12/8/2023 Ocean City Today

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY

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CHAMPIONSHIP Coverage of Decatur’s Seahawks’ unblemished run to the title appears on page 3 and page 52

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

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PAGE 3

Ocean City Today

Parades, fire drill mark Seahawks title run Win last week in Annapolis first for Bayside Conference team in nearly 30 years

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) The Stephen Decatur Seahawks could not have imagined a better ending for their season: impromptu parades, hundreds of well-wishers, a record untainted by defeat and, of course, the school’s first 2A division football state championship.

Had anyone asked Coach Jake Coleman or his players at the beginning of the season whether all this was possible, chances are they would have agreed that it was, given the team’s solid performance last year, but they most likely would have shied away from making predictions.

They would have been justified if they had, gaining the title as they did by defeating the Huntingtown Hurricanes, 21-13, last Thursday at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis.

Coleman’s team had an impressive 10-3 record last season but ultimately lost to Milford Mill Academy in the state semi-finals, but this year they edged out their nemesis 35-34 in the semi-final a week earlier to make the 2A championship round.

The game was played at Decatur on the Robert G. Knox Field at Louis H. Taylor Stadium, where Principal Tom Sites said 2,500 spectators cheered on the Seahawks as they won their ticket to Annapolis and then gathered for a memorable departure a week later.

“We had a fire drill right before the championship send-off,” Sites said.

“We need to get a certain number of those in a year. We got a drill in, and then our students and staff made their way from the fire location to Seahawk Road, where they could send the team to victory. There was a lot of support from parents and the community.”

Many moments propelled Decatur to triumph, but one in particular stands out, Coleman said.

“Careen Bolden had a big pass on fourth down to Trybe Wise that was huge, that led to another touchdown

by Brycen Coleman. That was a big play in the game,” the coach said.

The school organized fan buses with mostly sports groups to take them to the game. Community members showed up in droves as well to support the Seahawks. Sites said it seemed like the school delivered three enthusiasts for every Huntingtown fan in attendance at the Annapolis contest.

The celebration continued on the way home when, once they arrived in Worcester County in the early morning hours of Dec. 1, the team received a police and fire escort. But it was not just Berlin and Ocean City residents who were proud of the players.

“This team galvanized the entire Eastern Shore,” Coleman said.

When the team passed through Cambridge, his hometown, they were met with supporters in the Walmart and McDonald’s parking lots with signs congratulating the Seahawks on their victory.

Sites, who was on the sidelines of the Annapolis match-up, said he was privileged to present the trophy to the team.

“It was wonderful,” he said. “The amazing thing to me was to see the

TARA FISCHER/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Posing with the trophy this week at Stephen Decatur High School are, from left, players Brycen Coleman, Gavin Solito and Careen Bolden, and Coach Jake Coleman

volume of fans on our sidelines. We filled the entire lower section of the stadium, and it’s a pretty big stadium.”

The title victory came four years after Coleman was named the Seahawks’ head coach. He joined the team in the fall of 2019 as the offensive coordinator but was promoted the following season after the retirement of the beloved Coach Bob Knox.

“Getting to see behind the scenes

what is Decatur football, and it starts first and foremost with Coach Knox,” Coleman said in 2020 after accepting the job. “He is Decatur football, and seeing the way he goes about things, the types of relationships he builds with players and the community was something that I’m glad I got to experience.”

Coleman graduated from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School See RUN Page 4

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

Council pres. rejects ‘in the pocket’ remark Gillis issues public apology for comment made during parking code discussion

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 1, 2023) Ocean City Council President Matt James refused to sit idly by this week after learning Planning Commissioner Palmer Gillis publicly said the council is “in the pocket of the builders and developers and the real estate agents” in reference to a proposed parking code amendment decision.

“In response to learning about the Council’s decision to return a set of proposed code amendments to the Planning Commission for further review, Mr. Gillis made allegations suggesting that the Council members are unduly influenced by external parties,” James said in a letter to the editor sent Tuesday regarding comments Gillis made at a planning commission meeting Nov. 21.

“Specifically, ‘They’re in the pocket of the builders, and developers, and real estate agents,’” the letter continued. “With this lack of discipline, and professionalism, and Mr. Gillis’ loose talk, he has undermined the integrity of the Planning Commission and has soured the relationship with the City

Council.”

James’ added in the letter that Gillis’ “baseless” claims regarding the council’s decision are “unacceptable” and called for Gillis to apologize.

James said by phone Tuesday afternoon that he sent a similar message directly to Gillis and that Gillis responded by stating that he was not aware of the Google definition of the phrase.

“He said he had to Google it to understand my interpretation of it,”

James said. “It doesn’t make his comments any better even if he didn’t know what he was saying.”

James added that he was skeptical of Gillis’ explanation, and said he plans to bring the matter up during the council’s next public work session on Dec. 12.

“I’m planning on letting the council at least discuss it. I don’t think it would be right to just ignore it,” he said. “… I didn’t want people to think about what Palmer said and then

point out, ‘Well the council never addressed it and never denied it.’ I wanted to get ahead of it and I wanted to address it. I don’t want people to think that Palmer is the one that’s telling the truth on this topic. I just wanted to address it.”

As for Gillis, he did issue a public apology during the planning commission’s meeting Tuesday.

“I would like to offer a public apology for the hasty statement I made See GILLIS Page 7

Run to title quicker than expected Continued from Page 3 in 1998, where he was an all-state player in football and baseball. He has since been inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

He also played both sports at Salisbury University, where he went on to coach for two seasons before going back to Cambridge in 2004 to take over the program at just 23 years old.

He then came to Stephen Decatur after 13 years at his alma mater.

“Jake had some big shoes to fill.

Coach Knox was a staple and had a lot of winning teams. But Jake handed me a binder with all his

ideas,” Sites said of their interview four years ago. “I was impressed, especially with how he outlined his relationship-building and how he brings the whole community together. I told my assistant principal he would win a state championship, maybe in 10 years, and I wouldn’t be here anymore, but he would do it. I was shocked to see him do it in four, but it’s a testament to him and the players.”

Some players have plans to continue their football careers beyond high school. According to ESPN, that includes Coleman’s son, Brycen, a

senior, who has committed to signing with the Southeastern Conference school Vanderbilt University, where he’ll go from a Seahawk to a Commodore.

The Decatur Seahawks are now focused on celebrating as the first Bayside Conference team to win the state championship in 27 years, which included appearing in the Berlin Christmas parade Dec. 7.

They are also fundraising to ensure each player receives a championship ring. The GoFundMe can be found on the Stephen Decatur High School’s football page.

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Ocean City Today

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#1 LISTING AGENT FOR COLDWELL BANKER REALTY MID ATLANTIC REGION MID-TOWN 3BR/3.5 BA RIVENDELL CONDOMINIUM with WATER VIEWS! OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 10AM-1PM Stunning three-bedroom 3.5 bath condo at the Rivendell hits the market! This beautiful condo is being sold furnished and it's ready for your immediate enjoyment. You’ll be mesmerized by the waterfront views. You can actually watch both the sunrise and the sunset without ever leaving this condo.

121 81ST STREET UNIT 706 The kitchen is sure to delight OCEAN CITY • $815,000 the chef in your family with its granite countertops, custom cabinets and plenty of workspace. Off the kitchen is the family room and dining area where you will enjoy family meals and make memories that last a lifetime. The family room is great for entertaining and has a gas fireplace for chilly times in fall and winter. There’s also a wet bar for relaxing and having cocktails with friends. You can see the Ocean and Bay from the primary bedroom suite and the primary bath is luxurious with a tile Jacuzzi tub, shower and double vanities. The other two bedrooms are spacious as well and each have their own en suite bathroom. There is also a half bath off the family room. There’s a separate laundry room with washer and dryer and plenty of storage. Privacy is ensured with good separation between the primary bedroom and the other two bedrooms. There are large balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee and a cold drink in the evening. The Rivendell has an indoor pool, outdoor pool and a fitness center, and the Hobbit restaurant is located in the building as well. This condo is located in Midtown on 81st St. and there is a traffic light at the intersection so crossing the street is very easy. There are plenty of stores, restaurants and shops in the area. There is a parking garage and secure access to the building. Come take a look today and make this beautiful property yours. This is a nonrental building so you will make friends and know your neighbors. MLS MDWO2017698

WATERFRONT WITH BOAT SLIP 2.03 ACRES! Breathtaking 5BR/4.5BA waterfront estate on 2+ acres is coming soon! If you are looking for an incredible home on a beautiful piece of property with breathtaking views overlooking Assateague Island, look no further. This home boasts 6,482 sq.ft. of luxury. The family room over11602 S. HILLS DRIVE • BERLIN MD looks the water with $1,674,900 soaring ceilings and a beautiful custom fireplace. The chef's kitchen is amazing, with lots of room for prepping food and enjoying home cooked meals, and the spacious breakfast area is off the kitchen and provides plenty of room for family and friends. The kitchen has lovely granite countertops, a butler's pantry, mini bar, and plenty of cabinets for storage. This home also has a formal dining room and formal living room, perfect gathering space for everyone to enjoy for years to come. The large primary bedroom suite is on the first floor with beautiful views overlooking the water. There are hardwood floors throughout the home. On the second floor you will find four additional spacious bedrooms and three baths, and a home theater/game room. There is also an additional room over the garage with a full bath. Off the back of the home there is a 40'x12' brick patio facing the water, which is perfect for outdoor dining and grilling. This home also comes with a Community Dock area with assigned boat slips. Slip number three is the owners. If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle, but you still want to be close to Ocean City, golf courses, and everything Assateague Island has to offer, this is the perfect home for you. Come take a tour today, put your finishing touches on it, and turn your dream of owning a Waterfront estate into reality. Your family and friends are sure to make memories that last a lifetime here. Come see for yourself. Schedule your showing today and consider making this dream home yours. MLS MDWO2015282

HERON HARBOUR ISLE HOME WITH BOAT SLIP

OCEAN MID-TOWN CONDO

This single-family 4BR/4.5BA home with deeded boat slip is located in the sought after community of Heron Harbour Isle. This beautiful home has an open floor plan with a spacious family room with a 2-story stone fireplace. The family room flows into the kitchen which has plenty of cabinet space, a center island, breakfast bar and additional storage. Off the kitchen is the dining area where you will love having meals with your family and friends. Off the family room and dining area there is a screened-in porch, perfect for relaxing and enjoying morning coffee. Off the screened304 S. HERON GULL COURT in porch is a deck with a barbecue grill for crab OCEAN CITY • $1,499,900 feasts and grilling your favorites. Also on the first level of this home is the spacious primary bedroom with walk-in closets and a large bathroom with shower and soaking tub. There’s also a study on the first floor making remote work possible in a nice quiet area. The first level also has another full bath, laundry room and a half bath. On the second level there are three additional bedrooms and two more full baths. This home has lots of room for everyone to visit and there’s also a bonus room over the garage which could be used as a fifth bedroom or game room. The home also has a wrap-around porch, two-car garage and a deeded boat slip. The seller belongs to the Heron Harbour recreation association, which has tennis courts, indoor heated pool, fitness center, sauna, Olympic size outdoor pool, and a kiddie pool. The home is located very close to restaurants, shopping, and the beach. Come take a look today. This home is being offered partially furnished and is ready for your immediate enjoyment.

MDW02015676

Professional photos to follow: Come take a look at this spacious 1BR/1BA Ocean Block beauty! This one-bedroom unit is over 700 sq. ft. and is on the ocean block side of coastal highway. This is an elevated building so there's a very nice view from the large deck off the family room. This is your chance to own a slice of Ocean City and make memories that will last a 7704 COASTAL HWY #102 lifetime. As you walk in the front door, OCEAN CITY • $310,000 you’ll be welcomed by the beautiful dining area and kitchen. The family room flows off the kitchen and provides plenty of room for entertaining. There is a large balcony off the family room with access by a glass slider. The bedroom is very large and can accommodate two queen beds. There is one full bath as well. This condo located midtown Ocean City, close to plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions. Come take a look today and own your slice of Ocean City. This building is professionally managed and has low condo fees. The condo is being sold fully furnished and is ready for your immediate enjoyment.

MDWO2015968

Stunning 2BR/2BA condo one back from the beach hits the market! This condo is located on 66th street in an ocean block building. The sellers have made many recent upgrades, installing luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, new microwave, new refrigerator, new stove, new dishwasher, new exterior HVAC unit, toilets and kitchen faucet within the last three years. The decks also were tiled in 2019 and the glass sliders leading to the deck were also replaced within the last five years. This would make a great second home or investment property and is being sold fully furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. This 1 66TH ST UNIT 101 is one of the best values at the beach - fully furnished and OCEAN CITY • $499,900 only one back from the ocean. As you walk through the front door, you will see an inviting living room for entertaining family and friends. There is a dining area off the kitchen with glass sliders leading to a huge covered deck with recently tiled floor. You can hear the waves break from the deck. This is a first floor unit but it's an elevated building so the height off the street is equivalent to a second floor unit. This condo has two large bedrooms and two full baths so there's plenty of room for family and friends. The condo is in walking distance to many restaurants, stores, shops and a supermarket, so once you're here you don’t have to move your car, but the condo is conveniently located to the route 90 bridge, making coming and going a joy. Come take a look today before this amazing property is sold. This condo association is well managed by Mann Properties. MLS MDWO2016172

RESIDENTIAL LOT

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WATERSIDE DRIVE BERLIN • $475,000 Are you looking to build your dream home? Look no further than this beautiful residential lot in the community of South Point Farms. This beautiful building lot is in a prime location on the corner with beautiful bay views. The lot is approximately 2.76 acres and it’s located off 611 in Berlin Maryland. At the entrance of South Point Farms is a public boat ramp and public pier with water access for boating fishing, crabbing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. If you are looking for a peaceful, tranquil location with unbelievable Bay views this is the prime spot. There are multiple world-class golf courses close by and Assateague National and State Park as well for days on the beach. No builder tie in required. Come take a look today and enjoy the good life on South Point Farms! MDWO2014122

34862 WEST LINE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $2,500,000 Commercial Site in Prime Location hits the Market! 2.36 acres on the corner of RT 54 and W. Line Rd in Selbyville DE. This location is directly across from Yellowfins Restaurant and shopping center on heavily traveled Rt 54. The location is approximately 3-4 miles to the beaches of Ocean City & Fenwick Island. It has water and 8' sewer main that will supply a hotel, shopping center, office complex, medical center, professional center, etc. Lot is cleared.

Buy it Now Before It's SOLD!!! Owner Financing is available. MLS DESU184528

DIRECT BAYFRONT OCEAN CITY! Luxury 5BR/6BA/2HBA Bayfront home with pool hits the market!

This luxury home has 145 feet of water frontage with direct bay views and offers southern exposure. As you walk in the front door of this lovely home you will immediately fall in love with the attention to details and upgrades throughout. An elegant foyer with marble flooring greets you as you 733 BRADLEY ROAD • OCEAN CITY enter with your eyes drawn to the $3,200,000 beautiful Bayfront views and the swimming pool in the courtyard. On the first level you will find a kitchen designed for access in and out to the pool area with plenty of seating and room for entertaining family and friends.

Also on the first floor, you will find a Bay front office or playroom for the kids. This home is complete with a home elevator so either take the spiraling stairs to the second level or take the elevator up to the second level.You will be mesmerized by the amazing Bayfront views and endless sunsets this home offers. There are 6 decks off the home for privacy. On the second level you will find a professional chef’s kitchen complete with large center island, high end appliances and plenty of cabinet space adjoining a beautiful, spacious dining room overlooking the bay. The family room is also complete with a gas fireplace for chilly winter nights, making this the perfect home for year-round living or a vacation home. Also, on this floor, you will find a second office, home theater room, or game room. On the third level you will enjoy waking up to the endless water views from your primary bedroom. The primary bath has custom finishes throughout with extensive tile work. The primary bedroom also has a fireplace for romantic evenings and relaxing. Also on this floor are three additional bedrooms, which are spacious and separated nicely from the primary bedroom. This home is over 6000 ft.² and is one of the few Bayfront homes available on the market. So, if you’re looking for a home at the beach, also offering all the thrill of the day with attention to detail look no further. Come take a look at 733 Bradley Rd. today before it’s sold! MDWO2014714

OCEAN 2 BR/2BA CONDO OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 2-4PM

32474 LIGHTHOUSE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $4,500,000 Prime commercial location in Selbyville of 10.09 acres. This is a rare commercial development opportunity on the busy intersection of Lighthouse Sound Rd. (Route 54) and Hudson Rd. There are already many existing new homes surrounding this property and more than 3,200 additional homes are coming soon. This is the perfect location for a shopping center, multiple smaller retail businesses, and/or medical or other professional offices to serve these homes and the entire Selbyville, Bayside, Fenwick, Ocean City area. The Seller will finance up to 70% of the purchase price at 1 percent below the current prime lending rate for up to 5 years. The property is located 8 miles from the beach! DESU2044978

SINGLE FAMILY HOME

THIS HOME IS A SHOW-STOPPER!

4111 FIESTA ROAD • OCEAN CITY • $739,900

10615 POINT LOOKOUT ROAD • OCEAN CITY • $5,599,900 JUST REDUCED! $4,899,900

Stunning 4BR/3BA coastal home with garage in North Ocean City has just been listed! This home is located six blocks from the beach and across the street from Fiesta Park, which has walking trails and a pavilion. After walking through a gracious covered front porch, you are welcomed into this fabulous home. The first level of this beautiful home has two spacious bedrooms, one full bath and a den/study area perfect for working remotely from home. Beautiful hardwood floors lead to the second level where you will find a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. There is a bright and airy dining room directly off the kitchen where you will enjoy making family meals and memories that last a lifetime. Adjoining the kitchen and dining room is a spacious family room with impressive cathedral ceilings. The second level also has the primary bedroom and the primary bath with shower and soaking tub. The second level also has a 12x16 composite deck with vinyl railings. On the third level you’ll find the fourth bedroom and another full bath. The fenced back and side yards have lots of grass for the dogs and kids to play. There is also a patio and grilling area. The home is being sold furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. The home also has a garage and multiple additional parking spaces and street parking. Come take a look at this very rare find before it’s sold! MDW02016242

Custom 6BR/6BA/3HBA/ new construction west facing bayfront estate designed and built by David Bradley of Bradley Construction w/ views of both Assawoman Bay and skyline from the property’s L-shaped pool and swim-up bar. Features exceptional craftsmanship w/astute attention to detail, custom finishes/woodwork, and architectural details. A welcoming orange crush bar made w/Port Rush quartz and 1st-floor Den/bedroom ensuite complete w/Murphy bed. Expansive family room has a wall of windows and glass sliders overlooking the bay. Gourmet chef's kitchen just off family room includes plenty of bar seating w/endless bay views. Kitchen boasts GE monogram ss appliances including 6-burner gas range, expansive center island, custom farm sink, w/vegetable sink, hone marble and quartz countertops. White custom Fabuwood cabinets w/undercounter lighting, appliance garages and custom pull outs for easy storage. Floating shelves in kitchen made w/reclaimed wood, and a designer tile backsplash.

An expansive butler’s pantry, mud room w/custom shelving, laundry room, half bath on the main floor. White oak stairs, and custom-made glass elevator. 2nd floor spacious ensuite Bayfront bedrooms, each w/its own private balcony. A 4th ensuite bedroom which has been designed as a bunk room w/custom bunk and trundle bed complete w/a port hole. A coffee bar, refrigerator, and full-size laundry on 2nd floor. 3rd floor primary bedroom ensuite w/bay views, cathedral ceilings, turret cupola, coffee bar, fireplace, exquisite tile work, two enormous closets w/wood detailing and shiplap, and expansive covered porch. Primary bath has insulated tub w/jets and faces the bay w/a 6’x6’ circular Anderson window. Bonus room w/soaring ceilings and cupola; separate refrigerator, bar seating, a private deck, half bath, and laundry. A saltwater pool and spa, cabana area complete w/2 outdoor TVs, 2 refrigerators, custom cabinetry/countertops, fire pit area, permits for three lifts and a transient boat, a 50ft pier, dock and ramp. Parking for 6 cars. MLS MDWO2012190

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? LET'S CONNECT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TODAY! The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate 2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 10771BALT_07/15

PAGE 6

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Air Show to coexist with Jeep Week Event moves to August date due to scheduling conflicts for desired military planes

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 8, 2023) Two historically separate Ocean City event weekends will come together next summer in a full takeover of both land and air.

