12/15/2023 Ocean City Today

OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM

DECEMBER 15, 2023

SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY

NEW FOOD

TWO EATERIES INCOMING

Owner of Spain Wine Bar plans fine dining spots for OC and Ocean Pines – Page 11

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Ad agency gets specific with targets Will engage influencers, try AI with its new campaign

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

SEA STAR

A common sea star finds itself on the rock near Stinky Beach in West Ocean City after, presumably, searching for sea snails, mussels, barnacles and other small shellfish on which it might dine. Notably, this particular specimen sports a length of leader from a fishing line on the left in the photo above. Lucky for the sea star, there was no hook attatched.

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) As part of its 2024 media plan, BVK, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin advertising agency handling Ocean City’s marketing, intends to use several data companies and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and attract tourism to the resort.

At a special City Council meeting Monday afternoon, and again at a stakeholder breakfast at the convention center Tuesday morning, staff from BVK reviewed their 2023 media plan and outlined the company’s objectives for marketing the city in 2024.

The company’s targets include appealing to more specific groups of consumers by inviting social media influencers and journalists to the resort, promoting the offseason and employing AI-based marketing.

See BVK Page 4

Offshore boat racing to return to resort June weekend set to take to sea while air show shifts to August in summer ‘24

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 15, 2023) With the Ocean City Air Show moving to August this year to accommodate a new headliner, the second week in June is wide open to welcome the return of an event set to happen much closer to land — or more specifically, water.

At a work session Tuesday, City

Council members unanimously advanced details of the Race World Offshore, or RWO, Powerboat Race, set tentatively for June 8 and 9 in and around Ocean City.

The event is slated to feature 60 participating vessels of various classes and sizes driving around a 5mile loop through the bay from Sunset Avenue to 29th Street.

Special Events Director Frank Miller said the town is set to serve as a producer for the spectator side of the event by providing elements such as a dry pit at the convention center

and hosting people in town. The organizer, RWO Offshore, will manage the participants and the water-based race course.

The finish line will be at 16th Street, with primary viewing from 14th to 18th streets.

“It’s really no different than the air show,” Miller said of the viewing area.

The dry pit area, which will include primary racing boat public access, boat wash sites, potential vendors See JUNE Page 6

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DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

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Ocean City Today

Bike racks denied again at crab house site

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 15, 2023) A developer’s lastditch effort to construct bicycle racks on a downtown street near the former Philips Crab House was shot down this week after he was unable to meet a requested condition because of liability concerns.

At a work session Tuesday, City Council members unanimously voted to deny a request from local developer Mike Ramadan to remove parking and a loading zone along Upshur Lane between 20th and 21st streets to install a series of public bicycle racks.

Ramadan is building 14 multi-family units — which are unofficially intended to provide employee housing for J-1 student visa workers — inside the shuttered restaurant.

The request for the bicycle racks was introduced at a Police Commis-

sion meeting last month, where it died in a 2-2 tie. It came back to council members Tuesday with a series of conditions from staff members for approval, which included requiring that Ramadan install and maintain the racks, and remove uninstall them during the off season for snow removal.

Ramadan said he would buy the racks, but contended that he could not install and uninstall them himself because they would be public.

“It’s a liability issue,” he said in reference to advice from his attorney.

“If anything happens, they are not dedicated to the J-1 workers staying in that location, they are available to the public.”

City Manager Terry McGean said public works staff members would not budge on wanting the racks removed in winter but do not have the

ability to do it themselves.

“The staff feels pretty strongly. We want them out of there during the winter because of the issue of snow removal,” McGean said. “And they don’t want the responsibility of pulling out bike racks and putting them back in.”

Initially, Councilman Tony DeLuca motioned to approve the request with the conditions. But when he found out Ramadan could not meet them all, he withdrew it. Councilman Will Savage followed up with a motion to deny the request, which was approved.

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Upshur Lane between 20th and 21st streets and Baltimore and Philadelphia avenues downtown will remain a parking and loading zone after City Council members denied a developer’s request to build bike racks.

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

BVK, the marketing firm contracted with advertising Ocean City’s tourism, gave a review of their 2023 media plan of the town and outlined their targets for the 2024 media plan at a city council session on Monday and a stakeholder breakfast on Tuesday. Pictured is BVK presenting a video at the Tuesday breakfast.

BVK seeks more info on habits of OC visitors Continued from Page 1 “We’re looking at how we can pull AI into the media plan as well, what that would look like and how we can start to tap into that, because we’ve seen that over a third of surveyed travelers are likely to consult AI as

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they’re planning their trip for the next 12 months,” BVK Vice President Niki Kaylor told the council.

Victoria Simmons, BVK’s senior vice president of travel, also said the company is using several third-party data firms to learn about visitor

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habits.

One such tool is Zartico, a dataanalysis company collects data from various sources, including Mira, a company that tracks geolocation data and spending.

BVK has used Zartico to learn about the groups of people that could drive year-round visits, said Stephanie Barkow, senior vice president of brand strategy and research, at the Tuesday breakfast.

Helixa, an “AI-powered” company that uses social media and other online sources to analyze target audiences for marketing campaigns, has helped BVK learn more about Ocean City’s main audience, the “East Coast beach vacationer.”

This year, BVK is splitting that demographic into four subgroups that will each have marketing and advertising media targeted specifically toward them, including millennial moms, active and curious Gen-xers, action-oriented males and young connected females.

Something new that BVK has

promised the city for 2024 are ad effectiveness and economic impact studies that will be generated by Smari, a market research firm, Barkow said.

“This will help us to understand the return on investment of our marketing campaigns and also to understand how effective it is with our target audiences on increasing the perception of the destination the way that we want. We’ll be able to understand the role of incremental travel that the advertising drove, which will more deeply help us understand the impact of our campaign,” Barkow said at the council meeting.

Kaylor noted that with people engaging less in television and radio, BVK will focus more on marketing the city through digital audio, or podcasting.

Earned Media Account Director Callie Murphy said many travelers are now looking to social media influencers for direction on where and when to go on vacations. Murphy said that in See BVK Page 6

DECEMBER 15, 2023

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Ocean City Today

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121 81ST STREET UNIT 706 • OCEAN CITY $815,000 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. The kitchen is sure to delight 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 non-rental building so you will make friends and know your neighbors. MLS MDWO2017698 HERON HARBOUR ISLE HOME WITH BOAT SLIP

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 enter with your eyes drawn to the 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

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

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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 7704 COASTAL HWY #102 and make memories that will last a OCEAN CITY • $310,000 lifetime. As you walk in the front door, 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.

1 66TH ST UNIT 101 This is one of the best values at the beach - fully furnished OCEAN CITY • $499,900 and 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

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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.

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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

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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 15, 2023

June target dates OK’d for planned event Continued from Page 1 and other supporting activities, will be set up at the convention center.

At Sunset Harbor, the wet pit area will offer boat ramp access, reserved trailer parking, support vessel staging and other prep activities.

Other offshore powerboat racing events had taken place in Ocean City for years, but ran into logistical problems, and issues during covid.

An Ocean City Grand Prix powerboat race set for last year was canceled.

During Tuesday’s meeting, council members approved the target dates and recommended creation of the RWO event for approval from the Worcester County Commissioners for portions that will be in the county.

Council members also approved development of a term sheet to be reviewed in January.

Miller also gave council members an update on the air show, which is moving to Aug. 24 and 25.

The show organizers announced last week that the date was moved from the second weekend in June to host Italian Air Force team Frecce Tricolori as the headliner. Miller said the team will fly a 10-jet formation.

“This will be the most jets we’ve seen in a formation team in Ocean City,” he said.

PHOTOS COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

A map shows the proposed viewing area from 14th to 18th streets for the RWO Powerboat Race planned for June in and around Ocean City.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels, which are usually the show headliners, only fly six-plane formations, Miller added.

He also said that the only reason the Italian team, which has scheduled Ocean City for one of only six

shows in the United States, is coming stateside is to celebrate a 100th anniversary. The jets usually fly close to home and are present at most major air events.

“When you see things happening in Europe, specifically Italy, and there are major events taking place, this team is there,” Miller said.

He added, in response to questions about why the American teams could

not be booked in 2024, that Ocean City has been fortunate.

“Most air shows do not get to have back-to-back jet teams,” Miller said. ”Most air shows are lucky to have a jet team maybe once every three years.”

This will be the only year the show moves to August, when it will coexist with Jeep Fest, with plans to return to June in 2025.

BVK marketing considering AI

$279.95

Continued from Page 4 2024, they are planning to invite several influencers in the spring and several more in the fall to boost visitation in the resort’s shoulder seasons.

BVK is also hoping to invite six journalists on trips with curated itineraries in order to get articles written about Ocean City, Murphy said.

Forbes, AFAR and the Washingtonian are among the publications BVK intends to reach.

“Where we actually find a ton of value is really welcoming journalists into the destination and having them experience it first-hand so they can share it with their audience,” Murphy said at the council meeting.

Barkow also identified several facets of the resort’s identity that BVK plans to expand on or to highlight as it aims to push the kind of experience tourists are seeking and to distinguish Ocean City from competitors such as Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach.

Some of BVK’s focuses are emphasizing the city’s unique food, live music, and what Barkow called its accessible and approachable atmosphere.

Travelers are looking for more au-

thentic local experiences, so BVK also wants to increase the city’s local storytelling and traditions by connecting more with local brands, Barkow said.

Barkow said that many consumers are changing their definition of wellness travel to include more indulgent behaviors instead of restrictive ones.

Framing the town as a “wellrounded” escape could be an opportunity to reach health-oriented travelers, and part of this effort could be embracing more of Ocean City’s outdoor recreation, she said.

Barkow said BVK will continue to draw from Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as year-round tourist markets. She noted that families with children tend to spend more money in Ocean City during the summer, while people without children tend to spend more in the offseason.

Nick Marrazza, group creative director at BVK, said he and BVK staff recently did a two-day photography shoot of seven to eight situations each day in order to capture more diverse Ocean City experiences.

Many of the pictures and media will be used to update marketing with content to attract the now subdivided target audiences.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

On Thursday, a triad of state, county and school officials appealed to the Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction to appeal for the funding of Buckingham Elementary School’s replacement. Pictured is the sign at the front entrance of BES.

IAC hears testimony about Buckingham project funding

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) On Thursday morning, a triad of state, county and school officials presented arguments for funding a replacement of Buckingham Elementary School in Berlin to the state agency that previously denied the project any funding.

At the meeting over Zoom, Superintendent of Worcester County Schools Lou Taylor, State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) and Chip Bertino, president of the county commissioners, collectively had five minutes to testify to the Interagency Commission on School Construction, IAC, at the agency’s Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvement Program 75 percent Hearing.

The meeting gives local education agencies a chance to address the IAC regarding requested funding for school building projects.

“Buckingham Elementary is now a 45-year-old facility, which has never had a major renovation or addition,” Taylor said at the IAC meeting Thursday. “... Although the facility is in need of a replacement, as evident by our January 2023 feasibility study, as with every major project we undertake, this project is about the students.”

Taylor told IAC officials that Buckingham is the largest Title I school in the county, meaning it is part of a federal aid program. The school also has a 42 percent minority-student population, and 60 percent of students there are eligible for free and reduced meals, Taylor said.

“During the past 10 years, Worcester County has received .37 percent, or $14.8 million, of the $4 billion of state school construction funds dispersed state-wide,” Bertino said at the meeting.

Carozza told the IAC board that many of the players on the Stephen Decatur High School football team, who just won the state 2A championship, are graduates of Buckingham and serve in a special mentoring program at the elementary school.

“That’s just the Worcester way,” Carozza said.

At a public input meeting for the 2025 school budget, Taylor announced that the IAC gave the Buckingham project a “C” rating.

According to facilities manager Joe Price, that means it is “deferred and not currently eligible for planning or funding approval pending IAC review or unresolved [local education agency] issues.”

School officials appealed that grading in writing following the IAC’s announcement.

“This was not an outright denial but offers WCPS an opportunity to appear before the IAC and verbally appeal the decision and advocate for State funding,” said Carrie Sterrs, coordinator of public relations and special programs at WCPS, in an email on Monday.

Sterrs said school staff heard the recommendations on Dec. 5 as expected, and that the IAC releases these grades so local education agencies have time to send an appeal ahead of the Dec. 14 meeting.

“The IAC’s 90 percent recommendations are scheduled to be released on March 1, 2024; however, prior correspondence with the IAC note that LEAs may receive information as early as mid-January,” Sterrs said.

According to a notification from the IAC that WCPS received on Dec. 7, a “C” status usually means that an education agency hasn’t provided all the information about a project that See TAYLOR Page 8

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

MUSIC FOR VETS

On Nov. 10, Worcester Preparatory School’s fourth and fifth grade students held a musical performance to celebrate veterans.

Fifth grader Tejal Pillai shares a moment with her grandfather, Don Davidson after the program.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

Taylor, Bertino, Carozza testify Continued from Page 7 the IAC needs to evaluate it.

The “75 percent” approval means that 75 percent of the IAC’s capital improvement plan budget has been preliminarily approved, Cassandra Viscarra, deputy director of the IAC, said in an email.

“This is an estimated amount, as the final budget is not known until the budget is approved during the legislative session the following April,” Viscarra said.

Some of the projects that received a “C” grade will likely become eligible for funding, but the IAC hasn’t finalized estimates for state funding allocations since Pre-K enrollment isn’t complete or because of other missing analysis on a school project, according to the IAC notification.

In October, Alex Donahue, executive director of the IAC, directed the county and school system to submit a planning request and request for design funding to the IAC after the Buckingham project was approved in the county’s capital improvement plan.

