Bishopville representative shocks other members as she resigns after airing grievances with press, decisions, good ol’ boys network, spending and union. A year remains on her term. — Page 16
Council okays $5M police tech deal — PAGE 3
New short-term rental licenses stay on hold in R1, MH zoning districts. — PAGE 10
and petition promised
Opponents say they’ll force it to referendum like they did rental restrictions.— PAGE 12
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 5, 2025) City officials this week gave the go-ahead on a $4.9 million contract to modernize the Ocean City Police Department’s technology system.
On Monday, the City Council agreed to extend and modify the department’s current contract with Axon Enterprise. As proposed, the company will implement a five-year modernization program that incorporates updated equipment and new artificial intelligence technology, among other things.
“This is a total public safety approach within this package with Axon,” Police Chief Ray Austin told the council this week.
Austin said discussions with Axon began earlier this year, when the department began exploring equipment upgrades for both the interview rooms and the police vehicles. He noted that the current systems are failing, and that the department is now down to nine in-car cameras.
While an updated contract would include replacement systems for that equipment, he said the department worked with Axon to get lower pricing for other technological advancements, including new Tasers and the implementation of Fusus, a real-time crime center platform that makes camera feeds and body-worn camera footage accessible to the department.
“It would allow us to bring all City Watch cameras into the Axon ecosystem,” he said. “It’s intelligence sharing, real-time videos, and information sharing.”
The tech package would also include a drone detection program, which would be used to detect drones and guide officers to their operators, and artificial intelligence technology, which could analyze video, write reports, translate, and more. Axon’s Andrew Malherek noted that a trial run of the AI technology showed an increase in time savings amongst officers who participated.
“Not only is it efficient, but it’s also getting officers back on the road quicker to do what they want to be doing,” he said, “which is being on the road and protecting the city.”
For his part, Austin said he was seeking the council’s approval to consolidate existing contracts and technology systems into a single integrated platform offered by Axon. While the package is priced at $4,907,717, he said the technology would be used by other departments – including the fire marshal’s office and emergency services – and would be spread out over five years.
However, some council members said they were surprised to find a $5 million budget item in this week’s agenda packet. While he reiterated his support for public safety, Councilman John Gehrig said he believed the request should’ve first been made at a work session.
“This kind of came out of the blue,” he said. “It wasn't in the budget.”
Council Secretary Tony DeLuca agreed.
“This is a $5 million surprise,” he said.
City Manager Terry McGean said the city’s current contract with Axon totaled $431,000 a year and ends on July 1, 2027. Under the new contract, he said, the city would pay $479,221 upfront for capital equipment costs, and $885,701 every year after until the contract expires in February of 2031.
However, he said that annual price would increase to $1 million if the council waited for the current contract to expire in 2027. He said that wouldn’t include the detection drone program or the artificial intelligence technology.
“If we wait and let this contract run out and don't renew until it ends and purchase everything except for the AI reporting and the d-drones – those are the optional things that are in this contract –if we did that, the price is estimated to go up in FY28 to $1,054,243,” he told the council. “So the bottom line here is the cost difference between doing what’s being proposed today and what we would do if we waited is about $260,000 more.”
Councilwoman Carol Proctor argued that the new contract would save the city money over time. She added that it also included extra technology that the city did not receive in its current contract.
“In this new contract here, it’s $885,000 per year,” she said. “To me, it’s a cost savings, and we’re getting additional technology.”
Gehrig said he still had questions about the contract. He said he wanted to know what the city’s options were, and if they were getting the best deal.
“I’m not saying I’m opposed to this either,” he said. “It’s just that very rarely –and it’s usually public safety – that we come in with these surprise, big, gigantic numbers. And we always lean back to ‘well, I support public safety.’ We all support public safety. Asking questions doesn’t mean I don’t support public safety.”
When asked about the “need to haves” and “want to haves,” Austin acknowledged that some of the items included in the contract were wants. However, he said the department worked with the city manager to trim the contract from its initial $7 million price tag. That included eliminating a Drone
First Responder program.
When staff noted that the price of the new contract was good until the end of the month, the council voted 6-0, with Council President Matt James absent, to extend and modify the city’s contract with Axon.
As presented, the tech package includes extended warranties, training, service coverage and technological refreshes throughout the five-year contract, which starts March 1, 2026 and ends Feb. 28, 2031.
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By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 5, 2025) The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is seeking public comments on a plan to improve safety along Coastal Highway.
On Monday, Dec. 8, SHA representatives will hold a public workshop at the Ocean City convention center to present proposed improvements for pedestrian and bicycle safety on Coastal Highway between 15th and 67th streets. The presentation will also include a proposal to convert the Coastal Highway bus lane into a dedicated bike lane.
“The workshop will provide attendees an opportunity to view project details on maps and displays …,” a
notice from SHA reads. “At the workshop, State Highway Administration representatives will be available to listen to your feedback and answer project-related questions. This information is important and may be taken into consideration to advance and improve project development.”
At the agency’s last informational workshop in January, SHA representatives gathered opinions from residents and stakeholders on pedestrian and bicycle safety needs along the Coastal Highway corridor. Those comments were then used to create concepts that include upgrades that support safe pedestrian and bicycle movement, speed limit reductions and more.
At a follow-up workshop sched-
uled for next Monday, officials will be available to discuss details of those concept proposals. While no formal presentation will be made, attendees can arrive at any time during the workshop to view displays, ask ques-
tions and provide feedback.
SHA reported last month that the December workshop will also include a proposal to repurpose the city’s shared bus and bike lane. While the agency denied a Public Information Act request by this newspaper to review details of the project, officials report the bus lane could be converted into a dedicated bike-use lane, pushing buses out into the slow lane of Coastal Highway.
“The project is currently in the design phase, and the proposal is not yet publicly available,” an agency response from October reads.
Improvements along Coastal Highway are part of the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP), which identifies and prioritizes corridors for pedestrian and bicycle safety projects. The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan also is a key component of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Complete Streets Policy, which prioritizes safe, reliable, equitable and sustainable travel across all modes to make roads safer and connect Marylanders to jobs, education and economic opportunity.
For additional information on the corridor project, visit the Project Portal page on SHA’s website. Questions about the workshop or general inquiries may be directed to Project Manager Lindsay Bobian at Lbobian@mdot.maryland.gov or Community Relations Manager Holly Pearl at HPearl@mdot.maryland.gov.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 5, 2025) A moratorium that has halted the issuance of new shortterm rental licenses in two residential zoning districts will continue for another year.
With an 11-month moratorium set to expire on Jan. 3, the majority of the Ocean City Council on Monday agreed that another year was needed to find some middle ground in regulating short-term rentals located in R-1 residential and MH mobile home districts.
The decision followed nearly two hours of public testimony, which pitted residents who want to maintain the integrity of their neighborhoods against those who want the opportunity to own and rent out homes located in them.
“I think we made the right next step, extending the moratorium …,” Council Secretary Tony DeLuca said at the close of this week’s meeting. “I’m an optimist, I feel confident that we're going to come to a consensus sooner. We're going to have a meeting of the minds, and we're going to do something before the date that we just set in January.”
The second reading to extend the moratorium comes less than a week after the council directed staff to come back with potential ordinances that could reduce vacation rental turnover in single-family neighborhoods, limit the number of vacation rentals in single-family neighborhoods, and reduce the impacts that they may have on single-family neighborhoods.
In a 4-2 vote, with Councilman John Gehrig and Councilwoman Carol Proctor opposed, and Council President Matt James absent, a council majority this week made it clear they desired more time to find a solution.
“This is kind of an evolving process,” Councilman Will Savage said.
Savage noted that at last week’s meeting of the City Council, members agreed to hold work sessions on several proposed ordinances for vacation rentals in R-1 and MH communities. Those included limiting rentals to one per week, capping or phasing out short-term rental licenses, and changing requirements for local agents listed on rental license applications.
Those in support of the extension also argued the city needed more time to evaluate the results of the city’s new rental inspection program and to update the city’s comprehensive plan, a document that outlines Ocean City’s vision for future growth and development. They also shared concerns that lifting the moratorium now could create a run on rental license applications.
“I certainly support the moratorium because with one work session, one mayor and City Council meeting left [this year], we have a lot to discuss,” Savage said.
Proctor, however, noted that the council had made strides in enacting rental regulations since the moratorium took effect in February. That, coupled by the results of a recent referendum on length-of-stay restrictions, were enough to put the matter to bed, she argued.
“I don't know why we're here and what we feel that we're going to accomplish in the next year that we couldn't accomplish over the last eight months,” she said. “You are playing with people’s property rights, you are playing with people’s lives, all to accomplish eliminating and banning rentals in R-1s, which they’ve been trying to do since 2014.”
Proctor also pointed to existing
Second referendum effort in works following council vote to extend STR pause
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 5, 2025) The same group of property owners who successfully petitioned a short-term rental restriction to referendum earlier this year have vowed to do the same with a moratorium that council members voted to extend this week.
On Monday, following a vote of the Ocean City Council to extend a moratorium on the issuance of new shortterm rental licenses in R-1 residential and MH mobile home districts, those opposing the council’s actions declared their intent to file a petition with the city clerk.
Little Salisbury resident Terry Miller, who led a referendum effort earlier this year to vote down lengthof-stay restrictions for vacation rentals in those same two districts, said she and fellow property owners will now be working through the winter months to collect enough signatures to bring the matter to a referendum.
“We have a big hurdle to climb yet again, but I’m very hopeful that we’ll be successful,” she said in an interview following Monday’s council meeting. “And I’m hoping they see that people don’t want this, and it’s not what we need. Let’s all work together.”
In February, city leaders agreed to a 11-month moratorium, halting city staff from issuing new short-term rental licenses to properties located in
the R-1 and MH districts. From the outset, they said the temporary pause would give them more time to evaluate the effectiveness of new shortterm rental regulations.
However, when the moratorium was revisited this fall, a council majority expressed their desires to extend it another year. They argued more time was needed to find a solution for regulating short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods.
An ordinance extending the moratorium to Jan. 3, 2027 was adopted in a 4-2 vote this week, with Councilman John Gehrig and Councilwoman Carol Proctor opposed, and Council President Matt James absent.
Prior to the vote, and in the hours that immediately followed, Proctor, Miller and other community mem-
Continued from Page 10
data, which showed the small number of disorderly behavior calls, noise complaints and ordinance violations involving vacation rentals located in the two zoning districts. She questioned what problem the City Council was trying to solve.
“This is basically taking people’s property rights away, and we're just saying we’re going to extend it until 2027,” she said. “What’s going to happen in December of [2026]? The council is going to say we didn’t accomplish what we were going to accomplish so now we’re going to extend it again. A moratorium is temporary in nature. The data does not support it. I don't even know what the problem is here.”
For his part, Gehrig said that if the city had a blank slate, it would not allow rentals in single-family neighborhoods, which he said attracted year-round residents to Ocean City. However, with the introduction of online rental platforms and the evolution of rental operations, he said officials are now forced to find a solution that works for those both for and against rental restrictions.
“Getting people to move in town and then having hotels – big homes that are basically hotels – right next door to them, those two things do not jive,” he said. “So what's happening is I think we've gone almost backwards. It felt like we were kind of having a meeting of the minds. It seems like we're back to unrestricted rentals versus ban rentals, and neither of those two things, I believe, are viable.”
Gehrig noted that council members last week began the process of exploring additional regulations. While he shared his opposition to extending the moratorium another year, he said he would support an extension through April 30, 2026.
“I do think by then we will have a strong solution that will not need to go to referendum because we will all be at least somewhat satisfied,” he said.
However, after a back-and-forth discussion between Proctor and Gehrig, the council voted to extend the moratorium another year. Those in support said the council would set a goal of finding a solution sooner rather than later.
“In my opinion we need more time,” Savage said. “And if we do get this done by April 30, or Sept. 13, or whatever the date may be, we can roll back the moratorium.”
Prior to the vote, and in the hours that followed, those opposing the moratorium extension vowed to petition the council’s decision. If successful, the issue would head to a referendum.
“The people, they have spoken, and they're going to speak again,” Proctor said.
Continued from Page 12
bers made it clear that residents would challenge the council’s decision, just like they had done so with length-of-stay restrictions earlier this year.
“I went and talked to residents last weekend, and they were really stunned that this is still going on,” Miller said following Monday’s meeting. “They thought we voted on this. Yes, this was technically a separate ordinance, but it is a ban on short-term rentals in these neighborhoods. What we've seen from the last year with the loss of rentals we had, this will kill short-term rentals. They are saying it’s temporary. Well, it doesn’t appear that way.”
The ordinance passed this week does not affect existing short-term rentals in the R-1 and MH zones, and they will be allowed to continue to operate as usual. Altogether, Ocean City has some 9,000 rental licenses, roughly 330 of which are in the zones affected by the moratorium. The rest remain unrestricted.
Nevertheless, Miller said she was disappointed in the council’s decision, arguing that city leaders have had eight months to find a solution. However, she said she is ready for another fight.
“It will be even more challenging, because we have a lot of snowbirds that have already left,” she said of the petition effort. “It will be a big challenge, but from talking to people, this isn’t what they want. So I’m very hopeful that we will win, but I was hopeful tonight that they would do the right thing. I don’t think they did. I think putting the town through this again is a mistake.”
Once the city solicitor accepts the petition, Miller’s group would have 40 days to collect signatures from 40% of the number of voters in the last general election. As 2,476 people voted last fall, Miller said they will need to collect at least 990 valid signatures.
“I’m hopeful we will get through this petition process, and we will be successful,” she said. “I hope that will put an end to it.”
High quarterly bills hit as Worcester seeks to cover water, sewer operations
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) Public water and sewer customers this week vented their frustrations to the Worcester County Commissioners over higher quarterly bills, with some alleging that they had no notice of the recently implemented rate hikes.
Newark resident Susan Age was among a handful of complainants at Tuesday’s meeting, telling the commissioners that her third-quarter bill went up 400%. With her home and another empty lot she owns, “I’m paying $697 a quarter for nothing.”
“We don’t have million-dollar homes,” she said. “Our system is old, our growth is limited, and we can’t carry on this very expensive water and sewer.”
Even with across-the-board rate increases taking effect this fall, Worcester County’s water and sewer districts will still see a collective $1.38 million revenue shortfall for fiscal year 2026, county officials said this week.
rates are tiered: $5 per 1,000 gallons used, then $15 for usage that exceeds 22,500 gallons, for both domestic and commercial customers.
Sewerage access is also gauged by how many “equivalent dwelling units,” or EDUs, a customer owns; for developers, EDUs are a coin-of-therealm commodity. The county’s rate hikes now include new “accessibility” fees for property owners and developers who are sitting on unused EDUs.
“They’re going to benefit from a system, and they should pay some cost to keep it up and running and efficient,” Dittrich noted.
While most bills went out the week of Oct. 6, customers in the West Ocean City and Mystic Harbor service areas only just got their bills on Nov. 28 due to a “complication in the system” in rate adjustments, Dittrich also said. Bills for Ocean Pines went out late for the same reason, he added.
‘Our bill starts at $4,900 per quarter before we use a single drop of water in the building.
The commissioners budgeted $1.13 million from the general fund to cover most of the deficit for this fiscal year. The Edgewater Acres area will get a $140,000 loan and the West Ocean City area has adequate reserves to cover its deficit, according to Enterprise Fund Controller Quinn Dittrich.
My projected annual water bill is now close to $32,000.’
One customer who hasn’t yet received his bill is Joe Gahm, who lives in the Ocean Reef enclave off Route 611. He told commissioners he was “irate,” not only that his third-quarter charges would double, but that the county hadn’t warned customers directly of a pending rate hike.
Gray Reeves
Water and sewer rates had not been increased in a dozen years for each of the county’s 11 sewer districts, which are meant to be self-sustaining and supported by customer revenue. But, last year, county officials learned that seven of those districts had gone into the red, mostly because they simply didn’t have enough customers to cover costs.
Systemic maintenance was underfunded for many years, leading to critical infrastructure going without timely repairs or replacement. It’s created a “significant backlog” of deferred maintenance needs. One sewage tank at the Ocean Pines plant, for instance, had not been cleaned in 20 years, Public Works Director Dallas Baker said.
Ultimately, after months of brainstorming, the county decided to raise enterprise fund rates to cover the revenue shortfall.
Last year’s domestic water rate was $1.60 per 1,000 gallons, which rose to $3.60 if customers exceeded 10,000 gallons per quarter. Now, the new
“I have two old people live in a house on a little postage stamp,” Gahm said. “I checked my usage – I’m 220 gallons higher this year. I can’t believe it. I don’t understand this at all and I’m very upset about it. I guarantee you, our community’s going to be very upset when they get the bills.”
Gahm also accused the commissioners of purposefully keeping the rate hike from customers.
“There’s no way that you couldn’t put a notice with our bill, coming in before the third quarter, knowing that the price was going up?” he added. “You absolutely knew that. That was a purposefully done thing by you guys, to say, ‘we don’t want to tell them because they’ll be upset.’”
Commissioner Chip Bertino recognized that rate increases should have been better advertised.
“We did a lousy job with that,” said Bertino (District 5, Ocean Pines). “We should have definitely had a much more robust public relations and informational aspect to this. It may have cleared up some of the concerns ahead of time.”
Commissioner Eric Fiori said moving forward, the county must find ways to stabilize the water-sewer system while eyeing a long-term goal of integrating all sewer districts into a unified infrastructure network. Years
of ignored maintenance are now “biting us in the rear end,” he said.
“Unfortunately, those numbers don't lie,” Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City) said after the meeting. “We cannot continuously lose money. We gotta stabilize, but at the same time, we have to be innovative.”
Immediate savings will be realized, Fiori said, with the formerly offline Riddle Farm plant coming back online. This will save the county up to $700,000 in pumping and hauling fees from trucking effluent to the Ocean Pines plant for treatment.
Other short-term cost savings will be realized after the county connects sewer flow from the Mystic Harbour, Landings, and Assateague Pointe districts to Ocean City’s wastewater treatment plant, a deal struck last month between city and county leaders, Fiori added.
“Although this is really painful –nobody wants to raise rates – we have to stabilize this and find ways to improve and find ways to make our operational costs lower. In the future, the goal is that we can lower these bills again. But if we just keep taking loans and don't fix the problem, that's never going to happen,” he said.
Another water customer who shared his concerns with the commissioners happened to be an Ocean Pines restaurateur behind a publicity
stunt that caused a stir online.
Gray Reeves, owner of Southgate Grill in Ocean Pines, generated local buzz after posting to social media his plans to start charging customers $2 apiece for water instead of offering it for free, the result of facing down a $10,700 quarterly water bill – as much as he typically pays in a year for water. The Nov. 6 Facebook post was seen by 110,000 people, he said, with most commenters supporting him. He did sell 60 waters in two days before going back to free water. Then, as an apology, he offered a free beverage of choice to those expressing umbrage to the stunt.
“We’re not arguing the usage. We’re arguing the new rates,” Reeves told OC Today-Dispatch after the meeting. “Our bill starts at $4,900 per quarter before we use a single drop of water in the building. My projected annual water bill is now close to $32,000.”
Reeves said being saddled with a water bill that’s now 10% of the restaurant’s $200,000 annual revenue cuts into his capital improvement and charitable giving budgets.
He also admitted to trolling a bit on social media to make his point.
“I found, unfortunately, the best way to get information out is to have people riled up or instigate a little bit,” he said.
effective immediately, she will be stepping down from her seat as the board’s representative for District 6.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) With a year left in her four-year term, Worcester County Board of Education member Katie Addis unexpectedly resigned from her seat on the school system’s governing body Tuesday evening, citing frustrations with local media, the administration, the teachers' association, and "exorbitant" educational spending.
At the end of the school board’s public budget input meeting, Addis expressed her concerns with the state of the education system, concluding her remarks by announcing that,
Addis was elected to the board in November 2022 to serve a four-year term and was officially sworn into office on Jan. 23, 2o23. At the time of her resignation this week, she will have completed just three years of that commitment.
During her remarks on Tuesday, Addis said she campaigned to “try and evoke change for the greater good of Worcester County.” She added that she hoped that her own kids would one day be enrolled in Worcester County Public Schools, but, citing concerns with the direction of the academic system, no longer believes this would be in their best interest.
“I wanted my children to eventually go to school here,” she said. “After
sitting on the board for three years, I’ve come to realize that this won’t be possible. Our public school system has many desirable programs that meet the needs of many children, but they still do not meet the needs of my children and many others in this county.”
