officers By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) The Ocean Pines Police Department is adopting new recruitment methods as it aims to overcome a significant staffing deficit. According to Operations Commander Lt. Joseph Bailey, the department is working with eight officers, or half of what is required for an adequately staffed station. “We need eight more officers to be fully staffed,” he said. “When we are fully staffed, our organizational chart calls for 16 sworn officers.” Bailey said his team has hired two new sworn officers within the last few months. One is a new recruit who will graduate from the police academy in December. The second is a retiree
from the Columbus, Ohio Department of Public Safety who brings 30 years of law enforcement experience. Still, the department is exploring new ways to find and hire additional officers. Bailey said one avenue they are increasing the agency’s social media messaging for recruitment purposes. Additionally, the OPPD has recently started using PoliceApp, a website that streamlines the application process for police departments. PoliceApp says it simplifies hiring by publicizing current law enforcement job openings, matching candidates with the police jobs they qualify for, strengthening efficient communication between departments and applicants, and organizing the application experience. “This has brought several applicants to our department,” Bailey said. The OPPD also intends to go out into the community and engage with those who may be interested in becoming a police officer. Bailey said the Ocean Pines agency is in the early stages of assembling a team to attend local colleges and job fairs and recruit young candidates. Bailey maintained that the OPPD is the perfect fit not only for new officers beginning their careers, but also for experienced public safety personnel looking for work at less hectic departments. To capture this subgroup, the OPPD recently created flyers aimed at newly retired Maryland Certified Officers who may want to continue their careers at a lower-volume precinct. “Meaning they’ve spent 20 years at a busy department and are ready to slow down but don’t want to stop being police officers,” Bailey said. The Ocean Pines Association is also helping the police department with its recruiting efforts. This summer, OPA General Manager John Viola recommended a salary increase for officers. Viola suggested pay for fresh hires who have not yet graduated from the police academy be raised from $63,500 to $72,000. For certified officers, Viola recommended boosting their $67,945 compensation to $73,500. Bailey said the salary adjustments have generated some interest. “The Association takes care of us,” he said. The operations commander noted that the OPPD is a “great place to work” because of its diverse talent. “We have the luxury of being a smaller department with a balance of new officers with less experience mixed with the older, more experienced officers,” he said. Bailey added that the department’s work is geared toward community policing because of the neighborhood’s older population. “Being a smaller agency provides the time to interact with the community,” he said. “… Anyone who is looking for that type of policing would love being a police officer in Ocean Pines.”
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Assateague plans water line project, to begin this fall (Sept. 25, 2026) Assateague Island National Seashore will begin a $2.5 million water line replacement project in mid-October to upgrade essential water infrastructure in developed areas of the park’s Maryland Unit, Park Superintendent Hugh Hawthorne revealed this week. The project will improve water pressure and reliability for visitors and park operations while supporting current needs and future facility improvements, Hawthorne said. Park officials said the existing water system, designed in the 1990s, no longer meets the demands of current visitor levels. The project will enhance water pressure throughout the system, supporting both current needs and future facility improvements. Funded by Assateague Island recreation fee revenue, the project will reinvest visitor fees directly into essential park infrastructure and improve the visitor experience. Construction will primarily use boring horizontal techniques to minimize ground disturbance and visitor impact. No road closures are expected, although campground loops will close on a rolling basis beginning in early November. The campground will remain open at reduced capacity during construction.
PAGE 33
OC Today-Dispatch
2 BR, 2 BA HOME in ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY
BEAUTIFUL 3 BR, 2.5 BA HOME
35594 WILLIAMSVILLE ROAD SELBYVILLE, DE • $539,000 Bright, open-concept layout home with plenty of space to live, relax & entertain. Upgraded kitchen has SS appliances, granite counters & ample workspace - perfect for preparing your favorite meals. Inviting living room includes a gas fireplace, creating a cozy atmosphere on cooler evenings. Sunny 3-season room is a peaceful retreat, complete with insulated floors. With the addition of a mini split, this space can easily be converted into a year-round room. Step outside onto the sundeck and enjoy the sunshine and backyard - an ideal setting for relaxing, entertaining, or simply enjoying the outdoors. Don't miss the opportunity to make it yours!
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2 HUCKLEBERRY DR #59 VILLAGE OF CINDERBERRY GEORGETOWN, DE • $344,900 Beautiful home on cul-de-sac in prime spot. This active adult community offers comfort & convenience. Enjoy peaceful mornings on your front porch. Spacious open-concept layout with electric fireplace in living room, dedicated dining area & fully equipped kitchen with island & breakfast bar. The sunroom is the perfect space to relax! Primary suite has large walk-in closet & ensuite BA with soaking tub & separate shower. 2nd BR & hallway full BA great for guests. Highlights: laundry room, ample closet space & attached 1-car garage. Community offers lawn care & exterior maintenance. Amenities: clubhouse with exercise & game room, library, indoor pool & more!
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PAGE 34
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PAGE 35
OC Today-Dispatch
ON GUARD
Kathryn Landon "Katie" Sales Associate, Licensed in MD & DE
302-236-5738 katie.landon@cbmove.com http://katielandon.com
Patrol coverage wraps Sunday By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) As summer winds down, so too does our weekly series on beach and water safety. It has been a true pleasure to share these important reminders with the readers of OC Today Dispatch each week. The Ocean City Beach Patrol is incredibly grateful to editors Steve Green and Stewart Dobson for their continued support and for providing us with this valuable platform to help educate our community and reinforce the importance of beach safety throughout the summer. As we reach the final article of the 2026 season and the final weekend of lifeguard coverage, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on some of the most important safety tips we’ve shared this summer and, most importantly, remind everyone that these precautions don’t end when the lifeguard stands are removed from the beach. There is no question that the most important thing you can do to stay safe at the beach is to swim only when lifeguards are on duty and always swim in front of a lifeguard. It sounds simple enough, but as we move into the fall and our beach coverage becomes much
12207 Coastal Hwy • Ste D • Ocean City, 21842 Office: 410-524-1203 • M: 302-236-5738
BEAUTIFUL 3 BR, 2.5 BA TOWNHOME OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 12:30-2:30PM
Charming townhome in desirable community. Perfect for year-round living or a coastal getaway. 1-car garage, durable hard-surface flooring on stairs, hallway & guest BR & a bright sunroom. Freshly updated rear deck overlooks peaceful wooded backdrop. Spacious primary suite has ensuite BA, unique double-sided fireplace & private deck. Main level family room with fireplace, separate dining area & eat-in kitchen. Walk to Ocean Pines Yacht Club, Mumford's Landing Pool & Pines Point Provisions - some of the most popular amenities at your doorstep. Don't miss the opportunity to own this wonderful townhome that perfectly blends $479,900 convenience, comfort & coastal charm.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
The Beach Patrol will officially end the traditional guarding of the beach (SRTs on stands) on Sunday, Sept. 27. The OCBP will quickly remove all stands from the beach so there is no confusion that after Sept 27 if beach patrons choose to go swimming they will be swimming at their own risk on an unguarded beach.
more limited, we continue to see people entering the water away from guarded areas. As our mobile units tour up and down the beach on ATVs, we see large numbers of people that go out to the beach and swim dead center between two lifeguards. Rip currents are unpredictable (over 2,000 rip rescues this season) and simply put, it just makes sense to be close to the expert, the lifeguard. Remember, just because you can see an SRT in the stand from several blocks away, that SRT is not able to see you well enough to know that you may need help and because of the distance, it takes that much longer to Continued on Page 37
953 YACHT CLUB DRIVE
MARINA VILLAGE • OCEAN PINES
FAIRFIELD at LONGNECK MILLSBORO, DE 19966
35596 N GLOUCESTER CIRCLE
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4-bedroom, 3.5-bath end-unit townhome is move-in ready & designed for comfort & versatility. 2 spacious primary bedrooms—one on the 1st floor & another on the 2nd —each with its own private en-suite bath, making it ideal for multi-generational living or hosting guests. Additional living space in the bright 3-season room. Unwind outdoors on the custom paver patio with a sitting area, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Desirable end-unit location offers added privacy & natural light throughout. This sought-after community is just minutes from beaches, shopping, dining & more! The perfect balance of coastal living & everyday convenience. $
1,300,000
Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. © 2026 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered service mark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLS. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Opportunity. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.
Ocean City, MD Inlet Parking Lot Oct. 23 & 24, 2026
Wine On The Beach joins Ocean City’s Sunfest
Friday & Saturday 11am – 7pm Wine Tastings 11am – 6pm
Plus, continuous Live Music from Local & National touring performers on the Beach Stage & Midway Stage Inlet Parking Lot, Where the Boardwalk Begins.
Featuring Wineries from Maryland
Tickets
Buy $35 Advance Tickets online @ www.winefest.com Tickets are Limited.
45 General Admission at the Gate includes:
$
One Day Admission, Commemorative Wine Glass & Wine Samples with Photo ID.
Children 13-20 are $15 & must be accompanied by parent. Under 12 years of age free.
Advance Ticket Sales OC Convention Center 410.289.2800 For additional information Call 410.280.3306 or Visit
www.winefest.com
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 36
AT NORTH BEACH, REALTORS
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
GRACE MASTEN, CRS, SRES, BROKER/OWNER LICENSED IN MD & DE ERIK DOWELL, REALTOR 12600 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842
410.250.4433
THE BURGUNDY INN
A Legacy at the Beach. A Business Built with Heart. An Opportunity for the Future.
MAIN BUILDING $2.9 Million
NORTH BUILDING $1.5 Million
WEST BUILDING $1.9 Million
Just 1.5 blocks from the beach & famous Ocean City Boardwalk, The Burgundy Inn represents more than a collection of properties—it is the story of a family, a dream & nearly 4 decades of welcoming guests to Ocean City. Family owned & operated since 1988, The Burgundy Inn was built around a simple vision: work hard, create something special & enjoy life at the beach while doing it. The current owner, together with his parents, Inge and Wilhelm, became a dynamic team: building, managing & overseeing the day-to-day operations while steadily growing a loyal clientele. They didn't just build a business. They created an atmosphere. Hibiscus & palm trees brought a touch of the tropics. Bright red geraniums filled oversized flowerpots outside the guestroom doors. Returning vacationers became familiar faces & summer after summer, the family worked side by side taking pride in the property & enjoying the life they had created. For Inge & Wilhelm, it became the semi-retirement they had dreamed about: living near the ocean, working together as a family, meeting people from near and far & watching a successful hospitality business grow. What began as an 8-room property eventually expanded to 26 rooms, including an office & grew into a MULTI-BUILDING HOSPITALITY OPERATION offering everything from traditional accommodations to large family vacation units.
THREE BUILDINGS. MULTIPLE ACCOMMODATION STYLES. ONE DOWNTOWN LOCATION. The Main Building Original property grew from 8 rooms to 16 rooms, including an office, reflecting years of expansion & investment.
The North Building — Pool & Tiki Bar Designed with larger vacationing families & groups in mind, the North Building adds another dimension to the property with a swimming pool, tiki bar & covered porches. Accommodations include: • One large 3-bedroom unit sleeps up to 17 • Two 2-bedroom units • One 1-bedroom unit This setting captures what an Ocean City vacation is supposed to feel like—casual, social & a short walk to the beach.
The West Building The West Building further diversifies the property's lodging options with: • One large 3-bedroom • One 2-bedroom unit • Four efficiency units The variety of accommodations creates flexibility for couples, families & larger groups traveling together. Plus, Plenty of on-site parking with attractions 1.5 blocks away.
THE NEXT CHAPTER For the next owner, explore the possibilities: refresh existing hospitality, expand vacation rental model, create new boutique lodging concept with multi-property downtown footprint. For someone who has dreamed of leaving the corporate world, building a business, creating a hospitality brand or simply making a living near the ocean, The Burgundy Inn offers a place to begin with much of the foundation already in place... Now I ask you, Are you ready to make this your own?
Grace@NorthBeachRealtors.com • www.NorthBeachRealtors.com
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
ON GUARD
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM-BUILT 5 BR, 3 BA 2,230 SF HOME
Continued from Page 35 get to you if you do need our help! Another important tip that is even more obvious than swimming near a lifeguard is learning how to swim. Learning to swim is one of the best things people can do to protect themselves from drowning. Studies show that people learn to swim best during childhood, which makes it a parent’s responsibility to make sure their children learn to swim. If someone does not know how to swim, they should not be in the ocean. Unfortunately, we have rescues where people are pulled into deeper water by a rip current to find out that the person cannot swim. Once someone begins to panic and actively drown, they generally have 10-60 seconds until the situation becomes grave. With so many currents and unknowns in the ocean, people should not be in the ocean if they do not know how to swim. The last tip I would like to leave you with pertains to rip currents. If you find yourself caught in a rip, don’t panic or fight the current. You must swim out of the current by swimming parallel to shore and then into shore. If you are unable to swim out of the current, just float and tread water and call or wave for assistance (this is why swimming ability is critical as well as only swimming while we are on duty). An easy way to remember what to do if you find yourself being pulled away from the beach, in the “Grip of The Rip” is to remember the letters
n This Mentio OFF 1/2 Ad for tion Applica Fee!
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OC Today-Dispatch
“R.I.P.”. R = Relax and do not panic (panic causes even the best swimmers to drown), I = I need help (draw attention to yourself so help can get to you), P = Swim parallel to escape the pull of the current and then swim back to safety on the beach. If you are on a guarded beach, help will be on its way. I want to give the following WARNING one more time. the Beach Patrol strongly encourages all beach patrons to restrict any beach or waterrelated activities to times and locations when and where beach patrol personnel are on duty, never swim alone, always stay within the limits of your swimming ability and never rely on a flotation device in place of your swimming ability (you could suddenly lose your flotation if hit by a wave). The Ocean City Beach Patrol, Ocean City Police Department, OC Fire and EMS, Ocean City Communications and all the public safety workers have done a tremendous job this season. Furthermore, many of the media outlets have also been invaluable in helping the Beach Patrol serve its mission by educating the public with the use of these publications and reports. We all know that having the knowledge necessary to prepare yourself is critical. For more information on the Ocean City Beach Patrol, visit oceancitymd.gov/ocbp. Remember, “Keep your feet in the sand till the lifeguard’s in the stand.”
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY NOON-5PM
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Laurie Duncan
REALTOR® Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty 443.460.8827 11001 Manklin Meadows Lane Ocean Pines MD 21811 beachsaleslaurie@gmail.com 410.208.3500
©2026 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire HomesServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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PAGE 38
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
Resort Real Estate, Inc. Resort Rentals, LLC
Call Tony Matrona for more info on these properties.
410-641-1671
Lot # 188 Enjoy a Bay View in this Spacious Turn Key 2 Bedroom. Recently Replaced AC. Drywall Interior, Cathedral Ceiling & Open Concept Living Area. Large Master Bedroom, Gas Stove, Dishwasher, Full Size Washer/Dryer, Courtyard & Shed.
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BUSINESS BRIEFS
Deputy director appointed The Worcester County Commissioners appointed Seth Reid to serve as the new deputy director for Development Review and Permitting (DRP). “Seth understands the permitting process from both the operational and customer-service perspectives,” DRP Director Jennifer Keener said. “His experience working directly with residents, businesses, and development professionals will be valuable as we strengthen Seth Reid our procedures, improve consistency, and continue providing responsive service to the public.” Before joining Worcester County Government, Reid served as planning and permitting ombudsman for Frederick County, where he helped residents, business owners, agricultural applicants, developers, County departments, and elected officials navigate complex planning, zoning, and permitting matters. In that role, he worked across organizational and community interests to address constituent concerns, improve developmentrelated processes, and advance long-range planning initiatives. He also regularly briefed the planning commission, county council, business and industry cabinet, and county executive on development issues and operational per-
formance. This broad experience strengthened his ability to communicate clearly, build productive relationships, and balance policy goals with practical considerations and community expectations. “I’m excited to join Worcester County and help build clear, consistent processes that make planning and permitting easier to navigate,” Reid said. “I look forward to supporting thoughtful development while helping the department identify practical opportunities for improvement.” The deputy director is responsible for assisting the director with all aspects of development, review, permitting, and other functions, including staff supervision, and coordinating planning studies and documents, including the upcoming review of the Worcester County Comprehensive Plan.
New zoning administrator The Worcester County Commissioners appointed Betsy Jackson to serve at the zoning administrator within Development Review and Permitting (DRP). Jackson brings 20 years of planning and zoning expertise to her new position, including eight years in the government sector. Betsy Jackson “Betsy brings an excellent combination of technical expert-
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1,499,000
11500 NE COASTAL HIGHWAY • UNIT 1108 SEA WATCH OCEAN CITY
13500 W COASTAL HIGHWAY • UNIT 304 WAVES NORTH OCEAN CITY
Ocean front lovely 2 Bedroom + den condo with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. New & remodeled kitchen & bathrooms. Newer HVAC & hot water heater & new washer/dryer 2026. Great amenities for owners or guests. Perfect investment or for your personal use.
