Town auctions parade parking
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) The Town of Berlin raised almost a thousand dollars by auctioning off prime parking spots for the municipality’s yearly Christmas Parade. The money will be put toward the town’s mission to create a Berlin Community Center.
In an effort to offer a few Berlin residents and visitors a first-rate parking location for the annual, and ultra-
crowded, Christmas Parade, planned for Dec. 4 this year, the municipality recently auctioned off 11 parking spots facing Main Street in the triangle War Memorial parking lot, across from Stevenson Methodist Church.
Sara Gorfinkel, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall’s executive administrative assistant, said that the spaces are “just steps from the Christmas Parade Stage.”
The idea to hold such an auction was inspired by feedback, indicating that Berlin citizens and guests may be interested in offering
Bayside Jet Drive destroyed in fire
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 21, 2025) Firefighters from nearly two dozen fire companies responded last week to an inferno that incinerated a Berlin-area boat dealership owned by Worcester County Commissioner Eric Fiori. No one was hurt.
Fiori said the Nov. 13
conflagration consumed the commercial building that housed a showroom and offices for his business, Bayside Jet Drive. About 15 boats, a storage room for parts and accessories, not to mention countless business documents all were destroyed. County fire officials and Fiori both said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This week, Fiori expressed profound gratitude,
The Town of Berlin marked the arrival of its annual Christmas tree on Monday in front of the Atlantic Hotel.
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Fire ruins Bayside Jet Drive, cause is under investigation
Continued from Page 1
not only to the community for standing with him in the face of devastating loss, but to the firefighters from three counties who showed up to help.
“If it wasn’t for our first responders from all those jurisdictions, this catastrophic fire would have been way, way worse,” he told OC TodayDispatch. “The way they risked their lives to jump into that fire, there’s no words. As I’m watching the last 20plus years of my life burn, none of that matters. I just wanted them to get home to their families and not spread to their neighbors, so they don’t have the same heartache I did.”
It was 1:21 p.m. on Nov. 13 when the Berlin Fire Company fielded the call that Bayside Jet Drive on Worcester Highway was on fire. Units arriving to the scene found flames already shooting through the roof and walls, according to Rob Korb, Chief Deputy Fire Marshal for Worcester County.
At the same time, a firefighter friend reached out by phone to tell Fiori: you need to get to your business – now.
Twenty-three fire departments from Worcester and Wicomico counties, as well as Sussex County in Delaware, responded to the incident, bringing 64 pieces of apparatus, according to Korb.
They spent eight hours at the scene, some working into the night, to contain and investigate the fire. Many other fire companies didn’t physically make it to the scene but were involved in covering other stations that did go, Korb added.
Drop tanks were in place so tanker trucks could unload their water supply and make runs to keep the reservoir replenished for engines. Tankers filled up by tying into hydrants at a nearby Royal Farms and SonRise Church. More than 200,000 gallons of water, mostly tapped from municipal Berlin hydrants, were spent to
extinguish the inferno, Korb said.
Volunteers’ photos and videos posted to social media chronicled the hours-long firefight.
As early crews arrived on the scene, a wall of sheer orange flame 20 feet tall could be seen overtaking the front of the blue commercial structure.
By dusk, firefighters stood watching as a hydraulic excavator began to demolish that same storefront, ripping away the charred sheet metal exterior in jagged chunks.
Roxana’s Fire Company said on Facebook how crews enroute watched from miles away as a column of smoke rose from the scene and, when they showed up, boats were seen engulfed in flame. The sheer intensity of the blaze made it hard to reach the seat of the fire, they also said.
Fiori, 48, says he’s facing the situation head-on and has vowed to rebuild.
“It’s just very difficult and I want to clean it up and start over and move on,” he said.
After years of working in the marina and watercraft industry in Ocean City, Fiori in 2002 founded his own Jet Ski rental and repair service in midtown Ocean City. That business grew into what became Bayside Jet Drive, a full-fledged boat dealership and maintenance operation.
A decade later, he opened 13,000 square feet of showroom outside Berlin, and then expanded again for more storage in 2016, according to the business’ website. While Bayside Jet Drive employs about 20 people at the Berlin location, Fiori has another showroom and sales operation in Ocean View, Delaware.
On Friday, the morning after the fire, Fiori posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, showing appreciation to all who responded, well wishers and the Ladies Auxiliary members who showed up on site to feed the
PHOTO COURTESY OF OPVFD
The scene last Thursday afternoon is pictured on Worcester Highway as multiple local fire companies worked to extinguish the fire at Bayside Jet Drive.
New housing project off Rte. 589 reviewed
cording to attorney Hugh Cropper, who represents the owner and developer, Maryland Medical Owners III, LLC.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 14, 2025) Plans are moving forward for a 137-unit housing development outside Ocean Pines, where units may be on the small side to keep sales prices affordable.
Racetrack Village is slated for a 23acre property along the east side of Route 589 (Racetrack Road). The Worcester County Technical Review Committee reviewed an early concept of the site plan last week in Snow Hill.
Plans provided by architectural firm Vista Design, Inc., show a dozen clusters of housing units, sited to the north and east of the triangle-shaped property. The development is buffered to the east by about 100 feet of forest and tidal wetland conservation easement, separating the property from the adjacent Nottingham Lane in Ocean Pines.
While clusters of 22-by-55 square foot buildings would be constructed to resemble townhouses, each would include two units, one upstairs and one down. Upstairs units possibly could occupy the top two floors, ac-
Cropper said the units would be designated for individual sale, and that the smaller home sizes – units would range in size from 900 to 1,200 square feet – might reflect a lower price point in the housing market, making them more affordable to buyers. While parking will be provided on the property, garages are not part of the build.
Plans also call for Racetrack Village to offer a swimming pool, pool house, and walking path along the perimeter. It’s also slated to house future commercial or retail space on the north side of the property, on a 2.5acre parcel flanking Route 589. Homes and businesses here would tie into the Ocean Pines sewer district.
At this point, the developer will spend months more in planning before any construction might begin in late 2026, Cropper also said.
While there was some inquiry last week from planning officials about whether these properties would be made available for short-term rentals, Cropper said that hasn’t been discussed with him by the ownership group. If short-term rentals were offered, it would then require extra
parking, according to zoning administrator Kristen Tremblay.
For years, the property was farmland and a produce stand. It was recently redeveloped by Atlantic General Hospital, which constructed a new outpatient center and pharmacy. Blueprints submitted to the Worcester County Technical Review Committee show the new housing units will surround the AGH facility.
Worcester County officials in August voted to rezone the land from commercial to residential, at the property owners’ request. The property had been slated for a planned assisted living facility, but that was scrapped in favor of a housing development.
Cropper, their attorney, told the County Commissioners Aug. 5 that multifamily residential zoning would be less impactful than the existing general commercial zoning because housing would generate far less traffic than other commercial uses like a convenience store, fast food joint, or even a car dealership.
The ownership group a decade ago had plans in place to develop a massive medical campus for Atlantic General Hospital. That project, including a 100,000 square foot medical campus purpose-built for elective
surgeries, fell apart when the state of Maryland changed its hospital funding model.
Combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, this development plan proved untenable, and the original vision was scaled down. What ended up being built is the existing outpatient facility, now the Gudelsky Family Medical Center.
