In a special email vote held during the weekend of May 2, the Board of Directors approved changes to the Architectural Review Committee guidelines regarding election signs, completing a second reading of the amendment in order to comply with new state requirements in a timely manner.
~ Page 11
County Eyes Break on Water Rates
The Worcester County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of a plan reducing the water and wastewater debt service charge for the Ocean Pines Service Area by 50 percent at their April 21 meeting. Ocean Pines ratepayers are currently paying $36 in debt service charges per quarter and the approved plan will save $18 per quarter.
~ Page 13
Pasta Making from Dough to Dinner
Pasta made by hand is so much tastier than the hard pieces that rattle around inside many cardboard boxes on grocery store shelves. Plus, it’s easy to become pasta empowered, a smiling Chef Laurie Boucher promised seven students, expectantly waiting in their seats, ready to take one of her classes.
~ Page 30
A JOURNAL OF NEWS & LIFESTYLES FOR NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
County Plan Flags Route 589 as High-Risk Corridor
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
Worcester County’s most dangerous roadway corridors are coming into
sharp focus in a new safety plan that identifies routes 50 and 589 as two of the most persistent hotspots for serious crashes and traffic fatalities, where high speeds, congestion, and mixed local and seasonal traffic have repeatedly produced some of the County’s most severe injury outcomes.
The Worcester County Commissioners on April 21 adopted a comprehensive Local Roadway Safety Plan as part of their consent agen-
da. The document is a data-driven strategy designed to significantly reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries while positioning the county to compete for major federal and
state transportation safety funding. Developed in partnership with Mead & Hunt, Inc., the March 2026 plan represents a coordinated, multi-agency effort to confront long-standing roadway safety challenges across one of Maryland’s most geographically diverse counties. Among the most urgent findings is the concentration of severe crashes along routes 50 and 589, corridors that repeatedly emerge as high-risk segments within the County’s High Injury Network.
These routes, which serve as primary gateways to Ocean City and surrounding commu-
HUNGRY?
Road study
From Page 1
nities, combine commuter traffic, freight movement, and heavy seasonal tourism volumes, creating conditions where serious crashes are disproportionately likely to occur.
County officials describe the LRSP as a foundational shift toward a “Safe System” approach, aligning with federal and state transportation safety goals that assume all traffic deaths are preventable. The plan establishes an ambitious longterm target of eliminating all roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 2045.
The plan is grounded in a detailed analysis of crash data from 2019 through 2024. During that period, there were 3,547 reported traffic crashes on county roadways outside municipal boundaries. Of those incidents, 604 resulted in an injury or fatality. These crashes led to 54 deaths, 146 severe injuries, and 586 minor injuries affecting motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other roadway users.
While the majority of crashes, at approximately 71 percent, resulted only in property damage, officials emphasize that the smaller subset of injury and fatal crashes carries the most significant human and economic consequences. The plan therefore focuses primarily on “Killed and Seriously Injured” (KSI) crashes, which reveal more consistent and actionable patterns than property-damage-only incidents.
One of the most striking findings in the analysis is the concentration of severe crashes within a limited portion of the roadway network. Nearly 45 percent of all fatal and serious injury crashes occurred on just 20 miles of roadway, approximately 5 percent of the county’s total road mileage.
This segment is identified as the High Injury Network and includes critical portions of routes 50 and 589, where crash clustering is especially pronounced.
The crash analysis also highlights behavioral factors as major contributors to severe crashes. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was identified in approximately 22 percent of all KSI crashes. Speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving collectively account for a significant additional share.
The plan notes that many of these behaviors are enforceable violations, reinforcing the importance of coordinated enforcement strate-
gies alongside physical roadway improvements.
A detailed breakdown of crash types shows that 64 percent of KSI crashes involved a single vehicle, a pattern consistent with rural roadway departures where vehicles leave the roadway and strike fixed objects or overturn.
These crashes tend to occur on higher-speed segments with limited roadside recovery space, conditions that are present along portions of both routes 50 and 589. Head-on collisions, while less frequent, remain among the most severe crash types when they occur on these corridors.
The plan also identifies vulnerable roadway users as a growing safety concern. Between 2019 and 2024, 33 percent of fatal crashes involved a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or moped operator. Of the 114 serious injury crashes recorded, 28 involved vulnerable users. These crashes are disproportionately concentrated in more populated areas and along higher-speed corridors, particularly near West Ocean City and segments of routes 50 and 589.
To better understand spatial risk, the LRSP maps crash clusters across the county. DUI-related crashes are heavily concentrated along Route 50, especially in and around Ocean City access points, with additional hotspots near Route 589 and Ocean Pines.
Similarly, vulnerable road user
crashes are clustered along these same high-volume corridors where pedestrian and bicycle activity intersects with fast-moving traffic.
The plan emphasizes that while roadway design plays an important role in safety outcomes, behavioral To Page 5
Road study
From Page 3 factors remain the most significant driver of fatal and severe crashes. As a result, the LRSP recommends a dual approach that combines infrastructure improvements with enforcement, education, and inter-agency coordination.
The plan outlines three primary emphasis areas. The first focuses on systematically reducing roadway departure crashes on the High Injury Network, including routes 50 and 589.
Recommended strategies include rumble strips, enhanced pavement markings, reflective delineators, improved curve warning signage, and expanded guardrail installation in high-risk locations. These measures are intended to reduce both crash frequency and severity by improving driver awareness and roadside protection.
The second emphasis area targets speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. Proposed actions include reducing posted speed limits on selected high-risk segments, installing speed feedback and warning systems, and implementing traffic calming measures where appropriate.
The plan also calls for a coordinated speed enforcement task force involving county law enforcement, municipal agencies, and the Maryland State Police to align enforcement efforts across jurisdictional boundaries and concentrate resources on known hotspots.
The third emphasis area focuses on education and enforcement strategies to address impaired driving and other behavioral risks. Recommendations include seasonal public awareness campaigns tied to tourism peaks, increased sobriety checkpoints along major corridors, expanded enforcement during holidays and peak travel periods, and strengthened compliance checks for alcohol sales to minors.
School-based programs, including bystander intervention training, are also recommended to address impaired driving risk among younger populations.
Stakeholder engagement played a central role in shaping the plan. A formal advisory committee met twice in 2025, bringing together representatives from law enforcement, public health, education, emergency services, and transportation agencies.
Their input helped refine the
focus on high-risk corridors and ensured that recommendations reflected real-world enforcement and infrastructure constraints.
The LRSP also aligns with broader statewide and federal safety initiatives.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy establishes a national goal of zero traffic fatalities, while Maryland’s statewide framework similarly emphasizes eliminating preventable roadway deaths. Local LRSP adoption is increasingly viewed as a prerequisite for coordi-
nated funding and implementation. Adoption of the plan is also tied to major funding opportunities. Once approved, Worcester County becomes eligible for Maryland’s allocation of federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds and may compete for U.S. DOT Safe Streets for All grants. The plan also strengthens applications for Transportation Alternatives Program funding by demonstrating documented need on corridors and aligning projects with identified High Injury Network priorities.
The implementation strategy is
structured in four phases over three years, beginning with adoption and funding applications, followed by enforcement and education initiatives, infrastructure improvements on High Injury Network corridors, and long-term monitoring and integration into county planning systems.
The document stresses that reducing fatalities on corridors like route 50 and MD 589 will require sustained coordination across agencies, including transportation, law enforcement, education, and public health partners.
GM Projects Strong Fiscal Year-End Surplus
Favorable budget variance driven by operational gains, despite weather impacts and rising costs
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
As the Ocean Pines Association approaches the close of its fiscal year on April 30, General Manager John Viola reported a projected year-end financial position that remains solidly favorable to budget, continuing a trend seen throughout the year.
Presenting the monthly financial report at the Board of Directors meeting on April 25, Viola emphasized the significance of the final stretch of the fiscal calendar.
“This is our last month of our fiscal year. So, this is a big month,” he said.
Through March, the association recorded a positive variance of $18,000 for the month, contributing to a year-to-date performance that has consistently exceeded expectations. “So $18,000 positive for the month,” Viola noted, adding that the overall numbers remain encouraging despite some operational challenges.