2 BR, 2BA Ocean Block condo with 1,285 SF has a spacious larger floor plan. Short walk to the beach. New kitchen appliances & granite counters. Completely renovated BRs, LVP throughout condo & new HVAC. Indoor pool & elevator. Great investment. Currently on rental program with 2026 rentals to honor & provide instant income. $
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$
8500 COASTAL HWY #1302 • ANTIGUA OCEAN CITY, MD
2-story 3 BR, 3 BA pristine penthouse on beach with Ocean & Bay views. 1st floor living & dining room ceramic tile floors, new ceiling fan & glass walls/sliders to balcony running width of LR & DR. Kitchen ceramic floors, SS appliances, Electric Glass Top Stove, Dishwasher, new Refrigerator & Microwave & newly installed Pantry w/closet bi-fold doors. 1st floor 1 BR, 1 BA & laundry alcove has new LG full-size Washer/Dryer. Full staircase to 2nd floor & 2 ensuite BRs/BAs. 1 BR Ocean & Bay views; 2nd BR sliders to Rotunda balcony. BAs have ceramic tile floors. New 6 panel closet doors, furnace closet door & drapery hardware in BRs. New full-size 6 panel LR storage closet doors. New hot water heater 2023. Recently installed Shower/Tub fixtures & quiet exhaust fans all BAs. New BR & staircase carpeting 2026. $ 2 building elevators. Turnkey. Strong rental history.
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202 S 32ND STREET UNIT 102 JAMAICA DAYBREAK OCEAN CITY Prime Boardwalk Location | Steps to Jolly Roger Amusement Park & the Beach! 1st floor efficiency is the ultimate beach retreat or savvy investment. Turnkey Comfort: Fully equipped with a kitchen, in-unit washer/dryer & private balcony. Ideal for small family or as high-potential rental property in quiet, accessible building. Don't miss this $ affordable slice of coastal living!
It Is Always A Great Day At The Beach! Broker/MBA Keti Lynch Associate Bi-Lingual/GRI Toll Free: 800-492-5832 • Cell: 443-235-5482 6808 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 • www.shorepro.com
190,000
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
BUSINESS BRIEFS ise, management experience, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving,” DRP Director Jennifer Keener said. “Her broad understanding of planning, zoning, and development review will help us provide consistent guidance and responsive service to property owners, applicants, and the broader community.” Prior to joining Worcester County, Jackson served as the city planner for the City of Salisbury, where she led a team of associate planners and oversaw development plan reviews, rezoning and text-amendment requests, staff reports, and coordination with the Planning Commission and Historic District Commission. Prior to her work with the City of Salisbury, she was a remote town planner for a private development firm based out of New South Wales, Australia. “It’s a privilege to serve Worcester County in this capacity, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the DRP team,” Jackson said. Jackson is an American Planning Association (AICP) certified planner. As zoning administrator, Jackson oversees the County’s zoning activities, including planning, licensing, permitting, code enforcement, and the interpretation and application of land-use regulations. She also chairs the Technical Review Committee and serves as an advisor to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
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OC Today-Dispatch
Claudia Gausepohl
REALTOR® LICENSED IN MD
443-856-8072 / Hablo Español Claudiagausepohl@gmail.com
7408 Coastal Highway • Ocean City, MD 21842 CoastalLifeOC.com • 443-552-7579
LOVELY 2 BR, 2 BA HOME with LOW HOA!
CE N PRI CTIO U RED
14 E WIND DRIVE MYSTIC HARBOUR WEST OC/BERLIN
Pride of ownership shows! Large living room & dining area. Beautiful wood kitchen cabinets, nice pantry & Quartz counters. Spacious primary BR with upgraded ensuite BA cabinet, sink & shower insert. 2nd BR hall BA has new cabinet, sink & is accessed from room. Separate laundry room. HWH is approx. 5-yrs old & HVAC is approx. 6-yrs old (Arctic Air serviced 2x/year). Plumbing pipes & picture window have been replaced. Deck, built-in shed for beach & outdoor gear, 2-car driveway & irrigation system. Low HOA fee $95/month includes grass cutting, trash, outdoor pool, tennis & basketball court & tot-lot. Wonderful community close to West OC. Restaurants, ice-cream parlors, groceries, NOW $319,900 shopping, beaches & amazing Assateague’s Ponies! A perfect year-round or beach retreat!
Premier Home & Artisan Expo October 23rd - 25th
10am - 4pm
Retirement announced Don Rush, the multi-award-winning journalist and longtime news director at Delmarva Public Media has announced his retirement from broadcast journalism ending a distinguished career that stretched over five decades. He will officially step down from his position, which he’s held at Delmarva Public Media since 2003, in late November. Rush grew up in Los Angeles, California. His journalism career began in the early 1970’s at Pacifica Station KPFK, before movDon Rush ing to City News Service/Radio News Service where he covered state and local news and events like the Patty Hearst kidnapping, and two attempted presidential assassinations. During the 1980’s, Rush went back to KPFK covering city hall and the county board of supervisors. As news director, he developed a new hour-long news program featuring live interviews including coverage of the Iran-Contra hearings and the war in Central America. He left Los Angeles in 1990 to take over Pacifica’s Bureau in Washington DC. Since coming to WSCL/WSDL in 2003 as news director, he has won countless Associated Press awards including two “Best in Show” honors for his weekly public affairs show Delmarva Today and his feature and news reports on local topics like immigration, environmental issues, and local government.
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Joe Garliss Real Estate Broker 443-859-3210
PAGE 40
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
Internship helps college student weigh career path (Sept. 18, 2026) For eight weeks this summer, Briar Parsons traded the college classroom for forests, trails, timber harvests, and private properties throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Parsons, a Worcester County resident and rising sophomore at McDaniel College, joined the Maryland Forest Service through a summer internship designed to introduce a local student to forestry and natural resource careers. Based at the Maryland Forest Service office in Snow Hill, Parsons worked alongside state forest and private lands staff on projects that showed him how forestry combines science, technology, skilled trades, and public service. The internship was funded by the Rural Maryland Council and the Worcester County Commissioners and coordinated with Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development. The partnership paired local workforce development support with the Maryland Forest Service’s technical expertise and field experience. "This internship allows the Maryland Forest Service to highlight the full width and breadth of careers in the forestry sector,” said Regional Forester Matt Hurd. “Worcester County is full of students who love being outside, and this internship shows them the di-
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verse local forestry careers that allow them to work outside and in nature. It's a privilege to work with Worcester County on this ongoing partnership." Parsons entered the program hoping it would help him narrow down what he wanted to do in the future. As an Eagle Scout who grew up in Salisbury and now lives in Berlin, he already knew he enjoyed the outdoors. The internship gave him an opportunity to see whether that interest could become a career. His work began with dendrology, the study and identification of trees, on a property near Berlin. He learned to identify species using leaves and bark and practiced with forestry tools, including a logger’s tape, clinometer, increment borer, and prism. He also learned to estimate distance by pacing, a basic skill used while measuring trees and completing forest inventories. Those skills soon became part of larger projects. While cruising timber, Parsons collected information about tree species and forest conditions and entered the data into spreadsheets used to summarize a property. He also created maps in ArcGIS Pro showing features such as soils, wetlands, and property boundaries. The information helps foresters develop stewardship recommendations for landowners and make
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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OC Today-Dispatch
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SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
For eight weeks this summer, Briar Parsons traded the college classroom for forests, trails, timber harvests, and private properties throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
informed forest management decisions. Parsons also visited active and completed timber harvests, where he helped evaluate whether forestry best management practices had been followed and used a prism to measure the basal area remaining after a harvest. Seeing different parts of the process helped him understand that a timber harvest is not an isolated event but the result of planning and coordination among landowners, foresters, natural resource professionals, and logging companies. “It was cool how it all connects,” Parsons said. “Everyone’s job connects.” His assignments extended beyond timber management. Parsons evaluated trails, mapped their routes and conditions, and later helped clear fallen trees and branches from a trail he had inspected. During a wildfire response in Somerset County, he observed how a drone equipped with an infrared camera could help locate hot spots, monitor conditions, and give firefighters a broader view of the incident. The internship also introduced Parsons to the range of public-facing work performed by the Forest Service. He helped teach children at Janes Island State Park, attended a Liberty Tree ceremony, completed GIS and administrative projects, visited Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park, and spent time with forestry professionals working in several specialties. By the end of the internship, Parsons had a clearer view not only of what foresters do but of what he might want to do next. “I’m pretty sure this is something I want to do in the future, which is awesome,” Parsons said. “I just love being outside.” Alexander Bausman, a Maryland Forest Service GIS forester who worked closely with Parsons, saw his confidence grow throughout the internship. “It was great to work with Briar this summer. He came to work every day excited about forestry,” Bausman said. “It was a privilege to be involved in this program and to see him learn and become more comfortable in the field. He took to it very well, and I hope he sticks with it, but I’m confident he’ll be successful no matter his path.” Parsons, who is studying environmental studies at McDaniel, has begun researching master’s degree programs related to forestry and looking for another forestry internship next summer.
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PAGE 42
Who’s Where When BURLEY OAK BREWING COMPANY 443-513-4647 10016 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin Fri., Sept. 25: TBA
OC Today-Dispatch
Best Beats
CARIBBEAN POOL BAR 410-289-6181 In The Plim Plaza Hotel 109 N. Atlantic Ave. Fri., Sept. 25: Mercury Agenda Sat., Sept. 26: Star Spangled Hustlers Sun., Sept. 27: Lime Green COCONUTS BEACH BAR 410-289-6846 Oceanfront At Castle In The Sand Hotel 37th & 38th Streets Fri., Sept. 25: Darin Engh & Dustin Showers Band Sat., Sept. 26: Moonstone & Monkee Paw Sun., Sept. 27: Honey du & Flip Side Band Thurs., Oct. 1: Heather Vidal & Full Circle
DARIN ENGH Coconuts Beach Bar: Fri., Sept. 25
DJ BIGLER Harborside: Saturdays
FULL CIRCLE Fish Tales: Friday, September 25 (Duo) Fager’s Island: Deck Party ~ Monday, September 28 Coconuts Beach Bar: Thursday, October 1
FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St., In The Bay Fri., Sept. 25: Deadeye Stare, Shake The Room & DJ Accelerate Sat., Sept. 26: Other Brother Darryl, DJ RobCee & Pineapple Band
PHIL PERDUE Captain’s Table: Fridays & Saturdays
CHRIS BUTTON Crabcake Factory Bayside: Fri., Sept. 25
DJ GIDDY UP Coins Pub: Fri., Sept. 25 Jolly Jellyfish Beach Club: Sat., Sept. 26
DJ BILLY T Harborside: Fridays
THE REAGAN YEARS Purple Moose: Friday, September 25
BRYAN CLARK Fager’s Island: Tues., Sept. 29
COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Fri, Sept. 25: DJ Giddy Up Sat., Sept. 26: Rockoholics CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE Fri., Sept. 25: Chris Button Tues., Sept. 29: C-Miller Wed., Sept. 30: Kevin Poole Thurs., Oct. 1: On Center
DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Sat., Sept. 26 Mon., Sept. 28
On The Beach
BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28 410-289-BUXY 28th Street Coastal Hwy. Sat., Sept. 26: TBA CAPTAIN’S TABLE 410-289-7192 15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
BEATS BY DEOGEE Pickles Pub: Fridays
VERTIGO RED Seacrets: Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26
LUKE BORCHELT Seacrets: Thurs., Oct. 1
KEVIN POOLE Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wed., Sept. 30
9 MILE ROOTS Pickles Pub: Friday, September 25
DJ WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays Seacrets: Thurs., Oct. 1
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 43
Who’s Where When Mon., Sept. 28: Deck Party Full Circle & DJ RobCee Tues., Sept. 29: Bryan Clark FISH TALES 410-289-0990 22nd Street & The Bay Fri., Sept. 25: Full Circle Duo Sat., Sept. 26: Rachel & Joe MERCURY AGENDA Caribbean Pool Bar: Friday, September 25
SHAKE THE ROOM Fager’s Island: Friday, September 25
ELEPHANTS DANCING Pickles Pub: Sunday, September 27
STONEWOOD Purple Moose: Thursday, October 1
ON CENTER Crabcake Factory Bayside: Thursday, October 1
DUNEHOUNDS Harborside: Saturday, September 26
ROCKOHOLICS Coins Pub: Saturday, September 26
LIGHTS OUT BY 8 Seacrets: Friday, September 25
HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West End O.C. Fridays: DJ Billy T Sat., Sept. 26: Dunehounds & DJ Bigler Sun., Sept. 27: Pickin’ Party Wednesdays: DJ Billy T Thursdays: Dust N Bones JOLLY JELLYFISH BEACH CLUB 443-664-6147 98th Street Coastal Hwy., Plaza Condominium Sat., Sept. 26: Closing Party w/ DJ Giddy Up PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th Street & Philadelphia Ave. Fri., Sept. 25: Beats By DeoGee & 9 Mile Roots Sat., Sept. 26: Higher Education w/ LFG Sun., Sept. 27: Elephants Dancing Mon., Sept. 28: Karaoke w/ Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Thurs, Oct. 1: Beats By Connair, George Tyner, Chris Greiner, Free State Country & The Chesapeake Sons
MONKEE PAW Coconuts Beach Bar: Saturday, September 26
PURPLE MOOSE SALOON 410-289-6953 Between Caroline & Talbot Streets On The Boards Fri., Sept. 25: The Reagan Years (3pm) Sat., Sept. 26: Lithium & Candy (3pm) Sun., Sept. 27: HFS (3pm) Thurs., Oct. 1: Stonewood
PICKIN’ PARTY Harborside: Sunday, September 27
SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th Street & Coastal Hwy. Fri., Sept. 25: Lights Out By 8, Vertigo Red, DJ E-State, DJ J-Spinz & No Filter Sat., Sept. 26: Vertigo Red, DJ Davie, Party Til’ Dawn DJ Connair, DJ J-Spinz & Lost In Paris Thurs, Oct. 1: Blake Haley, DJ Wax, DJ E-State & Luke Borchelt
PAGE 44
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE SAVINGS! Shop your favorite brands on sale now!
Quiet Storm Tees $5 OFF!
Anchor Boys Polos Now $49.99
Women’s Fleece Now $20 OFF!
OCEAN CITY / REHOBOTH / VIRGINIA BEACH / CHARLESTON / HILTON HEA
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PAGE 45
COOL WEATHER BUT HOT DISCOUNTS! Shop your favorite brands on sale now!
Big End Of Summer Sale!* Branded Apparel Summer Sale NOW 50% OFF!
• Unisex Fleece $20 OFF* • Women’s Fleece $20 OFF* • Men’s Hybrids $20 OFF* • Men’s Vollies 50% OFF* • Men’s Button Ups 50% OFF* • S/S T-Shirts $5 OFF* • Sandals 50%OFF* Men’s & Women’s Styles
• Tech Shirts $20 OFF* Hooded
• Hats $10 OFF* NOW OPEN: MIDTOWN 75th STREET 410-847-7000 123rd STREET / 410-390-5603 THE BOARDWALK / 410-289-7000 Shop your Quiet Storm favorites online @ QuietStorm.com The Big Summer Sale applies to our Quiet Storm gear only.* New Quiet Storm Mock necks excluded from promotions. Brands excluded from sale: All Fall merchandise, Vuori & Free People.
Nalu Kai Apparel Now 50% OFF!
AD / MYRTLE BEACH / DELRAY BEACH / FT. LAUDERDALE / KEY WEST
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 46
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, 2-5:30 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. Dinein, carry out. ■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR 17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. ■ DISTRICT 24: BLUE CRABHOUSE & RAW BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ, CRAFT BEER & 1945 STEAK & SEAFOOD HOUSE 2305 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City 410289-3322, district24oc.com $$-$$$ | Reservations | Kids’ Menu | Full bar Nestled on 24th Street Bayside in Ocean City, Maryland, District 24 stands as one destination brimming with endless possibilities. On the first floor, Blu Crabhouse & Raw Bar invites you to indulge in all-you-can-eat blue crabs, easy-peel shrimp, golden fried chicken, and so much more, while Jay’s Café serves breakfast sandwiches all day alongside La Colombe coffee, fresh pastries, and delicious lunch creations. Just steps away, CRAFT Bar delivers smash burgers, crispy wings, craft pizzas, an impressive selection of craft beer, handcrafted cocktails, and more. Rising above it all on the third floor, the stunning new 1945 Steak & Seafood offers breathtaking rooftop views, in-house hand-cut chops, exceptional seafood favorites, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, and thoughtful bourbon and wine pairings. Let’s face it—there’s simply more at District 24. ■ FISH TALES 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, 410-2890990, ocfishtales.com Bayfront marina dining offered here with a huge menu to satisfy guests of all ages.