IAC staff promised to reconsider their decision not to fund Buckingham’s replacement, but made no promises about changing their original decision, which came in January.

On Nov. 28, Carozza, along with Delegates Wayne Hartman (R-38C) and Charles Otto (R-38A) sent a second letter to Gov. Wes Moore outlining their request for state support on the Buckingham project.

Many of the issues that Carozza said they planned to outline at the IAC meeting on Thursday are mirrored in the letter.

One of the main arguments is that the IAC’s interpretation of “adjacent schools,” has changed since funding was granted for the reconstruction of Showell Elementary.

According to the Nov. 28 letter, the IAC didn’t determine Buckingham Elementary or Berlin Intermediate to be “adjacent” to Showell Elementary when granting $8.6 million in state funding for its replacement.

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 were considered adjacent.

The letter also rejects an idea reportedly pitched by the IAC that would combine Buckingham Elementary and Berlin Intermediate in a new building, something Carozza called “unworkable.”

According to the Nov. 28 letter, the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) already allocated $5.6 million to Worcester County as part of its BuiltTo-Learn school construction funding program, which the General Assembly started in 2020 and allowed the Stadium Authority to sell bonds to help finance schools.

Carozza and the delegates are asking the IAC to provide access to that funding.

“If we don’t use (MSA allocation) for Buckingham, we would lose that money because there are no other projects in the pipeline,” Carozza said Tuesday. “That’s such a strong factor in our favor that the money has already been allocated towards the county.”

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.

Buckingham Elementary’s replacement project is marked for a “maximum state allocation” of just under $5.9 million in the capital improvement plan.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Council advances monster truck partnership

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 15, 2023) Plans to nestle a barrage of monster trucks in between Endless Summer Cruisin’ and Sunfest next fall gained traction this week with a greenlight from City Council members to get the ball rolling on the inaugural event,.

“Ultimately what I want to get across today is this is a little different than what we would normally bring in front of you in terms of a private event application,” Special Events Director Frank Miller said of the proposed Monsters of Metal Beach Brawl at a work session Tuesday. “What we are going to be looking at here is more of a partnership between the town and this event.”

Upon Miller’s request, council members unanimously voted to pursue a partnership with the organizers and co-produce it through a term sheet to be presented in January. The vote came on the heels of members of the Tourism Commission voting to give the special event request a favorable recommendation last month.

Tentatively set for Oct. 18-20, the event is slated to feature gigantic trucks rumbling around in an arena set up with spectator bleachers north of the pier downtown, right in the middle of where Sunfest will set up the following weekend.

“It is a rain or shine event,” Miller said. “And it is all about the experience.

I think everybody now realizes that these mega events that create things that are buzzworthy to the patrons is what it’s all about now. And the monster truck event is one of those events.”

Miller added that the activities are set during the day and afternoon and the organizers no longer have plans to sell alcohol, which Miller said supports the family-friendly atmosphere they are pushing. Plans also include the possibility of a parade of the trucks — riding on the tractor trailers that are bringing them to the resort — down Coastal Highway when they get into town. The convoy is tentatively planned to run from the convention center to the show area downtown,

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

A map shows the planned location of the arena and other elements of the Monsters of Metal Beach Brawl proposed for next fall downtown.

with spectators welcome to watch along the way.

The organizers, Jaclyn Disharoon Cooper and her father, Rick Disharoon, who owns a monster truck building facility called The Metal Shop in Delmar, Delaware, have loads of experience with the sport, relationships with popular drivers and teams, and a loyal following of fans. They began working with city tourism staff a while ago and cooked up the idea to bring a monster truck show to Ocean City to take advantage of the surrounding beach atmosphere and spruce up the shoulder season.

During the meeting, Mayor Rick Meehan expressed some potential concerns about the event attracting other vehicles, such as large, “jacked up” trucks that owners may drive around town.

See ORGANIZER Page 11

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

A monster truck, like the ones set to participate in a planned event next fall in downtown Ocean City, is pictured.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PAGE 11

Ocean City Today

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Board of License Commissioners meets with an applicant during a meeting Monday. Members heard several requests during the meeting, including one from Spain Wine Bar owner Peter Elias for licenses at new restaurants in Ocean City and Ocean Pines.

Liquor board OKs licenses for new restaurants

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) Peter Elias, owner of the Spain Wine Bar at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Ocean City, is creating two new local restaurants, both of which received liquor license approvals from the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners on Monday.

Board members approved a new liquor license for Elias’ Sand & Cedar Taverna on Cathell Road in Berlin at the location of the former Whiskers Pub. Elias plans for the Taverna to be a Mediterranean concept restaurant that will feature Greek, Turkish, Moroccan and Lebanese cuisine.

Elias also received approval to transfer a liquor license from the owners of the former Cowboy Coast restaurant to Elias’ company Seven Star Hospitality.

Elias plans to open a fine-dining French restaurant called Bistro Cotiere at the same location in downtown Ocean City.

However, board members granted both licenses with tighter restrictions on entertainment than Elias requested for in each application.

“The biggest thing that’s most important to me is God’s grace and showing love to my guests, and that is my mission statement. That’s what I live for.

That’s what these restaurants for me are about. All this other stuff (is) technicalities” Elias said while discussing implementing both restaurant projects.

The board member’s final decision

for the Sand & Cedar Taverna’s liquor license prohibits DJs, allows four-piece amplified bands or entertainment to play live until 11 p.m. for two nights a week and allows background music. All music is indoors only.

The license also allows the off-sale of alcohol in factory-sealed containers, but only from shelves comprising a space of 567 square feet or less — a number based on the shelf-space of the previous business at that location — and mandates that the restaurant’s three garage doors must be closed while entertainment is playing inside.

Elias said he wanted the opportunity to sometimes host groups of one to three musicians who are accompanied by a belly-dancer.

Although Elias pressed for the ability to leave the restaurant’s garage doors open during live entertainment, board members refused, noting the Taverna will be in a shopping center.

“I’m very conscious of my neighbors.

I have not had any issues with the people who live below me at Spain (Wine Bar),” Elias said.

Elias said he is flying in chefs who are highly experienced in Greek and Lebanese food to help with his menu for the Taverna and is planning a beverage selection where at least 50 percent of the wines come from the Mediterranean region.

“I’m really, really excited. This will be the first of its kind in the area,” Elias

Organizer promises family event Continued from Page 10 “It’s something to consider and be aware of,” he said.

Disharoon, who attended the meeting and has been hosting monster truck events since the late 1990s, said the people who attend the events are not the typical special event car owners, but families who want to see an entertaining show. He said and he has never seen rowdy behavior from attendees at any of the events he has hosted.

“My intention is not to bring something like that to Ocean City,” he

said.

Disharoon also discussed the extreme measures that are implemented to ensure the drivers and spectators are safe during the shows, and the efforts made to control noise from the trucks.

Miller also said, in response to a couple of inquiries about the strain on city staff for set up and implementation of the event, that details will be worked out in the term sheet to ensure everything runs smoothly without burden on public safety and public works employees.

said.

Aside from being a restaurant, the Taverna will also serve as a wedding and event space and Elias originally requested permission to host DJs so that event guests could make toasts or announcements over microphones.

Board members told Elias that based on their definition of a DJ, which would include more frequent use of the microphone, he wouldn’t need permission to use a DJ on the license for his intended use.

Board members said Elias could call April Payne, liquor license administrator, for case-by-case permission to allow a DJ when necessary.

Immediately following the approval of Taverna’s license, board members heard Elias’ application to transfer the Cowboy Coast license for the Bistro Cotiere.

Elias described the Bistro as a refined, “white-tablecloth,” setting with high-end service. The building comprises five sections that could each accommodate weddings, corporate events, dining, entertainment and more.

Board members decided that the Bistro could have a four-piece amplified band seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. — indoors only — but allows one music technician amplified inside durSee MEMBERS Page 12

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PHOTO COURTESY SKIP COLLINS

COMING UP FOR AIR

A whale surfaces the waves off the coast off 34th Street in Ocean City on a cool day in early November. Local resident Skip Collins caught a picture of the large mammal diving for bait fish while admiring the beach with his brother.

Members restrict DJ privileges

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Continued from Page 11 ing the same hours.

Elias said that he was asking this time for a DJ that would indeed meet the board’s definition. His hope was to attract famous and touring European techno, EDM and House Music DJs to play after 10 p.m., he said.

Despite Elias’ plea to “trust me until I lose your trust,” board members told him no, and voted for the license to prohibit DJs at the restaurant. Board member Marty Pusey later quoted the board Chairman William Esham, who was not present, and told Elias: “Walk before you run.”

The board again said Elias could request DJs on a case-by-case basis.

While Elias was also restricted from having live music outside or using subwoofers, members permitted the restaurant to have an outdoor music technician until 10 p.m.

Elias told the board that he was worried a group such as a wedding party might want to use the outdoor courtyard space and be able to have more entertainment or a DJ, but board member Charles Nichols told Elias that he would only receive what the members offered him.

The license that the board transferred to Elias from the owners of Cowboy Coast was downgraded from a class D to a class B seven-day beer, wine and liquor license, which aligned with Elias’ original request.

Elias’ attorney Hugh Cropper said that the class B liquor license means at least 50 percent of the restaurant’s gross receipts have to be food sales.

“I have a superstar chef and I’m focusing on a superstar restaurant, (a) world-class French restaurant. Something that we can really, really be proud

of,” Elias said.

Inside the Bistro, Elias plans on having an aged steak room with a wall of Himalayan salt, and is proposing that patrons could watch the chef cut steaks straight from a carcass before being cooked.

The restaurant would include a wine room as well as a speakeasy and mixology-focused lounge area that would be placed away from the kitchen.

Elias said that much of the idea is refining the space that used to be the Cowboy Coast, a restaurant and nightclub that he said had a negative reputation for noise pollution and other incidents.

Sgt. Doug Smith of the Ocean City police department said officers used to have issues with the old restaurant, and that police were encouraged to hear the Bistro wasn’t going to be a “hip-hop nightclub.”

“The idea is to be proud of this particular building, which we should be. I know it’s been there for so many years and it’s been probably a landmark for Ocean City one way or another, and what we’re looking to do is the next phase of its life,” Elias said.

Correction In a story about a local showing of the movie “Free Time,” starring pro surfer Cam Richards, in the Dec. 7, 2023, edition, it was reported that Jason Dyer’s son, Lucian, is 19 years old. This is incorrect. Lucian is 18. His name was also misspelled in the original article.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 13

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DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

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Abbott blames budget shortfalls on BOE priorities

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) For Fiscal Year 2024, Worcester County Public Schools have the lowest starting teacher salary in the state at $50,275.

Speakers at the Worcester County Board of Education’s public input meeting for the 2025 school budget last Tuesday overwhelmingly agreed that higher pay was needed to retain quality school staff and maintain small class sizes, but arguments diverged over who to blame for the school system’s funding shortfalls, whether it would be the county commissioner’s for their maintenance of effort funding or the board of education for their budgeting priorities.

At the meeting, County Commissioner Caryn Abbott rebuked board members for cutting summer school programs, outdoor graduations and raises promised to school staff. The board voted to cut several programs, ceremonies and materials of instruction from the budget following the county’s decision to fund schools via See SCHOOLS Page 16

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Worcester County Board of Education hosted a public input meeting for the 2025 school system budget last Tuesday. Pictured is the WCPS administrative office building in Newark, Maryland, where the board of ed meets once a month.

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Schools need more funds for Blueprint costs Continued from Page 15 maintenance of effort, which is the minimum the law requires.

“I will say you don’t have a funding problem, you have a priority problem.

I’m asking for you to realize this budget cycle that without our great teachers, support staff and bus drivers, we don’t have a school system.

Make them the priority,” Abbott said.

Beth Shockley-Lynch, president of the Worcester County Teachers Association, told the board that she’s talked to 15 people who turned down teaching jobs in Worcester County because of the pay.

The problem isn’t only starting pay anymore, she said. Teachers with ten years of experience can go to Wicomico and make as much as $8,000 more. If teachers do that then Worcester County would be left with a huge loss on investment, she said.

“In order for us to be competitive and hire the best and the brightest that our students deserve, it’s imperative that we receive more than maintenance of effort. We are Worcester and we can afford more than maintenance of effort. Our students, staff and community deserve more than maintenance of effort. Maintenance of effort, by the way, is the floor, not the ceiling,” Shockley-Lynch said.

Shockley-Lynch said Worcester County at one time had the highest

lifetime earnings for teachers among the Eastern Shore counties, but now it’s second to last.

Parent representatives on the Student Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) also presented the board with financial requests on behalf of each school.

The main requests that were repeated for each school included creating competitive salary packages for employees in order to retain the best staff and keep enough teachers to maintain smaller class sizes. Many also asked the board to restore the summer and after-school programs and materials of instruction, all of which were part of the board’s budget cuts for 2024.

According to a budget presentation at the beginning of the meeting from Vince Tolbert, the school system’s chief financial officer, Worcester County also has the lowest per-pupil contribution of state funding at $4,287. The state average is $8,761.

Tolbert said that the reason Worcester County has the lowest perpupil state contribution is because the state’s formula, which considers a county’s total tax wealth versus in student population, shows that this county has the highest wealth perpupil at $1,431,331. The state average for wealth per-pupil is $680,245.

The catch is that most of Worcester’s

taxed property is owned by nonresidents, who have no children in local schools.

From 2021-2022, the county had the third highest per-pupil spending at $19,112.

Worcester County schools’ current year operating budget is about $125 million. Almost 69 percent of the school budget comes from the county, while the rest is about 17 percent state aid and 14 percent federal aid, according to the presentation.

For Fiscal Year 2023, the school system had a surplus of about $1.5 million, which went back to the county for post-employment benefits, OPEB. “To put that in perspective, if you had a household income of $50,000, 1.24 percent means you had $600 left in your second account at year end,” Tolbert said.