For years, the Air Dot Show Tour has dominated the Ocean City skies in June with crowd-pleasing military aerobatics. But next year, the planes will join the barrage of Jeeps that populate the beach and inlet in late August.

“In June we weren’t able to get any of the military jet teams,” City Manager Terry McGean said this week of moving the air show to Aug. 24 and 25. “In August, they will be able to get the Raptors and another military jet team.”

For the past three years, and other years before, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headlined the show, which was typically held in June, minus a one-off year in 2020 when it was held in mid-August due to covid. In 2019, the Blue Angels were the headliners, which was the last time the U.S. Navy team came to the resort.

This year, the lineup will look a lit-

PHOTO COURTESY AIR DOT SHOW

Italian Air Force Frecce Trocolori planes fly through the sky during a performance. The team, along with the Air Force F-22 Raptor Team, will be headlining Ocean City’s air show this year, which is moving to Aug. 24 and 25.

tle different, with Frecce Tricolori, known as the the Tricolour Arrows in English, and F-22 Raptor Team listed

SATURDAY – Shortcut Sunny 7:30pm

25

%

as the show runners. The Frecce Tricolori team is the aerobatic demonstration of the Italian Air Force and the Raptors are the U.S. Air Force flight demonstration team stationed at the home of air combat command at Langley AFB in Hampton, Virginia.

McGean said this year will be a one-off for the date move, with the show set to move back to its regular June date in 2025.

As for coexisting with Jeep Fest, Live Wire Media CEO Brad Hoffman, who organizes the event, is optimistic.

“A lot of times I understand the

dating of these air shows revolves around when the air show teams are available,” he said this week. “So to me, Jeeps and jets can be a good fit this summer.”

Jeep Fest typically lasts from Wednesday through Sunday during the last weekend in August, and consists of early morning parades on the sand near the inlet and displays downtown.

Hoffman said he does not anticipate any issues coexisting with the air show, as most of the activities happen further up north around 15th Street, See HOFFMAN Page 7

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FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Jeeps gather on the beach for the a sand crawl during this year’s Jeep Fest. The event is set to coexist next year with the air show, which will move from June to the end of August due to scheduling of the headliner planes.

DECEMBER 8, 2023

PAGE 7

Ocean City Today

Gillis withdraws statement, though frustrations remain Continued from Page 4 suggesting that the council is in the pockets of the builders and developers and the real estate agents,” Gillis said during the meeting. “I would also like to extend that to my fellow commission members. I would like to withdraw that statement for the record. It was wrong for me to have suggested that.”

The commissioners did not make any public comments in response to Gillis’ statement Tuesday, which was made before a discussion and vote on the parking code amendment request that spurred the original comments.

Before the meeting, Gillis explained by phone that he was unaware of the Google definition of the statement he made about the council members.

“Google says that term, or that statement, means that they’re seeking or they’re getting financial reward for something, something for something, quid pro quo,” Gillis said. “I didn’t mean it that way but that’s the way I said it.”

As for how he meant it, Gillis said his statement was intended to be more generalized.

“I meant it that I think that the City Council appears to make decisions that benefit the developers and the real estate industry over top of the existing residents, existing neighborhood and existing taxpayers,” he explained.

He said that is how he feels not only in reference to the council’s decision on the parking code amendment, which was shot down before it even made it to discussion, but other amendments that planning commissioners have recommended to council members.

He gave a recent example of a code amendment that addresses habitable attics. Council members voted last week in a 6-1 majority, with Councilman John Gehrig opposed, to forward the request to a first reading but

Hoffman vows to be team player Continued from Page 6 with the Jeep events going on further downtown.

“I just feel like we can always push through any of these kind of concerns and make it work the best way possible,” Hoffman said. “I’m a team player when it comes to the Town of Ocean City. If they decide to have the air show that weekend, I’m here to support them.”

McGean said council members are set to talk logistics of the air show date change at their next work session on Dec. 12.

only after taking out a requirement that the addition of a habitable attic, or bonus room, come with a halfspace parking requirement.

Gillis said he is frustrated with spending time, money and effort to recommend code amendments to help improve development, only to get shot down with little to no acknowledgment.

“I would like to think we’re supposed to be their experts on the subject,” Gillis said. “Especially when you take so much time to scrutinize it, create language amongst yourselves, create debate, to come up with a code change, only to have it thrown out the window by the City Council.”

Gillis also said, both by phone and in his email to James, that he did not mean to offend the council members and did not want to add to the scrutiny they regularly receive as elected officials. As a former councilman in Salisbury, Gillis said he knows firsthand what it is like to be reprimanded, and said he has been forced to let similar comments roll off of his back.

James, however, said later that Gillis’ comment came off differently than a simple criticism of a decision, which is why he sent the letter to the editor.

“He said it as a matter-of-fact,” James said of Palmer’s comment. “It wasn’t his opinion on it, he didn’t speculate.”

This is not the first time members of the City Council and planning commission have publicly disagreed.

The disconnect between the groups dates back years, and late last year, members tried to address some of the issues with joint meetings.

They met twice for two hours each session and seemed to come to some consensus and conclusions on several matters.

Another meeting between the groups is tentatively set for some time after the first of the year, but Gillis does not think much will come of it.

“I have very low expectations for that based on the track record, based on what we’ve been through before,” he said.

As for the code amendments, planning commissioners are doing what they can to recommend changes that the council will approve.

After the planning commission’s approval Tuesday, the parking code amendment will go back to the City Council for discussion. This time, the recommendation only addressed the size of the parking spaces in the garages, which commissioners agreed should be 12-by-24-feet wide.

Similarly, the proposed amendment regarding attics is headed to a first reading without the parking requirement.

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

New WCPS admin. building struck from CIP Commissioners divided 4-3 on whether to keep $36M project in five-year plan

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) The Worcester County commissioners removed plans for Worcester County Public Schools’ new central office building from the county’s 2025-29 capital improvement plan before approving the rest of the proposed projects outlined in the five-year plan.

At their Tuesday meeting, the commissioners were split while arguing whether to include tentative funding plans that could pay for a replacement of the school systems’ administrative headquarters in Newark, where the board of education meets.

Commissioners Caryn Abbott, Chip Bertino, Eric Fiori and Jim Bunting cast four winning votes on several of motions, which culminated in approving the improvement plan without the school building, while commissioners Joe Mitrecic, Ted Elder and Diana Purnell repeatedly cast three losing votes, each time in favor of including the building in the improvement plan.

The county’s improvement plan is a non-binding planning document that’s meant to give county officials foresight about the required funding of proposed projects, according to a memo from Candace Savage, deputy chief administrative officer.

“Inclusion of a project in the CIP does not constitute a guarantee of funding from the county. Some capital projects will be added, deleted and/or amended as necessary,” according to the memo.

The total costs of all the potential projects in the improvement plan is estimated to be $217,769,204, said Lynn Wright, the county’s senior budget accountant. That total was with the school administration building included.

Of that original total, assigned funds were proposed to cover $39.9

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Worcester County Commissioners voted to remove a replacement administration building for the school system from the 2025-29 capital improvement plan. Pictured is the current school administration building in Newark.

million, and general bond funds were proposed to cover $127 million, Wright said.

Remaining costs would be covered by grants, matched funding from the state, loans from the state, fees and enterprise bonds, according to Wright’s memo.

“The figures on two projects have been revised since the request CIP (capital improvement plan) came before you at the Nov. 7 meeting: Buckingham Elementary and the Pocomoke Library,” Wright said.

According to the capital improvement plan’s summary budget, the total cost of projects labeled as “General Government Facilities,” will be an estimated total of $15.7 million; “Public Safety Projects” will cost an estimated $53 million; “Public Works,” water and wastewater projects are expected to cost $27.5 million; “Recreation & Parks and Natural Resources” projects are expected to cost $11.2 million; and a Wor-Wic Community College project could to cost about $3.6 million.

“Public Schools” projects had an anticipated price tag of $106.6 million before the new administrative building was removed, a project that was estimated to cost $36.9 million on its own.

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said that the proposed central office building was not technically part of the school system’s own capital improvement plan because the items in the schools’ improvement plan include projects the board of education is asking the state to help fund.

The state would likely not fund an administrative building, so it would have been part of the county improvement plan only, Young said.

Before commissioners voted to approve the capital improvement plan, Abbott moved to pull the school administration building project from the CIP, and to consider it as a separate item for further discussion.

Abbott, Bertino, Fiori and Bunting voted in favor, while the remaining three commissioners opposed the motion.

After a brief public comment period yielded no speakers, Mitrecic moved to approve the entire capital improvement plan with the school administrative building included.

The motion was struck down by a vote of three in favor and four against. Mitrecic, Purnell and Elder voted in favor.

Fiori moved to approve the capital improvement plan with the adminis-

tration building removed, which was approved by another 4-3 vote. Abbott, Bertino, Fiori and Bunting voted in favor.

Mitrecic said that the county capital improvement plan is like a “wish list” and that all the projects it contains are not set in stone, but will be officially voted on in the years to come. He argued that commissioners shouldn’t strike off the administrative building project completely since it might not happen even if they left it on.

Elder said that the administration building is likely older than more than half of the buildings in the county, and that putting it on the plan is only the first step to getting it eventually replaced.

Mitrecic made a motion to approve the school administration building and add it back into the improvement plan, but he was once again struck down as the same four commissioners voted no.

Bunting countered with a motion not to add the administration building to the improvement plan, and he, Bertino, Abbott and Fiori passed it with a 4-3 vote.

Abbott said that this is a five-year improvement plan, and with repairs and upkeep the county could maintain the building for another decade.

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Worcester County commissioners approved the assigned fund balance for Fiscal Year 2023. Pictured is the front of the county government building in Snow Hill.

Assigned fund balance raises county reserves by $7 million Commissioners have $9.6 million increase in fund balance for fiscal year ‘23

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) Worcester County government’s reserve fund is proposed to increase by $7 million after the county commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the assignment of the Fiscal Year 2023 fund balance, which totaled at about $47.5 million.

The assigned fund balance comprises monies that commissioners designate toward specific projects or purposes, according to a memo from Budget Officer Kim Reynolds and administrative officers. However, the assigned funds “are neither restricted nor committed unless done so by ordinance or resolution,” according to the memo.

The county ended up with a $9.6 million increase in their fund balance for fiscal year 2023, Reynolds said. Of that total increase, $1.2 million had been previously designated for reserves and $6.4 million was available for assignment, Reynolds said.

“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 return on investments. Staff would like to consider an opportunity to increase [reserves] this fiscal year to invest in the future and our long-term financial stability,” according to the memo.

The $7 million designated to the reserve fund would be the first time

the county increased the fund since 2021, according to the memo.The commissioners can decide to draw from reserves for emergency situations.

“I also wanted to note that yesterday (the county) administration received … updated financial information for the new Pocomoke Library project, which would change the assigned fund request in this project from $4,530,000 to $4,222,159. This decrease in the Pocomoke Library request totaling $307,841 is recommended to be put towards OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits),” Reynolds said.

Commissioner President Chip Bertino clarified that the changes made to the Pocomoke Library funding reflected a discussion and vote that commissioners made at a previous meeting.

With the change, assigned funds for the county’s library projects totaled at about $6.9 million, Reynolds said.

For the remaining assigned funds, board of education projects totaled at about $8 million, public safety projects totaled at about $7.6 million, public works projects totaled about $7.1 million, “general government” projects totaled at about $4 million, parks, recreation and natural resources projects totaled at about $2.2 million and health department projects totaled at about $1.3 million, according to a budget of the assigned funds.

The remainder of the assigned funds went to broadband projects, projects from the commission on aging and a Wor-Wic Community College project.

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

DECEMBER 8, 2023

PAGE 11

Ocean City Today

Pro surfer hosting film benefit event tonight at Barn 34

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 8, 2023) When tragedy strikes in Ocean City, the community has consistently stepped up. Specifically, the surfing community.

And tonight, they’ll be doing it again with the showing of surfer movie “Free Time” starring pro Cam Richards in an old school setting to benefit Shotti’s Point Manager William Jason Dyer’s son Lucien.

Jason Dyer passed away suddenly late last month just shy of his 50th birthday, leaving behind his 19-yearold son and a community full of friends and colleagues who jumped at the chance to help.

The Dyers have been involved in the local skating and surfing community for years, so it was fitting to incorporate the scheduled showing of Richards’ film, and meet and greet and Q&A with the pro surfer, with a fundraiser for Lucien.

“It’s nice to kind of mesh these two things together, Cam coming to town showing his movie, coordinating it as a benefit for Lucien, his son,” K-Coast Surf Shop co-owner Chris Shanahan said of the film showing and fundraiser set for 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Barn 34 on 34th Street.

Shanahan helped organize the event, which is the first all-ages benefit that has been held for the cause.

“Fundraising and gatherings for [Lucien] have been at 21-and-older establishments,” he said. “It’s nice because it’s all ages.”

Live Wire Media CEO Brad Hoffman, who is also helping organize and market the event, said the setup is reminiscent of historic surfer movie showings from before YouTube and the internet took over.

Back then, members of the local surfing community would gather in parking lots or the convention center and view footage of surfers riding waves from all over the world.

“He’s doing it like they did it back in the day,” Hoffman said of Richards.

Shanahan has known Richards, now 28, since he was a kid. His dad, Kelly Richards, has been K-Coast’s surf board manufacturer for more than 35 years. The family is from Garden City, South Carolina, near Myrtle Beach, and Cam grew up there perfecting his craft to eventually become a big name in the international surfing world.

“It’s just amazing that a kid from South Carolina where there’s hardly any waves can surf these waves — and surf them well,” Shanahan said.

The film “Free Time,” directed by Laymen Stratton, is a compilation of footage of Richards — a traveling and contest surfer who is known for maxSee FUNDRAISER Page 13

Pro surfer Cam Richards rides a wave. Richards is coming to Ocean City tonight to host a showing of his movie “Free Time” at Barn 34. The event will benefit 19-year-old Lucien Dyer, whose dad, Shotti’s Point Manager William Jason Dyer, passed away suddenly last month..

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

OP Chamber of Commerce changes name

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce has rebranded itself as the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce ... and the results are mixed.

Kerrie Bunting, the executive director for the chamber, said on a recent podcast that this is just a name change and does not change the way the chamber does business. But the announcement has raised concerns with the Ocean Pines Board of Directors and others.

Bunting’s perspective is that Ocean Pines is the largest residential community in the county. And being an HOA, not a municipality, it is just from the north to the south gate. Her goal, she said, is to connect businesses across the county with this large residential population.

“In the past couple of years, we have stepped into that leadership position representing the community on the county level,” Bunting said.

Bunting said that it can be confusing for businesses outside of Ocean Pines as to why they would want to

join the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce.

“We are marrying the customers with the businesses. We’ve been operating on the countywide scope for the past five years so this name change really just goes with that,” Bunting said.

“Ocean Pines has a small business base. In order for us to continue to attract businesses outside of Ocean Pines, it makes sense to provide the invitation in an obvious way with a name change,” Donna Frankowski, vice chair of the Worcester County Chamber and a local real estate agent

in Ocean Pines.

The chamber initiated discussions of a name change in May, according to Bunting, who said her group invited every county commissioner, representatives of Worcester County Economic Development and Tourism and every chamber of commerce to a meeting in Pocomoke to discuss the name change.

“Some chose not to be a part of that conversation,” Bunting said.

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PAGE 13

Ocean City Today

Not everyone happy about rebranding choice Continued from Page 12 merce for guidance and consulted with lawyers. In addition, she reached out to other chambers across the state that are county-named to get their guidance in how they interact with other chambers.

“We did due diligence,” she said.

“We did focus groups with our most active chamber partners.”

She asked them to play “devil’s advocate” and provide her with their concerns and questions and she took those back to her board of directors.

She said the biggest concerns were how other chambers would perceive this and how Ocean Pines residents and businesses would feel.

“Will they feel abandoned?” she asked.

Bunting said she had spoken with members of the Ocean Pines board of directors and prominent residents, and they were all for it.

But this week, some of those people provided a different story.

“The board has gotten a lot of calls and residents and businesses are incensed that this was done without any input or feedback from the business community or local county representatives. The [Ocean Pines] Board of Directors does not support this move,” said Ocean Pines board President Rick Farr. “Ocean Pines should have its own chamber due to the size of our community.”

Bunting said she sent an email to OPA General Manager John Viola and Farr and neither responded. She scheduled a meeting with representatives of Ocean Pines this week to address concerns.

“That [OPA]board has not expressed one concern to me and that is disturbing. And frustrating,” Bunting said.

Amy Thompson, the executive director of the Greater Ocean City

Chamber of Commerce and a former board member for the Ocean Pines chamber also expressed reservations.

Thompson highlighted the confusion within the community about the role of the renaming of the Ocean Pines chamber and how that is different from what the Worcester County Economic Development and Tourism already does with economic development countywide. She said the Ocean City chamber is also concerned with how the regional chambers would then operate with this proposed entity because this is not a merger.

“I have been asking these questions since this idea first surfaced in the spring,” Thompson said.

“The role of the Ocean Pines Chamber has always been a unique one, without a municipality to partner with. But with such a large number of residents in that community, it made sense to have a chamber to serve as liaison between businesses and consumers.”

At a commission meeting on Tuesday, Worcester County Commission President Chip Bertino spoke about the name change.

“When it comes to advocating at the regional, state and federal [level]

there is only one entity sanctioned to speak for and act on behalf of this government: Worcester County Economic Development and Tourism.”

He went on to say, “county government should not support, encourage, promote or engage in any activity or effort by the newly named Worcester County Chamber of Commerce that undercuts or diminishes the roles of the other chambers within their individual communities or interferes with the objectives of Worcester County Economic Development and Tourism or attempts to co-opt the relationships county government has with local, regional, state and federal partners and businesses.”

Bunting said the county commissioners did not voice one concern until the announcement was made.

She said she wants to alleviate any confusion between the new name and any involvement in the Worcester county government or Worcester County Office of Economic Development and Tourism.

“We are completely separate from any government entity. We are a 501C6, membership based nonprofit.

“No matter what our name is, our support is the same, our dedication is

the same. We are here to support our community,” Bunting said.

When asked what happens to the other chambers, Bunting replied, “Nothing. They keep on going and representing their individual towns and communities.”

“We are far from the only countynamed chamber. We did not reinvent the wheel. This is nothing innovative or controversial. It’s just never been done here.”

She encouraged businesses to join their local chambers in OC, Berlin, Pocomoke and Snow Hill and the newly named Worcester County Chamber can get businesses countywide exposure.

“We will work in concert together.”

“We are just changing our name, not how we do business or what we care about. We are here for every community whether they are in OP or not.”

“It’s disheartening that so much misinformation is being put out there.

I wholeheartedly encourage those with questions or concerns contact the chamber directly.”

The chamber will remain in Ocean Pines and continue to run the Ocean Pines Visitors Center.

Fundraiser to benefit Lucien Dyer Continued from Page 11 ing at Pipeline in Hawaii — surfing large waves in world-renowned locations. Shanahan said a lot of the footage in the movie is from Indonesia, but that Richards has surfed all over, including Ocean City and other nearby spots.

And while Richards is fully into the athletic aspect of surfing, Shanahan said he has a strong connection to the

roots of the sport and the community.

During the showing, Richard will do a question and answer session with the kids and other attendees to connect with them and share their love for surfing together.

Donations will be taken at the door and a silent auction will be held during the film event, with all proceeds going to help Lucien, who works at KCoast.

Shanahan said he is excited about the event and is glad they were able to coordinate it with the fundraiser for one of their own.

“That’s Ocean City, man. Ocean City steps up when they need us,” Shanahan said. “I call it the Ocean City life insurance policy, when somebody is in need. Not everybody is making money but they step up as a community and help out.”

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

New letter to Gov. Moore requests state funds for BES

FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Representatives of Worcester County have sent another letter to Gov. Wes Moore requesting state funding for Buckingham Elementary School’s replacement. Pictured is Buckingham Elementary.

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Oct. 8, 2023) Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) along with Delegates Wayne Hartman (R-38C) and Charles Otto (R-38A) sent a second letter requesting state funding for Buckingham Elementary School’s replacement to Gov. Wes Moore on Nov. 28.

The new letter argues that Buckingham is not only well-deserving and in need of a replacement building, but also that the agency that denied the project state funding has changed the goal posts for what makes a school replacement project eligible for state funding.