Enjoy a drink from a hanging chair or fish tacos at your table while the kids play in a playground build in the sand. Food and drink menus offer enough of a variety to meet all needs. ■ HARBOR WATCH 806 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410289-5121, www.harborwatchrestaurant.com $$-$$$ | Reservations | Kids’ Menu | Full bar Celebrating our 42nd year with fresh seafood, an award-winning raw bar, mouthwatering steaks and the best view of the Ocean City Inlet and Assateague Island. Open Monday through Wednesday, 4-9 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call for banquet and large-party details. ■ PICKLES PUB 706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410289-4891, picklesoc.com $$ | 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 yearround 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. Family-friendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment. ■ THE WEDGE BAR 806 S. Atlantic Ave, Ocean City www.thewedgeoc.com $-$$ | Full bar Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, bay and Assateague Island. Enjoy small plates, sandwiches and grilled burgers. Open every day, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
MIDTOWN
29th to 90th streets ■ 32 PALM 32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410289-2525, 32palm.com $$ | 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, 410524-7171, 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, 410-2896846, 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 $$ | Full bar Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and pop-
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
ular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m. ■ HOOKED 8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410723-4665, hookedoc.com $$ | 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, 443664-5693, 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.
UPTOWN
91st to 146th streets ■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY 13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410250-2000, albertinosoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, ItalianAmerican mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection. ■ THE CRAB BAG 13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410250-3337, thecrabbag.com $$ | 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, 410250-4900, crabcakefactoryusa.com Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesa-
peake, 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.
FENWICK ISLAND ■ DIRTY HARRY’S 100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-3020, 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 20 years. Voted Best Top 5 Bakeries in Delaware. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too. ■ NANTUCKETS Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-5392607, 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., 302-4362305, 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 ■ 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 $$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open everyday, 12 noon to 9 p.m., kitchen and bar. ■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40s-style décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 123rd Street location offers lunch and dinner menus in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats. ■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL 12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410213-1846, weocharborside.com $$ | 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 $$ | Kids’ menu Family owned for over 25 years. Serving the best homemade food. Local’s favorite. Breakfast served all day. Kids’ menu. Dine-in and Carry-out. Open 7 days a week.
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PAGE 47
PHOTO COURTESY OF SDHS
HOMECOMING KING, QUEEN In advance of last Saturday’s Homecoming dance, Stephen Decatur High School announced its king and queen, Kyle Mumford and Lila Gunther. Mumford was announced at the Friday pep rally while Gunther was named during halftime of the football game against North Caroline. The honorees are pictured with Principal Tom Sites.
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OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 48
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
SURF REPORT
The Adventures
B
by Steve Green
of Fatherhood
usy. This seems to be the best word to describe our son Beckett’s life in college at High Point University. Restraint. It’s the word I keep in mind when it comes to communication with him. Like most teenage young adults, Beckett is not the best at communication. Put him six hours away from home with a fun and hectic schedule of classes, friends, the gym and everything else that comes with being a college freshman, and the end result is usually a text here and there to confirm a heartbeat. At this point, I have learned a response of “yeah” or even a thumbs-up emoji can qualify as a meaningful conversation. One of the pieces of advice High Point gave parents as we prepared to leave our kids on campus in August was simple: Wait to hear from them. In other words, cut the blades off the hovering helicopter of parenting. It’s easier said than done. For 18 years, we have known where Beckett was most of the time. We knew when he left for school, when soccer practice ended, what time he was working and when he was expected home. There were certainly freedoms along the way, especially during his senior year of high school, but there was always a general awareness of where he was and what he was doing. College changes all of that overnight. I think Pam and I have done a decent job of letting him do his thing. The void left has been filled with other complexities of life. There have certainly been moments when I wanted to text a question and decided against it. Sometimes I will type something and think, “He doesn’t need to hear from me about this.” There are other times when I will ask Pam if she has heard from him, hoping she has information I don’t. Sometimes she does. Sometimes neither of us does. That’s when restraint comes in. Ironically, within hours of leaving campus back in mid-August, we did hear from Beckett. He had an important question. Could Life360 be removed from his phone?
Locallyy F Famous For 48 Years!
Life360, for those unfamiliar, is an app families can use to see the location of each other’s phones. For years, it has been more practical than invasive for us. It saves the constant “Where are you?” text and lets us know when someone is on the road or has arrived somewhere. His request was understandable. He was in college now. He wanted independence. Our answer was equally simple. No. Maybe later. My initial thought was after the first semester. Let’s make sure the grades are good, responsibilities are being handled and everything is going smoothly. Mostly, though, removing it within hours of dropping him off just seemed like too much, too fast. We were already driving home without him. I wasn’t quite ready to completely shut down the control tower. What I do enjoy are the random texts. Sometimes they are about football. Sometimes I will send him a dad joke, which typically earns the digital equivalent of an eye roll. This week, after leaving the beach, I sent him some photos from the Oceans Calling festival grounds. He was quick to quip that Mother Nature must have realized the lineup wasn’t as good. That’s his opinion, of course. I enjoy those quick contacts with him because they feel natural. There is no parental interrogation involved. It’s just a funny observation, a football comment or something that reminds us of each other. It’s a natural thing like between friends. Each Sunday, though, we have a standing FaceTime with our college kid. Last Sunday night, he called around 9, and we reminded him we wanted to FaceTime. Within minutes, Pam and I were a little nauseous. Not because of anything he told us. It was because he was walking, talking and eating at the same time while carrying the phone around campus. He had just gotten back from the gym and was heading to this dorm and then that dorm for this or that. I couldn’t keep up. The camera was bouncing around. People were passing him. He was eating. He was talking to us and other people. Eventually, we asked him to just sit down
Brea fast Break Breakf
Caaf Cafe C
Sub ubS
S Sand andwiCh he eS
410-213-1804 4 12736 Ocean Gateway Rt. 50 W We est Ocean City (Located by Comfort Inn Suites Across From O Outback Steak House)
and give us five quality minutes. He obliged. For those few minutes, we were able to actually catch up. We talked about the upcoming parents weekend and told him about Carson’s homecoming weekend event. We asked about classes, friends and how things were going. We enjoy these Sunday chats, though we can tell sometimes he views them as doing us a favor. I get it. There’s an interesting adjustment taking place for all of us. For Beckett, college is about independence. It’s about figuring out his schedule, making new friends, managing schoolwork and experiencing life without his parents nearby. For us, it’s about restraint. It’s resisting the urge to ask too many questions. It’s understanding a short text does not mean something is wrong. It’s realizing he doesn’t need to tell us every detail of his day. Most importantly, it’s trusting the 18 years that came before this one. That might be the hardest part of parenting a college kid. Suddenly, successful parenting requires less. That’s a strange transition. For 18 years, we have been conditioned to worry when we don’t know where he is or what he is doing. Now we are supposed to celebrate it as independence. I’m getting there. We still want to know what he’s doing. We still want to hear his voice. We still want those five quality minutes on Sunday night, even if he sometimes approaches them with the enthusiasm of someone being forced to attend a mandatory staff meeting. I know this is how it’s supposed to work. The goal was always to raise him to eventually live his own life. We wanted him to be independent, confident and comfortable figuring things out for himself. We are practicing restraint. And Life360 is staying on his phone. We’re growing as parents, but let’s not get carried away.
(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.)
Coastal storm brings large swell for coming days Rough conditions should settle for ridable waves By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) As of this writing it appears as though we are going to see some swell in the ocean. As one can imagine, this newspaper, which includes this column/article, requires lead time before it comes out on Friday of each week. All of this week, which is the week starting on Monday, Sept. 21, winds are forecasted to be north-easterly, up to 35 mph with gusts to 40 or more. This forecast is the classic Nor’easter. We generally see this type of weather in winter months so obviously it’s an early event. These winds are the result of a lowpressure weather system which is predicted to “set-up” off the coast and is also known as a coastal storm. Waves should reach the overhead range which would be significant in that nothing over the chest high range has been seen in quite a while. By the time this issue comes out we will most likely be involved in this sizable swell. A bit of beach erosion in town could go a long way in improving the sand bar situation. Assuming this swell shows up it will take some favorable winds, as in something in an offshore direction after the Nor’easter is through, to make it surf able and not just a huge mess. Hopefully all the ingredients will come together. We shall see. Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City
OCTodayDispatch.com
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RELIABLE & LOCAL NEWS
Years On!
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 49
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Bacon potato roses, a tasty twist By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) There is nothing more comforting than seeking your teeth into a thick, juicy steak with a side of fresh veggies and a delicious potato. Most novice chefs focus on the protein and allow the sides to slide if you will. Every item that is placed on the plate has purpose and should be well thought out. That being said, the potato is one of the most overlooked starches because they are so good with just salt and pepper. However, if one puts on their thinking cap, a smorgasbord of options is for the picking. For example, a bacon potato rose is a bud of textures and flavors. If this sounds intriguing, read on for detailed instructions. The first step is to make your favorite mashed potatoes. They can be plain or flavored. Since you only need a small amount, instant mashed potatoes are perfectly acceptable. A half inch goes in the cup of the muffin tin. This acts as a glue and foundation for the rose. The next step is to cook the bacon. You need two slices of regular sliced bacon per rose. Thick bacon is too hard to roll and will overpower the potatoes. You want to partially cook the bacon to get rid of some of the drippings. Do not fully cook the bacon as it will not be pliable and it is going to go into the oven for a considerable amount of time. You want a smaller potato such as a red potato. The cups of the muffin tin dictate the size of the potato. The potatoes slices must be sliced very thinly. Unless you have terrific knife skills, a mandoline is a must. You also want the slices to be uniform, cut off the ends so you are left with the middle of the potato. At this point, clean your counter or working space and take one slice of bacon vertically to your body. Take the second slice of bacon and place it above the first slice of bacon. They should be overlapping by one and a half inches.
One slice of bacon does not give you enough length. Place the thin slices of potatoes directly onto the bacon, this is going to give you the petals. Gently roll the bacon and slices of potato into a spiral. You may have to use part of a tooth pick to keep the bacon from unraveling. Place the rose on top of the mashed potatoes. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for thirty-five to forty-five minutes. Make sure the potatoes and bacon are fully cooked. Remove the rose from the muffin tin and gently place on the serving plate. Garnish generously with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, finely chopped scallions, and coarsely ground black pepper. You can take this theme and pair it with what you are serving. Steak and mushrooms are classic, so you could add thinly sliced mushrooms into the petals. Don’t be afraid to experiment, this is how one perfects their craft. Enjoy! Ingredients 12-ounces regular sliced bacon 2-pounds redskin potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon dried crushed rosemary kosher salt to taste 1 cup favorite mashed potatoes 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano as a garnish ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions as a garnish coarsely ground black pepper as a garnish 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Spray muffin tin cups with cooking spray for 6 roses. Then place a thin layer (half-inch) of mashed potatoes in the bottom of each cup. 3. In a large saute pan, cook bacon slowly over medium-low heat until it is half cooked. 4. Wash the potatoes and cut the ends off. The slices need to be even and approximately the size of the muffin cup. 5. Using a mandoline, slice the potatoes into very thin slices. 6. In a medium-size bowl, combine potatoes, olive oil, garlic and onion pow-
der, rosemary, and salt. Coat the entire surface of the potatoes. 7. On a clean surface, lay out 2 slices of bacon so it looks like 1 long slice of bacon, overlapping by one and a half inches. 8. Place potato slices, overlapping each other, on top of the elongated slice of bacon. 9. Starting at one end, carefully roll the potato and bacon together into a spiral. The overlapping potatoes will form the “petals of a rose.” 10. Carefully place the rose into the cup with mashed potatoes. This acts as a glue for the “petals” and gives it structure. You may have to insert a tiny end of a toothpick to keep the bacon from unraveling. Repeat this process for the remaining roses.
11. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the bacon and potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Repeat this process for the 5 remaining roses. 12. Garnish heavily with cheese, scallions, and pepper. Serve immediately. Makes 6 Bacon Potato Roses Secret Ingredient – Rose A life filled with love, must have some thorns. But a life empty of love, will have no roses.” -Anonymous
OC Today-Dispatch
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENT WINS VACATION Throughout the summer season, the Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill at the Castle in the Sand Hotel held a Tipsy Tuesday Contest. Each of the week’s winning contestants were entered into a grand prize drawing held last Sunday afternoon. The grand prize is a five-night vacation at the Green Turtle Club in the Bahamas for two people. As is tradition, each of the week’s summer contestants were invited – and given a free night at the Castle - to attend the drawing with the last turtle in the pool declared the winner. Fifteen of the 20 weekly winners were present for last Sunday’s drawing. Each weekly winner who attended was given a keepsake bag from the Castle in the Sand as a consolation prize. The winner was Kimberly Haywood of New Creek, West Va. She is pictured at right reacting to the news and, top, with Jeff Hicks, food and beverage manager, and Coconuts staff member McKenzie Koch. Above right, a younger member of the audience draws a turtle during the ceremony.
CROSSWORD
STEVE GREEN/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
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Answers on page 53
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 51
HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, it is time to be on the lookout for fresh financial opportunities. Set new goals for yourself, and put your finances at the top of your priority list.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, don’t bother attracting people through false advertising. Instead, be authentic and you will find you garner much more attention and adoration.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, the universe is trying to send you cues this week. But you will only receive these cues if you keep your eyes and ears open. Things may not be what they seem.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, if you want others to open up, you have to start the conversation by sharing something from your heart as well. Make an effort to be more open in the days ahead.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, this week you have the strength and motivation to accomplish your goals. You will sigh with relief when everything gets accomplished on time and in order.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 You have a green light to spoil yourself this week, Virgo. It isn’t something you do often, so let loose a little bit and splurge on some luxuries.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, a dear friend or relative could use your support right now. Offer a helping hand or even a shoulder to cry on so this special person knows you’re there to help.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Make an effort to be a social butterfly in the week ahead, Scorpio. This will quench your thirst to be around others. Don’t be afraid to reconnect with old friends.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, this is a great week to establish a financial strategy that fits into your lifestyle. If this involves revisiting your professional ambitions, then so be it.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, don’t be afraid to shake things up a bit this week. You may not have time to mince words, so don’t hesitate to get to the point. Others will appreciate your candor.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 It is time to be your own teacher and become an expert in any subject you desire, Aquarius. Start doing your research and you may be surprised at the discoveries.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, this week you might start seeing a platonic pal in a more amorous way. The affinity you share may be the foundation for a great relationship.
KITE FESTIVAL HELD The King of the Wind Ocean City Kite Festival took place under outstanding weather conditions last weekend in Ocean City in front of The Kite Loft. The event, renamed recently after The Kite Loft founder Bill Ochse, is in its 47th year and featured general kite flying, kite flying games, races, candy drops, sport kite demos, giant kites and much more. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE KITE LOFT
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS
BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
BEAUTY SPOT AWARDS Each year, the Ocean City Beautification Committee searches properties that are attractive, well maintained and pleasing to the eye. To show appreciation for this civic pride, the committee and the Mayor and City Council present Beauty Spot Awards in several categories. Above, residential and commercial winners are pictured with their awards during Tuesday’s Mayor and City Council meeting.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
DIAKONIA RECEIVES DONATION The Ocean City Lions Club recently presented Diakonia, Inc. with a $1,000 donation to support the organization’s operations and its continued work serving individuals, families, and Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. During his visit, Ocean City Lions Club President Steve McMillan toured Diakonia’s Emergency Shelter and learned firsthand about the organization’s programs and services, including Emergency Shelter, Food Pantry, Mobile Outreach, and Veteran Services. Above, McMillan is pictured with Diakonia Executive Director Ken Argot and Development Director Amanda Shick.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
STUDENT’S TUNNEL TO TOWERS FUNDRAISER Students at Ocean City Elementary School came together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by raising money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, supporting its mission to honor and assist America’s first responders and military heroes. Pictured, back row from left, are Leonel Romero Figueroa, Patrick Korb, Lia Baral and Quinn Seipp; and, front, Max Trimer, Marie Voicu and Yehonatan Cohen.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
GARDEN CLUB GIVES TO CROSS FARMS On September 10, following garden visits at the homes of several members and a guest, Ocean Pines Garden Club presented a $500 donation to Carol Cross of Cross Farms in recognition of her work educating area students about gardening, food production and the environment. Cross works with schools throughout Worcester County to provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn where their food comes from and how to grow it themselves. Approximately 70 to 84 students visit the farm for each educational program, spending the day rotating through learning stations devoted to topics including pollinators, native plants, greenhouse growing and hydroponics, and seed saving. As the Ocean Pines Garden Club (OPGC) continues its 50th anniversary celebration, the club is marking the milestone by giving back to organizations and individuals whose work reflects its mission.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
STUDENTS HONOR HEROES OF SEPT. 11 Mrs. Fitzgerald’s PK3 students proudly celebrated our red, white, and blue spirit while taking a special moment to remember and honor the heroes and lives lost on September 11. Pictured, from left, are Addison Chen Espinoza, Myka Mayhew, Maizie Mercier, Gabriel Tingle, Aviva Kahn, Jackson Nordstrom and Grayson Menzel.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
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BABY TIME
to be working on. 410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
Calendar Submit calendar items to: editor@octodaydispatch.com. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Songs, stories and giggles. For ages 0-2 years. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME: THE PIGEON
Fri., Sept. 25 OCEANS CALLING
Ocean City Boardwalk Arch, 1 N. Division St., 12-11 p.m. Featuring Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani and more. 3-day tickets are on waitlist, but select 1-day tickets remain available: https://www.oceanscallingfestival.com/tickets.