However, because the property was supposed to have ended up with that substantially larger project, it means the traffic intersection here now is effectively over-designed, meaning there will be plenty of room to accommodate all the traffic flowing in and out of Racetrack Village, according to the developer.
Moving forward, the development will be reviewed by the county’s Planning Commission and ultimately requires approval from the County Commissioners.
Also discussed during last Wednesday’s meeting of the Technical Review Committee, there was a site plan review for a 23,000-squarefoot expansion of Coastal Community Church in the West Ocean City-Berlin corridor along Route 50. It would include a new 630-person sanctuary space, offices, classrooms, as well as a new outdoor pickleball court.
Commission approves outdoor pocket park
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) A proposal to transform a former bank drivethrough lot on Bay Street into a landscaped public pocket park earned strong support and final approval from the Berlin Historic District Commission earlier this month.
Landscape architect Travis Wierengo, representing property owner Robbie Rosenblit, presented a design intended to convert the space at 2 Bay Street into a multi-use outdoor gathering area incorporating permeable pavers, raised planters, artificial turf, and a water feature. The goal, he said, is to soften up the existing asphalt area while providing an attractive, year-round community amenity.
“This would be a continuation of
what we discussed earlier this fall. Opening it up into a public park so it could be used for multiple uses throughout the year,” Wierengo explained at the commission’s Nov. 5 meeting.
Design features will include permeable paver walkways to enhance stormwater management, raised planters that serve as stormwater catchments and safety barriers, artificial turf installed over some of the existing asphalt to maintain a green appearance and prevent mud, a new and improved arbor, a water feature, and landscape lighting. Wierengo maintained that the park could have seasonal programming potential.
“You guys have done a great job on programming throughout the year, so that this isn’t just a summertime park,” he said at a September com-
mission meeting, where the idea was initially presented.
“It really could be a gathering space multiple times a year, especially in the fall when you guys have holiday events, and in the springtime. We’re using this as a blank canvas to set the framework for a space that can be used for small gatherings, as well as for people just walking by who would like to take a phone call. And then you could use this framework to sort of stage it for different things, like the Fiddler’s Convention, Christmas, different events.”
Furthermore, planters would stand 18 to 24 inches high, helping shield children from traffic, Wierengo said.
“The idea is to go ahead and use those as stormwater runoffs catchments, raised beds, and then we could also use those, for lack of better terms, containment of kids so that they’re not running out into the street,” the landscape architect said.
Commission members praised the park’s quality, material selection, and compatibility with Berlin’s historic character.
“I like the classic design of the arbor,” commission member Laura Stearns said. “I’m glad you went that way because I’m looking at what you’re going to see as you’re driving through town, and I think that classic arbor
helps make it fit in with the town, the historic look … It's such a nice thing that you’re doing for the town.”
Commissioner Mary Moore emphasized the value of the water feature.
“It’s such a nice thing, the landscaping when you have not only the visuals, but also the audio. You’re hearing the water, and seeing it, it softens everything,” she said.
Wierengo added that the waterfall will also drown out any noise from possible congestion in Berlin.
“It mitigates if there’s any street traffic,” he said. “It’s kind of like the one reprieve that you have downtown next to what you have going on at the hotel.”
The water feature could run continually, or timers available could allow operators to turn it off and on at specific points. Any landscape lighting may also be dimmed, which could co-occur with the shutdown of the waterfall.
When the commission first reviewed the pocket park concept in September, Rosenblit announced that the intention of the creation was to dedicate it to his wife, which remained the plan as of the Nov. 5 meeting.
The commission unanimously approved the enhanced outdoor space.
“It's very well designed and it's fantastic that the public can enjoy that space,” said member John Holloway.
QUALITY MEANS DOING IT JUST-RITE MARINE CONSTRUCTION
Prime parade parking spots auctioned off to raise funds
Continued from Page 1
some cash to ensure they can park their cars as close to the festive parade as possible.
parking spot auction, leftover street signs not bought during the summer event were once again available. Seven of those were purchased for $30 each.
“Many residents and visitors have asked for ways to secure parking in the Town of Berlin on one of the busiest nights of the year, the first Thursday in December, during the annual Christmas Parade, and have suggested they would even be willing to pay for a spot closer to the parade,” said a town press release issued on Nov. 12.
An auction was thus held offering these ideal parking spots. The bidding closed on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at noon, with a total of $915 secured and all 11 spots claimed. According to Gorfinkel, the auction had 20 individual bidders, with 24 bids for 11 spaces, all reserved in the War Memorial parking lot.
The executive assistant added that each spot had at least one bid, which started at $50 and went as high as $150.
The auction was part of an effort to raise funds for a proposed community center in Berlin. The parking space project follows a successful auction over the summer, in which retired street signs were up for grabs. That initiative raised over $10,000 for the planned recreational facility.
Gorfinkel also said that during the
The money raised from the Christmas Parade parking space endeavor will be put toward the high costs needed to get a desired community center off the ground.
A Berlin Community center has long been a dream for town citizens, staff, and officials. The municipality recently combined four parcels of property on Flower Street, formerly the site of the Flower Street School, for a potential future center through a partnership between the Town of Berlin, Berlin Community Improvement Association (BCIA), SHOREUP! Inc., and the Worcester County Commissioners.
If the project reaches fruition, the town intends to include in the structure access to social services, community meeting space, classrooms, and recreational activities.
Other efforts to raise the funds necessary to create the center include the sale of Town of Berlin flags and an upcoming Berlin license plate initiative, set to roll out in 2026.
“Every dollar raised helps show other possible funders how the Town of Berlin residents are engaged and committed to this project,” Tyndall said in the Nov. 12 press release.
Elected official shows gratitude to fire responders
first responders.
“ … your kindness in the midst of chaos reminded us what Worcester County is all about. I am especially grateful to the neighbor who stopped and prayed with me in that moment. Your compassion gave me strength when I needed it most,” he wrote. “I also want to thank the friends who checked in, supported our children, and stood by our side; the teachers who stepped in to help my wife so she could be with me; and our Bayside Jet Drive team, who handled an unbearable situation with grace and resilience. This tragedy strikes deeply for our family. My wife lost her mother to a fire, and we carry that loss with us every day. That history is why we are overwhelmingly thankful to God that no one was injured.”
Elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2022, Fiori represents the West Ocean City area in District 3 and serves as the board’s vice president. He is also the owneroperator of Forgotten 50, a restaurant and distillery in Berlin.
Berlin’s holiday season kicks off with Ice Ice event
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) With the holidays approaching, the Town of Berlin is at it again, planning to spread cheer with a series of events designed to appeal to families.
Ice Ice Berlin is one of them.
Planned for Friday, Nov. 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Ice Ice Berlin allows residents and visitors to stroll around the historic downtown and admire 45 showcased ice sculptures.
According to Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, the carvings are brought in from Ice Concepts, an ice supplier in Pennsylvania.
The company is loaded with accomplished sculptors and artists whose mission is to foster “artistic expression through flawlessly executed displays in ice for the event industry,” its website reads.
“They’re award-winning and incredibly talented,” Wells said.
She added that while most of the ice sculptures depict holiday-themed characters, icons, and imagery, a few “fun surprises" were thrown into the mix, including a skiing rooster, Darth Vader, and even Bigfoot.
Downtown businesses will be open late during Ice Ice Berlin for residents and guests to do some Christmas and Hanukkah shopping. Additionally, the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will be selling hot chocolate, Santa will make an appearance, and Ocean City Pipes and Drums are slated to perform.