“The 2023 Buckingham Elementary Feasibility Study determined that, along with acute instructional and support space deficiencies, the existing school’s mechanical and electrical systems, ‘open space’ classrooms and interior finishes have reached the end of their serviceable life and are in need of replacement,” according to the letter.

The trio of representatives, who in the letter are referred to as the Worcester County Delegation, sent an initial letter to Moore asking for Buckingham funding on Oct. 17, the same day that county commissioners paused the replacement project since the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) announced it wouldn’t provide any state funding.

On Oct. 23, Worcester County Schools Superintendent Lou Taylor and members of the county delegation met with Alex Donahue, executive director of the IAC, who told them to submit requests for planning approval and design funding approval for the Buckingham project as part of the county’s 2025 capital improvement plan, which the Board of Ed and commissioners did.

The IAC is set to meet on Dec. 14 to decide on preliminary approval of Buckingham, but no promises have been made that the agency would reverse its original decision to provide zero funding.

At their Tuesday meeting, the county commissioners approved their 2025-2029 capital improvement plan with about $50 million in county funding proposed to be allocated to the Buckingham project. The improvement plan is not a guarantee of funding, but rather a tentative roadmap and first-step for county projects to receive funding, commissioners said at the meeting.

Buckingham Elementary’s reSee COUNTY Page 15 Your Online Community: www.oceancitytoday.com

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 15

County CIP approved with WC’s redistricting plan set $50 million in BES funding for public hearing on Dec. 19 Continued from Page 14 placement project is marked for a “maximum state allocation” of just under $5.9 million in the capital improvement plan.

In the new letter, the delegation says that the IAC decided not to fund Buckingham Elementary based on a different interpretation of “adjacent schools” than IAC officials used when granting funds to other school replacements in the county.

The IAC’s justification for not funding Buckingham was that 641 classroom seats were available at Showell Elementary, Berlin Intermediate and Ocean City Elementary schools, which IAC officials considered “adjacent schools.”

The county delegation said in the letter that the IAC didn’t determine Buckingham Elementary or Berlin intermediate to be “adjacent” to Showell Elementary when the county requested the Showell Elementary replacement project, which received $8.6 million in state funding.

Arguments in the letter reject the idea of building a larger, combined building that would house Buckingham Elementary and Berlin Intermediate, an idea proposed by the IAC, according to the letter.

The letter also asks the IAC look into a way to get the county access to $5.6 million that the Maryland Stadium Authority allocated to the county as part of its Built-To-Learn school construction funding program. (The Built-To-Learn was created by the General Assembly in 2020 and allowed the Stadium Authority to sell bonds to help finance schools).

“The Buckingham Elementary community has been patiently waiting for nearly 20 years while a new Ocean City Elementary School (2005) and a new Showell Elementary School (2020) were built. Built in 1978 with no major renovations or additions in 45 years, Buckingham Elementary School is a community school, the largest Title I school in Worcester County,” according to the letter.

Title I schools house high numbers or percentages of low-income families and receive federal funding assistance.

“It is now time to build the Buckingham Elementary Replacement School and to provide our Buckingham Elementary students with the school and the future they deserve,” according to the letter.

Commissioners rush to enact emergency bill for new districts by year’s end

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) With signatures from all seven county commissioners endorsing a new map of Worcester County’s seven voting districts, all that remains to be done in the county’s post-census redistricting is to conduct a public hearing.

As commissioners started to make a motion to proceed with the draft of an emergency legislative bill that would officially recognize new district boundaries, Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young interrupted to point out that their names would be going on an introduction for the bill that would be voted on later.

Now the redistricting bill is set for a public hearing at the commissioners Dec. 19 meeting. The commissioners’ goal is to enact the new voting boundaries by the end of the year so the county elections board has time to file the information before the Feb. 9 deadline for residents to enter for board of education election.

Some county residents will have their home districts change once the new maps are enacted, and the altered boundaries need to be disseminated to the public before the deadline so that prospective candidates know which board of education seat they can file for. If districts were drawn after candidates register, they could end up running for the wrong district.

The new districts proposed in the bill are based on one of five potential map options that were presented to commissioners by the county planning department. All versions of the new district maps were created to reflect the 2020 census and making the population of each district more equal.

District Two, the central district that mostly runs along Route 113, and the district that has a majority-minority population, faces a unique issue that the redistricting is intended to solve.

The district resulted from a lawsuit in the mid-nineties in which courts found that electing a minority county commissioner was all but impossible with the county’s then at-large voting system.

See ELECTIONS Page 16

PAGE 16

Ocean City Today

Elections board facing tight turnaround to file new bill Continued from Page 15 The 2010 census found that District Two’s minority population had a majority by a margin of 395 people, but in the 2020 census, the minority population held its majority in the district by only one person.

In the revised version of the map that will go to public hearing, District Two would be reconfigured to expand its majority-minority population by a margin of 478 people.

At the commissioners previous meeting, Election Director Patricia Jackson said that even if commissioners rush the bill through, it will be challenging for the board of elections to file and prepare the new district information ahead of the February deadline. When commissioners asked if it was possible to do it in time, Jackson said that it would have to be done.

At that meeting, commissioners discussed pushing the redistricting issue to 2025, but if they did, people who are elected to county seats after the May primaries and November elections might end up rep-

resenting a district they don’t live in anymore. It could necessitate adjusted terms or special elections.

The commissioners decided it was better to redistrict sooner rather than later, and voted to put the emergency bill on the fastest track possible for approval.

Still, the elections board will face several hurdles.

The deadline to submit locations for the county’s 2024 voting precincts to the state passed on Nov. 14. The board of elections will need to get special permission from the state to set up a new polling station ahead of upcoming elections.

If county district lines cross legislative district lines, a new precinct would be created, which requires another voting station, Jackson said.

PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY

Signatures from Worcester County Commissioners have brought emergency legislation to redistrict the county one step closer to full approval. Pictured are the maps depicting the proposed new district boundaries of Worcester County.

www.oceancitytoday.com

DECEMBER 8, 2023

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PHOTO COURTESY LEE WILKINSON

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Three residents displaced

by Berlin house fire on Mon. (Dec. 8, 2023) Three people have been temporarily displaced from their home after a fire that broke out late Monday morning in Berlin.

According to a news release from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office, crews from the Berlin Fire Company were called out just after 11 a.m. Monday to a structure fire on St. Martins Road. Upon arrival, they discovered smoke coming from the single-story home and worked to bring the flames under control and search for any occupants inside.

The release said firefighters spent about an hour-and-a-half performing PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE

A firefighter exits a single-story house on St. Martins Road in Berlin while fighting a blaze that broke out late Monday morning.

overhaul operations and ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.

Deputies from the fire marshal’s office responded to the scene and conducted a scene investigation, through which they determined that the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring that originated in the family room.

The release said the American Red Cross is assisting the three residents who lived in the home, who are temporarily displaced.

Berlin firefighters were assisted by the Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Showell and Willards volunteer fire departments.

OCVFC VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Senger, current president of OCVFD, served for 16 years

By Steve Price Contributing Writer (Dec. 7, 2023) This week it is an honor and a privilege to recognize the current president of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, Frederick A. “Freddie” Senger IV. As with many members recognized in previous “Spotlight’ articles, Fred has family ties to the OCVFC. His Father, Frederick A. Senger III, was a life member of the OCVFC, holding the position of lieutenant on Ladder 706 responding from the 74th Street firehouse – (Station #3 - the old “Grave Cave”).

Fred is currently employed as a firefighter/paramedic with the Ocean City Fire Department.

Senger recalls many of his friends had been members of the OCVFC Cadet Program and later became active members of the volunteer fire company. While attending college locally, Fred thought joining the local volunteer fire company would be a great way to network with others and learn new skills. His father had earlier told him it was one of the best means for meeting new people, building knowledge and developing friendships that would last a lifetime.

During his 16-plus years of active service, Fred has held the positions of crew leader and Lieutenant for “A” Pla-

Frederick A. “Freddie” Senger IV

toon and was the 2015 recipient of the OCVFC Training Award. He has also held several administrative positions in the OCVFC including treasurer and president in 2022 and 2023.

Senger remembers the Dough Roller Restaurant fire on the Boardwalk in 2008 as the most significant event of his firefighting career. It was his first significant fire as a member of the OCVFC and displayed the many resources required to do this job – from the multiple tactics used to control the inferno to the arrival of fuel trucks to re-fuel the fire apparatus due to the long duration of the event. He also recalls his sorrow watching the iconic Boardwalk stores being destroyed by the fire and later his joy in witnessing the creation of a new look for the See SENGER Page 23

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 21

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

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Chief justice denies request from state to schedule oral arguments this February

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) Clerks of the Appellate Court of Maryland are scheduling oral arguments in the appeals case of Tyler Mailloux for early March despite an attempt from the state to set the case in February.

In a motion filed on Nov. 28, Attorney General Anthony Brown and Assistant Attorney General Zoe White asked appellate judges to move the arguments to February and to change the filing due-date for a reply brief from the state to be 10 days earlier. Mailloux’s Assistant Public Defender Celia Davis didn’t oppose the request, according to the motion.

“Given the importance of the jurisdictional issues in this case, and given that Gavin Knupp’s tragic death occurred almost seventeen months ago, the State respectfully requests that this Court advance argument in this case to the February 2024 session of this Court,” according to the motion.

Chief Judge Gregory Wells filed an order last Friday denying the motion.

Correspondence between the court, appellants and appellees filed in mid-November discusses whether all parties are available to schedule arguments somewhere between March 1-8. A specific date in March hasn’t yet been decided.

The preliminary scheduling of oral arguments follows briefs filed by both the state and Mailloux’s attorneys.

Worcester State’s Attorney Kristin Heiser charged Mailloux as the driver in the hit-and-run that killed 14-year-old Gavin Knupp on July 11, 2022. Mailloux faced 17 charges related to leaving the scene of the accident and failing to report it later.

Heiser filed the criminal charges in circuit court.

At a motion’s hearing on Aug. 18 at the Worcester County Circuit Court in Snow Hill, which was supposed to be ahead of a September trial, Dorchester County Judge Brett Wilson dismissed all of Mailloux’s charges on the grounds that they should have been filed in district court.

Mailloux’s attorney George Psoras had requested the charges be dismissed, arguing that district court has “exclusive original jurisdiction,” over these types of motor vehicle crimes.

Prosecutors appealed the decision

the same day.

The attorney general’s office took over from Worcester County prosecutors in the appeals case and filed a brief on Oct. 19 that argued the charges could have been filed in either court at the state’s discretion.

The state argued that a section of the Maryland judicial proceedings article gives “concurrent jurisdiction” to both circuit and district courts if the penalties of the charges meet a certain threshold. Many of Mailloux’s charges met the minimum penalties, ergo, they could be filed in circuit court, according to the state.

On Nov. 17, Mailloux’s public defense attorneys filed a brief that asserted Wilson’s decision to dismiss.

Mailloux’s attorneys argued that a different section of the Maryland judicial proceedings article gave “exclusive original jurisdiction,” to the district court over the sorts of vehicle charges Mailloux faced.

His defense also argued that had the state filed the charges in district court first, Mailloux would’ve had the option to be tried in district court or to bring the charges to circuit court for a judge or jury trial. Mailloux’s attorneys argue that by filing the charges in circuit court first the state stripped him of his right to choose where to be tried.

DECEMBER 8, 2023

OCVFC VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Senger employed as EMS at OCFD Continued from Page 20 Boardwalk as the owners moved forward following the blaze.

President Senger reveals following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a lieutenant in the OCVFC as one of his greatest accomplishments in the fire service.

Fred also said: “Earning the trust of the Command Staff to lead my peers as a Lieutenant on the fireground and then being elected to serve as President of our OCVFC, with the support of both our young members and our more ‘seasoned’ veterans, have truly been great moments in my fire service career.”

Fred would offer the following encouragement to our cadets and other young men and women with an interest in joining the fire service: “Learn from EVERYONE! Those who have been there, those who are there currently, and those who come after you.

The evolution of the fire service is constantly changing.”

We thank President Senger for his years of service devoted to protecting the lives and property of our residents and visitors to our community.

For membership information or to learn more about the volunteer fire company, visit ocvfc.com.

Ocean City Today

PAGE 23

OC Comic Con runs all day Dec. 9

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) Ocean City Comic Con returns to the convention center Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for its annual celebration of all-things-geek culture.

The event will host special guests, panels, screenings and vendors, as well as cosplay and video game competitions. James Dufendach, coordinator for the event, said around 9,000 people attended last year and that he expects about the same number this year, although each edition seems to draw more visitors.

“We get a huge amount of support from the local community that I am beyond grateful for. But it seems that we have become a destination con for folks as well and draw them from all over the mid-Atlantic, which is fantastic,” Dufendach said in an email.

Tickets cost $12, and this is the first year fans can buy tickets in advance, but they will still be available for purchase at the door. Children up to 9 years old enter free with a paying adult.

Buyers get tickets $1 off if they come in costume and $1 off if they bring a non-perishable food product for Diakonia, a non-profit that houses and serves local homeless people.

A portion of the admission costs

FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

An array of replicas of vehicles from pop culture will be featured in the convention hall at Ocean City Comic Con on Dec. 9. Pictured is the Batmobile at the event in 2019.

goes to the Hero Initiative, an organization that supports comic creators who require financial assistance for things such as medical costs, and the Make Delmarva Foundation.

The main convention hall will hold more than 300 booths, with vendors offering comic books, art, memorabilia, cosplay gear, toys, trading cards and more.

“I think we pack in a lot of the fun things that larger cons do, while keep-

ing an eye on affordability and community engagement. I try to ensure we have a lot of content and things to do once you hit the doors,” Dufendach said.

For one of the kick-off events, the 501st Legion, also known as the Old Line Garrison, which is touted as the world’s largest Star Wars costume club, is hosting a meet-up at 11:15 a.m.

See COSPLAY Page 24

PAGE 24

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

Cosplay, special guests and more Continued from Page 23 Cosplaying — a practice in which fans dress as their favorite pop-culture characters — is a significant facet of Ocean City Comic Con, and attendees can try for prizes in the cosplay contest or meet professional cosplayers including Ally Blaze and Shanon Rose.

Also in store are informational comic-drawing panels and storytelling panels, lightsaber training courses and a both collaborative and competitive argument activity aimed at ranking the top 10 movie franchises of all time.

Video Gamers can compete in Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Street Fighter 6 tournaments, which start at 11 a.m. and noon, respectively.

At 2 p.m., a range of short films made in and about Ocean City will be showing on the second floor as part of a screening that’s appropriately named the Ocean City Film Challenge.

There is also more to watch with the Delaware Anime Society, which will be hosting anime screenings all day.

One show that will be ongoing from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. is Super Art Fight, a performance where artists mix “elements of pro-wrestling styled storytelling and character work, live

PHOTO COURTESY ERICA MATHEWS

Ocean City Comic Con is returning to the convention center Dec. 9. Pictured is the Ocean City Comic Con from 2019.

art, and improvised humor,” according to the Ocean City Comic Con website.

“I hope people come out, enjoy themselves, do a little shopping with our excellent vendors, meet some guests, dress up, and really just experience everything we have on offer,” Dufendach said in an email.

Some new guests from the entertainment industry this year include John Morton, who played Dak Ralter in Star Wars, Daniel and Carlos Pesina, who played characters in the original Mortal Kombat games, and Sayuri, a dog and actor who played Brandy in “Once Upon a Time in Hol-

lywood.”

Special guests from the world of comics including creators and artists like Greg LaRocque, Mark McKenna, Trish Forstner and Brett Breeding are also joining in on the convention.

“Along with our new guests, we’ll have a ton of past guests returning, so if you missed them before you’ll have a chance to catch them this time,” Dufendach said.

Inside the convention hall at the far North wall, an array of famous vehicle replicas will be lined up. The A-Team Van, DeLorean, Batmobile and Mr. Universe van from the animated show Steven Universe will all be present.

The first Ocean City Comic Con started in 2017, and the event missed only one year due to the pandemic, Dufendach said.

“Oh man, it has ballooned since the first year. We went from ballrooms in a hotel our first year to taking up the vast majority of the convention center. We have really grown year after year. No one is more amazed than me at how big it’s become,” Dufendach said.

For more information, visit http://www.oceancitycomiccon.com/ index.html. Advance tickets are available at https://linktr.ee/OceanCity ComicCon.

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ten Worcester public schools receive foundation funding Money to support programs at elementary, middle and high schools across county (Dec. 8, 20230) Ten Worcester County public schools are equipped to enhance programs and educational resources thanks to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

According to a news release, schools in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties have been awarded $116,144 through the foundation’s eduction grants program.

The grants are issued annually schools that have developed innovative programs to enhance education and improve the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of students and communities.

The release said a “record-breaking number of requests” came in this year for the funds, which are awarded in conjunction with National Education Week through a competitive process to public and private schools on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. A total of 40 programs within the counties were chosen to receive awards.

“The Community Foundation is proud to offer support to our schools, educators, and students,” Community Foundation President Erica Joseph said in the release. “When we invest in education, we are building long term impact for the future of our local community and the success of our future leaders.”

In Worcester County, the following schools and programs received grants for the 2023-24 academic year: • Ocean City Elementary will provide targeted enrichment instruction for Tier 1 students through literature text sets, improve the school’s library collection and increase stu-

dent engagement in recreational reading.

• Stephen Decatur Middle will expand the library’s nonfiction resources and build a collection of books written in Spanish.

• Showell Elementary will install a book vending machine to promote excitement about reading and buy iPads and Lego education kits to enhance the school’s makerspace.

• Berlin Intermediate will stock the school’s house store with incentive items for their positive behavior program.

• Cedar Chapel Special School will purchase adaptive tricycles for students with diverse abilities and use a curriculum that teaches students with diverse abilities about boundaries and self-awareness.

• Snow Hill Elementary will expand the school library’s picture book and chapter book selections to engage readers.

• Snow Hill High School will boost the school’s positive behavior program with rewards and incentives and host a Friday Night Book Club that allows students to select titles from current and engaging themes.

• Snow Hill Middle’s RISE and program will allow at-risk students to practice life skills and social etiquette in real-world social settings.

The school’s Pathways to Resilience initiative will fortify the library’s Social-Emotional Learning resources.

• Pocomoke Elementary School will install a book vending machine to promote excitement about reading and create a diverse outdoor classroom space for art, music, physical education, and STEM lessons.

• Pocomoke High School will partner with Cedar Chapel Special School to bring awareness and acceptance of those with special needs.

PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ocean City Elementary School students, staff and parents walk into school on the first day of the 2023-24 academic year in September. The school was one of ten countywide that recently received a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for a variety of programs and resources.

CROSSWORD

OceanCityToday.com FILL RELIABLE & LOCAL NEWS

Answers on page 33

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 27

HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, if you work or spend time with an introvert, reach out to him or her and strike up a conversation. This person may only need a little nudge to become a good friend.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, a friendly competition that may have started out lighthearted is now starting to transform into something a bit more competitive. Dial it back a bit.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, things are starting to slow down in your life, and your to-do list has gotten shorter. Expect things to ramp up again soon enough, but enjoy the break for now.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 This is a good week to begin something that you’ve been thinking about tackling, Cancer. You’ll have pep in your step and others willing to lend a hand if it is needed.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, someone may offer you some honest feedback that is a little too raw for your ego at this point in time. You will simply have to take it with dignity and lick your wounds elsewhere.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 You need to be the driving force on a project that will pop up, Virgo. Even though you’re not sure of your readiness for this type of work, you can give it a good attempt.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Whatever you tackle this week, it shouldn’t revolve entirely around money, Libra. Finances may have gotten in the way of things for some time; focus now on relationships.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Don’t let a dream you had put you all in a tizzy, Scorpio. That was just your subconscious working through some things and not a prediction of things to come.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Don’t be shy about receiving credit for something that you did, Sagittarius.

You deserve the recognition no matter how large or small the task. Celebrate all your victories.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 You may be coveting something of late, Capricorn. However, only when you stop actively wanting that thing or person will you finally get what you desire.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, your positive attitude is an asset in life. Even as challenges come your way this week, you can prove the naysayers wrong by maintaining your rosy outlook.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, standing up for yourself this week is challenging, but you need to do it to get your point across. Don’t worry, you have many supporters in your corner cheering you on.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Swimmers run toward the cold ocean during Atlantic General Hospital’s Penguin Swim in 2023. This year’s event, the 30th annual, is set again for New Year’s Day.

Penguin Swim set New Years Day (Dec. 8, 2023) Atlantic General Hospital’s 30th Annual Penguin Swim is coming up once again on Jan. 1 on the beach at The Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel at 91st Street.