Addis said some of her frustrations were with the local media’s coverage of educational matters.
“Worcester County journalism is very much a part of the good ol’ boys’ network,” she said.
She also said that she believes the schools continue to overspend and criticized their quest to build “Taj Mahal schools that cost the taxpayers exorbitant amounts of money,” rather than construct more modest facilities, “so our tax money can go to funding students in the classroom instead.”
Last year, via an agreement between the county commissioners, the school board, and the state’s Interagency Commission on School Construction, the deteriorating and outdated Buckingham Elementary School will be rebuilt at a construction budget of $73.7 million. The state will provide $25.8 million, and the local share will be $47.9 million. The facility will not exceed 90,837 square feet.
Addis’s financial gripes extended beyond building replacements. She argued that the maintenance of effort (MOE) funding formula, which is the minimum amount of money a local government is allowed to provide per state law, is a “fully funded budget,” despite concerns from school leaders that MOE leads to gaps in the ability to provide adequate instruction to students.
MOE stipulates that the minimum a county can do in terms of school funding is to maintain the same level of spending per pupil from one year to the next.
MOE was used to fund the school system’s budget in fiscal years 20232024. This decision by the county commissioners in 2023 left the school board with a $4.5 million shortfall, WCPS said at the time.
For FY26, the county approved $113.8 million for the board of education, about $7.5 million more than the previous year, but short of WCPS’s $115 million request.
“Every year, indoctrination campaigns take place to make the public believe the board of education is not fully funded,” Addis said. “This is grossly false and dangerously inaccurate. A maintenance of effort budget is a fully funded budget. Anything over maintenance of effort is a fully funded budget and then some.”
Board member Jon Andes touched on funding following Addis’ announcement, noting that local dollars are vital to maintaining WCPS’ status as a top-performing district.
The former superintendent of schools for Worcester County said he had been involved in developing 21 school budgets during his
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and was well aware of its unusual funding situation.
“Worcester County Public Schools…under the state aid formula, we receive the lowest amount of aid per pupil in the state,” he said. “That’s because it's a wealth-based formula. Because there’s a wealth-based formula, Worcester County is considered to be the wealthiest county in the State of Maryland.
“We all know that’s not true,” he continued. “Over the years, we have tried to convince the state that the formula is wrong…We have been very fortunate over the years that our county government has been supportive, and we thank them for their support.”
He added that county funding has enabled the school system to acquire and retain the tools to push students to score high on state assessments.
“In terms of the support that they give, we provide a high-quality educational program to our students,” Andes said. “We’re number one in the state in math. We’re number one in the state in reading. Stephen Decatur Middle School is the number one math school in the State of Maryland. Ocean City Elementary School is the number one elementary school in the State of Maryland, according to U.S.
News & World Report. As a result of that investment, we have a return on that investment that makes a difference for each and every student each and every day.”
But budgeting was not the only target on Addis’s list of grievances, as she also called out the Worcester County Teachers Association (WCTA), saying that the union is not an educator’s “sole path to advocacy or safety.”
WCPS Superintendent Annette Wallace told Addis that she has appreciated their work together over the past few years, and that while they don’t always agree, they have remained gracious.
and that more information in that regard will be forthcoming.
“As election season approaches, remember: a candidate without the backing of WCTA is not a candidate without the backing of Worcester County’s dedicated teachers,” she said. “The red apple endorsement reflects only a small portion of the incredible educators and staff who serve our students every day.”
‘I found a place where I was not welcome in many ways and certainly not celebrated as I spread the word of God and His truths.’
Katie
Addis
Addis’s resignation announcement, which drew applause from supporters in the audience, stunned board members who never saw it coming.
Andes thanked the former District 6 representative for her service, noting that he was “shocked” and “speechless” by her decision to step down.
In a statement to OC Today-Dispatch, Todd Ferrante, board president, said, "As board president, I disagree with some, if not all of what [Addis] had to say Tuesday night. It's important for us as a board to have discussions and to see different viewpoints and perspectives on matters before us. I didn't have a problem with Katie disagreeing on issues before us, and I was always courteous to her because she came to work, did her homework, and spoke her mind. I respected her for that, but I did disagree with many positions and opinions she has of our school system."
The Worcester County Board of Education consists of seven representatives who serve four-year, staggered terms.
A press release from the school system indicated that vacancies, like the one left by Addis’s resignation, are filled by the county commissioners
A similar vacancy was created in the summer of 2021, when school board president Eric Cropper passed away unexpectedly. At that time, the commissioners appointed Nate Passwaters to fill the District 6 seat until the next election. Passwaters officially ran for the position in 2022 but lost to Addis.
Addis, who also serves as a director on Seaside Christian Academy’s board, concluded her resignation announcement this week, articulating her ongoing commitment to Worcester County.
“The Board of Education has been my mission field,” she said. “I found a place where I was not welcome in many ways and certainly not celebrated as I spread the word of God and His truths. I continue to stand behind those truths, and I pray our community will find its voice to stand behind those truths as well for the safety, security, and prosperity of this generation of children and the next generation to come. I am honored to have helped so many teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members during my time on this board…The work doesn't end here, and neither does my commitment to this community.”
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School system blasted in resignation speech for not firing teacher for comment
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) In her resignation announcement this week, Worcester County Board of Education member Katie Addis called out the school system on its decision to retain a teacher who posted a vitriolic message on social media about Charlie Kirk, the assassinated conservative political organizer, and his supporters.
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, at a public budget input meeting of the Worcester County Board of Education, Addis unexpectedly stepped down from her post as the body’s District 6 representative, a year before her term was up. Addis cited concerns about the direction the school system was headed, including unnecessary spending. She also blasted Worcester County Public Schools for opting to keep a teacher at Worcester Technical High School who wrote a hateful message on social media.
The educator’s post was in response to the controversy following recent acts of political violence.
In September, Kirk, a popular politically conservative figure and advocate for President Donald Trump, was
assassinated at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event. TPUSA is a right-leaning organization that promotes its ideals and invites open debate, typically on college campuses. Kirk, the founder of TPUSA, was shot and killed while speaking with an attendee as part of his ‘Prove Me Wrong’ segment.
In the weeks after Kirk’s death, TPUSA received an increase in requests from high schools and colleges looking to create their own chapters. One of those groups made its way to Stephen Decatur High School.
Also around that time, as the creation of the new SDHS TPUSA club got underway, William Severn, a biomedical science teacher at Worcester Tech, wrote on social media, “Let’s not complicate this. Kirk Supported Trump. Trump is a pedophile. Pedophiles deserve death. Pedophile supporters deserve the same.”
Severn was put on administrative leave for his comment. Ultimately, however, the teacher was not terminated and remains employed by WCPS. Addis called out that decision during her remarks announcing her resignation this week.
“Many of the aspirations I had as a board member, aspirations I campaigned on and that my constituency supported, were not supported by my fellow board members,” she said.
“While we do not live in a democracy but rather a constitutional republic, our board is structured to reflect democratic principles of shared responsibility and majority rule. Nothing I do here will change the destructive culture of this school system. We have a teacher who implied he wanted students dead. Instead of firing him, our superintendent rewarded him with a paid vacation — I mean, administrative leave.”
School officials have said that a TPUSA chapter, which is not schoolsanctioned, is allowed at Decatur during out-of-school time, provided it meets specific criteria.
For instance, Carrie Sterrs, WCPS’s coordinator for public relations and special programs, said earlier this fall that “requests to form the clubs must come from interested students, not outside organizations or adults,” and
“the purpose and activities of the club should reflect the students’ genuine interests.”
Still, the organization drew controversy, with many arguing over whether students should be allowed to form a group with a strong political affiliation. That tension was illustrated in Severn’s social media message.
Worcester County Board of Education President Todd Ferrante declined to comment specifically on the post because it’s a personnel matter, but he acknowledged the board has learned from the situation.
“Because social media has changed so much, the board is looking to strengthen our social media policy, so everyone knows what’s acceptable and what’s not,” he said. “I think we have learned through this situation we need a better social media policy that’s consistent with today’s times.”
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 5, 2025) A charter change will mirror a recent increase in Ocean City’s municipal fines and penalties.
ple, violations of the city’s code involving the outdoor display of merchandise on the Boardwalk would result in an initial fine of $1,000 (an increase from $500).
Following a public hearing Monday, the City Council voted to amend the city’s charter to reflect a hike in fines and penalties for municipal infractions and misdemeanors. Officials say the amendment will allow the city charter to mirror a recent change to the city code.
“The charter amendment is a companion to an ordinance that was presented at two different work sessions all through the fall, and then passed at second reading earlier this fall,”
City Solicitor Heather Stansbury explained. “And what it is, is just making our code consistent with state law.”
Only on the second violation would the fine increase to the maximum $5,000. Any further violations result in the suspension or revocation of a business license. In another example, violations involving electric personal assistive mobility device rentals would result in a civil fine, which would increase from $500 to $1,000.
After the council voted last month to adopt the increases, officials agreed to hold a public hearing on a proposed charter amendment, which would allow the city to change the listed fines and penalties. During Monday’s hearing, resident Terry Miller told council members she believed the increased penalties were excessive.
In early November, the council voted to increase fine amounts up to $5,000. The change follows the passage of a recent state law, which gives local governments the opportunity to increase the maximum penalties for violations of municipal laws from $1,000 to $5,000.
Additionally – not as a result of that particular legislation – local governments were recently given the right to increase the period of imprisonment for misdemeanors to six months.
With two changes at the state level, staff came before the City Council this fall with a request to increase most fines and penalties to align with state law.
However, as a result of discussions with various department heads, not all fines and penalties were increased to the maximum amount. For exam-
“Studies have shown that 40% of Americans can’t come up with $400 for an emergency. So $5,000 because of a misdemeanor is very excessive, and I think it’s unnecessary, and $1,000 is more than enough. And six months in jail could be a little excessive when we have true criminals that don’t spend that much time in jail.”
Stansbury responded by clarifying that the change allowed the city to increase their penalties “up to” $5,000 and six months’ imprisonment. She said the Ocean City Police Department had the discretion in assessing those fines and penalties.
“These are not in any way mandatory minimums,” she said. “These are absolute maximums.”
The charter amendment passed in a 6-0 vote, with Council President Matt James absent.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 5, 2025) Worcester County will receive 170,000 gallons of additional capacity at the Ocean City wastewater treatment plant following the City Council’s adoption of an ordinance Monday.
In a unanimous vote, the council passed the second reading of an ordinance to amend the city’s sewerage agreement with Worcester County and increase its allocated capacity to West Ocean City by 170,000 gallons per day.
The change would benefit two county sewer districts – the Assateague Point and Landings communities –that are experiencing wastewater treatment issues.
The adoption of the ordinance reflects a quid pro quo deal with the Worcester County Commissioners, which agreed to support Ocean City’s requested room tax increase in exchange for additional sewer capacity.
An emergency resolution passed by the commissioners earlier this month stated the county would impose the increase so long as the city did two things – amend a memorandum of understanding for spray irrigation at Eagle’s Landing Golf Course (allowing treated effluent during maintenance and emergency situations to be directed from the Mystic Harbour San-
itary Service Area), and change the Sewerage Treatment Facilities Transfer Agreement to increase allocated sewer capacity to West Ocean City by 170,000 gallons a day.
The council voted 6-0, with Council President Matt James absent, to do just that this week. In her presentation to the council, City Solicitor Heather Stansbury noted the changes reflected the county’s requests.
“This is to increase the allocated capacity by 170,000 GPDs as discussed at the September 30 work session …,” she said. “Included in this agenda item is the amendment to the Eagle’s Landing Golf Course spray irrigation memorandum of understanding that was addressed by the city manager on November 17.”
This week’s amendment comes two months after county staff came before the City Council requesting additional treatment capacity at the resort’s midtown treatment plan to handle flow from Assateague Point and the Landings.
At Assateague Point, a mostly seasonal community, the burden of large capital expenses has been placed on fewer ratepayers, causing the county government to get involved and spread costs over several years, according to Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young. At the Landings, Young said
disposal issues have crippled the system.
However, the county’s request required an amendment to the Sewerage Treatment Facilities Transfer Agreement, which was enacted in 1994, when the city took ownership of the Ocean City wastewater system from Worcester County.
That agreement set aside 1 million gallons per day – or about a twelfth of the city’s capacity at the time – to be transmitted from West Ocean City to the city’s treatment plant through an existing force main that runs underneath the Isle of Wight Bay.
Officials this fall proposed to amend that agreement and increase West Ocean City’s capacity by 170,000 gallons per day – 100,000 gallons to serve the Landings and 70,000 gallons to serve Assateague Point.
The county is expected to pay Ocean City $780,386 for the increase in capacity and restrict that capacity to the existing Landings and Assateague Point sanitary service areas.
“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time should the allocated capacity provided for herein be used to serve any other purpose than as specifically stated, even if, in the future, the County expands/amends the Landings Sanitary Service Area and/or the Assateague Point Sanitary Service Area,” the ordinance reads.
Officers are asking anyone with information about gun shots contact authorities
(Dec. 4, 2025) The Berlin Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance after a vehicle shooting on Sunday night.
Around 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, Berlin police were alerted to gunshots in the 100 block of Flower Street. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office also responded. The 100 block of Flower Street runs from its intersection with Bay Street toward Henry Park and beyond.
“When officers arrived on the scene, they located a vehicle that had been shot several times,” a Berlin police press release from Chief Arnold Downing said. “Officers canvassed the area for any other victims or property damage and recovered evidence related to the crime.
Officers also were able to contact the owners of the vehicle, who were not in the vehicle. There were no injuries or additional damage reported in this incident.”
Anyone with knowledge about the incident are asked to contact Berlin police at 410-641-1333 or the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at 410632-1111.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) A new political party is working to plant its flag in Worcester County with the ultimate goal of appearing on the ballot and recruiting local candidates in 2026.
Now active in 24 states, the centrist Forward Party is pitching itself as an alternative to politics as usual in Maryland. What’s different, party leaders say, is how the organization isn’t top-down with a national committee or predetermined platform, but is bottom-up, relying on independent voices and grassroots policymaking.
Kicking off the party’s efforts in Worcester County is Chase Phillips, 27, of Snow Hill. After getting involved over the summer, Phillips is still technically a Forward Party volunteer, not yet a formal “county lead.” He is planning to host an
informational roundtable session about the organization sometime next month at the Berlin Public Library.
Phillips said he likes the party’s focus on progressive electoral reforms that would include ranked choice voting, open primaries, term limits, and other measures to enhance constituents’ representation – as Phillips puts it, “people over party.”
“Better representation includes higher civic engagement, better voter turnout, competitive elections,” he said. “People think that this, you know, the current state of politics is dysfunctional, and I would agree, but I think that the solution to that is having more options and having elections that are more competitive.”
A former moderate Democrat who’s supported pragmatic Republicans, Phillips argues the Forward Party can resonate locally because Worcester’s
small communities may often feel overlooked.
And, as a card-carrying member of Gen Z, Phillips said “it’s quite heartbreaking, honestly, to think about my future, to be consumed with the level of political dysfunction that occurs sometimes even at the state level or locally, but primarily at the national level,” he said.
Phillips already has a civic mindset: He’s involved in the Snow Hill Area Chamber of Commerce, the Julia A. Purnell Museum board, and Downtown Snow Hill Inc. He follows Snow Hill politics closely and has considered a run for town council.
P.J. Benenati, state chairman for Maryland, said the Forward Party’s core values are a commitment to collaboration, community problem solving, and protecting the rights of all people.
“With that baseline, we can open a
conversation with anybody,” he told OCToday Dispatch.
So far, statewide, many people know little if anything about the group, “but when we meet with people, it seems to resonate with most people we connect with,” Benenati said. “We’re trying to create a new political home for people who seem to be lost between the two-party system right now.”
The Forward Party was formed in 2022 by a team-up of former presidential candidate and entrepreneur Andrew Yang and former New Jersey governor and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman. The organization is working toward appearing on the ballot in all 50 states.
To get on the ballot in Maryland, an unestablished political party needs 10,000 handwritten and verifiable signatures. Benenati said the party has gained a foothold in greater Baltimore and is slowly opening its ground game into other rural counties.
Party affiliations in Maryland are shifting in recent years. According to the State Board of Elections, nearly 200,000 Marylanders since 2020 have changed their voter registration to “unaffiliated.” Statewide, that puts independents at 22% of the electorate.
In Worcester County, unaffiliated registrations jumped by nearly a third, from 7,565 people in 2020 in 9,649 as of last month, the state board of elections also reports.
The Democratic Party is, of course, a political powerhouse in the state of Maryland, and state lawmakers have made Maryland’s Congressional districts among the most gerrymandered in the country.
Chase Phillips admits that standing out above establishment politics will be a challenge, but he’s thinking positively about collaborating with political animals of all stripes moving – well, forward.
“There’s no influence of big money or corporate interests in the way that there are for the current Democratic and Republican party, so there’s no forming policy at the top and passing it down to voters,” he said. “I think that it allows us to be autonomous over our own future in a way where the two-party system does not allow us to be.”
A report appearing in the Nov. 21 edition of OC-Today Dispatch incorrectly stated that county effluent used for spray irrigation at Eagle’s Landing golf course is untreated. The effluent is treated. In the Nov. 20 edition of the Bayside Gazette, it was incorrectly reported more than half the funding deficit for the county’s water and wastewater system was from the Mystic Harbor Service area. It’s the Riddle Farm service area that’s responsible for over half of the deficit. We regret the errors.
More than 40 ice sculptures were on display throughout downtown Berlin last Friday for the Ice Ice Berlin event. The activities began with a ceremonial flipping of the switch of the town Christmas tree in front of the Atlantic Hotel. Pictured are scenes and some sculptures from the event.
(Dec. 5, 2025) As Ocean City’s 150th anniversary year draws to a close, December delivers a powerful finale. The town will host one final celebration to cap off a year of milestones, while Winterfest of Lights continues to shine with holiday spirit throughout the month.
The festivities end with New Year’s Eve fireworks at Northside Park and Dorchester Street, launching Ocean City into the new year and the start of America’s 250th Anniversary.
Ocean City is keeping its 42-year Christmas Parade tradition going strong on Saturday, Dec. 6. This year’s parade begins promptly at 11:00 am with an extended route from Old Landing Road to 120th Street. Hosting this year will be Coach from Ocean 98 and John Trout from WMDT. Arrive early with chairs and blankets to grab a viewing spot, then head to the Carousel afterward for family-
friendly fun and an awards presentation.
The 150th Anniversary Gala will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Guests will be welcomed with a red-carpet entrance and a champagne toast before enjoying an evening of live entertainment, themed experiences, local food and libations, and a buffet dinner featuring a carving station and Ocean City favorites.
The themed experiences will each take you on a historical journey from Ocean City’s past including an oyster bar from Harrisons Harbor Watch, bourbon tasting from Seacrets, Windmill Creek Winery samplings, a candyland room filled with everything sweet from Candy Kitchen and Wockenfuss, and taffy pulls from Dolles.
The gala will be held in the grand ballroom, featuring the band Cherry Crush and the unveiling of a 150-inch anniversary
cake. For a special tribute to the 150 years of smiles, there will be a grand finale drone show that will occur overlooking the bay.
“Our 150th anniversary year has been an incredible tribute to Ocean City’s history,” said Mayor Rick Meehan. “This milestone year has been filled with moments that brought us together, and the 150th Anniversary Gala will be a fitting finale to this year of celebration.”
The full collection of the mobile museums created throughout the anniversary year will also be on display at the gala, offering guests a final opportunity to explore 150 years of Ocean City’s history in one place. Tickets are $150 in honor of 150 years of memories, with proceeds supporting efforts to preserve Ocean City’s shoreline for future generations. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit ococean.com/events.
Winterfest of lights continues to shine
throughout the holiday season, running nightly Wednesday through Sunday until December 22, after which it opens every night through Dec. 31 for families to enjoy the walking trail, festive displays, and holiday activities. Guests can sip hot chocolate, snap photos with Santa, and stroll through the winter wonderland of Ocean City. Be sure to check out the new layout, Fire & Ice Nights, the Train Garden, and more! To get tickets or learn more, visit ococean.com/winterfest.
The Ocean City Performing Arts Center will welcome The Doo Wop Project on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 7:00 p.m. for an evening of classic harmonies and reimagined hits. Featuring dynamic Broadway vocalists and a powerhouse band, the group brings timeless sounds of street-corner Doo Wop to life while “Doowop-ifying” contemporary favorites. Ticket information is available at ococean.com/pac.