Wells said Ice Ice Berlin began during the pandemic as a way for people to gather downtown for a festive occasion while still being able to spread out and meet social distancing regulations. Despite the end of the pandemic, the event has endured, becoming a tradition that citizens and guests look forward to each season.
The town’s Christmas tree will also be lit during Ice Ice Berlin at 6 p.m. The tree was taken from a farm in Western Maryland and selected by the municipality's mayor, Zack Tyndall, Wells said.
This year, the Christmas tree will have an Eastern Shore twist: it will be adorned by oyster shells painted by Berlin students, leaning into neighborhood engagement efforts, and serving as a nod to the community’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays.
The community development director maintained that “as many [oysters] as we can fit” will line the tree.
“Once we start hanging them, we’ll see just how many make it onto the branches. For those that don't fit, we will display them throughout town,” Wells said.
Also, to get folks in the holiday
Berlin planning holiday favorites
Continued from Page 9
spirit, the town will offer free carriage rides beginning after Thanksgiving. The rides will be available on Small Business Saturday, or Saturday, Nov. 29, as well as every weekend in December leading up to Christmas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. No carriage rides will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The rides are funded by the Town of Berlin and made possible by the Wicomico County business, R and B Ranch Carriage Service. The festive offerings are entirely free for anyone who wishes to take a horse-drawn drive around town.
“[The carriage rides] bring a little bit of holiday magic to town,” Wells said. “As an Arts and Entertainment District, we really value the kind of joy and creativity experiences like this bring to the community. Families don’t have to think about the cost; they can just enjoy the event together.”
The Town of Berlin is also bringing back its Kringle Kottage, a regular feature of the season for about six or seven years. The structure is donated by the owners of the Mariner's Country Down. At the site, Santa will be stationed to welcome children and their families, including during Ice Ice Berlin. Kringle Kottage will also be open every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A grant from the Maryland State Arts Council funds the Santa appearances. Wells said that the Kringle Kottage gives residents a way to visit with Father Christmas without the hassle of long mall lines.
“It’s just simple, hometown holiday joy,” she said. “We have a bench, so kids feel comfortable sitting next to Santa, and pets are welcome.”
Pines announces 15th Hometown Christmas date
(Nov. 20, 2025) Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks invites community members to kick off the holiday season at the 15th Annual Hometown Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 29, at White Horse Park
Festivities begin with the traditional tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m., followed by Santa in the Park from 7 p.m.-8 p.m.
Tree sponsorships are available. Fees are $75 for returning sponsors and $100 for new sponsors. For information, contact Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks at 410-641-7052.
Hometown Christmas is free and open to the public. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. For questions or additional details, contact Katie Goetzinger at 410-6417052 or kgoetzinger@oceanpines.org
FILE PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
One of the more than 40 ice sculptures created for the Ice Ice Berlin event are pictured during last year’s festivities. The event also features the annual lighting of the town’s Christmas tree in front of the Atlantic Hotel.
Fresh Fresh Cut Cut
CHRISTMAS TREES CHRISTMAS TREES
Angel Tree program offers opportunities to provide necessities for community
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) Ocean Pines organizations are rallying the community through multiple initiatives to help local families in need this Christmas season.
The Ocean Pines Association this week announced the start of its “Angel Tree” program, located in the neighborhood’s community center lobby at White Horse Park. The tree is decorated with angel ornaments, each containing a list of requested items for a local family in need identified through the Berlin Crisis Center.
Ocean Pines residents are invited to select an ornament, purchase the listed item or items, and return it to the community center lobby, wrapped, by Monday, Dec. 15. Requested items, for instance, may include necessities such as hand and bath towels, and more fun presents, like crafts and games, for a single mother and her three teenagers, an OPA press release said.
Michelle Lane-Ross, the project’s coordinator, said that once details from the Berlin Crisis Center are given to the community, she attaches the information to the tree and collaborates with the Ocean Pines marketing and public relations team to get the word out. The adopted family on this year’s tree includes a mother and three teenage children. If anyone has any questions, Lane-Ross can be reached at mross@oceanpines.org.
In addition to the tree, OPA Senior Director of Administration Linda Martin works with the Berlin Crisis Center to provide meals to around 10 local families in need. One of these offerings will be given to the community’s selected family.
Lane-Ross added that efforts like these are especially vital during the Christmas season when economic gaps can become particularly apparent.
“It is a joyous time of year with all the holiday traditions, but many people struggle, and we want to do our part to make this time easier for one local family,” she said. “We are so happy to have this opportunity for employees and the community to come together to help those less fortunate in the area.”
In addition to OPA, the Ocean Pines Aquatics Department has once again set up its annual Angel Tree.
Holiday giving efforts begin
The aquatics team’s program was established in 2014. The effort is coordinated with Worcester County GOLD, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance in this area. Worcester GOLD identified children and families facing economic hardship this holiday season to be included on the tree.
The aquatic department’s tree is located in the Sports Core Pool lobby. Similar to the community center tree, participants may choose an angel ornament and shop for the corresponding gifts. The presents are to be returned to the Sports Core Pool by Dec. 8. The announcement notes that they may be wrapped or unwrapped, but the selected angel tag must be attached. For more information, call the Sports Core Pool at 410-6415255.
The Angel Tree initiative began in the 1970s with the Salvation Army. Now, communities across the country participate in the project, spreading holiday cheer by buying gifts for kids who might not otherwise get to unwrap a Christmas present.
The Salvation Army’s website explains, “Angel Tree is a holiday assistance program in which an individual or group sponsors a child ‘Angel’ and purchases new toys, clothing, shoes, or gift cards for children. Every Christmas, there are children who do not receive gifts because their families cannot afford the expense.
Especially this year, The Salvation Army is serving more working families who never expected to need help and now cannot keep up financially due to inflation and rising food costs.”
Other efforts to give back in Ocean Pines this season include a food drive and a Toys for Tots collection sponsored by the group, Ocean Pines Get Involved. Boxes for the food drive can be found at the community’s Administration Building at White Horse Park. Requested items include nonperishables, such as canned goods, which will be donated to Diakonia to benefit financially disadvantaged local families.
Ocean Pines Get Involved has also kick-started its Toys for Tots project. Donation bins
are located at the Administration Building, the Yacht Club, and the Clubhouse. Toys must be new and can be dropped off at any of the boxes until about mid-December.
In addition to donation efforts, the Pine’eer Craft Club announced this week that it has extended its December hours at its Artisan Gift Shop, offering residents a chance to shop locally for handmade Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. The store will be open Fridays before Christmas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Artisan Gift Shop, its website says, “is an extension of the Pine’eer Craft Club, a local group started in 1974.” The crafters fashion handmade items such as home decor, jewelry, and more to sell in the retail shop at White Horse Park.
Sale profits are donated to organizations in Ocean Pines, like the police and fire departments, the recreation and parks team, the annual summer concerts in the park, and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, among others.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Last year’s Angel Tree is pictured in the community center at White Horse Park. The program involves angel ornaments listing items needed for families identified through the local crisis center.
OBITUARIES
CHARLES L. WAITE III
Snow Hill
Charles (Bunky) Waite, III, 63, passed away suddenly in Norwalk, Connecticut on Nov. 4, 2025.