Tolbert said they asked the county to put the surplus back into cut programs, but were told it must go back to OPEB. “No money was hidden. No money was found. It’s part of the annual process. Its best recommended practice from the Governmental County Standards Board to have a surplus,” Tolbert said.

Tolbert said that 86.5 percent of the operating budget goes to employee salaries and fixed charges,

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while much of the 7.1 percent spent on “contracted services” goes to bus contractors.

In order to comply with the Blueprint for Maryland’s future, starting teacher salaries must be $60,000 by 2027, Tolbert said. To reach that number in time, schools will have to implement six percent cost-of-living adjustment increases each year for the next three years.

A one-percent cost-of-living adjustment for teachers would cost $758,000 and a step increase in salaries would be around $1.2 million, according to Tolbert.

With a salary step and a six percent cost of living increase, the 2025 budget could have a $9.22 million deficit, according to the presentation.

For 2025, there will be an additional $260,000 in raises for 25 teachers who are achieving national board certification. There is also $395,000 needed for career counselors and $500,000 for behavioral health doctors, two new costs that are mandated through the blueprint.

“As we start to build the budget for FY 25, we’re starting about $1.6 million in the hole from the cuts that we made in FY 24, so just to get back where we were, it’s about $1.6 million that we have to come up with. That’s what MOE (maintenance of effort) has done so far,” Tolbert said.

John Abbott, husband to Caryn, told the board that he believes the schools systems administration has grown significantly and also took issue with their budgeting priorities.

He said he hopes they are more transparent in the next budget cycle.

“Where can your priorities lie when you cannot fully fund schools? Where do your priorities lie when you continue, continue to use educators, staff and our students as your political pawns?” asked Shannon Bone, a teacher at Stephen Decatur High School.

“You represent Worcester County Schools, but you can’t sit there and say that you actually support public education if you cannot fully fund your teachers,” Bone added.

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

WCPS outperforms other Maryland schools Worcester ratings were all three- and four-stars within report card data for ‘22-23 (Dec. 15, 2023) The Maryland State Department of Education’s latest record card shows all eligible Worcester County Public Schools have outperformed other counties during the 2022-23 academic year.

According to a news release from the public school system issued Wednesday, 73 percent of eligible schools in Worcester County earned four-star ratings, with the rest receiving three stars.

The release said just 37 percent of all schools in Maryland earned fouror five-star ratings during the report period. The data also showed a decrease in the number of schools that were given five stars from last year.

In the previous 2021-22 data, 212 schools in Maryland earned five-star ratings, while in the 2022-23 data, there were 81.

The release said specific metrics show that all schools in in Worcester saw strong performance in academic achievement indicators, which directly aligns with the school system’s success on state assessments. In light of Worcester’s already strong performance on state assessments, indicators related to student growth

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Maryland State Department of Education’s latest report card data shows all 11 of Worcester County’s eligible public schools received three and fourstar ratings. Snow Hill Elementary, Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special School were not eligible for ratings.

SCREENSHOT COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A breakdown of the way the Maryland State Department of Education determines star ratings for eligible public schools in annual report cards.

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progress negatively impacted some school’s earned points. Minimal increases in student chronic absenteeism contributed to some schools’ lower earned points as well.

A total of 11 schools in Worcester County were eligible for ratings.

To receive a star rating, a school must have 45 or more possible points. In Worcester County, Snow Hill Elementary School did not reach the point threshold and was not issued a star rating. Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special School also do not meet the qualifications for ratings.

The release said the scores reflect school performance on multiple components.

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DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

Students already performed high in ratings Continued from Page 18 schools, the system rates academic achievement, academic progress, progress in achieving English language proficiency, and measures of school quality and student success.

For high schools, it also rates academic achievement, progress in English language proficiency, and measures of school quality and student success, as well as readiness for postsecondary success and graduation rate.

All schools’ calculations incorporate school composite scores on a

statewide school survey, which the release said is based on input related to safety, community, environment and relationships.

“I am very proud to report that our schools continue to perform well in Maryland’s accountability system,” Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor said in the release. “I hope our families understand that the adjustments to this year’s ratings reflects the fact that our students are already performing so highly academically that it makes annual progress that much more challenging, but we will

continue pursuing high achievement for all.”

Maryland introduced school report cards in 2018 for students, parents, educators and community members to understand how public schools are performing, just as report cards help parents understand how their kids are doing. The goal of the report card is to gather school data in an easy-to-understand and usable format to help officials, educators and parents ask questions, find answers, make decisions and act.

The report cards are available for

review on the Maryland Report Card website at MdReportCard.org, along with more information and data about schools and districts.

The release said an update on the release of the Maryland School Report Card was made to the state board of education on Dec. 5. The presentation materials for the meeting, which provide statewide context to Worcester County’s performance, can be accessed at marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Pages/Meetings-2024.aspx.

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DECEMBER 15, 2023

Speed cameras to come to Flower St. and Seahawk Rd.

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) The Berlin Police Department will proceed with the installation of speed cameras on Flower Street and Seahawk Road after a speed zone study by RedSpeed USA showed that more than a few motorists go well over the speed limits on those roads.

When vehicle speed was tracked on Flower Street, Seahawk Road, Franklin Avenue, West Street, Williams Street, and South Main Street, the 10000 block of Flower Street saw the worst violations. These included 179 drivers going over 15 miles or more above the speed limit.

The 400 block of Flower Street had 84 drivers going 15 miles or more above the speed limit. No local school zone signs are in place in either stretch of Flower Street.

Seahawk Road also had a large number of speeders with 108 going 15 miles or more over the speed limit.

“We might even have discussions with the county, in reference to the speed limit [on Flower Street], Police Chief Arnold Downing said.

The chief said he would like to see Flower Street have a 25 mph speed limit, not a 30 mph on the county part of the road, and 25 mph in the town of Berlin.

Certain areas, such as West Street where speeding is not prevalent, but running stop signs is, will have to use other means for enforcement, according to Downing.

“We can always come back and study these locations at a later date,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said.

Councilmember Shaneka Nichols added her take on the Flower Street and Seahawk Road results.

“When you see these numbers, this thing [speed cameras] right here, this is a win,” she said.

Ocean City Today

SHOP WITH A COP

PAGE 21

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

An officer swears in a group of children as junior troopers before they boarded a bus to shop for Christmas presents at Walmart as part of the CRICKET Center’s annual Shop with a Cop program last Saturday.

PAGE 22

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

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From left, Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, Commissioner President Chip Bertino and Commissioner Eric Fiori pose together for a photo after Carozza received this year’s MACo Legislative Recognition Award during a banquet in Cambridge.

Sen. Carozza presented with legislative award from MACo (Dec. 15, 2023) The Maryland Association of Counties recently presented Sen.Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) with a Legislative Recognition Award at the annual MACo Winter Conference Awards Banquet held in Cambridge.

According to a news release, the award recognizes Carozza as a strong advocate in supporting local government.

“I am humbled and grateful to be the recipient of MACo’s legislative award, and am proud to be a staunch advocate for local flexibility and decision making for our local governments,” Carozza said in the release. “I will continue to work with MACo and

local elected leaders in each of the three counties that I represent and across the State of Maryland to advance policies local authority and flexibility.”

MACo is the nonprofit, non-partisan advocacy organization for the elected officials and governments of all 24 Maryland counties. The organization’s membership consists of county elected officials and representatives from then counties and Baltimore City, and members determine the organization’s policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals through an elected Board of Directors and a volunteer Legislative Committee.

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DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 23

OC Police discuss dangers of online activity (Dec. 15, 2023) As winter break approaches, members of the Ocean City Police Department are reminding parents and caregivers of the dangers children face with social media and online chat applications.

According to a news release from the department, the Ocean City Police and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office just successfully closed an investigation regarding inappropriate sexual conversations that took place between a juvenile in Ocean City and an adult in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Wyatt Andrew Johnson, 24, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of publishing/distributing obscene material on Nov. 27. He was sentenced to one year in jail with all but 39 days suspended and has been released from custody.

The Ocean City Police Department began investigating Johnson in June 2020 when Child Protective Services staff referred the case. During the investigation, the release said detectives learned the juvenile (14 at the time) and Johnson were having an online sexual relationship through numerous chat applications, such as Discord, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and iMessage. Using various law enforcement databases, detectives were able to identify Johnson

and obtain records of several months of conversations and records.

Incidents such as the one that led detectives to Johnson are becoming

“Using social media applications and websites where kids interact, predators may pose as children or teens looking to make new friends.”

Ocean City Police Dept. more common with the increasing popularity of social media. Using social media applications and websites where kids interact, predators may pose as children or teens looking to make new friends.

The National Children’s Advocacy Center provides the following internet safety tips for kids and teens: • Spend time having fun with parents online and help them understand technology.

• Never post personal information, such as a cell phone or home numbers, home addresses or locations, on any social networking site or through mobile apps like Snapchat or Instagram.

• Never meet in person with anyone you first “met” on the internet. If someone asks to meet you, tell your

parents or guardian right away. Some people may not be who they say they are.

• Check with parents before posting pictures of yourself or others online. Do not post inappropriate pictures of anyone.

• Never respond to mean or rude texts, messages or emails. Delete unwanted messages. You may need to delete friends who continuously bother you or post things that are not appropriate.

• Never share passwords with anyone, including your best friend. The only people who should know your password are your parents or guardian.

• If you wouldn’t say something to another person’s face, don’t text it or post it online.

• Do not download or install software or anything on your computer or cell phone before checking with your parents or guardians.

• Use the privacy settings of social networking sites.

• Talk with parents or guardians immediately if anything makes you feel uncomfortable online, while gaming, or using your cell phone.

Adults are also encouraged to look for warning signs of online predators targeting children online, which can include:

• Spending long hours online, especially at night • Phone calls from unknown people • Unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail • A child suddenly turning off the computer or other device when you walk into the room • Withdrawal from family life and reluctance to discuss online activities Anyone who becomes aware of the sending, use, or viewing of child pornography online can contact the Ocean City Police Department, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678 or visit the center’s online CyberTipline.

The release said the Ocean City Police Department is also prepared and proactively handling criminal violations and residents’ complaints of illegal activity to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Law enforcement officials remind residents that if they see something suspicious or have concerns about possible criminal activity in Ocean City, to contact the police department. Those with concerns are encouraged to call the department’s tip line at 410-5205136, email crimetips@oceancitymd.gov, or contact the department directly at 410-723-6610.

PAGE 24

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City woman dies Wednesday in crash on Route 50

COMMUNITY NEWS, SPORTS & WEATHER

OCTODAY.com

(Dec. 15, 2023) An Ocean City woman is dead after a single-vehicle crash on Wednesday on U.S. Route 50.

According to a news release from the Maryland State Police, troopers with the Berlin Barrack responded around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning to Route 50 west at the intersection of Caleb Road in Worcester County, for a report of a single-vehicle crash.

The release said a preliminary investigation determined that a gold 2014 Dodge Minivan was traveling west when the vehicle, for unknown reasons, drifted off-road and struck a tree. The driver and sole occupant, later identified as Linda Jean Hopkins, 74, of Ocean City, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The west lanes of Route 50 were closed briefly while troopers investigated the crash. The Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Berlin Fire & EMS, and Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration staff responded to the scene to assist.

The release said the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 25

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Many ways for making eggs, but deviled best for holidays

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) Has one ever taken a moment to consider the fascinating occurrences that encompass our daily lives?

The kitchen alone is a sanctuary of culinary lore and scientific phenomena.

Shedding light on conundrums not only raises our level of awareness but also enlightens us to the wonderful world of glorious food.

Eggs are one of the most versatile and popular ingredients. M.F.K. Fisher brilliantly describes an egg as “probably one of the most private things in the world until it is broken.”

With that thought in mind, let us take a closer look at the intriguing egg. An understanding of what food is and how it works is just as important as the recipe itself.

Our discussion will focus on the most popular ways to cook eggs: boiled, poached and scrambled.

Eggs are cooked in the shell to make soft and hard-boiled eggs. Despite the name, boiled eggs should not be boiled but simmered throughout the cooking process.

Boiling water is turbulent and will smash the eggs into each other and the pan walls, cracking the shell, allowing some of the albumen to leak out, which results in overcooked eggs that produce an unpleasant rubbery texture.

That being said, there is nothing more frustrating than peeling an egg when the shell sticks to it. There are two basic reasons for this occurrence.

Fresh eggs are more likely to stick to the shell. In addition, if the egg is overcooked, the shell will stick to the egg.

Another oddity about hard-boiled eggs is the occasional appearance of a greenish-grey discoloration on the

surface of the yolk. According to On Food and Cooking, the color is caused by a chemical reaction involving sulfur (from the egg white) and iron (from the yolk), which naturally reacts to form sulfide at the surface of the yolk. The reaction is usually caused by overcooking, but can also be brought about by high amounts of iron in the cooking water.

Soft-boiled eggs are basically the same thing as hard-boiled eggs except the cooking time is less which results in a runny yolk. It is important to note that the cooking time varies according to the number of eggs in the pot. For instance, if a soft-boiled egg recipe calls for one dozen eggs and you decide to cook two dozen eggs, the cooking time needs to be increased.

The simplicity of a poached egg is its greatest attribute; the simpler the dish, the more the chef’s skill is on display. One of the challenges in cooking poached eggs is producing a compact shape without overcooking the whites. Always use the freshest eggs for poaching; the thick albumen will hold its shape better around the yolk than older eggs.

Do not shell the eggs until just before they are to be cooked. If left to sit in the open air, their quality declines quickly. Adding vinegar, lemon juice, or salt to the poaching water will help eggs coagulate faster.