“The anniversary year has exceeded every expectation, and that is a direct reflection of the creativity, collaboration, and commitment of our team,” stated Tom Perlozzo, Director of Tourism and Business Development. “Our staff put their heart into every event, activation, and celebration, giving both residents and visitors an opportunity to experience Ocean City in a meaningful way. I could not be more proud of the work they have done to honor 150 years of memories and set the stage for the future.”
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) Berlin’s newest pharmacy, MedOne, has officially taken over the town’s former Rite Aid after the major corporation closed its doors nationwide this year.
MedOne, which operates eight pharmacies across the state, has served Berlin and the surrounding areas at 10119 Old Ocean City Blvd since the end of the summer, filling a gap left by former tenant Rite Aid. The major retail pharmacy went out of business in 2025 after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years.
Now, MedOne has taken over to meet the community's pharmaceutical and convenience store needs. The business’s partner and store manager, Danish Nadeem said the decision to move into the location happened quickly, with the store opening on Aug. 18, the same day Rite Aid vacated the property.
“In terms of taking over the business, I can tell you it was very crazy,” he said. “When someone is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, there are a lot of issues that go along with that … It was an aggressive merger in the sense that we moved here so quickly. You
could say it was less than two weeks.”
The urgency, Nadeem said, was vital to protecting patients.
“As soon as we found out that this community was losing a stable pharmacy in this location, we felt like we had to jump on this opportunity,” he said. “We understood that Rite Aid was closing all over the country, and a lot of patients were affected by that.”
He continued, “Patients are taking their maintenance medications. Our industry is very special, where we can’t close on certain days because people rely on us. We are a staple in the community. We make sure your mom, your grandma, your grandpa, and you are healthy and taking your medication when needed. That's why we wanted to jump over here as soon as possible.”
Nadeem said that since opening in August, MedOne has been able to offer its customers something the previous company lacked — quality and personal service.
“Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens — they’re all corporations,” he said. “Unfortunately, when you work for them, you’re unable to do the extra things or go out of your way to take care of a patient.”
MedOne, he added, has none of those restrictions.
“When your insurance claim is re-
jected, or the insurance does not cover the product, and a patient has to pay out of pocket, we can work more with the patient because we don’t have that corporation requiring these obscure requirements and pushing their employees to push certain narratives,” he said. “Rather than pushing medications, pushing narratives, we’re pushing a healthy community here in Berlin.”
MedOne also offers complimentary delivery. This service is available nationwide, not just locally. Whether a patient travels south for the winter or forgets to pick up medication before a
vacation, MedOne will ship prescriptions at no cost.
Additionally, to maintain comfort, MedOne has retained Rite Aid’s former staff.
“The main reason is to keep the familiarity aspect, and trust between store and community,” Nadeem said. “And then also to know how Rite Aid was doing certain things and how we can do it better.”
Beyond its full pharmacy operation, like Rite Aid, the store maintains its retail side, selling beauty products, toiletries, household items, snacks, and beverages. Additionally, MedOne is hoping to expand.
“We’re trying to cut half the store and create a health clinic to make it more convenient than a doctor’s office or urgent care,” the partner and store manager said.
The clinic would offer walk-in services, including flu and COVID testing, blood pressure checks, and quick diagnoses.
MedOne has been operational since Rite Aid’s closure and looks forward to continuing to serve Berlin's residents.
“The day Rite Aid closed was the same day we opened up,” Nadeem said. “It was a convenience for our patients. We didn’t want them to go even an hour without being able to get their medication. That’s why we aggressively merged on and made sure we were able to get up and running.”
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) A new Jeep Wrangler will soon find a home after the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department raffles off the vehicle later this month. Tickets are still available for anyone in the market for the SUV.
On Saturday, Dec. 20, during open hours of the holiday model train display at the OPVFD’s North Station at 249 Ocean Parkway, the fire company will select a winner of a 2025 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4x4 Anvil Clear Coat.
According to Joe Enste, OPVFD’s president, the department will cover expenses that are typically the responsibility of the person whose ticket was chosen — winner fees, including taxes, title, and registration.
So far, a little under 1,000 of the 2,500 available tickets have been sold. Fire department officials are encouraging Ocean Pines Association members to secure their last-minute raffle entries for the chance to have their slip selected and take home the brand-new Jeep. Tickets are $100 each, and individuals can purchase as many as they like.
“The winner will not be responsible for paying taxes on the vehicle this year,” he said. “This was made possible by increasing the ticket price over the past two years to help offset the costs associated with taxes, title, and related fees. Doing so ensures the winner takes possession of the vehicle without facing an additional $20,000 or more in out-of-pocket expenses.”
The car fundraiser has been a department tradition since 2019. During that time, the company has raffled off various types of vehicles, including full-size pickup trucks, Wranglers, and crossover SUVs such as the Ford Bronco and Ford Explorer.
The initiative helps raise funds for the fire department while also giving community members a chance at a new car. Enste said that the proceeds from the effort vary annually based on the number of tickets sold and the cost of the vehicle. However, the department’s goal is $50,000 or more.
The Jeep this year was provided by i.g. Burton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT of Berlin. It’s valued at approximately $53,364.
Those who wish to purchase a raffle ticket must be 18 years or older. Slip holders do not have to be present at the drawing to win and will be notified immediately.
Tickets can be obtained at https://opvfd.com/vehicle_raffle/.
Stephen Decatur Middle School students, pictured in group shot above, and Stephen Decatur High School students from SADD filled more than 30 boxes and bags full of supplies for our troops, thanks to ALA member and SADD advisor Kathy McDaniel. High School Key Club advisor Becky Kalchthaler and Connections Club advisor Jamie Thompson coordinated collections at the high school, right with students.
(Dec. 5, 2025) United Way of the Lower Shore’s 2025-2026 “United Is the Way” campaign is in full force.
The annual fall kickoff, hosted in partnership with Salisbury University, rallied 200 community leaders, businesses, and volunteers to fuel another year of local impact across Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Participants enjoyed firsthand stories from corporate and nonprofit partners and United Way volunteers about the impact investing time and resources with United Way has for them and their teams.
“After celebrating 80 years of neighbors helping neighbors, we’re building on that legacy in our 81st year — highlighting how United Is the Way we all can help our Lower Shore neighbors thrive,” said Mary Mengason, United Way’s Board Chair.
Heading into 2026, United Way is supporting 41 local nonprofits focused on improving health & wellness, youth opportunities, financial security, and community resiliency. Along with nearly a dozen United Way direct programs and initiatives, the local impact remains significant, reaching one in three Lower Shore residents each year.
United Way’s ALICE® report states an average of 47% of local households are struggling to make ends meet, despite working hard, often in multiple jobs. Continued inflation, layoffs, and the longerterm impacts from the government shutdown and pause of SNAP funding have an even larger impact on ALICE® households who were already making hard choices on how to get by each month.
“Now is the time to come together and act. Our neighbors on the Lower Eastern Shore need help, and nonprofits can’t do it without public support,” said Amanda Hailey, Development Leader.
United Way also supports emergent community needs through the LIVE UNITED Response Fund, Food Drive and Resource page (www.uwles.org/resources ), all currently active to help meet growing needs of food and financial insecurity for neighbors. Recent mini-grants to about 20 local food programs to nonprofits, the four counties’ public-school systems, Salisbury Police, Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Wor-Wic Community College, were made possible through generous support from Perdue Farms and local donors, with collected food being distributed weekly. Both the fund and food drive will remain open during the holiday season to provide opportunities for anyone to help as they can. Food donations can be dropped at the United Way office Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“When we unite our efforts, we create real, lasting change — because United Is the Way we help others which makes our community stronger for everyone. It’s not just words, it's real impact,” UWLES President & CEO Pam Gregory said.
Visit www.uwles.org to explore ways to support financially and volunteer throughout the year.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH FUNDRAISER SUCCESS
Reid Odachowski with Coastal Life Realty Group and Tosh Zeller, kitchen pantry manager with Diakonia, both of whom are pictured, recently partnered on the Coastal Cans for a Cause food drive. Turnout was amazing, according to Odachowski, with organizers able to deliver a large amount of food to local families in need right before Thanksgiving.
BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28 410-289-BUXY 28th Street Coastal Hwy. Friday, December 5: Teenage Rust & The Fabulous Rustettes
CAPTAIN’S TABLE 410-289-7192 15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue
COINS PUB
410-289-3100 28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, December 5: On Theb Edge Saturday, December 6: First Class
CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE
302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE Friday, December 5: Cup of Joe Wednesday, December 10: Shortcut Sunny
CRAWL STREET TAVERN
443-373-2756 Wicomico St., Downtown O.C. Friday, December 5: Chicken Charlie & The Biscuits Saturday, December 6: Rogue Citizens
FAGER’S ISLAND
410-524-5500 60th St., In The Bay Friday, December 5: Risky Business & DJ Stinson Saturday, December 6: Totally Taboo & DJ RobCee
TEENAGE RUST & THE FABULOUS RUSTETTES Dry Dock 88: Friday, December 6
GREENE TURTLE WEST
410-213-1500
Route 611, West OC
Sunday, December 7:
DJ Wax
HARBORSIDE
410-213-1846
Fager’s Island: Saturday, December 6
Coins Pub: Friday, December 5 THE DUNEHOUNDS
South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.
Friday, December 5: DJ Billy T
Saturday, December 6:
Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Bigler Sunday, December 7:
Opposite Directions
Thursdays: Dust N Bones
410-289-4891
Pickles Pub: Saturday, December 6
Seacrets: Saturday, December 6 TOTALLY TABOO
Seacrets: Thursday, December 11 THE WHISKEY HICKON BOYS
Fager’s Island: Friday, December 5
Harborside: Sunday, December 7
8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By DeoGee Saturday, December 6: The Dunehounds
Sundays: Beats By Styler
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Thursdays: Beats By Connair
SEACRETS
410-524-4900
49th St. & Coastal Hwy.
Friday, December 5:
DJ Davie, Carley Twigg & Radio Stranger Saturday, December 6: The Whiskey Hickon Boys, DJ E-State, DJ Spinz & Gypsy Wisdom Thursday, December 11: Full Circle Duo
■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$
■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted
South end to 28th Street
■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON
DRY DOCK 28
28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com
Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, pierogis, egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.
■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE
15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-2897192, captainstableoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m. Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.
■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT
28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out.
■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR 17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
■ PICKLES PUB
706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2894891, picklesoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment yearround and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.
■ PIT & PUB
2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com
Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Family-friendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.
29th to 90th streets
■ 32 PALM
32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410289-2525, 32palm.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open yearround for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year!
■ THE BONFIRE
71st Street, Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410524-7171, thebonfirerestaurant.com
Celebrating more than 50 years as the best seafood and prime rib buffet in Ocean City. It’s all here – the service, the atmosphere and finest, freshest seafood available and quality meats. Save room for the decadent desserts available as well including homemade donuts.
■ FAGERS ISLAND
201 60th St., Ocean City, 410-524-5500, fagers.com
$$ | Full bar
Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m.
■ HOOKED
8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-7234665, hookedoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and wellmade food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.
■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ
6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6645693, longboardcafe.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.
■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT
3301 Atlantic Ave., in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com
$$ | Full bar
Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.
■ SEACRETS
49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.
UPTOWN 91st to 146th streets
■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY
13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410250-2000, albertinosoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.
■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS
118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com
The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs. Serving breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours.
■ THE CRAB BAG
13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410250-3337, thecrabbag.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring consistent hot steamed crabs, eat in or carryout. The Crab Bag is also an Eastern Shore style seafood house specializing in preparing and serving the biggest and the best blue crabs available. The extensive menu promises something for everyone. Winter hours, Friday-Sunday, open 11 a.m.
■ CRABCAKE FACTORY USA
120th Street, oceanside, Ocean City, 410250-4900, crabcakefactoryusa.com
Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.
■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m.
New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.
■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-9885000, CCFBayside.com
Same award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys. Enjoy waterfront dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily year-round. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Philly-style cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu.
■ DIRTY HARRY’S
100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys
$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar
Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for
lunch and dinner, too.
■ NANTUCKETS
Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-2607, nantucketsrestaurant.com
Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 30 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty.
■ TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-436-2305, twiningshanty.com
Reservations | Kids’ Menu
“A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England fare, lobsters, steaks and burgers. Bird watching and magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.
■ ASSATEAGUE BAR AND GRILL
9636 Stephen Decatur Highway, West Ocean City 443-664-8158, abarngrill.com
$$ | Full bar
Full service, family friendly, casual dining to please everyone. Offering breakfast lunch and dinner with breakfast being served all day. Classic American cuisine with a selection of delicious Maryland favorites. Happy hour everyday from 1-6 p.m. with bar specials and tasty bites. Daily specials Monday through Friday. Dine-in and carry-out.
■ BREAKFAST CAFE
12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com
All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.
■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL
12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com
$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar
Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open everyday, 12 noon to 9 p.m., kitchen and bar.
■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND
West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com
This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40sstyle décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 123rd Street location offers lunch and dinner menus in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.
■ GREENE TURTLE WEST
Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-213-1500
Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80-seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.
■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL
12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410213-1846, weocharborside.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours. Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department is revving up its holiday cheer with the company’s fourth annual Christmas-time model train display, featuring various locomotives and a scavenger hunt.
The railway vehicle showcase is located at the department’s North Station at 249 Ocean Parkway. According to Joe Enste, the OPVD’s president and public information officer, visitors can expect a variety of trains, ranging in size and era, “spanning from the early 1900s to more modern models from the 2000s.”
The arrangement has expanded this time around. Enste said last season that the project was made possible by the efforts of him, his father, Don Enste, and lifelong family friend, Mark Libertini, who combined their personal train collections to create the exhibit.
Other fire volunteers and officials have also gotten in on the fun since the program’s launch four years ago. This year, the department has added trains and has refreshed the track layouts to include additional figure-8 designs, Enste said.
“We’re also excited to feature several trains that were generously donated to
the department by members of our community,” he added.
The fire president explained that the yearly display is built, maintained, and operated by Don Enste and Libertini, who work with other OPVFD members to ensure the presentation is operating.
While viewing the toy cars, attendees will be able to hear from members of the OPVFD who built the display about the history and significance of model trains, and talk with the community’s public safety personnel.
Organizers hope that not only does the showcase foster some Christmas spirit in Ocean Pines but also strengthens neighborhood ties among residents and the citizens who help keep them protected.
“Our display offers a unique experience for all ages and generations — from grandparents who reminisce about the trains they had around their Christmas trees as children, to today’s kids who associate trains with characters like Thomas or ‘The Polar Express,’” Enste said.
“It creates a shared space where everyone can come together, reconnect, and simply be a kid again, leaving the stresses of everyday life behind for a while.”
Furthermore, the train display is in-
teractive. Enste said visitors will have the option to participate in a scavenger hunt, which consists of 13 questions. These inquiries can only be answered by carefully examining the presentation.
“Some questions require participants to count specific items throughout the exhibit, while others highlight and introduce the various sponsors who help make the display possible,” Enste said.
Scavenger hunt forms can be picked up at the North Station upon arrival. Once completed, the sheets may be dropped in a designated box. In January, one winner, with the correct answers, will be selected to receive a prize.
The fire department’s model train display will be viewable to the public throughout December. It's open on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Serpone’s Pizzeria has returned for the second year in a row as the train project’s presenting sponsor, said Enste. Ocean Pines Handyman and Realtor Cindy Poremski have also joined the initiative as featured sponsors. At the same time, Dandy Don’s Bike Rentals, Preston Automotive Group, McGee Fence, and My Backyard are scavenger hunt sponsors.
“We also extend special thanks to Seaside Hobbies and the Delaware Seaside Railroad Club for their continued support,” the fire president added.
On Saturday, Dec. 20, Santa will make a special appearance at the exhibit, and the department will finally select a winner of the 2025 Jeep Wrangler.
WitH Bunk Mann
Surf mats were popular in Ocean City from the 1950s through the late 1970s and many a “baby boomer” learned to ride the waves on the canvas covered inflatables. In the years before beach replenishment there was a sandbar about 40 yards offshore and no strong shore break. The biggest danger was hitting a barnacle covered jetty on the ride to the beach.
Called “rafts” by the tourists, locals always referred to them as surf mats. Some became quite adept to riding them while kneeling or, in rare cases, even standing up. The commercial style was the ride of choice and beach stands did a lively business renting surf mats to kids and teenagers in the post WWII era.
To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.
Photo courtesy John Hurlock
By Steve Green
Rivalry weekend in college football
Picking up a newspaper in every place visited
Thinking before speaking
Parents who keep kid sports in perspective
When justice is served in a theft case
Cookies warm from the oven
How exercise clears the head
Concerts in small venues
The sunset immediately after a storm
A kitchen with two sinks
A dog’s excitement at the drive thru
(Dec. 5, 2025) The Maryland Coastal Bays Program will unveil its 2024 Coastal Bays Report Card Thursday, Dec. 11, at Mickey Fins in West Ocean City. The public is invited.
The report card provides a detailed assessment of the current health of the five coastal bays and major tributary, the St. Martin River. The overall health of the bays is determined by assessing certain aspects of water quality and marine life and combining them into a coastal bays health index, or report card.
The report card is a collaborative effort of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, University of Maryland Center
for Environmental Science-Integration and Application Network, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the National Park Service. Funding for the publication is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This year’s report card release program includes three Gold Star award presentations to recognize the contributions of partners and individuals, and their efforts to protect the coastal bays.
Hundreds of volunteers work with the program to protect, promote, and preserve coastal bays. Some of the volunteer work includes assisting with population surveys of horseshoe crabs, terrapins and birds collecting water samples, working on restoration projects, participating in trash clean-ups.
Part of the National Estuary Pro-
gram, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program is a non-profit partnership that involves the towns of Ocean City and Berlin, the National Park Service, Worcester County, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Environment, & Planning.
One of only 28 such programs nationwide, the goal of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program is to protect and enhance the 175-square mile watershed, which includes Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Berlin, and Assateague Island National Seashore.
Report cards are available online at www.mdcoastalbays.org. To obtain copies for school projects and citizen groups, contact Sandi Smith at sandis@mdcoastalbays.org or by calling 410-213-2297.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 4, 2025) The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum in Berlin is ushering in the Christmas season with two events intended to celebrate local history, engage families and town residents, and offer a unique shopping experience, all while showcasing the museum in its cozy, holiday candlelit setting.
Taylor House President Melissa Reid said this year’s seasonal lineup includes the annual “Kids’ Wassail and Gingerbread” event, a day of local vendors, as well as the museum’s popular children’s tours, which highlight the historic home decorated for the holidays and offer a look at an 1830s-inspired dessert course recreated exclusively for December.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the museum will host a combined Sip and Shop and Kids’ Wassail and Gingerbread event from noon to 4 p.m. Previously, the two traditions were held on the same day, but at different times. This year, the children will can occupy themselves with activities geared toward them, while the adults can enjoy a holiday cocktail and scope out local vendors and the Taylor House’s gift shop.
“We realized we had lots and lots of families come out for the Wassail and Gingerbread and we realized instead of making it two separate events…if you’re going to come and do a kids activity, then while you're here, you may as well have the opportunity to look at these handcrafted gifts,” Reid said.
“We thought it made sense to put the event all together as opposed to spreading it out. It used to go from 12 p.m. to like 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., and that just felt long and spread out. We had a lot more people who came to the kids' event, so we thought we would try to put them together and see how that goes.”
The afternoon will feature the return of children’s activities, such as makeand-take crafts and popular pine-cone bird feeders rolled in peanut butter and seed. Kids can also have gingerbread and a cup of wassail, a historic holiday drink similar to apple cider.
While the kids are entertained, local artisans will set up shop throughout the museum to offer hand-crafted holiday presents. Attendees can also browse the Taylor House’s gift shop, which now includes a custom jigsaw puzzle featuring the museum, a paint-by-numbers set of the historic home, and new ornaments, including one created in collaboration with Worcester Technical High School, and miniature framed prints of the building by artist Clare Hoerl, which can also be hung from a Christmas tree. Reid added that Hoerl sells her work at Baked in Berlin.
All proceeds from Sip and Shop directly support the museum.
“It’s a nice way to come and get some handcrafted or locally focused gifts,” the Taylor House’s president noted.
Organizers hope that combining the
Continued from Page 42
kids and the shopping event, and holding it during the daytime, will improve the experience.
“The museum is beautiful by candlelight,” Reid said. “Because the house is lit by candlelight in the downstairs rooms, it makes it a little harder for people to see the items that the vendors are selling. So, we realized some daylight might help with that.”