He was the son of Charles L. Waite, Jr and Carol Wooters Waite and the lovingly loyal grandson of Charles L. Waite, Sr. and Naomi Townsend Waite.
Born in Salisbury, Maryland in 1962 and raised on the family farm in Snow Hill, Charles was a graduate of Snow Hill High School, Class of 1980 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Mass Communication from Towson University, Class of 1985.
Moving to Ogunquit, Maine later in 1985, Charles began an exciting career that encompassed, music, real estate, health care and ultimately becoming a leader in local politics.
Having mastered piano at an early age, Charles released two recordings of his keyboard selections and played in fine dining venues throughout New England and the US Virgin Islands developing a loyal foliowing.
In 1989, Charles joined alcoholics anonymous and maintained sobriety the rest of his life. In 1996, Charles received his Nursing Degree and be-
came a Clinical Specialist traveling New England and the Southeast, training surgeons on the proper methods of implanting biomedical devices for the benefit of epilepsy patients. Charles was also an advocate for patients in the ALS community assisting with treatment plans for these special individuals.
Sadly, in 2001, Charles was forced to exit the medical field after developing his own neuromuscular condition. However, always the high achiever, in 2003 Charles ran for and was elected to the Ogunquit, Maine Board of Selectmen serving as Chairman for two of his three years on the Board. In 2007, Charles returned to Snow Hill to care for his Grandmother Naomi on the family farm until her death in 2009.
In 2010, Charles became a member and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church at All Hallows in Snow Hill, after previously being a member of Bates Memorial Methodist Church in Snow Hill during his youth. in 2011, Charles was appointed to the Diocesan Councii of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton advising Clergy on matters relating to policy changes the Diocese was facing at the time and with which Charles had expertise.
Moreover, during the summer months Charles was a regular attendee at St. Peter's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Cape Neddick,
Maine.
Charles seasonally split his time between Maine and Maryland and once again, in 2017, was elected to the Ogunquit, Maine Board of Selectmen, Serving as Chairman until his own health concerns led him to resign in 2019. Additionally, Charles was an active member of the St. Aspinquid Masonic Lodge #198, York, Maine.
Charles spent his final years on the farm in Snow Hill always planning his next great achievement while continuing the agricultural legacy of the family farm begun by his grandparents in 1940 -with new plans for the property on the horizon.
Bunky was an incredibly talented, creative and successful self-study who never stopped learning. He took special pride in his terraced perennial and annual flower garden at home in Ogunquit. His death is a tremendous loss for all who knew him.
Bunky is survived by his longtime companion and spouse, Daniel M. Westerlund of Snow Hill; sister Bonnie Waite Willey and husband Charlie of Snow Hill; and niece Chelsea Elizabeth Willey.
Bunky will be sorely missed by many- having countless friends and colleagues nationwide.
A burial and celebration of life will be planned for a later date.
Contributions in Charles' memory may be made to St. Aspinquid Lodge
A.F.& A.M. #198, PO Box 408, York, Maine 03909. Arrangements and gratitude: Lawrence Funeral Home, Darien, Connecticut and City of Norwalk First Responders.
JOSHUA SCOTT MICHNICK
Berlin
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joshua Scott Michnick, who was born on February 25, 1998, and sadly left us on November 5, 2025, in Owings Mills, Maryland, at the age of 27. Joshua was a vibrant spirit who touched the lives of everyone he met with his kindness and compassion. A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School in 2016, he further pursued his passion for psychology, earning a Bachelor's Degree from Towson University. He was currently working towards a Master's Degree in Psychology at McDaniel College. Prior to his educational journey, Joshua made a name for himself as the manager of Eagle Fork Vineyards in Hayesville, North Carolina, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication.
Joshua had a deep love for his two beloved puppies, Fuchsia and Violet,
Charles Waite III
Joshua Michnick
OBITUARIES
who brought him immense joy. He was known for his willingness to help others, and his generous spirit will be greatly missed by friends, family, and the community.
He is survived by his devoted father, Dr. Lawrence Steven Michnick; his loving mother, Deanne Kendra Michnick; his cherished sister, Sarena Joanne Michnick; and his paternal grandmother, Judith Deborah Michnick. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Dr. Bruce T. Michnick; maternal grandfather, Jerry Lynn Smith; and his maternal grandmother, Joanne P. Smith.
A graveside service were held on November 11, 2025, at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Easton, MD, where family and friends gathered to honor Joshua’s life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joshua's name to the Worcester County Humane Society, honoring his lifelong affection for animals and commitment to their well-being.
Joshua's warm heart and gentle spirit will forever be remembered."
JOSEPHINE LEYDEN VARNER Ocean Pines
The family of Josephine Leyden Varner of Ocean Pines is deeply saddened to announce her passing on November 9, 2025, at the remarkable age of 98 years young — and we do mean young.
Born in Akron, Ohio, on August 28, 1927, to Frank and Catherine Duran, Josephine grew up with a quick wit, a sharp mind, and a determination that would serve her well throughout her long and lively life. After graduating from Garfield High School, she entered nursing school and proudly became a Registered Nurse.
Josephine began her career at Akron City Hospital, where fate intervened in the form of a charming young ambulance owner, James P. Leyden, who had recently returned
from World War II. The two hit it off immediately — and, after just six months, those “crazy kids” tied the knot. Together, they raised four children while moving from Akron to Toledo, and later to Fairfax, Virginia. Josephine paused her nursing career to raise the family but returned to the profession she loved once her children were all in school.
After James’ passing, Josephine later found love again with Richard Varner, and together they enjoyed many happy years — full of travel, laughter, and the occasional spirited debate over who was the better cook.
Josephine’s energy and zest for life were legendary. She was an ace at contract bridge, a Scrabble shark, and took immense pride in her uncanny ability to outscore, outthink, and occasionally outbluff just about everyone she played with. Her children learned early on that “letting Mom win” was never an option — because she didn’t need the help. Whether it was cards, crossword puzzles, or any game that rewarded cleverness and vocabulary, Josephine was in it to win it — and usually did.
She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Frank, her first husband James, her youngest daughter Tracy, and her second husband Richard Varner.
Josephine is survived by her loving children Noreen Leyden, Beth Ridgeway (Dale), and Jay Leyden (Sara); her adored grandchildren Nicholas Ridgeway (Sarah), Katie Leyden, Jack Leyden, and Connor Leyden, Barry Ridgeway (Natalie), great grandchildren Lucy and Isabelle Ridgeway, her extended Varner family (children and grandchildren), as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and her three faithful granddogs.
A memorial service and celebration of Josephine’s long, full, and joyfilled life will be announced at a later date. The family invites everyone who knew her to share stories, laughter, and perhaps a friendly game of bridge or Scrabble in her honor — but be warned: she’ll be watching from above to make sure you play fair.
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Josephine Varner
Wicked-theme craft session planned for Pines library
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) The Ocean Pines library is inviting kids and their families to a morning of crafting, inspired by the movie-musical “Wicked,” and just in time for the this weekend’s release of its sequel, “Wicked: For Good.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the library branch has planned a variety of whimsical activities, aimed for kids six and up, inspired by the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, “Wicked.”
According to Angie DiMarco, the Ocean Pines library’s youth services specialist, the branch intends to celebrate the motion picture with “thematic crafts,” including coloring and cutouts of flying monkeys and pipe cleaner poppies.