Scrambled eggs are among the most popular egg dishes and can be made in two basic ways: the eggs can be stirred constantly over low heat for a soft delicate curd and creamy texture, or stirred less frequently so they develop a larger curd and firm texture.

However, if you want a souffle-like texture, place eggs and cream/milk in the blender for 5 seconds. This process incorporates a tremendous amount of air into the egg mixture for an airy, velvety consistency.

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DECEMBER 15, 2023

HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Take it easy this week, Aries. You may need to coast for a little bit rather than racing that car around every turn. Enjoy all the simple things you can do and cherish the memories.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, if you cannot be yourself with your friends, then with whom? Let down your defenses and do what you want this week, especially if you are celebrating at a social event. No one will be judging.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, devote some time to planning your vision of the future, rather than just focusing on the work in front of you. It is wise to be planning months ahead to set yourself up for success.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Others may tell you to get your head out of the clouds, Cancer, but you can leave it right there. It pays to dream a little because you never know when great ideas will come to you.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Put your emotions first, Leo. Rather than thinking with your head, you need to think with your heart. You have to trust your gut and make decisions based on intuition right now.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, empathy will come very easily to you this week, when you can easily put yourself in someone else’s shoes and know just what they are feeling. Continue to support your friends.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Motivations may be running low right now regarding improving your health, Libra. You can start thinking of strategies to put into effect for New Year’s resolutions.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Try to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground this week, Scorpio. Various distractions are trying to knock you off course, but you don’t have time for that now.

PAGE 27

Ocean City Today

American classic appeals to most Continued from Page 26 Christmas is upon us and company is sure to follow. Deviled eggs are an American classic and best of all are very affordable.

There are several options for the holidays. First and foremost, pipe the egg yolk filling into the cooked egg whites. You do not have to be a pro at this and it makes such a difference in the presentation.

We love our seafood on the Eastern Shore and placing a hunk of crab meat or shrimp under the piped egg yolk filling is as decadent as it gets. A dusting of Old Bay enhances the seafood theme and makes for a superlative bite.

If one decides to go this route, have someone hold a bamboo skewer to keep the seafood in place. Pipe the filling and then carefully remove the skewer.

One might be wondering what is the purpose of this step. When you lift the piping bag after piping the filling, the seafood sticks to the piping tip. This simple step alleviates this problem and does not interfere with the artistic piped filling.

Pomegranate seeds, a touch of parsley, and a dusting of edible gold

dust makes for a stunning deviled egg that will wow your guests. It is simple to do and the edible gold dust can be purchased online.

In addition, I would highly suggest investing in a set of culinary tweezers.

These tweezers allow you to artistically arrange items with ease as opposed to using your fingers. They are very inexpensive and again can be purchased online.

Christmas deviled eggs are easy to make and can be made at the last minute. Personal preference determines which direction you choose.

I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of deviled eggs and the following deviled egg recipe is delicious.

Enjoy!

Christmas Deviled Eggs Ingredients 8 large eggs 1/3 cup good quality mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon rice vinegar table salt to taste 1. Bring a large pot of water (enough to cover the eggs by one inch) to a boil. Reduce heat and carefully add eggs. Once the water

reaches a hard simmer, simmer for 13 minutes.

2. Place the pot in the sink, drain the hot water, and fill with cold water to stop the cooking process. You may have to refill with cold water a few times.

3. Peel the eggs under cold running water. Dry thoroughly with paper towels and cut the eggs lengthwise.

4. In a medium bowl, combine egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and salt and blend thoroughly with a hand-held mixer. It is best to do this while the egg yolks are warm, and not refrigerated. The lumps break down easier which is imperative for piping purposes. If you have a handheld immersion blender, this is the time to use it. It breaks down the egg yolk into a velvety mixture in less than 2 minutes.

5. Using your favorite piping tip, fill egg whites with egg yolk mixture.

Refrigerate for 1 hour and serve immediately.

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Nov. sports betting shows increase (Dec. 15, 2023) Maryland’s 13 retail and 12 mobile sportsbooks donated nearly $3.2 million to state education for the month of November, and the total handle surpassed all other months to date since sports betting was launched two years ago.

Per state law, a total 15 percent of all revenue from state sportsbooks is donated to the Blueprint for Mary-

land’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.

According to a news from Maryland Lottery and Gaming, November’s statewide sports betting handle, which includes a physical sportsbook at Ocean Downs off of Route 611, was more than $550.7 million. The total was the highest single-month total reported to date,

surpassing last December’s more than $497 million.

The release said mobile wagering accounted for nearly 97 percent, or over $533.2 million, of the total in November. The contribution to the blueprint program from mobile wagering equaled a little more than $3 million, while physical sportsbooks donated $147,020.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 You need to put family first right now, Sagittarius. Every other thing that is in your orbit should take a back seat to familial obligations and the needs of loved ones.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, a conversation with a neighbor or colleague can begin on a casual note and then grow into something much more profound. Always keep your eyes open to possibilities.

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PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, rather than trying to fit in this week, march to the beat of your own drummer. You’ll soon find a squad who thinks similarly to you. Then you can enjoy longlasting friendship.

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PAGE 28

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

New Years events set for downtown and uptown spots (Dec. 15, 2023) Members of the public can ring in the New Year in Ocean City with fireworks at two locations.

The resort’s large fireworks display will take place downtown on the beach at midnight on Jan. 1 near Dorchester Street. The show will be accompanied by music at the Caroline Street Stage starting at 9 p.m. A smaller fireworks display will is set uptown at Northside Park.

“We can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year, offering our residents and visitors two great fireworks shows,” Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said in a news release. “Families can enjoy counting down to the new year with fireworks at midnight, whether you catch the large-scale show downtown on the beach or choose to enjoy the northern show from the perimeter of Northside Park.”

The town offers free bus service on New Year’s Eve starting at 6 a.m., Dec. 31, 2023, until 3 a.m. Jan. 1.

Buses will run about every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and roughly every 15 minutes from 6 p.m., Dec. 31 to 3 a.m., Jan. 1. At all other times following 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, bus service is available daily from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m., running every 30 minutes, for $4 ride-all-day passes.

The release said Winterfest will have standard operating hours 5:309:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, until Christmas Day when the display will be open daily through Dec. 31.

Also, Santa will be preparing his sleigh for Christmas and will not be at Winterfest after Dec. 23. The display will close for the season at 9:30 p.m., Dec. 31.

The Winterfest Train Garden at the Roland E Powell Convention Center Visitor Center is still available for a quick visual scavenger hunt 5:30-9 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays, until Dec. 31, Following the holiday season, Ocean City’s Dreamfest is set for Jan. 12-14 at the Performing Arts Center.

The event hosts the Dreams and Determination Breakfast and musical shows featuring Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, Marshall Charloff & the Purple xPeRIeNCE (Prince Tribute Stage Show) and Take 6. Tickets are available at the box office.

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PAGE 29

Ocean City Today

REAL ESTATE REPORT

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Housing market finally starting to turn around in ‘24

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) Realtor.com released its 2024 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions report recently and the headline was: “Housing Affordability Finally Begins to Turnaround.”

Synopsis of the data was as follows: As we look ahead to 2024, we see a mix of continuity and change in both the housing market and economy.

Against a backdrop of modest economic growth, slightly higher unemployment, and easing inflation, longer term interest rates, including mortgage rates, begin a slow retreat.

The shift from climbing to falling mortgage rates improves housing affordability, but saps some of the urgency home shoppers had previously sensed. Less frenzied housing demand and plenty of rental home options keep home sales relatively stable at low levels in 2024, helping home prices to adjust slightly lower even as the number of for-sale homes continues to dwindle.

Realtor.com also provides a 2024 Forecast on key housing indicators, which reflects the following expectations: • Mortgage rates will continue to fall slightly in 2024 and average 6.8 percent over throughout the year, ending at 6.5 percent come year end.

• Existing home median price appreciation will change from a slightly positive 0.2 percentage in 2023 to a negative 1.7 percent in 2024.

• Existing home sales will stay stagnant with a 0.1 percent growth over 2023’s large drop of negative 19 percent.

• Existing home for sale inventory will drop in 2024 by 14 percent, whereas 2023 brought about a 5.7 percent drop in inventory and, on rent growth, they predict a slight drop of 0.2 percent as compared to a slight increase in 2023 of 0.2 percent, which was minimal over the 2022 historical data of a 10.8 percent increase in rent growth figures.

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

PAGE 30

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

WORCESTER PREP HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE Worcester Prep’s pre-K through fifth grade students kicked off the holiday season for famiy members and friends with the lower school’s annual holiday program, “The Festival of Spirit.” (Above) Members of the first and fifth grade classes smile together at the end of the performance.

Fifth Grader Sloane Smith sings “The First Noel” with her classmates Camille Leslie, Soloman Prosser, Colton Duffie, Serena Jaoude, Darius Jones and Barrett Brittingham.

Holiday shoppers Olivia Mason, Tejal Pillai, Madelyn Bobenko and Arden Mulford help others remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Fifth Grader Eli Parker, as Santa, sings “Mister Santa” with his classmates during the holiday performance.

First grade students make their debut as angels.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PAGE 31

Ocean City Today

OC chief building official on NOW PLAYING board of state association CAPTAIN’S TABLE

James Metzger recognized for experience, expertise in public and private sectors (Dec. 2, 2023) The Maryland Building Officials Association has appointed Ocean City Chief Building Official James Metzgar to serve as a director-at-large.

According to a news release, Metzger “brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will undoubtedly contribute to the association’s mission and objectives.”

Metzger has worked in both the public and private sectors over the last 30 years. As the chief building official for the city, he leads a team of staff members who ensure the safety and compliance of all building projects in town.

The release said Metzger is a certified building official, and holds more than 18 certifications through the International Code Council. He has a strong background in mentoring, teaching and restructuring development services departments in Fort Worth, Texas and Macon, Georgia.

He has held positions as building official for SAFEbuilt, deputy building official/assistant director for the City

of Dallas, Texas and senior building inspector/plans examiner for Centre Region Code, State College, Pennsylvania.

In his new role on the board of directors, Metzger will help shape the strategic direction of the association, promoting professionalism and consistency in the application and enforcement of building codes throughout the state. His dedication to professional development and continuous learning will undoubtedly strengthen the association’s programs and initiatives.

“James is invaluable to the Town of Ocean City and most deserving of this role as serving on the Board,” Deputy City Manager Elton Harmon said in the release. “He is efficient, extremely knowledgeable, and holds his responsibilities and services to the highest level.”

The Maryland Building Officials Association is a leading organization dedicated to supporting building officials, inspectors, and professionals involved in the enforcement of building codes. With a focus on education, advocacy, and collaboration, the association plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and integrity of the built environment in the state.

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.

COINS 28th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100 / www.coinspuboc.com Dec. 16: Giddy Up Sing-A-Long, 4-6:30 p.m.

Dec. 17: Customer Appreciation Party & Tito’s Ugly Sweater Party w/DJ Wax, 4-8 p.m.

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

JOHN MCNUTT BAND

Seacrets: Saturday, Dec. 16, 5-9 p.m.

410-524-2609 / www.whiskersbar.com Dec. 15: Dance w/Beats by Followers, 8 p.m.

Dec. 18: Industrial Night, 8 p.m.

Dec. 19: Ladies Night; Karaoke w/DJ Wood PICKLES PUB 706 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, 410-289-4891 / picklesoc.com Dec 15: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec 16: Rogue Citizens, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec 17: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec 18: Karaoke w/Wood, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec 19: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec 20: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec 21: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

SEACRETS 49th Street and the Bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com Dec. 15: Ocean 98 & Seacrets Christmas Party, 5-10 p.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; DJ Tuff, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Love Seed Mama Jump, 9 p.m. to 1:45 a.m.

Delaware, Maryland, any state, any country. Valid government issued ID required. Go to www.ochitide.com to see all the incredible choices.

PHIL PERDUE

Captain’s Table: Every Friday and Saturday, 5-9 p.m.

Dec. 16: John McNutt Band, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; The Benderz, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

Dec. 17: Football Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

Dec. 21: Southpaw 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.

Ocean City Today

PAGE 32

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 CLOSING MONDAY, DEC. 18 AND REOPENING WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27.

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 15, 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 15, 2023

PAGE 33

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. 15 MAHJONG CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.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

BOOK DISCUSSION: ‘EVERY HEART A DOORWAY’ BY SEANAN MCGUIRE

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the Berlin Library circulation desk. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Sat., Dec. 16 CREATIVE KIDS CRAFT TIME

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Stop by anytime during the day to get crafty and create some wintry art.

For all ages. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2:30 p.m.

Featuring “Philosophy and Knowledge”

by Bertrand Russell. The group meets twice a month to discuss selections recommended by the Great Books Foundation. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FILM NIGHT & SHOWCASE

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 7 p.m. Highlighting local filmmakers and films produced in part by the Art League. Q&A with filmmakers after the showing. Suggested donation is $5. 410524-9433, megan@artleagueofoceancity.org

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. 17

SMALL SOCIETY: OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 3:30 p.m.

This group has worked hard to create their own businesses and now it’s time to enjoy a farmer’s market-style program. All ages welcome, families are encouraged. 410-208-4014, 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

CORNHOLE ON THE COAST

Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Opens at 9 a.m. Singles - $50/person plus Paypal fee- double elimination - guaranteed 2 games. Must pay via Paypal through Scoreholio app. oldlinestatecornhole@yahoo.com, Jim, 410-456-4962

HERBAL HOLIDAY

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m. Learn about the therapeutic properties and how to blend holiday herbs.

Attendees will receive a Ginger Cookie Lip Balm and can custom blend a Mulling Spice packet. Registration required: 410-957-0878.