According to a news release, all participants are required to register either online or in person, and check in on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to receive a wristband that allows access to the swim area. Advance online registration is recommended.

Participants can register online by visiting aghpenguinswim.org.

The registration fee is $30 per participant if registering on or before Dec. 30, or $35 if registering on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1.

Participants are encouraged to come to pre-registration and advance check-in at the Princess Royale from 2-4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to avoid long lines on event day and pick up wristbands and shirts early.

Participants will also receive an additional Penguin Swim item during advance check-in.

Event day registration and checkin is set from 9-11:30 a.m., with the main event at noon on the beach at 91st Street. There will be activities in

between for the whole family, including costume contests, face painting, mermaids and more. The Bull on the Beach team will parade down the beach at 11:45 a.m. from 94th Street to the swim area in front of the Princess Royale. Spectators are welcome.

The awards ceremony will take place in the atrium immediately following the swim. Special recognition awards will be given to Oldest and Youngest Penguins, and the Penguin who traveled the furthest. Trophies for first, second and third place will be awarded to those who raise the most money in divisions for: Adults (19 & Over), Youth (18 & Under), Teams/Businesses, Community Groups/Organizations, and Youth/ Family.

Those unable to attend can still participate in the Cyber Swim by registering online, taking an ice-cold dip wherever they are and publicly posting a photo or video on social media using the hashtag #OCPenguinSwim.

Contact Laura Powell at the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation office at 410-641-9671 or visit aghpenguinswim.org for more information.

WHAT: Atlantic General Hospital’s 30th Annual Penguin Swim WHERE: Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel, 91st Street, Ocean City WHEN: Pre-registration/advance check-in and shirt pick-up, 2-4 p.m., Dec. 31; and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Jan. 1; swim, noon, Jan. 1; awards ceremony, 12:1512:45 p.m.

MORE DETAILS: Proceeds from the event, gathered through corporate sponsorships and participant fundraising, support the hospital’s strategic plans to improve individual and community health. Atlantic General Hospital is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

Alice and Laila Jimmy Charles

Jimmy Charles to perform Dec. 27 at Military Bowl (Dec. 8, 2023) Award-winning country music star and Ocean City native Jimmy Charles will take the stage later this month at the Military Bowl Tailgate Festival in Annapolis with a free concert and sing the national anthem before the game.

This year’s Military Bowl is set for Dec. 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The concert will begin at 11 a.m. with free admission. The game kickoff is at 2 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN. Tickets are on sale now.

Charles grew up in Ocean City and graduated from Towson University in suburban Baltimore before beginning his successful music career in Nashville. According to a news release, he has several close relatives who have served in the military and often performs at events benefiting service members.

“It is a huge honor for me and my family to perform pregame and then sing the national anthem prior to the 2023 Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com,” Charles said in the release. “I have always had a big heart and the utmost respect for our men and women in the military, especially those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I honor them every show. It’s always special to sing the anthem but I am above and beyond humbled to perform it for the Military Bowl and our active-duty and veteran service members.”

Charles is accustomed to performing before large and patriotic crowds.

He was a contestant on Season 9 of American Idol, the video for his release “Hard Way to Go” premiered on CMT and climbed to the number one spot on The Country Network and he is a national spokesman for ZERO the End of Prostate Cancer.

Charles also has performed at events that benefited the Aerial Recovery Group, Heroes Pull for Veterans and the Maryland Army National Guard. His wife, Miranda, is an audiologist who regularly visited VA hospitals helping care for service members coming back from combat See OC Page 29

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Ocean City Today

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The Ocean Resorts Golf Club in Berlin will hold its Holly Jolly Holiday Vendor Market from 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9.

The event will feature area artisans selling handmade goods and gifts for those who want to shop local for the holidays. There will also be family activities such as visits and hayrides with Santa, an interactive story time and face painting. An ugly sweater contest and a golf putting contest with prizes will also be held. The event is free; hayrides cost $5 per family.

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On Dec. 9 and 10, the Town of Snow Hill will host a Dickens Weekend, complete with one-act performances of “A Christmas Carol,” Victorian teas at three historic homes, artisan craft demonstrations, and more in celebration of Charles Dickens.

The show times for the performances are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9; and 1-2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Old Firehouse on Green Street.

The teas are set for 2 and 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, at the River Continued on Page 31

OC native giving salute to roots Continued from Page 28 who have hearing loss.

“We’re thrilled to have Jimmy Charles join us on gameday. His performance will be a terrific addition to a day full of entertainment,” Military Bowl Foundation President and Executive Director Steve Beck said in the release. “Jimmy certainly shares our commitment to honoring and supporting our nation’s service members and it will be great to have him salute these brave men and women.”

Along with the concert, the Military Bowl Tailgate Festival will feature the Budweiser Clydesdales, a special live game day broadcast of Living Local on DCW 50, military displays, Military Bowl merchandise and more.

For updates, including information on buying tickets, visit militarybowl.org, follow @MilitaryBowl on Twitter and Instagram or like the Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com on Facebook. For sponsorship information, contact Military Bowl Senior Director of Partnerships Marc Goldman at mgoldman@militarybowl.org.

Ocean City Today

PAGE 30

Dining Guide ■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$ ■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted —————————————

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street ■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-289-7192, captainstableoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood.

Breakfast: closed Monday through Wednesday; Thursday through Saturday, 7:30-11 a.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon. Open daily for Dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.

■ COASTAL SALT 16th Street and the Boardwalk, Ocean City, 410-973-7258, coastalsaltoc.com $$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Beautiful oceanfront dining on the boardwalk. American restaurant with an emphasis on fresh, locally caught seafood with a unique culinary twist.

With a wonderful balance of meticulously prepared cuisine, inventive cocktails and incredible customer service, Closed Monday through Wednesday.

Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m.

Saturday and Sunday opening at 8 a.m.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT 28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials.

Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out. Ordering online www.coinspuboc.com.

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR 17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m.

■ PAPI’S TACO JOINT 15th Street and Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City 443-664-6811, Papistacojoint.com $$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Authentic Mexican restaurant open 7 days a week. Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

With a family atmosphere you can enjoy building your own street tacos with a sheet table side with their home-made authentic salsa. Serving food such as little cravings, choice of salsas, salads, bowls, soups, main dishes and desserts. Also, brunch, gluten free and vegan menus. Happy Hour Monday through Friday, 3-5 p.m. with beer, wines, cocktails and specialty signature

drinks. Dine in or order online for your carryout.

■ PICKLES PUB 706 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City, 410289-4891, picklesoc.com $$ | Full bar Open all year from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., 7 days a week. Serving lunch, dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. with nightly entertainment while dining in one of the local sports bars. Serving a wide variety of appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, lite fare to special entrees.

Serving a wide variety of beers, wines, and specialty drinks. Check the website for weekly specials.

■ TOAST ITALIAN RESTAURANT 221 Wicomico Street and Bay Front, Ocean City, 410-237-7070, @toastocmd.com $$-$$$ | Full bar Enjoy waterfront bay Italian dining with a million $ view. Home of the Super Slice pizza. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner.

Soups, salads, sandwiches, small plates and entrées served after 3 p.m.

Check out the website for a full menu.

Happy Hour, 2-6 p.m. with food and drink specials. Open year round. Closed Tuesdays. Open weekdays, 2-9 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free street parking every day.

MIDTOWN

29th to 90th streets ■ 32 PALM 32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-289-2525, 32palm.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year! Don’t miss out on Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m.

■ LONGBOARD’S CAFÉ 6701 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, 443664-5693, longboardcafe.com $$-$$$ | Full bar Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made.

We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday.

Call for reservations.

■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT 3301 Atlantic Ave. in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com $$ | Full bar Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts.

Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:3011:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.

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

DECEMBER 8, 2023

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. through midnight with island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.

UPTOWN

91st to 146th streets ■ BAHAMA’S CRAB SHACK CARRYOUT & OUTLET Oceanside MD/DE Line and Coastal Hwy, Fenwick 302-537-5882 Premier seafood, chicken, homemade soups, super crab cakes, steamed shrimp, fresh clams, soft crabs, scallops, oysters and snow crab claws. Fat crabs by weight, sandwiches and dinners.

Closed Monday and Tuesday. Open Wednesday through Sunday.

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS 118th Street, Ocean City 800-6410011, www.carouselhotel.com Enjoy one of the restaurants at the Carousel. Fine Ocean Front dining with a beautiful view. The Reef 118 is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday serving dinner. The Bamboo Lounge is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday and 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

■ GREENE TURTLE 11601 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, 410723-2120, originalgreeneturtle.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Voted best sports bar restaurant in Ocean City, The Original Greene Turtle is the perfect family hangout with the best burgers and wings in Ocean City and arcade games! Looking to catch the game? With more than 70 TVs we are your sports headquarters! Serving appetizers, wings, salads, homemade bowls of soup, handheld burgers, chicken, Maryland crab cakes, with a wide variety of beers, wines and specialty drinks.

Open 7 days a week 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

■ LEON’S AT THE BEACH 11805 Coastal Hwy., Located in the Ocean City Square Shopping Center 410-524-2609 $$/$$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Under new management. Serving lunch and dinner with new menu items. Finger foods, savory sandwiches, soups, salads, and delicious entrees. One of the highlights is the famous burgers. High quality ingredients and cooked to perfection.

Also, serving fresh seafood, steaks, and chef’s special dishes. Happy Hour, daily, 4-7 p.m. Dine in, carry out and curbside pickup. NFL specials every game, food, and drink specials available. Check out our website for more details. Closed every Tuesday.

■ NORI’S 11403 Coastal Hwy, located in the Gold Coast Mall, Ocean City, 443-880-6258, norisoc.com $$ | Full bar Voted Ocean City’s Best Full-Service Sushi bar, steaks and sashimi, seafood entrees with fried rices, vegan, vegetarian, sandwiches, gluten free Sushi and meals. Many drink specials, wine and beers. Open 7 days a week, from 11:30 a.m. until. Dine in, carry out and delivery available.

■ SOPHIA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 11405 Coastal Hwy, located in the Gold Coast Mall, Ocean City, 410-723-5188, sophiasitalianrestaurantocmd.com $$ | Full bar Located in the Gold Coast Mall serving one of Ocean City’s finest Italian dinners. Lunch specials, appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and homemade Ital-

ian dinners. Full bar with beers, wine and specialty drinks. Open 7 days a week, 11:30 a.m. Dine in, carry out and delivery available.

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT 13801 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, located on the 8th floor of the Fenwick Inn, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com $$-$$$ | Full bar Enjoy a wonderful dinner overlooking the ocean and the bay. Serving off season weekly specials. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to midnight.

Happy Hour, 3-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out the website for a full menu.

OCEAN PINES ■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410641-7222, Oceanpinesgolf.org/dining $$ | Full bar Indoor and outdoor dining with sweeping views of the 18th green and pond, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items with a full bar menu. Open everyday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410-641-7222, 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, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

WEST OCEAN CITY ■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL 12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com $$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.

■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistr 12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-801-1111, www.occhopsticks.com $$ | Beer | Premium Sake Authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai food.

Dine-in and carry out. Lunch specials, dinner and lite fare. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

■ PIZZA TUGOS 9935 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City 410-524-2922, pizzatugos.com $$ | Full bar | Celebrating 40 years in Ocean City. Offering pizza, wings, burgers, subs, salads, pasta and more! Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 2 a.m.

■ SELLO’S ITALIAN OVEN & BAR 9802 Golf Course Road, 410-390-3543, sellosoc.com $$-$$$$ | Full bar Located in the heart of West Ocean City.

You may think you stepped off a city street and not just off the beach or boat. You will find a wide array of choices from a wood-fired oven individual pizza to our 8 oz. center-cut filet mignon. Join us at Sello’s, your new “happy place,” where “va tutto bene” … it’s all good … Open Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. until and Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. until.

DECEMBER 8, 2023

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Ocean City Today

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SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

BEACH RESPITE DONATION

Members of the Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents recently donated $11,000 to the Believe In Tomorrow beach respite program on the Eastern Shore. Pictured with the check are John Bartlett and Joe Perry with the golf association and Mary Decker Brown and Amanda Koontz from Believe In Tomorrow.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Continued from Page 29 House Inn; 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., both days at Chanceford Hall; and 1 and 3 p.m., Saturday, at Covington House.

The Julia A. Purnell Museum on West Market Street is also hosting an open house to kick off the weekend from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8.

Food and crafts will be available, and the museum’s antique toys and holiday decor will be on display. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Breakfast with Santa The Auxiliary of Ocean City American Legion Post 166 will host a breakfast with Santa Claus from 8-10 a.m., Dec. 9.

Santa will be sitting down with the kids for breakfast, and a little pre-Christmas entertainment and gifts. There’s a minimal charge to cover the food. Children 3 and under are free, tickets are $5 for those 4 to 11, and $10 for guests 12 and over.

For more information, contact Bonnie Strawbridge at officealpost166@gmail.com.

Merry Merchants Worcester County Government employees will have a chance to snag an array of holiday deals at Merry Merchant Shopping Day Friday, Dec. 8, in Snow Hill.

Featured deals include storewide 15 percent off and 10 percent off total purchase sales at several establishments, free admission to the Purnell Museum, and several gift card deals.

Pocomoke Christmas night The annual Mayor’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Evening in Pocomoke is now set from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Dec. 15, in the mini park and municipal parking lot on Clarke Avenue.

The event was rescheduled from an earlier date and will feature an array of activities including a Santa House, Christmas crafts, cookie decorating and a large bonfire for roasting s’mores.

Community vendors will serve free re-

freshments including hot chocolate, cider, sweet treats, hotdogs, drinks and more.

Live entertainment will be provided all night beginning with music from the school choirs of Pocomoke Elementary, Middle and High schools. At 6 p.m., the mayor and City Council will light the town’s Christmas tree. All About Dance Academy will then take the stage, followed by holiday music at 7 p.m. by Coastal Sound.

A holiday wreath contest and silent auction will be held to benefit the Sturgis One Room School Museum. The public can bid on the wreaths decorated

by Pocomoke area businesses and residents. Prizes will be awarded onstage at 8 p.m. to the top three businesses and individuals with the highest bids.

Admission is free, though vendors may request small donations to support their organizations. Guests are encouraged to bring a canned good, nonperishable item or paper product to support the Samaritan Shelter’s Food Drive.

For more information or a full calendar of holiday events visit downtownpocomoke.com or call City Hall at 410-957-1333 x111.

Dickens reading The Lower Eastern Shore Chapter of the Maryland Writers Association, in partnership with the Salisbury Art Space, will present a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9, at the Salisbury Art Space in downtown Salisbury.

The news release said the hour-long adaptation by local director Andrew Heller will capture all the humor and humanity that people have come to associate with the Christmas classic. John Ebert will lead the ensemble cast as Scrooge with local writers and actors providing the supporting voices.

The event is the latest in a monthly series of live readings performed at the Salisbury Art Space in an effort to highlight the collaborative nature of the local arts community. It will be recorded radio play style and produced as a podcast.

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Seacrets: Friday, Dec. 8, 5-9 p.m.

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

PICKLE’S PUB

15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, Located in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-289-7192 / Captainstableoc.com Every Friday & Saturday: Phil Perdue, 5-9 p.m.

706 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, 410-289-4891 / picklesoc.com Dec. 8: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 9: Rogue Citizens, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 10: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 11: Karaoke w/Wood, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 12: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 13: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 14: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

COINS 28th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100 / www.coinspuboc.com Dec. 9: Giddy Up Sing-A-Long, 4-6:30 p.m.; Shortcut Sunny, 7:30 p.m.

LEON’S AT THE BEACH In the Ocean City Square Shopping Center, 11805 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City

410-524-2609 /www.whiskersbar.com Dec 8: Dance w/Beats by Followers, 8 p.m.

Dec 11: Industrial Night, 8 p.m.

Dec 12: Ladies Night; Karaoke w/DJ Wood

SEACRETS 49th Street and the Bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com Dec. 8: Opposite Directions; 5-9 p.m.; DJ Tuff, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Light Up The Moon, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 9: Full Circle, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Dear Zoe, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

Dec. 10: Football Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

Dec. 14: Full Circle Duo, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Connair, 9 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.; Sip On That Thursdays!, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

Calendar Submit calendar items to: editor@oceancitytoday.net.

Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.

Fri., Dec. 8

Sat., Dec. 9

BABY TIME

COMIC CON

410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

VIDEO GAME DAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 12:30 p.m.

Test your skills on the Nintendo Switch and more. All games provided by the library and rated E-E10. For ages 11 years and older. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

HOLLY JOLLY HOLIDAY VENDOR MARKET Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m.

Stories, rhymes and finger plays. For children up to 2 years and their caregivers. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MAHJONG CLUB

Dec 8 — Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 410-5241818. 10:30 a.m.-11:59 p.m., Enjoy a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All are welcome. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring guests, vendors, exhibitors, cosplayers and artists. Cost is $12 for adults, free to those 9 years and younger. Get $1 0ff for costumes and $1 off for non-perishable food items. http://oceancitycomiccon.com

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 8-11 a.m. Cost will be free to children 3 years and younger, $5 for children ages 4-11 years and $10 for children 12 years and older and adults. Santa will be available for pictures. officealpost166@gmail.com

HOMESCHOOL HANGOUT

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 11 a.m.

Join in for STEAM activities and socialize with other homeschool families. 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BOOK DISCUSSION: ‘WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN’ BY HOLLY MILLER

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

Copies of the book are available at the Ocean Pines circulation desk. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

12 TOURNAMENTS OF CHRISTMAS

Ocean Downs Casino, 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, 6 p.m. Slot Tournaments: Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12. Blackjack Tournaments: Dec. 3, 5, 7, 10, 11. Benefits Toys for Tots. https://www.oceandowns.com/promotions/12-tournaments-of-christmas-2/

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND TRADITIONAL CAROL SING-ALONG

Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 6:30 p.m. Featuring several local choirs. A love offering will be taken to benefit: St. Paul UMC, Berlin. Complimentary homemade goodies, hot coco, tea, coffee and a “meet the artists” reception to follow.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT BY PINE TONES CHORUS

Atlantic United Methodist Church, 105 Fourth St., Ocean City, 7:30 p.m. The concert is titled “A Very Jazzy Christmas” and will feature spirited and syncopated selections as well as some with dreamlike harmonies. An offering will be received. Refreshments serve afterward.

OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB MEETING

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m.

Guest Mary Brown, Director of Ocean City’s Believe in Tomorrow, will share the Anglers Club Captains impact on their program. Also “Walt Bone Memorial Fishing Contest” awards presented.

All welcome.

VETERAN VOICES: BUFFALO SOLDIERS

Germantown School Community Heritage Center, 10223 Trappe Road, Berlin, 10 a.m.-noon. Dr. Clara Small will discuss the history of the role of Buffalo Soldiers. The event is free but registration is recommended: germantownschool@gmail.com, 410-641-0638.

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW

Selbyville B. P. O. Elks Lodge 2173, 13308 Worcester Highway, Bishopville, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More than 15 vendors, bake sale table, Chinese auction and food available for purchase. Hosted by Boy Scout Troop 2173. Eileen Dudley, 443-880-7180

TAPE TRANSFERS

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 11 a.m.

Fun crafts for teens and adults, all supplies provided. Participants may bring their own magazine image of photo (photocopied) that is less than 2”. 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PAWS FOR READING

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 11 a.m. Read to Piper, a Portuguese Water Dog, and make a craft. For ages 5 years and older.

Ocean Resorts Golf Club, 10655 Cathell Road, Berlin, 2-5 p.m. Featuring area artisans selling handmade goods and gifts for the holiday. Visits and hayrides ($5) with Santa, interactive story time, face painting, ugly sweater contest and putting contest.

MONTEGO BAY TREE LIGHTING

Montego Bay Community, Ocean City, 5 p.m. The residents of Montego Bay will be lighting their crab basket Christmas Tree. Cindy Hendrix, 410-852-1000

12 TOURNAMENTS OF CHRISTMAS

Ocean Downs Casino, 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, 6 p.m. Slot Tournaments: Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12. Blackjack Tournaments: Dec. 3, 5, 7, 10, 11. Benefits Toys for Tots. https://www.oceandowns.com/promotions/12-tournaments-of-christmas-2/

DRAMATIC READING OF CHARLES DICKENS’ ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

Salisbury Art Space, 212 W. Main St., 7:30-8:30 p.m. John Ebert leads the ensemble cast as Scrooge with local writers and actors providing the supporting voices. https://mwales.substack.com, Anthony Russo, 443-614-2290

FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.

