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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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City mum on ad bid contents Info won’t be made public because of trade secrets
GREG WEHNER/OCEAN CITY TODAY
COME ON DOWN
Absolute Demolition crews take down a building next to the Harbor Inn on Wednesday morning on Somerset Street in downtown Ocean City. Given its location next to the oldest bar in town — it opened 1935 in a building dating to the 1920s — the demolished structure had some age on it as well.
By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) After 20 years of working with the same advertising agency, the Town of Ocean City decided to seek a new partner and has since received 10 proposals from companies all over the country that hope to win the resort’s business and its effort to rebrand itself. The mayor and City Council announced the bidders during its meeting on Monday, but that is as far as it went in terms revealing any additional information. City Manager Doug Miller held each of the 10 boxes up so Council Secretary Tony DeLuca could read them out loud. But when the bidders were announced, the amount of each bid was not, making it different from See AD Page 4
Massive Margaritaville gives details to PZ Resort hotel could bring changes to complexion of downtown, and add to off-season business activity By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) With 13 stories overlooking the ocean and a name synonymous with paradise, a Margaritaville resort planned for downtown Ocean City could change the entire dynamic of the resort’s off- and shoulder seasons if developers can cut through some red tape to make it happen. “We think it’s a phenomenal opportunity for Ocean City,” Becker Morgan Group architect
Jack Mumford said of the project. “It’s a great project, obviously.” Mumford was a member of a heavily prepared team of developers who presented details of the massive and striking project — planned for the former Phillips Beach Plaza property lots on 13th and 14th streets — Tuesday at a city planning and zoning commission hearing. The hearing provided planning commissioners and members of the public a three-dimensional aerial view of the design, which will undoubtedly stand out at the confluence of the southern, more historic buildings in southern Ocean City, and newer high rises to the north. Along with the 265-room hotel resort and See MARGARITAVILLE Page 3
RENDERING COURTESY BECKER MORGAN GROUP
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Margaritaville also planning nearby housing for workers Continued from Page 1 amenities, the project plans also include separate employee housing nearby. To make it all a reality, developers first need to get the green light to place a planned overlay district, or POD, zoning designation over the existing properties to allow for “unified development,” which was the catalyst for Tuesday’s roughly three-hour hearing. The next step is a work session, which planning commissioners set for Nov. 9, where they will discuss their recommendation. Members have 90 days to recommend approval or denial to the mayor and council, who will make the final decision on awarding the developers the POD they need. If all goes as planned, they will then be able to proceed with a site plan. Tuesday’s hearing was not the first time planning commissioners viewed the project, but the presentation included many more details, and some changes based on suggestions they made several months ago during their first look. A barrage of people provided testimony, including city staff members, who said the plans meet the requirements for a planned overlay district and fit into the details of the city’s comprehensive plan. Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville said the location of the project is ideal for the transition from one style of buildings to another downtown. “Usually the edge position is where a lot can happen when you change from one district to another, one
building type to another,” he said. Glenn Irwin, the executive director of Ocean City Development Corporation, also said the design works with the downtown facade. “We’re in support of this project,” he said “As hotel, restaurant, retail and meeting space, we know it will have a major impact in Ocean City.” The developers also paraded a number of well-prepared professionals to the podium Tuesday to speak to every aspect of the project, ranging everywhere from amenities and valet parking plans, to shadow studies and setbacks. Hotel management company Chesapeake Hospitality and Margaritaville Holdings, which are partnering to run the new venture, along with an array of other contractors, consultants and even neighbors provided individual observations about each and every detail. Steve Smith, a principal of Greenbelt-based Chesapeake Hospitality, said the project will include 14,000 square feet of flexible premium meeting space, three outdoor pools, an adjacent indoor pool, a kids club, three restaurants, and complimentary guest shuttle service, among other details and amenities. The 400 guest parking spaces will be all valet, and developers are looking into a bike share or some other type of transportation program for employees. Smith said plans are in the works to build employee housing as well. “The development budget does include off-site employee housing facilities,” he said. “There is a site within See HOTEL Page 4
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ad agency bids announced, but without info Continued from Page 1 the typical bidding procedure. Miller said on Tuesday that the bid totals were not announced out loud during the meeting because it was proprietary information. In each bid, he explained, the city receives a couple of things. The first thing the city gets is the creative approach and how the agency plans to market Ocean city. “A lot of that is proprietary,” Miller said. “They don’t want their ideas pirated.” The city is also provided with the cost of services. Miller said when the proposal packages are evaluated by members of the tourism commission and City Council members, they like to look at the creative offerings first before looking at the cost. Still, some members of the tourism commission are private citizens and hold no elective office. When asked how it is acceptable to allow some citizens, or members of the public, to review the bids and not others, Miller said it was a good question and that he would have to investigate it. Miller could not be immediately
reached on Wednesday. The companies that submitted bids are Mariner Marketing out of Columbia, Maryland, Baltimorebased Harvey Agency, Glen Burniebased Integrated Designs, which has worked on the Walk smart Ocean City campaign, and Fuse Ideas out of Boston, Massachusetts. Some of the other agencies are Beyond Spots and Dots, Paradise Advertising, and the Bellweather Agency. Owings Mills, Maryland-based MGH Advertising Inc., which has worked with Ocean City for the past 20 years, did not submit a bid. During a Tourism Commission meeting in September, Ocean City Director of Tourism and Business Development Tom Perlozzo said he felt like MGH had an edge because he knows the product. “If he doesn’t want the job, I don’t want him to have it,” Perlozzo said. “They’ve been very cooperative with us during the transition period ... I want to get the job done.” As part of the FY 22 budget, city officials budgeted $5.5 million for advertising. The council voted 7-0 in favor of
GREG WEHNER/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Ten companies across the country submitted bids in response to Ocean City’s request for proposals to serve as an advertising agency for the resort. On Monday, the bidders were announced but the amounts of the bids were not because according to City Manager Doug Miller, they contain proprietary information.
sending the bids to staff for review. Once finalists are selected, they will be brought back to give presenta-
tions to the City Council. The new agency is expected to begin working for Ocean City in January 2022.
Project needs city-owned alley to move forward Continued from Page 3 walking distance of the hotel for employee housing.” When asked how many employees the housing may accommodate, Smith was unsure, but estimated between 50 and 60. In total, the project is set to create 175 jobs. Along with guest rooms and leisure space, the planned resort includes multiple retail spots on the first floor with access from the Boardwalk, and a theme consistent with the famous Margaritaville hotels and resorts popping up across the country. “I’ve always thought of this town as one of our ideal spots to bring our brand because of what Margaritaville stands for,” said John Cohlan, the
CEO of Margaritaville Holdings, and the longtime partner of singer and famed entrepreneaur Jimmy Buffet. Cohlan added that anyone who knows the Margaritaville brand knows it stands for paradise, and he anticipates that the presence of this type of hotel and experience in a prime spot in downtown Ocean City will help revive the resort during the non-peak seasons. “Ocean City is a perfect place for what we do as far as lifestyle,” he said. Planning commissioners seemed impressed with the design, but some concerns were expressed about parking during Tuesday’ meeting, as the development of the site and removal
of the Beach Plaza hotel will eliminate some public spaces that have been relied on for some time. The commissioners will discuss those types of details further during their work session next week. One other small sticking point is a dispute over a 16-foot, city-owned alley known as Washington Lane that bisects the site. The developer plans to incorporate the space into the design of the complex, replacing it with a 23-foot public easement with two travel lanes and one bicycle lane. The alley is needed to meet the square footage requirement for the POD and city council members have to vote to abandon it. They were supposed to discuss it at a work session
last week, but the applicant removed it from the agenda. According to a staff report, city employees recommend that council members give the green light to discuss and vote on the alley abandonment at a future council meeting. The report said the city “has no direct need” for the right-of-way for utilities, and that the creation of a wider public easement “would improve the alley’s primary function as a public way.” Hugh Cropper, the attorney representing the developers, said he presented the project plans Tuesday as if council members have already approved the abandonment, because he is confident they will move forward with it.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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Ocean City Today
Resort composting program clears 80K lbs. of food waste By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) A program developed by Garvey Heiderman, the owner of the Hobbit Restaurant on 81st Street, removed more than 80,000 pounds of food waste from Ocean City’s garbage stream over the summer and converted it into renewable compost. Heiderman met with the Ocean City mayor and City Council on Monday to update them on the program’s
first summer. “The broad strokes are that we composted 80,000 pounds of food waste this year, or just over that,” Heiderman said. “To give you a frame of reference, last year was just one restaurant, being the Hobbit, at 12,000 pounds. This year was about three and a half [restaurants], depending on the time of year, and we did 80,000. Next year, the goal will be a half a million – 40 tons this year, See MATERIALS Page 6
GREG WEHNER/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Garvey Heiderman, owner of the Hobbit Restaurant on 81st Street, told Ocean City Council members on Monday that he was able to remove over 80,000 pounds of food waste from the city’s garbage stream during a pilot program he developed to create compost.
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Facelift coming to 94th Street water tower Council opens, approves bids to complete painting, rehab work during meeting By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Ocean City Council members approved three bids for work in the resort area, including the painting and repair of a water tower at 94th Street. When the bids were read out loud for the work on the water tower last week, only a portion of the amount was announced. The project was broken into three parts. The first part was to paint the exterior of the water tower, the second was to rehabilitate
the inside to last another 15 years, and the third was to paint the Art League’s logo on the bulb-shaped structure. Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins told the council on Monday that the exterior portion of the project was initially approved, but his department did not have the funding available to complete the repairs inside. After speaking with Finance Director Chuck Bireley and Budget Manager Jennie Knapp, Adkins said the money could be appropriated out of the water fund balance to pay D&M Painting Corporation, who was awarded the project. Suburban Contractors LLC submitted the lowest bid of $238,500 for the project but asked to withdraw its
bid because of mathematical errors. D&M Painting submitted a bid of $367,650 to paint the outside surface of the water tower, a project that the city budgeted $350,000 to complete. To rehabilitate the inside of the tower, D&M said it would cost $366,900. When the last inspection was done on the inside of the tower, it was noted that the full interior needed to be re-coated. If work were to be postponed, the cost could be far more than the $366,900 proposed by D&M, according to Adkins. The council agreed to move forward with both phases of the project by voting 7-0. Another project that was awarded
on Monday night was for the annual street paving, which the city budgeted $600,000. The city received six bids ranging from $550,000 to $1,142,550, and after reviewing them all, staff members determined Chesapeake Paving & Sealing Inc. would be awarded the project, having submitted the lowest bid. Council members also voted to award Weissco Power LLC a project to replace the universal power supply at the Public Safety Building. Although the city budgeted $110,000 for the project, Weissco Power submitted a bid of $85,320 to complete the work. Both projects were approved by council members in a 7-0 vote.
Materials diverted from city garbage stream Continued from Page 5 250 tons next year.” He said he surmises that Ocean City produces about 10,000 tons of food waste, and even though all of it is not low hanging fruit, Heiderman wanted to show the council the scalability of his program. Heiderman was granted approval by the council in July to operate a pilot program called Ocean City LLC,
that would collect food waste, have it weighed at 65th Street, and then be compensated on a per ton basis for diverting the waste away from the overall stream of refuse and garbage that Ocean City ships out. The per ton compensation was not intended to be in addition to payments to Covanta, but instead was to be compensation to Ocean Compost LLC in lieu of identical per ton pay-
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ments to the waste-to-energy incineration operation in Pennsylvania. Heiderman received approval to proceed with his initiative to create a composting program in 2020, though he’d been working on it for years. He has worked with restaurants such as Mother’s Cantina, Bonfire, Dough Roller, and Annabelle’s BBQ & Creamery to have food waste converted into compost, or organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. The alternative would be to have the waste material buried or burned. Most compost is consists of dead leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, vegetable waste, material like coffee grounds and water. Heiderman, trying not to seem too ambitious, also wanted to plant a seed with council that materials like tree clippings and leaves that are collected by the city and converted into mulch could help serve as a carbon source to fuel the composting process. Director of Public Works Hal Adkins told the council that wood waste is typically separated from the garbage collection then taken to a facility near the airport and converted into mulch. “That wood waste ... we create a pile and I’d love to give it to somebody,” Adkins said, adding that the county also collects wood waste, though he was not sure what they did with it. He suggested it may be worth looking into the county’s mulch as well for Garvey’s program. Documents before the council on Monday showed Heiderman only weighed approximately 20,000 pounds of food waste, or just under 18 tons. Heiderman began collecting data
back in April, before the agreement was in place between him and council in July, which brings the number closer to 80,000 pounds, or close to 40 tons. Mayor Rick Meehan praised Heiderman for his efforts and the program he put in place. “It’s quite an efficient operation,” the mayor said. “I think we’ve seen on a very small scale ... that this can work. “I think we have a commitment from an individual that is certainly putting more into it than he’s getting out of it from a monetary standpoint, but it is a commitment that he believes in and what I think is one of the things we need to look at moving forward,” he added. Councilman John Gehrig echoed Meehan and thanked Heiderman for not being like many people who go in front of the council to tell them everything they are doing wrong or everything they’re not doing. Gehrig also thanked Heiderman for taking the private sector approach, adding that he will always have a hand from the council in accomplishing his goals because it’s good for the city. Though his program was successful on a small scale over the summer, Heiderman warned that this is a progressive process. “We cannot get ahead of ourselves with this,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of research and seen that there are composting facilities that bite off more than they can chew, and I definitely don’t want that to be the case here. This is all about scale and we’ll have to hit a pretty large number of tonnage to make this economically feasible, and hopefully we can do that in the next two-to-three years.”
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
GREG WEHNER/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, right, told City Council members on Monday that he wanted the town to hire a new position to help move the resort toward a more diverse and inclusive workforce made up of highly qualified individuals.
OC mayor calls for position focused on equity, diversity By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Several incidents over the past year have placed the Town of Ocean City under a microscope in terms of its diversity of personnel and practices. For instance, videos made the rounds on social media on two separate occasions in June, both of which showed Ocean City Police officers using force that some considered to be excessive. In one incident, an officer was seen ramming his knee into the chest of a Black man on the Boardwalk, and the other showed another Black man get tased by officers after holding his hands in the air. Both cases led to members of the NAACP and Caucus of African American Leaders to demand that action to be taken against the officers involved, including suspension without pay until an investigation could be conducted into the matters. Mayor Rick Meehan met with State Delegate Sandy Bartlett of Annapolis and a few representatives from the NAACP and Caucus of African American Leaders on July 19 and is now calling on the City Council to look into hiring a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer that will help move Ocean City into the future. “Ocean City is the second largest city in the state for most of the year,” Meehan said during a City Council meeting on Monday. “We are now positioning ourselves to grow to the next plateau. While doing so, it’s important for us to look at how we can become ... a better and more diverse, and inclusive government. This will not only benefit our employees, but our citizens and our visitors.” The mayor did not go into specifics of the events that called for this new position, but during the meeting on July 19, he was asked by Black leaders to hire for the position.
Meehan explained to those leaders that Ocean City has a council-manager form of government, but he would work with City Manager Doug Miller to investigate hiring for this position and follow up with the group. Another highlight of the meeting on July 19 was that a Diversity Inclusion Workgroup was established to work locally with representatives to address several issues and develop dialogue. After the meeting, Meehan said, he went to Miller to discuss the position, pointing out that there was a job posting for a training position in the Human Resources department, which could be an opportunity to create the position of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. The mayor also asked Miller to pull the position so it could be discussed further. Instead, Miller chose to take a different route because he believed the two positions were separate. And that is where Miller and Meehan do not see eye-to-eye. Meehan said he believes the position should be solely intended for addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Miller, on the other hand, has an immediate need for the trainer, who can centralize recruiting and enhance the city’s ability to recruit from diverse communities and with various backgrounds. “The mayor and I are going in the same direction, with a different approach,” Miller said on Tuesday. During the meeting on Monday, Miller said he researched DEI professional job descriptions and the skillset he was looking for and what the mayor was looking for were completely different. For the 2023 budget, Miller said he was going to propose a new position that focuses on recruitment, retention, and diversity because the city has those needs throughout the organization. See NEW Page 8
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
New position will look at inequality Continued from Page 7 Meehan said this job needs to be a DEI Officer – any other jobs can fall under that position. As part of these efforts to create more diversity in the city, Meehan said he is working with Wor-Wic Community College to put together a curriculum of training sessions that will benefit the mayor and City Council as well as all city employees. “This should just be the beginning,” he said. Meehan also said the responsibilities of the new position should include developing diversity and inclusion programs citywide and working with various departments to develop better hiring practices to attract and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce. “I hate to say it, but we are behind, and we need to be proactive,” Meehan said. “The future is coming fast, and we need to be prepared.” Council Secretary Tony DeLuca agreed with the mayor and said the city is far behind in addressing diversity and inclusion issues. He moved to start the process of hiring a DEI officer, asking Miller to develop a job description to be brought back to the City Council for review. When it came to a vote, council members unanimously approved the motion.
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
State highway contract crews perform eastbound bridge deck work on the Route 90 bridge earlier this week. The project is one of two on a major Ocean City gateway that began several weeks ago and set to continue until at least December. The other is along Route 50.
Route 50, 90 work lasting ‘til Dec. By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Motorists traveling on routes 50 or 90 to and from the Ocean City strip over the next month may need to budget a little more time to maneuver the road work that has already been disrupting their driving paths for weeks. Shanteé Felix, the assistant media relations manager for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, said in an email this week that road work is underway on both primary gateways
into the city, and that the projects are set to continue until December. The work includes milling, patching and overlay paving on U.S. 50 westbound from Herring Creek to MD 818 and eastbound from MD 346 east to Herring Creek. It began several weeks ago, and has been hard to miss, as lanes have frequently been shut down and traffic has been slowed to a crawl in some areas at times. Felix said crews are permitted to work 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday for that project. And while some motorists may
think they can escape the delays and head to Route 90 to get onto Coastal Highway, they cannot. Felix said contract crews began eastbound bridge deck and street lighting repairs in late October on the busy throughway, and will move to the west side when finished. She said crews are permitted to work weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Both projects on US 50 and MD 90 have lane closures and flagging operations in place,” Felix said. “We advise motorists to allow for addiSee DRIVERS Page 10
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
Ocean City Council approves standing committee agendas By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) The Ocean City mayor and City Council met at City Hall on Monday during a regularly scheduled meeting and approved the following agendas for standing committees expected to meet between Nov. 8-17. Police Commission The Ocean City Police Commission plans to meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 8 in the third-floor conference room of the Public Safety Building on 65th Street. Councilman Lloyd Martin said Chief Ross Buzzuro will give his monthly update during the meeting, when he goes over the crime statistics, as well as an update on the department’s initiative to implement body-worn cameras. The commission will also get an update on seasonal recruiting before discussing traffic and speeding issues near 142nd Street. Recreation and Parks When the Recreation and Parks committee meets at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Northside Park, members will discuss changes to local rates at Eagle’s Landing and the beverage franchise agreement, as it is set to expire at the end of the year. A spreadsheet will also be presented to the committee that shows the return on investment from the city’s special events, a five-year preview of upcoming projects around town, and operational updates. The agenda makes note that a portion of the meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee – or BPAC – will meet at 2 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the community
room at City Hall. Some of the topics during the meeting will include an update on the oceanside street-end bike racks that are being installed so people do not have to take their bicycles onto the beach, the Ocean City Strategic Plan, and a review of the mayor’s bike ride, which took place on Sunday. Coastal Resources Legislative Committee Meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, the Coastal Resources Legislative Committee plans to convene in the Council Conference Room at City Hall to discuss several topics, including flooding. One of the topics of the meeting includes an update on the nuisance flooding and a quarterly report on events that occurred over the last three months. The committee will also discuss next year’s meeting dates, the renewal of the Sustainable Maryland application for 2022, and the Litter Free OC campaign. As part of the Litter Free OC discussion, the committee will get an update on beach cleanup programs, a review of the Butt Huts,” and begin to focus on efforts for next year. Tourism Commission On Nov. 15 at 1 p.m., the Tourism Commission will meet at the convention center on 40th street for its monthly meeting. The commission is expected to get an update on where the city stands with hiring a new ad agency and a timeline of when the agency will begin working with the city. Tom Perlozzo, the director of tourism and business development, will present the final report of a perception study that was conducted late in the season to gauge what people think about Ocean City.
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Commissioners deny paving contract protest By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) The Worcester County Commissioners upheld a previously awarded bid for the FY22 paving contract Tuesday after a Pennsylvaniabased company protested, claiming that it has a plant in the county and is therefore a local business. The matter was originally decided at the last commissioner’s meeting on Oct. 19. The commissioners usually award contracts to the lowest bidder. While the commissioners are free to award contracts to whomever they decide, an accepted guideline in the county is that if the lowest bidder is not local but the lowest local bidder is within 10 percent of the other’s bid, the local company be awarded the contract. Allan Myers, the protesting company, submitted a $1,024,646.90 bid. Salisbury-based Chesapeake Paving, the contract winner, submitted its bid at $1,047,448.50. Allan Myers has more than 20 locations in Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Chesapeake Paving, on the other hand, has two — one in Parsonsburg and its Salisbury location. “I think both companies are more than capable of completing the work,” said Department of Public Works Director Dallas Baker. “But at this point, I believe the awarding to Chesapeake does
follow the intent of the local preference and that’s where (I’m leaving my recommendation).” Central to Allan Myers’ protest is the existence of its Bishopville location, which company representative Steve Lambrose said, along with the Worcester County residents they employ, makes them “the local contractor.” Allan Myers has also paid $94,523 in county taxes since 2012 when they purchased the Bishopville plant, Lambrose said. “I believe the plant is in Bishop, not Bishopville,” Mitrecic said wryly, referring to a typo in Allan Meyers’ protest document that mislabeled Bishopville. “I’m not sure the difference. Mr. See COMMISSIONERS Page 11
JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY
The Allan Myers asphalt plant in Bishopville was the basis of the company’s protest to the Worcester County Commissioners awarding of their FY22 paving contract to Chesapeake Paving. While Allan Myers submitted the lowest bid, the commissioners work with a guideline to select the more local bidder, if their bid is within 10 percent of the lowest bid. Allan Myers has 20 locations throughout Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Chesapeake Paving has two locations in Salisbury and Parsonsburg.