‘BLUE HOLIDAY’ SERVICE South Gate Pond, Ocean Pines, 9-10 a.m. An Atlantic General medical expert will hold a brief discussion, then lead the group for a morning walk. Wal-Mart gift card for the first 10 arrivals. Alyce Marzola, 410-641-9268

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3 Church St., Berlin, 4 p.m. Community Interfaith “Blue Holiday” Service of Remembrance, Hope and Light. Open to all those navigating through the holidays dealing with various kinds of grief and loss.

CORNHOLE ON THE COAST

ON YOUR FEET!

WALK WITH A DOC

Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Opens at 10 a.m. BYOP - $100/team plus Paypal fee - pool play, then double elimination - guaranteed 6 games. Must pay via Paypal through Scoreholio app. oldlinestatecornhole@yahoo.com, 410456-4962

Ocean City Performing Arts Center Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 7 p.m. Musical featuring the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Tickets cost $55-$75. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/5517596 /on-your-feet-ocean-city-oc-performing-arts-center.

3RD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

Willards Lions Community Center, Hearn Street, 4 p.m. Craft and food vendors ready for shoppers. Stop by after the parade to warm up with hot chocolate and meet Santa for pictures. Parade starts at 6 p.m. Rain date is Dec. 17. weastsidecc@gmail.com

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

6TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE

STORY TIME: ‘COOKIES’

Parade Route: Richland Road up Richardson Street to 346 to Main Street back to Richland Road. Parade begins at 6 p.m. Santa pictures at Willards Lions Club after the parade. Rain date is Dec. 17. weastsidecc@gmail.com

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

Mon., Dec. 18 Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for scrumptious story time full of stories, games and crafts about cookies. For ages 2-5 years. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BLOCK PARTY

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

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers join in to play with blocks and other toys while socializing with other families. 410-6323495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1-4 p.m.

Visit this one-stop shop for agencies and services that assist with homelessness, financial insecurity and other various needs. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

DIY CLAY ORNAMENTS

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 4 p.m. Join in as the group makes their own ornaments out of air dry clay. For ages 6-12 years.

410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BEACH HEROES-OC

Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round.

Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-242-7062.

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

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. 19 STORY TIME: ‘HOLIDAY FUN’

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: ‘HAPPY HOLIDAYS’

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and crafts. For ages 2-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

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. 20 BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Held the third and fourth Wednesday of each month. For surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410-6419568.

Continued on Page 34

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Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

CALENDAR Continued from Page 33 EASTERN SHORE SEWISTS Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Promoting the needle arts through sewing education, activities and textile crafts.

For artisans of all skill levels. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SENSORY STAY AND PLAY Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Get ready to squish, build, splash, shake and scoop through several fun stations. For ages 2-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

Drop in for a game of strategy that dates back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia and Persia. All skill levels welcome. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PUZZLE SWAP Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1-5 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with new-to-you puzzles. All puzzles must be complete and in their original box. Don’t have a puzzle to exchange, that’s ok too.

410-641-0650.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 1-2 p.m. For survivors and current patients battling breast cancer. Women Supporting Women, 410-548-7880

PHOTO TRANSFER TO WOOD Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Local artist John Iampieri teaches the process of photo transferring. Images provided or bring a 5x7 photo. Registration required: 410-641-0650. www.worcesterlibrary.org

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP Atlantic General Neurology, 314 Franklin Ave., Berlin, 3-4 p.m. For stroke survivors, family and friends.

410-641-4765, bglime@atlanticgeneral.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

Thurs., Dec. 21

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

E-BIKE WINNER A beaming Alex Marginean sits on her new electric bike as the winner of the 2023 First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League electric bike raffle. Marine Corps members sold raffle tickets at events in the Ocean City and lower Sussex County, Delaware, areas, with proceeds benefitting the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, and the Believe in Tomorrow Foundation

Drive, Berlin. Free mask fitting clinic for patients who are having trouble adjusting to their CPAP equipment. Appointment required: Robin Rohlfing, 410-641-9726.

STORY TIME ‘MUSHROOM LULLABY’ Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

INTERACTIVE STORY TIME: ‘THE GINGERBREAD BABY’

ing one-on-one assistance for those who want to make the most of their tablet or mobile device. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

grams/motorcoach or www.playmarylandscoast.org. Info: Kyle Jarmon, 410632-2144, Ext. 2519, kjarmon@marylandscoast.org

DIY CLAY ORNAMENTS

WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS

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

Make your own ornament out of air dry clay. For ages 6-12 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, Nov. 16-Dec. 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Admission cost is $6 for adults and free to children 11 years and younger. Take the walking tour through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and many animated light displays located along a paved park paths. Sip hot chocolate, take a photo with Santa, try a family craft, visit the gift shop and see the 50foot Christmas tree. There will be a Winterfest Express tram ride with multiple “trolly” stops to assist guests in making their way around the 58 acre Northside Park. Pets are welcome on Wednesday evenings. Purchase tickets: https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/special-events/winterfest/.

ONGOING EVENTS

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

Help Mr. Jake catch the Gingerbread Baby. Join in for fun, interactive story time. Stick around after for a fun surprise. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BOOKS BEHIND BARS

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

TEEN STEAM STATION

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. The workshop starts with a 20-minute lesson on genealogy research, followed by a Q&A. Bring a laptop, tablet or papers containing family information. Registration requested: 410-208-4014.

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

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.

CPAP MASK FITTING

MOBILE MENTOR

Atlantic General Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Diagnostic Center, 9733 Healthway

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Provid-

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

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/pro-

Crossword answers from page 26

December 15, 2023

35

Ocean City Today

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

RENTALS

RENTALS

ROOMMATES

SERVICES

FOR SALE

Help Wanted.

Front Desk Clerk.

Full-time/part-time.

Year round.

Comfort Suites, West Ocean City.

410-213-7171

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.

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.

Gutter Care and More.

An opportunity to have your gutters cleaned for an affordable price.

To book an appointment, call 757-743-2961.

Moving Sale EVERYTHING MUST GO: Furniture, Rugs, Antiques, Paintings, Kitchenware, Clothing, etc.

December 16th and 17th, 8 a.m. to noon.

11602 South Hills Dr., Berlin, MD 21811

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.

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

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

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

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

MAINTENANCE TECH II Town of Snow Hill, MD The Town of Snow Hill is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Maintenance Tech II with Public Works.

Required experience: able to lift to 80 lbs.; operate heavy equipment; and general maintenance duties, including garbage and recycling collection. Maryland Class B CDL Drivers License required. The Town of Snow Hill offers a full benefit package including the State Retirement Program.

Interested applicants may submit a resume with cover letter or Town application to: Town of Snow Hill, Attn: Public Works Supervisor Position, P.O. Box 348, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 or via e-mail to csullivan@snowhillmd.com. Applications are available online at www.snowhillmd.com or at Town Hall.

Resumes and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The Town of Snow Hill is an equal opportunity employer.

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

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

410-723-6397 www. oceancitytoday. com www. baysideoc. com

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

All utilities included. 443880-2317

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL Industrial Warehouse.

Space: 1500 sq. ft.

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

Route 90/Bishopville.

Call 443-497-4200.

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

DONATIONS DONATIONS Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be taxdeductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.

Run your business card in our SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 410-723-6397 for pricing!

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 Classified Deadline is Monday @ 5pm

SERVICES

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 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.

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

www.oceancitytoday.com Order YOur Classifieds Online!

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 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 Happy Jack® Liquiavict 2x® is recognized safe & effective against hook & round worms by the USCVM. Double strength, 3-year stability. At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com)

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

Advertise in MDDC 410-723-6397

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

PAGE 36

DECEMBER 15, 2023

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.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PAGE 37

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

Your Business Card Here!

Call 410-723-6397

*Licensed in MD, DE &VA

OceanCityToday.com

Home Need Improvements?

Check out the

S

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

For a variety of local contractors

RELIABLE & LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 38

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

MICHAEL B. MATHERS ESQ. WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP P.O. BOX 910 - 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS 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.

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 _________________________________

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 _________________________________

DECEMBER 15, 2023

NOTICE

OF PASSAGE OF EMERGENCY BILL 23-07 WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Take Notice that Emergency Bill 23-07 (Public Health – Cannabis establishments) was passed by Commissioners Bertino, Bunting, Abbott, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on November 21, 2023.

A fair summary of the bill is as follows: § PH 1-110. (Adds a new section to the Public Health Article to regulate cannabis establishments, establish minimum separation distances for dispensaries, and prohibiting onsite consumption establishments.)

This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103 and is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center. In addition, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-12/14/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF INTRODUCTION OF EMERGENCY BILL 23-08 WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Take Notice that Emergency Bill 23-08 (County Government – County Commissioners) was introduced by Commissioners Bertino, Bunting, Abbott, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic and Purnell on December 5, 2023.

A fair summary of the bill is as follows: § CG 2-102. (Repeals and replaces the section establishing revised County Commissioner districts in response to the shifting population as identified by the 2020 Census Survey in accordance with the following goals: strive for an optimal population of 7,515 persons in each of the seven (7) districts with the lowest population deviation among the districts in order to pass muster under the one person, one vote requirement; retain a majority minority district; maintain current County Commissioner District boundaries to the extent feasible; and respect the boundaries of new State Legislative Districts 38A and 38C to the extent feasible.)

Appendix II. (Repeals and replaces the County Commissioner District Maps).

A Public Hearing will be held on Emergency Bill 23-08 at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 10:35 a.m.

This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103 and is available for public in-

DECEMBER 15, 2023 spection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center. In addition, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-12/14/1t _________________________________

NOTICE

TO HOLDERS OF CLASS "B", "C" AND "D" ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES ISSUED BY WORCESTER COUNTY Pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverages Article, Section 33-2006 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Board of License Commissioners for Worcester County has determined that all premises holding a Class "B", "C", and "D" Alcoholic Beverage Licenses shall be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for ON PREMISES CONSUMPTION ONLY until 4:00 a.m. on January l, 2024.

This notice shall not be construed as enlarging or broadening any other privilege conferred under said license except the (2) two additional hours of sale for ON PREMISES CONSUMPTION ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, William E. Esham, Jr., Chairman R. Charles Nichols, Member Mary W. Pusey, Member *********** April R. Payne, License Administrator OCD-12/14/3t _________________________________

PAGE 39

Ocean City Today / Public Notices tice, 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-12/14/3t _________________________________

Hill and determine the property is no longer needed for public use: 1. 309 N Washington Street – Tax Map 0200; Parcel 0091.

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-12/14/1t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of JAMES MARTIN WALKER Estate No. 19975 Notice is given that KIMBERLY ANN FOX whose address is 1806 STRINGTOWN ROAD, SPARKS, MD 21152 was on DECEMBER 06, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JAMES MARTIN WALKER who died on OCTOBER 28, 2017 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

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

NOTICE

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 6th day of JUNE, 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-12/14/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 19995 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the CIRCUIT COURT PROBATE DIVISION court of PINELLAS COUNTY, FL appointed DONNA L HAYNES whose address is 2379 FINLANDIA LANE #49 CLEARWATER, FL 33763 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of SHIRLEY F BILLINGSLEY AKA: who died on MAY 30, 2023 domiciled in FLORIDA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is VICTOR A LEMBO whose address is 658 KENILWORTH DRIVE SUITE 203 TOWSON, MD 21204. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER COUNTY, MD. 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 no-

LEGAL ADVERTISING 410-723-6397 legals@oceancitytoday.net

PAGE 40

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

On Dec. 2, Worcester Preparatory School held its annual Holiday Bazaar in the Brent Thompson Field House. Above, Worcester Prep moms Amanda Netting, Wendy Labin and Helen Damouni take a break to pose for a picture while volunteering during the bazaar.

Siblings Charlize, Estelle, Jude and Gabriella Damouni pose with Santa.

WPS first grader Romie Crevecoeur shares her Christmas list with Santa.

Santa shares a candy cane with WPS kindergartner Harper Hunt on his way into the event.

Brittingham Farms owner Laura Brittingham poses at her vendor booth filled with distilled lavender oil, soaps, candles and more.

Worcester Prep moms, from left, Shawn Mize and Chelsea Rafinski pose with eighth graders Ellie Phillips, Rani Yonker, Carolina Labin and Nora Gorfinkel at the bakery.

December 14 - December 21 DA AY/TIME

ADDRESS

BR/BA

STYLE

PRICE

AGENCY/AGENTT

Fri-Mon, 11am-4pm

He erron o Harbourr,, 120th St., Bayside

1BR/2BR/3BR/4BR+

Condos, Towns & SF

-

Nanette Pavier/Holiday Real R Estate

Sat & Sun, 11am-3pm

Harbor Court, 12801 Memory Lane

3-6BR/3.5-6.5 BA

Residential

-

Kathleen M. Clark/Monogrram Realty

Saturrday y 10am-Noon

603 St. Louis Ave., OC

2BR/2BA & Efficiency

Multi-Unit Prroperty

$599,900

Laurren Bunting/Keller Willia ams Realty

Saturrday 11am-1pm

7704 4 Coastal Hwy y.., #102, Ocean City y..

1BR/1BA

Condominium

$310,000

Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty

Saturrday 2-4pm

1 66th Strreet, Ocean City

2BR/2BA

Condominium

$499,900

Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty

Sunday 11am-1pm

12131 Pimlico Lane, Berlin

3BR/2.5BA

Residential

$699,900

Power of 2 Team/Hileman Real R Estate

Presented free as a courtesy to L Licensed REAL LTORS who are regular Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette Advertisers. For all other REAL LT TORS , there is a weekly charge of $10 per listing. ®

®

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PAGE 41

Ocean City Today

PHOTO COURTESY LEE WILKINSON

ANGEL RISING

Some people decorate their homes for the holidays. Lee Wilkinson decorates the shoreline.