OC MAHJONG CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All adults are welcome. 410-5241818, worcesterlibrary.org
SURVIVAL SPANISH: AROUND THE WORLD
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Join in to learn about countries in Spanish. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
MESSY ART: FALL FUN
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3 p.m. Artists, ages 2-5 years, can explore process art with autumn colors and scents, squishy textures, and creative fun. Dress for a mess. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org
FIBER FEST
Julia A. Purnell Museum, 208 W. Market St., Snow Hill, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore hand-dyed yarns, fibers, needle-felting kits, spinning and weaving supplies and handmade fiber goods. Also, craft vendors and live demonstrations. https://www.juliaapurnell.com, 410-632-0515
OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Also featuring family-friendly activities, music and unique shopping experiences. Open to the public, year round. 410-6417052, https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages /farmers-artisans-market
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
MANDALA SAND ART
Maryland’s Coast - Worcester County Tourism & Economic Development, 107 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 2 p.m. Relax while decorating a mandala with colored sand. Registration required: 443-7836164.
TOPS OF BERLIN - GROUP #169
TidalHealth Atlantic, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) is an educational group that promotes weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Held weekly on Mondays. https://www.tops.org/home
ZUMBA
Sun., Sept. 27 OCEANS CALLING
Ocean City Boardwalk Arch, 1 N. Division St., 12-11 p.m. Featuring Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani and more. 3-day tickets are on waitlist, but select 1-day tickets remain available: https://www.oceanscallingfestival.com/tickets.
Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 4:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
BRIDGE
Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity
DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS OPEN MIC: POETRY OF REFORM
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 6 p.m. Share original work or listen as community voices explore themes of change, justice and hope through poetry and music. All experienced levels welcome. 410-9570878, worcesterlibrary.org
Sat., Sept. 26 OCEANS CALLING
Ocean City Boardwalk Arch, 1 N. Division St., 12-11 p.m. Featuring Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani and more. 3-day tickets are on waitlist, but select 1-day tickets remain available: https://www.oceanscallingfestival.com/tickets.
AUCE BREAKFAST BUFFET
Whaleysville United Methodist, 11716 Sheppards Crossing Road, 7-10 a.m. Buffet will include pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, chipped beef, hash brown potatoes, toast, fruit and assorted beverages. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
BERLIN FARMERS MARKET
Sundays (May-October) - Pitts, Commerce and Main streets, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Producers only market, petting farm (9-11 a.m.), live music. www.TheBerlinFarmersMarket.com
Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. If you plan to visit, please Contact: Director: Ludwig692@outlook.com, 410641-6876 or Membership Coordinator: ocelissa@yahoo.com, 410-641-8050.
SEWING SEEDS OF LOVE
Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10-11 a.m. Youth of all ages learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-6410234
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org
Mon., Sept. 28 DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CLUB OF WORCESTER COUNTY MEETING
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 9:30 a.m. Speaker is Jared DeMarinis, Maryland State Administrator of Elections. All are welcome. https://dwcmd.org/
STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Story time featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and fingerplays. For ages 0-5 years. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org
BUILD IT!
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for construction and block play. For ages 2-5 years. 410-957-0878, worcesterlibrary.org
MASTER GARDENERS PLANT CLINIC
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1-4 p.m. Bring any questions you have and feel free to show your plants as well. 410208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
DRIVE-THRU FLU CLINIC
TidalHealth John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Cancer Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 4-7:30 p.m. Receive a free flu shot from the convenience of your vehicle. High-dose “senior” flu shots will be available at this event. http://tidalhealth.org/flu
BEACH HEROES-OC
Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grabbers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org
TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY
Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410-289-4725
OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS
Mondays - Worcester County Library Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410459-9100
Tues., Sept. 29 BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years. 410-632-5622, worcesterlibrary.org
OC KNITTING GROUP
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Bring whatever project you happen
ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE
Tuesdays - Lewes Senior Center, 32083
Continued on Page 54
Crossword answers from page 50
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
CALENDAR Continued from Page 53
Janice Rd. Lewes, DE, 7-9 p.m. Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.
ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS
Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:15 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP
Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.
Wed., Sept. 30 PUZZLE SWAP
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1-7 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with a new-to-you puzzle. Don’t have a puzzle but still want one? That’s okay, too. All puzzles must be complete and in their original box. All ages welcome. 410-6410650
CHAIR YOGA
Worcester County Library - Berlin
Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Certified yoga instructor Samantha Biskach teaches this class. Registration required: 410-641-0650. worcesterlibrary.org
TELLING THE STORIES OF BERLIN HISTORY PANEL Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4-6:30 p.m. Hear the stories of Berlin being recorded live at the Berlin Library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Berlin Library. 410-641-0650, www.taylorhousemuseum.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. Open to the public. 443-605-5028
ZUMBA PLUS!!
Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 4:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
Thurs., Oct. 1 TRUNK-OR-TREAT
TidalHealth John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Cancer Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 6-8 p.m. Treat your family to a fun and safe Halloween event. All kids are invited, and costumes are encouraged. Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children. amy.edwards@tidalhealth.org
COMPUTER BASICS: EMAIL
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. This class will look at setting up and interacting with Gmail. Bring a laptop. Registration required: 410-641-0650. worcesterlibrary.org
Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a relaxing game of chess every month at the library. 410-5241818, worcesterlibrary.org
POCOMOKE BOOK CLUB: ‘NO SENSE IN WISHING’ BY LAWRENCE BURNEY
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 2 p.m. Copies of the One Maryland One Book are available at the Pocomoke Branch Library. 410-957-0878, worcesterlibrary.org
LEGO MASTERS STEAM CHALLENGE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Join in for a LEGO building challenge. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
LOCAL AUTHOR TALK: TJ WEST STORY TIME: ‘FALL ON THE FARM’
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-5622, worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME: ‘ADELA’S MARIACHI BAND’
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
OC CHESS CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 5 p.m. Proud son and grandson of farmers and coal miners, West writes about finding queer joy in rural Appalachia, his books include: “A Bond for Blood and Stone,” “Country Road Romance” and more. 410-524-1818
DRY PANTRY
Thursdays - St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower Street, Berlin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For those in need of resources such as paper products, laundry products, baby items, and personal care items. Limits apply. 410-641-0270
Anchor Atlantic, LLC Property Management Rentals & Cleaning
Need a Rental?
Units Available in October for Country Calling Music Festival, Endless Summer Cruisin’, Sunfest & The Premier Home & Artisan Expo
LUCAYAN
ST. TROPEZ
2 BR with Bayfront Pool
Direct Oceanfront 2 & 3 BR with Pool
ISLAND CABANA
3 BR, 2 BA Waterfront Condo Sleeps 8 (Near Fish Tales at Bahia Marina)
HARBOURTOWNE E104
Ocean block 3 BR with Pool
ONAL ADDITI ALS RENT LE : B AVA I L A
POINTE ON THE BAY - 1, 2 & 3 BR units with Bayfront/Pool OCEAN HIGH - 2 & 3 BR Units with Bayfront/pool SANDY SQUARE - Direct Ocean Front 3 BR OSPREY RD - 3 BR Townhome on Canal & Bay with Boat Slip
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: 443-460-8827 OR EMAIL: Anchoratlanticllc@gmail.com Licensed and Insured
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
55
OC Today-Dispatch
Call 410-723-6397 or email classifieds@octodaydispatch.com by Monday, 5 p.m.
Classifieds appear in OC Today-Dispatch & Bayside Gazette each week & online at octodaydispatch.com & baysideoc.com
MARKETPLACE HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
RENTALS
RENTALS
ROOMMATES
SERVICES
NOW HIRING - PART-TIME STORE ASSOCIATE Join our busy automotive and marine parts store! • Great customer service skills required • Valid driver’s license required • Automotive or marine knowledge is a plus • Will train the right person • We have openings at our Long Neck, DE and Ocean Pines, MD locations. 302-344-9769
NOW HIRING ASSISTANT BOOKKEEPER Busy Office for Multiple Automotive Businesses Ocean View/Clarksville area
NICE WINTER RENTAL 2BR, 2BA on canal. $1,550 per mo. + utils. CALL KAREN 443-880-5727
Requirements: Microsoft Excel experience General bookkeeping experience Dependable and detailoriented QuickBooks and payroll experience a plus
YR LARGE HOME For group or family. 104th St./Old Landing Rd., OC 4 Large Master BR’s 1 Reg BR 4 Bathrooms Close to beach, bus stop, malls and library. $3,400 per mo. 443-880-2486
WINTER RENTAL Carousel 2BR, 2BA. $1250/month plus electric. Starts Nov. 1-April 30. 301-437-2799
YR ROOMMATE WANTED NORTH OC 1/2 block to beach 1BR, UNFURNISHED Ground floor Shared house space. $750 per mo. + sec. dep. Utils & WiFi incl. 443-764-0523
LARRY’S HANDYMAN SERVICES No job too small, windows, 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 Larryandkim1954@ gmail.com
JOLLY ROGER Small Engine Mechanic & Ride Maintenance. (Must have mechanical knowledge) Technical Support & Installation (Entry level with knowledge of network systems) SEASONAL HELP: Cashiers, Waterpark Attendants, Lifeguards, Ride Operators Wage based on experience. Benefits available. 410-289-4902
IN-OFFICE POSITION NO REMOTE WORK Call 302-228-2353 to apply. Elliott’s Hardware NOW HIRING Year Round Cashier/Sales Associate. Up to 29 hrs. per week. Apply on location at 12590 Marjan Ln., Ocean City, MD AMERICAN LEGION AM/PM, PT/YR COOKS Dependable, reliable Apply within. American Legion Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Avenue, OC, MD 21842 410-289-3166
NOW HIRING Year-Round Cook, Steamers, Carryout Staff, Assistant Manager To apply, go to finshospitality.com/career
Classifieds 410-723-6397
NOW HIRING!! Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $20/hr. Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com
Join the Sea Colony East Maintenance Team! Now hiring high rise condominium/full time building maintenance techs. Great Benefit plan/paid time off! Apply online at troon.com/careers - company location Sea Colony Assoc East Email bethann.steele@seacolony.com Call 302-541-8831 for an interview
Run your business card in our SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 410-723-6397 for pricing!
OC WINTER RENTAL TWO 2BR, 2BA APTS. Furnished, renovated. Downtown OC. No smoking/pets. $800/mo. plus utilities & sec. dep. Rent includes water, WiFi & basic cable. Avail. 10/12/26-5/12/27. 410-202-6353 Fully Furnished 2 bedrm/2 bath Condo for rent on ocean block. Oct. thru May. Utilities, cable and internet included. Fully equipped kitchen. $1800 monthly. Contact Joyce at 610-405-8942 or email joycepetrauskas@gmail. com FOR RENT OP 3BR, 2BA $2,200 per mo. + utils. Berlin, MD 410-456-0272 WINTER RENTAL 2BR, 1BA, Small Condo. 5th Street, 1 block to the boards. Absolutely No smoking/pets. $900/mo. + utils. 1-month sec. dep. req. Oct. 10-April 10th. OCMD. Text 410-952-5234 COUNTRY CALLING, SUNFEST OCEANVIEW RENTAL NEWLY AVAILABLE 2BR, 2BA, SLEEPS 6 38TH ST AND THE BEACH Great location, next door to Castle in the Sand, walk to Concerts, close to restaurants, convention center etc… 443-880-8885 or view and book: SeaLaVie https://book.vuestay.com/ ocean-city-bright-beachhome-near-the-boardwalkwi-b46jo9
YEAR ROUND & WINTER BAYSIDE CONDO 4 - 2BR/2BA FULLY FURNISHED Units W/D, AC & parking Starting September Call Mike at 410-603-6120 www.mbjcproperties.com WINTER RENTAL North OC, 1BR, 1BA Condo, 3rd Flr., walk-up. Furnished, W/D, Parking, Walking distance to restaurants. $1,100 per mo. + sec. dep. & utilities. Incl. WiFi. 412-965-4079
ROOMMATES ROOMMATES HOUSESHARE IN BERLIN $600 per month Utils. & Cable Incl. Nonsmoker, no pets 443-513-0190 ROOM FOR RENT Fully furnished, large, clean, private room. Full house privileges. $900 per mo., util’s included. $400 sec. dep. Call 443-880-2317.
COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL 2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200 Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200 OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT 5700 Coastal Highway Spacious, climatecontrolled office, furnished or unfurnished, with use of conference room & reception area in a modern, wellmaintained building in Ocean City. Great Views! Call 410-524-3440 for appointment.