Much of the month-to-month fluctuation, he explained, can be attributed to departmental performance and external factors like weather. “What caused some of the favorability or not, you can see pretty much finance, public works, golf was down a little bit,” he said. Ocean Pines did have very bad weather in February and March, which did affect the golf course. “The golf course was closed for the longest I’ve ever seen in 25 years.”
The extended closure of the golf course during peak pre-season months had a noticeable impact on revenue, though Viola expressed cautious optimism about a rebound as conditions improve. “We have budgeted for golf some very good numbers. We’ve done everything possible. We just need the weather,” he said. “They’ll get all the golfers out today, hopefully all week long.”
Despite those setbacks, the broader financial outlook remains strong. In general, the numbers are good and hopefully April the weather holds up, Viola added.
Year-to-date, the association has maintained a significant positive variance. “We’ve been around $400,000 positive variance to budget,” he said. Earlier estimates
projected a year-end surplus of approximately $450,000, though Viola indicated that final figures will depend in part on late-season performance. “I need to see how the weather is but we should be at least $416,000 to $425,000 favorability.”
As of March 30, financials showed the association was $416,000
favorable to budget, aligning with those projections.
Golf operations, while impacted by weather, have been a longer-term area of strategic investment. “Golf is favorable to budget. Remember we’ve increased the budget for golf over the last several years really, really a lot,” Viola said, underscoring
the association’s commitment to strengthening that revenue stream. Other departments, however, are facing increasing cost pressures. Aquatics operations in particular have seen rising expenses. “Our expenses keep increasing,” Viola said, pointing to the high cost of
MARMTDOpIncome/(Loss) Favorable/ (Unfavorable)
Amenities:BudgetCurrentYearBudget
GolfCombined(33)(37)(4)
Aquatics(36)(43)(7)
BeachParking12120
RacquetSports(10)(8)2
Marinas(5)(6)(1)
Food&Beverage3230(2)
SubtotalAmenities(40)(52)(12)
Recreation&Parks(38)(35)3
Safety:
Police(173)(160)13
Fire/EMS(96)(96)0
Support:
Administration/GMOffice(17)(30)(13)
PubWorks/CPI/GenMain(199)(185)14
Reelect Commissioner CHIP BERTINO
Ocean Pines District 5
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Finance(80)(66)14
Marketing(30)(31)(1)
TOTAL(673)(655)18
(in000's)
MARYTDOpIncome/(Loss) Favorable/ (Unfavorable)
Amenities:BudgetCurrentYearBudget
GolfCombined4674714
Our County budget is nearly $300 million - money collected from county taxpayers, many of whom are retirees who stringently manage their monthly budget to ensure they live within their means. The County too must live within its means. I have voted accordingly through the years and have returned money to taxpayers! (in000's)
Aquatics52(7)(59)
BeachParking597580(17)
RacquetSports(3)(51)(48)
Marinas26931849
Food&Beverage4594612
SubtotalAmenities1,8411,772(69)
Recreation&Parks(453)(412)41
Safety:
Police(1,453)(1,395)58
Fire/EMS(1,058)(1,058)0
Support:
Administration/GMOffice5,2025,23230
PubWorks/CPI/GenMain(2,159)(2,028)131
Finance(857)(700)157
Marketing(243)(175)68
TOTAL8201,236416
Financial Results
From Page 7
maintaining facilities year-round. He noted that keeping the Sports Core pool operational through the winter requires significant heating and maintenance expenditures. “To maintain that Sports Core pool over the winter and the amount of heat and everything like that it is very costly” and expenses have gone up.
In addition to aquatics, the association has also experienced higher costs related to water and wastewater services, further contributing to operational expense increases.
Membership trends in racquet sports presented another area of concern. “We were estimating that we would have an increase in memberships this year. It was actually decreased,” Viola said. While he declined to elaborate, he acknowledged that the issue has been widely discussed. “We’ve all
heard the stories on that. I’m not going to reiterate it now or repeat it. Hopefully we don’t have it next year.”
In contrast, the marina has performed well, benefiting from strategic changes. “We’ve had some very good success with that,” Viola said. “We’ve been successful in sourcing our fuel. We went to a different vendor this year.” That shift appears to have helped stabilize operations and improve performance in that department.
Food and beverage operations also showed notable gains. “Even though we’re flat to budget, it’s a huge increase to what we ever saw before,” Viola said. He compared current results to the previous year’s performance, which had been considered strong at the time. “We heard the year before how that was a good number. And maybe it was. Well, this number is $250,000
Effective Responsive Engaged
Primary - June 23, 2026
Voting - June 11 to 18, 2026
Newly Renovated Space
A fresh new look at one of Ocean City’s go-to dining destinations. Same flavors you love, now with an updated feel designed to elevate your dining experience. Come see the difference for yourself.
New Menu Available
A Premier Atlantic seafood and raw bar showcasing creative, locally sourced seafood and steaks in a refreshed modern setting filled with natural light.
Board Approves Changes to ARC Guidelines on Election Signs
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
In a special email vote held during the weekend of May 2, the Board of Directors approved changes to the Architectural Review Committee guidelines regarding election signs, completing a second reading of the amendment in order to comply with new state requirements in a timely manner.
The approved changes allow political candidates to place election signs 45 days prior to an election, extending the current 30-day period outlined in existing guidelines. The revision brings the community’s rules into alignment with new state legislation signed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore under House Bill 855.
OPA President John Latham said the change reflects both legislative updates and ongoing monitoring at the state level. As a board member for the Maryland Legislation Action Committee for HOAs, Latham said he has been monitoring progress of the bill closely.
The Board had completed a first reading of the proposed change during its monthly meeting on April 25, noting at the time that it would move quickly to a second reading if the governor signed the legislation. Because the next regularly scheduled Board meeting is not until the end of May, the Board opted to conduct a special email vote to ensure compliance within the required timeframe.
During the April 25 meeting,
Financial Results
From Page 9
better than that number. So, if people touted that last year as a big number, well, then, I guess this number speaks for itself.”
The Recreation and Parks Department continues to focus on cost management and revenue generation, contributing to the association’s overall positive financial position. Viola noted ongoing efforts in that department to control expenses while introducing new sources of income.
Beyond operational results, Viola also highlighted the association’s balance sheet and reserve levels as a
Latham noted, the legislation “was kind of fast tracked by Governor Moore. We probably expect that thing to be signed any day.”
The ARC guideline update specifically revises the political candidate and referendum sign requirements. Under the new language, the display period is extended from 30 days to 45 days prior to elections, including: 45 days before the start of early voting for a primary election, general election, or vote on a proposition; or If there is no early voting, 45 days before the primary election, general election, or vote on a proposition.
The 7-day requirement for removal of signs after an election remains unchanged.
During the April 25 meeting, Director Elaine Brady outlined the intent of the change and the Board’s proactive approach, saying “It’s changes to the political candidate and referendum sign requirements.”
She said the OPA wanted to be proactive
OPA Attorney Bruce Bright also emphasized a key statutory update under the new law, noting, “A key change under this new law is that signs are permitted to be posted 45 days prior to the beginning of early voting, not just the election day.” He said that that’s a key change to the existing statutory situation.
Brady also reminded residents and candidates about proper placement of political signage. She said
To Page 13
key indicator of long-term financial health.
“This is where we believe we will wind up in our reserves,” he said. “We’ll have $6 million after whatever spend is left for this for this month and what we’ve already spent for the year.”
That reserve level represents years of disciplined financial management and planning by Ocean Pines, Viola said.
“That’s a very important number. We were able to build up that number over the last seven years which prepared us for all the maintenance and rebuild that we’ve been doing,” Viola said.
TidalHealth
Community Pharmacy locations
Berlin 9733 Healthway Drive
Berlin, MD 21811
O 410-641-9240
Ocean Pines North 11101 Cathage Road Berlin, MD 21811
O 410-543-4769
Ocean Pines South 10614 Racetrack Road Suite 7 Berlin, MD 21811
O 410-629-6240
New name, same great service
TidalHealth Home Scripts and AGHRx RediScripts are now TidalHealth Community Pharmacy. You’ll still see the same friendly faces and get the same trusted, personal care you count on, now together under one name.