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

E RIC P NEW

BEACH GET-AWAY

NEW & COMING SOON!

818 BAHIA DRIVE, OCEAN CITY

644 GULF STREAM DRIVE MONTEGO BAY OCEAN CITY

2-BR home overlooks Walkers Pond. Most furnishings are included & it’s ready to be your beach get-away. Low HOA fees. Access to community's amenities: 3 swimming pools, 2 tennis courts, pickle ball courts, 9-hole miniature golf course, shuffleboard, wildlife sanctuary pond/park area, 8-acre pond with walking/jogging path around it, bayfront boardwalk with 3 piers for fishing & crabbing or enjoying the sunset. Convenient to shopping, restaurants & Ocean City's beautiful Northside Park. Bring your beach cruisers & start enjoying the beach life! Make an appointment to see this gem today- It won't last long. Enjoy the beautiful water view of this coastal get-away. Offered at $359,250

3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths with the front living room overlooking the water and rear open deck area on the water. Located on deep wide canal of Gulf Stream Drive a short boat ride to the open bay. This property has one of the longest finger piers that was able to be installed at time of installation. With the boat lift located on the far side of the lot there's plenty of room for several boats to dock or another boat lift to be installed. This option was well thought-out by the original Owner when the original finger pier was installed so it's all ready to go! Property is being sold as-is, is an estate sale and has not been occupied for 6 years. Entire property including side concrete entry, parking pad, rear deck, finger pier and house has been completely pressure washed. Unfurnished! $674,900.00

Larry Holdren Real Estate, Inc© 13901 Coastal Hwy., Suite 8, Ocean City, MD

Larry E. Holdren II Realtor, GRI Associate Broker Direct Cell Phone: 1-443-366-4091 Email: MCSLLC@HOTMAIL.COM

For More Information Call 800-252-2223 • 410-250-2700 www.larryholdrenrealestate.com • email: ocmdhre@gmail.com

COMPLETELY REMODELED 3BR/2BA HOME Located in the highly sought after community of Montego Bay in quiet North OC, this 3- bedroom/2-bathroom home features a completely remodeled interior and is being sold fully furnished...all furnishings are BRAND NEW! Upgrades include new a/c system, new stainless- steel appliances, new granite counters, new bathrooms, all new plumbing, all new lighting, new washer & dryer, new drywall, new interior trim/doors, new subflooring, new luxury vinyl plank flooring, new insulated windows, new exterior doors, and new storm doors. Community amenities include 2 inground swimming pools, 1 kiddie pool, 2 tennis courts, a 9-hole mini-golf course, a shuffleboard court, a pickle ball court, an 8-acre wildlife sanctuary with large pond and blacktop walking/jogging trail, and a bayfront boardwalk with 3 fishing/crabbing piers...all for a low HOA fee of $396.00 a year! $339,900

D L O S

Call Bill Rothstein 800-745-5988 • 443-280-2530 montegobayrealty@aol.com

500 NAUTICAL LANE OCEAN CITY

CELEBRATING 52 YEARS 1971-2023

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!!

Don't miss this one, call now to schedule your private showing.

$799,900

12905 Coastal Hwy • Ocean City, MD www.montegobayrealty.com

13901 Coastal Hwy., 387 Ocean City, Md 21842 For More Information Call 800-252-2223 www.LarryHoldrenRealEstate.com

13015 ATLANTIC BLVD • OCEAN CITY

$749,900

Call Bill Rothstein 800-745-5988 • 443-280-2530 montegobayrealty@aol.com

12905 Coastal Hwy • Ocean City, MD www.montegobayrealty.com

PAGE 42

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

TOUCH A TRUCK

The Town of Berlin 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) Berlin Police Det. Cpl. Jessica Collins and K-9 Officer Dock smile with pre-K students Brooks Luckenbaugh, Priyansh Patel and Leo Hudson. (Right) Pre-K student Rob Fitzpatrick climbs up on the bucket of an electric vehicle and gives the hard hat a try.

DNR encourages Marylanders to take hikes (Dec. 15, 2023) The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites all Marylanders to take a First Day Hike — the annual tradition for a fun, healthy way to welcome the new year.

GENERAL DENTISTRY Routine Dental Cleanings • Fillings Crowns • Bridges • Implant Restorations Cosmetic Procedures • TMJ Disorders & Tooth Whitening

Accepting New Patients

According to a news release from the DNR, Maryland State Parks will be offering first weekend hike opportunities across the state from Dec. 31 through Jan. 2. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities to kick off the year.

“First Day Hikes are a great way to start the New Year off on the right foot…or boot,” Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw said in the release. “Maryland State Parks are offering a variety of opportunities all over the state to get out and hike to celebrate the start to 2024. Bring some water, a snack, and hike in the New Year on your public lands. I look forward to seeing you on the trail!”

For 2024, Maryland State Parks

will offer more than 60 hikes across 40 state parks. As in previous years, there are two types of hikes available: • Ranger-led hikes — Accompanied hikes that include interpretation by one or more park rangers, have specific start times, and often require advance registration.

• Self-guided hikes — Hikes available throughout the weekend, on well-marked trails. Park staff and volunteers may be available to help hikers get started but will not join them on the trail.

With nearly 50 ranger-led hikes and 15 self-guided hike options through the weekend, there is a wide variety of outdoor adventures and experiences for every level of hiker and walker throughout the state.

On the Eastern Shore, the release

said hikers can bring binoculars for a guided First Day Bird Walk or bring their own horse for a New Year’s Day Ride at Tuckahoe State Park; close out the first day of 2024 with a First Sunset Hike at Janes Island State Park; or gather up the whole family for the First Day Family Hike along the beach at Assateague State Park.

The hies across the state provide unique access to Maryland’s cultural, historic and natural resources and treasures, along with opportunities for education and stewardship, the release said. Many hikes are petfriendly and “I Hiked” stickers will be available at select locations while supplies last.

Along with scheduled hikes, all of Maryland’s state parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas will be open to all for trekking hundreds of miles of trails. Hikers should check the DNR website for information about public lands near them.

After taking part in a First Day Hike or visiting a state park, hikers are asked to complete an online survey, which can be accessed on the DNR’s website, to track their hikes and how many miles they covered.

FILL 302-537-4500 DrLoisJames.com 17 Atlantic Ave, Ste. 4 Route 26 • Ocean View (Next to Oceanova)

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PAGE 43

Ocean City Today

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

CHRISTMAS CRAFTING

Members of the Art League of Ocean City’s After School Art Club at Berlin Intermediate School, led by Joanne Guilfoil, recently created holiday ornaments. (Left) Carly Coldiron, Emmie Smith, Blake Richardson and Kaleb Gordon hold up finished ornaments. (Right) Emmie Smith cuts out shapes for her holiday ornament.

St. Paul’s invites all to come for Christmas dinner (Dec. 15, 2023) The 26th annual NOEL, or Nothing Other than Eating and Loving, Christmas Day Dinner, a feeding ministry of St. Paul’s by-theSea Episcopal Church, will return to its original mission of food and fellowship on Christmas Day. According to a news release, all are welcome to attend, regardless of whether they are hungry for food or companionship. The release said the dinner unites a diverse community – from those who are in need of a meal, to people without homes, to those who are simply alone on Christmas Day. This year, there will not be a need to distribute pantry items, toiletries, hats, gloves, scarves, etc., to those who attend the dinner. Instead, donated items are available regularly, four days a week, through the church’s food pantry, Shepherd’s Crook. Anyone can donate items that will be distributed to those in need throughout the year.

Organizers are, however, requesting help with the desserts and side dishes such as mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, or other special dishes. Those who wish to donate food are asked to let the organizers know in advance so they do not end up with too much of one item and not enough of another.

Food donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to noon, Dec. 23. Those who want to donate food or volunteer to set up the dinner on Dec. 23 are asked to call Jody Farley at 410-2893453 ext. 101 (accounting office extension).

The release said monetary donations are also welcome. Send donations to St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 302 N. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, and note NOEL on the checks.

SEALED BIDS BEING ACCEPTED

FOR CERTAIN MID-BEACH EQUIPMENT FRANCHISE PARCELS $500 Minimum Bid Requirement for each Parcel You are hereby notified that the Town of Ocean City Mayor and Council is now accepting sealed bids for four (4) beach equipment franchise parcels listed below. The successful bidders will contract with the Town to rent certain beach equipment in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Town Code, Chapter 39. Sealed bids are due to the Office of the City Clerk, 301 N. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland, 21842, by Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 4:30 PM. Parcels 63rd - 65th Streets 69th - 71st Streets 72nd - 74th Streets 75th - 78th Streets PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR SEALED BID SUBMITTAL: 1. Satisfactory proof of identity and legal age (i.e. a copy of your driver’s license or government-issued photo ID).

2. For each parcel, pay a non-refundable deposit of One Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00), or pay the entire non-refundable bid amount if it is less than $1,000. A cashier’s check or certified check payable to the Mayor and City Council will be accepted. PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. 3. A personal Credit Report.

4. A signed statement, included in the sealed bid packet, authorizing the Mayor and Council to make inquiry of personal background, financial and credit worthiness.

5. A brief plan of management clarifying if you will directly oversee the operation or, if not, how day-to-day operations will be handled; providing details of your experience with the beach equipment rental industry; and advising if you have obtained necessary equipment and boxes or of your arrangement to acquire necessary equipment.

IF APPROVED FOR AWARD: 6. You will be required to obtain comprehensive general liability insurance coverage and products liability insurance coverage in at least the amount of $1,000,000.00 combined single limit, which insurance coverage shall name the Mayor and City Council as an additional insured, and a certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage shall be furnished to the Mayor and City Council by the operator and be approved by Ocean City's City Clerk before contract endorsement.

7. A three-year contract (2024- 2026) for each parcel will be prepared for signature.

A sealed bid packet can be found at http://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/city-clerk/ or email dchavis@oceancitymd.gov to request the information. Please direct questions to 410-289-8842.

PAGE 44

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

GRANDPARENTS DAY

HANGING ORNAMENTS

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. Pictured, fifth grader Gavin Dennis stops for a photo with his grandparents, Shirley and Gary Hodges, and mother Heather Dennis, while walking through the Children’s Garden.

Pre-K-3 students at Ocean City Elementary pose with their teacher, Kara Casale, and ornaments they colored to hang on their classroom tree.

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

AUTHOR APPRECIATION Ocean City Elementary School kindergarteners Naisa Kc, Ryleigh Horn, Blakely Hemp and Makenna Whigham from Laura Black's class hold up book covers they created during the school’s recent lesson on author Mo Willems.

PAINTING TREES Sierra Zanoni puts finishing touches on a painting of trees that she completed as part of the after school art club at Berlin Intermediate School.

SUBMITTED/OCEAN CITY TODAY

WPS DONATIONS Worcester Prep upper and middle school students gathered to load toys collected by the student body to be donated to Worcester GOLD this holiday season. Pictured, front row from left, are Kaylin Zervakos, Rani Yonker, Head of Middle School Megan Wallace, Emery Hammonds, CJ Labin, Reed Corron, Will Schlesinger, Michael Hall, Kyler Phillips, Cooper Staples, Elliot Mason, Elena Kappes, Jack Tunnell, Estelle Damouni, Abby Ferguson and Isabella Forman. Back row from left, are Alex Gjoni, Artur Bogatyrev, Jack Adkins, Avi Bouzaglo, Jack Wells, Darren Lockard, Emma Nordstrom Lara Owens, Jackson Griffin, Kayley Adkins, Haven Harrison, Lily Mathews, Vincent Cappello, Head of School John McDonald and Head of Upper School Carol Evans.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 45

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS FIRST LADY CERTIFICATE Five Worcester County Garden Club members traveled to Annapolis recently and placed a holiday tree decorated with ornaments that members made during a workshop last year. After viewing the tree, the first lady presented a certificate of appreciation from the Office of the Governor to the club. Pictured, Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore presents a certificate to Worcester County Garden Club President Suzy Young as garden club members Jan King, Joanne Kirby, Mary Ellen Jefferson, and Pat Arata pose behind them.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

LEO CLUB Stephen Decatur High School Leo Club teacher advisors Brittany Tracy and Marie Stevenson visited the Ocean City Lions to share the volunteer activities of the club. The Lions presented a $1,500 check to support the Leo Club’s efforts to serve the community. Pictured, from left, are Tracy, Lion President Greg Cathell, Lions’ Leo representative Mike Hooper, Past District Gov. Norm Cathell and Stevenson.

PHOTO COURTESY JOE ANDRUCYK

TOYS FOR TOTS The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club recently donated $3,000 to Toys for Tots.

Picture, from left, Dena Holloway from Toys for Tots accepts the check from Christina DolomountBrown, of the Optimist Club.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID LANDIS SR.

GRINCH BREAKFAST Members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City recently made pancakes, sausage and scrambled eggs for attendees of the Ocean Pines Department of Parks and Recreation Breakfast with the Grinch event. Pictured, from left, at the breakfast are Kiwanis members Dave Landis, playing Buddy the Elf; Ed Ahlquist dressed as the Grinch.; Barbara Peletier and Mike Castoro.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

FOOD DRIVE

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

CHARITY CHECK From left, Coastal Hospice Director of Advancement Tammy Patrick, A Perfect Face Day Spa Owner Carol Withers, and Pam Stansell pose with a $3,507 check that the spa presented to Coastal Hospice on Giving Tuesday. The spa’s Pamper Yourself for Charity event raised a total $6,140 and the proceeds were split between Coastal Hospice-The Macky and Pam Stansell House and the American Cancer Society.