Later this month, on Sunday, Dec. 14, the museum will continue its tradition of second-Sunday programs with two interactive children’s tours at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
The candlelit tours are designed to bring the historic house to life through storytelling and hands-on activities tied to the Christmas season.
“It gives kids an opportunity to see a historic house, but in a way that’s a little more interactive and fun,” Reid said.
During the kids' tours, the youngsters will have flashlights and will be instructed to look for hidden objects throughout the museum.
Additionally, at both the Sip and Shop event and the children’s walkthroughs, visitors can view the museum’s recreated dessert course from the 1830s — a display constructed with the help of food historian Joyce White.
The exhibit includes replicas of molded gelatin desserts, plum pudding, tarts, gingerbread, and even ice cream scoops. The ice cream was added because, according to Reid, the 1845 estate records show that the original homeowner, Isaac Covington, owned an early ice cream maker, a luxury at the time.
Reid said that White has studied food history extensively, including in England, and has used her expertise to bring an exhibit to the Taylor House Museum, exclusively for the weeks leading up to the holidays.
“This fake food is grounded in very thorough and very rigorous historical research,” Reid said. “It allows people to get in touch with the past in a way that maybe just displaying an empty dining room table does not…Everyone loves the holidays, and people have traditions that are important to their own family. We wanted to show that those traditions go back and that history is part of tradition and tradition is part of history.”
These two December events allow the museum to continue telling the town's stories, even during the facility’s offseason. The Taylor House opens for tours in the spring and closes at the end of October. Reid said that touring the museum during the summer and Christmas is an entirely different experience.
“What is amazing is to see the house lit up by candlelight during the off-season,” Reid said “… If you’ve come and taken a tour in the summertime during the day, the museum, especially the historic rooms, is radically different at night, lit by candlelight. [These events] allow someone who's been at the
by Steve Green
or the first time in many years, I found myself really sick last week — exhaustion, a relentless cough, a headache and nasal congestion combined to equal an overall feeling of being run over by a truck. For about seven days, I slogged through the motions and fell asleep early every night.
After a couple of miserable days, I finally gave in and went to the doctor. They ran all the usual tests — flu, RSV, COVID — and everything came back negative. The verdict: just a “bad virus,” as if there’s such a thing as a good one. I got a couple of prescriptions to ease the symptoms and was thankful I didn’t have to miss work entirely. Still, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone else in the house caught whatever I had. Sure enough, it was Carson who went down next.
Our youngest, 16, is nonverbal and autistic, but anyone who spends five minutes with him knows he communicates plenty — just in his own way. His expressions, his body language, even the way he moves around the house tells a story. You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to know when something’s wrong. That morning, everything seemed routine at first. He got up at his usual time, went through his pre-school rituals but there was a heaviness to him.
While I was grabbing my coffee, I found him curled up on the couch, fast asleep again. He wasn’t just sluggish from an early morning; he was wiped out. His face was flushed, his breathing was heavy, and I knew right then he had caught what I had.
If I’m being honest, I could feel my wife’s eyes on me before she even said anything. Maybe it’s just marital intuition, but I’m pretty sure she blamed me for passing it along. And, well, she was probably right. She didn’t even have to say much — something about how it’s “no wonder he’s sick when you’ve been hacking
up all over the house for a week.” The tone said it all. Married people know what I mean — sometimes it’s not what they say, it’s how they say it.
We decided to keep Carson home on Thursday, and when Friday rolled around, he still looked like a little tomato — red-faced, puffy-eyed, and sniffling like crazy. There wasn’t much question about sending him to school. He was miserable. We figured a few days of rest would set him straight and that by Sunday, he’d be well enough for church.
Carson insisted on going to church — he likes routines, and missing one Sunday throws him off. So, we gave it a shot. But once we got there, I’m not exaggerating when I say he blew his nose for a solid 20 minutes straight. It wasn’t a polite little sniffle either — it was full-on honking, the kind that echoed through the pews. It reminded me of my Pop Pop back in the day. He used to step out of the room with his trusty handkerchief, do his loud honking business, and come back as if nothing happened, a crumpled cloth peeking from his pocket.
Carson went through an entire box of Kleenex in record time. I think Pam was ready to leave by blow number five, but Carson wasn’t having it.
We made a deal — he could stay until the offering, since he loves holding the giving tray, and then we’d slip out quietly. That compromise worked. We exited shortly after, a pile of used tissues in tow.
I wasn’t feeling great myself that day, so when we got home, I crashed for a long nap. Sometimes rest is the only thing that makes a dent in these slow-moving viruses.
By Monday morning, though, reality set in. I knew Carson wasn’t ready to go back to school. A typical kid could probably tough it out with a stuffy nose, but Carson isn’t able to weather it. When he’s uncomfortable, he can’t just ignore it. He fixates. He’d spend the whole school day trying to clear his nose, and that would be a distraction for everyone, not to mention un-
comfortable for him. We made the call to keep him home the whole short week leading up to Thanksgiving and give him a clean restart after the holiday.
Thankfully, that turned out to be the right move. This week, he’s been back on track — no sniffles, no Kleenex marathons, just his usually self, wearing two hoodies. It’s amazing how quickly kids bounce back once their bodies decide they’re done being sick.
Just when we thought the household virus had run its course, another domino fell. On Monday night, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs long after everyone should have been asleep. It was Beckett. He stood there in the dim light rubbing his throat and asking about medicine we had when he had mono last year.
In typical mom fashion, Pam took one look at his throat and guessed it might be his wisdom teeth coming in. I wanted to believe her — anything to avoid another round of illness. He seemed fine enough the next morning, and I hoped maybe it was just dryness. But later that day, he looked tired, and I could see that same glassy-eyed look I’d seen in the mirror the week before.
The good news is it doesn’t seem to be a total knockout bug like what Carson and I had. Beckett’s been able to manage it — more of an endurance test than a wipeout. He’s old enough to understand the difference between “feeling off” and being truly sick, but still, seeing your kid under the weather never gets easier.
This past week has been a reminder of how fast things can spiral in a family when one person gets sick. And for now, thankfully, the house is quiet again — at least until the next round hits.
(The writer is the executive editor of OC Today-Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@octodaydispatch.com.)
By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) It’s a lot colder now, right? The two days before Thanksgiving were pleasantly warm for this time of year and not that unusual, though it’s obvious that weather wise we’ve turned another corner. With the water temperature hovering around the mid-50’s a full wetsuit and boots are necessary. A surfer can get by with what’s known as a 3/2 full suit, which is a wetsuit with a torso that’s 3 millimeters (mm’s) thick, or about 1/8”, and arms and legs at a thickness of 2 mm’s. Boots at 3 mm’s will suffice. Wetsuit gloves would be an option depending on air temperature and wind chill. Covering one’s head with a wetsuit cap or hood might also be a good idea as well. Not only would more body heat be retained but ear warmth would be gained and the condition known as surfer’s ear could hopefully be avoided. A 4/3 full wetsuit would also be a viable option and a good idea going farther along into the cold season. As usual a lot depends on various factors. Among these are the conditions of the day, as in water and air temperatures, wind velocity and direction, fit of a wetsuit, and one’s own tolerance of colder conditions.
Even the amount of activity of the surfer in the water can make a difference in the body heat that is generated. An analogy would be going for a walk. A brisk walk would tend to make for more heat, a jog for even more, and a sprint for most. To be in the water, doing a lot of paddling and catching a multitude of waves would most probably go a long way in keeping the surfer’s body warmer. Thus, a few considerations on colder surfing conditions. Keeping warm is never a bad idea, so be sure to get some good equipment and go ride a few waves.
— Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH ALUMNI
Worcester Preparatory School welcomed back several distinguished alumni in November as part of its ongoing commitment to connecting students with real-world learning and post-graduate mentorship. Riley Schoch ’22, who currently attends the University of Maryland and will begin studies at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Fall 2026, visited Worcester Prep on Friday, Nov. 7.
During his visit, Schoch spoke with interested students about his experience at the University of Maryland, the medical school application process, and effective strategies for saving money throughout college and beyond. Students had the opportunity to hear directly about Riley’s successful journey into the medical field. Above left, kneeling in the front, from the left are Emery Hammonds, Giuliana Frabizzio, Caroline Burbage, Madison Andrews, Addy Wisniewski and Emma Nordstrom. Standing, from left, are Sophia Nguyen, Nora Gorfinkel, Rani Yonker, Ben Rafinski, Harper Hertrich, Darren Lockard, Ruhi Chapla, Wes Wisniewski, Gabriella Damouni, Ayath Islam, Schoch, Isha Garg, Elena Gjoni, Elle Wilsey, Kristie Carr, Ella Tull, Keerat Pandher, WPS school nurse Anne Regan, and WPS teacher Dr. Katie Moreland.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, Worcester Prep hosted a presentation featuring RJ Smith ’11 and Walt Taraila ’07, two alumni working for the Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA). Smith serves as the Director of Project Management, and Taraila served as the MARS Chief Engineer. Pictured, above right in the front row from the left are VSA Director of Project Management RJ Smith (WPS Class of ’11), VSA Chief of Education and Intern Development Sidnee Mcgee, Isha Garg, Liam McAllister, Max Griffin, Matthew Armstrong, Ben Holloway, Ronen Poddar, Caleb Walston, Paxton Mault, VSA MARS Chief Engineer Walt Taraila (WPS Class of ’07), and Jude Anthony. Back, from left, are teacher Paul Cyryca, Marina Farlow, Tyler Netting, Chase Thompson, Beau Brittingham, Jude Anthony, Gavin Mann and Jackson Griffin.
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Your energy is contagious this week, Aries. Expect bursts of creativity and spontaneous fun to ensue. Perhaps an unexpected adventure will pop up? Take the lead in social situations.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
It might be a week for indulgence in the best ways possible, Taurus. Treat yourself to something delicious or cozy, and don’t feel guilty about it. Patience will pay off in work projects.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Curiosity is your superpower this week, Gemini. Choose a new hobby or explore a class at the community college. You might discover hidden talents or interests.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, this is your week to shine emotionally. Reach out to friends or family who you haven’t spoken with in a while. Small acts of kindness can come back to you in surprising ways.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
It’s time to hear that roar, Leo. Your charisma is unstoppable right now and you’re ready to step into the spotlight. Share your ideas and achievements with anyone who will listen.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
Your knack for organization is a ticket to smooth sailing this week, Virgo. A little planning goes a long way right now. However, don’t forget to add some fun, too.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
This week you may find yourself effortlessly charming all of those people around you, Libra. Social events or collaborations may be particularly festive.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, this week brings opportunities to dive in deep with something you are passionate about. Your intensity attracts attention, so embrace your magnetic personality.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
Adventure is calling, Sagittarius. Whether it’s a small trip over the weekend or a new hobby, your week is packed with excitement and energy. Your optimism is contagious.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Determination and hard work this week will have personal or work projects moving along faster than expected. Remember to reward yourself along the way.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Aquarius, innovation is on your mind right now. Ideas and originality shine through in all you do. Expect some playful debates or spontaneous collaborations.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
It is alright to let your imagination run wild this week, Pisces. Creativity flows easily, and your intuition can guide you to some unexpected things along the way.
By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) Chicken wings are the subject of the day.
Simplicity can be complexity in its infantile state.
An experienced cook knows the meaning behind these words. In other words, do not be fooled by the easiness and straightforwardness of a dish. Sometimes the humblest foods can be the trickiest. Let us take a closer look at one of America’s favorite appetizers.
We must start from the very beginning, the meat itself. Specificity and science are the foundation for a knowable cook. Have you ever wondered why poultry has white and dark meat? And what does this have to do with preparing wings?
The answer is quite interesting, allow me to explain. It turns out the colorization of meat is due to the oxygen-storing myoglobin, which is located in the muscle cells.
Chickens have limited wing use, which means their breasts and wings have lower levels of myoglobin compared to their thighs and legs.
The next consideration is prepping the wings for cooking. When you purchase chicken wings, the actual wings consist of a tip, wingette, and a drumette. The tip has very little meat, so you will want to remove it. Then cut the joint that holds the wingette and drumette together. Do not throw away the tips, freeze for homemade stock.
The skin itself is also an important factor. In order to develop a crispy exterior, one must dehydrate the skin and render the fat.
There are those who insist that salting and air drying the chicken in the refrig-
erator helps dehydrate the skin. Personal preference adds variety and highlights distinction.
When frying, you will want to choose an oil that is neutral in taste and has a high smoking point. Canola oil is a good choice. Also, it is important not to overcrowd the pan when frying. Overloading causes the temperature of the oil to drop which will result in soggy wings.
Chicken wings that have been dipped in a heavy batter and fried are texturally perfect. But when one tosses them in a sauce, some of the crispness is lost.
One might be asking what is the solution? A slurry of 1 cup flour, 3 tablespoons corn starch and 1 ½ cups water is part of the answer. It may seem thin but trust me it will yield super crisp wings. The thin batter is able to get into all the nooks and crannies for added texture.
However, the thin batter has a tendency to run off. Using your tongs, hold the wing and only allow the tip of the wing to fry for about 15 seconds, them lower the rest wing into the oil. This helps set the batter as it enters the oil.
Fry the wing until a golden color is achieved, remove from oil, and rest on a cooling rack for about three minutes. Then refry the wings until a dark crispy exterior appears. Double frying produces a super crunchy exterior and is key to this recipe.
We are officially in the holiday season and fried pomegranate wings are a creative, festive way to serve wings at this time of the year.
In closing, if you are a wing fanatic, you must give this recipe a try. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!
Corn Starch Batter
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 ½ cups water
1. In a medium bowl, combine all of
the ingredients until thoroughly blended and smooth.
Pomegranate Sauce
2 pounds chicken wings
½ cup sweet Thai Chili sauce
¼ cup pomegranate molasses
¼ cup duck sauce
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon hot pepper seeds, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground ginger canola oil for frying
1. Remove the tip of the wing and freeze for stock. At the joint, cut the wingette and drumette.
2. In a medium bowl, combine Thai chili sauce, pomegranate molasses, duck sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, hot pepper seeds, and ground ginger.
3. In a large cast iron skillet, heat enough oil to cover the wings over medium-high heat.
4. Place wings in corn starch mixture. Using tongs, take one wing and allow excess batter to drip off, hold tip of wing in hot oil for 15 seconds, then lower entire wing in oil.
Repeat this process for the rest of the wings, do not over crowd the pan. When they are a golden color, remove and place on a cooling tray.
5. Fry all of the wings again for a deep, dark brown color. Place wings on cooling rack for 1 minute.
6. Coat wings in pomegranate sauce and plate. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Secret Ingredient - Wings
Wings: The ultimate finger licking experience.
— Unknown
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
The Golden Sands celebrated its 50th anniversary as a premier vacation resort in Ocean City last month. On hand to celebrate with residents was Senator Mary Carozza, who presented a resolution from the Senate of Maryland in celebration of the milestone.
Four Worcester County Garden Club members recently traveled to Annapolis and joined other Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland as they placed decorated holiday trees or wreaths in the Rotunda of the Maryland State House. The theme for the Worcester County tree was “Let It Sow! Let It Sow! Let It Sow!” and was decorated with seed ornaments made by members during its October meeting. Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore viewed the tree and presented an ornament from the Moore family to each member attending along with a certificate of appreciation to the club from the Office of the Governor. The holiday display is on view through Jan. 1, 2026. Pictured, from left, are WCGC members Shirley Kelly, Sue Ann Hudson, Patsy Lohmeyer Bell and Jan King and First Lady Dawn Moore.
PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
In celebration of Thanksgiving, students and faculty members at Ocean City Elementary decorated feathers and wrote about the many things for which they are grateful. The feathers were then added to a plump and thankful turkey.
Following a presentation to the club, Art League of Ocean City’s Rina Thaler and Jessica Bauer are pictured in the middle receiving a donation from Donna Greenwood, president, and Roberta Taylor, vice president, of the Ocean City Lioness Lions Club..
A Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland grant program encourages clubs to support projects that will advance sustainability in their communities.
The Worcester County Garden Club recently received its $500 grant award to landscape the front of the Snow Hill Ecumenical Food Pantry with lowmaintenance plants that reduce water use and provide habitats for beneficial insects for its project. Pictured are project chair Jan King and Joan LaHayne at work
FIBER FRIENDS HAT SALE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hats, headbands, scarves, cowls and mittens available. All are handmade items to benefit the Ocean Pines Library. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
HOMESCHOOL HIATUS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Take a break from learning to explore STEAM activities and crafts. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CURRENTLY READING BOOK CLUB (CRBC)
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Just drop in to this club to discuss what you are currently reading and share it with the group. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FIRST FRIDAY OPENING RECEPTION & HOLIDAY ARTISAN FAIR
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 5-7 p.m. Meet the artists, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and see the new exhibits. Free
event and all are welcome. Also browse through the holiday fair with a variety of unique, handmade items. artleagueofoceancity.org
KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO
Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410524-7994
OCEAN CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE
Parade travels along Coastal Highway from Old Landing Road north to 120th Street, 11 a.m. Awards and fun follow at the Carousel Hotel. https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/specialevents/christmas-parade
HOMETOWN HOLIDAY MARKET
White Horse Park Marketplace, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 9 a.m.noon. Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisan Market will feature seasonal offerings. Also a Candy Cane Hunt. Hundreds of candy canes will be hidden throughout the marketplace. Who’ll find the most? 410-641-7717
HOLIDAY VENDOR FAIR
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m.-noon. Featuring a variety of vendors including Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Bradley and Scentsy to customers art, tumblers, candles and more. Free admission. Vendors needed. 410-641-7052
REINDEER LANE GIFT SHOP
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 8-11 a.m. Kids ages 12 years and younger can purchase gifts for family and friends. All gifts are $5 or less. Free admission. Donations needed. Drop off new or slightly worn items at the community center. 410-641-7052
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & MRS. CLAUS
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 8-11 a.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $6 for ages 4-10 years and free to those 3 years and younger. Pay at the door. Purchase photos for a $5 donation. Collecting unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food items. 410-641-7052
MEET SANTA
Kringle Kottage on Artisans Green, 12 Artisans Way, Berlin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Artisans Green is located behind the main Berlin parking lot, next to Honey Water Candles, behind the Sterling Tavern.
https://berlinmainstreet.com/berlinholiday-events/
BERLIN’S MERRY MARKETPLACE
Berlin Main St. & Maryland Welcome Center, 14 S. Main St., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Holiday market. ocberlinrotary@gmail.com
FREE CARRIAGE RIDES
Historic Downtown Berlin, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Take a horse-drawn drive around town.
https://berlinmainstreet.com/berlinholiday-events/
COOKIE AND CANDY WALK
Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, 8-11 a.m. You pick homemade cookies and candy. Cost is $11 per pound for cookies and $13 per pound for candies. Enjoy fresh cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate while you shop. 410-641-2186, bethany21811@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Silent auction, vendors, White Elephant, soup and sandwiches and bake table. 410-641-1137
Continued on Page 50
24 Hour Awake Staff
All
FIBER FRIENDS HAT SALE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hats, headbands, scarves, cowls and mittens available. All are handmade items to benefit the Ocean Pines Library. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
SATURDAY WRITERS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Novice and established writers gather to share their writings projects. Structure includes critiques and appreciation, market leads and writing exercises. Drop-ins welcome. 410-641-0650
OC MAHJONG CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All adults welcome. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CANDY CANE HUNT AND HOLIDAY CRAFTS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Hunt down candy canes, decorate a gingerbread man and make some festive cards and crafts. For families. Registration required: 410-208-4014. www.worcesterlibrary.org
HOLIDAY ARTISAN FAIR
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wander through a curated marketplace featuring talented local artisans and discover oneof-a-kind handmade treasures. Enjoy a free hot chocolate and a hands-on seasonal craft. artleagueofoceancity.org, 410-254-9433
PAWS & READING
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Young, independent readers can practice their literacy skills by reading aloud to a friendly, trained dog at the library. Stop by to sign up for a time slot. For ages 611 years. 410-641-0650
WARM HEARTS WINTER BASH
Crawl St. Tavern, 19 Wicomico St., Ocean City, 3-6 p.m. Live music, refreshments, raffles, silent auction and Gingerbread House contest with prizes and more. Benefiting Autistic Children’s Support Group of Worcester County. https://www.acsgwc.org, 443-783-6180
MID ATLANTIC SYMPHONY - HOLIDAY JOY
Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 3 p.m. Featuring Kresley Figueroa & Jonathan Patton. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/ p/65582535/mid-atlantic-symphony-holiday-joy-ocean-city-oc-performing-artscenter?gclid=
WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS JINGLE BELL
5K RUN
Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean
City, 5-6:15 p.m. Packet pickup starts at 3:30 p.m. Wear your most festive outfits for a chance at additional prizes. Signup online (https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Oce anCity/WinterfestofLightsJingleBell5k) or on site.
