The OC Dolphin sculpture and plaza recently received a generous donation from Jay and Mary Lynn Knerr, owners of the Kite Loft in Ocean City. The “Dance of the Dolphins” sculpture has been installed at the southwest corner of Coastal Highway and Route 90. Contribution levels are being requested by calling the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) at 410-289-7739 or visiting www.ocdolphins.com. The OCDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Pictured, from left, are Jay and Mary Lynn Knerr and Chris Trimper, chair of the OCDC Public Art Committee. Submitted Photos
New Bank Branch Eyed
BERLIN — Raymond M. Thompson, President and CEO of Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. and Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company, has announced that the bank has made application with the Maryland Division of Financial Regulation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to establish a new branch location in the Ocean Landing Shopping Complex, located on the north side of Route 50.
The proposed full-service branch will provide general banking services to residents and businesses located in the northern Worcester County area.
Calvin B. Taylor Bank is a community bank providing deposit and loan services to consumers and businesses through 10 offices located in Worcester County and lower Sussex County.
Business Purchased
SALISBURY — Rommel Holdings has announced its recent acquisition of Survival Products, the area’s leader in pellet stoves, wood stoves, fireplaces and paddlesports products.
Rommel Holdings, a mid-sized holding company located in Fruitland, owns 11 Rommel’s Ace Home Centers in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. The acquisition of Survival Products in Salisbury brings the company closer to its vision of offering the best in products and services in both the paddlesports arena and in the stove and hearth market.
Rick and Sue Turner of Survival Products are happy to be a part of the growing Rommel family of businesses.
“We are very excited about the future and look forward to working with the folks at Rommel to carry on the tradition of quality products and exemplary service that both companies have and will continue to bring to Delmarva,” the couple said in a statement.
Bryan Burkholder, Business Development Leader with paddlesports wholesaler RommeI Outdoors, is excited about the acquisition.
“Our team will continue to focus on providing great service and products to kayak and paddleboard enthusiasts, and will work closely with local organizations so that access to the world of outdoor watersports is available to everyone,” Burkholder said.
Rommel Holdings Company President Mike Cottingham views the acquisition as a positive for all involved.
“Rommel Holdings brings financial strength and infrastructure to Survival Products, ensuring its continued growth for many years to come. Survival Products brings to Rommel, great brands such as Harman, Quadra-Fire and Heat & Glo in the stove and hearth market. On the paddle sports side, they bring brands like Hobie, Wilderness Systems, and Yakima,” said Cottingham. “Most importantly, Rick and Sue and their team bring experience and a commitment to great customer service. That is the ultimate bond between the two companies.”
AGH, Health Department Partner For Snow Hill
BERLIN – Beginning Aug. 18, Atlantic General Health System will once again provide family medicine care in the Snow Hill community. Family Nurse Practitioner Michelle Farlow will hold office hours two days a week at the Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) in Snow Hill.
Michelle Farlow
Farlow, who has 16 years of nursing experience, earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Wilmington University before securing her post-master’s certificate in family nurse practitioner studies. She is an experienced nurse educator, having taught nursing students in both clinical and classroom settings, and served as a public health clinician for more than five years. Farlow has been providing family medicine care to patients of Atlantic General Health System for more than three years.
“Offering primary care at the WCHD has been a goal for Atlantic General Health System since Dr. Lei Gong moved to Ocean Pines in December. We wanted to maintain a presence in the Snow Hill area to serve those patients who do not have the ability to travel to see a provider,” said Jim Brannon, vice president of professional services at Atlantic General Hospital. “We are grateful for our partnership with the health department, which has allowed this to happen.”
Farlow is accepting appointments for new patients in Snow Hill on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 443-728-1030. She will continue providing walk-in care at the Atlantic Health Center in Berlin Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Daisy Award Winner
SALISBURY — Nurses are always thinking beyond their own needs. Rachel Sharp, RN, a nurse at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, exemplifies this ethic, and has earned the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses for her efforts.
Rachel Sharp
Sharp was nominated by a colleague who noticed that she was consistently helping not only her own patients’ but others as well. She responded immediately to any bed alarm in her area, showing her care for patient safety. Sharp was always happy to help receive patients on the unit and make sure they were comfortable and settled, when that patient’s assigned nurse might have been occupied with paperwork or other patients.
“She just wants to help, even when she has her own work to do. She is one of the most careful and safety-conscious nurses I have ever worked with,” her nominator wrote.
Sharp was honored with the Daisy Award in a ceremony before her colleagues and received a certificate commending her for being an extraordinary nurse. The certificate reads, “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” She was also given fresh daisies and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
To nominate an exceptional nurse, visit www.peninsula.org/DaisyAward and share a story.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif. and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at PRMC are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” said President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation Bonnie Barnes.
Firm Earns Recognition
SALISBURY — Becker Morgan Group was recognized by Engineering News-Record (ENR) as a 2015 MidAtlantic Top Design Firm, ranking 62nd in the region and sixth in Delaware, among many national and international design firms.
The firm also ranked sixth in Master-Planned Development/Site Infrastructure and nineteenth in Education. This annual list of Top Design Firms includes architects, engineers, and other design professionals doing business in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and West Virginia. ENR is a leading provider of news, analysis, commentary and data for construction industry professionals.
New Employee Hired
SALISBURY — Fisher Architecture LLC, a locally owned, experienced architectural firm providing functional design and construction solutions to clients, announced the addition of Masfeka Kamal to the architectural design team.
Masfeka Kamal
“Masfeka comes to us from New York City where she worked for a firm experienced in local, regional and international projects,” said Keith Fisher of Fisher Architecture LLC. “Her perspective and expertise are of great value to our design team and we look forward to collaborating with her on the ideas she brings to the table.”
Kamal graduated from Farmingdale State College, in Farmingdale, N.Y. with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. Prior to joining the Fisher team, she spent six months working as an architect for Howell Belanger Castelli (HBC) Architects in New York City, N.Y.
During her school years, she was interning at Ronald Villano Architect, as an architectural drafter, where she was involved in creating architectural building plans, sections, elevations, design concepts for structures and equipment
Dwight Miller, president of Gillis Gilkerson, recently presented a LEED plaque to the City of Salisbury in recognition of the Salisbury Zoo’s Animal Health Clinic’s LEED certification. The Animal Health Clinic is the first LEED certified building owned by the City of Salisbury. Pictured, from left, are Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton, Miller and Ralph Piland, Salisbury Zoo Director. Submitted Photo
Employees Recognized
Rose Carey
SALIBSURY — Bay Area Center for Independent Living Inc., a local, non-profit agency, recently recognized three staff members for their years of continuous service and dedication to individuals with disabilities and their families living across Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Rose Carey, an independent living program manager, was honored for her 13 years of service. Carey manages the independent living specialists who provide services to consumers. The services include peer mentoring, advocacy, support services, nursing home outreach, youth transition, home modifications including wheel chair ramps and bathroom modifications as well as links to resources that promote independent living.
Janet Parke
Janet Parke, an assistive technology practitioner, was recognized for 15 years of service. Parke assists children and adults with disabilities find the device that will aid them in maintaining their independence, whether at home, school, on the job or in the community. This program is unique because it is the only “lending library” of assistive technology devices on the Eastern Shore.
Lee Lewis, development director, was recognized for 20 years of service. Lewis spearheads the marketing and promotion. Services offered include independent living skills, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, supports planning and a family resource center. Services are available for people with disabilities of all ages and all
Lee Lewis
disabilities.