Refills made easy. Expert help close to home.
Visit tidalhealth.org/easyrefills
Debt Service Bills to Decrease for Pines Water, Wastewater Customers
By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer
The Worcester County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of a plan reducing the water and wastewater debt service charge for the Ocean Pines Service Area by 50 percent at their April 21 meeting.
Ocean Pines ratepayers are currently paying $36 in debt service charges per quarter and the approved plan will save $18 per quarter, effective July 1, 2026. The plan takes EDUs into account, meaning ratepayers will save $18 per EDU owned.
Ratepayers are expected to pay $7.55 less per quarter than the previously proposed budget as a result, and $30.20 less annually. Previously the proposed FY27 Ocean Pines Service Area budget was expected to cost ratepayers $10.45 more per quarter, or $41.80 annually, compared to current rates.
The proposal was made in confidence by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Candace Savage after staff realized increases in interest revenue and water and wastewater project savings provided a $1.7 million increase in available funds.
After a 2019 bond was retired in 2022, $972,000 in project savings were seized by the county and returned to the service area. Interest rates also rose since 2022, increasing from 1.5 to 3.7 percent, netting an additional $784,000 in interest revenue.
The surplus makes it possible to retire the 2014 and 2015 bonds for the Ocean Pines service area, which would cost approximately $1.5 million within the debt service fund. Savage proposed the commissioners satisfy the debt to reduce the debt service costs of Ocean Pines ratepayers and said county officials would be looking at other areas following this realization.
Election Signs
From Page 11
the need to be on the homeowner’s property. She noted that from the ditch to the street and along the medians the signs are not allowed because that is OPA property.
“Just so you want to make sure that when you’re giving your signs out to people that they are aware of where they can put them,” she cautioned those running for election.
“We are going to go through all the service areas and take a deeper look at the debt service fund balances within those to see if there are any others that could be adjusted,” Savage said at the meeting. “This one stood out as something we felt confident in doing right now.”
The changes were approved a little less than a month after Commissioner Chip Bertino hosted a town hall meeting discussing the proposed water and wastewater budget. There it was proposed the
FY27 water and wastewater rates would better account for commercial properties by charging $5 per 1,000 gallons up to 22,500 gallons per EDU, instead of charging $5 per 1,000 gallons up to 22,500 gallons per property. Business owners and customers with multiple EDUs were forced into paying $15 per 1,000 gallons after quickly exceeding the first tier of their bill. Residential and commercial properties also faced a $10.45 increase in their base water and wastewater fee.
Ratepayers will see a relief in their debt service and not the base fees because the money received by the county was designated for the debt service charges, Bertino told Ocean Pines Progress. The overall usage cost also changes accordingly for residents based on their independent water usage per quarter according to Bertino.
County officials are also awaiting a response from the Maryland Department of the Environment
GM Report Highlights Progress on Ongoing Projects, Maintenance
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
At the April 25 regular board meeting, Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola provided updates on several ongoing projects, maintenance efforts, and financial performance.
Progress on the South Fire Station is continuing, despite a change in architects about while Viola de-
Water Rates
From Page 13
(MDE) regarding whether OPSA ratepayers will be required to pay the quarterly Bay Restoration Fee (BRF). The BRF costs $15 per quarter per EDU and, while the Ocean Pines service area was previously exempt from the fee, residents could be forced to pay the cost after cold weather conditions affected nutrient thresholds.
The commissioners have appealed MDE’s decision to deny the service area’s exemption for the 2025 calendar year. If ratepayers are forced to pay the fee, Ocean Pines ratepayers would still see a $3 decrease in their quarterly bill due to the change in debt service, Bertino announced in a news release.
The changes will not be reflected on documents for the public hearing taking place at 6 p.m. on May 5 at the commissioners meeting room in the Worcester County Government Center, as the event was advertised based on old debt service charges according to Savage. However, it will be reflected at the Budget Workshop session held on May 12.
The final county budget for FY27 is scheduled to be approved at the June 2 commissioners meeting.
clined to elaborate.
“We had to change architects. Really don’t want to get into it why, but nothing bad. We just had to change architects and so it’s taking a little time,” he said.
Next steps include the removal and replacement of the organic layer with fill dirt that is a mix of sand and clay. Finalized plans are expected to be submitted to the County during the first week of May for the foundation permit.
While Viola originally estimated the project would take 60 to 65 weeks, he is now saying completion is estimated at 55 to 60 weeks.
Construction of the Tiki Kitchen at the Yacht Club pool is underway and remains on track for completion by the start of the summer season. Installation of the metal roof is scheduled for this week, followed by construction of the interior build.
Viola clarified that the kitchen will provide food service exclusively to patio and pool patrons, with all orders placed through wait staff.
The Golf Pavilion project is currently on hold and will not be completed this summer. Plans will be revisited in the fall for potential future construction, though no decisions have been finalized.
“Nothing definite has happened on it. We did get approval to work on it, to plan it, but stay tuned in the fall. We’ll let you know,” Viola said.
Phase II of the Golf Irrigation Project has been completed, including holes 4–8, 10, and 18, as well as the practice green. Phases III and IV, which will cover holes 11–17, are scheduled to take place over the next two years.
Viola noted that feedback on the restoration of the 18th fairway has been very positive. “They’re saying
it’s one of the best finishing holes on the Eastern Shore,” he said of golf patrons.
The pond has been redesigned to retain more water for irrigation, reducing reliance on the aquifer. “The pond has been redesigned or designed to retain more water. I spoke about this in the past. That’ll limit the amount we pull on the aquifer which was part of the plan there,” he said.
On the golf course, fairway bathrooms are currently being painted and repaired. “At the Swim & Racquet Club, bathroom partitions are being installed and new mats are being placed.
“The restrooms are big. We have focused on that every year,” Viola said.
Public Works began mowing medians and common areas on April 20, slightly later than planned due to ongoing blizzard cleanup. Viola also reminded residents that, per the approved budget, Public Works will no longer mow easements and ditches; homeowners are now responsible for maintaining grass in front of their properties.
Regarding blizzard cleanup, Viola reported that all debris was collected by April 24. Due to the volume of material, White Horse Park is being used as an additional dump site. Equipment, including a grinder, has been rented from Worcester County to assist with debris processing, and outside contractors continue to support cleanup efforts.
Residents are reminded that Public Works will not collect additional loose debris. Republic Services will pick up neatly bundled branches, and Public Works will continue collecting bagged leaves. Large, unorganized piles of branches and debris will not be collected.
As of March 1, there were 119 outstanding property violations outstanding with the Compliance, Permits, and Inspections office. Another 39 violations were initiated in during the month. CPI closed out 31 violations during the month.
Public Works had 108 open work orders and received 58 new work orders during the month. It closed out 37 and had 129 open at the end of the month. The OPA had 78 customer service contacts in March.
Police Respond to Protestors Near Casino
Maryland State Police responded when protesters walked out into Route 589 near Ocean Downs to hand out fliers on Saturday, May 2, prompting hundreds of comments, many sarcastic, on Facebook’s Eastern Share Undercover page. Police arrived just after 1 p.m. and learned the protesters were expected to leave at 1:30 p.m. after arriving on a bus tour from Baltimore. It was unclear what they were protesting but, according to several Facebook comments, it was not a No Kings rally, but a plea for better wages for casino employees statewide.
Pines Police
Hiring Event
The Ocean Pines Police Department will host a Hiring Event on Saturday, May 30.
Testing will take place at 11107 Cathell Rd. in Ocean Pines, beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m. Candidates should dress appropriately for the physical agility test.
The starting salary for entry-level officers is $61,000, increasing to $63,500 upon successful completion of field training. Certified lateral officers with a minimum of two years of experience may qualify for a starting salary of $67,945.
Benefits include shift differential pay, health insurance, 11 paid holidays, paid sick leave, two weeks of paid vacation, a retirement plan, and an assigned take-home vehicle.