MEET SANTA
Kringle Kottage on Artisans Green, 12 Artisans Way, Berlin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Artisans Green is located behind the main Berlin parking lot, next to Honey Water Candles, behind the Sterling Tavern. https://berlinmainstreet.com/berlinholiday-events/
FREE CARRIAGE RIDES
Historic Downtown Berlin, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Take a horse-drawn drive around town.
https://berlinmainstreet.com/berlinholiday-events/
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Residence Inn by Marriott Ocean City, 300 Seabay Lane, 9-11 a.m. Breakfast buffet, photo with Santa, holiday crafts, activities, DJ and a stuffie. Reservations: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annualbreakfast-with-santa-benefit-tickets1963525985078?aff=oddtdtcreator.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Ocean City Life-Saving Museum, 813 S. Atlantic Ave., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and at the Museum of Ocean City. Story telling, authentic food samplings, hot cocoa bar, 20% off store sale, live music, sea glass activities and wreath making (sign up www.ocmuseum.org). Free event.
SEWING FOR A CAUSE
Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org
WINTERFEST ENCHANTED EVENINGS
Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5-8:30 p.m. Hop aboard a buggy for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Winterfest of Lights. Reserve 2 or 6 person carriages or individual seats on the 12 seat carriage. https://www.ococean.com/winterfest/
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Songs, stories and giggles. For ages 0-2 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME: COOKIES
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
WRITING FOR WELLNESS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m. Writing about stressful experiences like illness may boost health and psychological well-being. The group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
MOVIE MATINEE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Come see a movie you may have missed in the theaters. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
THE ART OF BREWING
Fika Coffee Roasting, 303 N. Washington St., Snow Hill, 2 p.m. Learn about various brewing methods, tips and tricks, and what actually makes a difference in the final taste. Coffee sampling included. Registration required: 443783-6164. www.worcesterlibrary.org
COOKIE PARTY
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4:30 p.m. Feel free to bring your own treats to share or come to sample — homemade or store bought is fine. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
ANNUAL HOLIDAY SING ALONG
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Delmarva Chorus will be singing all the favorite holiday songs that you know and love. Spend time listening, singing and enjoying complementary cookies, goodies and beverages.
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169
Mondays - Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-641-0157
BRIDGE
Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity
DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS
Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Elissa, 410-641-8050; on social media; or delmarvachorus.org.
OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS
Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100
WINTERFEST ENCHANTED EVENINGS Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5-8:30 p.m. Hop aboard a buggy for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Winterfest of Lights. Reserve 2 or 6
person carriages or individual seats on the 12 seat carriage. https://www.ococean.com/winterfest/
STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Story time geared for ages 0-5 years featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and fingerplays. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OC KNITTING GROUP
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Do you love to knit or crochet? Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. Group meets every Tuesday. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME @ THE DELMARVA DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market St., Pocomoke City, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and crafts that feature one of the museum’s special animals. For ages 0-5 years. Registration required: 410-9570878. www.worcesterlibrary.org
BOOK CLUB @ TIDES & VINE: JANE AUSTEN
Tides & Vine, 106 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 6 p.m. An evening of books and wine. Happy 250th Birthday Jane Austen. Read any Austen and tell the group about it. www.worcesterlibrary.org
CROSS FARMS POP-UP FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays - Flower Street Field across from Henry Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Accepting Maryland Department of Agriculture FMNP (WIC & Seniors) Checks and Maryland WIC Fruit & Vegetable Checks. Also offering a "Produce Bucks" program, which doubles purchases for eligible residents. https://www.facebook.com/theberlinfarmersmarket.
BEACH HEROES-OC
Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org
TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY
Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting
CALENDAR
weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410289-4725
OC KNITTING CLUB
Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.
ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE
Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.
ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS
Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP
Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.
PIZZA PARTY WITH SANTA Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Enjoy pizza, crafts, cookie decorating and a special visit with Santa completed with photos. https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/recreation-parks/, askrec@oceancitymd.gov, 410-250-0125
KIDS PAINT NIGHT
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 5:30-6:30 p.m. All materials and instruction provided. For ages 8 years and older. Cost is $22. Preregistration required: 410-641-7052.
CRUZ THE TRAFFIC SAFETY CAR
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. A kid-friendly comprehensive car traffic safety presentation starring Cruz, the three-foot-tall, remote-controlled talking car. Best for ages 3-7 years. 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
SNOWMAN PAINTING AT 50PLUS CENTER
Snow Hill 50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, 11 a.m. Come create a snowman painting, all supplies provided. www.worcesterlibrary.org
MERRY MAKERS: HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Use various media to embellish a ceramic ornament for the Christmas tree. Registration required: 410-208-4014. Limit 10. www.worcesterlibrary.org
PUZZLE SWAP
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1-7 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with new-to-you puzzles. Don’t have a puzzle
to exchange but still want one? That’s OK too. All puzzles must be complete in their original boxes. 410-641-0650
ENGINEERING CHALLENGES
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 4-5 p.m. Learn about the engineering design process and test your skills to complete requirements for each challenge. For ages 6-11 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org
WINTER STEAM CHALLENGE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Design and make a snowball launcher then create some snow art. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
PAJAMA STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 6:30 p.m. Wear your pajamas and bring your stuffie to snuggle while you enjoy stories and songs to wind down to bedtime. For age 0-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FAMILY FUN NIGHTS
Wednesdays (through Aug. 20) - Ocean Pines Yacht Club Pool, 1 Mumford's Landing Road, 6-8 p.m. DJ, games and prizes. Food available for purchase. Admission is $3 for OP swim members, $5 for OP residents, $7 for non-residents and free for non-swimmers. Cash only. 410-641-7052, oceanpines.org
KIWANIS CLUB MEETING
Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Last Wednesday of the month meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.
CASH BINGO
Wednesdays - Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave. Door open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Food available before bingo and at intermission. Open to the public. 443-605-5028
STORY TIME: HANUKKAH
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
COFFEE & CRAFTS: PINECONE GARLAND
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in every month for a new craft. Materials provided. Limit 30. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
PLAY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other fami-
lies. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON & ANNUAL MEETING
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort, 9100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Art League of Ocean City’s annual meeting and luncheon— honoring members, volunteers, and supporters. RSVP with entrée option by December 4 by calling 410-5249433.
LET’S MAKE … WINTER TREE TABLE DECORATIONS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Make beautiful evergreen table pieces. All materials provided. Register: 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
BINGO
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Play a lively game of Bingo and win fun prizes. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
DRY PANTRY
Thursdays - St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower Street, Berlin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For those in need of resources such as paper products, laundry products, baby items, and personal care items. Limits apply. 410-641-0270
WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS
Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, Nov. 20-Dec. 21 and open daily Dec. 22-31, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults and free to those 11 years and younger. Enjoy a walk-through winter wonderland experience. Also featuring 50-foot Christmas tree, refreshments, bonfire, interactive games, photos with Santa Claus, family crafts, a gift shop and train gardens (6-8:30 p.m.). Tickets: www.ococean.com/winterfest/. On Dec. 1, 8, 9 and 15, enjoy a horsedrawn carriage ride through the lights. Enchanted Evenings tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1054835 /enchanted-evenings-ocean-city-winterfest-of-lights.
Pets are welcome on Wednesday evenings. Mobility devices available for rent on site - $10 per two hours (scooters, powered wheelchairs) - standard wheelchairs also available. Scooters-4Rent.com 302-280-6203. Info: 410-289-2800.
3RD ANNUAL TRAIN DISPLAY
Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, North Station, 249 Ocean Parkway, Nov. 23 to Jan. 5. Free entry; donations appreciated. Hours are Fridays, 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.OPVFD.com
P.E.P. CLUB CHRISTMAS WISH TREE
Choose a tag off of the P.E.P. Club Christmas tree, wrap the gift and return
with tag attached by Dec. 15. Christmas Tree is located in the Ocean Pines Community Center lobby.
SEND LETTERS TO SANTA
Drop off letters to Santa at the red mailbox in the Ocean Pines Community Center, Nov. 25 to Dec. 20. Include child’s name and address so Santa can respond.
LETTERS TO SANTA
Drop off letters to Santa at the Berlin Welcome Center, 14 S. Main Street. Receive a letter back with a coupon for a free treat. BerlinMainStreet.com
BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR PROGRAM
Select an item from Home Instead’s “Be A Santa To A Senior” Amazon wish list, purchase a gift card; or donate items such as warm clothing, blankets, crafts, puzzles and personal hygiene items. Drop off gifts to the Ocean Pines Community Center by Dec. 10. Gifts do not need to be wrapped. 410-641-7052, oceanpines.org
LIGHT UP THE PINES
Free annual outdoor decorating event. Register by Dec. 12 to be entered into the drawing to win one of three $50 bill credits from Choptank Electric Cooperative. The first 25 home to sign up will receive Choptank Electric goodies. Residents may sign up throughout the holiday season to have their homes added to the online map (oceanpines.org). Register: info@oceanpines.org, 410-641-7717, Ext. 3014.
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Dec. 1 through Jan. 3. Stop by the Ocean City branch to admire the holiday magic and help complete a very special scavenger hunt. For families. 410-524-1818
Bus departs on Dec. 20 at 6 a.m. from Chuckie Cheese in Salisbury. Cost is $97 and includes driver’s tip. Arrive at Macy’s in New York at 11 a.m. Bus will be leaving from Macy’s at 6 p.m. Pay by Dec. 15 by check, money order or use the church’s cash app ($calvarychurch6607, to: Calvary Church, for: New York Bus Trip) Make payments to Calvary United Methodist Church, 8607 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin. Info: Rosie Dennis, 443-614-7518.
Crossword answers from page 46
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o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus.
o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.
Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800
Worcester County Health Department OFFICE SECRETARY II
Full Time, State Benefits. This position is located in Snow Hill, Maryland. Applicants must be able to work at and travel to ALL Worcester County Health Department sites. This position provides secretarial support for the Community Health Adult Services program within the Nursing Department. Responsibilities include considerable organization, filing of both electronic & paper documents, maintenance of staff schedules, composing & proofreading correspondence, compiling & summarizing data into concise form, assisting clients with Maryland Access Point intake services, data entry & tracking for program reporting, preparation of technical & confidential reports and taking & typing meeting minutes.
Background check required.
$42,893.00 - $54,223.00/year with potential growth to $65,893.00/year
APPLY ONLINE at www.jobapscloud.com/md by December 10, 2025.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling 410-632-1100 ext. 1221.
Taylor Marine Center (West Ocean City) 11850 Ocean Gateway, 21842 (410-213-1391)
Boat Yard Assistant, Full Time Position, Paid Health Insurance, 401K, Five Day Work Week, 8:30-5:00. Duties: Boat movement, bottom painting, cleaning boats, yard maintenance, etc. Punctuality, Self Motivation, Orderliness, Ability to pass drug screening, along with valid driver’s license.
Compensation Hourly dependent on experience. Apply in Person, Call or Email, aschlaich@ taylormarinecenter.com
NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
Help live streaming on TikTok Live® $50+ per hour. Serious Inquires Only! 410-206-6590
JOLLY ROGER
Small Engine Mechanic.
Ride Maintenance. Year Round. Wage starts at $15/hour & up based on experience. Benefits available. 410-289-4902
DENTAL HYGIENIST
Ocean City, MD 410-213-1032
YR OCEAN PINES
Avail. Immediately South Gate Cul de Sac Recently renovated. Unfurnished. 4BR, 2BA Screened in porch, Central HVAC. No smoking/pets.
$2,600 per mo. + utils. & sec. dep. 410-404-8851
OC WINTER RENTAL Downtown 2BD/2BA, Apt., furnished. Central HVAC, W/D, WiFi, cable included. Occ. lmtd. to 2. No smoking/pets.
$800/mo. + utilities. 410-202-6353
YR APARTMENT 8th ST.
1 BR, Fully remodeled. 3rd Floor, No elevator
$1,850 per mo. Includes Cable, Elec. & Water 410-430-7675
YEARLY RENTAL
2BR, 1BA Unfurnished
319 Robin Drive
Available immediately Dog friendly, ground floor. Ideal 2 mature adults w/strong work history.
$2,000/mo + electric Call/text 703-819-7400
Seeking Year-Round Rentals!
Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE BISHOPVILLE
2BR, 2BA Mobile Home. In great shape. Min.’s to beach.
$34,000 Cash + $700 per mo. ground rent. Park is open YR! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
COMMERCIAL
2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200
COMMERCIAL SPACE
Rt. 611, Stephen Decatur Business Center.
Large unit with 5 individual office spaces within. $2,400 per mo. 410-430-7675
Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.
Commercial Space for Lease. ONLY 1 UNIT LEFT! 2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 1000 sq. ft. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885 for more information.
Property Wellness Check! Don’t let your property sit for months without someone checking on it. Management companies can’t keep up with inspections. Let us send you phots so you can feel comfortable. 443-234-5561
JAMES E. CLUBB, JR., ESQ.
108 N. 8th Street
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
OF TIME-SHARE INTERVALS IN THE OCEAN TIME CONDOMINIUM OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND
By virtue of a Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-25-000193, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the Ocean Time Condominium building located at 13 136th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, the following described property located in the Town of Ocean City, in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, on
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9,
the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.
For more information, call: James E. Clubb, Jr., Esq. Trustee
410-289-2323
OCD-11/20/3t
COHN, GOLDBERG & DEUTSCH, LLC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
1099 WINTERSON ROAD, SUITE 301
LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MARYLAND 21090
410-296-2550
File #: 453911
Richard E. Solomon
Richard J. Rogers
Michael McKeefery
Christianna Kersey
Kyle Blackstone
Jason Murphy
Brandon Ewing
1099 Winterson Road, Suite 301
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of MAY, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of MAY, 2026
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:
Each time interval being one week per year of the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Ocean Time Condominium as established pursuant to a Condominium Declaration and By-Laws recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and subsequent Time-Share Instruments as to each condominium unit, and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.
The property will be sold in an as is condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties or guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of sale per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all recordation and transfer taxes, the 2026 maintenance fee, and all other incidental settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be fifteen (15) days after final ratification by
Call: 410-723-6397
Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@octodaydispatch.com
In accordance with the order in Case no. C-23-CV-25-000192 in the Circuit Court for Worcester County, the Trustee named below will sell at public auction to the highest bidder on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at the front door of Golden Sands Club Condominium Unit No. 1908, 10900 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, all that property designated as Golden Sands Club Condominium Unit 1908, together with an undivided percentage interest in the common elements, as established pursuant to a Condominium Master Deed and By-Laws, as amended, dated July 2, 1975, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Liber No. 479, Folio 548, el seq., and pursuant also to the several plats described in the said Condominium Master Deed and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records in Plat Book No. 481, Folio 254, et. seq., as further described in a deed recorded at Book 51, Page 14, el seq., in "AS IS" condition, SUBJECT to all the liens, covenants, agreements, conditions, easements and restrictions as may appear among the land records of Worcester County, Maryland.
A deposit of $25,000.00 in cash or certified check will be required of the Purchaser at the auction. (A deposit will not be required if the successful bidder is the Plaintiff/secured party in this foreclosure action.) The balance in cash or cashier's or certified check shall be paid within 20 days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, said balance to bear interest at the rate of ten percent ( 10%) per annum from the date of sale to the date of payment. Time is of the essence for the Purchaser. All real estate taxes, wastewater and water charges, and condominium assessments shall be adjusted as of the date of sale and assumed thereafter by the Purchaser. All settlement costs, including recordation and transfer taxes and recording fees, shall be paid by the Purchaser. Possession will be given upon payment in full of the purchase price. If Purchaser fails to pay the balance of the purchase price when due, the deposit shall be forfeited and the property resold at the risk and cost of the defaulting Purchaser.
For further information, you may contact Spencer Ayres Cropper, Trustee, 410-723-1400.
Substitute Trustees Plaintiffs v.
Geraldine M. Bell, Personal Representative for the Estate of Eugene S. Purnell 10531 Harrison Road Berlin, MD 21811
Defendant IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
Case No. C-23-CV-25-000260
Notice is hereby given this 14th day of November, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 15th day of December, 2025, provided a copy of this notice be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Worcester County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 8th day of December, 2025. The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $127,024.89. The property sold herein is known as 10531 Harrison Road, Berlin, MD 21811.
Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, Maryland True Copy
Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-11/20/3t
CHRISTOPHER S ROBINS ESQ
ROBINS & ROBINS, P.A. 128 EAST MAIN STREET SALISBURY, MD 21801
NOTICE TO
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLES L WAITE III Estate No. 20912 Notice is given that DANIEL M WESTERLUND whose address is 6217 TIMMONS RD SNOW HILL, MD 21863-2429 was on NOVEMBER 13, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHARLES L WAITE III who died on NOVEMBER 11, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
(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-11/20/3t
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
P02-26 – Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements II
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements II and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements II may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 2025 AT 8:00AM, IN THE EAGLES LANDING GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE PARKING LOT, 12367 EAGLES NEST ROAD, BERLIN, MARYLAND 21811. The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18TH, 2025, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2025
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH, 2026, BY 3:00 PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements II) must be noted on the outside of the package.
Late BID Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.
Matt Perry Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-11/20/8t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of MICHAEL CHARLES WOOL Estate No. 20608 Notice is given that KATHY WOOL whose address is 5105 CREEK RD., SNOW HILL, MD 21863-3667 was on NOVEMBER 12, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MICHAEL CHARLES WOOL who died on OCTOBER 23, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 12th day of May, 2026
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 12th day of MAY, 2026
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-11/20/3t
JOHN P CUSTIS ESQ
JOHN P CUSTIS, LLC ATTORNEY AT LAW 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127
OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES
ESTATE NO. 20904
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the CIRCUIT court of ACCOMACK, VIRGINIA appointed (1) ERICA C WEBB whose address is PO BOX 284 PARKSLEY, VA 23421-0284, (2) CLIFFORD DONOVAN WEBB whose address is PO BOX 192 PARKSLEY, VA 23421-0192 as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of ELSIE FULLER WEBB who died on OCTOBER 02, 2023 domiciled in VIRGINIA, USA
The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) JOHN P CUSTIS whose address is 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127, (2) JOHN P CUSTIS whose address is 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY
ONE W MARKET STREET
ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-11/20/3t
JOHN P CUSTIS ESQ
JOHN P CUSTIS, LLC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
1408 S SALISBURY BLVD
SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the es-
tate of DORTY LEE WEBB Estate No. 20903 Notice is given that ERICA C WEBB whose address is PO BOX 284 24311 COOKE STREET PARKSLEY, VA 234210284 was on NOVEMBER 17, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DORTY LEE WEBB who died on APRIL 27, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 17th day of MAY, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 17th day of MAY, 2026
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-11/20/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20910 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ROBERT DAVID HUME
Notice is given that Keith Hume, 2917 Barrets Pointe Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185-7557, was on November 13, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert David Hume who died on October 28, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of May, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the
13th day of May, 2026.
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.
Keith Hume Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: November 20, 2025
OCD-11/20/3t _________________________________
COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A.
RAYMOND D. COATES JR., ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20916
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania appointed Zachary Douglas Myers, 4113 Bunker Hill Dr., S., Coopersburg, PA 18036-8815 as the Executor of the Estate of Joseph Douglas Myers who died on February 01, 2025 domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA.
The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is Raymond D. Coates Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698.
At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after
that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
Zachary Douglas Myers Foreign Personal Representative
Terri Westcott Register of Wills
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House
Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest
Date of first publication: November 27, 2025
OCD-11/27/3t
THURSDAY DECEMBER 11, 2025
Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held in-person before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County, in the Board Room (Room 1102) on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Audio and video recording will take place during this public hearing.