WANT TO BUY WANT TO BUY I BUY ALBUMS! 410-430-5349
YARD SALE YARD SALE GLENRIDDLE COMMUNITY YARD SALE Saturday, 9/26, 8am-12pm
BOAT STORAGE BOAT STORAGE
WINTER BOAT STORAGE Across from Casino Call Steve, leave message 410-251-3412 Classified Deadline is Monday @ 5pm
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Seeking Year-Round Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
Extended Spring & Summer Stays Avail. Utililites Included CONTACT US AT burgundyinn@gmail.com 410-289-8581
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Advertise in MDDC 410-723-6397
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
DIRECTORY BLINDS / SHADES
CARPET CLEANING
CLEANING SERVICES
Pure
CLEANING SERVICES
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • RENTALS • Move In-Out Clean • Standard Clean • Post Construction • Light Yard Clean Clean • Home Organization • Handyman Service • Deep Clean
443-856-8577 DinonguT@gmail.com
a clean that makes the difference HANDYMAN SERVICES
RISH A RBEACHMAN PHANDY THE
Exterior Home Repairs
“WE DO IT ALL” • Roofing Repairs • Rain Gutters • Roof Cleaning • Gutter Guards
• Screening • Painting
• Staining • Caulking
• Gutter Cleaning & Powerwashing •
HANDYMAN MHIC #127296
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BATHROOM / KITCHEN WINDOW & DOORS INTERIOR / EXTERIOR CARPENTRY
PAINTING FLOORING SMALL JOBS & MORE CALL 410-999-4998
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
PAGE 57
DIRECTORY LANDSCAPING
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PAGE 58
OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices
IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR (OR) BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND IN THE ESTATE OF: JAMES MICHAEL VOLK AKA: JAMES V. VOLK ESTATE NO. 21269
NOTICE
OF JUDICIAL PROBATE To all Persons Interested in the above estate: You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed by Esther Volk Crawford, 6827 Greenfern Lane, Jacksonville, FL 32277 for judicial probate of the will dated September 28, 1992 and for the appointment of a personal representative. A hearing will be held at One W. Market Street, Court Room 4, Court House, Snow Hill, MD 21863 on October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. This hearing may be transferred or postponed to a subsequent time. Further information may be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills. Terri Westcott Register of Wills One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Phone: (410) 632-1529 Newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Publication Date: September 17, 2026 OCD-9/17/2t _________________________________
racy of their Completed BID Documents. A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE OCEAN CITY RACQUET CENTER, 104 61ST STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The Last Day for Questions will be on TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26TH, 2026. Sealed BID Documents are due no later than MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2026, BY 10:00AM EST. 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 29TH, 2026, AT 1:00PM EST. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Ocean City Racquet Center Renovation) 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. Matt Perry Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-7/30/9t _________________________________
THE NORTHSIDE PARK COMMUNITY ROOM, 200 125TH STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The Last Day for Questions will be on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2026. Sealed BID Documents are due no later than FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 2026, BY 10:00AM EST. 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, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026, AT 1:00PM EST. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Northside Park Living Shoreline) 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. Matt Perry Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-8/27/7t _________________________________
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
BID SOLICITATION – B02-27 Ocean City Racquet Center Renovation
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking BID’s from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Racquet Center Renovation and for said work to conform with the BID Documents. BID Documents for the Ocean City Racquet Center Renovation may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any BID Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accu-
BERLIN, MARYLAND 21811. The Last Day for Questions will be on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2026. Sealed BID Documents are due no later than FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 2026, BY 10:00AM EST. 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, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026, AT 1:00PM EST. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Ocean City Municipal Airport Terminal Siding Replacement) 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. Matt Perry, CMPO Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-9/3/5t _________________________________ RACHEL B. HARRIS ESQ. P.O. BOX 62 POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851-0062
NOTICE
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
BID SOLICITATION
B03-27 – Northside Park Living Shoreline The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking BID’s from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Northside Park Living Shoreline and for said work to conform with the BID Documents. BID Documents for the Northside Park Living Shoreline may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any BID Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed BID Documents. A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT
BID SOLICITATION
B04-27 – Ocean City Municipal Airport Terminal Siding Replacement The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking BID’s from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Municipal Airport Terminal Siding Replacement and for said work to conform with the BID Documents. BID Documents for the Ocean City Municipal Airport Terminal Siding Replacement 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) 7236643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/ procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any BID Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed BID Documents. A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE OCEAN CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, AIRPORT TERMINAL,
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21254 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF RONALD WAYNE DURHAM Notice is given that Mary Evelyn Durham, 839 Ocean Hwy., Pocomoke City, MD 21851-3011, was on August 31, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ronald Wayne Durham who died on August 19, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 28th day of February, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 28th day of February, 2027. 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
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 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. Mary Evelyn Durham 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: September 10, 2026 OCD-9/10/3t _________________________________
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: September 10, 2026 OCD-9/10/3t _________________________________
REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ. WILLIAMS MOORE, L.L.P. 12800 HOSPITALITY WAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9394
PROPOSAL SOLICITATION
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21255 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL L. QUILLIN AKA: MICHAEL LYNCH QUILLIN SR. Notice is given that Judy Wildy Quillin, 12933 Pond Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842-9736, was on September 01, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael L. Quillin who died on August 02, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 1st day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 1st day of March, 2027. 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. Judy Wildy Quillin Personal Representative True Test Copy
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OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
P01-27 – Northside Park Lobby Floor Replacement The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Northside Park Lobby Floor Replacement and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents. Proposal Documents for the Northside Park Lobby Floor Replacement may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their Proposals. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents. A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT NORTHSIDE PARK, 200 125TH STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842, for any questions concerning the Proposal Documents. A site survey shall immediately follow the Pre-Quote Meeting. Vendors interested in additional site survey(s), or Request(s) for Information subsequent to the Pre-Proposal Meeting, may submit such requests formally in writing to the Procurement Manager, who shall review each request on a case-by-case basis. The Last Day for Questions will be on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2026, AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, 2026, BY 4:00PM EST. Proposal submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further re-
view at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM EST. Proposals are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (P01-27 – Northside Park Lobby Floor Replacement) must be noted on the outside of the package. Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted. Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation. OCD-9/10/5t _________________________________ JAMES E. CLUBB, JR., ESQ. 108 N. 8TH STREET OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842 Council of Unit Owners of Ocean Time Condominium, Inc. Plaintiff v. Lauren E. Bell Scott Bell et al. Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-26-000152
NOTICE
ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 2nd day of September, 2026, that the foreclosure sale of the properties mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported by James E. Clubb, Jr., Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before 5th day of October, 2026, provided a copy of this order be inserted in some weekly newspaper printed in Worcester County, Maryland once in each of three successive weeks, before 28th day of September, 2026. The Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share intervals: Price Timeshare Wk 4, #101 $50.00 Wk 7, #101 $50.00 Wk 22, #101 $250.00 Wk 47, #103 $50.00 Wk 22, #104 $250.00 Wk 38, #104 $50.00 Wk 46, #104 $50.00 Wk 35, #105 $50.00 Wk 48, #105 $50.00 Wk 33, #106 $100.00 Wk 3, #201 $50.00 Wk 17, #202 $50.00 Wk 51, #202 $50.00 Wk 16, #206 $50.00 Wk 23, #304 $2,950.00 Wk 24, #304 $100.00 Wk 28, #305 $3,100.00 Wk 8, #306 $50.00 Wk 20, #404 $50.00 Wk 36, #406 $50.00 Wk 1, #501 $50.00 Wk 17, #506 $50.00 Wk 36, #506 $50.00 Susan Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, Maryland True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-9/10/3t _________________________________
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026 At 6:30 PM To consider amending Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland be, and it is hereby amended by amending sections 110-2, 110-275, 110-276, 110-426, 110-485, 110-665, 110-695, 110-845, 110-861.4, and adding 110-888 to include and designate accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a permitted use on any lot with an existing single-family detached dwelling unit and establish standards for the same. APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (PZ FILE #26-14100001) No oral or written testimony will be accepted after the close of the public hearing. Public hearings that are not completed at one meeting may be continued without additional advertised notice provided the Commission Chairperson announces that the hearing will be continued and gives persons in attendance an opportunity to sign up for written notice of the additional hearing dates. For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Room 242, City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842. Phone 410-289-8855. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JOSEPH P. WILSON, CHAIRPERSON MAUREEN HOWARTH, ESQ., ATTORNEY OCD-9/10/4t _________________________________ PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. COASTAL LAW OFFICE, LLC 3509 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21186 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF KELLY MARIE FREBURGER Notice is given that Spiros P. Buas, 9923 Stephen Decatur Hwy., #D3, Ocean City, MD 21842-9658, was on September 08, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kelly Marie Freburger
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OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices
who died on May 23, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 8th day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 8th day of March, 2027. 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. Spiros P. Buas 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: September 17, 2026 OCD-9/17/3t _________________________________ Aldridge | Pite, LLP 6001 Executive Blvd, Suite 200 Rockville, MD 20852 ANDREW J. BRENNER, et. al. 6001 Executive Blvd, Suite 200 Rockville, MD 20852 Substitute Trustees/Plaintiffs, vs. ASHLEY NICOLE TOWSON RUSSELL SCOTT TOWSON JENNIFER LYNN TOWSON 13341 Peachtree Road Ocean City, MD 21842 Defendant(s). IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No.C-23-CV-26-000053
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given this 9th day of September, 2026, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 13341 Peachtree Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, made and reported by the Substitute Trustee, will be RATIFIED AND
CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 12th day of October, 2026, provided a copy of this NOTICE be inserted in some weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 5th day of October, 2026. The report states the purchase price at the Foreclosure sale to be $546,700.00. Susan R. Braniecki Clerk, Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-9/17/3t _________________________________ RAYMOND H. SIMMONS JR. SIMMONS AND DODD, LLP 402A ACADEMY ST. CAMBRIDGE, MD 21613-1809
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21250 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF THEODORE ROBBINS II AKA: THEODORE ROBBINS Notice is given that Jacob Theodore Robbins, 149 Nottingham Ln., Berlin, MD 21811-1663, was on September 03, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Theodore Robbins II who died on July 16, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 3rd day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 3rd day of March, 2027. 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. Jacob Theodore Robbins Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: September 17, 2026 OCD-9/17/3t _________________________________
AT 10:00AM EST. Proposals are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (P02-27 – Ocean City Fire Department Boat Lift Replacement) must be noted on the outside of the package. Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted. Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation. OCD-9/17/3t _________________________________
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA
PROPOSAL SOLICITATION P02-27 – Ocean City Fire Department Boat Lift Replacement
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Fire Department Boat Lift Replacement and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents. Proposal Documents for the Ocean City Fire Department Boat Lift Replacement 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) 7236643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/ procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their Proposals. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents. A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE OCEAN CITY FIRE BOAT LIFT, 13TH STREET AND THE BAY, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842, for any questions concerning the Proposal Documents. A site survey shall immediately follow the Pre-Quote Meeting. Vendors interested in additional site survey(s), or Request(s) for Information subsequent to the Pre-Proposal Meeting, may submit such requests formally in writing to the Procurement Manager, who shall review each request on a case-by-case basis. The Last Day for Questions will be on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, 2026, AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, 2026. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, 2026, BY 4:00PM EST. Proposal submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 2026,
NOTICE
Thursday, October 8, 2026 Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held in-person before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County, in the Board Room (Room 1102) on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Audio and video recording will take place during this public hearing. The public is invited to view this meeting live online at https://worcestercountymd.swagit.co m/live 6:30 p.m. Case No. 26-62, on the lands of Michael Levan & Kris Krause, requesting a variance to the rear yard setback from 5 feet to 3.9 feet (an encroachment of 1.1 feet) associated with a proposed deck in the Assateague Point Campground subdivision, A-2 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(c)(4), ZS 1-202(c)(18) and ZS 1318, located at 8821 Bay Ridge Dr, Tax Map 33, Parcel 347, Lot 155 Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland. 6:35 p.m .Case No. 26-64, on the application of Donald Hall, on the lands of Hall Rentals LLC, requesting a variance to the front yard setback from 50 feet from the center of the right-of-way to 40 feet (an encroachment of 10 feet) and a variance to the side yard setback from 6 feet to 3.5 feet (an encroachment of 2.5 feet) for a proposed first and second floor front porch in the R-4 General Residential District, Pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-208(b)(2), ZS1-305(b)(1) located at 12842 Harbor Rd, Tax Map 27, Parcel 402, Block C, Lot 2 in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:40 p.m. Case No. 26-65, on the application of Mark Spencer Cropper, on the lands of Hugh & Tonia Wilde, requesting a variance to the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Buffer from 100 feet to 20 feet (an encroachment of 80 feet) to construct a fence in the R-1 Rural Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-205(b)(2) and Natural Resources Code §§ NR 3104(d)(4) and NR 3-111, located at 8635 Saddle Creek Dr, Tax Map 33, Parcel 344, Lot 3 in the Third Tax District of Worcester County, Mary-
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 land. OCD-9/24/2t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21263 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JAMES EDWARD QUILLEN JR. Notice is given that Gabrielle Quillen Windsor, 12112 Sheppards Crossing Rd., Whaleyville, MD 21872-2068, was on September 08, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Edward Quillen Jr. who died on July 24, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 8th day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 8th day of March, 2027. 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. Gabrielle Quillen Windsor Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: September 17, 2026 OCD-9/17/3t _________________________________ G. CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT, ESQ. 124 S. ROYAL ST. ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-3328
NOTICE
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 21271 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Circuit court of Fairfax County, Virginia appointed Michael Shane Morris,
OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices 8000 Folkstone Rd., Manassas, VA 20111-2586 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Patricia B. Morris, AKA: Patricia Beavers Morris who died on July 13, 2025 domiciled in Virginia, United States. The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is Myles Christopher Morris, 3636 Day Rd., Darlington, MD 21034-1022. 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. Michael Shane Morris 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: September 17, 2026 OCD-9/17/3t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of ANN MARIE KEEN Estate No. 21219 Notice is given that NANCY WISE whose address is 8 WINDING LN., WILMINGTON, DE 19809-2817 was on SEPTEMBER 09, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANN MARIE KEEN who died on JULY 27, 2026 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of MARCH, 2027. 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 9th day of MARCH, 2027. 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-9/17/3t _________________________________
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
PROPOSAL SOLICITATION
P03-27 – Ocean City Beach Patrol Headquarters Garage Fireproofing The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Beach Patrol Headquarters Garage Fireproofing and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents. Proposal Documents for the Ocean City Beach Patrol Headquarters Garage Fireproofing may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either emailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their Proposals. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents. A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE OCEAN CITY BEACH PATROL HEADQUARTERS, 109 TALBOT STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842, for any questions concerning the Proposal Documents. A site survey shall immediately follow the Pre-Proposal Meeting. Vendors interested in additional site survey(s), or Request(s) for Information subsequent to the Pre-Proposal Meeting, may submit such requests formally in writing to the Procurement Manager, who shall review each request on a case-by-case basis.
PAGE 61 The Last Day for Questions will be on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2026, AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2026. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 2026, BY 4:00PM EST. Proposal submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 2026, AT 10:00AM EST. Proposals are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (P03-27 – Ocean City Beach Patrol Headquarters Garage Fireproofing) must be noted on the outside of the package. Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted. Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation. OCD-9/24/5t _________________________________
PUBLIC NOTICE
Arium Networks LLC is proposing to install telecommunications antennas & equipment on multiple poles in a geographic cluster in Ocean City, Worchester Co, MD 21842. The deployment includes 4 existing poles with overall heights of 20.5-35.7 feet at the following individual locations: 2200 Philadelphia AVE (38° 21' 05.7 " N, 75° 04' 36.8" W); 6 141ST ST (38° 26' 46.7" N, 75° 03' 03.2" W); 111 142ND ST (38° 26' 50.2" N, 75° 03' 14.9" W); and 7401 Coastal HWY (38° 23' 41.2" N, 75° 03' 49.1" W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to: V. Schaefer, Terracon, 930 Harvest Drive, Suite 430, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 267-512-7035, or Vanessa.schaefer@terracon.com. OCD-9/24/1t _________________________________
PUBLIC NOTICE
Arium Networks is proposing to install telecommunications antennas & equipment on multiple poles in a geographic cluster in Ocean City, Worcester Co, MD 21842. The deployment includes 4 existing poles and at heights ranging from 33-35.8ft at the following individual locations: 11911 Coastal HWY (38° 25' 31.9" N, 75° 03' 24.1" W); 3 88TH ST (38° 24' 18.1" N, 75° 03' 30.7" W); 13 144TH ST (38° 26' 57.4" N, 75° 03' 07.2" W); and Opposite of 806 South Atlantic Ave (38° 19' 32.02" N, 75° 5' 20.82" W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this project on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to: T. Giesen, Terracon, 930 Harvest DR, Ste 430, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 267-512-7038, or
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tyler.giesen@terracon.com. OCD-9/24/1t _________________________________ QUINN W MCGINNES WILLIAMS MOORE, L.L.P. 12800 HOSPITALITY WAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9394
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of ROBERT A CONTI Estate No. 21268 Notice is given that GUY CONTI whose address is 1091 CANYON CREEK RD NORMAL, IL 61761-9529 was on SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ROBERT A CONTI who died on AUGUST 11, 2026 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of MARCH, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of MARCH, 2027. 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-9/24/3t _________________________________ ALEXANDER NOBLE ESQ TOBIN, O'CONNOR, CONCINO, PC 5335 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 400 WASHINGTON, DC 20015-2077
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of DONNA L HOLSEY Estate No. 21274 Notice is given that RICHARD L PLUMLEY whose address is 1560 ELLSWORTH AVE CROFTON, MD 21114-1523 was on SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the es-
tate of DONNA L HOLSEY who died on JUNE 06, 2026 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 16th day of MARCH, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 16th day of MARCH, 2027. 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-9/24/3t _________________________________
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 OCD-9/24/1t _________________________________
CHRIS S. MASON ESQ WILLIAMS MOORE, L.L.P. 12800 HOSPITALITY WAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9394 SMALL ESTATE
306 William Street, Tax Map 0300, Parcel 1619: Pursuant to §108165 of the Town of Berlin Code, the Berlin Board of Appeals will hear an appeal submitted by Ernest Gerardi Jr. requesting a variance to the required front yard setback for a legally nonconforming lot, in order to construct a front porch addition to the existing structure. The proposed front porch would encroach into the required front yard setback and result in a setback less than the minimum required by the Town Code. Property Owner(s): M & G Rental Properties LLC OCD-9/24/1t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of DAVID ROBERT GROVER Estate No. 21279 Notice is given that KRISTYANNE BENTON GROVE whose address is 2205 PHILADELPHIA AVE UNIT B102 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3521 was on SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of DAVID ROBERT GROVER who died on AUGUST 07, 2026 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants 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