More information, as well as the employment application, can be found here https://www.oceanpinespolice.com/
Public Works Yard
Remains Closed
The Ocean Pines Public Works Yard remains closed indefinitely as storm debris cleanup continues.
The Yard will not reopen May 1, and a reopening date has not yet been determined. Further updates will be shared as they become available.
For questions, contact Public Works at 410-641-7425.
Veterans Memorial Display of Flags
The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation has joined with the Rotary Club of Ocean City/ Berlin to create a display of flags that will proudly fly in Veterans
PINES NOTES
Memorial Park, along Route 589, in Ocean Pines to honor heroes.
“The definition of a hero” is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
Individuals and community businesses can be part of this tribute by sponsoring a flag for just $50. The sponsors’ name and their hero’s name will be identified on each flag.
Proceeds from this project will
benefit Student’s Education Outreach projects, community charities, and the Rotary Scholarship Fund.
The cutoff date to sponsor a flag is May 11.
For more information, contact Cliff Berg at 302-540-2127 or email cliff0917@aol.com.
Garden Club holds Arbor Day ceremony
The Ocean Pines Garden Club
hosted its annual Arbor Day Celebration of Life ceremony on April 9, at Pintail Park.
Garden Club Co-Presidents Nancy Mulligan and Ann Shockley led the event, which included proclamations from Ocean Pines Board of Directors Secretary Jeff Heavner and Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino.
Shawn Lees shared remarks on the history of Arbor Day, noting its origins in Nebraska, once described as “a treeless plain.”
The program featured readings of
To Page 19
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES
Served on Bagel, Roll or Bread (White, Wheat or Rye
two poems: “There’s a Very Special Garden,” recited by Lilanie Geiger, and “The Planting of the Tree,” recited by Marian Bickerstaff. Musical performances were provided by the Pine Tones Chorus and Tony Trusso on the bagpipes.
A memorial ceremony was also held to honor community members who passed away in 2025. During the tribute, family members were invited to place soil around the newly planted Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood, this year’s Memorial Tree, and were presented with flowers from the Garden Club.
Ann Shockley took a moment during the ceremony to thank OPA and Worcester County.
“The Ocean Pines Garden Club is truly thankful for the continued support from the Ocean Pines Association and Worcester County,” said Shockley.
For more information on the Ocean Pines Garden Club and how to become a member, visit bit.ly/ OceanPinesGardenClub
Grill & Chill
postponed to May 29
Due to upcoming weather forecasts, the Grill & Chill at the Clubhouse Patio, previously scheduled to start on May 1, will now kick off on Friday, May 29.
From 4 p.m. to sunset, enjoy fresh food off the grill, music on the radio, happy hour drink specials, cornhole, and great conversations.
Bring your friends, grab a drink, and kick off the weekend at the Clubhouse every Friday, weather permitting.
Yacht Club to host
“Sail into Summer”
The Yacht Club at Ocean Pines will welcome the community to its “Sail into Summer” celebration on Sunday, May 17, from 1 to 5 p.m., marking the unofficial start of the summer season with an afternoon of waterfront entertainment, live music and seasonal specials.
The event will feature live music by The 8 Trax, providing a high-energy soundtrack for guests to enjoy along the scenic bayfront setting. Attendees can also take advantage of $6 Steel Blu drink specials available throughout the event, along with a variety of food and beverage offerings.
The event is open to the public,
with no tickets or reservations required. Guests are encouraged to bring friends and enjoy live music, sunshine and the waterfront setting for which the Yacht Club is known.
For more information, visit yachtcluboceanpines.com under events or follow along on social media for updates.
Pickleball Summer Classic June 5-7
The Ocean Pines Pickleball Club will host its 8th annual Summer Classic at the Ocean Pines Racquet
Center from Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7.
This outdoor tournament will be Round Robin format for all doubles events, with larger brackets split into pools and top teams from each pool advancing to playoffs.
Registration is $60 per player. Each event fee is $10, and Coed Moneyball is $60 each. Visit pickleballtournaments.com Contact 805217-5761 or pballtd21@gmail.com.
Mother’s Day at the Yacht Club
Enjoy Mother’s Day at the Ocean
Pines Yacht Club on Sunday, May 10, beginning at 12 p.m.
Guests can enjoy a special menu, including a Crabby Fried Green Tomato appetizer, Italian Shrimp & Grits, and Stuffed Flounder Imperial. A limited regular menu will also be available.
The Tiki Bar and outdoor dining area will be open, weather permitting.
The first 100 moms to dine in will receive a carnation.
Reservations are recommended. For more information and to make a reservation, call 410-641-7501.
School Board Issues Statement Employee Financial Misconduct
The Worcester County Board of Education confirms on April 14 that former Chief Academic Officer (Gr. PK-8) Denise Shorts has been charged with multiple offenses arising from alleged financial misconduct involving Board funds.
The school system first became aware of potential irregularities through the legislative audit process, which began in the fall and audited the period beginning July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2025. On December 13, 2025, a search and seizure warrant was executed on Shorts’ office within the Board of Education building. At that time, Shorts was immediately placed on administrative leave. On February 23, the Department of Legislative Services issued its initial audit findings, referencing, “identified questionable purchases by a management employee which we referred to the Office of the State Prosecutor (OSP),” and that a full report on this matter is forthcoming.
Throughout both the audit and concurrent investigation, school sys-
tem officials have cooperated fully, and the Finance Department has implemented additional financial oversight measures.
“We take our responsibility to safeguard public resources extremely seriously,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Annette Wallace. “Any misuse of funds intended to support students and staff is unacceptable, and we are committed to full accountability.”
Because this is an active legal matter, the Board of Education cannot comment further on specific details.
“Our community places its trust in us to act with integrity,” Board of Education President Todd Ferrante said. “We are committed to strict oversight, learning from this situation, and implementing stronger safeguards to ensure it does not happen again.”
Shorts submitted her intent to vacate her position with the school system on March 26, 2026. The Board is anticipated to act on this separation at the April 21, meeting.
Progress Staff photo Ocean Pines’ resident geese keeping watch over this year’s goslings at the South Gate Pond.
Carozza Wraps 2026 Session Highlighting Wins in Education, Public Safety and Agriculture
By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer
The 448th Maryland General Assembly session concluded on April 13 after 90 days of legislators discussing and passing bills. While Mary Beth Carozza was one of the 47 senators representing the state of Maryland, she was the only senator representing eastern Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties.
Carozza also served on multiple subgroups within the general assembly, including the Education, Energy and Environment Committee, the Eastern Shore Delegation and the Maryland Veterans Caucus.
During the 90 days, Carozza prioritized bills regarding energy analysis, agriculture, public safety, and education.
Budget & Energy Bill
Carozza voted against the $70.6 billion budget, as she said it failed to address the structural budget gap expected to reach $4 billion by 2030.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) also lost $127 million in budget cuts resulting in the Eastern Shore Delegation
Mary Beth Carozza
calling on the Maryland Health Secretary to conduct a review of the state’s DDA policy.
Carozza voted against the final energy bill, saying the General Assembly voted in-favor of a shortterm solution through HB 1532 – the Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) bill– rather than addressing the source behind rising energy costs. The bill is anticipated to save Maryland residents $12 a month. Carozza was a sponsor of SB 270, a bill requiring a full costs and bene-
We are your local DelMarVa Hunter Douglas dealer and motorization experts. We bring the showroom to you, with measuring, samples, and a detailed written quote in the comfort of your own home. Let us help you find the perfect solution to fit your style and budget! Give us a call to schedule your FREE in home design consultation.
fits analysis of electricity generation sources. The bill passed the senate unanimously but failed to go beyond the House of Delegates and was excluded from the final energy bill.
Carozza was also one of several senators to cosponsor SB 858 which establishes an Audit and Finance Compliance Unit in the Department of Budget and Management. While SB 858 passed unanimously, SB 991, which proposed inspector generals have further access to public records under certain circumstances, failed to move beyond the senate.
Public Safety
Multiple bills focused on limiting and prohibiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with immigration enforcement were passed through the General Assembly, with the Governor approving SB 245, prohibition of immigration enforcement agreements with local government, in February. Carozza was opposed to such bills, including SB 1, which prohibited law enforcement
from wearing face coverings and requiring them to wear identification.