For older kids, more challenging creative activities will be offered, such as fashioning a broom from wood, raffia, and string, customizing magnets with pictures specifically from “Wicked: For Good,” and creating canvases to draw and paint images, like the stage production’s Broadway playbill.
DiMarco said the craft sessions are inspired by her appreciation for musicals. She added that she planned a similar function last year, geared towards the library’s teenage patrons, when the first
movie was released.
DiMarco said that while the crafts were selected to be doable for the children, the event should be fun for even the youngsters’ parents.
Planning involved reviewing the movie for craft ideas, tailoring each activity for different age groups, organizing materials, and preparing cutouts and room decorations to create a “magically wicked” setting.
The youth supervisor said she scheduled the activities during Thanksgiving break as a free, local activity for families seeking quality time out in the community.
“I believe that it will give families time to bond while enjoying an event together,” she said.
The November program is just one of several seasonal offerings at the branch. Upcoming events in December include a Candy Cane Hunt and Gingerbread Man Decorating, Holidays Around the World, Snowball Launcher STEAM, New Year’s Vision Boards and Cake Pops, and a Tween and Teen Peppermint Taste Test.
DiMarco is also gearing up for a KPop Demon Hunters event in January, she said.
For more information, call the branch at 410-208-4014 or visit the Worcester County Library’s official website.
Somerset man will likely finish Otto’s term
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) In the summer of 2010, veteran Somerset County lawmaker Page Elmore lost his battle with cancer, creating a vacancy for his seat in the House of Delegates.
It was Kevin Anderson who pushed for his lifelong friend Charles Otto, the best man at his wedding, to campaign for the job.
“I kept begging him to file to run, and he wouldn’t do it,” Anderson recalled in an interview.
“On the final day, I called him at lunchtime, and said, ‘you have to go to Baltimore to file. You could win this.’ We made the agreement that if I would drive him to Baltimore, he’d file to run. So at 4 o’clock – the deadline was 8 pm – we left Princess Anne and we drove to Baltimore,” he added.
With Anderson by his side as his campaign manager, Charles Otto won not only that election for the District 38A seat, but another two more.
Otto had just filed to run for a fourth term when he died unexpectedly on Oct. 17 at age 61. State election rules say Otto’s fellow Republican Party members may nominate a replacement for Gov. Wes Moore’s final approval.
After hearing from five applicants, the Somerset County GOP central committee on Monday announced they will recommend to the governor that the
appointment should go to Kevin Anderson.
“It felt like I was the best person to fill Charles’ shoes,” he said. “When Charles Otto was in Annapolis, I never lost any sleep about which way he would vote. I knew he would vote with the Eastern Shore way of life in mind, and I just hope to carry on that tradition.”
Anderson, 57, said his head is still spinning as he continues to process not only the loss of his dear friend of five decades, but the “whirlwind” nominating process among local Republicans that he called “overwhelming.”
Not only did Otto’s family encourage him to put his name in, Anderson said he’s received a groundswell of support from the agricultural community as well.
He also appreciates that it’s not a done deal until the governor signs off. Election rules give Gov. Moore 15 days to affirm the GOP’s recommendation, which lands around Nov. 25. A representative from Moore’s office confirmed receipt of the recommendation and will respond within the review period.
“Personally, I don’t believe I’ve done anything to irritate the governor, that I know of,” Anderson said with a laugh. “That’s why I’m not trying to put the cart before the horse.”
Like Otto, Howard Kevin Anderson
is a generational farmer from Princess Anne. But he’s also the first in three generations to farm full-time on their land; Anderson’s grandfather had been a part time school teacher and his father worked nights and weekends as a tractor salesman. Today, in their family business, Wimberly Farms, Anderson and his father sell seed to local farmers and retailers.
Eastern Shore Republicans said they were looking for that agricultural know-how when they considered naming a replacement for Otto, who had been the only farmer in the Maryland legislature.
“Really, we started our careers in Annapolis, advocating for agriculture and the Eastern Shore way of life together, back in the day,” Anderson said of Otto. “I’ve been going to Annapolis to advocate for agriculture for 38 years. It’s not new to me; I’m just going to be sitting on the other side of the table. I’ll do my speaking when the hearing’s over, not during the hearing.”
Anderson admits if he gets the job, he doesn’t know exactly what to expect in Annapolis for the General Assembly’s 2026 Legislative Session. But he does anticipate budgetary issues will be front and center for lawmakers, who just tackled a $3 billion revenue shortfall in their last session.
Other potential challenges for District 38A – which includes all of Som-
erset County, a third of voters in Worcester County, and a sliver of Wicomico County – include easing regulatory pressure on self-employed watermen and farmers, as well as addressing the rock-bottom rankings for Somerset’s public school system, he said.
“Being a minority [party] in Annapolis, I’m just going to have to take a wait-and-see attitude and probably follow the lead of some more seasoned Republicans that have reached out to me and welcomed me,” Anderson said.
As for Worcester County, he admits he’ll have to catch up on the issues here, but does appreciate how Ocean City’s hotel and restaurant operators are in the same self-employed boat as those who work the land and the water in Somerset County.
Ultimately, Anderson says he wouldn’t go to Annapolis with any agenda or preconceived notions – and, like Charles Otto, just wants to be a voice for the residents of the district.
“There’s probably not a lot of difference between Charles’ beliefs and my beliefs,” Anderson said. “He wouldn’t want his seat turned over to anyone less qualified than he was, I figure. The voters of 38A can do whatever they want at election time, but right now, I’m going to try to fill his shoes with my body and my perspective.”
COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
GERMANTOWN MURAL
The Germantown School Community Heritage Center, a restored Rosenwald School located on Trappe Road in Berlin, has announced the newest station on its walking tour: a mural by local artist Patrick Henry depicting the history and legacy of the Germantown School. The final design of the mural, which includes vignettes depicting the history of the school, will be installed on the south facing school wall in November with a ribbon cutting planned for the holiday open house on Saturday, Dec. 15. Pictured with the artist are Velda Henry, Tom Pitts, Carolyn Purnell, Diana Purnell, Barbara Purnell and Gabriel Purnell.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
CUM LAUDE HONOREES
Worcester Preparatory School recently inducted four new members into the prestigious William E. Esham, Jr. Chapter of the prestigious Cum Laude Society. Pictured are this year’s inductees Jude Damouni, Catherine Cullen, Anisha Batra and Ansh Batra. The Cum Laude Society is a national organization founded in 1906 that honors the world’s academic excellence in secondary schools. WPS is the only school on the Eastern Shore with an established Cum Laude Chapter where superior scholastic achievement is honored.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
LIONESS DONATION TO AGH
The Ocean City Lioness Lions Club made a donation to the Atlantic General Hospital JAG for their recent fundraiser, Boot, Scoot and BBQ. Pictured above are Susan McHenry, Treasurer; Ashley Furbay, of JAG; and Donna Greenwood, president.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
WINTER COATS DRIVE
The Delmarva Radford University Alumni Chapter completed its community service project, “Help Keep Our Children Warm.” Five cartons of youth hooded winter coats were delivered to Snow Hill Elementary School on Nov. 6, along with some warm gloves. This is a program the chapter began several years ago to assist our local elementary schools.