Nurse Professionals Home Care Owner Anita Battista and Registered Nurse Beckie Graham organize donations for this year’s annual food drive for Sarah’s Pantry in Ocean Pines. In February, the Ocean City organization will begin it’s 23rd year.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

PAGE 46

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

Letters to the editor Misrepresentations in US Wind reports Editor,

PHOTO COURTESY LEE WILKINSON

FLOATING ROOTS

A dead tree, dimly lit by the sun, is seen jutting out of a body of water near Ocean City in a picturesque, peaceful scene.

DOWNTOWN OC MULTI-UNIT PROPERTY • NO HOA OR CONDO FEES

OPEN HOUSE SA ATTT.., 10AM-NOON Downtown multi-unit pro operty y, NO HOA, large lot with elbow room, and garrage space! This property is zoned R-2 and offfers a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit on the upstairs, an effficie ency apartment with 1 full bath downstairs and amp ple garage/storage space on ground floorr.. The lot offfers 4,680 square feet with a large open grass sy area for your outdoor enjoyment, as well as futture addition of offff-street parking spaces, currently y the driveway allows for one car off-street. The structure dates back to 603 SAINT LOUIS AVENUE OCEAN CITY 1940, but it was extensive ely renovated in '98. Roof NEW ADJUSTED PRICE $599,9900 approx. 5 years old. Grea at location one block offf the beautiful bayfront Edgewater Av ve, and just 2 blocks offff the ocean. G Great opportunity to own your beach condo, space to store your toys, and have a unit to rent ou ut for income!

Lauren Bunting Broker Cell: 410.422.9899 lwbunting@comcast.net www.LaurenBunting.com

6200 Coastal Hwy S-101, Oceean City • Office: 410.524.6400

I find it interesting that following BOEM’s presentation of the environmental impacts of US Wind’s proposed power plant to be built a mere 8.5-14 miles off our coast, the media has failed to produce any in-depth reporting on this issue so vital to our community. Rather, publications have printed misrepresentations from US Wind’s Dave Wilson on page after page.

Has any reporter even tried to read the official review of the Draft Environmental Impact statement Ocean City produced? Our town painstakingly devoted time and resources to provide vital information to BOEM and its citizenry regarding this project. Our town enlisted experts in cultural and visual resources, underwater acoustic, economics, marine biology, marine mammals and ornithology to properly communicate the impacts of this project. One would think a newspaper would have been interested in researching and printing this information or, at the very least, using it to challenge Mr. Wilson’s assertions.

Maybe, if there was interest in the truth by our media, Mr. Wilson would have been questioned on his assertion the turbines would have aviation lights that only turn on a few hours a year. Maybe, we would know that technology has yet to be fully developed or approved by the FAA for this use and that actually those lights will blink 24/7, one minute on, one off, causing such massive light pollution every home in Ocean City would need blinders.

Perhaps, if this 39-page document

was more widely read, an investigative reporter would research the multitude of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) violations.

For example, one might recognize there are other areas more suitable to construction that would not destroy scallop beds or the vitally important Shuster Horseshoe Crab Reserve.

Maybe, just maybe, the readers of the local press, or the listeners of local television stations would know the importance of horseshoe crab blood in our medical industry and that it is sustainably harvested like human blood.

Sadly, instead, what we know is that Ørsted is now sponsoring WBOC’s West Ocean City Weather Cam and that short term monetary gains far outweigh any long-term outlook.

The states to the north and south of Maryland understand the absolute devastation to the ecosystems and economy if these power plants are allowed to be built. They are fighting hard in all aspects of media and courts. New Jersey has multiple active suites. CFACT is in the preliminary processes of filing lawsuits in Virginia and Virginia Beach has just denied Dominion the ability to land high voltage cables on its shores (Delaware should do the same). I understand battles are readied to defend Delaware as well.

The business and residents of Ocean City must show our town and its elected officials that we are appreciative of the efforts put forth to inform and fight for our coast, our town, our livelihoods. We must all flood the mayor’s office and City Council with our desire for them to join our fellow coastal states in an allout effort to save our shores.

Dianna Harris West Ocean City

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Past Presidents of the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club, from left, Jerry Selig and Charlie Smith, wait patiently for the buffet line to open at the club’s Christmas lunch on Dec. 9 at the Marlin Club.

Commentary

Ocean City Today Dec. 15, 2023

Page 47

Here’s good news for county schools The year-long Worcester County schools funding imbroglio notwithstanding, county government and school officials, as well as parents and other supporters of public education should take a minute to celebrate a couple of pieces of good news.

First, the state’s recent release of school funding projections for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education program shows that years of fretting over the liklihood that it would require massive increases in this county’s spending have proved pointless.

After successive boards of county commissioners ground their teeth to nubs over this supposedly unfunded mandate, it turns out that implementing the blueprint plan locally won’t cost Worcester County any more than it routinely spends.

Other counties aren’t as fortunate, but Worcester’s level of spending on schools already covers the requirements, according to state economic and financial analysts. That is certainly good news.

In the meantime, again despite arguments and recriminations arising out of the local school funding debate, the county’s public schools posted high scores on the state’s public school report card issued this week.

In the annual Maryland Report Card for the 2022-23 academic year released Wednesday, Worcester County’s eligible schools performed admirably, with 73 percent earning fourstar status, and the remaining receiving three stars.

All the county’s schools showed strong performance in “academic achievement indicators,” the board of education said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Also, according to the statement, only 37 percent of all public schools in Maryland earned a four- or five-star rating, which means that Worcester’s schools continue to belong to this state’s educational upper echelon.

While school funding discussions invariably involve formulas and projections that are incomprehensible to most people, this good news needs no explanation. The schools are continuing to do a good job despite everything that’s going on around them.

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

Let’s party ‘til 4 a.m.

Let’s see, China is sending devices into space that can turn off our electricity, climate change threatens to convert my house into a sailing vessel any day now, and let’s not forget the big climate pledge this week to cut deep into fossil fuel consumption by 2030, which means it won’t be long until I’ll be using rubber bands to propel my aging pickup.

So, I have been asking myself, is there any good news recently, any good news at all? Well, as it happens, yes there is, according to this very newspaper on page 39.

By According to “Notice to Stewart Holders of Class "B", "C" and Dobson "D’ Alcoholic Beverage Licenses Issued by Worcester County,” we can drink until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024, as patrons of any of these fine establishments.

This is fantastic news to people other than me who can do the dusk-to-dawn routine without suffering severe consequences.

The thing is these late night and early hours of the morning are when I rack up my usual 3.5 hours of sleep, which means 4 a.m. is like the middle of the day to me, and I only drink at that time on days that end in “y.” Just kidding.

The way I see it, being incoherent during the daylight hours is not recommended if you want to keep your job. This is not to mention wanting to avoid having someone point out the car window as you drive by “Ed’s Elder Care Emporium” and say, “Doesn’t that look like a nice place?”

The sad fact is I was never much good at partying until sunrise, despite having been

told that I tried valiantly to do so on one or more occasions. In fact, the last time I attempted to do anything of the sort was when I was at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant/bar called Mutts, near Secretary, Maryland.

Mutts, way back when, was a legendary establishment that catered to all sorts of people and activities, including the occasional “chicken fight” (AKA “shoulder wars”) on the dance floor. I’m not kidding about that.

In fact, I recall attempting to impress a southern belle-type date by taking her to Mutts one night, only to see on entry my otherwise well-behaved sister-in-law riding on my brother’s shoulders and yelling to several other similarly arranged couples, “Mess with me and you’re messing with dynamite!”

Suffice to say my date quickly realized that this was not exactly cotillion night at the country club and that any upgrade in that direction would be highly unlikely.

Exactly when or how she fled into the night, I could not say, but I do know that I woke up at the bar some hours later amidst a clutter of beer mugs, dishes, bowls, hair clips and other personal accessories, along with a door key and a note: “Turn off lights, lock doors and return key later. By the way, you had a great time!”

That was it, my one-time attempt to party until dawn, and I guess it worked out well, as I’m here to tell the tale, courtesy of Mutts’ owners who hid my car keys.

Just to be clear, though, it isn’t that I don’t want to do it again and go to 4 a.m. this New Year’s, especially considering that I could use a break from all our current bad news. It’s that I know my limitations. I also would just as soon not hear on my return, “To quote your sister-in-law ...”

PAGE 48

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Operation We Care, working with American Legion Post 166, recently rallied more than 50 volunteers to prepare 226 care packages for U.S. troops deployed overseas. Student volunteers from Stephen Decatur High School pose for a photo during the event.

Groups send holiday cheer to U.S. soldiers (Dec. 15, 2023) Operation We Care, working with American Legion Post 166, recently rallied more than 50 volunteers to prepare 226 care packages for U.S. troops deployed overseas.

According to a news release, the event, held at the American Legion Post in Ocean City on Dec. 10, included several members of the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors

and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation.

Memorial Foundation President and event chairperson Marie Gilmore said in the release that the care packages were filled with personal hygiene essentials, snacks, food items and messages from home for the holidays.

“The turnout was overwhelming and included members of our own

Ocean Pines Board of Directors, John Latham and Jeff Heavner,” Gilmore said. “I was very happy to have the support of our OPA Board members and I look forward to continuing this relationship between Ocean Pines and Post 166. It was a truly heartening show of support for our troops!”

Gilmore said Veterans Memorial Foundation Board members Sharyn

O’Hare, Ken Ingram and Kyle Hastings also helped pack boxes.

“Thank you to all who joined us,” Gilmore said. “Your support ensures that our deployed troops know they are remembered, appreciated and loved – especially during this holiday season.”

For more information on the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, visit alpost166.org.

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 49

OPA Board members John Latham, left, and Jeff Heavner pause for a photo while preparing packages.

Two volunteers pose with homemade cards and letters that will be sent to the troops stationed overseas.

Addison, left, and Delaney McDaniel, granddaughters of Operation We Care Co-Founder Marie Gilmore, stop fora photo while carrying packages.

Operation We Care Co-Founders, from left, Jeff and Diane Merritt, and Marie Gilmore pose for a photo during the event.

PAGE 50

Ocean City Today

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Local Marine Corps veterans gather to celebrate founding (Dec. 5, 2023) Around the world every year on Nov. 10, active duty Marines and members of Marine Corps veteran associations gather to celebrate the birthday of the founding of the Marine Corps.

Along with that tradition is another, serving the first slices of the birthday cake to the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance.

That tradition was upheld by the First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League when the group held its celebration at the Ocean Pines Yacht

Club. The cake was ceremonially presented and sliced with a sword. Then the first two slices were presented to 97-year-old local Marine Veteran Morris Semiatin, a WWII Purple Heart recipient, and to 18-year old PFC Jason Harney. Harney is temporarily assigned to the USMC Recruiting Station in Salisbury while waiting for a slot to open in a Marine Corp school.

For more information on the First State Detachment, visit firststatemarines.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

(Left) From left, Marine veterans Bob Broderick and Jim Wright, Marine Recruiter Mark Sanchez from Salisbury, and Marine veteran Don Coffin escort the birthday cake into the Marine Corps birthday ball last month at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. (Right) The first slice of the cake is presented to WWII veteran Morris Semiatin while PFC Jason Haney waits for his slice.

WORLD WAR II

First World War ll war crimes trial held in Kharkov, Ukraine

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) This week, 80 eighty years ago, the first war crimes’ trial of World War II was held in Kharkov — Kharkiv in Ukrainian — which was then a part of the Soviet Union.

The city is located less than 20 miles from the Russian border. It had been captured by the Sixth Army, commanded by Field Marshal Walter von Reichenau, on Oct. 24, 1941. At the beginning of the war, it was the largest city in the Ukraine, with a population of 901,000.

Its Freedom Square, formerly Dzerzhinsky Square, is the largest in the country. The square was named, in 1926, to honor “Iron” Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Bolshevik secret police. The name was changed to Freedom Square, upon Ukraine’s independence in 1991.

The famed Soviet T-34 tank had been designed and developed, and was being produced, at the Kharkov Tractor Factory — Factory # 183. It is now known as Malyshev Plant and, at least before the current war, produced the T-84 tank. Kharkov facto-

ries also produced aircraft, mortars, submachine guns and artillery tractors.

By the time Field Marshal von Reichenau’s Sixth Army had captured Kharkov in Oct. 1941, 320 trains had removed equipment from 70 major factories at Kharkov to locations east of the Ural Mountains. Factory # 183 was joined with one in Nizhny Tagil, 16 miles east of the Ural Mountains to form Uralskiy Tank Plant # 183, where more than 30,000 T-34s were produced.

The Voronezh Front (Army Group), led by Filipp Golikov, recaptured Kharkov on Feb. 16, 1943.

However, German Armeegruppe South, commanded by Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, retook the city less than a month later. Gen. Golikov’s Voronezh Front recaptured it once and for all on Aug. 23, 1943.

The accused were three Germans, all of whom had been captured when Gen. Golikov’s Voronezh Front recaptured the city on Aug.23, 1943: Abwehr Captain Wilhelm Langheld, of Frankfurt, who, at 52, was a WWI veteran, and member of the Nazi Continued on Page 51

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PAGE 51

Ocean City Today

WORLD WAR II Continued from Page 50 Party; Senior Lance Corporal Reinhard Retzlaff, of Berlin, 36, of the 560th Group of the Secret Field Police; SS Untersturmführer Hans Rietz, of Marienwerder, 24, assistant company commander, who was also a member of the Nazi Party and a lawyer; as well as Mikhail Petrovich Bulanov, 26, a Russian, from Dzhanibek, Kazahkstan, who had worked as a driver for the Kharkov Gestapo. The defendants were accused of violating both Soviet and International law.