Carozza co-sponsored SB 331, the extension of expiration and renewal dates for handgun carry permits from three to five years for officers who retired under good standing, and SB 222, ensuring child custody evaluators have basic qualifications and receive training before being appointed to cases. While SB 331 passed through both the senate and the house of delegates, SB 222 was not approved by the house.
Carozza voted in-favor of other public safety bills including SB 68, requiring motorcycle safety awareness be added to Maryland’s vehicle examination and education, SB 111, establishing a fair process to address vehicles owned by Maryland residents improperly registered to a different state, and SB 607, increasing the subtraction modification for qualifying public safety retirement income from $15,000 to $20,000 over the course of five years. All three To Page 25
Carozza
From Page 23 bills passed both chambers.
Two bills sponsored by Carozza dedicated to expanding eligibility of the Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agents Scholarship Program to include correctional officers also passed.
Education
The Maryland Civic Excellence Program was established with SB 204, a bill cosponsored by Carozza. The program is expected to recognize civic readiness and civic engagement of public high school students and will require a capstone project. With the passing of this bill, the State board is required to adopt regulations for establishing criteria to award a seal of civic excellence to a student no later than the 2027-28 school year.
Carozza was also a sponsor for SB 709, which expands Maryland’s K-12 Purple Star Program to include institutions of higher education and alters the definition of “military-connected student” to conform with terms under Maryland law. She also was in support of SB 262, a sub-
traction modification for classroom supplies bought by certain teachers. Multiple approved education bills sponsored by Carozza were focused toward local school boards such as SB 486, expanding the eligibility for the Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore enrolled in certain degree programs, SB 508, updating Somerset County Board of Education processes and statutes, and SB 728, expanding eligibility for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship to individuals who reside in Delmar, Maryland that attend and graduate from Delmar High School located in Delmar, Del.
Carozza also sponsored SB 174, the enforcement of a local school board carrying out an efficient appeals process, but the bill did not advance beyond the senate.
Agriculture
This year’s oyster season was a large concern for Carozza and other representatives of the Eastern Shore, as the weather conditions and the market made state assistance
crucial for local watermen. Carozza joined Senator Jack Bailey in requesting $5 million from the governor’s supplemental budget to fund the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program, a program established by SB 558 to provide additional funding for oyster propagation and replenishment projects. She attempted to help establish a five-year rotational harvest program which was to be implemented by the Department of Natural Resources by cosponsoring SB 875 alongside Chair of the Watermen’s Caucus Delegate Jay Jacobs. However, the bill failed to advance beyond the senate.
Establishing the new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permit process became emergency legislation after it expired in July 2025, with no permit to serve as a replacement. Carozza co-sponsored SB 371 which would allow farmers to begin construction on farm operations before receiving full coverage from the CAFO permit. The expiration of the old process resulted in an estimated $35 million in stalled construction. Carozza called it “the most important legislation [she] sponsored this year” in
her session summary.
The Charles J. Otto Agricultural Education Promise Act was formed through HB 972 and established a non-lapsing fund dedicated to supporting agricultural fairs and education. Carozza was a senate floor leader for the bill, which was already approved by Governor Moore on April 28.
Healthcare
SB 326 was approved by Gov. Moore at the end of April and gives physician assistants more admissions under the provision of the law. According to Carozza, she co-sponsored the bill to increase health care access in what she called a “primary care health workforce shortage area.” She also supported SB 466, which was also approved by Moore, expanding the eligibility of the Preceptor Tax Credit Program to physician preceptors in designated shortage areas for the healthcare workforce.
In a mission to support the Department of Aging, Carozza also voted in favor of the aging resilience fund, SB 860, and the authorization
To Page 26
Carozza
From Page 25
of grants made to nonprofit organizations and area agencies through the Department of Aging, SB 530,. Both pieces of legislation were passed by both the house and the senate and are aimed to enable Maryland residents to “age-in-place.”
Veterans
Carozza sponsored multiple bills aimed at providing relief and additional benefits for veterans, with two bills already approved by the governor. Gov. Moore approved SB 161 allowing former Maryland National Guard members free entrance into Maryland state parks and SB 579 providing no-cost cancer screenings for volunteer and retired firefighters, both of which were sponsored by Carozza.
The Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, SB 242, was another Carozza-sponsored bill that passed enrolled, meaning both the House of Delegates and the Senate approved the same legislature without making any amendments. She also sponsored the Uniformed
Services Spouses Act, SB 243, providing certain provisions to spouses of active service members and veterans.
She also voted in favor of SB 263, a bill which would ensure the children of active duty military personnel have seamless access to public education when relocated to Maryland due to military orders if passed.
Liquor Legislation
Two local liquor legislations are awaiting the governor’s signature before fully passing through the general assembly. Carozza is the sole sponsor of both SB 681, which would increase the number of members of Worcester County’s Board of License Commissioners from three to five, and SB 846, establishment of a temporary to-go event permit for Class B and Class D license holders in Berlin, Snow Hill, and Pocomoke. If passed, SB 846 would authorize the license holder to sell retail alcoholic drinks in approved to-go cups that can be brought outside the licensed establishment and into designated special event areas.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ATTORNEYS
COATES, COATES
The Ocean Pines Anglers Club hosted speaker Capt. Philomena Cannuli who holds a 100 ton Captains license and, along with her father Vince, runs the family inshore charter business Running Tide Charters. An experienced commercial long liner and gill net fisherman she is also apprenticing in the boat restoration trade and operates a boat detailing service in her spare time. Pictured are Capt. Cannuli with OPAC Administrator Frank Tortella.
New Name, Fresh Menu and Full Calendar: The Corner on Nicholas Lane Reimagines a Local Favorite
By PROGRESS STAFF
The Corner on Nicholas Lane, formerly Taylor’s Neighborhood Restaurant, not only has a new name, but also an updated menu, breakfast a few days a week, even karaoke, bingo and a trivia night.
“We chose the new name because my husband and I always called it The Corner. For all the years we have been living here, when we had our first home here, we used to say, ‘Want to go over to The Corner?’ We would tell friends, ‘Let’s go to The Corner,’” said Ann Kellington, who bought the restaurant with her husband, Chuck Mitchell.
All customers are welcomed with freshly baked muffins Kellington makes, including cappuccino chocolate chip and blueberry muffins.
Breakfast is served on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon with eggs benedict – toasted English muffins with Canadian bacon or ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce – on the menu as well as homemade chipped beef and sausage gravy and traditional items including eggs, omelets and pancakes.
The new lunch and dinner menu includes vegetable bowls fashioned with brown rice, sauteed zucchini, peppers, onions, mushrooms and any protein the customer chooses, chicken bowls with rice and vegetables, jerk tuna bowls with rice and a stir-fried grilled chicken bowl.
“Ribs are very popular. Our fish and chips is popular. Gyros are big. We have spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread. Crab toast. Our adult macaroni and cheese is made with beer cheese. I have been hand-picking all the fruits and vegetables and I will be using locally grown produce this summer,” Kellington said, adding desserts include berry cheesecake, chocolate tuxedo cake and ice cream.
Macaroni and cheese is on the children’s menu, plus little ones’ favorite chicken tenders and grilled cheese.
Although the kitchen is not gluten free, there are gluten-free tortillas, buns and other items.
For Kellington, the goal is for customers to enjoy visiting the neighborhood spot, open every day with
happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be live music on the patio near the South Gate Pond. Chino Rankin will perform on Saturday, May 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. and Breath of Fresh Air will be there from 8 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
Trivia is on Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m., bingo on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and karaoke on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
“We changed the menu and the décor, a bit. We will still have American cuisine, with hamburgers, wings, those kinds of menu items, but we added some family meals to the menu, vegetarian meals and low-sodium dishes. The prices will stay the same, mid-range,” Kellington earlier told The Progress.
Indoor seating capacity is 182 and there is seating for about 35 outdoors.
“We will offer patio specials. They hadn’t done a lot out there with the patio so we will be offering patio
specials,” she said.