Drivers advised to plan for delays Continued from Page 8 tional travel time when reaching their destinations and to visit md511.maryland.gov so that they will know in advance of any closures that will affect their travel.” The website includes traffic conditions and other information to help drivers maneuver state roads. And while it may seem poor planning for both projects to kick off and
wrap up at essentially the same times, thus handicapping many commuters, Felix said the officials planned for the best case scenario. “MDOT SHA works hard to minimize traffic disruptions while maintaining a safe work zone for our crews and customers,” Felix explained. “The US 50 resurfacing project is a capital project with a contract that expires in December 2021. For MD 90,
MDOT SHA coordinated with the Town of Ocean City and the Worcester County Emergency Operations Center so that these routine maintenance repairs would occur during the off-season in order to minimize impacts to the traveling public.” She added that officials are making efforts to help minimize the disruptions to motorists. “We are working with Maryland State Police … and adjusting our lane closure and flagging operation times to help with traffic flow,” she said. On Route 50, she said traffic has been building up primarily at the traffic signals, and that state police officers have been on site to extend green lights to keep vehicles moving. “When necessary, crews are shortening the lane closures on the newly resurfaced portion of the roadway once it is cooled enough for travel,” she said. On Route 90, Felix said crews are using shorter lane closure times and flagging operations. The cost of the Route 50 project is about $2.5 million, while the cost of the 90 work is $125,000. Felix added that no more state road projects are going on now in Ocean City, but she said officials are scheduling drain clean-outs on Coastal Highway. “This work would take place from November to May, depending on the weather,” she said. “[It] will be performed in the bus lane or left lane along the curb line. During this time, there will always be at least one lane open to traffic. Since this work is being done during the off-peak travel times, impacts to the traveling public will be minimal.” The highway department’s six-year Consolidated Transportation Program also includes $500,000 to study the Route 90 corridor between Route 50 and Ocean City, but no timetable for a potential project has been set.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
Commissioners discuss what counts as ‘local’ in bid review Continued from Page 10 (County Commissioner Jim) Bunting might be able to enlighten us.” Lambrose also claimed that Chesapeake would not use local materials. “In past history, the gentleman that you voted to award the contract to, just for your all’s knowledge, that history has shown that he’s bought his material out of the state of Maryland,” Lambrose said. “So that three-quarters of the bid price this contract is costing is going to leave the state of Maryland. If it’s awarded to Allan Meyers, it will stay in the state of Maryland.” While the commissioners voted to preserve their October decision, they also decided that in the future, Allan Myers would be considered a local company. “We need to do due diligence when these things come up,” Commissioner Ted Elder said. “Too many times we don’t accept the low bid when it is a reputable company. Having said that, I’ll vote (in favor to preserve the bid).” The commissioners went on to discuss what the term “local” should entail. “My definition of local, for me, is Worcester,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said. “If we need to open it up to the lower Eastern Shore that’s fine, but someone from the other side of the bridge is certainly not local.”
Baker pointed out that technically because there is a location in Snow Hill, one could argue that McDonald’s is local. “I’m not sure how local gets defined if it comes to you having a multi-location business that has a location in a local jurisdiction,” he said. “Is that local?” Elder said the presence of Worcester County residents in a company’s workforce, like Allan Myers’ workforce, is an important factor. “I think that would be considered local, even if their main office is somewhere else,” Elder said. “If they employ people in Worcester County, I think that’s key.”
Worcester County will close offices on Veterans Day (Nov. 5, 2021) Worcester County Government (WCG) offices, including Recreation and Parks, will be closed Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. All five Branch Libraries, Central Landfill, and Homeowner Convenience Centers will be open during standard hours of operation on Nov. 11.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
The Worcester County Commissioners hear budget officer Candace Savage break down the assigned fund balance for FY21 during their meeting on Tuesday. The assigned balance totals approximately $35.5 million, made up of the FY21 surplus and designations from prior years’ surpluses. JACK CHAVEZ/ OCEAN CITY TODAY
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Commissioners narrowly OK FY21 assigned balance fund By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Somehow, there’s money to spend. Worcester County ended FY2021—a fiscal year marred and ravaged by the covid-19 pandemic — with a $16.1-million surplus. On Tuesday, the Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 on a proposal to designate that surplus in the FY2021 assigned balance. The assigned balance totals approximately $35.5 million, made up of the FY21 surplus and designations from prior years’ surpluses. “It is important to point out that the surplus is primarily attributable to a strong labor market and the related income tax revenues as well as a better than expected Transfer and Recordation Tax revenue related to a robust real estate market,” read a memo to the commissioners from both Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young and Budget Officer Candace Savage.
The proposed balance included $4.6 million in Public Schools projects, $4.3 million in prior-year surplus, $2.1 million in Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) and $350,000 in HVAC systems for various county buildings. OPEB benefits typically include health care benefits, life insurance, disability, legal and other services. The passing motion, proposed by Commissioner Chip Bertino, amended the proposal to move a partition wall replacement for $85,000 at Stephen Decatur Middle School to bond, delay track and field repairs at Pocomoke High School and Stephen Decatur High School, withhold a proposed increase in funding for a sports complex by $200,000, fully fund $2.5 million for OPEB and increase HVAC upgrades by $150,000. Betino asked Superintendent Lou Taylor about the feasibility of delaying the track repairs at the high schools, which Taylor said is temSee ASSIGNED Page 13
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Ocean City Today
County schedules CIP town meeting Two commissioners dispute inclusion of sports complex and public safety building By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) The Worcester County Commissioners voted 5-2 on Friday to hold a public hearing on the details of the county’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2023-27. The public hearing is scheduled to take place at the Dec. 7 commissioners meeting. The CIP outlines all projects for general government, public safety, public works, recreation and parks, public
schools and Wor-Wic Community College, senior budget accountant Kim Reynolds said during the meeting. The total price tag is could be as much as $202.29 million, with $58.24 million proposed in FY23. “Each project is totaled by the source of Chip Bertino funds, of which 4.9 percent is requested from the general fund and 44.4 percent is requested from general bonds,” Reynolds said. The CIP is not a binding contract, Reynolds said. The inclusion of a project in the plan does not guarantee its funding.
There was plenty of discussion about a handful of big-ticket items on the plan. Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting opposed the inclusion of proposals for a $32.6-million public safety building and a $15.58-million sports complex. The commissioners based their opposition mostly on the fact that the commissioners have not discussed county funding for either project. The public safety building would house the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Emergency Services. It could also house the Fire Marshall’s Office and a Child Advocacy Center. Construction is proposed for a 12-acre See BIG Page 14
Assigned balance fund passes 4-3 Continued from Page 12 porarily viable. “It can wait a year,” Taylor said. “But eventually, I will have to come back because it will become a safety issue.” In explaining his proposal, Bertino said that they preserve efforts they’d made over the years to improve OPEB and beefing up funding for HVAC improvements is, ultimately,
smart money. “I really do think with the efforts we’ve made over the last several years with regards to OPEB, that we should not reduce that contribution,” Bertino said. “We are very much behind the eight-ball and I believe we need to keep that at $2.5 million.” “We were talking about reducing the funding for the HVAC automa-
tion system controls for various buildings … I think we’d be wellserved to move ahead with that project because it does provide benefits for us as far as efficiency and being able to modulate the different buildings (cost-effectively.) I think we need to put that back in there.” Commissioners Bud Church, Diana Purnell and Joe Mitrecic opposed the motion.
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Ocean City Today
Commissioners pass schools CIP By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) The Worcester County Commissioners approved the Board of Education’s FY23 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on Tuesday. With the new Showell Elementary School complete and construction on the Stephen Decatur Middle School addition underway, Superintendent Lou Taylor presented what he described as a “planning” document to the commissioners with no “planning or funding requests included.” “The CIP is a forward-looking document and we have identified additional future projects (to be funded in future fiscal years)” Taylor said. “It also includes future renovations and addition projects for Buckingham Elementary School and Snow Hill Elementary School.” According to the plan submitted to the commissioners, projects include roof replacements at Snow Hill Middle School and Cedar Chapel Special School, to be funded in FY24; renovations to Buckingham Elementary School in Berlin, to be funded between FY2026-27; roof replacement at Pocomoke Elementary School, to be funded in FY25; and renovations to Snow Hill Elementary School, to be funded between FY2030-31. The priority for each project is based on a facilities assessment that school
PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Buckingham Elementary in Berlin is one of the schools on the Board of Education’s to-do list for improvements. The board’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) calls for a full replacement of the 476student school, estimated to cost $66.58 million.
system administration uses. Commissioner Chip Bertino asked if the plan takes into consideration the possibility that pre-K students could be added to public schools soon and if the schools would be able to accommodate them. “As we move forward, for example with Buckingham next, and through your insight, we were able to add those four classrooms at Showell and certainly that was a very good move on our
part,” Taylor replied. “For $900,000, we put those four classrooms on and we’re using them all the time there. We’re looking at that as we go through the elementary schools … as well.” Bertino also asked about portable classrooms — specifically, will the schools come to rely less on them? “We’ve gone from 56 to 20 right now and when we do Decatur Middle, we’ll lose nine (more) and Buckingham another five,” Taylor said.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Big-ticket items debated on CIP Continued from Page 13 parcel of land adjacent to the Health Department and county jail off Route 113, where the county Fire Training Center is currently located. In the case of the sports complex, Bertino said that possible sources of funding have changed significantly from January when Tom Perlozzo — then director of recreation and parks, tourism and economic development— told the commissioners that a $12-million facility could result in a one-time cost to the county of $1.2 million if Project Open Space money was used. “This would certainly (reverse course) from what we discussed when this was brought up in January,” Bertino said. “(And) it doesn’t include … some of the expectations that were presented in May in closed session with regard to funding and paying for the sports complex. We went from a possibility of no more than $1.2 million, now we’re up to $15.5 million. Now it’s on the backs of the taxpayers, regardless if we think this is a good project or not. And it wasn’t when we were talking in January or even in May. I have concerns about that.” Bunting added even though the plan does commit the county to any project, a project’s inclusion is often a solid endorsement that puts it on the path to realization. “Certain things you put on the CIP, they take legs and then they’re off and they’re expected to happen,” Bunting said. “As Commissioner Bertino said, the sports complex, it was never presented that we would take taxpayer money to build it and operate it. That’s the way it looks right now. And I think it’s bad timing for the public safety building.” Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said that a $1 million grant that county officials thought could be used is only available to existing parks, making it a dead-end option. “What we’ve put in the CIP is what we think we would need for acquisition,” Young said. “That involves bonding a large part of it.” Looking forward, Bertino said he’d like to establish a threshold where the commissioners review every item before it is included on the CIP. “(The sports complex and public safety building are) important projects, I recognize, but the threshold for those to just find (their way) on the CIP, I think more filtering and scrubbing of that by the commissioners (first) would be helpful,” Bertino said. The CIP also includes projects such as broadband infrastructure, county jail improvements, a fire/EMS paging system, Lewis Road sewer extension, repairing and replacing the West Ocean City commercial harbor bulkhead, the Ocean City Inlet Harbor navigation improvement project, the Stephen Decatur Middle School addition and an all-new Snow Hill Elementary School.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
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PHOTO COURTESY KATHY GRIMES
Art League looking to hire in-person, online instructors (Nov. 5, 2021) The Art League of Ocean City, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is seeking instructors in all media to teach art classes, both inperson and online. The Art League offers their teachers fair compensation, flexible scheduling, and support from staff. “If you have an artistic talent that you would like to share with others and enjoy leading students in creativity, we need you,” Katrin Huber, director of education at the Art League, said. “We welcome any and all ideas for new classes that we can offer our more than 1,100 members as well as children in the community.” The Art League invites instructors in all media for both adult and children’s classes to apply. Class topics include painting, sculpture, pottery, glass, drawing, paper art, fiber art, jewelry, wood, mixed media, photography, journaling, “or anything you can dream up that’s artistic, fun, and educational,” Huber continued. Classes can be as brief as 90 minutes, as long as all day, or presented as a workshop over several days. Huber asks anyone interested to contact her at katrin@artleagueofoceancity.org or at 410-524-9433. “I’d love to hear your ideas and share how we can work together to bring art to our community,” she said. The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. Funding for this event is in part provided by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
STORMING THROUGH
Before the cold weather set in this week, Ocean City and much of the Mid-Atlantic coastal area weathered torrential downpours and high winds last week. This storm, captured from Third Street, rolled through town Oct. 25.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
REAL ESTATE REPORT
Landlords have multiple tools to vet renters Tenant screening services provide method to review prior credit, criminal issues By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Landlords have an important decision to make when selecting a tenant to rent their investment property year-round. Property owners have traditionally interviewed prospective tenants in person and asked for references, which relies on going off a “gut-feeling” and talking to people you don’t necessarily know. But, there are online tools that can assist landlords in performing a
rental background check. This additional screening tool allows landlords to see various aspects of a prospective tenant’s past behavior as well as get an idea of their likelihood to make timely payments. These tenant screening services are used by landlords and property managers and are a critical step in protecting your rental property. These online companies help landlords conduct credit checks, review the tenant’s credit, criminal and eviction history, and obtain an estimate of their income. Many landlords even pass this cost onto the prospective
tenants. Three of the top tenant screening sites that landlords can use are: • SmartMove by TransUnion at www.mysmartmove.com; services start at $25 and can be paid by either the landlord or tenant • RentSpree at www.rentspree.com; service prices were not disclosed and are paid for by the tenant and include online rental application, full credit report, credit score, criminal background check and 50-state eviction report • RentPrep at www.rentprep.com; service packages start at $18.99 and range from full credit report with score, social security number verification and address history, nation-
wide eviction report, judgements and liens, bankruptcies and nationwide criminam and sex offender search Other top sites include: Buildium, LeaseRunner, National Tenant Network, MyRental, Experianv Connect, Turbo Tenant and Screening Works. In order to run a credit check on a prospective tenant, the tenant will first have to consent to the release of their credit report. But, the tenant screening services send each applicant an email containing a link to a credit bureau where they can authorize this release. – Lauren Bunting is an Associate Broker with Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty Inc. in Ocean City.
AGH receives another ‘most wired’ accolade (Nov. 5, 2021) Atlantic General Hospital has earned the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ 2021 Digital Health Most Wired recognition as a certified Level 8 institution, receiving awards for both acute care and ambulatory settings. This year’s recognition is the sixth time in recent years that AGH has been named a Most Wired organization – recognized for its successful application of information technology solutions that positively impact the quality and safety of care, as well as improving the overall patient and family experience. CHIME’s Most Wired program conducts annual surveys to assess how effectively health care organizations are applying core and advanced technologies to their clinical and business programs in order to improve care for their patients. “We’re honored to have received Most Wired recognition once again,”
said Jonathan Bauer, AGH’s vice president of information systems. “It takes hard work and dedication from our IT team, medical staff, plus employees from the front lines to the executive suite to implement information technologies initiatives that improve the quality of the care we commit to deliver every day.” A total of 36,674 organizations were represented in the 2021 Most
Wired program. Just over 1.5 percent of these organizations achieved Level 7-10 distinction. Surveys assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies by scoring the degree of advancement in seven separate segments (infrastructure, security, administrative/supply chain, analytics/data management, interoperability/population health, patient
engagement, and clinical quality/safety). Each participating organization received a customized benchmarking report along with certification based on their overall performance – with Level 10 being the highest certification level possible. AGH’s Quality Awards and Level 8 certification reflects continuous improvement in its ratings over time.
Guess, Supreme, Market, and many other rare and hard-to-find apparel and shoes. The store is located in Suite 960, next to Rack Room Shoes. Outlets Ocean City is a 198,800square-foot outdoor shopping destination located on Route 50 in West Ocean City featuring a collection of over 30 retailers including: Adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Coach,
HomeGoods, J.Crew, Michael Kors, Nike Clearance Store, Old Navy Outlet, Skechers and Under Armour. Plus, find many local retailers like BulkMore, Pepper Palace, Mione’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant and O.C. Chopsticks Asian Bistro. For more information, visit outletsoceancity.com or contact General Manager Alane Emerson at 410-2137898.
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Ocean City Today
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Local cancer survivor gives to those battling (Nov. 5, 2021) When local business owner Tonya Agostino was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, her world was rocked. Life soon became a whirlwind of doctors appointments, treatments, and decisions that she was ill-prepared to make. She found comfort in her family, but like her, they were under extreme duress as they supported her through her cancer journey. Agostino sought out organizations that could provide resources to help heal her mind, body and spirit, and allow her and her family to find joyful experiences in challenging times. When she could not find anything, she began researching ways in which she could help herself. While chemotherapy killed her cancer, the products and services she found provided relief, relaxation and peace of mind as she underwent treatment. When she got the news that she was cancer free, Agostino was determined to make sure that other local cancer warriors had access to the same resources that helped her to cope with the mental, physical and spiritual trauma she experienced. She founded Unstoppable Joy Co, a 501c3, to provide natural, positive support to warriors diagnosed with cancer of any kind, and to let them
know that they are not alone. Unstoppable Joy Co (UJC) helps cancer warriors in multiple ways. UJC is currently working with the TidalHealth System to deliver healing bags to cancer warriors across three sites in the community. These reusable totes are full of feel good products like bath detox, arnica gel, relaxing shower melts, and more. Recipients are also given an inspirational book entitled “Laughing Through The Ugly,” and other beneficial items such as nutrition information. In addition to its partnership with TidalHealth, it regularly receives requests to ship healing bags to people outside of the local community, and happily oblige those inquiries. The Berlin/Ocean City community is blessed to have many compassionate and caring service providers who have offered their services to local cancer warriors at free or discounted pricing. Unstoppable Joy Co schedules these self-care appointments for massage, sound healing, wellness counseling, hair, nails, among others, and will pay for up to two services on top of the free services offered by UJC partners. The organization also make these services available to caregivers so that they, too, can have a respite from dealing with cancer. Cancer can be all-consuming. In
addition to being physically draining, it also takes a significant mental and emotional toll. Everyone deserves a break. Unstoppable Joy coordinates customized Zen time activities for cancer warriors and their families, including meals prepared by a personal chef, picnics on the beach, and a day at the spa. While it has been providing these services for several months, Unstoppable Joy’s mission was originally funded by Agostino and her family, and they are now seeking continued contributions so that they can extend their services and help more people in the surrounding community. “I started Unstoppable Joy to help my neighbors. Having experienced firstPHOTO COURTESY TONYA AGOSTINO hand what they are going through, I want to be able to Tonya Agostino found comfort in different ways while fighting assist anyone who is seek- cancer. Now, her nonprofit works to help others in their fight. ing out our services,” she said. “Cancer is something that them up during their darkest hour.” To learn more about Unstoppable touches just about everyone in one way or another. I have faith that this Joy Co or make a donation, visit unor contact caring community can come together stoppablejoyco.org to make sure that we are there for Agostino at 410-422-6322 or those who need us, and to help lift tonya@unstoppablejoyco.org.
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Ocean City Today
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Covid testing in schools reduces outbreaks By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) After covid-forced virtual learning caused a long list of debilitating challenges for students and teachers last year, local school officials are doing what they can to ensure classrooms stay open for the duration of 2021-22. And while some districts across the country flirt with the idea of vaccine mandates, Worcester County Public Schools officials are not going there, and ensure that efforts to test students in outbreak situations are simply imposed to halt potential spread of the highly contagious virus. Lauren Williams, the coordinator of school health services for the Worcester County Board of Education, said the school system does two types of testing when outbreaks are identified. “When we identify a cohort outbreak, we require testing or exclusion because they’re in this higher risk category and we need to identify any additional cases and get that outbreak closed as quickly and safely as possible … this has been a successful strategy in our cohort outbreaks,” she explained. The other type, surveillance testing, helps officials identify how far an outbreak has spread. “We use surveillance testing when we have schoolwide outbreaks and with those we provide testing events at approximately two weeks,” she said.
“Those are optional and we just encourage people to participate in those.” While state grant funds were available to help districts hire personnel to perform the surveillance tests, the school system opted to work with a private company, Lauren Williams MAKO Medical. Williams said the district is still enrolled in the statewide program —it just does not receive state money to operate. “If you chose to participate in surveillance testing, which was optional, there was an option to request funding to hire your own folks or to partner with a company that would hire people to do the testing,” she explained. Williams added that the district has an ample supply of tests, both rapid and standard, which are provided at no cost to the school system. She also assured that local officials will not use the test results to impose a future covid vaccine mandate. She said all vaccine mandates in schools are directives of the health department and come down from the state level. “Any vaccines we require now are required through the Maryland Department of Health,” Williams said. Andrew Owen, the director for media relations for the state health department, said in an email early this
Worcester County residents earn varied Wor-Wic degrees (Nov. 5, 2021) Nearly 40 Worcester County residents completed their program requirements to graduate with a certificate (CT), associate of applied science (AAS), associate of arts in teaching (AAT), associate of science (AS) or associate of arts (AA) degree from Wor-Wic Community College this past summer. They are: Berlin: Jurgita Blake, CT, Nursing; Sierra Nicole Dacre, AA, General Studies; Lesley Downes, AS, Nursing; Marie E. Fontello, AA, General Studies; Kevin W. George, AA, General Studies; Patrick M. Keller Jr., CT, Criminal Justice; Patrick J. Maratea, AS, Nursing; Jessica L. Murray, AAS, Education; Jainita Patel, AS, Nursing; Catherine Anne Serio, AS, Nursing; Sherri L. Smith, AS, Nursing; Alivia Frances Spagnola, CT, Nursing; Austin M. White, AA, General Studies; and Luke C. Zolenski, AA, General Studies. Bishopville: Jamie L. Walsh, CT, Nursing. Newark: Sachin Dhungel, AS, Nursing; and Lauren E. Lewis, CT,
Nursing. Ocean City: Jillian Alascio, CT, Nursing; Rachel N. Dypsky, AA, General Studies; Emma S. HamiltonBlackford, CT, Criminal Justice; Terrance L. Jankouskas, CT, Criminal Justice; Brittany L. McDaniel, AA, General Studies; Benjamin E. Panitch, CT, Criminal Justice; Jenna L. Radford, CT, Nursing; Ilona Randolph, AS, Nursing; Ean W. Spencer, CT, Criminal Justice; Ryan R. Walker, CT, Criminal Justice; and Jessica N. Wieber, CT, Criminal Justice. Pocomoke City: Colby R. Speta, AA, General Studies; Devin Grace Thompson Elutrio, AA, General Studies; LaShae Q. Wise, CT, Nursing; and Makayla Wright, AAS, Education. Snow Hill: Drew Elizabeth Harper, CT, Nursing; Delaney L. Taylor, CT, Nursing; and Bethany Waters, AA, General Studies. Stockton: Kathryn S. Savage, CT, Nursing. Whaleyville: Jane C. Failla, CT, Nursing.
week that there are no plans to require covid vaccines in schools. “While the state encourages all eligible Marylanders to get vaccinated for covid-19 at the earliest opportunity — including the 5- 11-year-olds who [became eligivle this week]— we do not currently have plans to mandate covid-19 vaccines in schools,” he said. Williams also said vaccines are encouraged for those who are eligible but that it is just one of the multiple mitigation methods. “Mitigation strategies have to be in place in higher risk environments and so we have a menu of different options for mitigation strategies and we are fortunate that the department of health has provided tests to us to be able to shut these outbreaks down as quickly as possible and keep our students and staff safe,” she said. “Vacci-
nation is another mitigation strategy, but there are options for folks who choose not to be vaccinated.” According to the Code of Maryland Regulations, public school students are currently required to get shots for several viruses in the absence of approved religious exceptions and proven immunities. They include tetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis B, meningitis pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella, and some others. According to the state code, the Maryland Health Department, in conjunction with the state board of education and the Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunizations, are the bodies that coordinate to “adopt rules and regulations regarding immunizations required of children entering schools.”