Sun., Dec. 10 CELEBRATING 146TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

St. John’s United Methodist Church, 8829 Lewis Road, Berlin, 3:30 p.m.

Guest preacher: Rev. Peggy M. Briggs of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Berlin, Md. Host Pastor: Diallo Purnell.

12 TOURNAMENTS OF CHRISTMAS

Ocean Downs Casino, 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, 6 p.m. Slot Tournaments: Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12. Blackjack Tournaments: Dec. 3, 5, 7, 10, 11. Benefits Toys for Tots. https://www.oceandowns.com/promotions/12-tournaments-of-christmas-2/

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10

a.m. www.jw.org

Mon., Dec. 11 STORY TIME: ‘SNOWMEN’

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, movement and more all about snowmen. For ages 2-5 years.

410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410641-0157

HOLIDAY HORRORS

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m. A talk about Krampus, Grill, Frau Perchta and Pére Fouettard, all characters created to keep children in line.

Creepy craft to follow. Limit 16. Registration is required: 410-632-3495.

12 TOURNAMENTS OF CHRISTMAS

Ocean Downs Casino, 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, 6 p.m. Slot Tournaments: Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12. Blackjack Tournaments: Dec. 3, 5, 7, 10, 11. Benefits Toys for Tots. https://www.oceandowns.com/promotions/12-tournaments-of-christmas-2/

HOLIDAY SING ALONG WITH THE DELMARVA CHORUS

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Delmarva Chorus invites everyone to join us for our annual Holiday Sing Along. 484-949-5515

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited.

Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-2427062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

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

Tues., Dec. 12 STORY TIME: ‘ELEPHANTS’

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

Stories, songs and fingerplays. For ages 2-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME AT THE DELMARVA DISCOVERY MUSEUM - ‘BEAVERS’

Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market

DECEMBER 8, 2023

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Ocean City Today

CALENDAR St., Pocomoke City, 10:30 a.m. Join the group the second Tuesday of each month to see, touch and learn about local animals and enjoy stories, songs and crafts. For ages 2-5 years. 410-9570878

OC KNITTING GROUP

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

FREE WRITERS’ GROUP

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City, 1-3 p.m. Bring your written reflection along with 10 copies for the group to read along. Writing must be single-sided and without staples. Register: https://canvas.artleagueofoceancity.org/classes/1183. 410-524-9433

PHOTO TRANSFER TO WOOD

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m.

Local artist John Iampieri teaches the process of photo transferring. Images provided or bring a 5 x 7 photo that can be photocopied. Limit 10. Registration required: 410-524-1818.

SONG CELEBRATION

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 6 p.m. Bring a song and share it with other players and writers in a welcoming and encouraging space. Originals encouraged. Listeners welcome. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

12 TOURNAMENTS OF CHRISTMAS

Ocean Downs Casino, 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, 6 p.m. Slot Tournaments: Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12. Blackjack Tournaments: Dec. 3, 5, 7, 10, 11. Benefits Toys for Tots. https://www.oceandowns.com/promotions/12-tournaments-of-christmas-2/

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.

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

Atlantic General Neurology, 314 Franklin Ave., Berlin, 3:15-4 p.m. Providing discussions and support, along with education on exercise, nutrition, coping techniques, medications and developments in treatment. Kay Kinnikin, 410-641-4765, kkinnikin@atlanticgeneral.org

DIY KEYCHAINS AND MAGNETS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4 p.m. Make your own keychains and magnets using Shrinky Dink. For ages 12-18 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR SASSY GIRL BOUTIQUE AND BISHOP’S STOCK FINE ART, CRAFT AND WINE

Sassy Girl Boutique, 114 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 5-7 p.m. Held at Sassy Girl Boutique from 5-6 p.m. and Bishop’s Stock from 6-7 p.m. Two ribbon cutting ceremonies and light refreshments.

RSVP by Dec. 8th. 443-420-7441, info@snowhillchamber.com

FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CELEBRATION

St. Paul’s by-the Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, 6 p.m.

Special Holy Eucharist service with a procession outside following the statue of the Virgin Mary into the church. Bulletins provided in English and Spanish.

Followed by Mexican music and food.

TIDES & VINE BOOK CLUB

Tides & Vine, 106 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 6 p.m. An evening of books and wine. For December, bring your own book. Tell the group about what your are reading. Must be 21 years and older.

410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

Wed., Dec. 13

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 4 p.m. Learn how to make several homemade holiday cookies and snacks. For ages 6 years and older. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m.

Come by for a time just for you and your teeny tiny. Stay after to socialize with other families. For children under 2 years and their caregivers. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4 p.m. The meeting room will be transformed into a bowling alley. For ages 8 years and older. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

D & D NIGHT

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

Great for adults and teens. Limit 15.

Register: 410-632-3495. www.worcesterlibrary.org

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, Assateague Room, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and will be updated monthly on the website and Facebook. Guests are welcome. www.kiwanisofopoc.org

ZUMBA WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st St., 10 a.m. Dance background not required. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com

Snow Hill 50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, 11 a.m. The group will be

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 4 p.m.

Make your own keychains and magnets using Shrinky Dink. For ages 12-18 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ROMANCE BOOK CLUB: ‘THE PRICE OF SALT’ BY PATRICIA HIGHSMITH

The Buzzed Word, 11805 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 6 p.m. An afternoon of Queer Romance and wine. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ONGOING EVENTS BOOKS BEHIND BARS

Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., during December. Donate books to the Books Behind Bars drive, which helps promote education and enrichment in local facilities. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TEEN STEAM STATION

Berlin library, 220 N. Main St., during December. Drop-in for fun STEAM challenges. Create jewelry using binary code, construct a flying glider, design your own city out of recycled material and more. Challenges will change each week.

For ages 11 years and older. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT SNOW HILL

Thurs., Dec. 14 STORY TIME: ‘MOST MARSHMALLOWS’

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m.

A fun, marshmallow-filled story time.

Stick around after for a fun craft. 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

HOLIDAY MUSIC TRIVIA

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m.

Test your knowledge with some questions about favorite holiday jingles. 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BEACH SINGLE 55 PLUS MEET AND GREET

Thursdays - Harpoon Hanna’s, 39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island, DE, 4-6 p.m. 302-436-9577, BeachSingles.org.

HERBAL HOLIDAY

BEADED BRACELETS

DIY KEYCHAINS AND MAGNETS

BOWLING FOR PIZZA

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Held the first and second Wednesday of each month. For non-surgical patients.

Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410641-9568

mon holiday herbs and how to blend them. Receive a ginger cookie lip balm and custom blend a Mulling Spice packet.

Registration required: 410-957-0878.

YOUNG CHEFS: HOLIDAY SNACKS

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

using cord and thread make beaded bracelets. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 2 p.m. Learn about the therapeutic properties of com-

Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., Dec. 4-9. To prepare for the Dickens Weekend in Snow Hill, the Snow Hill library will be decked out in Victorian decor with crafts and activities for all ages. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BUS TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

Bus departs Dec. 15 from Snow Hill at 5:30 a.m. and Berlin at 6 a.m.; returning at approximately midnight. Spend the day exploring New York City on your own. Enjoy the holiday spirit of the city.

Cost is $100 per person. Register: https://worcesterrecandparks.org/programs/motorcoach or www.playmarylandscoast.org. Info: Kyle Jarmon, 410-632-2144, Ext. 2519, kjarmon@marylandscoast.org

Crossword answers from page 26

34

Ocean City Today

December 8, 2023 Call 410-723-6397

by Monday 5 p.m.

Classifieds appear in Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com & baysideoc.com

MARKETPLACE HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING!!

Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $20/hr.

Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com

Hiring Cooks, Audio/Video Techs, Maintenance Staff, Painters, Carpenter, Plumber, Housekeeper, Liquor Store Attendant, Boat Mates, Receivers, Event Space Housekeeper Apply in person or online at seacrets.com

Classifieds appear in Ocean City Today &

RENTALS

RENTALS

ROOMMATES

DONATIONS

FOR SALE

1-BR and 2-BR, Year-Round Rentals Available, from $1350-$2000. Fully furnished, no pets, no smoking, electric and cable in tenants’ name.

Available immediately. Resort Rentals, 410-524-0295.

House to Rent. YR. N.O.C. 4 Master BR, 1 Single BR. Plenty of parking, large kitchen, back porch, washer and dryer. $3200/month.

443-880-2486

Year-Round Room For Rent Ocean Pines $800/month and $200 security. Fully furnished.

All utilities included. 443880-2317

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

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL

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.

For Sale: Furniture, Rugs, Antiques, Paintings, Kitchenware, Clothing, etc.

December 9th and 10th, 8 a.m. to noon.

11602 South Hills Dr., Berlin, MD 21811

2BR/2 Bath Bayfront Condo at 56th St., 3rd floor walkup, 2 level condo. Fully furnished, full kitchen, W/D, 2-car parking, central AC. No pets, no smoking, occupancy 4. $1800 monthly, tenant pays cable and electric. 1st and last months’ rent plus security deposit to move in.

Resort Rentals, 410-524-0295.

WOC - YR Rental - 5BR, 3.5BA, 3600 sq.ft. on pond. $2950/month and one months security plus utilities. Contact Lou, 410-713-0065.

Fully Furnished Townhouse, 4BR, 2BA, Living Room, Dining Room.

Water, Electric and Cable not included. $2100/month.

Yearly lease. One month security deposit and one month rent upfront. Located at 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD 21011.

410-456-0272

OFF SEASON RENTALS Utililites Included CONTACT US AT burgundyinn@gmail.com 410-289-8581

Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com and baysideoc.com

Yearly & Seasonal Rentals We Welcome Pets 7700 Coastal Hwy 410-524-7700 www.holidayoc.com

ROOMMATES ROOMMATES HOUSE SHARING Nice house. 94th Street area. Enclosed hot tub room, other amenities. Nice pets considered. Seeking employed males 20-30 years old who have their life together. Winter or year round. $600/month plus utilities. Text Rob, 410-726-5200.

Winter Rental - Ocean City.

XL Master bedroom w/private bath. Fully furnished. $600/ month. Includes all utilities.

No pets. No smoking. 443880-2486

1 Office/Retail Space available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft.

Call 443-497-4200 Commercial Warehouses 600 and 800 sq. ft. spaces West Ocean City and Bishopville, MD Yearly Leases Only

Call 646-812-1212 Classifieds 410-723-6397

GET IT RENTED HERE! It’s not too late to advertise your winter rentals.

410-723-6397 www. oceancitytoday. com

https://www.oceancitytoday.com/place_an_ad/

Industrial Warehouse.

Space: 1500 sq. ft.

Masonry construction, 18’ high ceiling, large garage door, bathroom.

Route 90/Bishopville.

Call 443-497-4200.

www. baysideoc. com

Classified Deadline is Monday @ 5pm

SERVICES

BOATS/PWC BOATS/PWC Seasonal Boat Slip - New OP resident looking for ongoing boat slip. Lease/ purchase 35 ft/10.5 ft beam.

June through September preferred. Will pay upfront and a premium.

561-802-1230

BUDGET MOVERS 443-664-5797 LOCAL & EAST COAST MOVING Full Packing Service Piano Movers - Full Service www.facebook.com/OCBudgetMovers

CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK Serving the Newspapers of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia since 1908.

MARYLAND STATEWIDE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK FOR SALE Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-855993-0969 MISC. FOR SALE Switch to DISH and get up to a $300 gift card! Plus get the Multisport Pack included for a limited time! Hurry, call for details: 1-855-407-6870.

MISC. SERVICES FREE high-speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-888-592-5957 HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 877-738-0991.

Advertise in MDDC 410-723-6397

PETS/PET SUPPLIES Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on Vet Bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help!

Call 1-888-928-1656 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow.com/mddc SERVICES DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-337-5228 www.dental50plus.com/ MDDC#6258 VEHICLES WANTED DONATE YOUR CAR/TRUCK/ RV - Lutheran Mission Society of MD Compassion Place ministries help local families with food, clothing, counseling. Tax deductible. MVA licensed #W1044.

410-228-8437 www.CompassionPlace.org

Run your business card in our

SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 410-723-6397 for pricing!

www.oceancitytoday.com Order YOur Classifieds Online!

• Convenient • Quick • No Waiting, No Calls • Days, Nights & Weekends

DECEMBER 8, 2023

PAGE 35

Ocean City Today

DIRECTORY BLINDS & SHADES

ELECTRICIAN

CONSTRUCTION

Raym Raymond mond O’Brocki O O’B Jr. M Master Electrician

443 691 0544 0 Call or Text Electric Veh hicle Chargers

35 Years Exp perience No Job Too Small! Frree Estimates!

Residential/Commercia al/Emergencies!

MD Lic #2268 Worcestter Co Lic #M1337 ELECTRICIAN ElEctric

EmErGEncy sErvicE availablE

410-251-3153 rEsidEntial & commErcial sErvicE Services Include additions • interior/Exterior lighting lamp & light repair • Generator installs

Call Turner Today 410-251-3153 MD MASTERS LIC. #15438 M400

HANDYMAN

RISH A RBEACHMAN PHANDY THE

Exterior Home Repairs

HOME IMPROVEMENT

• Screening • Painting

• Staining • Caulking

• Gutter Cleaning & Powerwashing •

• Deck Repairs •

“A Family Tradition Since 1935”

410-893-9707

COMPLETE HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSED AND FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES ALL WORK DONE BY OWNER

Specializing in Bathroom Remodels Tub to Shower Conversions Custom Tile Work

• Roofing • Siding • Windows • Doors • Custom Homes • Additions • Repairs • Kitchens • Baths • Tile Work • Decks • Custom Inside Trim Work • Hardwood Floors

• Flat Roof Specialist •

MHIC #94614 Licensed Insured

www.westoceancitytagandtitle.com

WEST OCEAN CITY

VEHICLE TAG & TITLE TRADER LEE’S VILLAGE 9935 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY #15

Cell: 410-713-8599

POWERWASHING / SOFT WASH POWERWASHING Atlantic Coast Powerwashing Services

Commercial & Residential • Complete Exterior Cleaning Hot Water, Powerwashing & Soft Wash Systems Year round ser vices • Deck Staining w/yearly & seasonal • Decks • Docks rates • Houses • Restaurants • Shopping Centers ices is ad!

• Roofs • & More h all ser v t w/ 410-603-3400

Joe Beran/Owner Operator acms1st@gmail.com

MHIC 97081 Ocean City 34629 • Delaware 2004 222 381 Licensed & Insured

(410) 208-1518 • (410) 982-8368 pipelinecontracting.net • info@pipelinecontracting.net

The Area’s #1 Moving Company

LOCAL • ENTIRE EAST COAST

Residential or Office or Commercial Packing or Loading or Unloading or Complete Move Single Item or Certain Items or Full Home

Call Maria: 443-664-5797 Female Owned & Operated

www.Facebook.com/ocbudgetmovers

40+ Years in Business

PAINTING • CUSTOM PAINTING • DRYWALL REPAIRS • WALLPAPER REMOVED • DECK & HOUSE STAINING Painting & Powerwashing • ALWAYS PROMPT SERVICE Interior & Exterior

Licensed & Insured

PAINTING

Zimmerman & Son LLC Serving Delmarva for Over 35 Years Licensed & Insured

Free Estimates

Open Mon., Fri., 9-2 & Wed. 9-5

JODY PALMISANO 410-629-5600

US Veterans Administration Approved Contractor

BUDGET MOVERS

Making Your Dream Bath Come True For 20 Years!

NEW TITLE AND TAGS AND MORE

• Flooring & Tile • Residential & Commercial • Servicing Maryland & Delaware Beaches

MOVING SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

BAYSIDE BUILDERS

MVA LICENSED

• Cabinets & Countertop • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling • General Carpentry & Painting

MDHIC # 107489 • DE # 2014100304 • Insured & Licensed

AN AFFORDABLE NEW BATH STARTS HERE!

Contact Garth for FREE Estimate! atminc4u@aol.com 410-641-8439

Contracting, LLC

Home Improvement Services Company

“One stop shop for Home Improvement”

11312 Manklin Creek, Rd., Ocean Pines, MD ~ Call or Stop in Today!

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • MHIC 17433

BERLIN • OCEAN PINES • OCEAN CITY

PipeLine

Home Improvement Design & Bertch Cabinet Retail

“WE DO IT ALL”

• Roofing Repairs • Rain Gutters • Roof Cleaning • Gutter Guards

HOME IMPROVEMENT

10% Discount with this ad.

NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS!

Bill Zimmerman cell 443-373-4539

ROOFING

REAL ESTATE

Kim Dixson REDFIN AGENT

Sell for more, pay a 1% listing fee when you buy and sell with Redfin Agents.*

REDFIN 190 W. Ostend St., #200 Baltimore, MD 21230 Redfin - Direct 410-868-5666 redfin.com

443-373-1328 kim.dixson@ redfin.com License #650977

Contact Kim for a no-obligation home-value consultation. *Sell for more based on difference between the sale and list prices of Redfin listings versus those of comparable listings by other brokerages, per a 2019 study. Sell for a 1% listing fee only if you also buy with Redfin within 365 days of closing on your Redfin listing. If you sell first we will initially charge a 1.5% listing fee and then send you a check for the .5% difference after you buy your next home with Redfin. Subject to $3,750 minimum Redfin commission.

Listing commission subject to change. Buyer’s agent commission not included. More info at redfin.com/disclaimer.

Information provided is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If you are currently working with an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business.

PAGE 36

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

DIRECTORY ROOFING

YOUR BUSINESS

Your Roofing, Siding & Home Improvement Specialist Since 1989 ROOFING • SIDING • DURADEK • WINDOWS • GUTTERS

Mike Moesle 410-629-1573, Fax: 410-629-1946 mmoesle@shoresidingmd.com www.shoresidingmd.com

*Licensed in MD, DE &VA

Your Business Card Here!

Call 410-723-6397

Home Need Improvements?

Check out the

y r o t c e r i D e c i v r e

S

For a variety of local contractors

PRINT WEB oceancitytoday.com • baysideoc.com

DECEMBER 8, 2023 VICTORIA L. O'NEILL ESQ. AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND P A 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 19984 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the CIRCUIT court of LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA appointed LISA DISHER POWERS whose address is 1322 MOORE PL, SW LEESBURG, VA 20175 G DON WESTFALL whose address is 124 SAWMILL CREEK DRIVE NELLYSFORD, VA 22958 as the CO-EXECUTORS of the Estate of ANNA MILLER DISHER AKA: who died on JULY 29, 2023 domiciled in VIRGINIA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is VICTORIA L O'NEILL whose address is 6200 COASTAL HWY STE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER COUNTY. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD 11/23/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 19983 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DOLORES NEULAND Notice is given that Angele Valentine, 3 Tuxedo Court, Marlton, NJ 08053, was on November 17, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dolores Neuland who died on September 26, 2023, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 17th day of May,

PAGE 37

Ocean City Today / Public Notices 2024.

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

Angele Valentine 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 23, 2023 OCD-11/23/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer for a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Rachel Sibony, 10701 Admirals Lassie Lane, Berlin, Maryland 21811.

For: West OC Taphouse, LLC For the premises known as and located at: T/A: Taphouse West 12513 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Formerly: Hogfin, LLC There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 11, 2023 @ 1:15 P.M. The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer for a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Jason Aaron Hamilton, 14104 Dukes Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

For: Coastal Creations OCMD, LLC For the premises known as and located at: T/A: Coastal Creations 7805 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Formerly: James Family Hospitality Group, LLC There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 11, 2023 @ 1:25 P.M. The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Class: "D" BEER License: 7 Day, By: Robert Deegan, 8911 Harness Way, Bowie, Maryland 20715; Vince Wright, 112 Ocean Aisle Circle #301, Salisbury, Maryland 21804; Michael W. Glavich, 12907 Vista Bay Lane, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

For: Fin City Brewing, LLC For the premises known as and located at: TIA: Fin City Tap Room 12911 Ocean Gateway, Unit 206 Ocean City, Maryland 21842 There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 11, 2023 @ 1:40 P.M. The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

NOTICE

ple License #1 for a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Peter S. Elias, 11604 Coastal Highway, Unit 1010, Ocean City, Maryland 21842; Karamjeet Singh, 11700 Coastal Highway, Apt. 1101, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

For: Seven Star Hospitality of OC, LLC For the premises known as and located at: T/A: Sand & Cedar Taverna 11070 Cathell Road Berlin, Maryland 21811 There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 11, 2023 @ 2:05 P.M. The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer & Downgrade from a Class "D" to "B" and Request to designate as Multiple License #3 for a Class: "B" BEERWINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Peter S. Elias, 11604 Coastal Highway, Unit 1010, Ocean City, Maryland 21842; Karamjeet Singh, 11700 Coastal Highway, Apt. 1101, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

For: Seven Star Hospitality of OC, LLC For the premises known as and located at: T/A: Bistro Cotiere 1706 Philadelphia Avenue Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Formerly: Cowboy Coast Hospitality Group, Inc. There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 11, 2023 @ 2:15 P.M. The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer of a Class: "B" BEER-WINE LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Andrew J. Zanowic, 12604 Whisper Trace Drive, Ocean City, Maryland 21842; Jamy C. Davy, 9925 Stephen Decatur Highway, E2, Ocean City, Maryland 21842; Jeffrey Hamer, 13 Draper Drive, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971.