“I love this place. It has always been near and dear to me and I always thought it could be so much more. That’s what I hope to bring to the community and we look forward to welcoming everyone,” said Kellington, an Ocean Pines property owner since 2009 who has worked in many restaurants, primarily in Frederick County, Md. Taylor’s is the first restaurant she has owned, after buying it from former owner Zev Sibony.
“I want everyone to have a pleasant, homey feeling when they come here, a family kind of atmosphere with family dinners. I’ve always got a listening ear and I am always open to suggestions. This is such a popular location. It is a prime location. For the longest time, it was one of the only places here. Everybody knows everybody here and I love that. I’ve been coming here with my husband and we have met a lot of the people.
I love everyone who comes in here. I feel like they are already family,” she said.
“I have the most amazing staff. I truly love my staff. And we have had great community support. Our customers, most everybody loves the new name. We have had a couple people say we shouldn’t have changed it, but my comment to them was, over the years there has been a lot of back and forth with one minute people liking Taylors the next minute they don’t. I didn’t want that,” Kellington said, adding there are 17 employees and she is still hiring.
“It’s all working out great. We are still having a few hiccups. We are new. We have some new people that we have hired and they are learning. Our cooks who have been here are learning new items,” she said.
“It’s been so busy. I haven’t stopped But it’s rewarding. I’m a people pleaser. I want to make sure everybody is happy.”
The crew at The Corner celebrating the opening of the restaurant.
Family-Run Pines Paw Sitters Delivers Loving Care for Pets of All Kinds — From Puppies to Ducks
By PROGRESS STAFF
Dogs and cats aren’t the only pets the Eldridge family walks, feeds and cuddles.
The owners of Pines Paw Sitters have also had ducks as waddling clients, as well as lizards, hamsters and guinea pigs, all cared for with love.
“Whether it’s children or animals, everybody needs love, right?” said Donna Eldridge, who, with daughters Jillian and Kaitlyn, known as Katie, run the Ocean Pines business. The trio walked and cared for pets in their native New Jersey. Kaitlyn moved to the Pines five years ago for the summer, decided to stay and boards dogs in her home. Donna’s husband, Mason, is involved. Another daughter, Jacklyn, helps but doesn’t live in the, Pines. Completing the family are their two dogs, Bella, a chihuahua-whippet mix, and Electra, a chihuahua-dachshund mix.
Donna Elkridge, whose daughters range from 21 to 24 years old, started caring for pets after working as vice president of communications for Citibank in New York City. When she left, she asked herself, “What am I going to do now?” and Katie had a suggestion.
“She said, ‘Mom, you love dogs. Why don’t you get into pet sitting?’ So I did it in New Jersey for 15 years. The girls grew up doing it on walks and overnight. Katie came here during covid and was in college, planning on coming just for the summer but ended up staying and started a business here five years ago doing it out of her home. She didn’t get into the overnights because she was in college and babysitting. A year and a half ago Jill moved here and
started with Katie doing pet sitting. Jill primarily does dog walks in the daytime and sits with them overnight in other people’s homes,” she said.
Katie also teaches at Showell Elementary School.
Pines Paw Sitters has about 100 clients. See the Facebook page or Instagram for rates. Generally, the price for a 20-minute walk is $20 and a walk up to one hour is “upward of $45,” said Jillian, who came to Ocean Pines interested in a career in real estate but pet sitting, she said, “took off better than we expected it to so we do it full time.”
New clients are being accepted in Ocean Pines and the surrounding area -- Berlin, Ocean City and West Ocean City in Maryland and Selbyville and Ocean View, Del. There is no charge for initial meetings, Jillian said, adding her mother not only cares for pets but is also a nanny.
“Some of the people we met said, ‘Do you want to babysit?’ so I kind of incorporated it,” Donna said, adding she has noticed similarities between caring for children and four-legged family members.
“I started with pet sitting, which evolved into nannying with a family that had two kids and two dogs and needed somebody to watch the lit-
tle one and get the other one off the bus. I feel, and I think my kids have grown to be the same way -- and that is one of the things with corporate America I was in, having to let people go and being in that whole thing that is horrible, just awful -this is nothing but unconditional love. Whether it’s from a kid or a pet, it’s a very gratifying and satisfying position for me to be in, in this dog-eat-dog world of ours,” she said, laughing at the pun.
Jillian grew up watching her mother walk and sit with pets and she and her sisters “really have love for them,” she said.
“In New Jersey, people used to call Jill The Dog Whisperer. There were dogs who wouldn’t let people get near them. A lot of these dogs came from shelters ... we could bring Jill in as a little girl. She was maybe 5 and the dogs would just take right to her,” Donna said.
Pines Paw Sitters cares for dogs with special needs and has clients with Intervertebral Disc Disease that causes loss of mobility, usually in the back.
“Some of these dogs have to have their urine expressed. We have dogs
that pull carriages, or carts, behind them. Their legs are strapped in and they are pulling carts with wheels behind them. We have a couple dogs that have a neurological problem and some can’t walk well or they shake. We have some clients that adopt nothing but senior or ill dogs,” Donna said.
“When my kids were little and I had to go to work and had to take my children somewhere, if my children cried because they were going to be left somewhere, I wasn’t comfortable. So when I started the pet sitting business, I wanted that pet to have the love they would have if they were with their family. Even though they are animals, they are somebody’s pet, they are somebody’s family. I want to give the same love to them that their parents would give to them. I enjoy that immensely. We’ve had pets that have passed and it just rips our hearts out because you have that bond,” she said.
“I love seeing all the cute faces every day,” Jillian said.
“What can top that? If I went away I would want my dogs in trustworthy hands so I try to be those trustworthy hands.”
Submitted photo
The Pines Paw Sitters team.
Art League of OC Launches Free Program Exploring Creativity,
Connection, & Community
The Ocean City Center for the Arts is opening its doors to a new kind of Friday morning tradition. The Art League of Ocean City is thrilled to announce the launch of Creative Connections, a free monthly art club designed for individuals aged 60+ who believe that creativity has no retirement date.
Held on the second Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this two-hour gathering blends professional artistic insight with the warmth of a social coffee house.
Each session kicks off with a curated presentation by fellow art lovers and instructors in the 60+ community, covering everything from local history in art to modern techniques. The second hour is dedicated to open conversation.
“Creative Connections is about celebrating creativity at every stage of life,” said Rina Thaler, Executive Director of the Art League. “We listened to our 60+ community—through focus groups and volunteers—and learned they want a space to come together for learning, meaningful connections, sharing stories, and rediscovering creativity in a warm, welcoming environment.”
Upcoming dates are May 8, June 12, July 10, Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, and Dec 11.
On May 8, filmmakers Joan Floyd and Doug Armstrong will talk about making a short film using an iPhone.
Their film, “That Seagull Story” was screened for the 2026 Ocean City Film Festival. Discover how to turn limitations into assets as you hear about story, script, locations, cast, crew, rehearsal, filming , sound and editing.
These free events will be held at the Art League of Ocean City Center for the Arts, 94th Street bayside. RSVPs are encouraged to ensure enough refreshments for all.
Rediscover your passion for the arts and meet the people who make Ocean City’s creative scene so special.
To RSVP go to https://canvas. artleagueofoceancity.org/classes/3049 or call the Arts Center at 410-524-9433.
FROM DOUGH TO DINNER
Chef Laurie Boucher Teaches Students to Become “Pasta Empowered”
By PROGRESS STAFF
Pasta made by hand is so much tastier than the hard pieces that rattle around inside many cardboard boxes on grocery store shelves.
Plus, it’s easy to become pasta empowered, a smiling Chef Laurie Boucher promised seven students, expectantly waiting in their seats, ready to take one of her classes at the Ocean Pines Community Center.
Her family is from Sicily, Boucher, dressed in a white chef’s coat and standing behind a table in the front of the room, told them. On the table were a roll of cling wrap, silver bowl, a little water in a container and tray of 8-ounce balls of dough she had already made.