Town of Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals
NOTICE OF APPEALS Wednesday, October 7, 2026 6:30 PM Berlin Police Department, Training Room 129 Decatur Street, Berlin, MD 21811
RACHEL B. HARRIS ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF RACHEL B. HARRIS, LLC P.O. BOX 62 POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21232 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HARVEY GOINS AKA: HARVEY GLEN GOINS, HARVEY G. GOINS Notice is given that Anita C. Johnson, PO Box 877, 23405 Front Street, Accomac, VA 23301-0877, was on September 16, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 Harvey Goins who died on January 22, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 16th day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 16th day of March, 2027. 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. Anita C. Johnson 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: September 24, 2026 OCD-9/24/3t _________________________________ MARIANNA BATIE ESQ. BATIE LAW LLC 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY., STE. 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9358 SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21277 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF GERALD SIBISKI AKA: GERALD J. SIBISKI SR. Notice is given that Connie L. Sibiski, 11 Lord Guy Ter., Berlin, MD 21811-1670, was on September 18, 2026 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Gerald Sibiski who died on November 09, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 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. Connie L. Sibiski 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: September 24, 2026 OCD-9/24/1t _________________________________ SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21273 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DOUGLAS ALLEN CURTISS Notice is given that Sharon Anne Curtiss, 4 Poplar Trl., Ocean Pines, MD 21811-1664, was on September 15, 2026 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Douglas Allen Curtiss who died on July 24, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants 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
OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices 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. Sharon Anne Curtiss 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: September 24, 2026 OCD-9/24/1t _________________________________ SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of RIZALINA C. GALICINAO Estate No. 21242 Notice is given that ERNESTO T. GALICINAO whose address is 16889 TRAIL VIEW CIR., PARKER, CO 80134-4346 was on SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of RIZALINA C. GALICINAO who died on JUNE 26, 2026 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants 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. TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-9/24/1t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21257 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF TERRY D. SOMMERS SR. AKA: TERRY DOUGLAS SOMMERS SR. Notice is given that Deborah Sommers Miles, 1209 Tarington Lndg., Virgina Beach, VA 234645622, was on September 10, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Terry D. Sommers Sr. who died on August 26, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 10th day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 10th day of March, 2027. 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. Deborah Sommers Miles 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: September 24, 2026 OCD-9/24/3t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21266 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BRADY SCOTT BOWMAN Notice is given that Allison Leigh
PAGE 63 Huovinen, 4151 Day Bridge Pl., Ellenton, FL 34222-7236 and Shelby Nicole Bowman, 12626 Sunset Ave., Apt. 69, Ocean City, MD 21842-9320, were on September 10, 2026 appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Brady Scott Bowman who died on August 08, 2026, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 10th day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 10th day of March, 2027. 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. Allison Leigh Huovinen Shelby Nicole Bowman Personal Representatives 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: September 24, 2026 OCD-9/24/3t _________________________________
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
BID SOLICITATION
B05-27 – Ocean City Convention Center Lobby Floor Replacement The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking BID’s from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Convention Center Lobby Floor Replacement and for said work to conform
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OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices
with the BID Documents. BID Documents for the Ocean City Convention Center Lobby Floor Replacement 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) 7236643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/ procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any BID Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed BID Documents. A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE OCEAN CITY CONVENTION CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM, 4001 COASTAL HIGHWAY, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The Last Day for Questions will be on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD, 2026. Sealed BID Documents are due no later than MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, 2026, BY 10:00AM EST. 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, DECEMBER 1ST, 2026, AT 1:00PM EST. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Ocean City Convention Center Lobby Floor Replacement) 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-9/24/9t _________________________________ PAUL D. WILBER, ESQ. WEBB, WILBUR, MATHERS ILLUMINATI & LUKAS, LLP DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP 115 BROAD STREET P.O. BOX 910 SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21280 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CHRISTINE WELLS AKA: CHRISTINE ELAINE WELLS Notice is given that Glen Jarvis, 12933 Murray Rd., Whaleyville, MD 21872-2045 and Kathy Palmer, 12923 Murray Rd., Whaleyville, MD 21872-2045, were on September 21, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Christine Wells who died on September 06, 2026,
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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 21st day of March, 2027. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 21st day of March, 2027. 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. Glen Jarvis Kathy Palmer Personal Representatives 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: September 24, 2026 OCD-9/24/3t _________________________________
tion 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an application related to Section 110-94(3)(a) has been filed to request a special yard exception to construct a ramp to be built to a legally nonconforming setback of one and onehalf (1.5) feet, rather than four (4) feet as required by the Code. The Property is described as Lots 13, 14, and 15, Block 13, of The Fenwick Corporation Subdivision. It is further described as Tax Map 117, Parcel 7777A, and as being located on the southeast corner of Assawoman Drive and 133rd Street which is locally known as Four Seasons Condominium Association at 13304 Assawoman Drive, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: HUGH CROPPER IV, ESQUIRE, FOR FOUR SEASONS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION (BZA 2753 #2609400016) Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall. Christopher Rudolf, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney OCD-9/24/2t _________________________________ LAW OFFICE OF JENNIFER T. FOX JENNIFER T. FOX, ESQ. 10749 FALLS RD., STE. 202 LUTHERVILLE TIMONIUM, MD 21093-7033
NOTICE
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 21278 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Orphans’ court of Delaware County, Pennsylvania appointed Kevin
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 Smith, 1525 Colonial Dr., Garnet Valley, PA 19060-2102 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Ardelle Clarke, AKA: Ardelle K. Smith, Ardelle Kashkashian Smith who died on June 22, 2022 domiciled in Pennsylvania, United States. The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is Jennifer Fox, 10749 Falls Rd., Ste. 202, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093-7033. 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. Kevin Smith 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: September 24, 2026 OCD-9/24/3t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on: Thursday, October 8, 2026 AT 6:00 P.M. Pursuant to the provisions of Sec-
Legal Advertising Call Pamela Green 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@octodaydispatch.com
OC Today-Dispatch
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PAGE 65
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OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 66
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Berlin property manager accused of neglect Residents of Cottages in Berlin now working with Maryland Legal Aid on case By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Sept. 24, 2026) Maryland Legal Aid has stepped to help residents of a senior housing community in Berlin who have been dealing with poor living conditions and a property management company that has not responded to their complaints so far. The private nonprofit law firm is following up on complaints that accuse Severn Management of ignoring work orders, maintenance requests, and calls for more staff. In one instance, according to residents, a tenant was without heat and air conditioning for 12 months. Maryland Legal Aid began working with renters of Cottages at Berlin last December. Cottages is a 40-unit community offering affordable housing options to seniors aged 62 and above. Residents sought Legal Aid’s help late last year to address what they say is a lack of availability and responsiveness from Annapolis-based Severn Management, which oversees properties throughout Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. Law firm representative said ten-
ants told them issues began to mate- that upkeep requests are severely derialize in 2020, when oversight of the layed. property transitioned from Schuster “They don’t have a full-time propManagement Corporation in West- erty manager,” Legal Aid’s Advocacy minster to Severn. Director for Human Right to Housing “During that transition, it went Zafar Shah said. “That’s a recipe for from an active tenant management disaster.” team to an absent staff,” said Avery Tenants say maintenance and Shivers, Maryland Legal Aid’s Equal work-order petitions are often igJustice Works Community Organiz- nored for weeks or months, someing Fellow. times longer. One Residents have resident, who reported a revolving wishes to remain ‘Everybody is turning a blind door of on-site anonymous, said eye…You’ve got individuals who that when her unit’s property managers. One manager left have nowhere to go if they were air conditioning and the position in 2023 evicted. And they are elderly, heating system and their replacebroke, it took Sevor they have some sort of ment vacated the ern a year to resolve disability, and they’re afraid to the issue. role just two years say anything.’ later. The resident A new hire came claimed she was Resident Fran Hubbart on from November forced to vacate her 2025 to September home during this 2026 and, during their tenure, was winter’s blizzard because the apartonly at the Cottages on Tuesdays and ment’s temperature dipped below Thursdays. Renters say Severn Man- freezing. agement has yet to find a new prop“[Residents] are entitled to cooling erty manager for the Berlin complex. and heating,” Shah said. Legal Aid added that Severn's reTenants have pointed to several ingional staff are currently supporting stances of what they describe as disthe site on an as-needed basis. respect and disregard. Renters argue that this lack of According to resident leader Fran engagement from Severn Manage- Hubbart, one renter, who prefers not ment has only exacerbated concerns to be named, has been without air
conditioning for two months. Hubbart said the resident is handicapped after suffering a stroke and has aphasia. When he went into the former property manager’s office to ask about his broken AC unit, he and the manager had trouble communicating, and the manager, claiming to feel threatened, called the police. The authorities spoke with the resident’s sister about his disability, and no report was filed. Tenants have also recently been restricted in how often they can use property amenities. Legal Aid representatives said that when they met with residents at the start of their partnership, the two groups gathered at the Cottages’ community center. After that meeting, tenants were barred from using the space, even for recreational events. The reason given for the change in operating hours was a water leak. Hubbart said the community center used to be open all the time. Residents hosted potlucks, bingo, exercise classes, or used the space to read. After weeks of zero access, renters received a memo that the center would be available only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when the former property manager was on-site. When asked why the new rule was
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OC Today-Dispatch
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PAGE 67
Heat and AC broken, residents say implemented, Severn said it was a liability concern. “The community center is one of the amenities of our lease,” Hubbart said. “Just like a washer, dryer, a stove, or a microwave.” Legal Aid’s role with the Cottages residents has been to inform them of their tenant rights and help them advocate, Shivers said. As part of these efforts, the agency sent a letter to Severn Management outlining changes the Cottages community would like to see. The letter addressed the community center situation: “Residents request that Severn Management make the Community Room available for resident council activities as required by Maryland Code, Real Property.” The correspondence adds that the former property manager notified residents they would need permission to invite Legal Aid to future meetings. The letter asks that this requirement be waived and adds “these actions demonstrate a disregard for protected tenant association activities.” Additionally, residents asked through Legal Aid’s letter that Severn Management assign at least two property management staff to be on duty Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They also requested that the company hire at least one
maintenance employee to work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The letter was sent to Severn on June 8, and Legal Aid says it has yet to receive a reply. Legal Aid also reached out to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for documentation on Severn Management’s regulatory compliance. According to Shah, the department quoted them a $1,200 fee for access to the information, a cost he said is unexpectedly steep. However, in an email Tuesday, DHCD said that the request would cost $1,200 because Legal Aid’s request was “estimated to require more than two hours of staff time to process” and that MLA "received a letter proving the estimated cost of fulfilling the request, consistent with the Maryland Public Information Act.” According to forms provided by DHCD, Legal Aid’s request included financing applications and approvals, tenant service plans, annual compliance certifications, on-site inspection reports from Jan. 1, 2012, through Aug. 3, 2026, and notices of noncompliance. DHCD’s response to Legal Aid said the request exceeded staff time be-
yond the first two free hours; at $56.44 an hour plus a $60 archives retrieval fee, the estimated total was $1,188.80. The DHCD’s statement added that “[The Department] is not the regulatory agency responsible for enforcing local property maintenance codes; those enforcement responsibilities generally rest with the applicable county or municipal government.” Residents say that they are simply asking for respect from their management company. “We just want to be comfortable,” said Jo McQuown, a tenant leader. “We shouldn’t have to wonder if our maintenance issues are ever going to be dealt with or not.” Hubbart added that upkeep like regular lawn mowing and beautification projects are put off or never done, appliances aren’t repaired until way past their useful life, and there is no consistent work order process. “How are they getting away with all these Band-Aid fixes?” she said. “Everybody is turning a blind eye… You’ve got individuals who have nowhere to go if they were evicted. And they are elderly, or they have some sort of disability, and they’re afraid to say anything.” Severn Management did not respond to a request for comment.
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OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 68
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Town planners approve solar farm site plan Developer Soltage leading project, planned for corner of Routes 50 and 113 By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) The Berlin Planning Commission last week approved a site plan for a proposed 18-megawatt solar project that would become the largest solar installation in Worcester County. The New Jersey-based company Soltage is proposing six solar arrays across approximately 113.7 acres of a 157-acre industrially zoned property at the northwest corner of Routes 50 and 113. The land would be leased. The project is structured as multiple community solar facilities that would provide electricity savings to subscribers, including residents and small businesses. Zac Meyer, a project manager with Soltage, told commissioners the company has been working through the project’s local approvals, including stormwater review, fire marshal approval, and an entrance permit from the Maryland State Highway Administration.
The project has also received ap- earlier if circumstances required it. proval from the Berlin Board of ZonUnder the lease, concrete would ing Appeals and recommendation have to be removed during decomfrom the Maryland Public Service missioning. The company would also Commission. provide landscaping maintenance At the planning commission meet- bonds to ensure financial resources ing last week, members asked how the are available to upkeep the vegetative solar facility would be removed at the buffers. end of its operating life and how the Project representatives said the initown would be protiative would intected financially if clude additional ‘If necessary, the amount the project’s ownerevergreen trees in ship or operating response to concould be increased or company changed. cerns about the apdecreased depending Meyer said Soltpearance of the on the assessment.’ age would provide facility from nearby Zac Meyer, decommissioning properties and pubbonds before apply- project manager with Soltage lic rights of way. ing for a building After five years, permit. The bonds the company could would be based on the estimated cost request an inspection to determine of removing the solar facility and whether 90% of the vegetation has would be reassessed after the first five survived and remains in good condiyears of operation. tion. If approved, half of the landscap“If necessary, the amount could be ing maintenance bond could be increased or decreased depending on released, with the remaining amount the assessment,” Meyer said. maintained for another two years beThe project is expected to have a fore a subsequent inspection. working life of approximately 40 Meyer said Soltage hopes to sign a years, Meyer noted, although the com- construction contract and obtain a pany could decommission the facility building permit before the end of the
calendar year. The company is targeting completion of construction by the end of 2027, with the project potentially becoming operational by the end of 2027 or the first quarter of 2028. The timeline is partly driven by changes to federal investment tax credits for solar energy, Meyer said. The project would have a single entrance off North Main Street, with the developer working with the State Highway Administration on access. Planning Commission member Logan Hall asked whether construction traffic could affect people who use the road to travel toward Route 113. Representatives said the site would have only one entrance and that the road should remain accessible once construction is complete. Delmarva Power is working on the interconnection infrastructure across an adjacent parcel. Meyer said the company is still determining whether that line would be installed above or below ground, although Delmarva Power has appeared receptive to an underground option. Commissioner Newt Chandler asked whether maintenance of the
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Commission reviews solar farm solar facility would involve chemical weed control in addition to mowing and trimming. Project leads said the work would be subject to conditions requiring minimal herbicide and pesticide use. Meyer added that solar projects can sometimes result in reduced pesticide use compared with agricultural operations. Additionally, structural engineers will design the facility to withstand major weather events, including hurricanes, and the panels will be tested for hail resistance. Commissioners also asked about Soltage’s estimate that the project could generate approximately $8.5 million in tax revenue over its operating life. Meyer said the figure was a goodfaith estimate developed using a preliminary spreadsheet and shared with
town staff. He explained that most of the projected revenue would come from personal property taxes on the solar equipment and a smaller portion from real property taxes. Commission chair Matt Stoehr asked whether the personal property tax revenue would remain with the Town of Berlin or go to Worcester County. Town of Berlin legal consultant Emily Morris clarified that the revenue would be split between the town and county, with each receiving approximately half of the personal property taxes. The Berlin Planning Commission approved the site plan subject to all required reviews and approvals from the Maryland Public Service Commission, while recognizing that the Board of Zoning Appeals had already approved the project.
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PAGE 70
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Harris asks Congress to suspend fuel taxes Proposed bill could pause federal gas, diesel taxes through the end of the year By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) Rep. Andy Harris is proposing that Congress suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes through the end of the year, although the measure faces a steep path to passage with the House in recess until after the November elections. The Eastern Shore’s Republican congressman blamed higher prices at the pump on what he called “Democrat policies” that restricted drilling, pipelines, and refinery operations. He also cited the war in Iran, which has disrupted supply. Nearly seven months into that conflict, fuel prices “went much higher than they should’ve gone,” Harris told OC Today-Dispatch, “and my bill tries to provide relief for that.” Gasoline averaged about $4.48 per gallon nationally Tuesday, while diesel hit a record national average of $6.53, according to AAA. Harris’ bill, H.R. 10392, would cut the federal tax by 18.3 cents a gallon for gasoline and 24.3 cents for diesel. A separate one-tenth-cent tax supporting the cleanup of leaking underground storage tanks would remain.
Diesel used directly on farms or commercial fishing boats generally is exempt from the federal highway tax, but trucks carrying their products on public roads pay it. Maryland’s separate fuel taxes of 46.6 cents per gallon for gasoline and 47.45 cents for diesel would not be affected. Harris acknowledged that the savings would be modest – about $2.75 on a 15-gallon purchase – but said some drivers will go the extra mile for gasoline costing just pennies less per gallon. “In a rural district like mine, everyone’s affected by a rising fuel price,” he added, pointing to residents with long commutes and trucks hauling farm products and supplies. Federal gasoline and diesel taxes help pay for highways, bridges, and public transit. Harris’ bill does not say how the lost revenue would be replaced. When asked, Harris said Congress should replenish money needed for road projects. The tax holiday would expire Dec. 31. Harris said the deadline would allow Congress to consider an extension after lawmakers return in November, based on fuel prices and developments in the Middle East. Before motorists see any savings, however, the bill would have to clear a narrow procedural path. With the House in recess until after
BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Rep. Andy Harris’ proposed fuel tax suspension comes as the national average for gasoline prices nears $4.50 per gallon. Prices pictured are from Thursday at the West Ocean City Wawa.
the November elections, Harris said the Senate would have to act first. Under the scenario Harris outlined, the House could approve the measure during its recess as long as no member objected. Harris said motorists could see lower prices within about a week – but that would require the Senate to act, the House to approve the measure, and the president to sign it. If Congress does not pass the bill, Harris said he’d urge the White House to restrict diesel exports without con-
gressional action. He estimated that could lower diesel prices by $1 to $1.50 per gallon. “The price of gasoline would not be affected as much because we are actually not huge exporters of gasoline. But we are huge exporters of diesel,” Harris said. “Americans should come first,” he added. “If our companies are able to keep that diesel in the country and bring down the price of diesel, still making a profit, then that’s the route we should take.”