For: WOC Watermans, LLC For the premises known as and located at: T/A: Waterman's Seafood Company 12505 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Formerly: JD Financial Services, Inc. There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 11, 2023 @ 1:50 P.M. The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

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.

NOTICE

Thursday, December 14, 2023 At 2:00 p.m.

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Application has been made by the Undersigned for a "B" B/W/L 7 Day and Request to designate as Multi-

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BOARD OF PORT WARDENS

PW 23-105 A request has been submitted to install one boat lift with associated pilings a maximum channelward extension of 33’. The site of the proposed construction is

PAGE 38 described as being located at 423 14TH ST UNIT 302 (Slip 59) Parcel # 3486 -302S -2B in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Whitehead Enterprises 1, LLC APPLICANT: J. Stacey Hart & Assoc., Inc. PW 23-106 A request has been submitted to install one boatlift with associated pilings a maximum channelward extension of 26’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 153 NEWPORT BAY DR UNIT 6 Parcel # 2598A-6 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Debra & Douglas May APPLICANT: J. Stacey Hart & Assoc., Inc. PW 23-107 A request has been submitted to install one boat lift with associated pilings a maximum channelward extension of 35’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 419 14TH ST UNIT 68 (Slip 69) Parcel # 3486 -68 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Mario Aguilar, TR APPLICANT: J. Stacey Hart & Assoc., Inc. PW 23-108 A request has been submitted to dredge a 10,421 square foot area at 5’ MLW and to deposit approximately 998 cubic yards of dredged material on an approved disposal site located at Parcel 185, Friendship Rd., Berlin, Md; and to provide for periodic maintenance dredging for 6 years. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 302 1ST ST Parcel # 3956 -4 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

Owner: Bay Lizard Estate, LLC Applicant: Stephen Carullo, Jr. PW 23-109 A request has been submitted to install one 13’ x 13’ boat lift on existing pilings, maximum channelward extension of 24’ not to exceed past existing pier. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 778 94TH ST SLIP 26 Parcel # 9647 -26 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Patrick Smith APPLICANT: Pristine Permitting, Inc. PW 23-110 A request has been submitted to replace an existing 5’ x20’ dock and install one 6.5’ x 13’ floating dock, maximum channelward extension of 13.5’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 507 SEAWEED LN Parcel # 9930A-4 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: James Baldwin APPLICANT: Pristine Permitting, LLC PW 23-111 A request has been submitted to install 77’ of replacement vinyl bulkhead maximum channelward extension of 18” and to install 2 PWC lifts on existing pilings, maximum 7’ channelward extension. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 513 136TH ST Parcel # 9866A-34 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Michael Melvin, Sr. APPLICANT: Ocean Services of DE, Inc. OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

NOTICE

OF PROPOSED CHANGE IN ZONING SOUTH SIDE OF MD ROUTE 589 (RACETRACK ROAD) NORTH OF MD ROUTE 90 (OCEAN EXPRESSWAY) OPPOSITE THE OCEAN PINES NORTH GATE THIRD TAX DISTRICT WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Pursuant to Section 1-113 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, Rezoning Case No. 443 has been filed by Hugh Cropper, IV on behalf of William Ayres and Linda Ayres, property owners, for an amendment to the Official Zoning Maps to change approximately 27.25 acres of land located on the south side of MD Route 589 (Racetrack Road), north of MD Route 90 (Ocean Expressway) and opposite the North Gate of the Ocean Pines Subdivision, in the Third Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland, from A-1 Agricultural District to 25.25 acres of A-2 Agricultural District and 2.0 acres of C-2 General Commercial District.

The Planning Commission has given an unfavorable recommendation to the rezoning application.

Pursuant to Sections 1-113 and 1114 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, the County Commissioners will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.

IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING ROOM WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER – ROOM 1101 ONE WEST MARKET STREET SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863 At said public hearing the County Commissioners will consider the rezoning application, the staff file on Rezoning Case No. 443 and the recommendation of the Planning Commission, any proposed restrictions on the rezoning, other appropriate restrictions, conditions or limitations as may be deemed by them to be appropriate to preserve, improve, or protect the general character and design of the lands and improvements being zoned or rezoned or of the surrounding or adjacent lands and improvements, and the advisability of reserving the power and authority to approve or disapprove the design of buildings, construction, landscaping or other improvements, alterations and changes made or to be made on the subject land or lands to assure conformity with the intent and purpose of applicable State laws and regulations and the County Zoning Ordinance.

Maps of the petitioned area, the staff file on Rezoning Case No. 443 and the Planning Commission’s recommendation, which will be entered into record at the public hearing, are on file and available to view electronically by contacting the Department of Development, Review and Permitting, Worcester County Government Center, One West Market

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

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023 Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held in-person before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County, in the Board Room (Room 1102) on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland.

6:30 p.m. Case No. 23-76, on the lands of Kayvan Bahrami, requesting a special exception to allow a 6foot-tall fence in a front yard setback, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3), & ZS 1-305(k)(3) located at 9627 W. 4th St., Tax Map 27, Parcel 500, Block J, Lot 6, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:35 p.m. Case No. 23-75, on the lands of Thomas Laird, Sr., requesting after-the-fact variances to the right side yard setback from 3 feet to 1.79 feet (encroaches 1.21 feet) for an existing mobile home, to the rear yard setback from 5 feet to 2.05 feet (encroaches 2.95 feet) for a landing and steps and to the front yard setback from 10 feet to 6.43 (encroaches 3.57 feet) for an existing open deck in a Campground Subdivision, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(c)(4), ZS 1-318(d) and ZS 1-305, located at 269 Timberline Circle, Tax Map 16, Parcel 90, Lot 269, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:40 p.m. Case No. 23-79, on the lands of Bali Hi Park, Inc, on the application of Sandra Sale, requesting an after-the-fact variance to the front yard setback from 10 feet to 8.6 feet (encroaches 1.4 feet) for an existing RV, in a Co-operative Campground, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-318(e) and ZS 1305, located at 12342 St. Martins Neck Road, Tax Map 10, Parcel 32, Lot 103, Tax District 5, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:45 p.m. Case No. 23-80, on the lands of Bruce McConkey, requesting an after-the-fact variance revision to the front yard setback from 30 feet to 24.68 feet (encroaches 5.32 feet) for an existing front porch with stairs in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1206(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 12405 Snug Harbor Road, Tax Map 33, Parcel 346, Section A, Lot 79, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:50 p.m. Case No. 23-78, on the lands of Randall and Anderson Hastings, requesting a special exception to expand a surface mining operation in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-

DECEMBER 8, 2023 116(c)(3), ZS 1-201(c)(15), and ZS 1330, located on the south side of Ironshire Station Road, about 351 feet west of Shire Drive, Tax Map 32, Parcel 360, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:55 p.m. Case No. 23-77, on the lands of 12475 Sea Oaks, LLC, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, requesting a special exception to construct a freestanding, non-monument sign in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1209 and ZS 1-324(c)(4)B.4, located at 12475 Sea Oaks Lane, Tax Map 26, Parcel 473, Lot B, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:00 p.m. Case No. 23-81, on the lands of Russell Properties LLC, on the application of Kristina Watkowski, requesting two variances to the front yard setback off of Wilson Ave, one from 25 feet to 21.07 feet (to encroach 3.93 feet) for a proposed accessory apartment and the other from 25 feet to 4.24 feet (to encroach 20.76 feet) for a proposed 3rd floor cantilever on the west end of the existing house, a variance to the front yard setback from Madison Ave. from 30 feet to 16.11 feet (to encroach 13.89 feet) for a proposed cantilever on the east side of the house and a variance to the side yard setback of 6 feet to 4 feet (to encroach 2 feet) for the same east side cantilever in the R-3 Multi-family Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1207(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 13444 Madison Ave., Tax Map 5, Parcel 1, Lot 141, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:05 p.m. Case No. 23-82, on the lands of River Run Development, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, requesting a modification to add boat slips to an existing community pier extending beyond 125 feet channelward, pursuant to Natural Resources Code §§ NR 2-102(e)(1) and Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(n)(2), located at 11605 Masters Lane, Tax Map 15, Parcel 126, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:10 p.m. Case No. 23-83, on the lands of Michael Ewing, on the application of Kristina Watkowski, requesting an after-the-fact variance to the left side yard setback from 3 feet to 2.95 feet (encroaches .05 feet), an after-the-fact variance to the right side yard setback from 7 feet to 6.56 feet (encroaches .44 feet) for an existing house and for a variance to the left side yard setback from 3 feet to .92 feet (to encroach 2.08 feet) for a proposed chimney in a Residential Planned Community, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4) and ZS 1-315, located at 12369 Hidden Bay Drive, Tax Map 33, Parcel 281, Lot 41, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________ MICHAEL B. MATHERS ESQ. WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP P.O. BOX 910 - 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

DECEMBER 8, 2023 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 19970 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOANANN JACKSON SWIFT Notice is given that Julie A. Betz, 10515 Brighton Road, Ocean City, MD 21842; and Richard M. Betz, 10515 Brighton Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, were on November 21, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joanann Jackson Swift who died on September 26, 2023, 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 21st day of May, 2024.

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

Julia A. Betz Richard M. Betz Personal Representatives True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: November 30, 2023 OCD-11/30/3t _________________________________ GEOFFREY L. FORMAN COHEN AND FORMAN, LLC 30 E. PADONIA ROAD, SUITE 500 TIMONIUM, MD 21093

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of HOLLIS JACKSON TURNER Estate No. 19990 Notice is given that THEODORE EUGENE SINEES JR whose address is 12207 STONEY BATTER ROAD, KINGSVILLE, MD 21087 was on NOVEMBER 22, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of HOLLIS JACKSON TURNER who died on SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 with a will.

Ocean City Today / Public Notices 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 22nd day of MAY, 2024.

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-11/30/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of MICHAEL JOSEPH GOUGH Estate No. 19988 Notice is given that MICHAEL K. GOUGH whose address is 68 PELTON AVENUE, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10310 was on NOVEMBER 20, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MICHAEL JOSEPH GOUGH who died on MARCH 19, 2023 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20th day of MAY, 2024.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date,

or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-11/30/3t _________________________________

TOWN OF BERLIN

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP # 2024 – 01 Heron Park Building Demolition Due Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Time: 3:00 PM EST The Town of Berlin is seeking Proposals for building demolition of designated areas, removal of debris on the interior, and site clearing of designated areas. Work also includes closing up of existing openings in buildings to remain and flashing/sealing the edges of roof lines exposed after demolition, and all other work as described in the plans and specifications entitled Heron Park Building Demolition, prepared by Davis, Bowen, & Friedel Inc, dated November 2023. There is a mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Qualified contractors are encouraged to visit the Town of Berlin website at berlinmd.gov/government/requestfor-proposals/ or contact Town Administrator Mary Bohlen at 4 1 0 6 4 1 4314/mbohlen@berlinmd.gov for the official RFP. EEO. OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on: Thursday, December 14, 2023 At 6:00 p.m.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Power, of the Code, an

PAGE 39 appeal of Section 110-94(5) has been filed to request the renewal of a special outdoor display of merchandise exception. The site of the appeal is described as Lot 1A, Block 121, of the Isle of Wight Land Company Plat. It is further described as being on the northwest corner of Coastal Highway and Route 90 and is locally known as 6201 Coastal Highway, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: BK MERCHANDISING, INC. (BZA 2668 #23-09400015) At 6:10 p.m.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers, of the Code, an appeal of Section 110-94(2)(b) has been filed to request a parking exception of 4 spaces for the construction of a new duplex. The site of the appeal is described as Lot 33 of the Runaway Bay Townhouse Plat. It is further described as being on the west side of Penguin Drive and is locally known as 821 Penguin Drive, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: JERRY FORD (BZA 2672 #23-09400016) At 6:20 p.m.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(3), Powers, of the Code, an appeal has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-95(1)(a) - A) requesting a variance for both the 10’ north and south side yard setbacks in order to revise previously approved site plan PZ File #2118100017 for a 20-room hotel to be built at 608 Baltimore Avenue (1); B) requesting a variance to Section 110369, Landscaping, in the R-3A, Moderate Residential zoning district, in accordance with both Section 110831.26 and Section 30553(c)(8)(h)(ii), to the required five-foot perimeter landscape strip on the east side of the properties known as 505, 509 and 511 Baltimore Avenue (2), (3), and (4); and Section 30-553(c)(8)(h)(iii), to a twofoot, six-inch landscape area provided at adjacent properties, along the north property line at 511 Baltimore Avenue (4). C) The applicant’s final request is that the Board of Zoning Appeals lift an approval condition imposed with BZA 2593 #2109500012 that two efficiency units at 505 Baltimore Avenue (2) be removed from rental since parking is now provided according to Code.

The sites of the appeal are described as (1) Part of Lot 3, Block 7N of the Sinepuxent Beach Company Plat; further described as located on the east side of Baltimore Avenue and west side of Washington Lane, and locally known as 608 Baltimore Avenue; (2) Lot 9 and part of Lot 10, locally known as 505 Baltimore Avenue; (3) Part of Lots 10 and 11, locally known as 509 Baltimore Avenue; and (4) Part of Lot 11, locally known as 511 Baltimore Avenue, all in Block 19N of the Sinepuxent Beach Company Plat; further described as located on the west side of Baltimore Avenue and east side of Wilmington Lane in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: OLYMPIC 1 APARTMENTS LLC. C/O VANGJEL TELO (BZA 2673 #23-09500018) Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department

PAGE 40

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

of Planning and Community Development in City Hall.

Christopher Rudolf, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney OCD-11/30/2t _________________________________

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION

457(b) Plan Recordkeeping and Administration Worcester County is seeking proposals from qualified Vendors to contract a qualified institutional retirement plan provider to administer and communicate the County’s 457(b) in conformity with the requirements contained herein Proposal Documents.

Proposal Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer, Nicholas Rice, at nrice@co.worcester.md.us or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda

prior to submitting their bids.

Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

The last day for questions will be Wednesday, December 20, 2023.

Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 2:30pm and will be opened and read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

Envelopes shall be marked "Proposal Solicitation - 457(b) Plan Recordkeeping and Administration" in the lower left- hand corner.

Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted.

Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for the award of the solicitation.

Nicholas W. Rice, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP Procurement Officer Worcester County, Maryland OCD-12/7/1t _________________________________

OCEAN CITY TODAY Legal Advertising Call Taylor Sloan 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@oceancitytoday.net

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 19906 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CASEY EDWARD ROBINSON Notice is given that Kathleen Rinck Hoffman, 12544 River Run Lane #82, Berlin, MD 21811, was on November 30, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Casey Edward Robinson who died on September 4, 2023, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 30th day of May, 2024.

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

Kathleen Rinck Hoffman 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: December 07, 2023 OCD-12/7/3t _________________________________ CHRIS S. MASON ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, L.L.P. 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 SMALL ESTATE

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19993 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF PEARL CLAUDETTE GRIFFIN AKA: PEARL C. GRIFFIN Notice is given that Robert K. Land, 10144 Hayes Landing Road, Berlin, MD 21811, was on December 04, 2023 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Pearl Claudette Griffin who died on Octo-

DECEMBER 8, 2023 ber 31, 2023, with a will.

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

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Robert K. Land Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: December 07, 2023 OCD-12/7/1t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING MAYOR & COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL, MARYLAND TUESDAY January 9, 2024 at 7:15 PM Pursuant to the provisions of the Snow Hill Town Charter Section 20(47) notice is hereby given that a PUBLIC HEARING is scheduled on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 7:15 p.m. at the meeting of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill at the Old Fire Hall, 212 West Green Street, in Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the conveyance of the following real property owned by the Town of Snow Hill and determine the property is no longer needed for public use: 1. 211 Pettit Street – Tax Map 0200; Parcel 0128; Lot 3.

The public is cordially invited to attend and offer comments. For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Town Manager’s Office, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863, #410-632-2080.

OCD-12/7/1t _________________________________

DECEMBER 8, 2023

PAGE 41

Ocean City Today

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Robertson promotion SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate Maintenance Technician Tim Robertson has been promoted to maintenance supervisor.

A news release said the promotion comes in recognition of Robertson’s outstanding dedication and contributions to Tim Robertson the company over the past six years.

In his new role as maintenance supervisor, Robertson will be responsible for overseeing and managing maintenance projects, ensuring they are completed efficiently and to the highest standards. The job includes training new maintenance technicians, managing resources effectively, and implementing best practices to optimize maintenance processes.

Health care badges Chesapeake Health Care was recently recognized by the Health Resources & Services Administration with five Community Health Center Quality Recognition badges.

The awards highlight the local organization’s performance in advancing access, quality, health equity, health information technology and address-

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Pictured, from left, are Chesapeake Heath Care CEO Brian Holland, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lee Jennings, Chief Operations Officer Joshua Boston.

ing social risk factors.

The awarded badges commend Chesapeake Health Care for achievements in the following areas: • Access Enhancer: Demonstrating a significant increase in the number of patients served and those who receive comprehensive services, including mental health, substance abuse, vision, dental, and enabling services, by at least 5 percent.

• Health Center Quality Leader: Attaining the highest clinical quality

measure performance among health centers, receiving recognition in the Gold (top 10 percent), Silver (top 1120 percent), or Bronze (top 21-30 percent) tiers.

• Health Disparities Reducer: Exhibiting notable improvements in select CQMs for at least one racial/ethnic group or meeting established benchmarks for all racial/ethnic groups served.

• Advancing Health Information Continued on Page 42

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

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NEW CONSTRUCTION BRAND NEW and 2 BLOCKS to the BEACH!! Located in the highly sought after community of Montego Bay in quiet North OC, this custom built 2 story home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with views of the canal out back from several different rooms. Interior features include a 2-story family room with cathedral ceilings, granite counters, white shaker-style cabinets, stainless steel appliances, full size washer & dryer, ceramic showers/baths, brushed nickel hardware, luxury vinyl plank flooring on first floor, and wall to wall carpet on 2nd level which includes a great room that could easily be used as a 4th bedroom. Great location within walking distance to shopping, dining, bus stop, the beach, Ocean City's 58 acre Northside Park (home of the 4th of July fireworks), and all community amenities which include 2 inground swimming pools, 1 kiddie pool, 2 tennis courts, pickle ball courts, shuffleboard court, 9-hole minigolf course, 8-acre wildlife sanctuary/park area, a 5-acre pond with a blacktop walking/jogging trail, and a bayfront boardwalk with 3 fishing/crabbing piers...all for a low HOA fee of $396.00 a year!!

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NEW & COMING SOON! 609 HARBOUR DRIVE MONTEGO BAY OCEAN CITY Take a look at 609 Harbour Drive located right on the direct bayfront. This sought after location is perfectly situated between the open bayfront and the 8-acre wildlife sanctuary/park area. You'll have breathtaking sunsets from the open deck of this 2-bedroom 2 full bath home. Bayfront boardwalk to your own boat dock.

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PAGE 42

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

REAL ESTATE REPORT

State program advances affordable housing Crisfield and Salisbury may qualify for Moore’s program to increase homeownership

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) In a recent news release, Gov. Wes Moore announced the UPLIFT (Utilizing Progressive Lending Investments to Finance Transformation) program to increase homeownership opportunities, one of the most powerful drivers of the racial wealth gap, in chronically underinvested communities with a history of redlining.

Administered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the program will address homes impacted by appraisal gaps by accelerating the pace of new construction and rehabilitation of quality affordable housing in strategically identified communities across Maryland.

“Tackling the racial wealth gap is a core priority of the Moore-Miller Administration. We must actively work

to reverse decades of disinvestment through good policy decisions and innovative programs like this one,” Gov. Moore said. “Maryland will be a leader in these efforts, and we will continue to expand work, wages, and wealth for all Maryland families.”