The public is invited to view this meeting live online athttps://worcestercountymd.swagit.co m/live
6:30 p.m. Case No. 25-64, on the lands of Selbyville Elks Home Inc., on the application of Bill Ireland, requesting a modification to an existing special exception and a variance to the front yard setback from 90 feet to 60 feet (to encroach 30 feet) for a proposed handicapped ramp with a landing in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-122(f), ZS 1201(c)(21) and ZS 1-305, located at 13324 Worcester Highway, Tax Map 3, Parcel 22, Tax District 5, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:35 p.m. Case No. 25-65, on the lands of Scott and Emily Gelman, on the application of Mark Spencer Cropper, requesting a variance to the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area regulations to exceed the allowable 100 foot tidal wetland crossing by 95 feet for a proposed 3 foot by 195 foot walkway over tidal wetlands pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(m)(1) and Natural Resources Code §§ NR 3-125(b)(1), located at 11919 Cedar Creek Road, Tax Map 15, Parcel 252, Lot 10, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:40 p.m. Case No. 25-66, on the lands of RCL Investments LLC and Top View LLC, on the application of Mark Spencer Cropper, requesting a variance to the front yard setback from 30 feet to 14.5 feet (to encroach 15.5 feet) and a variance to reduce the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area buffer from 50 feet to 1 foot (to encroach 49 feet) for a proposed residence with a deck in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1116(m)(1), ZS 1-206(b)(2) and ZS 1305 and Natural Resources Code §§ NR 3-104(d)(4) and NR 3-111, located on Riggin Ridge Road approximately 570 feet east of Golf Course
Road, Tax Map 27, Parcel 570, Block 2, Lot 15, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.
OCD-11/27/2t
Rosenberg & Associates, LLC
4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 (301) 907-8000
Diane S. Rosenberg
Mark D. Meyer
Sara Tussey
Andrew Higgins
Patrick Clowney, Jr.
4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814
Substitute Trustees
Plaintiff(s)
v.
Khalid A. Hindi
5719 George Island Landing Road
Stockton, MD 21864
Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
Case No. C-23-CV-25-000131
Notice is hereby given this 21st day of November, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of 5719 George Island Landing Road, Stockton, MD 21864, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 22nd day of December, 2025, provided a copy of this notice be inserted in Ocean City Digest a weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 15th day of December, 2025. The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $164,650.00.
Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD True Copy
Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-11/27/3t
STEPHANIE SCALES SHERRIN ESQ.
SCALES LAW GROUP 12417 OCEAN GTWY STE 11 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9525
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of DARA G MURRAY Estate No. 20917 Notice is given that ALEXANDRA TATE whose address is 831 MITCHELL AVE MORTON, PA 19070-1807 was on NOVEMBER 19, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DARA G MURRAY who died on SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or be-
fore the 19th day of MAY, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of MAY, 2026.
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-11/27/3t
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 106 ”Waterways,” Article II – “Shoreline Development” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Port Wardens Ordinance of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.
Thursday, December 11, 2025 2:00 PM
PW 25-091 A request has been submitted to install five (5) mooring pilis at the end of an existing “T” pier, maximum channelward extension of 174’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 205 Somerset Street Parcel 2501-B107 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: 16th & Philly, LLC/White Marlin Marina
APPLICANT: J. Stacey Hart
PW 25-092 A request has been submitted to install one 12’ 8” x 12’ 8” floating dock, maximum channelward extension 19’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 614 94TH ST Parcel # 9650 -124 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Glenn Cantagallo
APPLICANT: J. Stacy Hart
PW 25-093 A request has been
submitted to install one jet ski lift with one associated piling not to exceed 8’ 2” maximum channelward extension. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 411 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 302 Parcel # 5669 -302 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER – Bayshore OC, LLC
APPLICANT: Just Rite Marine, Inc.
PW 25-094 A request has been submitted to extend an existing 32’ pier by 18’ for a total length of 50’; to install one boat lift with associated pilings. All work 50’ maximum channelward extension. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 609 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 32 Parcel # 5347 -32 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Edward Lee
APPLICANT: Just Rite Marine, Inc.
PW 25-097 A request has been submitted to install 50’ of replacement vinyl bulkhead not to exceed 18” channelward; to install one boatlift and one PWC/kayak lift both with associated pilings not to exceed 13’ channelward. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 1510 SHAD ROW Parcel # 3370 -23 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Frederick C. Rummage, Jr.
APPLICANT: McGinty Marine Construction
Thursday, December 11, 20252:30 PM
PW Agenda Item 4: Public Hearing for Town of Ocean City Code Amendment to Board of Port Wardens. Chapter 106-Waterways Sections 106-31 through Section 106-44 amending the current code This includes updated Standards for Vinyl Bulkhead, Rip-Rap, Pier and Boat Lifts.
OCD-11/27/2t
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of MURIEL MATTHIAS HARRIS AKA: MURIEL MATTHIAS MORGAN Estate No. 20919 Notice is given that AMY ANNE MORGAN whose address is 103 HENRYS MILL DR., BERLIN, MD 218111459 was on NOVEMBER 19, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MURIEL MATTHIAS HARRIS who died on OCTOBER 27, 2025 with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of May, 2026
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of MAY,
2026.
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-11/27/3t
Scully Properties, LLC 5227 Thunder Hill Road Columbia, MD 21045 v.
Elaine M. Briggs
915 Grantnam Road, PO BOX 168 Grantham, PA 17027
Frederick L Briggs 915 Grantnam Road, PO BOX 168 Grantham, PA 17027
Worcester County, Maryland 1 W. Market Street, Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863
Unknown owner of property described as Item No. 8, Account No. 03-072592, Property description LOT B-07-082 10971 SQ FT AMBELSIDE CT PL OCEAN PINES SEC 7, Deed Reference: 6842/00006, Assessed to Elaine M Briggs & Frederick L Briggs, The Unknown Owner's heirs, devisees, and personal Representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right title and interest
All persons that have or claim to have any interest in the property described as Item No. 8, Account No. 03-072592, Property description LOT B-07-082 10971 SQ FT AMBELSIDE CT PL OCEAN PINES SEC 7, Deed Reference: 6842/00006, Assessed to Elaine M Briggs & Frederick L Briggs In the Circuit Court For Worcester County State of Maryland Case No.: C-23-CV-25-000331
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in and to the following property, lying and being situate in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and State of Maryland, to the Plaintiff in this proceeding:
Account No.: 03-072592
Assessed Owners: Elaine M Briggs & Frederick L Briggs
Brief Legal Address: LOT B-07-082
10971 SQ FT AMBELSIDE CT PL
OCEAN PINES SEC 7
Deed Reference: 6842/00006
Full Legal Description: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT of land lying and being situate in the Section called "Bramblewood" of the Development known as "Ocean Pines" in the Third Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, described as follows: Lot No. B-07-082, as designated and distinguished on the Plat entitled "Ocean Pines - Section Seven" made by B. Calvin Bums, Registered Professional Engineer No. 2583 of the State of Maryland, which said Plat is duly recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Plat Book F.W.H. No. 12, folio 43, et seq.
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for the redemption if the property have not been paid.
lt is thereupon this 23rd of November, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County,
ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 23rd day of January, 2026, and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.
Brian D. Shockley Judge, Circuit Court for Worcester County True Copy
Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-11/27/3t
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
B07-26 – Ocean City Boardwalk Wayfinding & Signage
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Boardwalk Wayfinding & Signage and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Ocean City Wayfinding & Signage may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by
calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A Pre-BID Meeting is not applicable for this Invitation to BID. The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18TH, 2025 AT 4:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on MONDAY, DECEMBER 22ND, 2025.
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than FRIDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2026, BY 3:00PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 5TH, 2026, AT 6:00PM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Ocean City Boardwalk Wayfinding & Signage) must be noted on the outside of the package.
Late BID Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.
OCD-11/27/5t
NILES, BARTON & WILMER, LLP
M. DAVID STALLINGS ESQ. 12417 OCEAN GTWY., STE. B13 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9521
OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20925
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the SURROGATE’S court of Camden County, New Jersey appointed Susan Siegmund Roswell, 606 Somerset Rd., Baltimore, MD 212102711 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Barbara L. Siegmund AKA: Barbara Lee Siegmund who died on August 03, 2025 domiciled in New Jersey, United States.
At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by
law will be barred. Susan Siegmund Roswell
Foreign Personal Representative
Terri Westcott Register of Wills
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of Newspaper:
Ocean City Digest
Date of first publication: December 04, 2025
OCD-12/4/3t
IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR (OR) BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND IN THE ESTATE OF: CAROL STOGRAN
ESTATE NO. 20679
To all persons interested in the above estate:
Notice is given that a petition to caveat has been filed by Cynthia Stogran, 53 Bennet Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13905 challenging the will dated 10/12/2023.
You may obtain from the Register of Wills the date and tie of any hearing on this matter.
Terri Westcott Register of Wills
Name of newspaper: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: November 27, 2025
OCD-11/27/2t
OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:
Thursday, December 18, 2025 AT 6:00 PM
Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 110-93(1), Powers of the Code, an application has been filed by Peter Buas, Esquire, on behalf of Kozmas, Inc., to appeal the Zoning Administrator’s determination of legal nonconformity related to the Sea Cove Motel which is dated September 9, 2025 and revised on October 27, 2025. The property is described as Lots 1 and 12, Block 78N, of the Sinepuxent Beach Plat. It is further described as being located on the southwest corner of Baltimore Avenue and 27th Street and
is locally known as the Sea Cove Motel located at 105 27th Street and 2611 Baltimore Avenue, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
APPLICANT: PETER BUAS, ESQUIRE, ON BEHALF OF KOZMAS, INC. (BZA 2729 #25-09300003)
Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall.
Christopher Rudolf, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney OCD-12/4/2t
CHARLES T. CAPUTE ESQ. MCALLISTER, DE TAR, SHOWALTER & WALKER LLC
100 N. WEST STREET EASTON, MD 21601-2710
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Estate No. 20926 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JANICE MCCABE SMITH
Notice is given that Brian Smith, 9407 Shockley Rd., Bishopville, MD 21813-1410, was on December 01, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Janice McCabe Smith who died on October 30, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 1st day of June, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 1st day of June, 2026.
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.
Brian Smith 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 04, 2025
OCD-12/4/3t
To all persons interested in the estate of LINDA ANN WHARTON Estate No. 20923 Notice is given that GARRICK WHARTON SR. whose address is 102 MAY DR., SALISBURY, MD 21804-7227 was on NOVEMBER 24, 2025 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of LINDA ANN WHARTON who died on MAY 30, 2020 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-12/4/1t
LICENSE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Class: "B" BEERWINE License: 7 Day, By: Yu Lin, 2306 Woodland Court, Pocomoke, Maryland 21851.
For: Sue Lin Asian Cuisine, Inc.
For the premises known as and located at:
T/A: Asian Cuisine 11007 Manklin Creek Road Berlin, Maryland 21811
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on:
December 17, 2025 @ 1:05 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us OCD-12/4/2t
OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Upgrade in Type from Beer-Wine to a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Jennifer A. Sandt, 2 Laport Court, Berlin, MD 21811; and Deborah Casey-Powell, 6070 Tarrytown Road, Salisbury, MD 21801.
For: Ocean Resorts WWCC Golf Club, LLC
For the premises known as and located at:
T/A: Ocean Resorts Golf Club 10655 Cathell Road Berlin, Maryland 21811
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 17, 2025 @ 1:15 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us OCD-12/4/2t
OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Upgrade in Type from Beer-Wine to a Class: "A" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Dillon G. Harrington, 10117 Orchard Road, Berlin, MD 21811.
For: West Bend, Inc.
For the premises known as and located at:
T/A: Wine Rack West O 12827 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, Maryland 21842
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 17, 2025 @ 1:25 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us
OCD-12/4/2t
OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer of a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Ann JohnsonKellington, 9B Mallard Drive East, Ocean Pines, MD 21811; and Charles W. Mitchell, 13118 Manor Drive, Mt. Airy, MD 21771.
For: CWMAMK, LLC
For the premises known as and lo-
cated at:
T/A: Taylor's Neighborhood Restaurant 11021 Nicholas Lane Berlin, Maryland 21811
Formerly: Taylor's Taphouse, LLC
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 17, 2025 @ 1:40 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us
OCD-12/4/2t
FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Request for acoustic music with a maximum of three pieces from the time the business opens until 11 p.m. inside and 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. outside, but not at the same time, Request for ambient music with four speakers outside from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., Request for disc jockey inside from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. – only during private event rentals, Request for inside games during all business hours – which include one shuffleboard, two arcade games, one dart board, and ring & string game, Request for outside games allowed from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. – two cornhole games, ring & string games and connect four games
CLASS: “B” BEER-WINELIQUOR LICENSE: 7 Day, By: Adam R. Davis, 115 Broad Street, Berlin, MD 21811.
For: Berlin Beverage Company, LLC
For the premises known as and located at:
T/A: Berlin Beer Company 115 Broad Street Berlin, Maryland 21851
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: December 17, 2025 @ 2:25 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us
OCD-12/4/2t
ond reading is scheduled December 15, 2025. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the December 1, 2025, agenda packet. This ordinance increases the maximum monetary amount for information that leads to the apprehension, arrest and conviction of any person committing any criminal act from $5,000 to $10,000.
OCD-12/4/1t
REQUEST FOR BID # 2026-01
PROJECT # 2024-41
Berlin Town Hall & Annex Renovations
Due Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm EST
The Town of Berlin is seeking bids for general contract work to complete renovations to the existing early 1900s Berlin Town Hall building. Renovations include, but are not limited to, reconfiguration of offices, replacement of all finishes, ceilings, lighting, HVAC, network cabling, and installation of a new automatic fire sprinkler system. Alternate 1 includes renovations to the interior of the existing planning and zoning building, hereby referred to as the 'Annex,' and all other work as described in the plans and specifications entitled Berlin Town Hall & Annex Renovations, prepared by Haley Architecture, LLC, dated December 2025. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST.
Qualified contractors are encouraged to visit the Town of Berlin website at https://berlinmd.gov/government/request-for-proposals/ for the official Advertisement for Bids.
OCD-12/4/1t
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 4, 2025) Berlin’s downtown merchants say last weekend’s Small Business Saturday promotion delivered shopping traffic from residents and visitors looking to support independent businesses.
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said participation was widespread among downtown shops, noting that “nearly all of them” offered specials or promotions during Small Business Saturday, which occurred nationwide.
The designated day took place after Black Friday to encourage shoppers to support the independent stores in their area. In Berlin, the event was held in collaboration with holiday season festivities.
“There’s something about Small Business Saturday that really brings out people who want to shop local,” Wells said. “People came from all over to be here. With so many shops to choose from, plenty of places to eat, benches to relax on, Merry Marketplace, free carriage rides, and Santa visits, the whole experience draws crowds. Many folks reached out to tell us how much they love coming to Berlin to shop.”
Wells said the town sees more shoppers on the Saturday after Thanksgiving now than it did before Small Business Saturday was created in 2010, noting
that the event has brought “a spotlight on the ‘shop local’ movement.”
“When people are buying gifts, they want something unique and you can find those things here in Berlin,” she added.
For business owners, that spotlight translates into a boost, one that was especially apparent this year. Co-owner of the home store British Rose, Larnet St. Amant said that she estimates a 25% to 30% increase in foot traffic this past Saturday, as compared to a normal weekend.
“The foot traffic this year, I think it was a perfect storm,” she said. “The weather was nice and chilly; it put you in the spirit … There were a lot of people. It was definitely up over 30%. Every year we build on what we have.”
St. Amant said she and her sister, the store’s other owner, turned the day into a full “sip and shop” experience.
“It’s hard to compete with big box stores,” St. Amant said. “As a small business, we try to have a sense of community.”
British Rose offered complimentary red and white wine to shoppers, samples of British chocolates, and a free soap gift with purchases of $20 or more.
St. Amant noted that the entire weekend — from Ice Ice Berlin on Black Friday to the town’s tree lighting and festive decorations — helped to propel business.
“We are very blessed here,” she said. “We make it a whole weekend. Black Fri-
day becomes Ice Ice Berlin, which brings people to see the ice sculptures. Also, the tree lighting and all the things that make it very festive creates a buzz. People want to be here, and people stay later than they normally would.”
St. Amant added that her shop stayed open late on Friday and Saturday, and offered the same wine, chocolate, and gifts on both days.
For St. Amant, personal touch remains the defining edge that small shops like British Rose have over larger retailers.
“With our shops being small, we have customer service,” she said. “We wait on people, we ask if they need help or if they have someone in mind for a gift, and we can help them find a gift. We’re a handson, smaller retail spot.”
She described the day as “perfect.”
“Everybody was in a good mood, people were so excited to be there and support,” St. Amant said. “It’s important for us. In this town, we all support each other. We all work together.”
Small Business Saturday was initiated in 2010 by American Express. In 2011, the U.S. Small Business Administration came on as an official cosponsor. According to American Express’s official website, the company launched the project to “drive consumers to spend at small businesses” right before the holidays, between the traditional Black Friday and Cyber Monday events.
The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce announced this week the 2025-2026 Board of Directors.
BOARD OFFICERS
Chair Salvatore Fasano, LaQuinta Hotel & Suites
Chair-Elect Joe Magnolia, 5 Star Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Treasurer Bobbi Jones, Ocean Downs Casino
Secretary Joe Wilson, Coastal Life Realty Group
Immediate Past Chair Phillip Cheung, CG Accounting Group, LLC BOARD DIRECTORS
Billy Apostolou, Direct Mortgage Loans
Elaine Davidson, RE/MAX Advantage Realty
Gary Figgs, Seacrets
Joe Groves, Spoondrift Management Group
Ashley Harrison, Harrison Group Resort Hotels
Lyndsey Foscolo, Positive Energy Stefanie Rider, Wor-Wic Community College
Trisha Seitz, Comcast Advertising Bob Thompson, Tier 1 Construction EX OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
John Gehrig, Ocean City Council/D3 Joe Mitrecic, Worcester County Commission /Mitrecic Builders
Banker attends council
Community bankers around the country gathered in Washington recently to discuss the latest challenges currently facing community banks across the country, according to Jennifer Poulsen, President & CEO of Hebron Savings Bank.
Poulsen, who attended the ABA Community Bankers Council meeting November 17-19, said the bankers talked at length about public policy, operations and business issues that might impact the nation’s hometown
11am-1pm105
Saturrdday 10am-Noon
banks and their communities.
“Community banks are such a vital part of our financial industry’s infrastructure,” said Poulsen. “The strength and success of these banks have a great impact on the vitality of the communities they serve.”
Bankers had lengthy discussions on public policy, such as deposit insurance modernization, as well as business and operations priorities like market structure and agricultural issues. Council members also had a chance to exchange ideas on ways to generate growth while managing financial risks, prevent fraud, leverage technology, develop the next generation of bankers, and many other business and operations best practices.
The ABA Community Bankers Council, which meets twice a year, is made up of approximately 100 bankers across the country from institutions with generally less than $5 billion in assets. Members are appointed by the ABA chair.
SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate reported recently its newest team members have passed the ethics exam through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), reaffirming a policy that is a cornerstone of our organization.
At SVN | Miller, every employee is required to take and pass this course upon joining the company. This standard exists for one reason: we believe ethics isn’t optional in commercial real estate – it is the foundation of trust, professionalism, and how we serve our clients, colleagues, and community. SVN | Miller is recognized by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) as an Accredited Management Organization® (AMO), and our team includes IREM-designated Certified Property Managers® (CPM®), along with other respected credentials such as Certified Com-
mercial Investment Members (CCIM), and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). This commitment to ethical practice and professional excellence ensures our clients receive the highest standard of service.
The IREM Ethics Course provides real-world scenarios and decision-making tools that help real estate professionals navigate the complex situations they face daily. For SVN | Miller, requiring this training ensures that every team member approaches each interaction with integrity, fairness, and a commitment to doing what is right.
“Our company was built on a foundation of service, accountability, and transparency – the very principles embodied in the SVN Core Covenants,” said Managing Director Rick Tilghman. “These covenants reinforce our commitment to integrity, client-first service, purposeful collaboration and consistently choosing what is right. Ethics are not merely an obligation for us; they define how we show up every day for the people who trust us with their properties and their long-term goals.”
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional recently honored the following four team members as 3rd Quarter 2025 Team Members of the Quarter:
Joyce Jones of Environmental Services (EVS) is TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s 3rd Quarter 2025 Team Member of the Quarter for Administrative and Support Services.
Jones is an environmental services aide who is known for her outstanding work ethic and positive attitude. She consistently anticipates tasks and completes them proactively, interacting pleasantly with both team members and patients while maintaining a friendly, professional demeanor.
Jones’s contributions go far beyond keeping the hospital clean. Her work allows clinical staff to focus on patient
care, helps patients feel comfortable and secure, and ensures the hospital meets strict safety and regulatory standards. Her dedication, reliability, and attention to detail make her an essential part of the healthcare team and deserving of this recognition.