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
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REAL ESTATE REPORT
Outlook on housing market, mortgage rates Economist highlights new industry challenges at ’26 NAR Leadership Summit By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer At the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2026 Leadership Summit in Chicago, Illinois last month, Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR presented his Housing Market & Economic Outlook. Below is the final release, part four, of a summary on some of his key points: Sellers need to adjust to a changing market Housing is entering its normal autumn and winter seasonal slowdown. Days on market typically increase during this period, but Yun said the longer-term trend is also beginning to show homes remaining available for longer periods. That has important implications for sellers. Sellers need to be realistic about market conditions and pricing. A seller unwilling to adjust an unrealistic asking price may ultimately experience a significantly longer marketing period and eventually be forced into a larger price reduction. Affordability remains the central housing challenge One of Yun’s most important
Nonprofit seeking new members for board of directors (Sept. 25, 2026) Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services is seeking community members interested in serving on the nonprofit organization's board of directors. The organization is looking for individuals from a variety of backgrounds who are passionate about strengthening the community through their experience, skills, leadership and support. Board service provides an opportunity for volunteers to have a positive impact in Worcester County while contributing diverse perspectives and providing leadership to an organization focused on helping local individuals and families. Those interested in learning more about serving on the board of directors are encouraged to contact Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services at 410-641-4598 or shine@gowoyo.org. More information about Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services is available at gowoyo.org.
charts examined the monthly payment required to purchase a typically priced American home assuming approximately a 10% down payment. The dramatic change occurred beginning in 2022, when the Federal Reserve’s inflation response caused mortgage rates to rise sharply. The combination of higher home prices and higher mortgage rates dramatically increased monthly housing costs. That affordability shock continues to constrain transaction volume today. Renting versus buying requires a longer-term view Yun cautioned against comparing only today’s monthly rent with today’s mortgage payment. A mortgage payment on a fixed-
rate loan remains relatively stable, while renters remain exposed to future rent increases. Therefore, the rent-versus-buy calculation should consider not simply the first year’s monthly payment but the longerterm financial consequences of each choice. Mortgage rate outlook: Oil is the near-term wild card Yun does not expect mortgage rates to suddenly climb to extreme levels such as 9+%. One reason is America’s substantial domestic energy production, which provides some protection against global energy disruptions. However, he raised concern about the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which has been drawn down considerably.
If another major geopolitical disruption affects global oil supplies, the US has less reserve capacity available as a buffer. Yun said the critical variable remains mortgage rates. If rates move meaningfully closer to 6%, substantial pent-up housing demand could return to the market. Until then, REALTORS® will operate in a market requiring realistic pricing, strong local-market knowledge, careful interpretation of economic data and the ability to explain to consumers why today’s housing environment is challenging—but fundamentally different from the foreclosure crisis. Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City, MD.
OC Today-Dispatch
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
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SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Worcester County Fire Marshal Matt Owens (second from left) receives the James E. Jarboe Public Safety Lifetime Achievement Award during a public safety conference in Annapolis.
Fire Marshal Owens receives lifetime achievement award (Sept. 25, 2026) The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office is proud to announce that Fire Marshal Matthew Owens has been named the recipient of the Fire Chief James E. Jarboe Public Safety Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extraordinary commitment to the fire service, law enforcement, and public safety throughout his 45-year career. Owens was presented the award by Maryland State Police Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Acting State Fire
Marshal Jason Mowbray, and International Fire Marshals Association Maryland Chapter President and Annapolis Fire Marshal Captain Bud Zapata during the 67th Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference held in Annapolis last week. Owens began his fire service career at just 13 years old with the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company. What began as a young teenager’s passion for helping others has grown into a See OWENS Page 73
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OC Today-Dispatch
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Owens also a volunteer fireman Three teachers honored for Continued from Page 72 lifetime of dedicated service to the communities of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. In addition to his responsibilities as Worcester County Fire Marshal, Owens continues to serve as Deputy Fire Chief of the Powellville Volunteer Fire Company. His ongoing involvement in the volunteer fire service reflects his lifelong commitment to protecting his community and supporting the men and women who answer the call for help. As Worcester County Fire Marshal, Owens serves as a law enforcement officer and leads the county’s Fire Marshal’s Office, a law enforcement agency responsible for fire and explosive investigations, fire prevention, code enforcement, hazardous materials response and public safety education. His position requires a unique combination of law enforcement expertise, fire service experience, technical hazmat response training and leadership, bringing together multiple public safety disciplines to protect the residents and visitors of Worcester County. Owens has also played an instrumental role in the development of Worcester County’s new Fire Training Center in Newark, Maryland. His leadership and commitment to training have helped advance the county’s efforts to provide firefighters, law en-
forcement officers, and other public safety personnel with modern facilities and realistic training opportunities. The new facility represents a significant investment in preparing the next generation of emergency responders. “Matt has dedicated nearly his entire life to public safety, beginning his fire service career at an age when most kids are just figuring out what they want to do when they grow up,” said Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Korb. “Forty-five years later, he is still answering the call, both as our Fire Marshal and as a volunteer where he lives. His unique experience as both a law enforcement officer and firefighter, combined with his commitment to training the next generation of public safety professionals, has made a lasting impact on our community. I cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive this recognition.” The award honors the legacy of the late Fire Chief James E. “Jimmy” Jarboe, whose more than six decades of service to the fire service were marked by leadership, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to fire and life safety. The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office congratulates Fire Marshal Owens on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his 45 years of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Serving Delmarva Since 1990
work in physical education SHAPE Maryland’s 2026 Simon McNeely Award goes to outstanding educators (Sept. 25, 2026) Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) is celebrating three physical education and health teachers who have been named recipients of SHAPE Maryland’s 2026 Simon McNeely Award. The Simon McNeely Award recognizes health and physical education professionals who demonstrate a commitment to professional growth, involvement in professional organizations, and service to their schools and communities. Recipients must also have at least five years of professional experience in the field.
Donyae Miles, a physical education and health teacher at Snow Hill Middle School, is among this year’s honorees. Miles is actively involved in her school community while also serving in leadership roles at the state level. She currently serves as the Eastern Shore representative and co-chair of Maryland’s Advisory Council on Health and Physical Education. Zachary Johnson of Cedar Chapel Special School was also selected for the honor. A leader in Adapted Physical Education, Johnson has presented at the Maryland Adapted Physical Education Consortium and led professional development opportunities for colleagues throughout Worcester County. See AWARDS Page 74
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OC Today-Dispatch
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Awards for WCPS gym teachers Continued from Page 73 classrooms, and we are extremely Rounding out Worcester’s three proud to see them recognized at the recipients is Ali Taylor, who has state level.” demonstrated an ongoing commit“When we talk about knowing ment to professional learning and every student by name, strength, and leadership in physical education. need, we are talking about supporting Taylor has participated in numerous the whole child, and health and physprofessional development opportuni- ical education are such an important ties, including the 2025 SHAPE part of that work,” said SuperintendMaryland Convention, and currently ent of Schools Dr. Annette E. Wallace. serves as Worcester “All three of these County’s represendeserving educators that tative on the ‘When we talk about knowing understand their impact reaches SHAPE Maryland every student by name, far beyond their Executive Board. strength, and need, we are classrooms. All three educatalking about supporting the own They continue to tors were nomiwhole child, and health and learn, they lead nated for the award by WCPS adminis- physical education are such an alongside their coltrators. important part of that work.’ leagues, and most importantly, they “Continued Dr. Annette E. Wallace, bring that growth growth and lifelong learning are impor- Superintendent of Schools back to our students. I am increditant in any profesbly proud to see sion, but they are especially important in education, each of them recognized for the differwhere our students benefit directly ence they are making here in Worcesfrom educators who continue to learn, ter and across our state.” Miles, Johnson, and Taylor will be lead, and strengthen their practice,” said Tamara Mills, WCPS Coordina- recognized during the 2026 SHAPE tor of Instruction for Physical Educa- Maryland Convention in Ocean City tion and Health Education. “Donyae, in November. SHAPE Maryland, the state’s proZachary, and Ali consistently seek opportunities to grow professionally fessional organization for health and while also sharing their knowledge physical educators, works to advance and expertise with others. Their lead- health education, physical education, ership extends well beyond their own recreation, and dance.
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OC Today-Dispatch
vanishing
OCEAN CITY
With Bunk Mann
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Things I Like... By Steve Green My call to not go to last week’s Ravens game Birds following a tractor in a field A hot shower on a cold morning Cruising through the West OC lights Wings and football Sundays at home When the weather is not a factor for Oceans Calling
This rare photo shows the efforts made by the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge a channel on the bayside in 1947. The white building next to the marina was the famous Ship Café and the adjoining vacant land is the location of today’s Harbour Island. St. Louis Avenue had not been extended northward at this time. The area between Philadelphia Avenue and the bay is being filled with dredged material to create more usable land. The most northern hotel on the oceanfront was the original Commander while the water tower sits where the Ocean City Fire Department is today. Fifteenth Street had not been completed west of Philadelphia Avenue. The large building between 13th and 14th streets was the old Catholic home built in 1898 that was demolished in 2009. To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishPhoto courtesy Steve Smethurst ingoc.com.
Kids in Ravens jerseys My son’s love of steamed shrimp The temperature swings of fall Remembering naps with my kids A weed-less flower bed (for a day or two)
OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Enrollment in WCPS special education continues to rise Autism identification surges by 70% in the last decade, school officials reported By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Sept. 25, 2026) Worcester County Public Schools’ special education program has seen continued enrollment growth, particularly among young children, as the school system expands outreach and early identification efforts, staff said last week. During last Tuesday’s Worcester County Board of Education meeting, Supervisor of Special Education Wendy Phillips presented and the board approved the school system’s special education staffing plan. Phillips said the school system served 201 children through Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) last year, which covers kids from birth to age 5 and operates under Individualized Family Service Plans. That figure marks the highest enrollment to date, up from 88 students in the 2023-2024 school year. The special education supervisor attributed the increase partly to community outreach, including the “Mother Goose on the Loose” literacy program, which brings service providers to local libraries to teach lessons and share information with families. The school system also works with pediatricians and offers a universal referral form on its website. Children ages 2 to 3 make up the largest portion of the Part C population, while fewer children are served from birth to age one, Phillips said. Under Part B of IDEA, the county public school system served 809 school-aged students with disabilities last year. That number is projected to
hit 839 for the 2026-27 school year. Despite the increase, students with disabilities continue to represent approximately 12% of the school system’s total enrollment, Phillips said. Specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, account for the largest share of students with disabilities at 27.4%. Other health impairments, which can include ADHD or diabetes that affects a student’s education, account for 22.4%, while autism represents 17.4%. Phillips said developmental delay identification has increased by 131%, reflecting the school system’s efforts to identify children at younger ages. Autism identification has increased by 70.5% in Worcester County since 2015, compared with a 123% increase statewide. The presentation also covered the schools’ continuum of special education services, which includes support in general education classrooms and full inclusion with special educators co-teaching. The school system provides approximately 8,794 hours of special education instruction each week. Additionally, 163 students regularly attended extended school year services, while 60 participated in a summer work program in collaboration with the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services. Local businesses that participate in the summer work program include The Commander Hotel, Frontier Town, Flagship Cinemas, Jolly Roger’s, and Snow Hill Toys. Phillips also highlighted the school system’s 18-to-21 program, which includes opportunities at Wor-Wic Community College and a college search program. Of the 48 students in 12th grade, 11 participate in the program.
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Opinions
Sept. 25, 2026
Page 78
Sports complex losing its luster? When Ocean City Councilman John Gehrig pleaded with the other council members this week not to abandon their pursuit of a major sports complex, it sounded as if he recognized that City Hall’s enthusiasm for the project is not as fervent as it once was. Maybe that’s a misreading of the tone of Gehrig’s request, but his appeal did seem to be an exhortation to forge ahead with vigor, rather than a simple reminder that work needs to be done. He does have reason to wonder whether this grand concept, first embraced in 2018, has lost some of its luster as resort government’s holy grail of economic development. Last week, Dennis Dare, who over the course of 38 years served as a councilman, the city manager and city engineer, urged the council to take a more conservative approach in its desire to tap into the $40 billion youth sports industry. In his letter to the editor, he advocated focusing on creating a major indoor facility first by using the convention center as a foundation. The council could weigh the merits of adding athletic fields on the mainland after that, he wrote. In light of the council’s inability to agree on where an allin-one complex might go, Dare’s approach makes sense. It would, at least, get something done. In the meantime, the cost of the project isn’t just creeping up, it’s in a full trot. The pace of its advance could cause the overall price tag for the sports complex as proposed to rise from $122 million in 2022 to $190 million or more in 202728. Unless the council can find a good mainland site for the sports complex within the next few months, can afford the purchase price, and can withstand the inevitable public criticism that would follow, members might as well shelve this plan and embrace an idea like Dare has proposed. Gehrig appears to know that and maybe sees that’s where this project is heading if something doesn’t happen soon.
OC Today-Dispatch Stubbornly local, equally independent NEWS EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN ASSOCIATE EDITOR BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITERS TARA FISCHER, BRIAN SHANE Contact News Room: editor@octodaydispatch.com SALES ACCOUNT MANAGERS MARY COOPER, TERRI FRENCH, RENEE KELLY CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS PAMELA GREEN Contact Sales: sales@octodaydispatch.com PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR COLE GIBSON; SENIOR PAGE DESIGNER SUSAN PARKS SENIOR AD DESIGNER KELLY BROWN ADMINISTRATION PUBLISHER/CONTROLLER CHRISTINE BROWN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT GINI TUFTS Web: octodaydispatch.com ~ Facebook: www.facebook.com/octodaydispatch OC Today-Dispatch is published Fridays by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 410-723-6397 All content copyright 2026
PUBLIC EYE
No roughhousing
My dog bit me on the end of my nose. I’m getting the word out so if you see me, you don’t stare and wonder, “Is he growing a spare? Is he having nose-reduction surgery? Did he have an age-related nose-lift?" The latter must be possible, considering how many other appurtenances, parts, and appendages are being hoisted back up to their original coordinates these days. I will admit to having a honker of some significance. By Not a French nose, mind you, Stewart which sometimes looks capable of carrying passengers. Dobson (See portraits of famous French general and President Charles de Gaulle for proof.) Mine is more of a Scottish nose, which is a thrifty, no-frills version of the French schnozzola—substantial but not extravagant. Anyway, the dog bit it. Understand, of course, that he did not nip my nose on purpose. It is not as if, in the course of us roughhousing, he saw my nose and thought, “I don’t know what that thing is, but it dies today.” No, we were rolling around on the floor playing one of our favorite games: “Fight to the Death!” I might have mentioned this game before, but for the uninitiated, it involves me getting the dog wound up enough to do everything we paid someone a lot of money to stop him from doing.
The result is difficult to explain because there’s so much happening simultaneously when I really get him going. I’ll put it this way: he is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a small to medium-size dog described by Australian comedian Nick Cody as a “tiny hurricane made out of bricks.” Except mine is not that tiny. He’s on the large end of the scale for the breed, topping out at 40 pounds—about 20 pounds of which are head and teeth. He is an anvil with an appetite and the Deadpool of dogs, so it is pure stupidity on my part when I join him on the floor and yell, “Fight to the Death! Agggggggh!” Besides, his invulnerability and other superpowers notwithstanding, I’m too old to be on the floor for any reason, much less rolling around with a foe who doesn’t understand, “Help! I’m on the floor and I can’t get up.” If he could talk, he would probably just respond by saying, “Ha-ha-ha! Now, I bite you head! and then proceed to lay down a coat of saliva from the neck up. It was during one of these indoor adventures that he got so excited he caught me with a stray tooth on the proboscis. It wasn’t a bite as much as it was a collision between the tip of my nose and the beginning of his mouth. Although it as an accident, it was a learning moment for me. We no longer play “Fight to the Death!” and instead have dialed it back to something more sedate: “Skirmish Until I Run Out of Breath.” It's followed by belly rubs... or will be, once I train him how to give me one, because my lower back really needs it.