UPLIFT builds on the department’s past initiatives to create a public-private partnership to invest in disinvested communities. Through the program, selected developers will build, sell, and rehabilitate quality affordable housing in targeted neighborhoods in accordance with design and construction standards that ensure quality, timely production and accountability.

Homes in these communities appraise for less than the cost to build due to patterns of historic disinvestment depressing the home values.

UPLIFT funds the difference between the appraised value and the sales price, and over time the new homes will elevate home values and reduce the gap in UPLIFT neighborhoods.

Additionally, 25% of the homes in the program will be reserved for households with incomes below the area median income to become homeowners.

Funded for $10 million through

the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, UPLIFT builds on the department’s Homeownership Works, or HOW, pilot program, created in 2021. The first phase of the program is investing $10 million into new construction and rehabilitation projects in two Maryland neighborhoods, Johnston Square in Baltimore and Pine Street in Cambridge.

On Nov. 15, the first four homes in Johnston Square rehabilitated through the pilot program were celebrated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The four homes, valued at roughy $24,000 pre-rehabilitation, are now entering the market priced in the low

BUSINESS BRIEFS Continued from Page 41 Technology for Quality: Meeting all criteria to optimize health info action technology services for better telehealth, patient engagement, and collection of social determinants of health data to enhance care access and quality.

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Parks earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing, master’s degree in science and doctor of nursing practice from Salisbury University, and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Natalie Parks Nursing Honor Society.

Parks is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland. She once traveled

4 BR 3 BA cottage style house nicely renovated in 2016. Roof, windows, flooring, kitchen, heat pump, baths, appliances, exterior Siding, decks & screen porch. Great room with vaulted ceilings, wood tongue & groove ceiling & brick fireplace. Kitchen has SS appliances, pantry & bar area for casual dining. Previous sellers stated 2017 as the year for the addition of garage & primary BR suite above. Added primary BR has barn door, walk-in closet, luxury vinyl plank flooring & En-suite full bath.

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UPLIFT projects are required to be located in both a low-income census tract and in an area designated as a Maryland Sustainable Community.

To identify qualifying areas, visit maryland.maps.arcgis.com.

The UPLIFT program application will open in early 2024. Based on the map link, it appears that areas around Crisfield and Salisbury may qualify since they are showing as Appraisal Gap Qualified Areas as well as DHCD Sustainable Communities.

— Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City.

6200 Coastal Hwy S-101, Ocean City Office: 410.524.6400

on a mission trip to Nicaragua to provide clinical care in the operating room and family clinic settings.

When Parks is not seeing patients, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, camping, exploring the Eastern Shore by boat, scrapbooking and playing with her German Shorthaired Pointer, Boone.

Parks is accepting new patients at TidalHealth Primary Care at 305 10th St., Suite 101 in Pocomoke City. To schedule an appointment, call 410912-6167.

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

PAGE 43

Ocean City Today

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Sweet and salty holiday treat Cranberries and pretzels with ginger snap spice makes this dessert shine

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) The splendor of the Eastern Shore glistens in its glory for its antiquity is as rich as its beauty.

The serenity of the tide comes and goes as memories float to the surface and gently go to sea.

As the years wash ashore, I can’t help wonder where time has gone. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was employed at Taylor Bank.

But as I take a moment to reflect, I realize a lifetime of experiences have left footprints in the sand.

The salty air tickles my taste buds, and pretzel salad overwhelms my senses. It takes a moment for me to remember my first bite of this dessert.

I was originally sent to Taylor Bank’s 20th street location. Peggy was the manager, Ann was her assistant, Gloria was the head teller, and Patti, Debbie and I were on the line.

One day, we decided to have a pot luck lunch and Peggy offered to make pretzel salad. I was raised in Washington D.C. and frequented many restaurants, and had never heard of such a dish.

The “gang” was dumfounded that I had never tasted or was even familiar with pretzel salad. This collaborated opinion made me question my culinary comprehension. I assumed it must be an Eastern Shore thing.

Mother always told me to never assume and how right she was. Pretzel salad was born in the mid-20th Century. According to the “Farmers’ Almanac,” the dessert is likely to have appeared in a 1960s cookbook called, “ Joy of Jell-O,” becoming a Southern and Midwestern staple.

Every decade has its food trends and the 60s were no exception. JellO salads and pretzel salads congealed to become a staple in the gelatin family and more importantly a quintessential, American food.

Simplicity and the combination of sweet and salty are the key elements to this dessert. Because of the straightforwardness and easiness of pretzel salad, it opens itself to interpretation.

Christmas will be here before you know it, and menu planning should be in the near future. The more you can do in advance, the less stress is on one’s plate.

That being said, consider a holiday twist on traditional pretzel salad.

Fresh cranberries are a mouthwater-

ing replacement for strawberries. The cranberry’s tartness and plush burgundy color makes them a fabulous option for the upcoming holiday.

Cooking the cranberries just until they start to pop, allows them to retain their shape which adds to the beautification and contrast in texture.

In addition, ginger powder, pepper jelly, and black cherry Jell-O enhances the overall flavor profile and tones down the tartness of the cranberries.

Adding crumbled ginger snaps and toasted pecans to the crushed pretzels gives the crust depth of flavor and parlays beautifully with the festive cranberry filling.

Cranberry pretzel salad is a decadent option for the customary pretzel salad. If you adore pretzel salad, you must give this recipe a try. It is delicious!

In closing, the path of life is full of twists and turns. Peggy is no longer with us. Ann, Gloria and Patti have retired, and Debbie is now at the main office.

I miss my friends and the good times we had at 20th street. Yes, we were co-workers, but more importantly, we are family. And that is the spice that makes friendship everlasting.

Cranberry Pretzel Salad is dedicated to Peggy, you are dearly missed.

Cranberry Pretzel Salad Crust 1 cup crushed pretzels 1 cup crushed ginger snaps ½ cup finely chopped pecans 3 tablespoons brown sugar ¾ cup butter, melted 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, ginger snaps, pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter. Press into a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 14 minutes and remove from oven. Allow to cool completely before adding cream cheese filling.

Cream cheese Filling 1 (12 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 (8 ounce) container of cool whipped topping, thawed 1. Beat the cream cheese and sugar together with a hand mixer. Add the cool whip topping and again mix well.

2. Spread the mixture over the top of the pretzel crust. Make sure the topping completely covers the crust and touches all sides of the pan. This ensures the Jell-O will not seep through the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

Cranberry Filling 16 ounces fresh cranberries 2 cups orange juice

1 teaspoon ground ginger 2 tablespoon brown sugar 4 tablespoons pepper jelly 2 (3 ounces) instant black cherry Jello 1. Follow the directions on the Jello packages and set aside to cool.

2. In a medium pan, combine orange juice, ginger, brown sugar, and pepper Jelly, and simmer covered for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to come through and the pepper jelly to dissolve fully.

3. Add cranberries and cover for 3 minutes. remove lid and constantly stir. When the cranberries start popping, strain, and place on a sheet pan to start the cooling process. Allow cranberries to cool completely.

4. Place the cranberries evenly on top of the cheese mixture. Carefully pour black cherry Jello over cranberries. Wrap dish securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold. * You will have a little Jello left

over that can be eaten separately.

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PAGE 44

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

CRIME ANALYST TALK Ocean City Police Det. Sgt. Chris Wrench speaks to members of the Polish American Club of Delmarva at the group’s monthly meeting on Nov. 8 as Civilian Crime Analyst Brandon Reim looks on.

GIVING THANKS Students in Kara Wolf’s third grade class at Ocean City Elementary pose with Thanksgiving lapbooks they created. In preparation for the holiday season, the students also celebrated the things they are thankful for and added feathers to the school’s thankful turkey.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

CHECK DONATION The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club recently donated $2,000 to the Four Steps Therapeutic Riding Program. Pictured, from left with the check, are Optimist President Christina Dolomount-Brown, member Don Fentress, and Richard Warren, Sandy Winters and Maribeth Kulynycz representing Four Steps.

BODY ARMOR Emily Tunis, president and chief operating officer of Hardwire LLC, holds a “soft” body armor protection sample , while her father, Kiwanis Club President Bob Wolfing, holds a “hard” hand held Emergency Response Shield during a recent meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID LANDIS SR.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID LANDIS SR.

IMPRESSIVE HAUL Toys, books, bicycles and more donated to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City’s annual toy and coat drive are pictured. Through the month of November, Kiwanis Club members collected items for the drive and delivered them to local charities.

PROUDLY PINNED County Commissioner President Chip Bertino visited Ocean City Elementary School during America Education Week.

Bertino presented third grade student, Hanan Ramadan, pictured, with a county commissioner pin after she shared her research project on dinosaurs.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 45

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

GRANDPARENTS DAY Worcester Preparatory lower school students recently celebrated grandparents day with project presentations, performances, photos, tours of the Children’s Garden, and visits to the library and book fair. (Left) Fourth grader Grant Messner with his grandparents, Nancy Doll and Blaire Messner in the newly renovated Children’s Garden. (Right) From left, siblings Remy, Parker, and Landon Moreland celebrating grandparents’ day with Karyn and Ken Moreland and Beth and John Sharpley.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Pre-K student Leo Hudson shows off for his grandmother, Pam Travis, on the monkey bars.

HONORING VETERANS On Nov. 10, Worcester Preparatory School’s fourth and fifth grade students held a musical performance to celebrate veterans. Worcester Prep’s fifth grade class performs “Grateful Nation.”

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

TOUCH A TRUCK The Town of Berlin Maryland, and Mayor Zack Tyndall recently brought a Touch a Truck experience to Worcester Preparatory School pre-K students, who learned about how different trucks are used in the community. (Left) Pre-K students Isabel Betz, Olivia Nieli and Reagan Whitlock climb aboard a Berlin utility vehicle. (Right) WPS Pre-K students Cayman Wang test the horn on one of Berlin’s utility vehicles.

PAGE 46

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

OC Christmas Parade returns in full force

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 8, 2023) From school bands to performing “stars,” a wide variety of groups and individuals marched up Coastal Highway for the Ocean City Christmas Parade last Saturday during the first full execution of the event since the pandemic.

“Everything was great,” Special Events Director Frank Miller said of the 40th installment of the holiday tradition on Dec. 2.

“It was a great crowd.”

After stormy weather canceled last year’s parade, dashing the hopes and dreams of those who looked forward to seeing the event’s triumphant return after covid, the milder conditions of last weekend were a welcome change.

Beginning at 11 a.m., crowds packed the bayside sidewalks of Coastal Highway from Old Landing Road to 100th Street, watching as festive and colorful floats, fire trucks, holiday-themed Jeeps, marching bands, dance troupes, military groups, Santa Claus and more trudged north up the southern lane celebrating the season.

On Tuesday, Ocean City Tourism officials released the parade’s award winners, which were as follows:

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

Children wave to the crowd from the Ocean City Elementary School PTA float alongside an inflatable gingerbread man.

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

Santa Claus waves to the crowd from a float.

School Band award winners • First Place — Snow Hill Marching Band • Second Place — Pocomoke Marching Band • Third Place — Stephen Decatur Marching Band

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

The Grinch entertains spectators in front of a Christmas hayride float.

Top Float winners • First Place — Ocean City Elementary School PTA • Second Place — Gingerbread Rock by the Harrison Group • Third Place — The Bearded Men Society Marching Unit Winners • First place — Pocomoke High School JROTC • Second place — Chincoteague Pony Drill Team • Third place — Snow Hill JROTC Best vehicle winners • First Place — OC Local Jeep Society • Second Place — OC Jeep Club • Third Place — Hogs & Heroes MD Chapter

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

Ryan Whittington, the community engagement officer with the Ocean City Fire Department, gives a high five to a young spectator during the parade.

Coca-Cola award winner • Ocean City Stars Carousal award winner • “Floating Down Coastal Highway” Mayor’s Choice award • Jolly Roger Amusement Park

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

Crowds of people pack the sidewalk near 118th Street to watch the parade.

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PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

The O.C. Stars from Ocean City Elementary School march along the parade route. The group won the Coca Cola award for bringing energy and fun to the event.

Commentary

Ocean City Today Dec. 8, 2023

Page 47

Steadfast belief pays off big time Congratulations to the Stephen Decatur Seahawks football team for believing.

Of all the things they brought home from last Thursday’s state championship game in the 2A division — and that includes the title itself — the most important was proof that an unshakeable belief in themselves can lead the way to great accomplishments both on the field and off.

It was this belief in their own value and each other, instilled in team members by Coach Jake Coleman, that compelled them early on to commit to the hard work that any winning program requires.

That effort also entailed understanding that as important as individual contributions are, they must coalesce on the field and in life to achieve success.

That’s heavy stuff to say when it’s just a game, as they say, but it remains that one of the reasons for team sports in high schools is to teach young athletes lessons that can help them later in life in other pursuits.

As the National Federation of State High School Association posted a few years back: “Three of the most important participation takeaways that students continue to practice after graduation are: 1) a stronger sense of self-confidence in building relationships with others and having an expanded capacity for empathy; 2) developing a better understanding of self and in so doing understanding how their actions affect others; and 3) building foundations for lifelong fitness habits.”

That only works, of course, if the coaching staff, the school administration, and the team members themselves are wedded to this ideal. They were and they are, as is evidenced by the Seahawks’ unblemished title run.

So, hats off to them for proving that working together, as instructive as that might be on its own, is the best way to reach a common goal.

The Stephen Decatur High School Seahawks, state champs in 2A Division football — good for them. They believed it and then proved it.

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............................ Mallory Panuska STAFF WRITERS ..................Cindy Hoffman, Hunter Hine ACCOUNT MANAGERS.......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier ..................................................................Renée Kelly CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER ............ Taylor Sloan PAPER COMPOSITION/PAGE DESIGN ...... Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTISTS ............ Kelly Brown, Jane Leibowitz 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 2023

PUBLIC EYE

Multidimensional dog

Crazy Eddie is no more.

The legendary red baron of the household, the bane of squirrels everywhere, the enthusiastic digger of vast bunkers and chewer of seat cushions, shoes, UPS deliveries and various household accessories too numerous to mention has gone to the happy hunting grounds.

The cause was old age, which would have been considered highly unlikely early on in his existence, going back to his time in lockup as By a juvenile offender.

Lucky for him, we broke Stewart him out of there and he went Dobson on to live a long and fruitful life of digging bomb shelters, terrorizing squirrels and keeping the household decor updated by relieving us of pillows, throws, rugs and cushions that were past their prime.

Or soon would be.

In that regard, Crazy Eddie was a de-fabricator of superior ability. He also was the only dog I have known or even heard of who could ... ahem ... through a picket fence just to prove a point known only to himself, and he did so frequently.

He was 13 or 14 at the time of his departure, leaving behind his faithful and equally ancient canine companion, Special K, a female of questionable origin, who is so old she has been granted the right-of-way over all moving things.

This is not out of deference to her age, but is more of a traffic safety matter, since she

moves like a cargo ship: once she has built up momentum, it takes her a quarter mile or so to come to a complete stop.

It was with all this going on that we eventually decided to get another dog, providing we could find one that could match our expectations, which, as it happens, are no expectations at all except that it can’t be boring.

So, enter Chica Loca, a Mexican Hairless ... with hair. Yep, the Mexican Hairless, also known as a “Xolo,” has zero hair on its body, except when it does, making it a coated uncoated dog.

This is a primitive breed that dates back to the Aztecs, with the “primitive” aspect meaning its lineage hasn’t changed since the earliest of times when it sidled up to its first human and realized that it wasn’t large enough to eat that person, so it might as well hang around for leftovers.

Also, in those early days, Xolos were believed to have mystical properties that allowed them to serve as spirit guides for their masters in the afterlife.

That’s a pretty tall order and an impressive one, although I don’t plan to find out more about it anytime soon.

Chica Loca, by the way, is Spanish for Crazy Girl, which is to say she has possibilities, very strong possibilities indeed.

Still, you have to wonder: is having a dog that can occupy the earthly plane and the spiritual plane at the same time as remarkable as, say, having a dog that can ... ahem ... through a picket fence?

Time will tell. Those would be pretty big paw prints to fill.

Your Online Community: www.oceancitytoday.com

PAGE 48

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

CINDY HOFFMAN/OCEAN CITY TODAY

HONORING ‘BATMAN’

(Left) Cindy Beatty, wife of DJ Mike “Batman” Beatty lays a paver in his honor on Nov. 22 at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines to honor his service as a U.S. Air Force veteran. She was joined by family members, friends and fans of her late husband in a touching service to a beloved local celebrity.

(Above) A closeup of the paver that was dedicated to DJ Batman at the memorial. Beatty passed away in June of last year after a battle with cancer.

Worcester Arts Council announces winners (Dec. 8, 2023) Members of the Worcester County Arts Council recently announced the winners in “Small Treasures,” a juried art competition com-

prised of miniature pieces.

According to a news release, the exhibition features 29 pieces of artwork submitted by 18 established and emerging

artists, with work in all media. The exhibit combines many mediums including oil, watercolor and acrylic painting, pastels, encaustic, photography, and mixed media.

The winners were as follows: First place: Richard Husband — “Shiny Brite” Second place: Jiyeong Yun — “Sound of Moon-s-1” Third place: Mona Margarita — “Fairy Crown” Honorable mention: Gail Wynn — “Kimono,” Ellie Scott — “Lily Pad Resident,” and Carol Gentes —“Octopus Garden” The winning artwork was selected by Cynthia Byrd, the executive director of the Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill. The winners were honored at the

opening reception held on Nov. 10 at the Arts Council Gallery.

Arts Council Executive Director Anna Mullis said in the release that, while the show was open to artists’ inspiration and interpretation, the main objective was to encourage them to get involved in the world of miniature art.

“The guidelines required works not to exceed 7 inches for 3-dimensional works and 11 inches for 2-dimensional works,” she continued. “Despite the size limitation, artists submitted works that incorporate a diverse range of materials to communicate this thoughtful concept”.

The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 29 at the gallery in Berlin. The artwork is available for purchase.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Ocean Downs reports largest casino revenue bump in Nov. (Dec. 8, 2023) While most of the state’s six casinos reported low and mostly declining numbers for the month of November, Ocean Downs was an outlier, with a 7 percent increase in revenues from 2022.

According to a news release from Maryland Lottery and Gaming, the local casino reported the highest bump in proceeds from table games and slots than any of its counterparts.

Overall, the six casinos combined to generate more than $157.7 million for the month, which was an overall 3.5 percent, or more than $5.6 million, decrease from last year.

Ocean Downs’ total came out to over $7 million from the 844 slot machine and 19 table games as the casino off of Route 589.

The release said the only other casinos that reported positive numbers in comparison to November of last year were Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland in Arundel Mills with a 1.6 percent increase, and Hollywood Casino in Perryville with a small, 0.1 percent bump.

Other casinos saw declines ranging from 6.5 percent at Rocky Gap in Allegany County to 10.6 percent at Horseshoe Casino Baltimore in Baltimore City.

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 49

WORLD WAR II

Manhattan Project part of strategy to end World War ll

By Sam Ghaleb Contributing Writer This week, 80 years ago, the theoretical physicist Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer was already working on the concept of nuclear fission, along with Enrico Fermi, Edward Teller, and Leó Szilárd, who developed the idea of the nuclear chain reaction in 1933, and others.

Oppenheimer was named director of the Los Alamos Laboratory in northern New Mexico in 1943. Los Alamos Laboratory — the creation of which was known as Project Y — was formally established on Jan. 1, 1943.

The complex is where the first Manhattan Project atomic bombs were tested and built.

“The Manhattan Project” was the code name for the American-led effort to develop a functional atomic weapon during World War II. The controversial creation, and eventual use, of the atomic bomb engaged some of the world’s leading scientific minds, as well as the U.S. military — and most of the work was done in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

The Manhattan Project was started in response to fears that German scientists had been working on a weapon using nuclear technology since the 1930s and that Adolf Hitler was prepared to use it. Thousands of scientists, including Dr. Oppenheimer, took part in the Manhattan Project, often while they and their families were lodged at secret military bases in remote locations.

It resulted in the two atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which helped bring World War II to its end and probably killed more than 100,000 people.

The project was conducted in the U.S., primarily at three top-secret towns: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Uranium 235 was enriched to high enough percentage to make it a viable weapon grade material; Hanford, Washington., where reactors transformed uranium into plutonium, an even more powerful nuclear fuel; and Los Alamos, where Dr. Oppenheimer directed the laboratory that designed and built experimental atomic bombs.