Allison Elerding of the Richard A. Henson Research Institute is TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s 3rd Quarter 2025 Team Member of the Quarter for Professional Services. Since joining the Research Institute this past year, Elerding has demonstrated professionalism, initiative and dedication to excellence. She designed and secured Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for a clinical research study on quality of life and physical functioning in ALS patients, advancing care locally and supporting the clinic’s national accreditation. In July, she enrolled the first patient, conducting a compassionate, thorough consultation that reflected her commitment to ethical, patient-focused research.
Elerding also showed leadership when a senior team member retired, taking on additional responsibilities, including navigating complex regulatory compliance and maintaining departmental excellence. Her work ethic, collaborative spirit, and intellectual curiosity distinguish her as a rising leader in clinical research. She consistently elevates her team and the patients they serve, making her a vital asset to TidalHealth and deserving of this recognition.
Nicolina Adcock of Surgical Services is one of TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s 3rd Quarter 2025 Team
Life C d Str 123rrd reeet Unit B332, Ocean City 1BR/1BA
B 616 Salt Spray Rd #6, Ocean City1BR/1.5BA
Saturrdday 10:30am-12:30pm 3 Pines
3 Nottingham Lane, Ocean Pines3BR/2BA
Saturrdday 11am-1pm 9500 Coastal #12F
Saturrdday 11am-3pm
500 Coastal Hwy #12FF, , Ocean City 1BR/1.5BA
12430 Old Bridge Rd, West OC2BR/2BA
Saturrdday 12:30-2:30pm 6305 Atlantic A
Saturrdday Noon-2pm 11500 City
Saturrdday 2-4pm
Dougan/BHHS Pe
Power of 2 T Teeam/Hileman
Coastal Hwy #1614, Ocean City2BR/2BA
Bunting/Keller Wi 11877 Man O W Waar Lane, Berlin 3BR/2.5BASingle
Sunday 11am-1pm204 S Her
4 S Herroon Drive #202G, Ocean City 2BR/2BA
Sunday 11am-1pm6305 A
Atlantic Ave #301, Ocean City3BR/3.5BA
Sunday 1-3pm108 - 120th Str
Strreeet #48, Ocean Villas, Ocean City2BR/2BA
Laurreen Bunting/Keller Wi
Members of the Quarter for Nursing Services.
Adcock is an outstanding surgical assistant and a tremendous asset to TidalHealth’s surgeons and surgical residents. She consistently demonstrates professionalism, teamwork, and dedication to excellence in patient care, making her a valued member of the
Surgical Services team. She is also passionate about education, volunteering to train surgical residents and new team members. Adcock’s willingness to share knowledge fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth within the department. Her commitment, enthusiasm, and support of colleagues and learners exemplify TidalHealth’s values and make her deserving of this recognition.
Julie Benjamin of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is one of TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s 3rd Quarter
2025 Team Members of the Quarter for Nursing Services.
Benjamin consistently goes above and beyond as a patient care technician, ensuring her patients are clean, comfortable, and fully supported. She demonstrates compassion and dedication not only to her assigned patients but also to her fellow team members, stepping in wher-
ever she is needed.
One shift, Benjamin assisted in the ED by translating for the mother of a critically ill infant. She stayed with the mother for six hours, providing comfort, clear explanations, and support throughout the emergency, including delivering the tragic news of the infant’s passing. Her empathy, professionalism, and extraordinary commitment left a lasting impact on the family and her colleagues, exemplifying exceptional patient-centered care. She is truly deserving of this recognition.
you’ll find the 4th BR with park views & a large workshop area, ideal for hobbies or extra storage. The Roof and the Gas Heat have been replaced in the past 3 years.
By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer
(Dec. 4, 2025) According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recent report on the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (HBS), 11% of all buyers cited that saving for a down payment was the most difficult step in the home-buying process.
But as Anat Nusinovich, an economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, stated, homebuyers are overcoming this obstacle and the median down payment in the U.S. has increased over the last year.
Since saving for a down payment can delay homeownership for many first-time home buyers, the data points in the HBS report show older home buyers were able to put down a larger share of the property’s value as an initial investment:
In 2024, the highest down payment share was put down by home
buyers 65 years old or older. This age group put down a median of 22.1% of the property’s value when purchasing a home, or equivalently, $84,128.
Right below them were home buyers 45-64 years old who put down almost 17% or $68,849 as a down payment.
In contrast, buyers aged 25-34 put down approximately 5% (or $17,684), and buyers aged 35-44 put down 11.7% (or $50,444).
The smallest group, buyers below the age of 25, put down only 3.2%, equivalent to $8,028.
In comparison, the typical American borrower in 2024 provided a 10.8% down payment (or $41,214) when purchasing a home.
According to NAR’s HBS, the median home buyer age increased to a peak of 56 years old in 2024. That year, the average age of all buyers, both first-time and repeat, reached an all-time high.
Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City
Pocomoke City.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) A run-down and mold-ridden liquor warehouse in Snow Hill is slowly being reborn as a manufacturing and training hub for a feisty Maryland-based start-up that’s been wiring the Lower Shore with fiber broadband.
Since Talkie Communications acquired Worcester County’s long-vacant Liquor Control Department facility two years ago, spending just $380,000 for what the county deemed surplus property, the company has quietly been transforming the 8-acre site into a manufacturing hub and training center that could bring dozens of jobs to the Lower Shore.
“We have to build the whole ecosystem from start to finish in order to deploy in rural areas,” said Talkie co-founder Andrew DeMattia. “It’s a great building with a lot of challenges, a lot of roadblocks. We’re excited to get the ISP off the ground.”
The biggest challenge so far is the building itself, where they found so much mold in former office space that it’s not really safe or healthy to go inside. DeMattia said they did pay for mold remediation – but then, someone left the heat on, and the mold came back even worse.
The old warehouse on Snow Hill Road was once stocked and staffed for the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County. Bars and restaurants by law had to buy booze from them. But when the monopoly on liquor sales was ended by statute in 2014, the building went dark.
It’s been about four years since Talkie started connecting rural areas of Worcester County with broadband. Crews have worked to install lightning-fast internet to the doorsteps of rural homes around Snow Hill and
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DeMattia joked that, when he and twin brother Andre started the notfor-profit company in their hometown of Chestertown in 2015, they were an internet service provider that, when it came to installation, dabbled in construction. Now, he said, it feels like the other way around.
“Believe it or not, rural Maryland has faster internet than Prince George’s County,” DeMattias said, “because last time I checked, Verizon isn’t doing 10-gig internet. Anyone in the Talkie footprint has blazing speed, especially Worcester County. We have the majority of the area deployed. Everybody is capable of getting 10-gig. The digital divide has been near-eliminated.”
In this next phase of growth, Talkie wants to use the Snow Hill facility to start manufacturing its own component materials – and then, maybe even start selling those products to other broadband companies.
First, they’ll launch by manufacturing handholds and vaults, the little green box that’s an entry point in the ground for fiber cable.
Conduit manufacturing comes next – that’s the orange pipe that goes into the ground – and it’ll be their first product to fulfill “buy American” standards for the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
“The more raw materials we can create, the lower the cost of deployment,” DeMattia said. “By building it in house we’ll be able to save. No paying a manufacturer.”
Eventually, Talkie wants to build a call center in that old warehouse, too, which DeMattia said will fulfill their passionate goal of “truly local” customer service and support for both Worcester and Wicomico counties.
Then, they plan to add what DeMattia called a “training lab,” almost like a trade school, where new hires will be taught how to operate their specialized construction and installation equipment.
It all speaks to the company’s goal of being a major employer on the Shore.
Right now, Talkie has about 120 employees. Between projects on both the Lower Shore and in rural Western Maryland, DeMattia says they want to double that number, with highpaying positions like drill operators, foreman, locators, and laborers.
“We’re always hiring,” he said. “If you’re willing to work outside and work hard, we will teach you. We have been struggling to find people that want to work and we’ve had to literally send people from Chestertown down south to work. We are eager to hire people that come and we train ‘em. That’s the key.”
As a follow-up to October’s Worcester Wednesday initiative supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Beebe Medical Foundation’s Executive Director of Development Kay Young visited Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) to accept a check for more than $2,300 raised through the school’s pink dress-down day fundraiser. Each month, WPS students nominate charitable organizations for the school’s Worcester Wednesday fundraiser. Special recognition goes to WPS junior Olivia Soares (pictured) who brought attention to this important cause and led the effort to support Beebe Women’s Health Services. Pictured, from left, are WPS varsity girls soccer coach and physical education teacher Carol Hartnett, Soares, Young and Assistant Head of School and Director of Campus Operations and Athletics Mike Grosso.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) Snow Hill municipal officials this week fielded a formal offer from a potential buyer for the downtown firehouse with the hope of revitalizing the building as a community asset.
The unnamed buyer met Tuesday in a closed session with Snow Hill Mayor Janet Simpson, Town Manager Rick Pollitt, and members of the Town Council. Officials didn’t decline the offer but decided to review more information before taking any action, according to Clint Bickford, a Realtor representing the town on the listing.
Pollitt said it was the first time the town, which is the owner and seller of the property, received a buyer’s proposal since putting the 13,470-square-foot commercial building on the market in June. The town council responded with a “great deal of interest” and a follow-up meeting is set for Tuesday, he added.
“They’re just trying to get a clearer understanding of what they would be dealing with and what the plan would be – just a little more information than what they received last night,” he said. “So, naturally we’re anxious to investigate it thoroughly and see if it would be a good fit for the town.”
The town is asking $325,000 for the property, which sits on a quarter-acre lot. The two-story facility includes three garage bays, office space, and meeting rooms. It lies 500 feet from the
River in the heart of Snow Hill’s downtown.
It’s also 75 years old and riddled with electrical hiccups, code compliance problems, and all the issues that would be expected in a decades-old commercial structure. That’s one of the reasons the Snow Hill Police Department just vacated the building after calling it home for 23 years, moving to newer and nicer offices down the street.
Volunteer firefighters here haven’t occupied the building since 2002. Since then, the building has also been used for the town’s Blues Jam, storing Christmas decorations, holding the occasional public meeting, and serving as a backdrop to the annual Blessing of the Combines.
“I think for this space in particular, it's going to take somebody with some creativity, obviously, and a little bit of pockets. If you could make this whole space functional – and that will be the struggle – it'll be very good,” Bryan Coates, the co-listing agent with Bickford with brokerage Keller Williams, told OC-Today Dispatch in August.
The firehouse’s immediate neighbor, Elliott’s Tavern, is also listed for sale. Coates added that some early buyer inquiries showed an interest in buying both properties to make way for a largescale attraction like a brewery or a distillery. Even more space throughout the
Stakeholders advocate for compensation,
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) Worcester County Public Schools officials, School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) members, educators, parents, and community stakeholders met this week for a public input session on the academic system’s fiscal year 2027 operating budget.
Speakers repeatedly emphasized a need for competitive teacher and staff compensation, small class sizes, quality instructional materials, and investments in upgraded classroom technology.
The meeting opened with a budget
overview from Worcester County Public School Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert, who outlined the current year’s $140.48 million operating budget.
Tolbert said 79.8% of the system’s FY26 revenue comes from the Worcester County government, while 19.5% comes from State of Maryland aid. The remaining amount is made up of other income sources and carryover funds.
Tolbert said that for expenditures, instructional costs account for 42.7% of the budget. Another 23.3% covers fixed expenses, such as employee healthcare. Special education services make up 10.2%, operations of facilities account for 7%, and transportation represents 5.7% of spending.
“Our budget is 86.2% employees,” Tolbert added. “Salaries and fixed
charges, like most school systems. We are a people organization, from our teachers and educational assistants to our custodians and administrators.”
He said fixed charges include professional development, full-time employee salaries per negotiated agreements, substitute pay, extra duty stipends for activities like coaching and club advising, and employee benefit packages, including health insurance and tuition reimbursement.
For FY27, Tolbert said the school system’s priority is a step increase for all employees, with an estimated cost of about $1.29 million. Cost-of-living adjustments and health insurance increases remain undetermined but are under review.
As part of the budget planning process, speakers representing each county school district delivered presentations, outlining what they would like WCPS to prioritize in next year's budget. Many representatives echoed the same themes.
ementary, middle, and high schools, including Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special School.
Beth Shockley-Lynch, president of the Worcester County Teachers Association and a teacher at Snow Hill Middle School, said the district’s educators overwhelmingly want compensation addressed first.
Shockley-Lynch said that ahead of negotiations each year, the WCTA gathers input from the school system’s educators. This time around, of the open-ended survey responses collected, 90% identified salary and overall compensation as the top concern.
‘But we trust you will do your very best to show all of our educators how much you value them during this budget cycle.’
Beth Shockley-Lynch
Desires of the Worcester County school system community remain small class sizes, competitive compensation for teachers and staff, after-school and summer programs, continued refreshment with up-todate technology, and quality instructional materials.
Worcester County parent and alumna Jessica Hales represented Ocean City Elementary School during this week’s budget input session. Hales said she has been “blown away” by the education her children receive, and urged that, to retain this standard of achievement, the district should keep class sizes low, maintain “the highest level” of salary packages, refresh technology regularly, and continue funding after-school and summer programs.
These priorities were reiterated by representatives for all the system’s el-
“‘Our pay should match our success,’” ShockleyLynch quoted from one teacher’s response. “‘Having the lowest pay, while simultaneously delivering the highest results in the state, feels unfair and contributes to a feeling of being undervalued.’”
Shockley-Lynch added that it is “critical” for WCPS to soon meet the mandate set by the statewide educational plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, that teacher starting salary begins at $60,000.
Shockley-Lynch said there is also a “strong call” to raise wages for educational assistants and related services, who she described as “a critical part of our system’s success.”
She also said that in the survey, teachers stressed the importance of maintaining small class sizes and increasing planning time to meet instructional demands.
“There is no doubt in my mind that if you could grant all of these requests, you would,” Shockley-Lynch said, addressing the Worcester County Board of Education members.
“But we trust you will do your very best to show all of our educators how much you value them during this budget cycle.”
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) Worcester County officials this week rejected an early version of a proposal for a new solar panel farm in Bishopville.
The County Commissioners on Tuesday reviewed plans for a 2.064megawatt solar farm to be located on a 12.67-acre property at the corner of St. Martins Neck Road and Godfrey Bunting Road. The proposal is from Arizona-based applicant Areana Gadwall Solar LLC.
Commissioner Joe Mitrecic’s motion to approve failed in a 2-5 vote, with Mitrecic and Commissioner Eric Fiori voting yes. None of the other commissioners made any comments to explain their down votes.
The draft solar farm application was shared with the county commissioners as a required preliminary step before filing with the Maryland Public Service Commission for an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
The commissioners don’t have final say on solar projects greater than 2 megawatts. Instead, it’s up to the state’s Public Service Commission. Here, the commissioners were asked to approve the draft proposal if they deemed it consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. They’re also asked to offer any suggestions to improve or modify the plan before the applicant sends it along to the state.
The project got a negative review in an internal review from the county’s di-
rector of environmental programs, Bob Mitchell.
According to Mitchell, the proposed solar farm would land squarely on existing farmland located within a conservation easement established to protect productive farmland, called the Bishopville-Showell Rural Legacy Area.
It’s an area that not only has been farmed continually for more than 100 years, he wrote, but is also farmed in concern with neighboring properties under a rental contract by the same farming families.
“This property is a prime example of a generational land transition to a nonresident landowner that demonstrates in a nutshell the vulnerability of the state’s productive farmland when the landowner is presented with a solar lease that is considerably more than their farm rental rates,” Mitchell wrote.
Mitchell added that care should be taken to remove groundwater when digging on site as not to negatively impact nearby properties.
Moving forward, the proposal is still alive and will undergo additional county reviews before ultimately being sent to the state’s Public Service Commission for final approval.
Wicomico Retired School Personnel Association (WRSPA) donated toys and warm winter wear to the Salvation Army Holiday collection. At each of their four luncheons, a community service project is held. Pictured, from left, are Kenya Dennis, social worker; Judy Davis, WRSPA community service; Cheryl Kennedy, Terry Bernstein and Karen Kundell, WRSPA members; and Willie Downing, Salvation Army Boys/Girls Club.
According to the project application, the solar farm would be unmanned and monitored remotely, with solar arrays that continuously rotate throughout the day to stay oriented to the sun. Construction is estimated at six to nine months with a timeline of completion by spring 2028.
Stratakos’s felting and other creations are exhibited in the Artisan Showcase on First Friday at the Art League of Ocean City on 94th St. bayside. The show appeared through Nov. 28.
Susan Callahan displays her handiwork during the Art League’s First Friday opening reception at the Art League of Ocean City, 94th St. bayside. Callahan will be teaching classes on Boho mending and narrative stitching in January and February 2026.
the
through Nov.
her landscape paintings and her
Marian Bickerstaff collected food items from the Community Food Drive at the Art League of Ocean City’s First Friday reception on Nov. 7. Bickerstaff, former Art League board president, is currently manager of Sarah’s Pantry food bank at the Community Church of Ocean Pines and welcomed the donations.
The Art League of Ocean City opened its November exhibits with a First Friday celebration at the Center for the Arts. A new exhibit with updated works opens tonight. SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
On Friday, October 24, Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) hosted the grandparents and guests of our lower school students for a special day on campus. Lower School students have been busy preparing class projects and performances in anticipation of Grandparents and Special Friends Day at WPS. The day began with coffee and refreshments, followed by a “Harvesting Memories” themed performance by each grade. The students then met their grandparents and special guests in the Field House to present their projects. Next up were visits to the Lower School classrooms and a quick stop for a keepsake photo. The day ended in the library with a visit to the Book Fair.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Military legend’s career portrayed in classic movie
by actor George C. Scott
By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer
(Dec. 5, 2025) This week, 80 years ago, Gen. George S. Patton Jr., went hunting for Hungarian pheasants near Speyer, a small city located on the Rhine River, 16 miles south of Mannheim and 13 miles southwest of Heidelberg, in Germany. Patton knew it would probably be his last opportunity to indulge in this sport before his departure for the U.S.
Following the end of the war in Europe, Patton was appointed military governor of Bavaria, and oversaw denazification efforts. But what he really wanted was a command in the war against the Japanese. But it was not to be.
After making untoward public comments about the recently liberated Jews and kind comments about the recently defeated Germans, and disobeying an order of his commander, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, he was in fall of 1945, relieved of command and reassigned to command of Fifteenth Army. Except, there wasn’t any Fifteenth Army.
There was a headquarters staff, but their duty was to compile a history of the war in Europe. He quickly tired of this exercise, and decided that when he returned to the U.S., on Dec. 10, 1945, he would not return.
Patton was descended from King Edward I (“Longshanks”), who ruled England for 35 years from 1272. He was also a distant cousin of George
Washington. His paternal grandfather commanded a regiment under Jubal Early (“Old Jube”), and was killed during the Third Battle of Winchester.
His great-uncle was killed leading another regiment during Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. Both were graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. His father was also graduated from VMI, and went on to become the
District Attorney of Los Angeles County, marrying the daughter of the second mayor of Los Angeles, who was also a wealthy merchant and landowner.
Like his father, grandfather, and great-uncle, Patton began his collegiate education at VMI. After a year, he secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
When news comes out of a Worcester County Board of Education meeting, it’s seldom about the board members themselves. Yet, the biggest takeaway from Tuesday’s public input budget session in Newark is that board member Katie Addis stunned everyone in the room by announcing her immediate resignation.
She has caught people off guard before, but this declaration was different. In her speech that led up to her announcement, she said she had found the job more difficult than anticipated because of biased newspaper reporting, a “good ol’ boy” mentality in the county and a school system that routinely wanted more money than it needed.
Also coming in for a verbal walloping from Addis was the Worcester County Teachers Association, which she accused of not always working in the teachers’ interests.
Addis began her surprise resignation speech by saying she sought — and won — a school board seat three years ago because it was her dream to see her children enter the county school system. That, she continued, would not be the case, although she offered no specific reason why that would not or could not happen or what prompted her decision to step down with one year left on her term.
That she was destined not to blend in with the other members of the board was evident during her 2022 campaign for the 6th District’s (Bishopville) seat on the board. In an interview with the Capital News Service, Addis said the biggest problems facing the school system were “Social Emotional Learning, a damaging health framework and constant political agendas are being pushed.”
She also objected to what she said were the schools teaching “Critical Race Theory practices, gender identity and other social justice programs to create a divisive divide in our schools.”
Addis also had butted heads with other members and the administration over the board’s budget proposals, which she saw as excessive. Now, she’ll have to object from the sidelines for reasons that remain unclear, for now.