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OC Today-Dispatch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Between the Lines By Steve Green
A sad and disturbing chapter for Worcester County Public Schools seemingly came to a close this week with the sentencing of former Assistant Superintendent Denise “Dee” Shorts, who pleaded guilty to a felony theft scheme involving $118,741.89 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but five years suspended. The sentence seems appropriate. What makes this case particularly abhorrent is not simply that taxpayer money was stolen. According to the Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor, Shorts falsely coded $84,365.82 in Amazon purchases as benefiting elementary schools receiving federal Title I funding. Title I dollars are specifically intended to provide additional educational opportunities for children from low-income families. Instead, public money went toward clothing, cosmetics, pool and exercise equipment, furnishings for a Florida vacation home and supplies and technology for a day care Shorts owned. That's difficult to comprehend. It was encouraging, however, to see Worcester County Public Schools acknowledge after the sentencing that the conclusion of the criminal case does not mean the school system's work is finished. Superintendent Annette Wallace appropriately called Shorts' conduct a serious breach of the public trust and emphasized that the stolen money had been intended to support students facing significant barriers. Board of Education President Todd Ferrante struck a similarly appropriate tone, acknowledging that while the money has been repaid, the episode damaged public confidence in the school system. Those acknowledgments matter. The sentencing holds Shorts accountable for her actions. It does not answer every question about how those actions were allowed to continue for years. For Worcester County Public Schools, however, the final chapter should not be written quite yet, and leadership recognized that this week. The system's responsibility now is to demonstrate to parents, taxpayers, employees and — most importantly — students that lessons were learned from what happened. Accountability brought this criminal case to an end. Transparency and stronger safeguards are what will restore the trust that was lost. Those efforts appear to be continuing and that’s a good thing. *** When the news first came out about the governor’s data center press conference, the assumption here was he was going to issue a statewide moratorium on data centers to allow for more review. Instead, Gov. Wes Moore, a previous proponent of data centers, came out with an Executive Order that essentially slows the process for the massive infrastructure. Two years can be an eternity in politics, and Moore’s position on data centers serves as a confirmation. In 2024, Moore was talking about making Maryland more competitive for the massive facilities that power our increasingly digital world. Data centers were part of his vision for the state's technology economy. In his 2024 State of the State address, Moore specifically included data centers among the "industries of the future" Maryland should invest in. He talked about cutting red tape and making Maryland an attractive place to do business. His administration did more than talk. Moore championed the Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act, legislation specifically intended to remove regulatory obstacles affecting data centers and other critical infrastructure. Moore signed it into law. Fast forward to this week. The tone coming out of Annapolis sounds remarkably different. Moore’s executive order creates a new state framework for reviewing large data centers. Projects of 25 megawatts or more seeking state permits, incentives or support will face scrutiny involving their impact on ratepayers and the electric grid, economic benefits, community concerns, environmental protections and transparency. He also wants lawmakers to repeal Maryland's sales-and-use-tax exemption for data centers. And Moore recently went even further, saying he would support a statewide moratorium on data centers if the General Assembly sends one to his desk. That's quite an evolution. There are legitimate reasons for state government to take another look at data centers. These enormous facilities consume staggering amounts of electricity. Concerns about transmission infrastructure, electric bills, water consumption, environmental impacts and effects on neighboring properties deserve serious consideration. Communities should have a meaningful voice in deciding whether these massive industrial projects are appropriate for them. Those issues should not be dismissed. But neither should Marylanders ignore the history. In 2025, Moore vetoed legislation requiring the state to study the environmental, energy and economic impacts of data-center development. Moore's veto explanation cited the expense associated with that study and several others amid Maryland's difficult fiscal situation. The General Assembly overwhelmingly overrode him. Everyone is certainly entitled to change their positions but the timing – less than two months before the election – is revealing and merits scrutiny. Stubbornly sticking with a bad policy simply to avoid accusations of inconsistency would be worse than changing course. Moore may have perfectly legitimate reasons for arriving at a different place on data centers than where his administration stood two years ago. But considering how dramatically the conversation has changed — and how close that change comes to another election — Marylanders are equally justified in asking a simple question: What changed?
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Letters to the editor Politicians should back up words with actions Editor, September 11, 2001 was one of those days when we all remember exactly where we were. It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since that horrific day. On each anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, we gather and remember. We exchange stories and we mourn. We honor and pay tribute. There has been no greater place to have the remembrance services than right here in Ocean City. Each year, we are fortunate to have politicians, first responders and proud Americans turn out to say a few words with the awesome backdrop of the Fire Fighters Memorial and the Atlantic Ocean. It is always a special experience. On this 25th anniversary, it was even a bit more special. As I have done for many years, I participated in the 9-11 motorcycle ride on the Boardwalk. This event led by the members of the Red Knights, is always something to look forward to. Once we arrived at the Fire Fighter’s Memorial, we were greeted by politicians of present and past. State Senator Mary Beth Carozza was the leader this year. She did a fine job of introducing speaker after speaker after addressing the crowd herself. There was a stunning similarity in how many speakers stressed how we as a nation acted on September 12, 2001 and moving forward. The long lines to donate blood, the checking in on neighbors, flying Old Glory everywhere, general random acts of kindness became the norm. Speaker after speaker mentioned the unity we displayed after the attacks. They all commented how we were not Democrats, Independents or Republicans. We were all Americans who came together as one and there was a call from each to try and rekindle this spirit a quarter century later. I wish I had a transcript of these
speeches this year because they were nothing short of a patriotic tribute and a call for unity. What is not to like about this? As the day wore on, I did begin to wonder if the politicians really meant what they were saying. I say this, because while everyone was talking a good game on this 25th anniversary, I have seen behavior from a few that indicate it may have just been hot air. If I had the opportunity to ask these Politicians if they really believed what they were saying, I would ask them to please explain how they can preach unity and solidarity, but stand silent when ridiculous flags surface throughout Town that are nothing short of treasonous. How is it that $5 million yachts can fly “King Trump, 2028” flags and these same politicians don’t blink an eye? In years past during the WMO, we have had vulgar displays of hatred, most notably “FJB” flags on yachts while participating in this major town-sponsored event. I am left wondering how Senator Carozza can stress unity and solidarity on the podium, but walk right by these ridiculous anti-American flags and not say anything. Maybe she did not see them? Doubtful. Maybe it is her base, so she thinks it is amusing? Possible. On 9-11-26, nearly every speaker at the ceremony really appeared to be speaking from the heart. Heads were nodding while listening and tears were being wiped from eyes. It had all the makings of a unified and proud American crowd. But now that the event is over, I call on Senator Carozza and all other speakers from that day to publicly denounce those who produce, display and encourage anti-American behavior. It is not acceptable for our Annapolis delegation, nor our mayor and members of Town Council to remain silent when something as treasonous as “King Trump 2028” is displayed across our town.
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR As the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Each speaker on September 11, 2026 came up with amazing words. It is time for them to back it up with action. Those who choose to remain silent when folks who are advocating “King Trump 2028” nonsense are implicit in this treasonous behavior. Senator Carozza has never been shy to issue a press release. How about one to this column denouncing hate speech and recommitting to her powerful words she delivered on September 11, 2026 about the importance of unity? That would be a tremendous start. M. Scott Chismar Ocean City
Protecting the bay a shared responsibility
Editor, The Chesapeake Bay is one of our nation's most valuable natural resources. Its health depends on cooperation among federal agencies, state governments, farmers, businesses, and local residents. President Trump canceled Executive Order 13508 on September 16th. The issue is particularly relevant for our community because the bay's health affects our waterways, local economy, and quality of life. Chesapeake Bay Foundation states that this repeal weakens the federal-state partnership that has supported restoration efforts for 17 years. Signed by President Barack Obama in 2009, Executive Order 13508 established a framework for stronger federal coordination in the Chesapeake Bay restoration. It encouraged federal agencies to work with watershed states, improve accountability, and use scientific information to guide pollution reduction and environmental protection. The Chesapeake Bay does not recognize political boundaries. Pollution entering a stream in Pennsylvania or New York can eventually affect Maryland's rivers and the bay. Nutrients from agricultural runoff, stormwater, and wastewater contribute to waterquality challenges that require coordinated action across the watershed. For Maryland residents, the consequences of weakened coordination could extend beyond environmental concerns. The Chesapeake Bay supports commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, boating, and the livelihoods of people who depend on clean waterways. Restoration efforts also help address pollution, protect wildlife habitat, and improve the health of tributaries throughout the region. Protecting the Chesapeake Bay should be a shared responsibility that transcends political parties. Maryland residents, local officials, farmers, environmental organizations, and federal representatives all have a role in ensuring that restoration ef-
forts continue. Our bay is an investment in future generations, and decisions made today will influence the quality of our water, wildlife, and communities for years to come. The question we should ask is not simply which administration established a restoration program, but whether government at every level is doing enough to protect this irreplaceable natural resource. Tish Michel Ocean City
Perdue has taken steps to support residents
Editor, As a Salisbury resident who lives in the area identified by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for PFAS testing and mitigation, I was disappointed to read a reContinued on Page 82
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continued from Page 81 cent letter that overlooked the significant steps Perdue AgriBusiness has taken to support local residents. While I am a Perdue employee, I am also someone who was personally impacted by this issue, which is why I felt compelled to share my perspective. For more than two years, Perdue AgriBusiness has worked cooperatively with MDE to investigate this issue and assist affected neighbors. The company provided bottled water, supported the installation of water treatment systems for eligible homes, including mine, and has continued working with regulators as the investigation progresses. I agree, residents should not have to wait for the outcome of lengthy legal proceedings before receiving support, and in my experience, we didn’t. Perdue AgriBusiness stepped up to help us while the investigation continues. It is also important to recognize that Perdue AgriBusiness does not
manufacture PFAS. The investigation identified historical firefighting foam used on the property as a potential source of contamination. They have installed a water treatment system and a new non-PFAS fire suppression system. While questions remain, PFAS is not unique to Salisbury. These chemicals have been found in communities across the country because they were widely used for decades in consumer products, industrial applications, and firefighting materials. Everyone agrees that protecting drinking water should be a priority. The public discussion, however, should acknowledge the facts. Perdue AgriBusiness has been proactive, cooperative, and responsive while working alongside MDE and supporting residents throughout this process. As a neighbor and member of this community, I believe those efforts deserve recognition. Carolyn Boardman Salisbury
Have an opinion? We invite you to share it, but all letters are subject to verification, so please include your name and phone number. All letters are subject to editing for space and to protect the author and this newspaper from legal action. Email letters to editor@octodaydispatch.com. For questions, call 410-723-6397.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Ernie and Penny Adams are pictured at the Maryland-Delaware line after completing a “We Heart Ocean City” walking challenge on Labor Day.
Couple completes challenge of walking to Delaware line By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Sept. 25, 2026) At the beginning of warmer weather on the beach, 54th Street residents Ernie and Penny Adams, ages 88 and 85, respectively, made a trek to the south end of the Boardwalk with one goal in mind – to start moving. On May 12, Ernie, sporting his
blue walker, and Penny, sporting her red model, began walking north along the boards, traversing a few blocks each time before turning around and heading back to their car. But what started out as a simple way to get their daily steps quickly turned into a summer-long challenge of walking from one end of Ocean See RESIDENTS Page 83
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OC Today-Dispatch
OBITUARIES ALESSANDRO FRASCHETTI Encinitas, California Alex Fraschetti, 84, passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, 2026 in Encinitas, California, surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Rome, Italy, Alex came to the United States in his twenties and went on to spend nearly 60 years in Ocean City, Maryland, where he raised his family and became a beloved presence in the community. Alex Fraschetti Alex built his career as a restauranteur, bringing his warmth, energy, and unmistakable charisma to everyone he met. He was known for his generous spirit, his love of life, and most of all, his unforgettable smile. He brought that same joy to the dining table, where he was renowned for his tableside specialties, including his famous Caesar Salad, Steak Diane, and Lobster Chantilly. For Alex, food was never simply a meal; it was something to be savored, discussed, enjoyed, and most importantly, shared. A lifelong lover of sports, Alex was once a member of the Italian Olympic swim team. Throughout his life he continued to enjoy tennis, racquetball, pickleball, and golf. Staying ac-
tive was one of his favorite pastimes, and his enthusiasm and competitive spirit were evident in everything he did. In fact, he expressed a desire to play pickleball the week before his passing. Alex lived with style, pride, and integrity. Always impeccably dressed and carrying himself with confidence and grace, he was proud of who he was, his Roman roots, and above all, his family. His life was filled with family across three continents, lifelong friendships, community, and a love for animals both wild and domestic. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Alex is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Coralee. Together, they shared two children: Cristina and Alessandro, (his wife, Natalie, and their three children, Luciano, Indah, and Paxton). He is also survived by his son, Roberto (wife Ivette, and their son, Giorgio, and Roberto’s two daughters, Macarena and Daniela, all of whom reside in Chile) and his daughter, Yvonne (daughter, Alissa, who reside in Rome). Alex was one of five children. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Giorgio and Alberto, and is survived by his brother, Luciano, and Continued on Page 84
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Residents walk length of resort Continued from Page 82 City to the other. “We decided we would start walking from the inlet and at least do the Boardwalk,” Penny said in an interview this week. “Then the rest was kind of on a lark. We said maybe we can go all the way to the state line. Then it all unfolded.” Over the course of 39 separate outings this summer, Ernie and Penny slowly made their way up the city, heading out every two or three days, parking their car, and walking roughly four blocks north each time before heading back. Using the sidewalk along Coastal Highway, as well as a few back alleys, the couple saw sites never before seen, visited restaurants they only ever passed by in the car, and met people who encouraged them along the way. “We met some lovely people,” Ernie said. “We actually had a couple of people over for dinner because
they were so nice.” By Sept. 7, the couple completed what they called the “We Heart Ocean City Challenge,” walking 146 blocks from the inlet to the Maryland-Delaware border. Ernie estimates that through their evening walks, he and his wife walked between 19 and 20 miles. “It was planned we would hit the Delaware line on Labor Day,” Penny said, “because it was a labor of love.” Now that their walking challenge is complete, Ernie and Penny are already planning their next activity – a selfguided walking history tour. They are also encouraging others to get out and explore their communities, sharing the fitness initiative “movement is medicine” and “if you don’t use it, you lose it.” “It didn’t necessarily start out with a plan,” Penny said. “It just turned out to be a great experience for us.”
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OBITUARIES Continued from Page 83 sister, Patrizia, of Rome. A celebration of Alex’s life is being planned for later this year in Ocean City.
$1,945.
ROBERT WARREN WILLIAMS Ocean Pines Robert Warren Williams of Ocean Pines was ninety when he passed away on September 3, 2026. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Dorothy Creighton Williams. The son of Wilfred and Irene Williams, he grew up in West Orange, NJ with his brother, Jack. He attended the New Jersey Institute of Robert Williams Technology for mechanical engineering. He was then drafted into the US Army and was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany for two years. Upon his return he met Dottie and they were married the following summer. The majority of his career was spent at Sequa Corporation Metal Coating Division. As an Engineer and inventor, he held 56 U.S. patents and twelve international patents. He traveled frequently for business to Europe, Asia and Africa. He was a parishioner of Saint John Roman Catholic Church. As an epicurean, he loved fine dining. A passionate golfer, he had won numerous tournaments and made six holes-in-one. He was an avid sports fan. Football, baseball and women’s basketball were his favorites. He loved music, Travel and time with his family and friends. He leaves behind his children, Robert Williams Jr., Dr. Lori Williams (Kevin Carlile), Valerie Williams (Mike Peerenboom). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Taylor Williams Rothbell, Spencer Williams Rothbell, Theo Williams, Eloise Pike (Jon Dykes) and his great granddaughter, Penelope. Those left to cherish his memory include his brother, Jack Williams and his sisters-in-law, Salome and Bonnie Creighton, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. He was a gentleman and every sense of the word and he will be mourned deeply. The funeral service will be held at Saint John Neumann Church, Ocean Pines at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28 followed by a private interment.
Obituary Submissions E-mail: editor@octodaydispatch.com Submitted obituaries will cost $50.00 for print and online publications. A sales representative from our office will contact you for payment once your submission is sent.
Sports & Recreation
OC Today-Dispatch Sept. 25, 2026
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www.octodaydispatch.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF J.P. CATHELL PHOTOGRAPHY
DECATUR PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Though the weather led to a tournament being canceled on Tuesday, Stephen Decatur’s varsity golf team has been putting together a solid season with a record of 11-2. Pictured, top from left, in recent competition at Rum Pointe are senior Lucas Kohut and junior Johnny LaViola. Decatur’s girls soccer team remained hot on Monday with a 5-2 win over Snow Hill in the annual Morgan’s Message game. The Seahawks are now 5-0-1 on the season with two games set for next week. Pictured against the Eagles are sophomore Lamis Omar, middle left; junior Madelynn Pennington, middle right; junior Emory Jack, above left; and senior Harper Hastings.
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DECATUR PHOTOS OF THE WEEK II Decatur’s varsity football team is off to an undefeated start, winning three straight including last Friday’s Homecoming romp of North Caroline, 44-7. Last night’s home game against Queen Anne’s ended too late for newspaper deadline. Top left, pictured are junior running back Nehemiah Dale; middle left, senior Jasir Jackson looking to advance up the field; and top right, the varsity cheerleading team performing during the fireworks display after the game. Decatur’s varsity boys soccer team has continued its winning ways so far this season after winning the school’s second state championship in soccer last November. In four games, Decatur has not allowed a goal, outscoring opponents 32-0. On Monday night, Decatur blanked Snow Hill, 7-0, behind a hat trick by senior Jayden Parrish. Far left, senior Gannon Eastlack, who had an assist on the game, is pictured bringing the ball up from his defender position. Immediate left, Eastlack and Parrish, who also had an assist in the game, celebrate one of his three goals. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAMAL FOREMAN
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
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