Mostly self-taught, Boucher, who has taken cooking classes in Italy, was ready to teach them how to create southern style pasta from a simple recipe of durum wheat flour and water, two parts flour to one part water. She showed them how to make each piece attractive by rolling or pulling them over ordinary dollar store items including a hair pick, hand-held cheese grater and wooden paddle with ridges.
“Pasta is nothing more than some type of liquid and some type of flour,” she said, explaining durum wheat is high in protein, and the recipe was used in areas of Italy that weren’t as wealthy as areas where eggs were readily available.
It’s important to be sure the water and flour are room temperature, she said, because flour won’t absorb
cold water. The dough is vegan and easy to color using pureed peas, beets or purple potatoes as the liquid ingredient.
Rolling a length of dough with her hands, she explained to begin the process of making cavatelli, it should be about the length and
width of a Sharpie marker. She cut off a small piece, rolled it into a little ball and showed students how to place the ball on the tray in front of them, put a thumb behind it and slowly roll it forward to make an indent where hot, fragrant tomato sauce would puddle.
Pushing dough over the teeth of the hair pick, holes in the cheese grater or ridges on the paddle made the pieces pretty, with various designs on the outside, but would also help the sauce cling to them. As students curled, sliced and fashioned, Boucher said she would pack what they made for them to take home. If they didn’t cook it that night, it could be frozen and boiled without thawing.
“That was wonderful,” students told her as the class ended, and a name was drawn for a door prize, a cute keychain with pasta decoration on the end.
“Do you feel pasta empowered?” Boucher asked as a rousing, “Yes” rose from the small gathering as Boucher reminded them she teaches pasta making for birthday parties and other gatherings, charging in the $50 to $75 price range. Call 410812-8610 or see her Facebook page or Instagram account.
“What I do is really about bringing traditional pasta-making back to something approachable and social. I focus on teaching hands-on classes that strip away the intimidation factor—no fancy equipment, no prior experience—just simple techniques that connect people to the process
Chef Laurie Boucher demonstrates the art of making pasta.
and to each other,” Boucher told the Progress.
The class at the Ocean Pines Community Center “highlighted Southern Italian hand-formed pasta, which I love because it’s rooted in simplicity and resourcefulness.”
“These are shapes traditionally made with just flour and water— no eggs, no machines—yet they’re incredibly diverse and beautiful. During the workshop, participants learn a mix of traditional regional shapes, lesser-known pastas and some of the more creative forms I’ve developed,” she said.
A resident of Baltimore and Ocean City, Boucher has a degree in culinary arts and a degree in baking and pastry as well as a law degree.
“I always wanted to be lawyer from growing up. I was a good cook and I knew I could be better. As my kids were getting older and my parents were getting older, I had to scale down my law practice so I decided to go to culinary school,” said Boucher who, with her husband, Henry, has a daughter and son, Lucie and Nick, both of New York City.
She has been teaching pasta making since 2018 in Ocean Pines, as well as at a winery in Eden, Sunset Island in Ocean City, Salted Vines and the Selbyville Library in Delaware and Ocean City and Berlin libraries. Recently she taught a class at Glen Riddle near Ocean Pines that was a hybrid dining event. She made pasta in advance and students provided salad, bread and sauce “so we enjoyed a dinner together,” she said.
Does she ever hear her pasta is too pretty to eat?
“Oh my gosh, all the time. There are so many things you can do to
make it attractive. It’s so easy and it’s pretty when you get so many shapes. There is a place for boxed pasta as well, if it’s a decent boxed pasta. There is a place for all of it.
I’m not snob. I also make a lot of colored pasta. I had to come up with classes not everybody else was teaching. I teach egg-based pasta that is made with a machine but mostly I teach private classes. If it’s a class for somebody’s birthday I can tailor it. It’s a total experience.
“This one in Ocean Pines was a southern hand-formed style of pasta that is not taught as regularly as when I first started teaching pasta. I knew I had to find something different because everybody is teaching northern pasta you put through a machine. Southern hand-formed is unique and different. You don’t need a machine or eggs or any fancy equipment,” she said, adding classes last 90 minutes.
“I’m the biggest pasta nerd you would ever meet, she said, adding she created a cobra head shape that was shown on the Hulu TV series The Bear, about a young chef, Carmy, who returns to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop after his brother’s suicide.
No experience is needed to take a class.
“Anybody can show up. You don’t have to bring anything. I provide everything. I keep classes small because for me it’s more about making sure people leave, as I said, pasta empowered and feel like they can do it at home. It’s not about filling classes. It’s not something I’m doing to put my kids through school,” she said.
“It’s very therapeutic. I find it meditative This is my passion.”
MARONICK
Progress Staff Photo
Students working on pasta.
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
Progress Staff Photo
Pasta making in progress.
Jennifer Snider-Tornetta: Debuting Author, Disability Advocate and Youngest Sister
By DAVID BOHENICK
Contributing Writer impactful.
“When
curious, big-hearted Elle discovers something unusual by the harbor, her imagination sparks an adventure she never expected.”
The first thing interested readers might see when ordering Jennifer Snider-Tornetta’s debut children’s book, “Elle’s Magical Treasure Hunt,” could be the preceding sentence introducing the product. Or their eye might gravitate toward the vibrant hand-drawn watercolors Snider-Tornetta intentionally sought for. But those paying great attention to detail will notice the pink support brace wrapped around Elle’s lower left leg.
The support is an Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) brace and was modeled after the same brace Snider-Tornetta’s sister wore as a child. The bright pink glasses Elle has on also resemble the same glasses she wears today.
Snider-Tornetta’s sister, Michelle, sees a lot of herself in Elle and can’t help but love her for it. What’s more is Michelle can relate to this protagonist as they both have the same disabilities.
The Creative Process
When Snider-Tornetta started conceptualizing this book around two years ago in her home in The Parke, she couldn’t have predicted what shape it would take today. All she wanted was to create something
Michelle was born brain-injured, deaf and with cerebral palsy, and once their mother had passed away Snider-Tornetta wanted to create a book her sister would enjoy.
Slowly, the book became more clear to her. What originally could’ve been a sad story about grief and finding friendship in unexpected places became a story of adventure.
“This little girl, Elle, kind of had her own idea of where she wanted to take the story,” she said. “So I didn’t
resist it.”
After countless edits, constant feedback and careful consideration of respectful representation, Snider-Tornetta launched her book in the beginning of the year. She never could’ve expected shortly after it’s release it would reach #45 of the Amazon’s Best Seller’s List in the Magical Fantasy Fiction for Children category.
The Arc Alliance
Snider-Tornetta has committed
Jennifer Snider-Tornetta’s debut children’s book, “Elle’s Magical Treasure Hunt.”
to donating 20% of the book’s net proceeds to the Arc Alliance– a nonprofit charity in Pennsylvania that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Besides serving as Vice President of the Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services in Berlin, she also serves as the Incoming President for the Arc Alliance Guardianship and Arc Alliance Foundation Boards. She’s also a Board Member of the Arc Alliance, which she explains are three separate nonprofit organizations with the same management all dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities.
Snider-Tornetta said volunteers with the Arc Alliance have been supportive of her book, giving her input and promoting it on their social media platforms. CEO of the Arc Alliance Pat Leo had the opportunity to read the story before its production and provided her a quote ahead of her book’s release.
Depending on your source of information 19%-29% of the United States population has some sort of disability but only 3.4% features a main character with a disability, Snider-Tornetta said. She emphasized that disability is incidentally represented in her book, as she wanted to make an inclusive story for the under resourced genre.
“It’s not a book about a disability,” she said. “It doesn’t teach you about a disability. It’s a fun, whimsical treasure hunt and incidentally the main character has a disability.”
She wanted to apply what’s known as the mirror and window effect to her book.
The mirror is when I see something that’s similar to me and I can
Debuting Author
From Page 32
validate myself, and the window is for other folks to look and experience what other people might face, she explained.
“When I see something that’s similar to me, I can relate to it. It validates my feelings or validates who I am. And the window is for other folks to look out and they can experience what other people might be experiencing.”
Publishing through Red Penguin Books, Snider-Tornetta was able to choose her own illustrator and landed on one of their artists: Cydney Bittner.