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
WCPS mask mandate slated to remain until at least Dec.
PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Everyone at Worcester County Public Schools, like these students at Pocomoke High School, are required to continue wearing masks indoors as members of the state board of education plan to reassess the mandate in December.
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Attention Maryland State Retirees who are disabled or 65 and older. United We Matter is sponsoring the Eastern Shore RX Drug Coverage Meeting on November 18th in Stevensville, Kent Island. • Did you know the Maryland General Assembly eliminated your Prescription Drug Coverage? • Did you know that the injunction in Fitch v. Maryland is the only reason you still have access to this benefit? • Did you know that without your RX drug Coverage the costs of your medication will skyrocket?
By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Students and staff inside Worcester County Public Schools buildings will not be given the same air-breathing privileges as those in most other local indoor settings until at least December following an update from the state board of education last week. “The current mask mandate was passed by the state Board of Education and legislature as an emergency regulation, so the statewide mandate would need to be lifted in order for us to revisit this as a local decision,” said Carrie Sterrs, the coordinator of public relations and special programs for WCPS, in an email late last week. The local public school system’s masking requirement applies to everyone who enters a school building, regardless of vaccination status, as a means of keeping students learning in person. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, quarantine rules are eased if close contact occurs between masked individuals. Local officials initially intended to buck a hard and fast mandate and simply “strongly recommend” masks for the start of the school year. But state board members stepped in at the
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eleventh hour with a 180-day emergency order requiring face coverings for everyone in all districts, which a General Assembly committee voted into law in mid-September. At an Oct. 26 meeting, state board members viewed stacks of covid-related data related to vaccination rates, cases, outbreaks, ventilation, messaging, and more since the start of the school year for all 24 districts. According to the data, cases and outbreaks are on the decline for both students and staff statewide, with some counties faring better than others. The data does not include numbers for hospitalizations, deaths or recovery times, which board member Shawn Bartley pointed out during the meeting. “The information, with regards to those infected with covid, and their ability to survive and recover, is important,” he said of those metrics. State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury said solid numbers are “all over the place” for hospitalizations and deaths, but that informal data shows they are low and that “most kids are fine and come back.” “It does track nationally in terms of how many students ultimately get extremely sick and don’t recover, it’s very low, the hospitalization rates are low,” he said. He added that Maryland Department of Health officials are looking at the data closely and will “put something together.” “But I want to be very clear,” Choudhury continued. “Some of the stuff, there’s standardization, and some of it is not because of the approach of local control, even between the health departments ... But we can look at that.” Bartley followed by asking if the low numbers would be used to reassess the mask mandate, but board President Clarence Crawford instead suggested revisiting the subject at the body’s December meeting, which received no objection from fellow members. “I would suggest that we use some of our time in December to assess where we are and to get input from various stakeholders, both positive and those who had reservations, and do what we did a few months ago, and what this board has consistently done,” Crawford said. “And that is get input, have debate and then take the reasonable course of action that’s consistent with why we started this process; returning children and staff to safe, in person learning and do it in a way that minimizes disruption.” According to data provided from the state, Worcester County has remained steadily in the middle in outSee TWO Page 21
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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Ocean City Today
Local officers honored at law enforcement award function
PHOTO COURTESY OPA
Ocean Pines Clubhouse Bar and Grille bartender Rob Ruszin and manager Judie Scotti leaped into action after discovering a patron was suffering a heart attack on Sunday.
(Nov. 5, 2021) Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Mid Atlantic along with Sponsors State Farm, Rory Unfinished Business, Azrael Franz, Allstate, Walmart, M&T Bank, and the Noah A. Leotta Foundation hosted its Annual Law Enforcement Recognition Awards on Oct. 19 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Hunt Valley, Maryland. This year’s awards ceremony, held statewide, recognized more than 100 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, agencies and community groups for their dedication to impaired driv-
ing enforcement and prosecution. While the event was hosted in-person, it was also live streamed for those unable to attend. “We understand the sacrifices that each of you make to protect our citizens and to keep our roads safe,” said Roderick Howard, Regional Executive Director of MADD Mid Atlantic. Honored from the Ocean City Police Department were Cpl. Chris Snyder, Patrolman First Class Nathan Kutz and Yovanny Ramirez, and Joshua O’Ferrall from the Ocean Pines Police Department.
‘Hero’ bartender saves life of cardiac arrest customer (Nov. 5, 2021) Quick thinking on the part of a local bartender – and a well-placed defibrillator – helped save a life on Sunday at the Ocean Pines Clubhouse Bar and Grille. A male patron, whose name was not released, appeared to have a heart attack on Sunday, when bartender Rob Ruszin and manager Judie Scotti sprang into action. Scotti said she was coming back into the building at around 1 p.m. when she noticed a customer in distress. “He was on the floor, and it sounded like he was having some breathing issues,” she said. “Rob was on the phone with 911. They told him to roll [the man] on his back and then he handed me the phone.” Ruszin, who worked as a lifeguard for several summers and received defibrillator training while in college, tried to administer CPR. Scotti said that man started turning blue, was not breathing and did not have a heartbeat. “I ran and grabbed the AED [Automated External Defibrillator] out of the hallway and ran back, and Rob hooked him up and followed the directions and shocked him,” Scotti said. “At that point, Rob was doing
CPR on him, and he started getting color back.” Ruszin said the whole incident, from the time the man slumped over until the time he used the defibrillator, lasted about two minutes. “It felt like forever though!” he said. “[The defibrillators] really do save lives. It was nerve-wracking, but the fire chief came and thanked us afterward. And throughout it, everyone stayed calm and worked together. Everyone helped out.” Soon after the resuscitation, EMS workers transported the man to TidalHealth, in Salisbury. “I got an update that he was doing well in Salisbury, so I was very happy about that,” Scotti said. “Rob did a great job. He was quick and responsive, as well as myself, but I feel like Rob did most of the work. Together, we made it work.” Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Grunewald said the man was alert and responsive when EMS arrived. And Ruszin, he said, was a genuine hero. “He saved the guy’s life – there’s no doubt in my mind whatsoever. He did a fantastic job,” Grunewald said. “It was absolutely fantastic work in a See HEALTH Page 22
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Continued from Page 20 breaks over the past month. Health guidelines define a classroom or cohort outbreak as at least two confirmed covid cases among students, teachers or staff within a 14day period who are epidemiologically linked but not household contacts. A schoolwide outbreak is three or more classrooms or cohorts with covid cases from separate households
that occur within 14 days; or 5 percent or more unrelated students, teachers or staff who test positive within a 14day period. Data from WCPS’ online dashboard shows that five buldings had schoolwide outbreaks as of Oct. 29, with five being the highest number of new cases reported at any of them. The district’s nine other schools were open with no notifications or restrictions.
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Ocean City restaurateurs to take on New York Marathon By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) As a Bronx-area native, Touch of Italy owner Bob Ciprietti is no stranger to the neighborhoods of the Big Apple. But this weekend, he will see them from a new, and more tiring, perspective as he joins longtime friend and Sunset Grille owner Buddy Trala in the 50th New York Marathon. The pair will be walking to raise $200,000 to help finish the Rebecca and Leighton Moore Child Behavioral Health Center at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, and with help from the community, they’ve pretty much already reached their goal. “Buddy and I are going to be walking in the last group for the New York marathon,” Ciprietti, 60, said of the 26.2-mile course set to begin Sunday in Staten Island, snake through the city’s five boroughs, and finish in Central Park in Manhattan. “We’re going to walk, which is an accomplishment at our age,” he joked. On what was essentially a dare, Ciprietti qualified for the coveted event by writing a check to children’s charity Team for Kids. “It started with a challenge from a gentlemen named Fletcher Kenton in Delaware,” he explained, “He chal-
lenged me that I couldn’t do the qualifier and finish the New York marathon in 24 hours. And he bet me $15,000.” Ciprietti accepted the challenge and recruited Trala, 59, to walk the route with him. The co-chairman of the fundraising board for the behavioral health center, Trala agreed to team up with Ciprietti to complete the marathon and together — along with their friend David “Bulldog” Rothner from Ocean 98.1 — they agreed to raise money to finish the health unit. Rothner said he was not keen on joining the pair for their long walk, but he agreed to host an 18-hour “radiothon” a few weeks ago to help raise money. “We decided to do 18 hours from 6 in the morning until midnight,” he said. “We lined a bunch of great guests up to keep it interesting.” Rothner consulted his extensive rolodex to find as many names as he could to help with the effort, and ended up with a lineup of actors, actresses, comedians, business people, and more. And at the end of it, he was pleased and impressed with the more than $150,000 raised. “I had in my mind it would be really cool if we go to $100,000 but when we started going over $100,000 it was
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021 Sunset Grille owner Buddy Trala, left, and Touch of Italy owner Bob Ciprietti pose in front of the Italian restaurant on 66th Street. The pair will be walking this Sunday in the New York Marathon in the Big Apple to raise the last $200,000 needed to finish the the Rebecca and Leighton Moore Child Behavioral Health Center at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. MALLORY PANUSKA/ OCEAN CITY TODAY
awesome,” he said. “I think when we left the studio that day the total was 153, which was crazy, and we went above and beyond that since then.” Today, the campaign has raised more than $180,000 through Rothner’s efforts and a Go Fund Me. The money collected, along with the $15,000 promised through Ciprietti’s friendly wager, should bring them over the $200,000 goal when they cross the finish line Sunday evening — if they don’t meet it before. And while Ciprietti and Trala look forward to the bragging rights that will come along with completing the marathon, they are more excited about the cause. Ciprietti commended the philanthropic spirit of Rebecca and Leighton Moore, who own Seacrets in Ocean City, and their drive to fill a large local
need. “Rebecca and Leighton, we’re fortunate to have them in this community, and they started a campaign a couple of years ago to build a behavioral health center for beds for juveniles who have some mental health issues,” Ciprietti explained. “As of now there are no beds in this community for juveniles who need a place to go and recover, they ship them to Baltimore. When covid hit all the fundraising stopped. This is just to help them get over the hump.” Trala said that the unit is “really really really needed in the community” and that the last $200,000 will seal up the total $5 million campaign to add 15 in-patient beds and hire doctors to oversee the space. Trala and Ciprietti will also walk for See PAIR Page 23
Health training put to good use Continued from Page 21 stressful situation by the staff at the clubhouse. Without the quick thinking of the bartender, the outcome could have been drastically different. “It also speaks to the importance of these AEDs in public buildings,” he continued. “That AED just paid for itself. It saved that gentleman’s life. But the big hero is the bartender – he stepped in and went beyond his normal job duties, and he saved this person’s life.” Aquatics Director Kathleen Cook maintains defibrillators across all Ocean Pines facilities, and supplies information to staff on how to use them. That includes the Administration Building and Community Center, all five pools, all three restaurants, and the Golf Club, Marina and Racquet Sports Center. Studies have shown that quick use of a defibrillator can drastically increase a person’s chance of survival. A National Institutes of Health report said the survival rate was 74 percent for victims who received their first defibrillation within three minutes, while those who received their first defibrillation after three minutes have a survival rate of just 49 percent. Additionally, an American Heart
Association study showed that cardiac arrest victims who received a shock from a publicly available AED had far greater chance of survival and being discharged from the hospital (66.5 percent) than those who did not (43 percent). Cook said she tests all the units monthly, and last checked the Clubhouse Bar and Grille defibrillator just a week ago. “I’m just thrilled that it was there and that it worked,” she said. “[The defibrillator] would have never shocked him unless he needed it, so the guy was in trouble. So, hats off to Judie and Rob. They handled it flawlessly.” General Manager John Viola said he was proud of the team and gratified that their training and knowledge paid off. “Their quick actions probably saved a life on Sunday. As a resident, that’s extremely comforting,” he said. “We purchased defibrillators last year for all of our facilities, and many of our staff are trained to use them in case of an emergency. Going forward, that will continue to be a priority, and we’ll ensure these devices are working and that our team members know how to use them.”
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Ocean City Today
Leonard nets quick support from community after burns By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Community support has poured in quickly for former Salisbury University lacrosse player Dennis Leonard, who faces a long path to recovery after suffering burns to 96 percent of his body from a gas fire accident last Sunday. Erik Miller, a past lacrosse teammate and good friend, organized an online fundraiser on behalf of Leonard’s wife, Bronwyn. Miller was encouraged after a GoFundMe page established five days ago with a fundraising goal of $10,000 quickly topped that mark and currently sits just over $25,000 from nearly 200 donors. “It’s overwhelming,” he said. “We doubled the $10,000 goal is just over 24 hours.” Leonard was flown to Johns Hopkin
Medical Center’s ICU Burn Center in critical condition after the Oct. 24 accident. Miller said the first dose of positive news came following surgery on Oct. 27 where doctors reported the front of Leonard’s body would not require skin grafting. Doctors have estimated Leonard could be hospitalized for up to eight months. Bronwyn Leonard, and the couple’s children, Rife and Brittyn Lyra, will continue making regular trips form the Eastern Shore to comfort Dennis while recuperating at Bay View Hospital in Baltimore. His wife said the family really appreciates all the support,” he said. Speaking this week, Miler said his old cohort is charting a course to recovery, with continued progress following his most recent surgery this Monday “He came out really well from that,”
PHOTO COURTESY GOFUNDME
Dennis Leonard, pictured with his wife, Bronwyn, and children, Rife and Brittyn Lyra, is charting an extended course to recovery after suffering extensive burns from a gas fire accident last Sunday.
he said. “When he was a player, he was tough as nails.” Anyone wishing to send greetings can mail cards, letters or pictures addressed to Leonard at Bay View Hospital 4940 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, MD.
To donate to the GoFundMe page, visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-dennis-and-the-leonards?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=webmail04.register. com&utm_campaign=comms_7zt3+hel p-dennis-and-the-leonards.
Pair trained months for event Continued from Page 23 New York Road Runners, a nonprofit organization based in New York City that helps and inspires people through running. Trala pledged to Team for Kids for his qualifier as well, and both he and Ciprietti are eligible to receive bibs, which they said are given to only about 3 percent of marathon participants. They will pick up their bibs Saturday, begin walking at noon Sunday at the starting line, and have eight and a half hours to finish to clutch medals. And although neither of them have completed any type of running event before, and only walked long distances a handful of times in preparation for the event, Ciprietti and Trala are determined to finish and collect their medals. “The most I’ve done is 14 (miles), he’s done 22,” Trala said of he and Ciprietti. “If we can maintain our pace, I think we can do it in seven and a half (hours), somewhere around there.”
Ciprietti began training in April, and gradually worked up to the 22 miles he walked last week. He said he even lost 57 pounds in the process. Trala, who underwent knee replacement surgery three years ago, gave up smoking cigars, which was a major vice. Before he started training in May, he said he would light up three times a day, and joked that he would have a cigar ready Sunday at the finish line. The terrain of New York, which includes some steep hills, also provides an unfamiliar challenge for the pair. “The Indian River Bridge is my biggest hill,” Ciprietti said of the landscape he encounters while training locally. Both Ciprietti and Trala are ready, though, and have planned out the pace of their route to ensure that they will make it to the end in the allotted time. Trala said he has heard from people who have completed the marathon See SPECTATORS Page 24
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SH Area Chamber hosting first-ever Seafood Fest, Fri. (Nov. 5, 2021) Every year, for the past 10 years, the Snow Hill Area Chamber of Commerce has hosted its annual Oyster Roast in late winter/early spring. The event features all-you-can-eat oyster-themed delicacies from an array of local chefs and restaurant. This format, coupled with bottomless beer and live entertainment, has made the Snow Hill Oyster Roast one of the most anticipated events in the area, with tickets regularly selling out. In response to the extremely high demand of this event, the chamber will be hosting a new event in November that mirrors the successful format of the Oyster Roast. On Nov. 6, from 1-5 p.m., the Snow Hill Area Chamber of Commerce will host the town’s first Seafood Festival. Much like the annual Oyster Roast, seafood-themed dishes will be available from vendors throughout the downtown area. Menu items include a raw oyster bar, steamed shrimp, a fish fry, crab soup, and many other seafood delicacies. Tickets are priced at $50 and are available on the Chamber’s website, www.snowhillchamber.com/seafoodfestival. “Ever since I first took this position, I have heard non-stop talk about how amazing the annual Oyster Roast is,” Snow Hill Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joe Laque said. “With how quickly tickets to the Oyster Roast have sold out in previous years, it only made sense to host a similar event in the fall to allow more people the opportunity of experience such a beloved event.” Proceeds from the Seafood Festival will help increase the chamber’s operating budget, thus allowing the organization to expand benefits offered to members.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
OP Holiday Craft Fair set for Nov. 6 (Nov. 5, 2021) The Pine’eer Craft Club will hold its 10th annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Community Center. The event is free and open to the public. “We are excited to host the event this year after having to cancel in 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nancy Burkett, the event chairperson, said. Local crafters and many Craft Club members will be there to display and sell their wares. “We have a wide variety of items, many with a holiday theme, including jewelry, pottery, paintings, soap and bath
products, pet products, American doll clothes, candles, stained glass, pillows, and cross-stitched items,” Burkett said. “All items are handcrafted and make wonderful gifts for the holidays. “We’ll also have some unusual, one-ofa-kind things,” she continued. “We’ll have fabric decorated plates, quilted items, gourd houses, wood-carved ducks and birds, and so much more.” The event will also feature local artists such as Jim Adcock, who is well known for painting landscape scenes of Ocean Pines, Berlin, Ocean City and other surrounding areas. Burkett recommended that shoppers come early, as many items sell out
quickly. “This is a popular event, so the earlier the better,” she said. “We’ll also have a bake sale of all homemade goodies. The bake sale is usually sold out by noon!” Additionally, breakfast and lunch items will be available for sale by the Kiwanis Club. The Pine’eer Craft Club will donate proceeds from the Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft Fair back to the Ocean Pines community. Active since 1974, the Craft Club has donated more than $170,000 to groups like Ocean Pines’ Recreation and Parks, Police and Fire departments, and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines.
Boardwalkin’ for Pets this Saturday (Nov. 5, 2021) Support the Worcester County Humane Society and the 21st annual Boardwalkin’ for Pets walk-a-thon on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. noon. Participants are encouraged to bring their four-legged friend or adopt a shelter dog for the day. Meet at the Ocean City inlet on the boards and register to be eligible for prizes. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Contests being at 10:45 a.m. Walk the entire length of the boardwalk or to 12th street. Refreshments will be provided at 12th and 27th streets, provided by Pepperidge Farm Distributors, and Layton’s of 16th Street.
Red carpet photos included. Beach photos done by Images by Sara will be emailed. A $25 donation will get participants a dog walk bandana. Raise $50 and receive a T-shirt. A $100 donation earns walkers a tumbler. Prizes awarded to the highest pledge earners, top individual and team. Grand prize gift basket filled with gifts donated by local businesses. Register in advance at https://worcestercountyhumanesociety.networkforgood.com/projects/137007-2021-board walkin-for-pets. In addition, the humane society is of-
fering its 11th annual cash raffle. All proceeds will benefit the animals at the Berlin no-kill shelter. Drawing will be held Nov. 13. Chances cost $5 each or get five for $20. Need not be present to win. First prize is $2,500, second is $1,000, and third through fifth wins $500 each. Call the shelter at 410-213-0146 for more information. Get tickets at https://worcestercountyhumanesociety.networkforgood.com/e vents/34600-11th-annual-wchs-cashraffle-2021?fbclid=IwAR26QIew0l-LriwlRYvGILiw1ffA_l_H1bChEnNCfEB7f_o EwfPJaPMpmM
Spectators can track paces in app Continued from Page 23 that the first leg of the event tends to be easier. “They say the first part, when you get over the Verrazano Bridge, that’s kind of a real rush with the start of it because of the environment and all the people,” he said. “…They say when you’re at the top, looking down on everything, it’s a cool thing.” The second part may prove to be a
little more challenging, but he and Ciprietti are armed with podcasts to get through if needed. “Music doesn’t do it, my mind is constantly going,” Trala said. “Talk radio gets me through it.” And when the two finish, Ciprietti joked that it will likely be the last time they participate in the New York Marathon — until the 100th year. “I’ll be 110,” Ciprietti laughed.