HONOR SOCIETY
In a ceremony Nov. 12, the Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) Charles R. Jenkins Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) inducted 28 new members. Pictured, front from left, are Emma Nordstrom, Isha Garg, Keerat Pandher, Gabriella Damouni and Sydney Parker; second row, Alex Gjoni, Chase Burbage, Lyla Roberts, Kayley Adkins, Lara Owens, Meredith Walston, Cora McClanahan, Kyler Phillips and Matt Armstrong; third row, Darren Lockard, Jack Wells, Max Lev, Michael Hall, Ronen Poddar, Ansh Batra and Justin McGovern; and third row, Caleb Walston, Jackson Griffin, Gavin Mann, Danny Kirwan and Jacob Lev. Not pictured, Olivia Soares.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OC
Commissioner Purnell, challenger eye seat
Long-time educator Dennis seeks District 2 seat held by incumbent since 2014
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) There will be a primary election among Democrats vying for the District 2 County Commissioner’s seat, as incumbent Diana Purnell last week filed to run for re-election against challenger Roxie Dennis.
Dennis is hardly a newcomer to local politics. She’s been on the ballot for years as an elected member of the Worcester County Democratic Central Committee, which she now chairs, but has never run for an elected legislative position in government.
“I’ve been preparing myself for this since 2014 since Mrs. Purnell took the position,” Dennis said in an interview. “I want to be a voice for the people. I have committee people who are saying, ‘I believe too, Roxie, this is your time.’ I feel it’s time for a change, and I am the voice for the people at this time.”
Dennis has worked for more than 30 years for the Wicomico County Board of Education as a teacher and student advisor. She plans to retire from the school system if elected. Dennis is also a pastor with Ambassadors for Christ International Ministries in the Germantown area of Berlin and has served as the president of the local NAACP branch, where she’s currently an organizational vice-president.
Campaign issues for the staunchly pro-union Dennis include funding for education and teacher salaries, a renewed focus on the county jail and its staffing levels, and affordable hous-
ing – which she prefers to call “attainable housing.”
“What is ‘affordable’ for one person isn’t attainable for someone else,” Dennis noted. “Some people can’t afford $2,200 a month payment for a house and they might have 3 or 4 children.”
She also has concerns about federal immigration agents reaching into the county to target a Spanish-speaking population, and says she wants to find solutions for the homeless population of Ocean City.
Dennis filed her candidacy paperwork at the Board of Elections on Oct. 7. Purnell followed suit a month later, filing on Nov. 6 for a fourth term in office.
“When I think about Worcester County – and this is basically the reason I’m running again – when I look over the last two years, I’ve had a positive impact on this county, and I don’t feel quite finished yet,” Purnell said in an interview.
The first Black woman to be elected to the Worcester County Commissioners, Purnell is a businesswoman who’s active in the community as a member of many boards and commissions.
Of pressing importance to Worcester County is how to handle growth, Purnell said, while working collaboratively with her fellow elected officials.
“We are in a growth spurt and we need to be in accord to grow the county properly, not overdo it, and make sure there’s room for everybody,” she said.
Purnell is also focused on issues like education and workforce development – and noted how, in some places, those issues can overlap, like at Worcester Technical High School where students can walk out the door into a good-pay-
ing career in the trades.
“That gives them the ability to work in this community. They don’t have to leave to get a job. That’s how you grow a community that everybody wants to stay in, because they got their start here. You don’t have to leave home,” Purnell said.
Another key issue for Purnell under the umbrella of education is school construction.
She’s been in office for the construction or renovation of Showell Elementary and Stephen Decatur Middle, and hopes to be back for an-
other four years while Buckingham Elementary and Berlin Intermediate School get overhauled.
“That’s really important to me,” she said. “That’s taking care of the babies in our county.”
When asked about having some competition in the primary, Purnell was unfazed.
“I feel that my position as a county commissioner over the last two terms should speak to the community, that I’ve had their best interest at heart. Everybody can run that wants to run. That’s the American way,” she said.
Opinion
Fire companies show leadership, training
It’s a rare circumstance that calls on people to apply all their years of knowledge and training just to get through it. It’s even more uncommon when that knowledge and training will go only so far and must be supplemented by educated guesses, quick improvisations and instinct.
Yet, that’s what the members and leadership of the Berlin Fire Company and other local responders had to do when they responded to the Bayside Jet Drive fire last Thursday. Not only did they arrive at the business on Worcester Highway to find the fire already raging, but this inferno soon became one of the biggest the company has had to face in many years. Moreover, the extremely volatile materials that were feeding the fire also made it one of the hottest and most intense that local firefighters have encountered, according to Berlin Fire Chief Andy Grunden.
Such was the scope of this blaze that Grunden issued what amounted to an “all-hands-on-deck” call for help that was answered by 23 — 23! — departments from this county, Wicomico County and Sussex County, Delaware.
Between them, they deployed 64 pieces of firefighting apparatus in a fight that had to be organized and coordinated by the on-scene commanders. And the need for water to douse the flames was so critical that units had to scramble to make sure the supply was sufficient.
Although the business owned by County Commissioner Eric Fiori was destroyed, the combined efforts of the departments managed to keep the conflagration from spreading.
As Fiori said in this week’s story, “If it wasn’t for our first responders from all those jurisdictions, this catastrophic fire would have been way, way worse.”
That is undoubtedly true, and it’s because of their years of training and experience ... and their and willingness to jump in harm’s way when called upon.
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Copyright 2025
Please send all letters and other editorial submissions to editor@baysidegazette.com by 5 p.m. Monday.
Worcester approves more cameras
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) The watchful eye of county government is expanding in Worcester County, as elected officials approved the purchase and installation of more security cameras for parks, libraries, wastewater treatment plants and other publicdf facilties.
The county commissioners at their Nov. 4 meeting approved a $412,358 expenditure — about $10,000 under budget — to expand the county’s network of surveillance cameras. It’s the second phase of a comprehensive upgrade to replace dozens of aging or defunct cameras countywide, according to Brian Jones, the county’s IT director.
“We’re in need of something new,” he told OC TodayDispatch. “These things haven’t been touched in some time.”
The county also will be adding a new position for Jones’ IT department, a data analyst whose duties would include camera oversight as well as data security and minding access to keycardcontrolled doors.
In Phase 1 of the upgrade, 155 cameras were slated to be replaced at a budgeted cost of $900,000. It wasn’t necessarily a 1-to-1 replacement, Jones said. Some spots with three or four cameras were replaced with a single camera that
could show a wider angle or even multiple viewpoints.
Complete roll-out and installation for Phase 1, conducted as a sole-source bid from the firm Absolute Security, should be done by the end of the calendar year. For data retrieval, the unified system will live on a primary server with some cloud-based storage – no more tape retrieval would be needed from the site where it was recorded, Jones noted.
As planning continued, other county department heads came to Jones with additional requests for cameras in new locations. That became Phase 2, and it’s estimated to take another two to three months to finish the additional installs, with targeted completion of spring 2026.
Expansion will add approximately 32 cameras to about 20 locations, including three public libraries, six recycling centers, three public parks, two county buildings, and multiple wastewater treatment plants and water towers. It’ll also add camera coverage to every square inch of the county’s circuit court building in Snow Hill.
Upgrades prioritized installation of new cameras at all the county’s recycling centers to combat illegal dumping. The quality of new cameras is clear enough to read license plates from afar with incredible clarity.
“It never fails – people do
spring cleaning, and they decide to throw away refrigerators, TVs, things that shouldn’t be there,” he said. “It’s a huge expense for the taxpayers.”