It is estimated that the Germans murdered 30,000 Soviet citizens in Kharkov, two-thirds of whom were Jewish. However, the prosecution did not allege that the four defendants were responsible for all of those deaths, but rather were part of the organization that was responsible.

It was specifically alleged, inter alia, that: 1) Capt. Langheld fabricated cases against 100 innocent civilians and POWs, which led to their deaths; Corporal Retzlaff tortured 28 Soviet citizens in an attempt

OBITUARY PAUL K. JOHNSON SR. Ocean City Paul K. Johnson Sr., lovingly known by his grandchildren as “Mr. Wonderful”, age 93, of Ocean City, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at home.

He was born in Denton and was the son of the late Alex Samuel Johnson and Edith Hoffman Johnson.

Paul Johnson Sr. Paul retired from General Foods as a salesman. He was a member of St. Matthews by the Sea United Methodist Church in Fenwick Island.

He is survived by two sons, Paul K. Johnson Jr. and wife Janice of Blairsville, Georgia, and Duane R. Johnson and wife Patricia of Houston, Delaware; two daughters, Cheryl V. Johnson and husband Michael of York, Pennsylvania and Vicki L. Johnson of Ocean City; a brother, Luther Johnson; five grandsons, Paul Johnson III, Benjamin Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Christopher Johnson Jr. and Ryan Johnson; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty L. Johnson, in 2017.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 15, at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville, where a viewing will be held an hour before the service. Burial will be in Denton Cemetery in Denton, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Kidney Foundation at kidney.org Condolences may be sent by visiting bishophastingsfh.com.

to gain confessions, after which they were executed; SS Untersturmführer Rietz participated in the mass execution by shooting Soviet citizens; Bulanov drove the vans transporting Soviet citizens to be shot and participated in shooting 60 children.

The trial was held in the auditorium of the Kharkov Dramatic Theater before a military tribunal of officers from Gen. Fyodor Tolbukhin’s Fourth Ukrainian Front, consisting of Major General of Justice Andrei Nikolaevitch Miasnikov, presiding judge; Colonel of Justice Mikhail Aleksandrovich Kharchev; and Major of Justice S. Zapolski.

The prosecutor was Col.Nikolai Konstantinovich Dunaev. Defense counsel were appointed for the accused. They were N.B. Konnodod, C.K. Kaznacheyed, and Nikolai P. Belov. Daily accounts of the proceedings were broadcast in German, but were blocked in the Fatherland. The international press attended the trial.

As in most trials of that era in the Soviet Union, all four defendants “confessed.” However, they argued that they had “been following orders.” Following argument from the prosecutors and defense counsel, each defendant made a statement, after which the judges retired to deliberate. At 11:55 p.m. on Dec. 18, 1943, the judges delivered their unan-

imous verdict before a The condemned packed courtroom. were left hanging in the The defendants were square for three days. convicted, and senShortly after the tenced to hang at 11 trial, the Soviets puba.m. the next day in lished a book, in Engsnow-covered Dzlish, titled “The erzhinsky Square. The Peoples’s Verdict,” consentence was executed taining excerpts from before 40,000 people, the trial transcripts. on gallows of rough Seven months after the pine logs erected espetrial, Life Magazine cially for this event. published an article The condemned about the trial, with Mikhail Aleksandrovich were brought into Dzphotos. The following Kharchev erzhinsky Square, at year the Soviet govern11:15 a.m. in a van. Each was in full ment released a full-length documenuniform. The condemned were es- tary of the trial, which has been titled corted, one by one, out of the van and “We Accuse.” The Soviet newspaper, onto the back of a truck, and stood on Pravda, stated that, “The sword of the a stool, above which hung a noose.

Red Army and the armies of our AlThe sentence was read by Major lies are victoriously preceding the General of Justice Myasnikov over a sword of justice … The sword will not loud speaker. The Soviet soldiers put be sheathed until the leaders of the the nooses around the necks of the cursed Fascist band shall answer with condemned, and the drivers started their heads for their crimes against the trucks. Only Captain Langheld humanity.” did not need assistance, as the others Next week: Battle of the North collapsed, and had to be propped up. Cape The condemned were not blindMr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean folded. At the command, “Carry out City, Maryland, where he practices the sentence,” the trucks moved for- law representing those persons acward, leaving the condemned dan- cused of criminal and traffic ofgling at the end of the ropes. After fenses, and those persons who have two minutes, their legs ceased suffered a personal injury through twitching, and the crowd broke into no fault of their own. He can be cona cheer. tacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

$1,595.

Sports & Recreation

Ocean City Today Dec. 15, 2023

Page 52

www.oceancitytoday.com

Decatur wrestling season kicks off with win over SH

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) When it comes to wrestling reputations, Stephen Decatur High School has one of being tough to compete against, and a record book and hardware to prove it.

Last Friday night, on their home mat, the Stephen Decatur Seahawks devoured the Snow Hill Eagles 96-6, scoring in all weight classes but losing in one. There were four forfeits out of 14 classes made by Snow Hill. Junior Varsity was a close match, losing 39-41.

The Seahawks are on a mission to earn their fifth straight Maryland State Wrestling Championship. If early indications mean anything they’re well on their way. In addition to their successful varsity program, their junior varsity program is equally successful in its own right and serves as a feeder program to the varsity squad, and girls wrestle in the JV program.

“This is my 16th year here at Stephen Decatur. We have had girls wrestling in the junior varsity program for nine years,” said Seahawks assistant varsity head coach and junior varsity head coach Don Parana.

PHOTO BY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Stephen Decatur’s Amari Purnell fights to fend off a Snow Hill wrestler during last Friday’s match.

“In the beginning we’d have two or three girls. Now we get six or eight girls come out for wrestling. I have three girls returning this year and I’m taking them to the ‘Beast of the East,’ this weekend,” he boasted.

The “Beast of the East” is, and has been for many years, the largest and most prestigious mid-Atlantic boys and

girls wrestling tournament of the wrestling season. The tournament is held mid-December annually at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Delaware.

Seahawks wrestler Rachel Plata is one of three girls traveling to Newark with her coaches, Josh August and Parana. “I started wrestling last year as

a joke,” she said. “My cross-country coach, who’s also my wrestling coach, said he thought I might be good at it. As a joke I went to an open meet and to my surprise I enjoyed it. I’m going to work hard this year and hopefully win the state championship. I’m also going to the ‘Beast of the East’ this weekend. I’m a little nervous and excited about that.”

Seahawks girls b-ball team bounces back with Jags win

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) After suffering a pair of early losses on the road, Stephen Decatur’s Girls Varsity basketball team got its first win of the 2023 season in front of a home crowd that packed the gym last Tuesday night when they defanged the Washington Jaguars 47-10.

The Seahawks grabbed the early lead with a couple of unanswered goals and ran with it. When the first period bell rang, they were leading 15-2. Seahawks shooters kept pouring in baskets. Jozlyn Tyre was the game’s high scorer with 11-points followed by Alexis Berrie who contributed 10 points for the Seahawks.

The third highest with 9 points was Makenzie Purnell. Sadie Kauffman was the Seahawks forth highest scorer with 8-points.

“We practice hard like we play,” Kauffman said. “ We’ve been working hard even after two losses. It feels

nice to win, especially on our home court. We’re in the gym every day after school. We run a lot and do a lot of sprints…. My hope is to make the Bayside regionals this year.”

Her mother added, “This is her second year. Lacrosse is her sport, but she picked up a basketball last year and now she really loves it.”

By half-time, the Seahawks had built a commanding 33-3 advantage over the Jaguars.

The third and fourth quarters became a defensive game with only 7 points in each for the Seahawks’ successful romp. Also, contributing to the score were Lila Gunther(1), April Bondurant(4) and Lotus Wise(4), for a final score of 47-10.

“Today makes our record 1-2,” said Coach Britney Tracy. “This is my first year back after I took a three-year hiatus. I coached previously and now I’m back. Our goal is to continue growing on basics. This is a very, very young team, but this

PHOTO BY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Lila Gunther fends off defenders to shoot a basket during the fourth quarter

is a very passionate, very dedicated, team. Every day at practice we are improving and that’s showing in our

games. We’re here and we’re doing the best we can and we hope there will be more W’s coming.”

DECEMBER 15, 2023

PAGE 53

Ocean City Today

PHOTO COURTESY JACK BARNES

ANGLER WINNERS At their December meeting, members of the Ocean Pines Anglers Club recognized the winners of the 2023 Walt Boge Memorial Fishing Tournament. The winners, pictured with their respective fish categories from left, are Greg Donahue, Sea Trout and Spot; Lyal Davidson, Bluefish; Budd Heim, Flounder; Bob Woodward, Croaker; Doug Murphy, Sea Bass; and John McFalls and Walt Klein, who tied with John Jewer for Fresh Water Trout. Also not pictured, Jillian Donahue won the Striped Bass category.

GOLF TOURNAMENT WINNINGS From left, golfing foursome Gary Reinhold, Nick Schauman, Danny Batchelor and Tim Grothe are presented 50/50 winnings by Eagles Landing Golf Pro Danny Stearman from the Bill Thompson Clothing For Kids Golf Tournament.

SUBMITTED/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

SURF REPORT

‘Old-fashioned’ surfer movie event emits nostalgia in OC

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) Recently, an oldfashioned surf movie came to town, not oldfashioned in content but in the way it was presented.

In the past when a surf movie came to town it was quite an event and this movie was indeed quite an event. It was titled “Free Time” and featured pro surfer Cam Richards. Held at Barn 34, restaurant and bar, the upstairs second floor venue was a prime location for the showing, and held at an early evening hour, a bonus for the younger crew.

It was also a benefit fundraiser for Jason Dyer’s son Lucian. Jason had suddenly and unfortunately passed away a few weeks earlier and the feeling of the evening was one of the surf-

ing community coming together to support Jason’s son.

Cam Richards was present at the event as well as his father, Kelly Richards, who is quite the surfboard shaper and has been for roughly 30 years. On a very positive note, Kelly has shaped many of Cam’s boards.

Cam has also been riding some serious waves on, you guessed it, Kelly’s shapes Sounds like a great father-son relationship.

On a personal note I happened to run into Kelly, having known him for as long as he’s been shaping. We had a good conversation that afternoon, which was only hours away from the start of “the old-fashioned surf movie.” As was stated above, it’s referred to as old-fashioned due to the way that the surfing community came together, ironically at the location directly next door to Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop, which happens to be my shop!

Another irony was at hand regard-

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645 Trustee Randy Banbury and Susan Caldwell, PDDGER and esteemed leading knight, pose for a photo during the recent golf event. The tournament, held annually, raised over $9,000 this year.

ing this very newspaper. Assuming that this will be printed in Friday’s (Dec. 15) edition, last week’s edition produced quite a bit of action. Not only was there a full page ad, in color I might add, but a sizable article as well, regarding the movie and benefit fundraiser. From my viewpoint all of this is such a difference due to more modern social media, which for better or worse, is the way that most of us receive information. Surf movies, surf magazines, surf advertising, surf posters all seem to have gone the way of the internet and social media. Some

of the print media is still around, though not as predominant as it once was. Guess the major way is more internet friendly with podcasts, such as YouTube and Vimeo, etcetera.

So there you have it. A good number of people turned out to benefit and console Lucian, socialize and hopefully have some fun as well. It’s great to know that our community can come together especially in times of need.

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

PAGE 54

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

SUPER BLOWOUT SALE Lower Than Boat Show Pricing Kayaks Jet Skis Electric Motor Bikes

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10422 RACETRACK ROAD • BERLIN, MD 21811 • 443-513-4176

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

PAGE 55

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DECEMBER 15, 2023

Ocean City Today

AN OCEAN CITY TRADITION FOR OVER 60 YEARS

RES

ERV

NOW E !

Christmas Dinner

New Years Dinner

December 22nd - 25th

December 29 th - 31st

Appetizers

Appetizers

Manchego-Brussels Sprout Salad

Scallops & Bacon

arugula, shaved brussels, manchego cheese, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, white balsamic vinaigrette

pan seared scallops (3) on crispy braised pork belly with sriracha-honey, sweet soy reduction, crispy fried onion straws

Oven Roasted Oysters

Portobella Mushroom Carpaccio

Five local oysters wrapped with prosciutto, creamy spinach, and oven-dried tomato; oven roasted and topped with hollandaise sauce

lightly smoked and miso-marinated portobella cap, thinly sliced, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, topped with baby arugula, lemon vinaigrette, toasted pine nuts, yellow tomato jam

Entrees Prime Rib Au Jus 12oz Queen Cut 18oz King Cut slow roasted prime rib, served with broccoli, baked potato, and pan jus

Entrees Porchetta

* English cut available on request

house made, crispy skin porchetta, served with pan jus, sauteed broccoli rabe, ²

Pan Roasted Halibut

Bourbon Grilled Hanger Steak

served on spinach gnudi with our house roasted tomato sauce, sweet basil vinaigrette, and crispy fried leeks

marinated 8oz hanger steak, grilled to order with our cider bourbon glaze, served sliced with our twice fried garlic-parmesan steak fries, seared spinach and whiskey-pearl onion demi-glace

Dessert Warm Sticky Toffee Cake

± Q toffee crunch, salted caramel whipped cream

Ultimate Surf & Turf for Two the biggest and best of land and sea, our 48 oz bone-in tomahawk ribeye paired with our 18 oz colossal cold water lobster tail * Must reserve prior to 12/27

Dessert Raspberry Champagne Cake moist champagne cake, champagne buttercream, sugared raspberries, raspberry coulis

Dinners will sell out, we recommend booking early. Reservations can be made by phone or on our website. Please call for pricing and further details.

CA PTA I N STA B L E O C .CO M

|

410-289-7 192

@ captainstableoc