To donate to Ciprietti and Trala’s marathon campaign for the behavioral health unit, visit buddyandbobsrace.com. Members of the public can also track their progress through their assigned numbers online on the New York Marathon app, downloadable at nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/raceday/mobile-app. Ciprietti’s number is 26,201 and Trala’s is 26,273.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
Prom season kicks off for Believe In Tomorrow funding By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) It’s not easy keeping the lights on at Believe in Tomorrow House by the Sea without regular funding, let alone building upon its foundation. But with hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations expected to be raised by participants in the children’s respite home’s eighth annual Prom Court, those lights will continue burning bright and renovations could follow. “Whatever we raise is how we survive here,” said Wayne Littleton, coordinator for the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation Beach Respite Housing Program. “We have no government funding or anything like that. Half my job is taking care of the families here and the other is not closing our doors. it takes a lot of money to heat places in the winter.” Prom Night, which is held in February, is the most lucrative of the 66th Street respite home’s regular fundraisers and the lead-up officially began with a Prom Season Kickoff Party at Seacrets on Oct. 28. Littleton described the night as an opportunity to meet everybody. “We want them all to be successful. It’s a good relaxing evening for them to meet each other. It’s kind of neat how the friendships form,” Littleton said. “I’m always amazed when someone takes this on because it’s like a part-time job. They do it because they love the children and want to do stuff for the children’s house.” This year, Littleton said his goal is to raise $200,000. “I’m a little greedy,” he said. “It might be unrealistic during these
BELIEVE IN TOMORROW PROM COURT Courtney Blackford, Berlin, Marriott Residence Inn Gavin Brink, Ocean City, student Jeremy Brink, Ocean City, Ocean 13 restaurant Melissa Collimore, Ocean City, Sunset Grille Bryan Dephillip, Ocean City, One Source Associates Brandon Paul, Salisbury, Ocean City 98.1 FM Jean Taylor, Ocean City, The Greene Turtle Erica Weimer, Baltimore, Pete’s Cycle times (because of covid-19) but that’s my goal.” Littleton said the idea for Prom Night originally came from brainstorming ways to offset costs from replacing the respite home’s heating system and there weren’t any imminent fundraising events to help. He also didn’t want to interfere with the organization’s annual spring black-tie gala. “I was wondering if people wanted to relive their prom and boy did I find out that they sure did,” he said. “We were hoping to make $10,000 the first year and made $35,000. It took on a life of its own.” The event started at the old Hooters in West Ocean City before moving to Seacrets in recent years. With a more open setting, more fun with themes for Prom Night has been possible. In 2019, the theme was “Night at the Oscars” and $185,000 was raised. The pandemic prevented a Prom Night from occurring last year. “What I find most amazing is the creativity every year. A lot of them pass it on from year to year,” Littleton said. “It’s great with the themes. People get into it. We go overboard on our events — we want it to be perfect. That’s our goal.”
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Saturday, November 6 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Ocean Pines Community Center 239 Ocean Parkway in Ocean Pines
Pine’eer Craft Club • Bake Sale Breakfast & Lunch Items for Sale by Kiwanis Free Admission and Free Parking Sponsored by the Ocean Pines
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This year’s prom court features, from left, Brandon Paul, Courtney Blackford, Jean Taylor, Jeremy Brink, Gavin Brink, Bryan Dephillip and Melissa Collimore. Erica Weimer, not pictured, is also a member of the prom court. The court will spend the next three months raising money for the Believe In Tomorrow House by the Sea children’s respite complex on 66th Street.
Prom court members have come up with all sorts of ways to raise money. In addition to a giving site on Believe In Tomorrow’s website, over the years participants have hosted mini-golfing, a “womanless” pageant, a martini party with a tattoo raffle called “Tats and Tinis” and a billiard “pool” party, Littleton said. No matter the idea, each fundraising event comes down to strengthening a pillar of the Ocean City community.
“It takes a lot of money to run these facilities,” Littleton said. “That’s what the money goes to all the time. People down here love seeing where their money goes. It’s not just writing a check to an organization. They see it stays here at the children’s house.” Children’s House by the Sea allows children (and their families) suffering from serious illnesses a break from the arduous daily battles they face. For more information, visit https://www.believeintomorrow.org.
OC, Ocean Pines Veterans Day celebrations Nov. 11 By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Day and evening celebrations are planned next Thursday to commemorate Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines and American Legion Post 166 in Ocean City. The patriotic celebrations will begin in Ocean Pines at 11 a.m. at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial. After plans last year got shifted during because of the covid-19 pandemic, the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation this year returns to its traditional in-person
ceremony that typically attracts large crowds. The Worcester County Veterans Memorial is located off Route 589 between Cathell and Manklin Creek roads in Ocean Pines. Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said organizers are ecstatic to return to the customary program after being restricted last year. “Veterans Day observances gives us the opportunity to say, ‘thank you for your service.’” she said. Gilmore said the community should remember both the sacrifices made by military members, as well as See AMERICAN Page 27
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HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Find new ways to bring more love into your life, Aries. This can be romantic love or the love of friends and family. What you put out you get in return.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, if you explore art in any form, this is the time to get more serious about it. It could be your opportunity to turn it into a career or at least a side venture.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 The person you may be trying to reach may not be getting your messages, Gemini. Don’t be too quick to give up on him or her. Try a different approach to get through.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 The way you reacted to a situation came out differently than you had hoped, Cancer. You may have some people feeling put off as a result. Find ways to make amends.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, look for pleasures in all the simple things you experience over the next several days. It’s all about having a positive attitude and finding happiness in what counts.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Step up and take charge of a situation, Virgo. If you wait around for someone else to plan out your future, you’ll be waiting for some time. Be proactive in your pursuits.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, this is a good opportunity to spend more quality time with people. Foster new friendships in the days to come. Certain ones may have the potential to last a lifetime.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Don’t feel like you need to make excuses for how you feel, Scorpio. If your gut tells you to go in a specific direction, then trust your instincts. Usually you’re right on target.
American Legion honors veterans Continued from Page 21 the countless hours family members stress about their safe return home. “We invite you to join with us as we honor and recognize the sacrifices of all who have served to protect our freedoms,” she said. This year’s Ocean Pines program features Vice-Commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Col. Craig M. Harmon as guest speaker. Musical accompaniment honoring each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces will be provided by the Delmarva Chorus. Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs, as only limited seating will be available. In the event of wet weather, the event will be relocated inside the Ocean Pines Community Center. For more information on the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation, visit www.opvets.org. Later that evening, the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166 will hold its 75th annual Veterans Day ceremony from 5-7 p.m. at its 24th Street location. Second Vice-Commander Bob Paul said the annual affair will include a few surprises this year. “We have several members receiving continuous service awards,” he said. Paul said American Legion national representatives would be present to distribute the honors to four members with at least a half century in the organization. Leading the pack is Dennis Shoemaker with 60 years, followed by a trio of 50-year members: William Baker, Sam Villani and Samuel LudCrossword answers from page 30
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Keeping everything in perspective may mean you have to be more conservative in your choices right now, Sagittarius. There will be opportunities to let loose later.
lam. To set the tone for the observance marking the armistice that closed out WW1 in 1918, guest speakers will include veterans from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan . Following the flood of memories from surviving veterans, the American Legion Unit 166 Junior Auxiliary
will perform a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of P.O.W. or M.I.A. service members. Junior Auxiliary members Emery Busko and Kendahl Parsons will handle wreath duties. The ceremony will close with the taps played on a bugle. For more information, call Bob Paul at 443-523-4113.
FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY
OC Scout Troop 261 members Emery, left, and Ben Busko perform the “Placement of the Wreaths” during the Veterans Day program at the American Legion on 24th Street in 2020.
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AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you are feeling extra generous this week, but you do not need to treat everyone you meet. If you want to lavish attention on a special person, go for it.
PAGE 27
Ocean City Today
FILL
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 It can be frustrating when your emotions seem to be all over the place, Pisces. You just have to hold on a bit longer and remain patient.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Serve braised beef short ribs over mashed potatoes By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Does an expensive cut of meat automatically mean it has more flavor? Do high prices ensure tender bites? And should “prime” be your only consideration? I think most of us would agree that there is nothing more pleasurable than biting into a thick, succulent juicy piece of meat that is cooked to perfection. But no matter how you cut it, one will pay dearly for the bite of deliciousness. However, if one understands the process of braising, you can achieve a luscious, mouthwatering dish at an affordable price. Usually, braising recipes begin by browning the meat in olive oil. Contrary to popular belief, browning or searing the surface does not seal in the meat’s juices. It does, on the other hand, produce new and complex flavor compounds as the sugars and proteins in the meat react under high temperatures and the surface color deepens. Liquid, such as wine, beer, stock, or
broth, is also essential for braising because the less tender meats have greater amounts of collagen than tender ones. Collagen, a connective tissue, helps hold the muscle fibers together. When cooked at low temperatures with moisture, collagen dissolves into gelatin, which allows the meat fibers to separate more easily. The end result is unbelievable tenderness. Braised beef short ribs in a decadent wine sauce over mashed potatoes are a fabulous dish for the fall. Following is a step-by-step guide for further comprehension. One might be thinking if the meat is going to be cooked for a long time, why bother searing it? As stated above, the natural caramelization creates a ton of flavor. The little browned bits of goodness are considered the caviar of taste. After searing, the meat is removed and set aside. Garlic, onions, celery, carrots and sun-dried tomatoes are sauteed until softened. You want to get a jump on extracting as much flavor as possible. Many chefs choose red wine as the foundation for this dish. Red wine adds depth of flavor but it also has a very pronounced essence to it. Adding equals amounts of dry white wine will soften the
tannins in the red wine and yields a better tasting sauce. Beef bouillon or beef stock is a classic ingredient for braised beef short ribs. But the addition of chicken stock yields a richness that one cannot get with just beef broth. In addition, a couple of tablespoons of concentrated veal demi-glace takes this dish to another level. Veal demi-glace is pricy and this step is optional. If one wants to purchase it, Williams Sonoma carries an excellent veal demi-glace. Dried herbs are highly suggested. Fresh herbs are added at the end of the cooking period for a “pop” of flavor. But for longer cooking times, you want to use dried herbs. Rosemary, thyme and bay leaves are the preferred herbs. When one is using bay leaves, always
count how many you are using. You will want to remove them before serving the dish; this way you know exactly how many to remove. There is nothing worse than biting down on a dried bay leaf. Place all of the ingredients into a Dutch oven and cook at 350 degrees for three hours. When the meat is falling off the bones, literally, remove the pot from the oven. Most recipes call for one to remove the cooked veggies. I take a different approach. I remove the meat and any bones that have fallen off during the cooking phase, and using a hand-held immersion blender, puree the vegetables into the broth. This acts as a natural thickener and it See NEW Page 29
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
PAGE 29
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
New, complex flavor compounds from braising Continued from Page 28 gives the sauce a boost of flavor. A slurry of the pureed sauce and cornstarch is the final thickening agent. Make sure all lumps are dissolved. Braised beef short ribs and a luscious wine sauce served over mashed potatoes are absolutely delicious. Menus should be updated during the change of seasons and braised beef short ribs are a must. Enjoy!
Braised Beef Short Ribs Ingredients 6 pounds beef short ribs 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive 8 large cloves garlic, minced 2 yellow onions, chopped
3 carrots, ends removed, peeled, and chopped 2 celery stalks, including leaves, chopped 4 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 2 cups dry red wine 2 cups dry white wine 6 cups beef bouillon 4 cups chicken bouillon 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons concentrated veal demiglace (optional) 2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary 2 teaspoons dried thyme 3 bay leaves kosher salt and black pepper to taste 3 teaspoons cornstarch favorite mashed potatoes 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Season ribs with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Brown the ribs until a good sear is achieved. Overcrowding will hinder the searing stage. Remove the ribs and set aside. 3. Add the garlic, onions, carrots, celery and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot and sauté until vegetables are soft. Scrape the bottom to release any browned bits. 4. Return the short ribs to the pot. Pour the wines, bouillons and Worcestershire sauce into the pot. Add the demiglace, dried herbs, salt and pepper and stir well. Bring to a boil, cover and transfer pot to the oven. 5. Cook until the ribs are very tender, about 3 hours. Remove the meat and cover with tin foil. Skim any fat from the
surface of the broth. 6. Using a hand-held immersion blender, puree the cooked vegetables with the broth. 7. Make a slurry using the cornstarch and the broth, 3 teaspoons corn starch and 3 teaspoons broth. Turn heat to medium-high on the stovetop. Place the Dutch oven on the stovetop and gradually add the slurry, stirring constantly. 8. Place mashed potatoes on the plate. Add braised beef ribs and spoon thickened sauce over ribs and mashed potatoes. Secret Ingredient -Experiment. “The true method of knowledge is experiment.” – William Blake
ing burgers, tacos, prime rib, seafood and more. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Dine-in and curbside pick-up. ■ MARLIN MOON Located in the Double Tree Hotel, 3301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City 410-289-1201, www.marlinmoonocmd.com $$ Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Restaurant and bar with fresh seafood, small plates, desserts and cocktails. ■ RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT 61st Street Bayside/2nd Floor @ Bayview Bar & Grill, Ocean City 443- 664-7043 $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Bayfront dining with a casual atmosphere. Specializing in burgers, flat breads, crab cakes, shrimp burgers and full dinner specials. Happy Hour daily, 4-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4-11 p.m. (kitchen until 10 p.m.) and NFL specials all day Sunday. ■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. with Island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.
443-664-7275, www.ochoricosjerkandtings.com $$ | Full bar Serving you authentic Jamaican food, appetizers, lunch specials, stew, salads, burger, jerk shrimp or chicken, and entrees. Steak, oxtail, seafood, and chicken with many special sauces. Signature jerk excoveitched or BBQ. Side dishes with rice and peas, fried sweet plantains, fried cornmeal dough and mac & cheese. Desserts, Jamaican rum cake, NY cheesecake and red velvet cake. Closed Monday thru Wednesday. Thursday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. ■ THAI O-CHA 13727 Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410250-9918, www.thaiochamd.com $$ | Serving authentic Thai food, full vegan menu and vegetarian options including curry, rice and noodle dishes. Homemade appetizers, soups, and sauces. Seafood, meat, chicken, stir fries, vegetable, tofu, and desserts. Dine in or takeout. Early Bird Special Sunday, Monday and Thursday, 4-6 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Open noon to 8 p.m.
Dining Guide ■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$ ■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted —————————————
DOWNTOWN
South end to 28th Street ■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, inside The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410289-7192, www. captainstableoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring seafood, steaks and poultry. Daily chef specials. Breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Friday, 8-11 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m. to noon. Dinner and Lite fare Wednesday through Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Dine in or carry out available. ■ COASTAL SALT 16th Street and the Boardwalk, Ocean City 410-973-7258, www.coastalsaltoc.com $$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy and dine with the beautiful view of the ocean with Reel Eats & High Spirits. Now open Thursday through Sunday. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., lunch at noon and dinner at 4 p.m. Happy Hour, 2-5 p.m. Wonderful starters, soups, salads, lite fare, and entrees. Famous bone-in ribeye, burgers, crab cakes, tacos, thyme roasted chicken and so much more. Dine in or carry out. ■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT 28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Casual dining atmosphere for families. Soups, salads, crab cakes, hand cut steaks, fresh seafood, scallops, fresh soft crabs, and specialty dishes. Happy hour daily, 3-6 p.m. with food and drink specials. Early bird daily, 4-6 p.m. with special dinner menu. Open Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday at noon; Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Dine in or carry out. ■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR Oceanfront and 17th St. in Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, www.coralreefrestaurant.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy our hearty homestyle breakfasts starting at 6:30 a.m. daily. Lunch and dinner offering light fare of soups and salads along with our house specialty Scallops St. Croix, along with ribs, Cuban pork and steak selections. ■ THE DOUGH ROLLER S. Division Street and Boardwalk 410-2893501; 3rd Street and Boardwalk 410-2892599, www.TheDoughRoller.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar An Ocean City family tradition since 1980. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. But-
termilk pancakes, fresh handmade dough pizza and Italian dinners. We have something for everyone! ■ THE VICTORIA ROOM Located in the Dunes Manor Hotel, 2800 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City 410-289-1100 $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Oceanfront dining with coastal inspired dishes along with regional favorites, craft cocktails, small-plates and a relaxed ambiance. Serving breakfast and dinner with spectacular ocean views. The house specialty – Maryland Crab Cakes are some of the best in Ocean City. Open 7 days a week. Dine in, take out, no deliveries. ■ THE VIEW RESTAURANT AND BAR AT CAMBRIA, OC Located in the Cambria Hotel, 13 St. Louis Avenue, Ocean City 410-280-1645 or 410520-4541 Open to the public with a new full menu, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Happy Hour each day from 3-9 p.m. Open 7 a.m. daily until midnight Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 p.m. all other days. Enjoy overlooking the bay with fresh baked pastries on premise. Wounder appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and flatbreads.
MIDTOWN 29th to 90th streets ■ 32 PALM Located in The Hilton,32nd Street, Ocean City 410-289-2525, www.32palm.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bar and lounge. Western Caribbean cuisine with a mix of traditional Eastern Shore favorites. ■ THE DOUGH ROLLER 41st Street and Coastal Highway 410-5249254; 70th Street and Coastal Highway 410524-7981, www.TheDoughRoller.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Online ordering See downtown locations for description. ■ JOHNNY’S PIZZA PUB 56th Street, Ocean City 410-723-5600, www.johnnyspizzapub.com $ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring homemade pizzas, 18 gourmet pizzas, a variety of calzones, subs, burgers, sandwiches and jumbo wings with 20 different sauces. Open everyday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Dine in, pickup, carryout and delivery. ■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ 6701 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City 443-6645639, www.longboardcafe.net $$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Classic and creative American dishes and cocktails are showcased in a festive, surfthemed setting with weekly specials. Featur-
UPTOWN
91st to 146th streets ■ HORIZONS OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT, BREAKERS PUB & LENNY’S BEACH BAR & GRILL Inside the Clarion, 101st Street, Ocean City 410-524-3535, www.clarionoc.com $-$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Serving beach-inspired dishes in our oceanfront restaurants, Horizons and Breakers Pub. All-day menu, available 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner including light fare and steamer specials. ■ THE CURRENT RESTAURANT Located on the sun terrace at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort, 9100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 21842 443-856-2367, www.princessroyale.com $-$$ | Dine in | Full bar Open to the public, open-ocean air dining, providing an experience unique to any other in Ocean City. Commanding view of the Atlantic Ocean and East Lawn. Enjoy a range of coastal cuisine, signature cocktails, local craft beers and live entertainment. Locals receive 25 percent off food and drink. Must show valid ID. Closing for the winter this Sunday. ■ OCHO RIOS JERK & TINGS 11805 Coastal Highway, Unit N, Ocean City
WEST OCEAN CITY ■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistro 12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-8011111, www.occhopsticks.com $$ | Beer | Premium Sake Offering a wide array of authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai food. Dine-in and carryout. Lunch specials. Dinner and lite fare. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
OCEAN PINES ■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, oceanpinesgolf.org/dining $$ | Full bar With sweeping views of the 18th hole, the new Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items. Full bar. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. ■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410641-7222, www.OPyachtclub.com $$-$$$ | Full bar The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m.
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
SURF REPORT
Hoping for good surfing conditions this fall By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) As the beautiful fall season goes on, the water and air will continue to cool down. Hopefully, the surf will cooperate and provide the conditions that fall usually promises. Inevitably more wetsuit gear will become a necessity as opposed to a luxury. Days become shorter and opportunity to get in the water will arguably become less. What might this suggest about the iconic item that always captures our attention; the surfboard? The idea of a “winter” surfboard is not a new one, but at this time of the year it’s something that any serious surfer would want to consider. Another way to think of this idea is that of a “step-up” surfboard. It seems that the “step-up” is a more recent or more modern terminology. Whatever term is used the notion is one of a more substantial board. One that can be paddled with more ease, less struggle, one that will be more of a wave catcher, one that will
project farther out of turns and generally be more comfortable in heavier winter conditions. Wetsuit gear, no matter how flexible, can bog a surfer down and put more weight on one’s body. Psychologically, if nothing else, it’s a factor in one’s surfing. Combine this with heavier winter waves, shorter days, less opportunity to surf, less water time and the thought of a more substantial winter, a step-up surfboard has a lot of appeal. The trend as of late is a board in the sub six foot range for a lot of surfers. This would hold true for a surfer at the top of his or her game and probably in a younger age and weight range. Get a little older, acquire more responsibility, put on a few pounds and come to find out that the smaller board isn’t as rewarding as it used to be. When all of the above is considered an adjustment makes a lot of sense. Now maybe you, the reader, have already come to this conclusion and all I’m doing is preaching to the choir. But for those that have yet to come to this point in their surfing careers, it’s
something to consider. Surfing is a lot of things to a lot of people. It’s great exercise, a clearing of the mind, a physical and psychological release, but it also should be fun, and procuring the best equipment will go far in making it that way. So there you have it. A little insight in making a good thing even better in our seaside scenario. Just because your favorite top level professional surfer rides such and such a board doesn’t mean that you
will be able to as well. Sure, you can use that information as a guideline but it probably shouldn’t be the only criteria that you go on. Not everyone can hit a 100-mile-an-hour fast ball. Let’s close with this one thought in mind. No matter what kind of equipment is used, long, short, or in between, or when one uses it; surfing is what it is to you. – Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City
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PAGE 31
Ocean City Today
First Friday art openings at three locations (Nov. 5, 2021) First Friday art openings by the Art League of Ocean City take place in three locations on Nov. 5 from 5-7 p.m. The main opening is at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 94th Street bayside, with satellite openings at the Princess Royale Oceanfront and Coffee Beanery. The Thaler Gallery at the Arts Center features a signature members’ exhibit by the Delaware Watercolor Society, a group of more than 100 artists from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Signature level denotes the highest
level of artistic achievement within the society, designating those artists who consistently demonstrate a high degree of creativity, knowledge, and skill in watercolor. The artwork of Gwen Lehman of Ocean Pines is on exhibit in Studio E in November at the Arts Center. Lehman is best known locally as an inspirational teacher for 46 years at Stephen Decatur High School, where she won a variety of local and national awards. Originally from Washington County, Maryland, Lehman earned a Master’s
‘Trees for the Arts’ will be on display during Winterfest (Nov. 5, 2021) The Art League of Ocean City invites individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to decorate “Trees for the Arts” that will be displayed along the walking trail during the Winterfest of Lights. The annual event takes place at Northside Park in Ocean City from Nov. 18 to Jan. 1. Trees for the Arts is co-sponsored by the Ocean City Special Events Department. Decorators will embellish their trees Nov. 12-17 with outdoor-safe decorations and lights. During Winterfest, the public will vote for their favorite trees at $1 per vote, with proceeds benefiting the Art League. The tree receiving the most votes will win a special prize. “This is such a fun way for people to gather safely outdoors and create something festive together for the holidays,” Aubrey Sizemore, volunteer coordinator for the Art League, said. “The Trees for the Arts will give joy and send your message to visitors for six weeks
during the wonderful Winterfest of Lights. Plus, proceeds from the votes will help fund the many community outreach programs of the Art League.” There is no upfront cost to apply to create a tree. The trees are provided; space is limited. Those interested in creating one of the Trees for the Arts should contact Sizemore at aubrey@artleagueofoceancity.org or by calling 410-524-9433. Additional information and tickets for Winterfest of Lights are available at OceanCityMD.gov. The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. Funding for this event is in part provided by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
ES Big Brothers Big Sisters begins Brovember campaign (Nov. 5, 2021) Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore, Inc. (BBBSES) announces its Brovember campaign. The goal of this campaign is to recruit new male mentors, gain awareness of the need for mentoring and the availability of program services to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, celebrate Big Brothers, and reduce the number of boys waiting for a male mentor. Throughout the month of November, BBBSES will post regularly on its social media accounts to highlight different male matches. BBBSES social media handles are www.facebook.com/bbbses; TikTok @ESBigs; Instagram @ESBigs; Twitter @ESBigs.