“And she just so happens to live very close to the ARC Alliance,” Snider-Tornetta shared. “It just happened that way.
The Future
“It was huge, humbling and made me really happy. I was so proud about that,” Snider-Tornetta exclaimed thinking about her book’s placement on the best seller’s list. With such an achievement, there seems to be no signs of slowing down now that she’s entered the literary world.
“Elle’s Magical Treasure Hunt” was showcased at the London Book Fair a few weeks ago, and was pitched to foreign transition, film and media and libraries, schools and academia rights. She also has Common Core State Standard (CCSS) verified lesson plans already avail-
Pines Mixed Bowling League Crowns 2026 Champion
What an exciting end of the season roll-off the Ocean Pines Mixed Bowling League had this year.
On April 20, the league held the championship roll-off at the Ocean Lanes Bowling Center. The competition was between the Monday Champions and the Tuesday Champions.
The Monday Champions were the Storks with team members Bill Littleton, Brenda Littleton, Kerry Murphy and Kitty Sawchak. The Tuesday Champions were the Razorbills with team members Carol Bree, Bridget Carver, Jeff Carver and Donna Shiplet. With the hardy cheers of many supporting bowlers and the “Pink Ladies,” the Storks became the official 2026 League
Champions winning the best two of three games. Congratulations go out to all for a well-played season.
The league will begin their next season on Sept. 21 and 22, 2026. A kickoff meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 24, at 1 p.m. in the Ocean Pines Community Center. Current and prospective members are welcome to attend.
The OPMBL has been active for more than 25 years. This year there were 24 teams divided between Monday and Tuesday. The games start at 1 p.m. It is a mixed league with four people on each team.
There’s lots of fun to be had and friends to be made for anyone who would like to join. Contact Barbara Harman at 301-980-7798 with any questions or need more information.
able on her website for both classrooms and homeschooling.
“I would love it to be at schools or libraries,” she said. “Or teachers can purchase the books directly and maybe purchase the lesson plans and do it classroom by classroom.”
She’s also working on two more books now– both of which involve Elle and Pablo, the other main character of her debut book. She pictures it being a series and has already sent her early plots to her publisher. Now, she’s more prepared for the writing process than ever before.
“If it takes a year to write or produce one [book], I’m okay with that,” she said. “Because I want it to be a really well written book.”
“Elle’s Magical Treasure Hunt” and its lesson plans can be found on her website: https://shopbooksdirect.com/product/elles-magical-treasure-hunt-by-jennifer-snider-tornetta/.
Michelle’s Reaction
A few weeks ago, Snider-Tornetta was able to read her book to her older sister, Michelle. The two use sign language but, because of Michelle’s brain injury, they don’t use large sentences.
“If I was bringing her [to a restaurant], I would say, ‘You, me, drive, eat and drink,’” Snider-Tornetta explained while motioning the words with her hands.
Snider-Tornetta went through the whole story with her sister while signing as much as she could. And
every time she turned the page, Michelle’s eyes lit up.
She saw the brace she wore years ago around Elle’s leg, and how the glasses she wore were the same as Elle’s. And the harbor brought a smile to her face as she remembered
visiting the beach with her older sister. Every page and detail brought her overwhelming joy.
But Michelle’s favorite part might’ve been seeing her younger sister’s picture at the end of the book.
Ocean Pines Mixed Blowing League 2026 Champions are (from left) Brenda Littleton, Bill Littleton, Kitty Sawchak and Kerry Murphy.
DJ Dino Fradelos Keeps Doo-Wop Alive, One Song and Listener Memory at a Time
By PROGRESS STAFF
While he was on the air every Friday afternoon, hosting his doo-wop radio show, disc jockey Dino Fradelos often heard from Joyce Gray, an Ocean Pines residents who gave him the idea to start a kind of on-air Name That Tune contest.
“She used to call every week. Very sadly, she has passed away, but she was a very loyal listener. Now, her husband, Jerry, calls every week,” said the 85-year-old Fradelos who, for more than 20 years, has been hosting the show on WEES-FM, 107.9, from the studio in Ocean City.
“Joyce Gray’s favorite doo-wop song was Walking in the Rain by the Ronettes. The last Ronette just passed away this week. She was 80. All three Ronettes have passed away now. One of their songs was Be My Baby. ‘The night we met I knew,’” the Dean of Doo-Wop said, singing a few words from the song, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
He was referring to the recently deceased Ronette, Nedra Talley-Ross, who died on April 26. The other Ronettes, both who are now deceased, were Estelle Bennett, who died in 2009 and lead singer Ronnie Spector, who died in 2022.
“Our radio signal is very good from WEES to Ocean Pines. I guess it goes over the bay easily and our listeners can get it real nice,” said Fradelos, who, at every show, reminds listeners, “Oh, how it used to be” and “Keep the music alive.”
He also hosts sock hops and has brought them to Ocean Pines, where some of the old-time songs have kindled strong memories.
“I’ve had guys that would almost start crying when they heard some of those old songs. They would stop in their tracks and almost break down in tears. Songs like Sixteen Candles might remind them of their wives, somebody who died, maybe,” said Fradelos, adding he’s interested in continuing sock hops at Ocean Pines establishments.
“I’m still available to do them. I send out letters to places that might be interested. We have a great time. People get up and dance,” he said, adding he and his longtime companion took dance lessons until she suf-
fered an unrelated injury.
He continues to host, as a volunteer, the show from the glass-enclosed studio at Gold Coast Mall.
During the week, there are other disc jockeys, too, including Bob Murphy, music from the late 1960s and 1970s; comedy show host Denis Jenkins; and rare music by Bill Freedman. The non-commercial station, reaches 300,000 listeners during the summer and is the “first and only low-power FM station in Ocean City,” according to the website at www.wees.org
“Volunteer announcers develop their own programs that are produced live at our Ocean City studio in the Gold Coast Mall … WEES airs early childhood educational programming every weekday morning,” the website states. It’s owned by Edinboro Early School Inc.
“Doing this show is my hobby. It’s very stimulating to talk to people on the air and keep the music alive,” Fradelos said.
Music from that era – songs like “Hey Little Girl” by Dee Clark, “The Great Pretender” outby The Platters, “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own” by Connie Francis, “Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning and “Pretty Little Angel Eyes” by Curtis Lee –“is so different from the music today,” Fradelos said.
“There is so much contrast. It was the harmony. There were great vocals, great singers. In those days you had to have talent to be successful. Today, they just get up there with their tattoos and everything. Even the country music is watered down. It’s more like rock ’n roll,” he
said.
On the air, Fradelos, retired as a representative who sold hotel amenities, takes calls and chats with listeners but he also teaches them about the songs, the artists, reminding them of outstanding solo performances and dates songs were recorded as he inserts CDs, hits buttons, sings along and reads from his own handwritten notes.
In conversation, it’s clear Fradelos loves doo-wop and the way it reminds him of happy days. One of his favorites is “Unchained Melody.”
Most fans know the version recorded by the Righteous Brothers in 1965, but Fradelos said that wasn’t the first band to record it. It was originally sung by Todd Duncan, who re-
corded it for the movie “Unchained” in 1955. It was composed by Alex North and Hy Zaret wrote the lyrics of longing.
A widower whose wife, Shirley, died after the couple was married 46 years, Fradelos, who has a son, one grandchild and three great-grandchildren, said “everyone jumps up and dances” when he plays “Unchained Melody” at sock hops because it’s “the most played slow dance song.”
No conversation with Fradelos is complete without him mentioning the songwriter Harvey Phillip Spector, known as Phil Spector, who, Fradelos praised for his innovation, calling him “one of the leaders in the doo-wop movement” with his wall of sound and the way he incorporated orchestra instruments such as cellos.
But Spector’s life was plagued with problems. He killed his girlfriend and died in prison.
Even so, Fradelos said, he was “way ahead of his time.”
A native of Crownsville, Md., Fradelos, who relocated to the Shore in the early 1990s, appreciates that doo-wop songs didn’t contain offensive or controversial lyrics. They were entertaining, songs of love and heartbreak.
“They wanted people to listen to the music and enjoy it for many years to come. That really was the way it used to be,” he said.