The Manhattan Project culminated in the “Trinity” test in New Mexico on July 16, 1945 — the first detonation of a nuclear weapon. By that time, the U.S. had spent around $2.2 billion, the equivalent of around $37 billion today, making it the largest military project in history ever carried by the U.S. The Manhattan Project was led by two of the most prominent personalities of the time. Col. Leslie Groves of the Army Corps of Engineers, who

was later promoted to brigadier general. Leslie Groves was responsible for the entire project — the construction of the facilities and the strategic decisions, with an open channel of communication to the highest military leadership and the president of the United Sates. The second was Dr. Oppenheimer, who was the chief scientist in directing the theoretical effort for the actual design and building of a working atomic bomb.

The Manhattan Project originated when President Roosevelt set up the Advisory Committee on Uranium, a team of scientists and military officials tasked with researching uranium’s potential role as a weapon.

Based on the committee’s findings, the U.S. government started funding research by Professors Fermi and Szilárd at Columbia University that focused on radioactive isotope separation (also known as uranium enrichment) and nuclear chain reactions.

The Advisory Committee on Uranium’s name was changed in 1940 to the National Defense Research Committee, before finally being renamed the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) in 1941 and adding Professor Fermi to its list of members.

The Army Corps of Engineers joined the OSRD in 1942 with President Roosevelt’s approval, and the project officially evolved into a military initiative, with scientists serving in a supporting role.

The Army Corps of Engineers was put in charge of the U.S. atomic bomb project — known as the Manhattan Engineering District (MED) or Manhattan Project — and Col. Groves was selected as its head on Sept. 17, 1942.

Over the next three years, his responsibilities grew considerably.

First, he oversaw the construction of plants and factories to make the key atomic bomb materials — highly enriched uranium and plutonium. He also chose the site and the key personnel for an isolated laboratory at Los Alamos, New Mexico, to research, develop, and fabricate the bomb.

To ensure secrecy, he oversaw a vast security, intelligence, and counterintelligence operation with domestic and foreign branches. He became involved in many key high-level domestic policy issues and in several international ones as well.

Scientists working under Dr. Oppenheimer had developed two distinct types of bombs: a uranium-based design called “the Little Boy” and a plutonium-based weapon called “the Fat Man.” With both designs in the works at Los Continued on Page 51

The Trinity test of the Manhattan Project was the first detonation of a nuclear weapon.

PAGE 50

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

OBITUARIES BEVERLY “JOAN” MONTGOMERY Ocean City Beverly “Joan” Montgomery, 88, of Ocean City, passed away peacefully on Nov. 17, 2023.

Joan was born on Oct. 25, 1935, to the late William and Elizabeth Lewis in Westwood, New Jersey.

After graduating from Park Ridge High School in 1954, Joan B. Montgomery went on to work in New York City as a receptionist and office assistant for the purchasing division of JCPenney.

Upon the return of her beloved from the military, she married Harold “Lee” Montgomery, her forever, in 1957, and they were married for 66 wonderful years. Soon after their marriage, they started a family and built their life together in Park Ridge, New Jersey.

After working in NYC, Joan was then employed by the Bergen Record as a newspaper distributor and then assumed multiple roles in the Park Ridge public school system. She finished her career there as the adored school attendance secretary and coordinator for the PRHS Athletic Department.

Joan’s favorite pastimes included dancing, playing “bunco,” and spending special time with family and friends. Her loved ones were truly her greatest source of joy and pride in life. Joan’s belief in the good of others was always displayed in her selfless acts. She was known for her beautiful heart, her peppy “let’s go” attitude, and her sincere and loving devotion to her husband, family and church.

She is survived by her loving family, son Scott (Diane) Montgomery, son Brad (Kaye) Montgomery, daughter Cindy (John) Leitgeb; and her five grandchildren Jason (Ariel) Montgomery, Kaitlyn (Matthew) Beck, William Montgomery, Jenna Leitgeb and Christopher Leitgeb; along with extended family Mark (Robyn) Carlson, Richard (Christina, Rachel) Carlson, and Amy (Zeven) Carlson.

A celebration of life service will be held at noon, Saturday, Dec.16, at Bethany United Methodist Church in Berlin with family and friends. Prior to the service, family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the church.

All donations may be made out to Bethany United Methodist Church (8648 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811) in loving memory of Beverly “Joan” Montgomery.

MARY VIRGINIA TUNIS Ocean Pines Mary Virginia Tunis joined her husband, family, friends and dogs in heaven on Dec. 2nd, 2023. S She passed peacefully and ascended, leaving this world from the embrace of her son, daughter, friends and loving caretakers at the Wood-

lands in Ocean Pines. Heaven is aglow with her arrival.

Born on July 7, 1935, Mary Virginia Webster joined a large family with brothers Sam, Tom and Rolland; and sisters Sibby and Nancy (deceased as an infant).

Mary landed in this world in Cambridge, Maryland, in the throes of the Great Depression.

Mary Tunis But the obstacle of a mere economic meltdown was nothing to a woman of Mary’s grit, perseverance, brilliance, positivity and kindness. Mary learned early to “grow her way forward.” She had a green thumb for plants and life.

She nurtured everything she touched, and the world flowered in her presence.

Mary was humble yet had amazing talents that seemed to be limitless.

She was the center of her high school basketball team at a towering 5 feet, 4 inches. Mary could jump! While tending the gardens and chickens to keep the family fed, Mary excelled in school and went on to become a world class nurse after putting herself through nursing school in Wilmington.

It was her nursing skills that brought her together with George Tunis Jr., as Mary cared for George’s father following a stroke. Mary was a stunning Eastern Shore “gemstone,” but it was her kindness and caring way that left George breathless. They fell hopelessly in love, were inseparable, and are together again after raising a surviving family that includes two children; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Mary was the consummate wife of the 1950s and her style put June Cleaver to shame. Mary kept a firm hand on the household tiller, cooked like Julie Childs, and patched up every kid in the neighborhood from endless bike and skateboard roadrash incidents. Lidocaine was not a thing yet, but Mary could take the sting away from iodine with her kindness and loving touch.

Between nursing and raising a family, Mary was the queen of the petrochemical chemistry world, supporting George in his career at DuPont. Mary was George’s secret weapon. She was the “behind the scenes,” no credit needed, business genius that could size people up in 20 minutes or less. Mary had a “sixth sense” for good people, and she had amazing breadth and depth in any meeting or business dealing.

She came from a farm, but she taught her children that no matter where you came from, we are all the same. She was equally comfortable weeding her gardens (without bending her knees!) as she was with a cocktail in her hand in the company of oil company owners and CEOs. She Continued on Page 51

DECEMBER 8, 2023

OBITUARIES

WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page 50 could host a party for 200, make all the food (real time), and float from guest to guest making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the house.

Mary was elegance and kindness personified. She was inspiring to all, hardworking to a fault, and was the best friend anyone could have. She believed true friends show up to help when things are not going well, and she left that mission with all that were close to her. Earth lost a mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend on Dec. 2, but all gained an angel.

Services will be held privately at a later date In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Coastal Hospice at PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802 in Mary’s name. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Continued from Page 49 Alamos, they became an important part of U.S. strategy aimed at bringing an end to World War II. On July 16, 1945, in a remote desert location near Alamogordo, New Mexico, the first atomic bomb was successfully detonated — the Trinity Test — creating an enormous mushroom cloud some 40,000 feet high and started in the Atomic Age. With the development of weapons designed to bring about the end of World War II as its stated mission, it’s easy to think that the story of the Manhattan Project ends in August 1945. However, that’s far from the case.

The development and the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was controversial, at best. Many of the scientists, especially Professor Szilárd, wrote a letter to the president advising him to reconsider dropping the bombs on population centers.

The British physicist Klaus Fuchs, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and many others, went a step further by sharing a lot of the secrets of the Manhattan Project with the Soviet Union, in the belief that one nation possessing this kind of power is too much.

Following the end of the war, the United States formed the Atomic Energy Commission to oversee research efforts designed to apply the tech-

JOHN CIMETTA Florida John P. Cimetta passed away Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Florida, with his dear friend John Cobak by his side.

Johnny was born in Livingston New Jersey on Oct. 16, 1961. Before his family moved to Ocean City in 1976, the family lived in Caledonia, New York.

John Cimetta John rejoins his father and mother Alfonse and Mary Ann Cimetta; and his two sisters Leslie and Lisa with our Heavenly Father.

John is survived by nieces Catie and Lizz; nephews Cheyne and Nicholas; and cousins in New York and Texas.

John was in the Stephen Decatur Clsss of 1979. And went to Salisbury State College.

Johnny loved the beach life and working restaurants in O.C. He did some marine construction too. John’s many O.C. friends remember John as fun-loving and caring friend.

A celebration of life is being planned for one more good time on the beach and a party for John.

OBITUARY NOTICES Obituary Notices cost $50 per week for Print and Online Publications.

E-mail: editor@oceancitytoday.net Mail: 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Fax: 410-723-6511

PAGE 51

Ocean City Today

nologies developed under the Manhattan Project to other peaceful and military fields.

In 1954, wanting to eliminate Dr. Oppenheimer’s political influence, Sen. Joseph McCarthy orchestrated a private hearing before a personnel security board concerning Oppenheimer’s clearance. However, it became clear that the hearing had a predetermined outcome.

Oppenheimer’s past communist ties, and his sister’s membership in the American Communist Party, were exploited, and Groves’ and other associates’ testimony were twisted against him.

Dr. Teller, another major figure in the development of the atomic bombs, who would later become the single driving force for the development of the hydrogen bomb, testified that he lacked confidence in Dr. Oppenheimer and recommended the revocation of his clearance. The board revoked Oppenheimer’s clearance, damaging his public image, and limiting his influence on nuclear policy.

But Oppenheimer was also ambivalent about its results. In recalling his experience at the Trinity test, in 1965 he quoted a story from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, about a prince, reluctant to kill his enemies, who witnessed the transformation of Krishna, an incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu: “Now I am

J. Robert Oppenheimer

become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

The Manhattan Project is still considered the single largest military-industrial project ever put together by man to develop and manufacture a single weapon with sole intent to kill large numbers of people, and in that sense it was considered a genocidal weapon.

Next week: Kharkov War Crimes Trial

$1,595.

Sports & Recreation

Ocean City Today Dec. 8, 2023

Page 52

www.oceancitytoday.com

Members of the Stephen Decatur varsity football team and their coaches pose with the winning state title trophy after defeating Huntington 21-13 last Thursday in Annapolis.

PHOTO COURTESY STEPHEN DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL SEAHAWKS FACEBOOK PAGE

Seahawks bring home state championship Undefeated team triumphs over Huntington 21-13 in final match-up last Thurs.

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Dec. 7, 2023) It’s great to see a community come out and support its local high school varsity football team like this one has done and, oh yes, there was a football game.

Last Thursday evening, Stephen Decatur High School football fans filled the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis to witness history.

The team left Berlin surrounded by a surprise send-off of banners, streamers and fanfare from a swarm of students, community members, family and friends. Fans lined Berlin’s streets to watch the small parade assembled and wished the team well as it left for Annapolis.

A few hours later the team returned home the conquering hero’s after pushing the Hurricanes of Huntington, Maryland out to sea, 21-13. On the way home, the team bus was met by an escort of fire trucks, police cars and other emergency vehicles blasting sirens with blue and red lights flashing following them home to Stephen Decatur.

Everyone in the Naval Academy

stands knew the Seahawks were there to claim the MPSSAA Class 2A Maryland State Championship Trophy they had been steadfastly pursuing.

The Seahawks were there on a mission that began for Coach Jake Coleman back in 1996 when a team from Cambridge South Dorchester was the last Eastern Shore team to make the finals.

Now the head coach of Decatur, Coleman quarterbacked that Cambridge team. He has coached the Stephen Decatur Seahawks team for four years. Coleman’s son Vanderbiltbound Brycen, is on his father’s Decatur team as a quarterback and plays other positions.

When asked, Coach Coleman said he would rather be the coach and father then the player in the championship because he got to work with his son.

Last year, the Millers of Milford Middle Academy prevented the Seahawks from earning their first Maryland state championship. This year, Decatur knocked them out in the semifinals.

In last Thursday’s title contest, Seahawks won the toss and elected to receive. As it turned out, it was a smart choice.

Stephen Decatur got a decent kickoff return up to their 38-yard line, and from there senior Careen Bolden

scrambled 51-yards for a Seahawks first down.

On the fifth play of the quarter, Brycen Coleman scored the first of two rushing touchdowns he would score that evening. With 10:37-minutes left to play in the opening quarter, Coleman burst 4 yards through Hurricane defenses for the game’s first touchdown.

Senior Seahawks kicker Brogan Eastlack booted it between the uprights to give Stephen Decatur an early 7-0 lead.

The Seahawks continued to push, and in the second quarter senior Tyrbe Wise pulled down a short pass to put another six on the board. With the Eastlack kick splitting the uprights, Decatur led 14-0 at half time.

The Hurricanes showed they still had plenty of fight in the third quarter, as Landon Cawley reached end zone for the Hurricanes. Their kick was good, closing the gap 14-7. But the Seahawks were quick to respond with a 68-yard drive and a run around the right end by Coleman for another TD. The point-after kick was good to give the Seahawks a 21-7 third-quarter lead.

The Hurricane continued to battle, however, and the fourth quarter saw Trent DePompa haul in a pass for the touchdown. But the kick was blocked

TARA FISCHER/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Maryland Athletic Association Class 2A championship trophy stands in the hallway of Stephen Decatur High School, its home for the next year following the Seahawks’ title win.

with 11:12 left to play to leave the score at 21 to 13.

The team lead the Ocean City’s Christmas Parade on Saturday and the Berlin’s Christmas Parade last night.

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 53

Worcester Prep girls suffer first loss to Indian River High

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) Indian River High School’s girls’ varsity basketball team handed the Fighting Mallards of Worcester Prep their first loss of the season in a 53-25 contest. Anisha Batra was Worcester Prep’s high scorer with nine points. Followed by Natasha Richter and Esther Mehilli with seven and five points respectively. Also scoring for Worcester Prep was Sydney Mize and Lyla Roberts with 2 points each.

The Mallards’ Nov. 29 game with the Salisbury School ended with Worcester Prep on top 39-23, with points from Anisha Batra (10) E. Mehilli (8) Sydney Mize (5) Natasha Richter (2) Lyla Roberts (10) Ayla Yonker (5) and Salisbury with 23 points from H. Galeone (9) A. Collins (6) A. Willis (6) K. Demarco (2).

Three-point goal was made by Mize

from Worcester.

The Mallards traveled to Indian River on Dec. 1 to see the Indians take charge early to take a half-time lead of 22-13. In the second half the Mallards ladies scored another 12 points while the Indian River team scored another 31 points to clinch the game at WP 25 and IR 53.

According to first-year Mallards head coach Koula Strosnider, “I was head coach for the boys at Gunston High School. I moved out here to Berlin and took over the program at Worcester Prep this year. We have a lot to work on. This was our second game and they are very young and we are sophomore-heavy. We have a lot of work to do, but we have a lot to work with. The public teams here in the ESIAC (Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference) are tough, but I’m excited for the year.“

SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Natasha Richter shoots the ball under pressure during Worcester Prep’s game against Indian River on Dec. 1.

WPS opens boys b-ball season with win over Indians

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Dec. 8, 2023) Worcester Prep’s varsity boys basketball team kicked off its 23/24 season with a 52-46 win over Delaware-based Indian River last Thursday night in Dagsboro.

Sophomore Ashton Browne and senior Baylor Hoen led the Fighting Mallards, with Hoen connecting for 18 points and Browne pouring in 13 points, including a three-pointer, to lead the win.

The first period the Mallards were ahead by 1 point with a score of 11-10, but they gained a 25-20 advantage at the half. This was a great back-andforth game, with the third quarter ending 38-39 with the Indian River team in the lead. Worcester Prep’s defense held the line while their shooters made the points with a 5246 end.

“Beating IR feels great,” Worcester first year head coach Mike O’Malley said. “We have a whole new team and we feel good and we are very confident in the whole new system and it feels good to win. We are working on fundamentals and when we get them down, we’ll be good. The free throw shooting at the end was clutch. Our seniors stepped up. We settled things down; we were patient and let the plays happen. We had size advantage and we’re learning to use it to our advantage. Things started to click.

Hopefully, there will be more wins coming.”

OceanCityToday.com

SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

(Above) Junior Owen West shoots a basket during Worcester Prep’s game against Indian River Nov. 30. (Right) Worcester Prep sophomores Ansh Batra and Ashton Browne, and senior Baylor Hoen guard the basket as an Indian River player tries to score.

SURF REPORT

Plenty of gift options for surfers

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer (Dec. 1, 2023) With Christmas only a few weeks away it would seem like a good idea to take a short survey of what might be available for gift giving.

For the surfer and non-surfer, the probability of multiple items being available would seem most likely. So let’s take a look at what might be had.

At this time of the year, wetsuit gear

in the form of full suits or accessory items such as boots, gloves or caps/hoods would be both logical and useful.

The pricing of these items can vary with obvious differences between full suits and accessories. It would all depend on one’s budget of course. To go the full gamut and provide a gift such

as a surfboard could become quite expensive and be difficult as to choice or choosing the proper board.

Warm clothing would be a consideration and a good one at that, especially at this time of the year. Up until recent times the weather has been particularly mild. Warm clothing would most probably be taking a back seat, although most recently the weather has taken a Continued on Page 54

PAGE 54

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 8, 2023

United Way disc golf tourney raises $26K for kids’ books (Dec. 8, 2023) Risk Placement Services and Gallagher recently hosted the 10th Annual Disc Golf Tournament for United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program at Schumaker Pond Park.

According to a news release, 30 teams participated in the event, and more than $26,000 was raised to help the United Way provide free, home delivered books to children ages birth to five across the lower shore.

“This year’s event helps us provide a full year of free books to over 1,000 children in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties,” Pam Gregory, the president and CEO for the United Way, said in the release. “Increasing access to books through home delivery not only instills an early love for books but also helps build essential developmental and early learning skills children need to be successful when they start school. We are so thankful for the partnership with RPS and Gallagher to help make this significant impact each year.”

The fundraiser was made possible thanks to many sponsors: Literacy Sponsors – At-Bay, Avery Hall Insur-

ance Group, CFC, The Hanover Insurance Group, Hottle and Associates, Tokio Marine HCC, and Travelers Insurance. Reading Corner Sponsors – Beazley, Cowbell Cyber and Pen Underwriting. Bookshelf Sponsors- Charles Brown Glass Company, Delco Packaging, Draper Media, First Shore Federal, GKD, Shore United and USLI. Tee Sponsors- Integra Administrative Group, The Hartford, and The Salisbury School. Golf Cart Sponsors – Bestemps and Selective. Beverage Sponsor – Corvus. Lunch Sponsor – Risk Placement Services and AXA XL. Tokio Marine and Dicarlo were the top teams with the first and second place awards.

Jack Shelton of DiCarlo won the men’s closest to the pin and Catie Windsor with SVN won ladies’ closest to the pin. Ambridge’s Amy Landefeld won the ladies’ longest drive, and the men’s longest drive went to First Shore Federal’s Rich Ashley.

Awards such as Best Team Costumes for Avery Hall, Lumberjack Award to Tokio Marine, Jacques Cousteau award to Jim Miller from The Beazley Group and several others were also presented.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Members of the Tokio Marine disc golf team pose with their first place award at the United Way of the Eastern Shore’s recent disc golf tournament.

SURF REPORT Continued from Page 53 turn toward the cold. So the timing has become a matter of importance as can be seen by a multitude of factors and the proximity of the holiday season.

Other items such as t-shirts or board shorts can come into play and some can be had at sale prices. Sandals or flipflops might be an item to consider as well. Little stocking stuffers can be had such as wax, wax combs, candles, wax remover, caps or beanies. Magazines are a great item to consider. Body boards and swim fins are another great gift item. Even little key chains, necklaces,

jewelry or stickers are considerations.

Shop hours can be many and varied although weekend hours are almost always ones that can be counted on. There are more than a few surf shops in this area and hopefully their patronization will be felt as opposed to other means of “shopping for the holidays.”

So take a little time and visit with the “shop local” attitude and affirmation.

I’m sure it’ll be appreciated regardless of one being naughty or nice!

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

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

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DECEMBER 8, 2023

Ocean City Today

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