To learn more about becoming a mentor, or businesses looking to support mentoring matches by making a donation, visit www.shorebiglittle.org or call 410-543-2447. BBBSES is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. BBBSES is a nonprofit providing free mentoring services to children ages 6 – 16 in all nine counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. BBBSES depends on community involvement to enhance match experiences. Expanding social media platforms creates new channels to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Degree in English from Washington College in Chestertown. Untrained formally as a visual artist, she has begun to explore the visual arts through painting, drawing and photography. Bobby Malzone and Reeves Dark, both of Worcester County, share the Spotlight Gallery at the Arts Center in November. Malzone will exhibit photographs of the intricate mandalas he makes in the sand “to not only tolerate impermanence but celebrate it,” he said. Dark is a represen- Gwen Lehman tational artist who works mostly in oils, gaining inspiration from experiences he has while surfing in Ocean City. He holds a BFA in graphic design from Salisbury University. Svetlana McCoy-Rusanova of Linden, New Jersey, is the Art Center’s artisan for November. In creating jewelry, she draws inspiration from the beauty and energy of natural stones and other natural materials as well as from her experience as a gardener and flower arranger. The First Friday receptions continue at two points in north Ocean City. The main lobby gallery at the Princess Royale Oceanfront, 9100
Coastal Hwy. continues an exhibit of art by Jim Adcock of Bishopville. Originally from Baltimore, Adcock graduated from the Maryland Institute of Art and has taught art in Baltimore County schools and at Michaels stores locally. A second satellite gallery on 94th Street, located a block from the Arts Center at the Coffee Beanery, opens a show of new artwork by Kathy Huegel of South Bethany Beach, Delaware. Huegel worked in the commercial art field in Washington, D.C., then returned to the Eastern Shore working as an art teacher in Wicomico County. The artist works mainly with oils, sometimes adding fabric to her creations. Refreshments at the Arts Center are sponsored by PKS Investments. All shows will be on display until Nov. 27. More information is available at www.ArtLeagueofOceanCity.org or by calling 410-524-9433. The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. Funding for this event is in part provided by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS
MEMBERSHIP PEER LEARNING Students in Danielle Marshall’s first grade class celebrated the end of their first week back to school with a fun activity that helped them get to know each other. Each student brought in a bag of items that represented things that are important to them. They took turns speaking in front of and listening to their peers.
On July 1, The Ocean City Lioness Club transitioned to the Ocean City Lioness Lions Club through Lions Club International’s Bridge Program. District 22B Gov. Dr. Wayne Benjamin presented President Bev Topfer with the Certificate of Charter Membership during a recent meeting.
MAKING ICE CREAM
FAREWELL
Second grade students at Worcester Preparatory School recently conducted a science experiment, creating their own ice cream in a bag and exploring the best way to chill the ingredients to have them become a creamy treat. Pictured, from left, are Carter Harrison, Grant Messner, Nora Rafinski and Grace Tunnell.
Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club President Bill Hickey, left, shaking hands with longtime Optimist, Lew Frey, center, who is moving away. They are pictured with Incoming President Charlie Smith. Frey served as president of the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club and was on the board of directors for many years.
CRAFTER OF THE MONTH
COMMUNITY PROJECT Art therapist Marilyn Spinadel poses in front of the Wall of Compassion in the Spotlight Gallery at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th Street. It is a community art project to create healing mandalas.
Tina Celia has been named the Pine’eer Craft Club of Ocean Pines’ November Crafter of the Month. Celia has created unique and handmade crafts all her life, from sewing clothes, to making Christmas decorations, candles, beaded jewelry, decoupage bottles, and her latest and fondest creations: dried and framed flowers. A native of Washington, D.C., Celia has lived in Maryland for most of her life. She retired and moved to Berlin just over a year ago to be close to her daughter, son-in-law, and their dog, Dexter. At her prior residence, Celia had a bountiful garden, filled with many diverse types of plants and flowers. The idea of drying and framing flowers came about and she decided to make use of all that she had. It took several months to pick and dry them and, when she moved, she brought them with her. View Celia’s projects and other handmade items at the Artisan Gift Shop in White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway in Ocean Pines. The shop is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS
COMPOSTING Josh Chamberlain, founder and executive director of Go Green OC, recently spoke to the Ocean City Lions about composting food waste in Ocean City. The Hobbit piloted this effort and is now joined by Mother’s Cantina, Bonfire, Dough Roller, and Annabelle’s BBQ & Creamery. All will collect food waste for composting instead of adding to their trash. Presenting a donation, from left, are OC Lion Mike Hooper, Chamberlain, OC Lion President Scott Stark, and Second Vice President Bill Christmas.
GUEST SPEAKER Jared Parks, a lands program manager with the Lower Shore Land Trust, recently gave a presentation on “Invasive Species in Our Gardens” to the Worcester County Garden Club. Members were also briefed on efforts of the Lower Eastern Shore - Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (LES-PRISM). He is pictured with Club President Deb Young.
SCIENCE Pre-K students at Worcester Preparatory School conducted a science experiment to find out if a coconut sinks or floats. The students learned coconuts are mostly hollow inside, and that the buoyancy allows the coconut to float. Parker Moreland drops the coconut in the water to see if it sinks or floats.
GOALS Ocean City Elementary School students from Cindy Leitgeb's class started off their year choosing a goal they'd like to achieve in second grade. Pictured, from left, are Isabelle Larkin, Alexandra Torres Reyes and Brendan Thompson.
PHOTO COURTESY TOMMY VACH
DONATION The Ocean City Surf Club recently donated food and beverages to the Ocean City Police Department and supporting law enforcement agencies in appreciation for their service to the community. OC Surf Club President Tommy Vach, center, and club Environmental Chairperson Effie Cox, right, are pictured with representatives of the department.
ELKS Bonnie Batchellor and Peggy Grothe represent the Elks Lodge #2645 Ladies Auxiliary during a club initiation on Sept. 25.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Calendar Fri., Nov. 5 SCHOOL’S OUT CAMP Worcester County Recreation Center, 6030 Public Landing Road, Snow Hill, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Participants play various sports, games, make crafts and more. Choose 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Derek Jarmon, 410-632-2144, Ext. 2509 or djarmon@marylandscoast.org.
Basket. 410-641-4314
Sat., Nov. 6 21ST ANNUAL BOARDWALKIN’ FOR PETS Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 9 a.m.noon. Bring your dog or adopt a shelter dog for the day. Register to be eligible for prizes. Refreshments for people and canines. Registration starts at 8:30 am. Walk starts at 9 a.m. 410-213-0146
FLU SHOT CLINIC Ocean Pines Community Center - Assateague Room, 235 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For ages 13 years and older. 410-641-9358, agh.care/flu
IPAD BASICS Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m.noon. Drop in with your iPad and your questions. This session is for Apple iPad devices only. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
FIRST FRIDAY OPENING RECEPTION FOR NOVEMBER EXHIBIT OC Center for the Arts, 502 94th St., 5-7 p.m. Featuring a variety of local artists. Meet the artists and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Also at Princess Royale Oceanfront and Coffee Beanery. 410-524-9433, www.artleagueofoceancity.org
BERLIN FALL GLOW WALK Stephen Decatur Park, 130 Tripoli St., Berlin, 5 p.m. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. Carry or wear glow sticks during this 4.5K walk. Pre-register: justwalkworcester.org. All participants receive a free raffle entry for a Berlin
FIRE DEPARTMENT FUNDRAISER & RECRUITMENT White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 8 a.m.-noon. Stop by the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department’s booth and purchase your truck raffle tickets, Green Number Plate Signs and learn about becoming a member of the department. 410-641-8272
10TH ANNUAL WINTER WONDERLAND HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free and open to the public. Featuring crafters and artists selling their works including jewelry, pottery, painting, bath produces, pet products, stained glass and more. http://www.oceanpines.org, 302233-0761
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Community Church at Ocean Pines Family Life Center, 11227 Racetrack Road, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Featuring Christmas decorations and trees, linens and things, new and gently used clothing, gifts and potpourri, children’s book and toys and a bake sale. http://www.ccaop.org, 410641-5306
DEDICATION CEREMONIES TO HONOR REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS Beginning at Captain Levin Handy’s grave in Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church Cemetery, at 10 a.m., then proceeding to Colonel Samuel Handy’s grave at All Hallows Episcopal Church. www.dar.org, www.sar.org, 410-2138238
CRAFTY SATURDAY: ALL ABOUT ME! Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Make and take home some awesome crafts that are all about you and what makes you so unique. For ages 4 years and older. While supplies last. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
FIRST SATURDAY WRITERS Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Novice and established writers gather to share their writing projects. Includes critiques and appreciation, market leads and writing exercises. Drop-ins welcome. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410632-2600
Mon., Nov. 8 HOLIDAY CRAFT WORKSHOP Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Participants will receive guided instructions for several craft projects with a holiday theme. For ages 18 years and older. Cost is $20 for Ocean City residents and $25 for non-residents. 410-250-0125
MONTHLY MOVIE MATINEE Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Watch an exciting movie based on an acclaimed book each month. Light refreshments provided. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-6322600
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169 Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a health lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-6410157
DRIVE-THRU FRIED CHICKEN DINNER Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, 36536 Mount Pleasant Road, Willards, 11 a.m. A $14 platter includes 4 pieces of fried chicken, string beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, applesauce, roll and cupcake. Stay in car and use east driveway. 410-835-8542
FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.
DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 7:00-9:00 p.m. All ladies that love to sing invited. Contact Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol Ludwig, 302-242-7062.
Tues., Nov. 9 STORY TIME ‘PUMPKINS’ Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories about pump-
RECOGNITION To recognize the men and women of the Worcester County Health Department for their extraordinary measures to combat covid-19, the Worcester County Commissioners presented Health Officer Becky Jones and her staff with four custom works of art to be displayed at the four health department offices in Ocean City, Berlin, Pocomoke and Snow Hill. Jeffrey Auxer Designs of Berlin crafted the pieces.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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CALENDAR kins. For ages 2-5 years. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
STORY TIME ‘FAIRY TALES’ Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Susan as she shares stories on her flannelboard. Take-home activity included. For ages 2-5 years. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
OCEAN CITY BOOK OF THE MONTH: ‘THE NIGHT CIRCUS’ BY ERIN MORGENSTERN Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Join the group each month for a lively discussion facilitated by Cher Grazier. Copies of the book are available at the Ocean City branch. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
HERBAL DELIGHTS ADOPT A HOUSEPLANT Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, noon to 2 p.m. Bring in a cutting of your favorite plant to share or a houseplant you’ve been wanting to rehome. Take something new to spruce up your space. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
TUESDAY CRAFTERNOON Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Making teddy bears. They are hand-sewn and decorated over several weeks (Nov. 9, 16, 23 and 30) using a variety of materials, patterns and techniques. Register: 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP The Macky & Pam Stansell House Coastal Hospice, 1500 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 3:15-4 p.m. Discussions, mutual support, education on exercise, nutrition, coping techniques, medications and developments in treatment. Reserve: Kay Kinnikin, 410-641-4765, kkinnikin@atlanticgeneral.org.
MOVIETIME Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4-6 p.m. Classic ‘80s action movie starring Tom Cruise. Limited to 10 participants. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org under “Events.” 410-632-2600
ATLANTIC COAST SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION MONTHLY MEETING American Legion #123, 10111 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin. 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Kennedy Painter, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is studying oysters and the habitat here. Open to the public. https://acsportfishing.org
DELMARVA HAND DANCE Tuesdays - Selbyville Elks Lodge 2173, 13324 Worcester Highway, Bishopville, 5:30-9:00 p.m. Show proof of vaccination or wear a mask. A picture on your phone of your vaccination card is acceptable. delmarvahanddance@gmail.com, https://delmarvahanddancing.com
Wed., Nov. 10 STEM STORY TIME ‘THE TOOTH FAIRY’ Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Learn about healthy brushing habits. A fun activity is also included. For ages 2-5 years. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Join Therapeutic Herbalist Michaela Eggers for an hour of delights that herbs provide for us. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org under “Events.” 410-632-2600
LISTENING SESSION FOR PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch Porch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend and participate. Held in the library meeting room if inclement weather. Katherine Munson, kmunson@co.worcester.md.us or 410-632-1220.
STEM MAKING ICE CREAM WITH SCIENCE Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3:30 p.m. Make your own ice cream in 20 minutes or less. Concepts will include chemistry, freezing, phases of matter, solutions and emulsions. For students aged 8-12 years. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org. 410-632-2600
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
LOOKIN’ AROUND ZENTANGLE FAUX STAINED GLASS Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3:30 p.m. Create a faux stained glass project to take home. Choose a design and use Sharpies to make a colorful zentangle. For ages 8 years and older. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
OCEAN PINES CHAMBER AWARDS BANQUET Ocean Pines Yacht Club, 1 Mumford Landing Road, 5:30-9 p.m. With a travel theme, the group will celebrate those community leaders who truly stood out over the past year (or so). Also welcoming new directors. Sponsorships and tickets: OceanPinesChamber.org. 410-641-5306
Thurs., Nov. 11
A blue heron lands on one of the Winterfest of Lights displays – this one sponsored by Park Place Jewelers – at Northside Park on 125th Street. The festival opens on Nov. 18.
SAFE?’ Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Great story about safety and dinosaurs. Stick around for a quick craft or take it home. For children ages 2 years and older. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410632-2600
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY Veterans Memorial Park, Race Track Road, Ocean Pines, 11 a.m. Featuring guest speaker Col. Craig M. Harmon, vice-commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the Delmarva Chorus. Bring a chair. www.opvets.org
ANNUAL COAT & TOY DRIVE Ocean Pines Community Center Parking Lot, 235 Ocean Parkway, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean PinesOcean City will be collecting unwrapped toys, coats, boots, shoes, thermal ware, sweatshirts, sweaters, jeans, gloves, scarves and blankets. djlandissr@gmail.com, 410-641-7330
WRITING WITH RUTH Meeting via Zoom, 1-3 p.m. Monthly gathering of writers who share their independent work and receive feedback from group participants. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org under “Events.” 410-632-2600
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. Takehome activity included. For ages 2-5 years. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410632-2600
STORY TIME: ‘HOW DO DINOSAURS STAY
ZUMBA FOR ALL LEVELS Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join certified Zumba instructor Joyce Landsman for an hour of movement. These classes uplift and improve mood. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org under “Events.” 410-632-2600
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 5-7 p.m. Guest speakers will be veterans who served in WWII, the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. The public is invited. 410289-3166
SNOW HILL FARMER’S MARKET COVID VACCINE CLINIC (PFIZER ONLY)
STEM STORY TIME ‘BIG FEELINGS’
Celebrate Veteran’s Day with a trivia contest hosted by Jim Meckley. Prizes (for the top three teams) and refreshments provided. There is no cost to participate. www.worcesterlibrary.org, 410-632-2600
Atlantic Health Center, 9714 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3-6 p.m. For ages 5 years and older. 410-641-1100, https://www.atlanticgeneral.org
TRIVIA WITH JIM MECKLEY: MILITARY HISTORY & HEROES Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 3-4:30 p.m.
Thursdays through October - Sturgis Park Pavilion on the Pocomoke River, noon to 5 p.m.
BEACH SINGLES Thursdays - Harpoon Hanna’s, 39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island, DE, 4-6 p.m. Beach Singles, 45 years and older, meet for happy hour. Info: 302-4369577, 410-524-0649 or BeachSingles.org
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November 5, 2021
Call 410-723-6397 Classifieds appear in Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com & baysideoc.com
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HIRING ALL POSITIONS!! Hiring Cooks (up to $18), Audio/Video Techs, Distillery Tour Guides, Food Runners, Hosts, Maintenance Staff, Head Distiller, Painter, & Carpenter. Apply in person or online at seacrets.com
Starting wages are $13.50-$15.00 depending on experience. Full time & Part time Stop by our location on 52nd Street or call 443-664-2825
by Monday 5 p.m.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
RENTALS
Small Engine Mechanic Year-round. Competitive wages. 443-754-1047
MULTIPLE YEAR-ROUND POSITIONS for Vacasa in Bethany Beach (20 minutes from OC). More info and to apply: vacasa.com/careers
Winter Rental in NOC. Beautiful 2BR, 2BA Condo. W/D & DW. $975/mo. + 1st & last month security. Utilities/cable included. No pets/smoking. Avail. Nov. 28April 28. 717-816-1790
NOW HIRING!! Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $18/hr. Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com
Funeral Associate/Groundskeeper
St. Paul United Methodist Church
The Burbage Funeral Home located in Berlin, MD is looking for several individuals to join our funeral home staff. Some job duties include assisting funeral directors with funeral services, doing removals both during normal business hours and after hours, and maintaining funeral home grounds. Must be willing to work nights and/or weekends and be on call as needed. Also must be able to lift 100 pounds. A valid driver's license is required. Send resume to: j.weldon@burbagefuneralhome.com
Seeking an Experienced Church Musician Paid Position - Part Time. Salary Negotiable. Play for all regular Sunday church services @ 10:00 a.m., special services and choir practices. For more information call the Church Office at 410-641-0270 or Email: thebeacon405@gmail.com St Paul United Methodist Church 405 Flower Street, Berlin, MD 21811
HELP WANTED
Work At The BEACH... Work With The BEST!!
Top wages and excellent benefits package available to successful candidates.
In search of self-motivated, creative NAIL TECH to join our team and OC Hair and Nail Studio, located in the Gold Coast Mall. Full or Parttime available. Additional incentives offered for those with existing following. Please call to schedule interview, 410-524-7606. WEIGHT ROOM ATTENDANTS Sea Colony, Bethany Beach (20 minutes from OC) Experience not necessary. Info and apply: vacasa.com/careers or Jen Neal: jennifer.neal@vacasa.com Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s Int Realty is hiring
Real Estate Agents No experience needed. Please text Steven Diaz for more information.
Full Time, Year Round: Servers, Hostess/Host, Banquet Servers, Bartender, Banquet House Staff, Maintenance, Room Attendant, Rooms Division Manager, Housekeeping Supervisor
Top Wages Excellent Benefits Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel Attn: Human Resources Dept. 10100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 Phone: 410-524-3535, ext. 7128 Fax: 410-723-9109 EOE M/F/D/V
Rooms Division Manager We are currently recruiting for a year round Rooms Division Manager for our Oceanfront convention hotel (250 rooms w/ 85 adjacent condominiums). The preferred candidate should have a minimum of 3 years hotel front desk management with working knowledge of housekeeping, inventory/ revenue experience, good verbal communications and telephone etiquette. Qualified candidates apply. Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package available. Apply in person, Mondays through Saturdays 10am – 4pm.
www.oceancitytoday.com Order YOur Classifieds Online!
Seeking YR & Seasonal Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
WEEKLY RENTALS AVAILABLE NOW Poolfront ................$245/wk Efficiency..............$275/wk 2BR Apartment.....$350/wk 3BR Suite .............$425/wk Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave. 410-289-8581
410-245-1089
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS/ CARPENTERS Must have experience. Competitive pay. Call 443-856-5600 or email your resume at skylineconstructionoc@ gmail.com
Employment Opportunities:
WINTER RENTAL - 1BR Poolside Apartment 47th Street. Available Nov. 1. $795/mo. Utilities, cable TV & parking included. No pets/smoking. www.oceancity21.com. 443-506-2738
Hiring ALL Positions!! Full time & Part time Fenwick and Selbyville Locations To apply go to: www.mygcjob.com
Classifieds Deadline is 5pm Monday
Yearly & Seasonal Rentals We Welcome Pets 7700 Coastal Hwy 410-524-7700 www.holidayoc.com
SEEKING RENTAL SEEKING RENTAL Charitable foundation expanding and coming to Ocean City (See TheLearnersLabFoundation. org & TherapyConnection Institute.org). Corporate Rental Needed. Multiyear, minimum one year, with option to renew. NO HOA properties. Seeking 2BR, 2BA no more than $1250 monthly, including utilities or mobile home without utilities. OC/Berlin area preferred. No further out than the Bishopville-Ironshire region. Studio/1BR no more than $750-1k/monthly. No Salisbury rentals please. Call Jerri at 202-839-7750.
It’s not too late to advertise your winter rentals.
GET IT RENTED HERE! 410-723-6397 www.oceancitytoday.com www.baysideoc.com
• • • •
Convenient Quick No Waiting, No Calls Days, Nights & Weekends
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
SEEKING RENTAL
STORAGE
YARD SALE
Retired Single Female seeking immediate yearround rental in Ocean City, Ocean Pines or Berlin area. 443-754-7054
Storage West Ocean City. 2-car garage for rent w/attached work room. Total 775 sq. ft. Call John 410-726-0075.
COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL
www.oceancitytoday.com
Fri. & Sat., Nov. 5 & 6, 8:30-12:30, indoor. Jewelry, linens, kitchenware, baskets, tables, chairs and more! 10524 Sussex Road, West OC
1 Office/Retail Space Approximately 1600 sq. ft. in West Ocean City. Call 443-497-4200
DONATIONS DONATIONS Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be taxdeductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.