New software with artificial intelligence will also provide the county with a robust search function.
“We can literally go in, and we’re searching for somebody with a red hat, it can search people,” Jones said. “If you’re looking for facial recognition, we can search for that. It’s also going to be weapon detection as well, which is huge.”
Officials decided to pursue the project when they saw that not only older cameras needed upgrading or replacement, but that the IT department was running out of storage space on its main server for cameras, according to Administrator Weston Young.
There also had been an instance of vandalism at the Snow Hill library, where the camera angles weren’t clear enough. Young said that incident gave the county motivation to install cameras in better locations or to get wide-angle or fish-eye lenses for increased security.
Young also said the camera system at the county jail was recently upgraded, and whatever technology gets installed for dozens of camera upgrades will be compatible with that.
Riddle Farm plant back in operation
(Nov. 20, 2025) – Following a successful renovation and repair project, the Riddle Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is once again fully operational. The rehabilitation project, which got underway with M2 in June 2024, came in within budget and on time.
“A big thanks goes out to our phenomenal team who did a knockout job getting the work done,” Public Works Director Dallas Baker said. “Also, none of this would have been possible without the support of the Worcester County Com-
missioners.”
Project partners include Public Works Water and Wastewater, George, Miles and Buhr (GMB), Veolia, and M2 Construction. Clogging issues associated with filter membrane cassettes installed in 2017 resulted in a significant reduction in the WWTP’s ability to treat wastewater. Repeated attempts to alter the treatment process and reduce membrane clogging over the years were unsuccessful.
From 2018 to November
2025, crews were required to pump and haul effluent from the Riddle Farm WWTP to the Ocean Pines WWTP and West Ocean City sewer system to be treated. That temporary, yet costly, treatment method stopped 10 days ago. All effluent generated within the Riddle Farm Sanitary Service Area is once again being treated onsite at the Riddle Farm WWTP.
“We sincerely appreciate the public’s support while we worked to get the Riddle Farm WWTP up and running again,” Baker said.
Kiwanis volunteers delivering donated items
Club picks up items from Food Lion, brings to WOC’s Diakonia for distribution
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 20, 2025) Amid an increase in food insecurity because of the winter and rising food costs, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City is delivering food to those in need throughout the community.
Each Monday and Friday, Kiwanis volunteers collect food donations from the Berlin Food Lion and Panera Bread, then transport the items to Diakonia for distribution. According to volunteer Jug Brown, the donated goods range from bulk produce and
canned goods to fresh bakery items, including bread, cakes, and pies. Additionally, frozen meats are occasionally included in the weekly collections.
While the initiative has been particularly important over the past few weeks due to federal cuts resulting from the 43-day government shutdown that ended last week, worrying many in the community about the availability of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, members say it is not a temporary program. Instead, the pickups are part of a long-standing, ongoing service dedicated to supporting local residents facing food scarcity.
“This is not a drive — it’s something Kiwanis does each and every
week to help our impoverished neighbors,” said Brown, who has been handling Monday Food Lion pickups for more than a year. “It’s an opportunity for our members to give back.”
Brown said that one driver per location handles each pickup, and all participating volunteers are Kiwanis members. In addition to the weekly schedule, the club occasionally coordinates special collection trips for times when the convention center has events involving food displays and/ or food services, said Kiwanis volunteer Ron Kline.
In addition to the donated items, community members can contribute directly by purchasing pre-packaged box food bundles, available at all Food Lion stores.
Each box contains basic grocery staples such as beans, pasta, rice, and canned goods, and is collected by the Kiwanis volunteers during regular deliveries. These boxes can typically be found at the end of the grocery store’s cash registers and can be easily purchased when customers pay for their items.
This effort is an annual holiday charity drive by Food Lion aimed at combating community-wide hunger.
A Nov. 5 Facebook post from Food Lion reads, “Each holiday box purchased provides at least 10 meals to your local food bank and supports ‘Food Lion Feeds’ mission to donate three billion meals to families in need by 2032. You can also make a cash donation in-store or online.”
Choral group will perform at Berlin church
(Nov. 20, 2025) Vox Concordia, a premier choral group on the Eastern Shore, will present a program of seasonal music on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Berlin.
The program, “Into the Light” under the direction of Veronica Tomanek, explores the power of light and how it captures the warmth of
the season through grace, thankfulness and faith. We will feature music of all styles, from composers around the world, including seasonal music from the Renaissance, traditional carols set by contemporary composers such as Peter Warlock and Roland Carter, and music about light and warmth by Australian composer Sally Whitwell, African-American composer B.E. Boykin, American composers Eric Whitacre and Billy Joel and others.
Vox Concordia, founded in 2022, is a chamber choir dedicated to keep-
ing the arts alive with music from all styles and periods. Membership is as diverse as the repertoire sung. Members of Vox are teachers, authors, Pulitzer Prize winners, journalists, small business owners, doctors, clergy, lawyers, chemical engineers, college administrators, gardeners, and historic home renovators.
Tickets for “Into the Light” are
available online or at the door. General admission $20, Seniors $15, Students $10. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 3 Church Street, Berlin. This concert is made possible from grants and support from the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, the Maryland Arts Council, Salisbury University, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Berlin.
Vox Concordia’s show at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is first visit to lower shore
Calendar
Thurs., Nov. 20
WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS
Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Enjoy a walk through the Winter Wonderland. Mobility devices and wheel chairs available to rent. Held Nov. 20 to Dec. 31. Check website for times, dates and events: www.ococean.com/winterfest/. 410-289-2800
NARFE CHAPTER MEETING
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 10 a.m. NARFE - National Active & Retired Federal Employees, spouses and retirees welcome. Karleen Hagan, 703-729-2103
STORY TIME: A ROYAL FEAST
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Celebrate Princess Day and Thanksgiving with the story time friends. Bring a treat to share and enjoy a Thanksgiving story. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
PLAY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30
a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OC CHESS CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a relaxing game of chess every Thursday at the library. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
GLEN CAMPBELL: RHINESTONE COWBOY
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Frank DeLucco and Harry Burkett examine Glen Campbell’s six-decade career. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
SILENT BOOK CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 3 p.m. The first 50 minutes will be spent silently reading, the last 10 minutes can be used to mingle and discuss your read. Bring your current read or borrow one. 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FIRESIDE CHAT
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3 p.m. A popular and
Please send calendar items to editor@baysidegazette.com by 5 p.m. Monday. All community-related activities will be published at no charge.
entertaining book discussion featuring books participants have read and want to share. Come find your next great read. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
HAPPY HOUR COLORING CLUB
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 4-6 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments while exploring new coloring trends in a relaxing atmosphere. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
LEGO MASTERS CHALLENGE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Join in for a Lego challenge event and enjoy an afternoon snack. All materials provided. For ages 6-11 years. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
WORCESTER COUNTY NAACP MEETING
Berlin 50plus Center, 10129 Old Ocean City Blvd., 6 p.m. WCPS Superintendent Dr. Annette Wallace will discuss “State of Our Schools & Current Goals.” All are welcome. 443-944-6701
Fri., Nov. 21
Nov. 20 - Nov. 27
FANDOM FRIDAY: MANGA AND ANIME Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Drop in any time for crafts, quizzes an discussions about the monthly topic. For ages 12-18 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OC MAHJONG CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All adults welcome. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OYSTER FRITTER SANDWICHES
American Legion #123, 10111 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, 2 p.m. Cost is $10 for dine-in and carry-out.