I have a few things on my mind this week, beginning with something that came up this week over breakfast.
As my marital associate and I dissected events of the previous 24 hours and debated various mysteries of life, she said, “Here’s a mystery for you: How come the weather on TV is always ‘First Alert Weather?’ You never see ‘Second Alert Weather.’ Does that mean no one’s following up on the first report?”
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By Stewart Dobson
She has a point. If the First Alert Weather at 6 a.m. says it’s going to be 60 degrees and sunny and three hours later it’s cloudy and cooler, wouldn’t calling this subsequent forecast “First Alert,” be misleading when the real First occurred three hours earlier and was wrong anyway?
Shouldn’t the weather person make it clear that the First Alert no longer applies and this update has better information by telling viewers, “Here’s your ‘Second Alert Weather?’” Just asking.
***
Another mystery involves Black Fridays. Apparently, we have a handful of them before and after Thanksgiving. That’s judging from the many television commercials and web page pop-up messages that say, “Black Friday sale ends Monday,” or “Black Friday — Three Days Left!”
Clearly, retailers at least believe we have more than one Black Friday or that this particular Friday is somewhere between 72 and 96 hours long.
This confuses people like me as I’m inclined to wonder which of the multiple Black
Fridays has the best deals? I mean, are all Black Friday prices the same or do they fluctuate between that optimistic first Black Friday and the desperate final Black Friday three or four days later?
I know nothing about retail sales, but it seems to me if they want to do this right, they would start their several weeks of Fridays right after Halloween and then market the shopping season as “Fifty Shades of Gray Fridays.”
Our penchant for attaching special labels to the days of the week for marketing purposes, meanwhile, has gone too far. Now we have a whole week of people, institutions and organizations vying for our attention and our money via catchy titles.
Black Friday, of course, is followed by “Small Business Saturday,” which is followed by “Cyber Monday,” which is followed by “Giving Tuesday,” which is probably followed in some households by “What the Wednesday?” My guess is that “What the Wednesday” coincides with the arrival of the credit card statement.
***
Scientists have developed transmitters so small and unobtrusive that they are tracking individual monarch butterflies on their fall migration to Mexico.
They really are and this has given me an idea. Because these transmitters cost just $200 each, and they are barely discernable, I think you could sneak one onto someone you’d just as soon avoid over the holidays.
You get a beep on your phone and it’s, “Run for your lives! It’s Uncle Ray, ‘Mr. Indigestion,’ making the rounds!”
Incidentally, if $200 is too expensive, you might get a better deal on Black Friday, or Black Friday, or, possibly Black Friday.
By Steve Green
Three years into her term, Worcester County Board of Education member Katie Addis quit Tuesday night. While she had a lot of negative and critical things to say in her exit rant about the school system, as well as the media, it’s what’s up next that intrigues me the most. The current situation is not unlike what happened in 2021, although the circumstances are far different.
Board member Eric Cropper’s sudden passing on July 30, 2021, occurred three years into his second term, resulting in the County Commissioners appointing in early October of 2021 Nate Passwaters, who holds an administrative position with the county’s sheriff’s office, to serve the remainder of the term. On a platform of improving the school system and correcting many wrongs she perceived, Addis in the November 2022 election secured a big win over Passwaters, securing 57% of the vote, 2,040 to 1,553.
Though the timelines with their vacancies are similar, Addis and Cropper were polar opposite ideologists. Cropper, who served on the school board for seven years at the time of his passing, was a robust public education supporter with deep family ties to the school system. Cropper’s kids went to public school, and notably his wife and sister-in-law were and remain esteemed special education leaders. Addis, while supporting deputes in private schools recently, appeared before the commissioners wearing a private school sweatshirt. It’s her family’s choice to send their children where they want, but appearing before elected officials as a private school board member and parent shows questionable discretion for a sitting elected school board member. It’s important to look forward, and what’s next will be fascinating. As they did in 2021, the commissioners are tapped to appoint Addis’s replacement with Commissioner Jim Bunting more than likely taking the lead since it’s his district. Bunting supported a pro-school type in Passwaters in 2021, so it will be fascinating to see who he recommends to the commissioners. An argument could also be made, and I will make it here, the commissioners should consider waiting until the candidate filing deadline passes Feb. 24, 2026, before making a decision.
As of Thursday, only former educator Kathy Cater has filed for the District 6 school board seat. The county could simply wait until the February deadline – which is close to the timeline of the 2021 appointment process – to make a choice. If Cater is the only candidate to express an interest in running for the seat by the deadline, it makes sense to me to appoint her to the position. After all, Cater would essentially win the seat by virtue of being unopposed.
As for Addis’s future, the abrupt nature of the departure has led to political speculation she is considering a run at the commissioner seat that’s been held by Bunting for the last 16 years. Bunting has said he will not seek a fifth term, and former Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor has filed for the post. Addis’s husband, Richard, ran against Bunting in the 2022 Republican primary with Bunting taking 61% of the vote, 677-427. It will be interesting to see if anything materializes over the next few months, but an Addis-Taylor matchup in the Republican primary in June 2026 would certainly be a study in contrasts.
As expected, Worcester County has been hearing a lot of criticism for the exorbitant water and sewer bills being received. These increases are drastic and the fact is if the eye was on the ball at the county level modest adjustments would have occurred over time. The rates remained flat for about 12 years. Lack of foresight from county officials have resulted in a nightmare scenario for residents and businesses facing surprising massive spikes. Another thorn in the side of many property owners is the fact some bills have been delayed for weeks due to a system glitch, leaving some unclear what increase they will need to address before year’s end.
Before a presentation as to why the increases occurred, several speakers laid into the commissioners. I truly thought the criticism would be more robust over these massive increases, which in many cases more than doubled. Some of the speakers’ comments can be read in this week’s story. Their points are similar and understandable.
It’s laudable county officials have owned the errors in public meetings in recent months. Nonetheless, acknowledging the mistakes doesn’t help residents facing serious financial concerns with the unexpected and drastic hikes. This week the same dialogue from elected officials was heard with Commissioner Eric Fiori calling the situation “really painful,” saying ignored maintenance is “biting us in the rear end,” but “we cannot continuously lose money. We gotta stabilize, but at the same we have to be innovative.” Fiori added the hope is to lower the rates once the funds are right sized. Commissioner Chip Bertino, whose district residents in Ocean Pines have been the most vocal on social media in their disgust, has been critical of the county’s handling of the utility districts. This week he agreed with a resident complaining about the county not explaining to the public about the drastic increases beforehand. Bertino said the county “did a lousy job with that,” arguing some concerns could have been addressed early through a “much more robust public relations and informational aspect to this.”
Editor,
I am writing to thank everyone who helped serve our community at the annual free meal on Thanksgiving day at the Ocean City Baptist Church (OCBC). The meal included the traditional Thanksgiving entrees and sides which included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, apple pie, pumpkin pie, cherry pie and drinks.
With the help of the community, we were able to serve 115 people who dined in, 251 deliveries to first responders, shut-ins and others who had to work, as well as 369 carry-out meals. This led to a total of 735 meals served to the community.
This was the 46th year that OCBC has hosted this event and every year it just gets better. I want to thank a few people who made this meal possible. Thank you to the OC Elks Lodge #2645, the Humphrey's Foundation Inc., and many other private donors from the Ocean City Baptist Church for the generous financial gifts.
I also want to thank Chef Paul Dehuarte and his two sons Matthew and Paul Junior for all their hard work and cooking and preparing the meal. Thank you to Ms. Melanie Corbin who organized the hundreds of volunteers who came to help, as well as the take out meals. Because of her organization and patience everything ran very smooth and we never ran out of food or paper goods. I also want to thank the many church members who made a turkey so that in lightened the work for Chef Paul and the 100’s of volunteers who came from all
over so that the many hands made light work for everyone.
Thanksgiving is a time a year that we can truly be grateful for God’s blessings in our lives. What made this year so special is the unity and love that was displayed from the hundreds of people who came together from all different backgrounds.
Everyone who received a meal left with a full belly and a full heart — including me.
Pastor Sean Davis Ocean City
As the Berlin postmaster, my team and I are here to help the community with holiday cards and gifts move to their destinations without a hitch. The Postal Service’s recent modernization efforts — practical changes in how we sort, stage, and dispatch — align us with leading logistical practices to best deliver your holidays.
A few quick tips: confirm your addresses (including Zip Codes and apartment or suite numbers); choose the right service — USPS Ground Advantage for value, Priority Mail for speed, and Priority Mail Express when timing is critical; be aware of recommended ship-by dates; and visit usps.com for all your mailing and shipping needs.
As always, ship early. This year, our recommended ship-by dates for expected holiday delivery within the continental U.S. before Dec. 25 are:
• Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage service; First Class Mail service
• Dec. 18: Priority Mail service
• Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
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Continued from Page 75
service
We’re focused on dependable performance for every address we serve. Thanks for trusting the Postal Service this holiday season.
Erica Fort-Ward (The writer is the Postmaster at the Berlin Post Office)
I am a 12-year-old girl from Ocean Pines and the club reporter for the 4-H Nature Adventurers. Our club is made up of homeschoolers. We focus on education, the environment, and service to the community.
We gather several times a year to collect trash at various parks, including White Horse Park. Unfortunately, while the parks and rec team do an excellent job cleaning up after events, we still find bits of broken ornaments and zip ties there year-round. We have decorated trees as a club the past few years, and this time we went with all nature-friendly ornaments, using string and twine to hang bird seed covered pinecones, popcorn and cranberry garlands, dried oranges, and even a star made of sticks.
With any luck, the birds will help themselves to our decorations and leave us little to clean up after the holidays. All the trees are always so beautifully decorated. We hope that our tree this year will encourage others to think about nature when securing their ornaments (it can get so windy!) and maybe even hang things that if blown off will be safe for the local critters to find.
Wishing you a happy holiday season,
Frankie Maratea Ocean Pines
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He was graduated on June 11, 1909, and married Beatrice Banning Ayer, the daughter of a wealthy Boston industrialist.
Together, they had two daughters and a son, who was also graduated from West Point, and who rose to the rank of major-general. Patton competed in them pentathlon in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, the same Olympics at which Jim Thorpe won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
Patton participated as an aide to Gen. John J. Pershing in the hunt for Mexican revolutionary/bandito, Pancho Villa, in 1916, earning his first promotion. He continued as Pershing’s aide during the deployment of the American Expeditionary Force to France, in 1917, following America’s entry into The Great War.
On that assignment, he developed his interest in tanks. Patton received the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery and coolness under fire on Sept. 28, 1918. During the interwar years Patton became an expert in, and a proponent of, tank warfare. He received his first star on Oct. 2, 1939, and his second on April 4, 1941.
Patton commanded the force that landed at Casablanca, Morocco, on Nov. 8, 1942. After the American defeat at Kassarine Pass in Tunisia, he was given command of II Corps and a third star.
Once Axis forces were driven out of North Africa, Patton was given command of Seventh Army, which with British Eighth Army, invaded Sicily. It was during the battle for Sicily, that his famed rivalry with British Gen. Sir Bernard Law Montgomery began.
Controversies also began to dog the general during the battle for Sicily. First, was the debate about
whether he had ordered or condoned the execution of prisoners. Although, he was able to dodge any consequences from that incident, he would not be able to escape the next one.
In August, he slapped two soldiers who were suffering from “battle fatigue” — today PTSD — in two separate incidents. The uproar cost him command of the Seventh Army. He was also forced to apologize to the two soldiers, the medical staff that witnessed the incident, and the entire Seventh Army. Consequently, he did not participate in the invasions of either Italy or France. Instead, he was given command of a nonexistent army with which the Allies faked an invasion of France at Calais. The ruse helped convince Hitler that Calais was the real target, causing him to maintain a 200,000-man army there while the Allies came ashore at Normandy.
He was finally given command of Third Army on Aug. 1, 1944. Gen. Patton’s Third Army raced across France until it was stopped by a lack of fuel. He was infuriated that his rival, Field Marshal Montgomery, was getting the lion’s share of the fuel for Operation Market Garden.
Gen. Patton’s Third Army was not initially involved in The Battle of the Bulge, but when Supreme Allied Commander, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower summoned him to a meeting on Dec. 19, with the other commanding generals, he discerned the situation and directed his staff to develop plans to withdraw six divisions from the front and direct them to Bastogne, which was encircled by the Germans.
When Ike asked him how long it would take him to disengage six divisions to relieve the 101st Airborne Division, holding Bastogne, Patton replied, "As soon as you're through with me." All were in-
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credulous — but he did it. Bastogne was relieved on Dec. 26.
Allowing the Germans to advance was bad winter weather, keeping Allied planes on the ground. So, he ordered his chaplain to compose a prayer for good weather, which he did. Soon after the prayer was delivered, the weather cleared, and Allied planes took to the air.
Patton received his fourth star on April 14, 1945. But, as he moved from a combat commander to a peacetime occupation commander, controversy returned to dog him. Anti-Semitic, and impolitic, comments, about our Soviet allies and our former German enemies, began to attract scrutiny from his superiors. Eventually, Patton “wore out his welcome,” and was relieved of command, and ordered home.
On the day before his departure, Dec. 9, 1945, Patton, already packed, was bored, and decided to go hunting one last time. Accompanying him would be his friend and chief-of-staff, Maj. Gen. Hobart Gay. The two generals were picked up in a 1938 Cadillac 75 Sedan, driven by 19-year-old PFC Horace L. “Woody” Woodring, of Kentucky.
The commodious Caddy was built to accommodate seven passengers comfortably. The distance from the partition between the front compartment and the back of the rear seat was at least six feet. Mounted in the center of the partition was a clock.
Included in the hunting party was Sgt. Joseph Spruce, driving a quarter-ton truck and carrying the guns and a hunting dog.
The two generals were seated in the rear of the Cadillac, with Patton behind the driver. En route, Gen. Patton decided to detour to inspect some ruins. Upon arrival at the ruins he got out of the Caddy, and
An accident in December of 1945 left Patton paralyzed from the neck down.
stomped around the ruins in the snow. When he returned to the car, he sat in the front passenger seat to take advantage of the heat from the car’s engine to warm and dry his cold, wet feet.
The procession was stopped by a young MP at a checkpoint. Patton got out of the car and told Sgt. Spruce to bring the dog to the limo, saying, “The poor thing is going to freeze to death in your goddamn truck!” So, the dog sat up front, while Patton returned
to his original seat behind the driver.
En route to the hunting area, the truck and the Cadillac came to a rail crossing, just north of Mannheim. It was 11:45 a.m. Both vehicles stopped, waiting for a train to pass. Ahead of the Cadillac was a Jeep driven by 20-year-old Lt. Peter K. Babalus, from Boston. In the passenger seat was Lt. John Mertz, from New York. Headed in the opposite direc-
Valerie Jean Staley, 63, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025, in Ocean View Del.
Valerie was born in Baltimore to the late John C. Staley and Mary P. Staley. She is survived by siblings Jack Staley (Jody), Mary Staley-Ball (Jerry), Greg Staley (Lynnette), sister-inlaw Cindy Staley. Valerie was blessed with a large family and is survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by a brother, Brian Staley. Valerie grew up in Bel Air. She graduated from John Carroll High School and worked for Harford Community College. She moved to Ocean
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tion was a 2.5-ton GMC Signal Corps truck driven by Robert L. Thompson, of Chicago, which was also stopped.
After the train passed, the gate was lifted and the Jeep crossed the tracks. At the same time, the “Deuce and a Half” also moved forward and began making a left turn. As the Cadillac moved forward, behind the Jeep, it and the truck collided.
Evidence is conflicting as to whether Thompson signaled for a left turn. In any event, although the right front fender and the motor of the Cadillac were pushed back, neither PFC Woodring, General Gay, nor the dog, were injured. None of the Cadillac’s windows had been broken.
However, Gen. Patton had suffered a compression fracture and dislocation of the cervical third and fourth vertebrae as well as a cervical spinal cord injury. He was paralyzed from the neck down. The general was taken to the 130th Station Hospital in Heidelberg, where he lingered for 12 days.
His funeral was held at Episcopalian Christ Church in Heidelberg, on Dec. 24. From there, his casket was transported by half-track to the train station, where it was conveyed to the American Military Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg, where he joined 5,076 fallen soldiers of the Third Army.
These events are portrayed in the TV movie, “The Last Days of Patton,” starring Academy Award winners George C. Scott, reprising his award-winning role as the general, and Eva Marie Saint as Mrs. Beatrice Ayer Patton.
Next: Trial of Gen. Homma Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.
City where she worked for the Ashore Resort and Beach Club. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends, especially to the warm islands in the Caribbean. She was an avid reader, who enjoyed a good mystery.
A Celebration of Life is planned for June 2026. Donations in her name can be made to Delaware Hospice 630 Churchmans Road, Suite 200, Newark, Del. 19702.
Valerie will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ocean
Patricia Lee Owens, of Bayshore Drive, passed away peacefully in her home in Martinsburg, W.Va. on Nov. 26, 2025, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family, leaving behind a legacy of love, professionalism, service, and dedication that touched family, friends, colleagues, and customers.
Born in Baltimore but raised in Manassas, Va., Patty built a dedicated career in banking. For more than 40 years, Patty devoted her career to the banking industry, building her professional journey from the teller line to the executive level. She embodied the true spirit of the American dream. The belief that anyone regardless of where they start can build a more prosperous life through hard work and opportunity. To her, banking was about
relationships, trust and delivering on service beyond expectations. She was known as a leader who never hesitated to roll up her sleeves. She led by example, providing leadership that was deeply rooted in customer service.
Outside of her professional life, she embraced a life of service, community, and family. She cherished her time volunteering in Ocean City, Maryland with the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary (Post 166), and being a Beach Hero. While in Virginia, was President of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, always giving her heart to others with generosity and grace.
She was deeply devoted to her family, as a supportive wife, a loving and proud parent and grandparent, a loyal friend, and a woman whose wisdom, warmth and steady presence brought comfort to all who knew her. She cherished friendships and family and believed in giving back and lived her life with grace, gratitude, and purpose.
Patty found joy in the simple and meaningful moments—sunny days spent with friends at the beach, attending church, and the laughter shared with her beloved family especially, “Doodlebug,” her grandson Logan Patrick Owens and “Fluff Puff”,
her granddog Winston Cottrell. Her presence brought warmth to every room, and her love for her family was the true center of her life.
She leaves behind her devoted and loving husband of 35 years, John Owens; her son, Wade Owens, and his wife Ryann Owens; daughter Jennifer Cottrell and her husband Connor Cottrell; her one grandchild, Logan Patrick Owens and two grand dogs, Fritz Owens and Winston Cottrell.
She is preceded in death by her father Patrick Wilder and survived by her mother, Frances Wilder.
Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the colleagues and friends she inspired, the customers she served, and in the example, she set of what it truly means to serve with excellence, lead with humility and care deeply for others.
Around the family dinner table, Patty was always known for raising a glass of Cabernet offering up a sentimental toast for every occasion, her favorite being the Irish toast:
“May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.”
Her spirit, generosity, and love will echo in the hearts of those who knew her, today and always.
Funeral services were held at Baker Heights Baptist Church in Martinsburg, W.Va.
Condolences can be sent to www.RosedaleFuneral.com.
$1,845.
Stephen Decatur’s varsity football quarterback Johnny Hobgood was celebrated this week at his official signing day ceremony formalizing his previous commitment to Sacred Heart University. Hobgood’s career at Decatur has been impressive, leading the team during his junior year as the starting quarterback to its second straight state championship. Hobgood, who will graduate next June, was named Sports Illustrated’s Maryland Quarterback of the Year and was the 2A Player of the Year last year. Located in Fairfield, Conn., Sacred Heart University is a Division I football program that competes in the Football Championship Subdivision, known as the FCS. Hobgood is pictured center in the red tie with teammates and coaches.
the
(Dec. 5, 2025) Stephen Decatur’s varsity volleyball team standouts were recently honored with All Bayside Conference recognitions.
Decatur’s season ended in early November in the MPSSAA Class 3A playoffs with a straight set loss to Severna Park.
The team finished the season with a 9-5 record.
The following Seahawks were recognized on the All Bayside honors:
First Team All Bayside: Senior setter Kirby Bounds and senior outside hitter Zoe Hinkle.
Second Team All Bayside: Junior middle hitter Chloe Jones
Honorable Mentions: Alice Bickel, Mariya Jackson, Lila Gunther and Hailey Lewis.
STATE CHAMPS CELEBRATED
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