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Ocean City Today
SERVICES
BUDGET MOVERS 443-664-5797 LOCAL & EAST COAST MOVING Full Packing Service Piano Movers - Full Service www.facebook.com/OCBudgetMovers CLASSIFIEDS CALL 410-723-6397
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Raymond O’Brocki Jr. Master Electrician 443 691 0544 Call or Text Same Rate Day, Evening, Weekends
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PAGE 38
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
ELECTRICIAN
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service available
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
PAGE 39
Ocean City Today
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE WALKING DISTANCE TO THE BEACH!! 13339 COLONIAL ROAD
A HOME YOU WILL TRULY LOVE 12346 OLD BRIDGE ROAD #LOT 112
Now you can have a place at the beach for the whole family to move into and enjoy. You will not believe this CORNER LOT location in the sought after community of Montego Bay in North Ocean City, MD. This well maintained custom-built 3-bedrooms, 2-bath, offers a huge screened in porch for all of you summertime activities The home feature an open floorplan with front living room, formal dining room, kitchen with lots of cabinet and counter space. Setback and enjoy the nice porch after a day at the beach or pool. The beautiful yard is just right for relaxing and cookouts. Sold Furnished for $429,900. We are the Original Montego Bay Specialist Since 1971! LIFE’S TO SHORT. OWN AT THE BEACH NOW!
BETTER MOVE FAST ON THIS NEW HOME! Now is your chance to make every day vacation in this 2BR/1BA beach retreat. Nice size Living Room, Eat-in kitchen Equipped with Electric Radiant Range with Range Hood, Frost Free Refrigerator with Ice-Maker, Double SS Sink, Breakfast Bar. Full bath w/Fiberglass Combination Tub & Shower. Stack Washer & Dryer. 3 Ceiling Fans w/Lights. Wooded sundeck. Located in a desirable community in WOC, just minutes away from the Assateague Island State Park, Ocean City beaches & Boardwalk and Inlet, close to shopping and restaurants. Community is open year-round and is 50+. The buyer will need to pass a background check and be approved by the Park owner. BETTER CALL NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! $139,900
Larry Holdren Real Estate, Inc©
Larry Holdren Real Estate, Inc©
For More Information Call 800-252-2223 • 410-250-2700
For More Information Call 800-252-2223 • 410-250-2700
www.larryholdrenrealestate.com • email: ocmdhre@gmail.com
www.larryholdrenrealestate.com • email: ocmdhre@gmail.com
MONTEGO BAY COMMUNITY
CAINE WOODS
PRICE REDUCED!
13901 Coastal Hwy., Suite 8, Ocean City, MD
Rare opportunity to own an oversized lot (5165 sq ft) in Montego Bay. With just a little work, you can use/rent the existing mobile home until you're ready to build the Beach House of your Dreams...or demo now and start construction right away! Great location on a dead-end street and just a few steps away from one of the community pools, tennis courts, mini golf, and shuffleboard. Also, just a short walk to the beach, shopping, dining, bus stop, and Ocean City's 58-acre Northside Park. Property is being sold furnished and in "AS-IS" condition. $220,000
Call Bill Rothstein montegobayrealty@aol.com 800-745-5988 • 443-280-2530
175 SUNSHINE LANE
12905 Coastal Hwy • Ocean City, MD www.montegobayrealty.com
13901 Coastal Hwy., Suite 8, Ocean City, MD
Affordability at the beach! This 1 bedroom 1 bath condo has been well maintained and features an open floor plan, updated interior, washer/dryer in unit, walk-in closet in bedroom, private patio/balcony with outside storage for all of your beach stuff, and is being sold fully furnished! Great location in quiet North OC near the Fenwick line. Won't last long, call now to schedule your private showing! $169,900
Call Bill Rothstein montegobayrealty@aol.com 800-745-5988 • 443-280-2530
14300 JARVIS AVENUE #B10202
12905 Coastal Hwy • Ocean City, MD www.montegobayrealty.com
PAGE 40
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today / Public Notices
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on: Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 6:00 PM Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers, of the Code, an appeal has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-94(2)(b) requesting a special parking exception to waive a maximum of sixteen (16) parking spaces for employee housing with a maximum capacity of 84 people providing one (1) parking space on site in reference to Section 110-932(b)(34). The site of the appeal is described as Lot 157, Block 17 of the Ocean City Plat, further described as located on the south side of Dorchester Street, and known locally as 205 Dorchester Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: MAD DESIGN GROUP, INC. – (BZA 2605 #2109400013) Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall. Alfred Harrison, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney OCD-10/21/3t _________________________________ REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18947 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM A. GIBBS JR. Notice is given that Julianne Gibbs, P.O. Box 419, Ocean City, MD 21843, was on October 14, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William A. Gibbs, Jr. who died on October 2, 2021, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their
PUBLIC NOTICE The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles. The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction beginning November 4, 2021 or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law. Line No 80-21 579-21 1068-21 1071-21 1076-21 1107-21 1122-21
Year 2003 2012 2012 2003 2006 2006 2006
1123-21 2000 1127-21 1178-21 2001 1201-21 2011 1350-21 1996
Make FORD FORD HONDA HUMMER BMW BUICK HYUNDAI
Model MUSTANG FUSION ACCORD H2 525i LUCERNE SONATA
Color BLUE MAROON WHITE BLACK BLACK BLUE SILVER
VIN Mileage 1FAFP40403F361283 NA 3FAHP0HA2CR325822 NA 1HGCP2F76CA024702 NA 5GRGN23U53H103929 NA WBANE53506CK83662 NA 1G4HP57256U256747 NA 5NPEU46F26H129480 NA
WHITE ALUMINUM
Style COUPE SEDAN SEDAN SUV SEDAN SEDAN SEDAN STATION WAGON TRAILER
MERCURY LOADRITE HARLEY DAVIDSON MERCURY TOYOTA
SABLE JETSKI FXDL MILAN COROLLA
BLUE MAROON RED
MOTORCYCLE SEDAN SEDAN
1HD1GDV181Y337087 NA 3MEHM0HA0BR601205 NA 1NXBB02E9TZ463971 NA
1MEFM59S2YA610051 5A4YNSJ12720191904
NA NA
All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643. AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police OCD-8/26/3t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 14th day of April, 2022. 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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. Julianne Gibbs 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: October 21,2021
OCD-10/21/3t _________________________________ BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 Carrie M. Ward, et al. 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 Substitute Trustees Plaintiffs vs. SHANNAN CHRISTA JOHNSON 600 Walnut Street Pocomoke City, MD 21851 Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No. C-23-CV-19-000288
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given this 19th day of October, 2021, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 600 Walnut Street, Pocomoke City, MD 21851, made and reported by the Substitute Trustee, will be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 22nd day of November, 2021, 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 15th day of November, 2021. The report states the purchase price at the Foreclosure sale to be $143,640.00. 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-10/21/3t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18917 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ROBERT ENGLISH SR. AKA: ROBERT ANTHONY ENGLISH SR. Notice is given that Shelly English Jackson, 8536 Langmaid Road, Newark, MD 21841, was on October 18, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert English Sr. who died on August 5, 2021, without a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of April, 2022. 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 ear-
NOVEMBER 5, 2021 lier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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. Shelly English Jackson 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: October 28, 2021 OCD-10/28/3t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18953 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MARY ANN DEFRANK COLEMAN AKA: MARY ANN COLEMAN Notice is given that Cindy Bleistein, 23607 Cornerstone Lane, Damascus, MD 20872, was on October 18, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Ann Defrank Coleman who died on August 10, 2021, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of April, 2022. 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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,
PAGE 41
Ocean City Today / Public Notices or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills. Cindy Bleistein 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: October 28, 2021 OCD-10/28/3t _________________________________ J. HARRISON PHILLIPS III ESQ 115-72ND STREET OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18911 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF EUNICE OPHELIA HANDY Notice is given that Sarah Derrickson Mitchell, 10401 Trappe Road, Berlin, MD 21811, was on September 24, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eunice Ophelia Handy who died on May 12, 2012, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 24th day of March, 2022. 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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. Sarah Derrickson Mitchell 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: October 28, 2021 OCD-10/28/3t _________________________________ Rosenberg & Associates, LLC 4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 301-907-8000 Diane S. Rosenberg Mark D. Meyer Maurice O’Brien Bradley Harris Rosenberg & Associates, LLC 4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814 Substitute Trustees Plaintiff(s) v. Michael Peters 2800 B Gull Way Ocean City, MD 21842 Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No. C-23-CV-19-000136
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given this 21st day of October, 2021, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of 2800 B Gull Way, Ocean City, MD 21842, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 22nd day of November, 2021, provided a copy of this notice be inserted in a weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 15th day of November, 2021. The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $325,000.00. Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD TRUE COPY TEST: Susan R. Braniecki, CLERK OCD-10/28/3t _________________________________
be dated as of the date of delivery and will mature on November 1 in the years 2022 through 2041, inclusive, as more fully described in the Notice of Sale. No bid for less than all of the Bonds will be considered. The Bonds will be awarded based on the lowest interest cost to the City, determined in accordance with the true interest cost (TIC) method. All bids must be accompanied by a good faith deposit in the amount of $528,400, payable by wire transfer to the City, or by a check or surety bond as provided in the Notice of Sale. Copies of the Preliminary Official Statement and the Notice of Sale relating to the Bonds may be obtained from the office of the Finance Administrator of the City, located at City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, or from Wye River Group, Incorporated, 522 Chesapeake Avenue, Second Floor, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 (410267-8811). *Preliminary, subject to change OCD-10/28/2t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BOARD OF PORT WARDENS Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 106, ”Waterways,” Article II – “Shoreline Development” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Port Wardens Ordinance of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland. Wednesday, November 10, 2021 At 2:00 p.m.
SUMMARY NOTICE OF BOND SALE $26,420,000* MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF OCEAN CITY General Obligation Municipal Purpose Bonds of 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mayor and City Council of Ocean City (the “City”) will receive electronic bids via PARITY® for the $26,420,000* General Obligation Municipal Purpose Bonds of 2021 (the “Bonds”) until 10:30 a.m. local Ocean City, Maryland time on: Wednesday, November 17, 2021 or on such other date as may be selected by the Mayor. The Bonds will
PW 21-116 A request has been submitted to install one 10’ x 15’ PWC floating platform in an existing slip, maximum channelward 21’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 401 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 10 Parcel # 5688 -10 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. OWNER: FADIME SEREMET APPLICANT: OCEAN SERVICES OF DE., INC. PW 21-117 A request has been submitted to install one boat lift on four existing pilings, install one PWC swivel lift with one associated piling. Maximum channelward 16’ not to extend beyond existing pier. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 10621 SHIFTING SANDS DR Parcel # 1680A-85A in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. OWNER: CORY SHOVER APPLICANT: PRISTINE PERMITTING, LLC. PW 21-118 A request has been submitted to install one boatlift and 3 associated pilings, maximum chan-
PAGE 42
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today / Public Notices
nelward extension 20’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 635 94TH ST UNIT A Parcel # 8966 -1 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. OWNER: JILL ANNE EARLEY APPLICANT: PRISTINE PERMITTING, LLC PW 21-119 A request has been submitted to construct an 18’ pier extension to existing 30’ pier and widen pier to 4’7’. To install one boatlift with one additional pole, maximum channelward distance of 48’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 609 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 33 Parcel # 5347 -33 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. OWNER: TONY MOREAU APPLICANT: PRISTINE PERMITTING, LLC PW 21-120 A request has been submitted to construct an 18’ pier extension to a 30’ pier and to widen to 4’7”. To install one PWC lift with one associated piling, maximum channelward 48’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 609 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 34 Parcel # 5347 -34 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. OWNER: PETER ROSKOVICH APPLICANT: PRISTINE PERMITTING, LLC OCD-10/28/2t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18898 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BONITA J. NELSON Notice is given that Robert McArthy, 4405 East West Highway, Suite 201, Bethesda, MD 20814, was on October 19, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bonita J. Nelson who died on July 20, 2021, without a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of April, 2022. 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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. Robert McArthy 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: November 04, 2021 OCD-11/4/3t _________________________________ IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR (OR) BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND IN THE ESTATE OF: MARY B. CROPPER ESTATE NO. 18961
NOTICE
OF JUDICIAL PROBATE To all Persons Interested in the above estate: You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed by Keith C. Tull, 2039 aka 2023 McMichael Ave., Pocomoke, MD 21851 for judicial probate 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 11/23/2021 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: 10/28/2021 OCD-10/28/2t _________________________________ Scott R. Robinson, Esq. Hofmeister & Breza 11019 McCormick Road, Suite 400 Hunt Valley, MD 21031 410-832-8822 STEPHANIE H. HURLEY, ET AL. Substitute Trustees Plaintiffs v. JEFFREY H. YOUNG Defendant IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY Case No. C-23-CV-19-000282
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given this 28th day of October, 2021 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 2502 Worcester Hwy., Pocomoke City, MD 21851 will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary be shown on or before the 29th day of November, 2021, next, provided a copy of this NO-
TICE be published at least once a week in eac of three successive weeks in some newpaper of general circulation published in said County before the 22nd day of November, 2021, next. The report states the amount of sale to be $318,948.22 to Planet Home Lending, LLC. Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worceter County True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-11/4/3t _________________________________ C. GREGORY COBURN ESQ 6806B COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18840 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MATTIE H. LYNCH Notice is given that Vaughn Lynch, 500 Artic Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, was on November 01, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mattie H. Lynch who died on June 28, 2021, with a will. There was a prior small estate proceeding. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 1st day of May, 2022. 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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 no-
tice, 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. Vaughn Lynch 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: November 04, 2021 OCD-11/4/3t _________________________________
Town of Berlin, Maryland
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 2021-02 Disposition and Development of Parcel 57 and Parcel 410 at Heron Park
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Berlin (“Town”) is accepting sealed proposals for RFP 2021-02 Disposition and Development of Parcel 57 and Parcel 410 at Heron Park. Pre-Proposal Meeting: Monday, November 15, 2021, at 10:00 AM. The submission deadline is Monday, February 14, 2022, at 4:00 PM. Solicitation documents including instructions to respondents may be obtained from the Town of Berlin website at www.berlinmd.gov or at 10 William Street, Berlin, MD 21811. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive any informalities or technicalities of the bid or to reject any non-responsive and/or non-responsible proposal in the best interest of the Town of Berlin. EEO OCD-11/4/2t _________________________________
Legal Advertising Call Nancy MacCubbin 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@oceancitytoday.net
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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Ocean City Today
AGH setting vaccine clinics for ages 5 to 11 Administration of pediatric shots set Nov. 11 and 18 after recent CDC approval By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) Atlantic General Hospital officials are planning the first covid vaccine clinics for children ages 5 to 11 following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s emergency authorization of the shots earlier this week. Heather Snyder, the infection prevention manager at AGH, said in an email Wednesday that the hospital has begun receiving pediatric dose allocations and that two Pfizer clinics are planned on Nov. 11 and 18 to begin administering them. “These clinics will provide both pediatric and adult [first, second, third] and booster doses of Pfizer,” Snyder said. Interested individuals can register at www.agh.care/vaccine, she added. “Efforts continue to roll out equitable vaccine access, across our health system and in the community, through ongoing partnerships with our local health departments, faith communities, and school systems,” Snyder said. The approval of the vaccine for children younger than 12 was awaiting full approval from the CDC after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration committee gave them the green light last week. Snyder said that national statistics show that children younger than 18 make up just 16.6 percent of the total cumulative covid cases tracked since the beginning of the pandemic. For the week ending Oct. 28, children made up 24.2 percent of reported weekly covid cases across the country. In total, children younger than 18 make up 22.2 percent of the overall U.S. population. Locally, she said AGH admitted one patient younger than 18 to the covid in-patient unit this fall, and that it is the only case of a young person being hospitalized with covid in Worcester County since the pandemic began. She added that the patient had an underlying respiratory condition. Weekly vaccine numbers and info: • As of Thursday, Maryland providers administered more than 8.55 million covid-19 vaccines for a total of 86.4 percent of residents with at least one dose. • According to the Worcester County Health Department, 73.1 percent of the county’s population was fully vaccinated as of Wednesday. • Atlantic General staff members administered 120 shots since last week. • As of Wednesday, 90 percent of
AGH staff members had received at least one dose of the vaccine. • Atlantic General Hospital hosts vaccine clinics from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at its pharmacy in the main lobby of the hospital. All three types of vaccines are offered. • The Worcester County Health Department holds vaccine clinics weekly. For information, visit worcesterhealth.org/protect-menu/1726worcester-county,-md-coronavirus-c ovid-19-information-2020 Weekly covid numbers: • As of Thursday, Worcester County’s covid-19 positivity rate was 2.77 percent, a decrease from 4.89 percent last week. Posting the highest positivity rate in the state was Garrett County at 16.2 percent. The positivity
rates are determined by a population percentage and do not necessarily reflect the number of confirmed cases as compared to areas with different populations. •The state’s positivity rate was 2.94 percent Thursday. • Also as of Thursday, Maryland reported 563,696 confirmed covid cases • Worcester County confirmed 33 new cases since last week, bringing the total cases since March 2020 to 5,044. • Atlantic General Hospital reported nine covid in-patients this week, up from four last week. Two of the patients were fully vaccinated and the ages ranged between 39 and 78. • Ocean Pines and Berlin had 1,955 cases and Ocean City had 1,259 Thursday.
• Worcester County has reported 119 covid deaths since March 2020. • According to the state health department website, as of Wednesday, 90 people in Worcester County schools — both public and private — were positive for covid. Broken down, Snow Hill Middle School had 28 cases, Showell Elementary had 25, Buckingham Elementary had 15, Stephen Decatur Middle had 15, and Stephen Decatur High School had seven. Worcester County Public Schools also tracks new covid cases and outbreaks through an online dashboard tracking system. According to the site, between Oct. 25 and 29 the school system reported 25 new covid cases. *Info from Gov. Larry Hogan; the Md. Dept. of Health; AGH; county health deptmart; and the CDC.*
NOTICE OF LIVE AUCTION
Beach Equipment Franchise – North-Section Parcels $ 500 Minimum Bid Requirement for each Parcel A public auction will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue in Ocean City, Maryland. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. A pre-auction discussion begins at 9:30 a.m. Auction begins at 10:00 a.m. The following north-section beach parcels will be auctioned: 122nd, 123rd and 124th Streets 125th, 126th and 127th Streets ON AUCTION DAY, the successful bidder shall: (1) Provide satisfactory proof of identity and legal age (i.e. Driver’s License or Government-issued Photo ID) (2) Pay a One Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00) non-refundable deposit for each successful bid. Please bring cash, cashier’s checks or certified checks payable to the Mayor and City Council. PERSONAL CHECKS NOT ACCEPTED. On the dates specified below, the successful bidder shall: (1) Submit a personal Credit Report on or before Monday, December 6, 2021. (2) Sign a statement authorizing the Mayor and Council to make inquiry of personal background, financial and credit worthiness on or before Monday, December 6, 2021. (3) Pay 20% of the annual fee for each parcel less the $1,000.00 deposit to the Billing Office in City Hall on or before Monday, December 6, 2021. (4) Provide a brief plan of management on or before Monday, December 6, 2021, clarifying if you will directly oversee the operation or, if not, how day-to-day operations will be handled; providing details of your experience with the beach equipment rental industry; and advising if you have obtained necessary equipment and boxes or of your arrangements to acquire necessary equipment. (5) Obtain, at the operator's own expense, comprehensive general liability insurance coverage and products liability insurance coverage in at least the amount of $1,000,000.00 combined single limit, which insurance coverage shall name the Mayor and City Council as an additional insured, and a certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage shall be furnished to the Mayor and City Council by the operator and be approved by Ocean City's City Clerk before contract endorsement. (6) The second-highest bidder will have first right of refusal should the initial successful bidder neglect to meet credit, experience or management requirements. A sealed bid will be conducted if the second-highest bidder declines the award. The Mayor and Council may reject any and all bids for any reason it deems appropriate and may rebid upon such terms, conditions and manner it deems appropriate. (7) Sign a three year contract (2022-2024) for each parcel. An auction bid packet can be found at http://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/city-clerk/ or email dchavis@oceancitymd.gov to request the information. Please direct questions to 410-289-8842.
Commentary
Ocean City Today Nov. 5, 2021
Page 44
Make bids public to limited extent Twelve years ago in late October, the Ocean City mayor and council began the secret process of selecting an advertising agency to handle the resort’s multi-million-dollar account. The city accepted the bids and picked its agency without revealing (until much later) what that winner proposed to do for the undisclosed amount it would end up handling. So tight-lipped was the city that the companies’ presentations were delivered in a Fort Knox-like circumstance because “proprietary information” was involved. Understandably, the agencies didn’t want to reveal their trade secrets and ideas to their competitors for fear they might steal them. Also a possibility was that some other resort might snatch and use for themselves ideas developed for Ocean City. The same “proprietary information” argument is being used again, following the council’s Monday night acceptance of agency proposals. But money, and more specifically the room tax money that finances the resort’s marketing, is not proprietary information because it is not the property of the agencies. It’s money generated for this specific use by every lodging establishment and legitimate rental in town. Yet, few of the resort’s hotel and motel operators (along with every other business that benefits from resort marketing) will have any idea of what will be spent and where. They are expected to trust the judgment of the City Council. But, some will ask, what about the Tourism Commission’s role in vetting the proposals? That too has to be restricted to members who also are elected officials, according to what the late City Solicitor Guy Ayres said in 2009. If these bids do contain proprietary information, Ayres explained, then no member of the public can see them, and that includes the Tourism Commission’s representatives of the business community. Ayres added that these documents are either open or they’re not, and allowing the commission’s business members to see them would mean they must be open to all. Understanding that creative material should be closely guarded, we contend that the financial breakdown on who will spend what where and with whom is not proprietary and should be made public.
Ocean City Today 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.
EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson MANAGING EDITOR ................................ Lisa Capitelli STAFF WRITERS .................. Greg Ellison, Greg Wehner, ..........................................Jack Chavez, Mallory Panuska ACCOUNT MANAGERS.......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier ..............................................................Amanda Shick CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTIST .................................... Kelly Brown PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts Ocean City Today is published weekly by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Ocean City Today is available by subscription at $150 a year. Visit us on the Web at www.oceancitytoday.com. Copyright 2021
PUBLIC EYE
Let me repeat myself
People often ask me how I come up with material for this column every week. Here’s the answer (pick one): 1. I possess a superior intellect, so I sit down at my computer, say “Inspiration On!” and just like that it happens. I’m amazing! 2. Give a monkey a keyboard, and sooner or later it will ... 3. I steal, lie, cheat, talk to the spirits and run old stuff that I happen to come across when I’m bored. That’s what I’ve done By with the following, which I Stewart re-discovered this week. It’s from 2009, but my memory Dobson being what it is these days, it’s all new to me, and it’s still appropriate, however sad that may be. *** Question: What’s the most useless thing on the face of the planet? Answer: A member of Congress with a leaf blower. Let me explain why. My approach to autumn leaves laying in the yard is to be deeply involved in watching my wife rake them. It is, after all, my belief that we should allow nature to take its course and let this spent foliage remain on the ground, happy and undisturbed. I think of it as being environmentally friendly, or at least that’s the best argument that I have for doing nothing. I’m told, however, that old leaves will kill the grass, which doesn’t sound like a terrible thing to me. If that’s true, then it reduces the
frequency with which the grass must be cut. And if we don’t cut the grass or rake the leaves, we will never need a leaf blower, the one garden implement that proves mankind’s obsession with convenience regardless of the result. In other words, cool versus tool. This is because the actual effectiveness of a leaf blower is somewhere between a hoe without a handle and a sprinkler system in Death Valley. While I understand that a leaf blower is the perfect lawn tool for me, since I could appear to be busy without doing anything, I find that sufficient whining about having to do any sort of yard work generally gets me out of it altogether. But what I don’t understand is why we even have these things, considering that the wind, which is free and doesn’t require oiling, does the same thing, only better. A good west wind and – poof – I have transferred ownership of my leaves and clippings to my neighbor across the street. The problem is that most people who use leaf blowers don’t pick up the leaves or grass clippings when they’re finished doing whatever it is they do. They merely redistribute them. In that respect — and here’s the connection we’ve all been waiting for — leaf blowers are like Congress: they make a lot of noise and don’t accomplish anything of a permanent nature. The only difference is that instead of redistributing leaves, Congress redistributes money, the liberals to social programs and the conservatives to business interests, while neither side seems to put it where it won’t get blown away. A member of Congress and a leaf blower. That’s what I call a more perfect union.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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Ocean City Today
Letters to the editor OC risks losing family vibe Editor, Some beach towns advertise their resort as ‘The Best Beach’ & ‘The’ Beach. For generations Ocean City, known as ‘The Family Beach,’ is struggling to hold on to this reputation. Now is not the time to sanction a motorcycle event to replace the H2O September car event. This seems to be counterproductive! Noisy, highway traffic types of events has had an effect on the town and the family image. Margaret Pillas Ocean City
Questions OC property taxes Editor, The Mayor & City Council of the Town of Ocean City continue to overtax the property owners. The town has a stated policy of maintaining 15 percent of General Fund expenditures as a reserve fund. Over the last seven fiscal years (FY), the Unassigned General Fund balance or Reserve Fund grew steadily from 21.6 percent in FY15 to 29.6 percent in FY20. With the release of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for FY21, we find that the town had an Unassigned General Fund balance of 36.9 percent as of June 30, 2021. These excess reserves are over $17,000,000 more than the 15 percent needed to be in compliance with the reserve policy. This excess amount is the equivalent of 18.5 cents on the property tax rate. In other words, the town could have lowered the property tax rate in FY 21 by 40 percent and still maintained their reserve policy. Further review of the CAFR reveals that revenue for FY21 exceeded budget estimates by over $4.6 million, while expenditures were over $5.7 million less than anticipated. This combined with other factors shows a favorable variance
of over $10.6 million. With this continued trend year after year, it is easy to see that we are being overtaxed. Vincent dePaul Gisriel Jr. Ocean City
Offshore wind farms benefit all citizens Editor, A letter published in this paper on Oct. 15 by Mr. Doug Durante of Ocean City offered an outrageous point of view, that the decisions around the proposed offshore wind farm be made solely by oceanfront property owners — properties that we all help pay for via FEMA, subsidized flood insurance and beach renourishment. Federal and state laws are clear that our beaches and oceans are a shared benefit to all U.S. citizens, not a wealthy few. Likewise, the escalating climate crisis will affect everyone, everywhere, regardless of status or political views. In Mr. Durante’s opinion, not only should the 8 million annual visitors who enjoy Ocean City’s beaches not have a say, he even expressed contempt that residents of nearby Ocean Pines and Rehoboth Beach participated in a recent public listening session hosted by the State of Maryland on wind farm leases to be located offshore of both Maryland and Delaware. Mr. Durante might be surprised to learn that the actual stakeholders of the proposed wind farm are not just the 6,972 citizens of Ocean City or even the 6.046 million residents of Maryland, but rather all 329.5 million citizens of the USA. The Town of Ocean City’s jurisdiction ends at the water line. The State of Maryland’s jurisdiction extends another 3 miles out to sea. At 13 miles offshore, where this wind farm will be located, the ocean is governed by the federal government. That status, combined with the fact that this wind project may have far-reaching impacts on our energy future and how we respond to climate change as a nation,
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Editor, My name is Scott Hymes and I have been coming to Ocean City for all of my 58 years as a tourist and for business and I’m in favor of the wind turbines off Maryland’s coast. I recently saw some letters to the editor that I wanted to respond to. It’s not right that a small group of people with the loudest voices should have the biggest say in this decision when there is so much at stake with the health of our state’s environment. For years Maryland’s citizens and waterways have been victims of pollution from coal-fired power plants. Maryland has been a leader in making the changes Continued on Page 46
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put other ocean uses at risk, particularly shipping and whale migration. It would also necessitate having to redo the very long and expensive survey process. In short, it would kill the project. Mr. Durante may not understand that, but the OC town council does. And it’s clear that’s their objective. As a long-time former resident, whose extended family maintains numerous condo properties and a tourism-dependent business in town that will be devastated by increased sea level rise, I find the town’s biased representation towards a handful of disgruntled beachfront property owners appalling and unethical. Arlo Hemphill Baltimore County, Maryland
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makes it relevant to every American — not the least of whom are Baltimore residents that stand to benefit from turbine manufacturing jobs at Sparrows Point, and contractors in Delaware who may benefit from increased offshore jobs. The Constitutional liberties we all value so dearly provide these people the right to have their views heard by our government. Our oceans are an increasingly busy place, with uses ranging from shipping and military exercises to commercial fishing, recreation, energy production, telecommunications, and aquaculture. Regulators are increasingly challenged to balance all these uses, but Maryland and the Department of Interior have done an excellent job — choosing a location with the least overall impact on tourism, shipping lanes, wildlife and fishing. The site was surveyed for years to understand the seafloor composition, depth, affected species, and ensure there was no presence of submerged tribal cultural remains. They then brought this information to the public through a robust input process that received overwhelming support at the time. Now the Town of Ocean City wants to renegotiate the deal, so the state conceded to yet another round of stakeholder meetings, the ones that Mr. Durante refers to in his letter. Stakeholders in favor of the wind farm, which included prominent Ocean City business owners, outnumbered the naysayers 92-17 at those sessions. Any changes to the lease area would
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Ocean City Today
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continued from Page 45 to improve our waters but it’s time for the next step to combat sea level rise due to climate change. Wind energy off our coast is a nobrainer. There will always be wind. Although the number of windmills has changed, there are now fewer and they are farther out to sea. They started with 187 and are now down to about 107. Only one will be 13 miles out with most at 17-27 miles away and the projects are 100 percent privately funded. The view from the shore is inconsequential. Federal agencies and NGOs took great pains to properly site the 80,000acre Maryland lease area to avoid fishing, shipping, and wildlife impacts. Impacts to migratory birds are minimal outside 10 miles, and impacts to whales and shipping lanes a serious problem outside 28 miles, the lease area, at 12-27 miles, was perfectly sited by the Department of the Interior. As an environmental professional, I trust that US Wind has taken every measure of caution enlisting University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and others to conduct bird and marine mammal studies, gathering critical scientific data on birds, sea turtles and marine mammals. The turbine structures will be great habitat for fishing too! Also there will be 3,500 direct construction jobs, and more than $1 billion in labor income over 20 years and an increase in Maryland’s GDP by $6.9 billion over 20 years.
Change can be scary, but so is failure. Let’s embrace the future and reap the benefits. Scott Hymes Severna Park, Maryland
Kudos to Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645
Editor, On Saturday, Oct. 23, I experienced the honor and privilege, as a veteran, attending the 8th Annual Military Banner Presentation Ceremony of the 2021 Ocean City Hometown Heroes Program for Worcester County residents, that occurred at the Elks Lodge. This is only one of many varied events sponsored by the Elks Lodge, a true “giving” organization. The Military Banner Program, each year, honors members of all branches of service via flying a Boardwalk banner with a photo of the designated veteran indicating the era of their service. The Banner Ceremony united this year’s gathering of veterans as we each briefly spoke of our time in uniform and it was evident that the words spoken displayed pride and loyalty to our county. Many thanks to Pat Riordan, Program Manager and his staff (all volunteers) whose effort and time spent along with contributions from the public and various organizations, allowed this patriotic event to occur. Respectfully submitted, John Talbott Ocean Pines
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Pennsylvania woman facing robbery charges from May By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) A Pennsylvania woman faces robbery and assault charges after accusing a childhood friend of taking her money, snatching money out of the friend’s wallet, and hitting her in the face several times, according to police. Trinity Marie Trinity Mays Mays, 20, of Thomasville, Pennsylvania was arrested this week on a warrant stemming back to May 27 at a hotel near Fifth Street, and charged with robbery, theft of an amount between $100 and $1,500, and seconddegree assault. On May 27, police were called to the motel for a “strong-arm robbery” and when they arrived, they spoke to Laylah Nicole Adams, whose face appeared to be red and swollen. When officers spoke to Adams, she said she and Mays grew up together and were staying at the hotel. Adams said the two of them, plus two others, drank a few alcoholic beverages at the hotel room and went to sleep at approximately 1 a.m. But at 4:30 a.m., Mays woke up Adams and
accused her of taking her money and threatened to “stomp” her. Adams told police she tried to calm Mays down and assured her she did not take anything from her. Adams then checked her wallet to see if the money was misplaced and recalled seeing six $20 bills and one $5 bill. Mays grabbed the wallet from Adams’s hands while hitting her on the face, Adams told police, and once Adams got her wallet back, the money was gone. Mays continued to hit Adams before one of the other occupants broke them up and escorted Mays out of the room, according to Adams. The next day, a probation officer from the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole informed Ocean City Police that Mays was on probation for possession of a stolen handgunk and violating her probation terms. A warrant was issued for Mays. Adams was treated at Atlantic General Hospital for a possible concussion and told officers she wanted to pursue criminal charges against Mays. She also provided police with a series of Snapchat messages between her and another person who caught the punches on video. Adams also provided police with a video of Mays speaking over Facetime. During the conversation, Adams told Mays she was being recorded and accused her of stealing her money. Mays said, “I don’t give a ****. I will beat you the **** up bitch, again.” Police ultimately arrested Mays for robbery, theft of more than $100, but less than $1,500, and second-degree assault. On Oct. 26, Mays was arrested for the warrant associated with the charges and after a hearing, posted bond in the amount of $30,000.
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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Ocean City Today
Ocean City Angler owners thank firefighters By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) If not for the swift, attentive work of dozens of Ocean City firefighters, the historic Angler restaurant and boat dock in downtown Ocean City could have easily gone up in flames when a fire broke out Halloween night on its east side. “By the time we got there they had it pretty much under control,” coowner Julie Smith said of the volunteer and paid crews who responded to a neighbor’s call that there were sparks shooting from the more than 80-yearold building sometime after 9 p.m. “The city volunteer fire department did an amazing job,” Smith continued. “They were there minutes from the time they were called and had it under control pretty much by the time we got there.” Smith owns the business, known as Bill Buntings Angler Restaurant & Boat at 312 Talbot St., with her sister, Jayne Bunting. The restaurant and boat dock have been in their family since 1938, and losing it would have been devastating. “It’s not just (our) livelihood, ours is a family history,” Smith said. “We’ve been there since we were born.” Bunting also commended the quick response of the firefighters, some of whom she said she has known since elementary school. “The attention from members of the volunteer department was amazing,” she said. “They probably had 30 people there within five minutes.” She also said they were “blessed” that the damage was not worse. By the time the sisters arrived at the property Sunday night, they said no flames were showing and that the damage that ensued was minimal compared to what could have occurred. “We were really really fortunate
PHOTO COURTESY RYAN WHITTINGTON, OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ocean City firefighters battling a blaze Halloween night at the Angler restaurant on Talbot Street. The flames ignited between 9 and 9:30 p.m. and responders arrived quickly and put them out.
that there was no more damage done,” Bunting said. “The wind was in the right direction, we are just really blessed.” The Angler had closed for the season Saturday night, just one day before the fire broke out in the kitchen and bathroom area. And because the damage was minimal, the sisters expect to be ready to reopen as planned at the beginning of May for the 2022 season. Ryan Whittington, the spokesman for the Ocean City Fire Department, said in an email Monday that the cause of the fire was still under investigation, but Smith and Bunting said all signs point to an electrical ignition. “At this time they’re assuming it’s an electrical fire, we just haven’t gotten it all confirmed yet,” Smith said. Whittington said firefighters responded to the call between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Halloween night, just six minutes after a call to the Hilton Suites on the 3200 block of Baltimore Avenue. For that call, firefighters and emer-
PHOTOS COURTESY RYAN WHITTINGTON, OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ocean City firefighters do an overhaul Halloween night of a portion of the Angler restaurant on Talbot Street after a fire. The flames ignited between 9 and 9:30 p.m. and responders arrived quickly and put them out.
gency medical service personnel responded to reports of smoke in the structure. Upon arrival, Whittington said firefighters discovered “smoke
conditions” on the eighth floor of the high rise and isolated the cause to a malfunctioning air handler before removing it.
Pocomoke man charged with animal cruelty Previously-cited breeder hit with nine misdemeanor counts, hearing scheduled By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) A Pocomoke City man was charged with nine counts of animal cruelty on Oct. 28. Michael Louis Parrett, 65, of 2844 Byrd Road, was handed the misdemeanor charges following a monthslong investigation by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. A private dog breeder, Parrett has long had a contentious relationship with the Pocomoke community and the county government. New animal control laws enacted over the summer specifically target breeders with questionable-at-best practices, something
neighbors, who dubbed Parrett “Parvo Mike,” have claimed of him. I“t’s nice to see and I’m very pleased that the new legislation is working to protect our dogs and animals,” said Commissioner Josh Nordstrom. “As I said before several times, animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Worcester County. Taking these steps to pass this legislation is a great step in the right direction to make that a reality.” Parrett is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 19. The Animal Control Office levied 10 citations against Parrett on similar charges in 2019. Nordstrom stressed that what he applauds is not an impending comeuppance, but that protection of aniSee CHANGES Page 48
Gambino, one of the dogs rescued from Michael Parrett’s property, is seen after being taken to the vet and cleaned up. Parrett was recently charged with nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. He is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 19. PHOTO COURTESY LENORE BENNETT
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
POLICE/COURTS
Intent to distribute Colby Matthew Sifford, 19, of Whaleyville, Maryland was arrested by Ocean City Police on Oct. 25 near Third Street and charged with possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. Police were working downtown in an unmarked vehicle when they saw a silver sedan weaving in and out of traffic as it moved from the far-right lane to the far-left lane without using a turn signal. Sifford, who was driving the sedan, was stopped by officers near First Street, and when they approached the vehicle, they smelled marijuana coming from inside. Police asked Sifford to stop the car and for all the occupants to exit the vehicle so they could conduct a search. Inside the glovebox, police found a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Police also found a scale. When the officers weighed the powder, it measured to be 10 grams, and they determined it was “far more than one would possess for normal human consumption.” According to police, the value of the cocaine was approximated at $1,200 when sold in half-gram increments, or $1,000 if sold in one-gram increments. Based on the results of the search, Sifford was placed under arrest.
Cocaine possession Robert Josue Strang-Moya, 28, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at 2:44 a.m. on Oct. 27 near First Street and charged with DUI, possession of narcotics, and various other charges. Police said they spotted a vehicle parked on the 100 block of Wicomico Street with Strang-Moya slouched be-
hind the driver’s seat. According to court documents, when officers approached Strang-Moya, he told them he “was at the beer place,” and pointed toward one of the local pubs. The officer suggested Strang-Moya call for an Uber or Taxi, and he said he would. But a short time later, according to police, the officer saw Strang-Moya driving north on Baltimore Avenue, swerving between two lanes, and turning onto First Street, where the officer conducted the search. Strang-Moya was placed under arrest for DUI, and when the officer conducted a search of the car, a baggie of white powder suspected to be cocaine was found.
DUI and resisting Brenden Michael Waller, 28, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 27 near 146th Street and charged with DUI, resisting arrest, second-degree assault, hindering an investigation, and several traffic violations. Police said Waller was seen driving 46 mph in a 25-mph zone near 142nd Street and nearly striking a curb. Police said that when the officer turned on his emergency lights to perform a traffic stop, Waller continued driving, running a stop sign, making a wide turn, and driving over the yellow line before travelling on the wrong side of the road. Waller pulled over to stop and was ordered out of the vehicle, which he refused to do. Instead, he sat there with his hands up. The officer continued to tell Waller to get out of the car, but he still refused. The officer walked up to Waller as other members of the police force arrived and placed “stop sticks” in front of the car to ensure he did not flee. Police told Waller he was hindering
an investigation and was ordered out of the car again, but he continued to sit in his seat and argued with police. Waller told the officer he did not have to get out of the car, police said, and said he would not exit because he feared they were going to kill him. Even when officers asked Waller for his license, registration, and insurance, he refused to hand them over, police said. It was later discovered Waller’s license was expired. Once Waller unlocked his doors, officers tried to open it. But Waller refused to let them open the door and yanked it back toward himself, causing the officer to “almost” slam his fingers and hands in the door jam. Police ultimately used force to remove Waller from the vehicle and he continued to resist, calling the officer derogatory names.
Narcotics, DUI arrest Aaron Nash Dubois, 35, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at 11:47 p.m. on Oct. 27 near the Route 50 bridge and charged with possession of narcotics, DUI, and various traffic violations. Police said Dubois was pulled over for not wearing his seatbelt and during the stop, he told officers his license may be suspended for failure to pay child support and a previous DUI. After an investigation, police believed Dubois was under the influence of alcohol, and he admitted to having “three shots” at a nearby pub. He was then placed under arrest and a search of the vehicle revealed a folded gum wrapper with an offwhite rock-like substance believed to be cocaine.
DUI drugs and alcohol Wesley Brian Richardson, 50, of White Marsh, Maryland was arrested
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by Ocean City Police at approximately 1:15 a.m. on Oct. 30 near 32nd Street and charged with DUI of drugs and alcohol. Police said officers heard an engine revving loudly near 32nd Street before seeing truck headlights approaching them at a high rate of speed. The truck then broke hard and made a sharp left turn, followed by a right sharp turn before the officer was able to conduct a traffic stop at a nearby hotel. Richardson was the driver of the truck and police determined he was under the influence of alcohol. When Richardson got out of the truck, police said, he lost his balance and stumbled. Richardson told officers he had three or four drinks at a nearby restaurant. He also said he takes medication for anxiety and depression. He was ultimately placed under arrest for DUI of drugs and alcohol.
Changes to animal control law lead to Pocomoke arrest Continued from Page 47 mals in Worcester County. “The dogs that he harms through his means of raising and keeping them, and the damages and the distress he causes to his neighbors, is a major concern to me,” he said. “I don’t want any more animals to die, to get hurt or see them get loose. I don’t want the neighbors to be disturbed any longer. That’s why we passed the laws in the first place. Protect not only the animals but the people who want to live a peaceful existence.” “With the dedicated and talented people in the ... state attorney’s office, we’re moving toward that goal.” Lenore Bennett, owner of Bayside Dog Training and All Paws Doggie Daycare and local animal control reform advocate, welcomed the news of the charges but thought Parrett might be getting off easy. “I’m very happy to hear that he was charged,” Bennett said. “Unfortunately these are just misdemeanors that typically involve only fines. If he does not have an income to pay them, there is little recourse if he does not.” New county laws were enacted in August that include criteria for hold times for strays, who may operate a kennel, standards that must be upheld to operate a kennel, standards for what’s considered suitable shelter, vaccination and mental state requirements for adoption, and specific definitions for related animal control terminology for everything from “commercial kennel” to “dog.” The law comes with a companion bill that defines a “commercial kennel” in the zoning code.
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WORLD WAR II
Revolution Parade of ’41 galvanizes Soviets By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) This week, 80 years ago, with the “enemy at the gates,” the Soviet Union staged a 1941 October Revolution Parade in honor of the October Revolution 24 years earlier. That the parade honoring the October Revolution was held in November is because of the switch from the Julian Calendar, which Russia used at the time of revolution to the current Gregorian Calendar, bringing it in line with the rest of the world. At first, Soviet authorities were not inclined to hold the annual parade. However, on further consideration, the authorities decided that the citizens needed inspiration and that a parade would do the trick and that it would tell the whole world that the Soviet Union was still fighting and would continue to fight. So, with German forces 20 miles from the city, the parade was planned. First, the parade route had to be protected from the Luftwaffe. From all over the front lines, 550 fighters were ordered to Moscow. Thanks to these, and a heavy snowstorm, there was no interference from the Luftwaffe. Normally, two to three months would be devoted to parade preparations. In this case, it was done in a few days. Gen. Pavel Artemyev led the parade into Red Square on horseback, to the accompaniment of the combined bands of the Central Military Band of the People’s Commissars of Defense, the band of the Dzerzhinsky Division, and the staff band of the Moscow Military District led by the Military District’s Director of Music, Col. Vasily Agapkin. After a speech by Stalin from atop Lenin’s tomb, the following units marched past: the Corps of Drums of the Moscow Military Music College; Moscow Artillery School; combined regiments from the 336th Naval Infantry Brigade, and Navy Headquarters detachment from Moscow; the 332nd Rifle Division; the Dzerzhinsky Division (named in honor of Felix Dzerzhinsky — “Iron Felix” — first head of the dreaded secret police); NKVD Internal Troops; People’s Militia Division; regiments from the Military Council of the Moscow Military District, Vsevovusch and the Red Guards Battalion. Most of these soldiers, upon exiting Red Square, marched straight to the front where many died. Stalin’s speech commemorated the great October Socialist Revolution and reminded the people that they had faced worse times and had prevailed. He noted that, unlike post World War I, this time the Soviets had allies and were not standing alone. He also noted that Germany had lost 4.5 million men and that it could not, “...sustain such a strain for long,” and
that within a year, at the most, it would begin to buckle. He told the Soviet citizens that, “...the whole world is looking to you as the force capable of destroying the plundering hordes of German invaders.” Stalin invoked past successful leaders such as Prince Alexander Nefsky who triumphed over German and Swedish invaders in the 13th Century, Field Marshal Alexander Suverov who never lost a battle and Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, who chased Napoleon’s army out of Russia. Simultaneously, with the parade in Moscow, there was a parade in Kuybyshev, which was formerly, and currently is, Samara. This is where much of the Soviet government had relocated in October during the “great skedaddle,” in October. The 500-yearold city is located where the Volga and Samara Rivers join and currently has a population of 1.1 million. The parade was held in Kuybyshev Square. The city and the Square were named for Valerian Kuybyshev, who until his death on January 25, 1935, was the First Deputy Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Soviet Union. In 1991, the city’s name was changed back to Samara. The Kuybyshev parade participants were led into the Square by Lt.