BOOK OF THE MONTH: ‘BECOMING STORY’ BY GREG SARRIS
Oaked at The Globe/Tiki Tim’s, 12 Broad St., Berlin, 2 p.m. Pick up the book at the Berlin branch circulation desk and then meet at Oaked at the Globe for a discussion. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
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Calendar
Continued from Page 23
DISCOVERY DEN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3:304:30 p.m. Come enjoy a new topic every week. Week 3: STEAM Lab. Best of elementary and middle school students, but all are welcome. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
Sat., Nov. 22
RISING TIDES FESTIVAL
Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 2-10 p.m. 70’s Soul Jam, Performing Arts Center from 2-4 p.m. Forever Young Tour, The Music Hall from 6-10 p.m. Roller skating, silent disco. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/35866/r ising-tides-festival.
THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL - OCEAN PINES
FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 9 a.m.-noon. All the best fixings for your Thanksgiving table and home. Food, demos, contests, live music and more. Open to the public. 410-6417052, oceanpines.org.
MY TECH CLINIC
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Stop by and ask questions related to your devices ad technology services. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
ST. PAUL UM CHURCH HARVEST HOME
St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower St., Berlin, 5 p.m. Held in the Educational Building. Featuring auction, food, white elephant and more. All are welcome. Sarah Mitchell, 443-859-3125
Sun., Nov. 23
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 1301 Philadelphia Ave., 6 p.m. Giving thanks to God through worship. All are welcome. Donations accepted of packaged food goods, paper products and funds for the offering. There will be desserts and fellowship after the service.
BERLIN FARMERS MARKET
Sundays - Pitts Street, Commerce Street and Main Street, Berlin, May through October, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Producers only market featuring more than 50 farmers, food cultivators, bakers, distillers, seafood, meat and more. Also featuring a petting farm (9-11 a.m.), free kids art station and live music. TheBerlinFarmersMarket.com
SEWING FOR A CAUSE
Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org
Mon., Nov. 24
DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CLUB OF WORCESTER COUNTY MEETING
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 9:30 a.m. Guest speaker will be Matthew R. Peters, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center. Visitors and prospective members welcome. https://dwcmd.org
STORY TIME: TURKEYS
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
MOVIE MATINEE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Come watch a recent movie you may have missed in the theaters. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
MEDIA EXPO INFO NIGHT
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 5 p.m. Come learn about the WCPS Media Expo in January and how you can participate as a student. For ages 6-18 years. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169
Mondays - Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-641-0157
BRIDGE
Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity
DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS
Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Elissa, 410-641-8050; on social media; or delmarvachorus.org.
OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS
Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100
Tues., Nov. 25
THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL - OCEAN PINES
FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 9 a.m.-noon. All the best fixings for your Thanksgiving table and home. Food, demos, contests, live music
and more. Open to the public. 410-6417052, oceanpines.org
SENSORY STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Story time geared for ages 0-5 years featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and fingerplays. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME: TURKEY TALES AND GAMES
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Celebrate Thanksgiving with turkey stories, games and crafts. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OC KNITTING GROUP
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Do you love to knit or crochet? Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. Group meets every Tuesday. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FAIRY MINI GOLF
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Design, build and test your very own tiny tabletop golf hole. Then add it to the library’s fairy golf course and take a whirl. For families. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
CROSS FARMS POP-UP FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays - Flower Street Field across from Henry Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Accepting Maryland Department of Agriculture FMNP (WIC & Seniors) Checks and Maryland WIC Fruit & Vegetable Checks. Also offering a "Produce Bucks" program, which doubles purchases for eligible residents. https://www.facebook.com/theberlinfarmersmarket.
BEACH HEROES-OC
Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org
TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY
Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410289-4725
OC KNITTING CLUB
Tuesdays - Worcester County Library -
Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.
ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE
Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.
ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS
Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP
Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.
Wed., Nov. 26
COFFEE & CRAFTS: CARD MAKING
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in every month for a new craft. Materials provided. Limit 30. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
WICKEDLY GOOD PARTY
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Create some crafts inspired by the movie “Wicked” and enjoy light refreshments. For families. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
PUZZLE SWAP
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1-7 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with new-to-you puzzles. Don’t have a puzzle to exchange but still want one? That’s OK too. All puzzles must be complete in their original boxes. 410-641-0650
FAMILY FUN NIGHTS
Wednesdays (through Aug. 20) - Ocean Pines Yacht Club Pool, 1 Mumford's Landing Road, 6-8 p.m. DJ, games and prizes. Food available for purchase. Admission is $3 for OP swim members, $5 for OP residents, $7 for non-residents and free for non-swimmers. Cash only. 410-641-7052, oceanpines.org
KIWANIS CLUB MEETING
Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Last Wednesday of the month meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.
CASH BINGO
Wednesdays - Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave. Door open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Food available before bingo and at intermission. Open to the public. 443-605-5028
November 20, 2025 Bayside Gazette 25
JOLLY ROGER
Small Engine Mechanic. Ride Maintenance. Year Round.
Wage starts at $15/hour & up based on experience. Benefits available. 410-289-4902
DENTAL HYGIENIST Ocean City, MD 410-213-1032
Taylor Marine Center (West Ocean City) 11850 Ocean Gateway, 21842 (410-213-1391)
Boat Yard Assistant Full Time Position, Paid Health Insurance, 401K, Five Day Work Week, 8:30-5:00. Duties: Boat movement, bottom painting, cleaning boats, yard maintenance etc. Punctuality, self motivation, orderliness, ability to pass drug screening, along with Valid Driver’s License. Compensation hourly dependent on experience. Apply in person, call or email aschlaich@ taylormarinecenter.com
RENTALS
Ocean Pines Yearly Rental Waterfront Condo. Elevator building. 2BR, 2BA, unfurnished. $2100/mo. + electric. Available December 1. Phone/text 203-400-2809.
OC WINTER RENTAL
Downtown
2BD/2BA, Apt., furnished. Central HVAC, W/D, WiFi, cable included. Occ. lmtd. to 2. No smoking/pets. $800/mo. + utilities. 410-202-6353
YR
APARTMENT
8th ST.
1 BR, Sleeps 6 Fully remodeled. 3rd Floor, No elevator
$1,850 per mo. Includes Cable, Elec. & Water 410-430-7675
Seeking Year-Round Rentals!
Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
YEARLY RENTAL
2BR, 1BA Unfurnished
319 Robin Drive
Available immediately Dog friendly, ground floor. Ideal 2 mature adults w/strong work history.
$2,000/mo + electric Call/text 703-819-7400
2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200
Commercial Space for Lease. ONLY 1 UNIT LEFT! 2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 1000 sq. ft. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885 for more information.
COMMERCIAL SPACE
Rt. 611, Stephen Decatur Business Center.
Large unit with 5 individual office spaces within.
$2,400 per mo. 410-430-7675
Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE BISHOPVILLE
2BR, 2BA Mobile Home. In great shape. Min.’s to beach.
$34,000 Cash + $700 per mo. ground rent. Park is open YR! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
LARRY’S HANDYMAN SERVICE No job too small, entrance doors, interior doors, storm doors, shower doors, drywall repairs and paint, laminate floors, interior paint. Over 40 years of carpentry experience. Please call Larry, 410-251-9066.
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 tax-deductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.