Gen. Maxime Purkayev, commander of the Sixtieth Army. The participants were addressed by Stalin crony, Marshal Kliment Y. Voroshilov, who previously had been Commissar of Defense, and was currently Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs. The parade participants included: the Corps of Drums; the Corps of 1941 parade in Red Square, Moscow. Cadets; the Military Medical Academy; brigades from the 65th and 239th Rifle Divi- motorcycles, jeeps and Katyusha sions; Air Defense, Naval and NKVD rocket launchers. Battalions. A total of 15,000 soldiers, Since the breakup of the Soviet 140 military vehicles, and 217 aircraft, Union, the October Revolution has accompanied by a 360-man-band, pa- not been celebrated. However, the paraded for an hour and a half. Diplo- rade to commemorate the 1941 pamats from 27 countries attended. rade has been held, and will be again Another parade occurred in this year, on Sunday, in Moscow and Voronezh, which is located on the in Samara. Voronezh River, about 7.5 miles from Next week: Assault on Moscow where it enters the Don River. CurMr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean rently, the 800-year-old city has a City, Maryland, where he practices population in excess of one million. law representing those persons acThat parade consisted of personnel of cused of criminal and traffic offenses, 327th Flight Division, commanded by and those persons who have suffered Ivan Mikhailovich Antiufeev. In addi- a personal injury through no fault of tion to the soldiers marching, there their own. He can be contacted at: were columns of armored cars, trucks, wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.
Sports & Recreation
Ocean City Today Nov. 5, 2021
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www.oceancitytoday.com
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
The Worcester Prep boys’ soccer team edged out Gunston School, 2-1, last Thursday in Berlin, to capture its seventh consecutive Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship.
WP boys’ soccer squad captures 7th ESIAC title By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Worcester Prep boys’ soccer team edged out the Gunston School Herons, 2-1, last Thursday in Berlin, to capture its seventh straight Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship. “Seven in a row, and the boys really wanted it,” said Prep Coach Jon Adkins, who was soaking wet after his players dumped the water cooler on him to add to the celebration. “They played a great game. Gunston’s a tough team, a much improved team. Second half was much better than the first half, but that’s been the story the whole year. We play better the second half.” Junior captain Jack Gardner, who played in the goal for Worcester until the last few games, put his team on the board at the 28-minute mark. Gunston tied it up about 10 minutes later. Worcester kept the pressure on in the second half and was finally successful. Sophomore Dylan McGovern crossed the ball and senior captain Brice Richins headed it into the goal with about eight minutes remaining in the game. “It was awesome. Super exciting,” Richins said. “Dylan played a great
Prep girls’ soccer team wins ESIAC championship
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Two Gunston players challenge Worcester Prep senior captain Brice Richins for the ball during last Thursday’s Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship in Berlin. Richins scored the game-winning goal.
ball to me. I just had to put my head on it to put it in. He’s done that all year. He plays it to me from the wing – either on the ground or the air – and I score. He knows I’m there.” Freshman goalie Dillon Scopp came up with some big saves to keep the Mallards in the game. He finished with eight saves. “I think the second half we just dominated possession. We had a lot more chances and Dillon Scopp made a couple great saves in goal. He did a great job for a freshman goalie,” Ad-
kins said. “Possession was key and we got lots of chances. Corners was a big part of the day too. We strived for that at halftime to get more corners and we were very threatening on corners against them.” Worcester finished the season with 12 wins, two losses and one tie. “It was a great success,” Adkins said. “We had four goals: we wanted to win the regular conference [season], we did that. We wanted to play a championship game here, we did See WE Page 51
By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Worcester Prep girls’ soccer team outscored the Salisbury Christian Jaguars, 3-1, at MAYS Athletic Complex in Pittsville last Thursday, to win the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship. “It was a battle,” said Prep Coach Carol Hartnett. The game was scoreless at the end of the first half. “We dominated possession the first half, we just couldn’t get anything in,” Hartnett said. “At halftime, we said we were playing disorganized. We just didn’t find our shape and we had to settle in.” Hartnett challenged the Lady Mallards to play like they know how, and to make a statement because for some of the girls, the second half would be the final 40 minutes of their high school soccer career. Senior Myranda Beebe netted a shot 10 minutes into the second half. Senior Natalie Brushmiller made it 20 about 10 minutes later. Salisbury cut the lead to one goal, but Beebe extended the advantage See HARTNETT Page 51
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PHOTO COURTESY ALLISON BESCAK
The Worcester Prep girls’ soccer team outscored Salisbury Christian, 3-1, last Thursday at MAYS Athletic Complex in Pittsville, to win the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship.
Hartnett: It was a once-in-a-lifetime season Continued from Page 50 with about six minutes left in the game. “She just sealed it,” Hartnett said. “Everyone could take a breath in, because it was a war.” Hartnett said Worcester’s back four – seniors Ava Nally and Lily Baeurle, and sophomores Claire Windrow and Isabella Huber – dictated the pace of the second half. “A lot of hard work made things happen,” Hartnett said. “They settled the ball, they distributed the ball well [and] they communicate well.” Freshman goalie Abigail Ament recorded four saves.
“She’s been playing great,” Hartnett said. The final cheer for the senior Mallards was “protect the pond,” as they were all a bit emotional to wrap up their last soccer season. “The seniors were freshmen the last time they won both the conference and tournament,” Hartnett said. “After the game we told [all] the girls to take a moment, stop and savor this.” Players who received All-ESIAC accolades were announced after the game. Prep players who earned awards were: Nally, Beebe, Brushmiller, Baeurle, senior captain Morgan White and Windrow (honorable mention).
Hartnett presented team awards to White (MVP), Baeurle (Coaches Award) and senior Hannah Brasure (Most Improved). The championship game, Hartnett added, was a reflection of the season. “Upbeat attitudes, the girls were cheering for each other, senior leadership, being helpful to each other,” Hartnett said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime season, because all the stars lined up. I told them this will be a team I talk about for years to come, and how proud I am of them.” The Mallards finished the season with a 10-1 record. They had seven shutouts.
“They’re a great group of girls. I had a great time coaching them,” Hartnett said. “Thirty-one girls and it was so copacetic. They enjoyed each other’s company and they worked as a unit.” The team will graduate 14 players, but many underclassmen contributed this season. There were also nine freshmen on the team who gained valuable varsity experience. “Everyone played their role. There were no superstars. Everyone contributed,” Hartnett said. “Everything fell into place because of hard work.” Between the talent returning and solid incoming freshmen, the team should be strong again next season.
‘We accomplished all our goals’ this year, coach says Continued from Page 50 that. We wanted to beat the public schools, we did that, and we wanted to win the ESIAC championship, and we did that. We accomplished all our goals.” The team was presented its championship trophy at the end of the game and All-ESIAC team players were announced. Prep players who earned All-Conference awards were: Richins, McGovern, Gardner, freshman Ben McGovern, junior Austin Gentry, senior captain Michael Wehberg and senior Tristen Weinstein (honorable mention).
Richins was also named ESIAC Player of the Year. “It’s great, but it’s all from my teammates,” he said. “The bigger accomplishment is winning the championship.” Adkins presented team awards to Richins (MVP), Dylan McGovern (Coaches Award) and Weinstein (Most Improved). The team will only graduate five players, so the program should be strong next season. “The future’s bright. We’re losing a lot of key guys, but only five seniors, so a lot of guys will be back, a lot of talent,” Adkins said.
To celebrate winning their seventh consecutive Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship, Worcester Prep players dump the water cooler on Coach Jon Adkins. LISA CAPITELLI/ OCEAN CITY TODAY
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Decatur volleyball team preparing for playoff run By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur volleyball team earned the No. 2 seed in the MPSSAA 3A South Region II and a first-round bye. The Seahawks will host either No. 3 Crofton or No. 6 Northeast on Monday at 5 p.m. in Berlin. Those teams were slated to go head-to-head yesterday. “We look strong when we receive the serve well,” Decatur Sara Patrick Coach Sara Patrick said earlier this week. “We will practice passing to target and being aggressive at the net. The girls need to work on controlling the ball and not losing momentum when we have the ball.” Decatur finished the regular season with a 12-3 record. The Seahawks were the top Bayside Conference South team and battled the Easton Warriors, the No. 1 North squad, on Monday for the championship. Decatur won the first game, 25-18, but home team Easton took the next three, 25-16, 25-8 and 25-19. “They played great on and off,” Patrick said Monday evening. “First game and last game looked great.” Senior captain Logan Patrick had 19 digs, seven kills, three assists, one ace and one block. Senior Alexis Chambers added five kills and three digs. Junior Sydney Patrick chipped in with seven kills, four aces, three digs and an assist. Junior Taya Price tallied three kills, two blocks, two digs and an assist. The next day, the Seahawks were back on the court preparing for playoffs. “Practice went really well. We focused on serve receive and blocking,” Coach Patrick said Tuesday. “The team is in great spirits and excited to start playoffs next week. “We definitely feel like hosting the game will be an advantage,” she added. “The support of family and friends keeps the girls pumped when we are playing.”
PHOTO COURTESY DAN STEARMAN
Stephen Decatur golfers who competed in the state tournament last week at University of Maryland - College Park, from left, are sophomore Kole Kohut, senior captain Abby Wesche, freshman Sam Boger, senior captain Jacob Bauer and sophomore Evan Oglesby.
Successful season for SD golf team By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) Five Stephen Decatur golfers competed in the state tournament last week at University of Maryland - College Park. The 3A/4A classification schools played last Monday. Decatur, a 1A/2A school, took to the challenging course on Tuesday. The top teams and individuals advanced to the final round on Wednesday. Sophomores Kole Kohut and Evan Oglesby, senior captain Jacob Bauer and freshman Sam Boger competed as a team. Senior captain Abby Wesche played as an individual in the tournament. Wesche was the only Decatur golfer with experience playing in the state tournament. She was one of three Decatur golfers who advanced to the tournament in 2019, when she was a sophomore. Oglesby (83), Kohut (90), Boger (94) and Bauer (98) did not qualify for the second day of the 2021 competition. Wesche shot an 85 on Day 1 and made the cut to advance to the second day. The cutoff for boys was 81, and 85 for girls. “They played as well as they could on a golf course they’re not familiar with. It was a great opportunity for the younger players to experience it for the first time. They saw how competitive it was and it will help them for next year,” said Decatur Coach Dan Stearman. “Abby had a great day. She was the only one from the Bayside Conference to advance to the finals. That’s quite an accomplishment. I was proud that she got to the finals.”
Wesche shot a 95 on the second day. “I think that I didn’t play to my full potential on either day, but I am happy with the way that I played on the first day,” she said. “Going into the first day I wasn’t as nervous as I thought that I would have been, which I believe is Dan Stearman what helped me play well that day compared to the second day. Just being in the top six girls from the 1A/2A was a great feeling. I didn’t play as well as I would have liked on the second day, I think due to how nervous I was and my whole team watching me play the first few holes.” The Decatur group earned a spot in the state championship because of their performance during the Oct. 13 District VIII tournament. Decatur came in second place, two strokes behind Kent Island, 330-328. The team score advanced the Decatur foursome – Kohut (80) Oglesby (82), Bauer (83) and Boger (85) – to states. Wesche shot a 91 during the district event, which qualified her as an individual for states. The week prior, Decatur captured the Bayside Conference championship by one stroke over Kent Island, 338-339. The Seahawks went undefeated, 11-0, during the regular season. “We had a great season. We exceeded some expectations and they surprised me some times,” Stearman said. “It will catapult us to bigger and better things. We’re young and they want to get better. The season
showed how much better they can get, which is exciting for us.” Stearman said he enjoyed coaching the players this year. “It was fun to coach this group. Sky is the limit for this group next year, because even though we’re graduating some seniors, I think the talent level here and the players moving up the ranks is really going to help us moving forward,” he said. “It’s going to be very exciting to be the Decatur golf coach the next couple years.” The team will graduate three players – Bauer, Wesche and Evan Ritz. “My freshman year I was on JV and the other three years I was on varsity. To sum up my high school golf career, I would say that it was a great experience getting to know new people and making new friends,” Wesche said. “Also playing competitively was an amazing experience, especially getting the chance to be able to play at a higher level like going to states. The competition level is much higher than what you are used to playing at a normal match.” The team will return a number of skilled golfers, Stearman said. In addition, Stearman said the JV program had 10 talented golfers this season. Several eighth graders who will be freshmen next year are solid players as well. There were eight players – seven freshmen and one sophomore – participating in a “first year” program this season. “I think we’ll be strong next year as well,” he added. “I think that this year’s team is going to go far in the future. They are such a young team with a lot of talent so I wish them all the best of luck for their future seasons,” Wesche said.
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Decatur football team gets 58-0 shutout over Snow Hill By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur football team wrapped up the regular season on a high note, shutting out cross-county rival, the Snow Hill Eagles, 58-0, last Friday on the road. “The defense didn’t allow a first down in the first half and the offense was hitting on all cylinders,” said Decatur Coach Jake Coleman. “There was nothing they didn’t do well. We came out and played great defense, the tackling was phenomenal and we were able to go at them. We took away what they wanted to do, and our offense was making big plays.” Senior Zimere Handy caught a 43yard pass from senior quarterback Ashten Snelsire to kick things off for Decatur. He then ran the ball 31 yards for a touchdown. Snelsire hit junior Luke Mergott from 30 yards out for the final score of the quarter. Decatur led 21-0 at the end of the first. Senior Kresen Muir opened the scoring in the second quarter, catching a 26yard pass from Snelsire. Mergott, senior RJ Brittingham and sophomore Brycen Coleman helped extend Decatur’s lead. Junior Adam Hilbert scooped up a Snow Hill fumble and ran the ball 50 yards into the end zone. At halftime the visiting Seahawks were on top, 58-0. Sophomore Brogan Eastlack was 8for-8 on extra points. Snelsire was 14-for-17, passing for 278 yards. “Austin was sharp and accurate,”
Coach Coleman said. “He’s the state leader in passing two years in a row (at the end of the regular season).” Handy caught four passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman caught three passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Mergott tallied 58 yards on two catches (two touchdowns). The Decatur defense made 42 tackles. Leading the group was junior Daegan Risser (four solo) and senior Jerry Grant (two solo/two assists) with four tackles each. “We played well overall and everyone got in. It was a great way to end the regular season,” Coleman said. “It’s how we wanted to come into playoffs. And we came out healthy, which is another bonus.” Decatur received the No. 3 seed and will host the No. 6 Queen Anne’s Lions tonight, Friday, at 6 p.m. in Berlin. “It’s our first home playoff game in 17 years,” Coach Coleman said. “We’re all excited to have a home playoff game. All of our home games have been pretty awesome this season and we’re expecting another huge crowd.” Queen Anne’s edged out Decatur, 3534 on Oct. 14. “In that game we were not able to stop their rushing attack,” Coleman said. “The kids are looking forward to playing better this time. Hopefully we tackle much better this time around, and I know we can do it. We have to contain their quarterback and we have to be able to run the ball ourselves.” Coleman said a patriotic crowd theme has been set and fans are encouraged to wear red, white and blue, stars and stripes.
Decatur girls’ soccer team’s season ends in first round By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur girls’ soccer team’s season came to an end in the first round of the MPSSAA 3A South Region II tournament. Fifth-seeded Decatur lost 6-0 to a strong No. 4 Chesapeake squad of Anne Arundel County on the road last Wednesday. “They were a really Rich Venere good team,” said Decatur Coach Rich Venere. “We had some miscues that resulted in goals. They capitalized on all the opportunities we gave them.” Decatur finished the season with seven wins, five losses and a tie. “We deemed the season a success coming off a 4-7 (record) last season.
It was the team’s first winning season since 2015,” Venere said. “Some of the highlights of the season were: we got our first win over Parkside since 2015, we got a big (6-3) win over Snow Hill on the road – we went 0-3 against them last year – and we beat Queen Anne’s 1-0 in the final game of the season, who won Baysides a few days later. We had some nice accomplishments. I’m really happy about that.” Venere said he enjoyed his first season as head coach. Venere has been a travel team soccer coach in the area since 2009. Four Decatur players are on his travel team, which made the transition to coaching the Decatur squad a bit smoother, along with the help of his assistants. He also worked with many of the underclassmen during a summer league in Salisbury. “I had a fabulous time coaching the girls. I adjusted to coaching high See VENERE Page 54
PHOTO COURTESY BRENDA HOMMEL
Runners who finished in the top 15 in the boys’ and girls’ Bayside Conference Championship races last Wednesday in Cambridge received ribbons. Decatur athletes who took home awards, in front, from left, are freshman Amber Marshall, sophomore Macy Woroniecki and junior Carolina Novelli, and in back, sophomore Ethan Justice and senior Tristan Dutton. Freshman Luke Leffew, right, placed 14th in JV open race.
Decatur boys’ XC team takes third and girls’ squad fourth By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur boys’ cross country team finished in third and the girls’ squad placed fourth during last Wednesday’s Bayside Conference Championship in Cambridge. The top 15 runners in each race received ribbons. James M. Bennett won the boys’ competition, scoring 71 points. Kent Island came in second place with 75 points, followed by Decatur with 104. “The boys’ team performed well with all of the members reaching personal records at the Bayside meet,” said Decatur Coach Brenda Hommel. “Our boys’ team is very young as well, only graduating three seniors and no juniors, so I look for them to continue to become more competitive over the next couple of years.” The top five finishers for Decatur were: senior Tristan Dutton (third, 16:56.20), sophomore Ethan Justice (eighth, 17:36.20), senior Gavin McCabe (17th, 18:35.30), freshman Luke Braciszewski (30th, 19:22.10) and junior Shiloh Carmack (55th, 21:21.40). “Senior Tristan Dutton and sophomore Ethan Justice both have a good chance of making it to the state cross country meet if they run strong at the regional meet [Nov. 4] at Chesapeake High School,” Hommel said. Easton won the girls’ competition with 63 points, followed by Kent Island (64), North Caroline (68) and Decatur (69). Scoring points for Decatur were:
freshman Amber Marshall (eighth, 22:37.70), sophomore Macy Woroniecki (11th, 23:24.20), junior Carolina Novelli (12th, 23:26.60), and freshmen Clarice Piela (32nd, 26:05.70) and Chloe Resnick (41st, 28:15.70). “The girls’ team experienced a crushing disappointment at Baysides, missing the win by just seven points. The girls needed to fill two varsity spots with JV runners since two of the varsity members did not participate in the meet,” Hommel said. “After having won every conference meet of the season, the girls’ team was primed for winning the first Bayside title for Decatur since 2008. Although the girls did not walk away with the trophy, hopefully they walked away with a valuable lesson in the importance of commitment to the team. “I am confident that we will have a very competitive team again next year since the majority of our top runners throughout the season were underclassmen and team leader Carolina Novelli was finally cleared from an injuring lasting most of the season,” she continued. “With such a young girls’ team – only one of our runners has ever attended a regional meet – the ladies are looking forward to the experience and seeing what the competition at the 3A South Region brings.” Decatur was scheduled to compete in the 3A South Region meet yesterday, Thursday. The state championship will take place on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Hereford High School in Parkton.
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Ocean City Today
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Decatur boys’ soccer squad ‘grew and we learned a lot’ By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur boys’ soccer team battled, but came up a goal short in the 3A South Region II championship on Tuesday in Salisbury. “We played really well. All the things we talked about, we did them – marking their key players tight and moving the ball and passing well,” said Decatur Coach Jamie Greenwood. “The boys did everything they were asked. Just a few lapses in marking hurt us.” Decatur senior captain James Barrett scored two and a half minutes into the game. Bennett, the No. 1 seed, evened it up about 16 minutes before halftime. Three minutes into the second half sophomore Sean O’Halloran was fouled and second-seeded Decatur was awarded a penalty kick. Barrett netted the shot to put the Seahawks up 2-1. Bennett tied it with 16 minutes remaining in the game and took the lead with four minutes left. Decatur junior goalie Owen Knerr recorded 10 saves. The Seahawks advanced to the championship after shutting out the No. 3 Oxon Hill Clippers, 3-0, on Sat-
urday in Berlin. Senior captain Miguel Cervantes made it 1-0 at the 18:09 mark. Freshman Holden Bunting put Decatur on top, 2-0, with 1:46 remaining in the first half. Barrett boosted the Berlin squad’s advantage to 3-0 with nine minutes left in the game. Knerr finished with eight saves. “We hadn’t played in 10 days, and we struggled a little bit. We looked a little rusty,” Greenwood said after the game. Decatur finished the season with an 11-3 record. “I was happy with it. We grew and we learned a lot,” Greenwood said. “We put people in new positions and we adapted.” Greenwood said the team was competitive in all its games this season. “We were in every single game. The three losses we had were 2-0, 10 and 3-2. You can’t be disappointed about that,” he said. “We fought all year.” The team will graduate seven seniors, three of whom were starters. “We’re returning eight out of 11. That’s good for us,” Greenwood said. “And the JV program is strong. I think next year looks very bright.”
Stephen Decatur sophomore Brogan Eastlack controls the ball during last Saturday’s 3A South Region II semifinal game in Berlin. Decatur won, 3-0. LISA CAPITELLI/ OCEAN CITY TODAY
Venere enjoyed first season coaching SD Lady Seahawks Continued from Page 53 school girls as the season went on,” he said. “I enjoyed all of the players. We were 40 players strong – 22 varsity and 18 JV – and they were all great girls.” The team will only graduate two seniors – Malery Andrews and Miah Schwind.
With a combination of solid players returning and talented newcomers with experience coming in, Venere said the program will be strong next year. “There will be an insane amount of competition next year,” he said. “That competition will make the players and the program better.”
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Ocean City Today
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Ocean City Today
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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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