May 4, 2007

Thursday, May 10 - Ocean City Police Beat Briefs

OCEAN CITY - The following is an advanced look at some stories from this week's Ocean City police beat. See the full stories and recaps of many more incidents in tomorrow's issue of The Dispatch and the updated online version. Food Stolen From Area Restaurant Resort police are urging local businesses today to be on the lookout for food stolen from a north-end Ocean City restaurant last weekend. Ocean City Police are investigating the theft of over $800 worth of food from an outdoor refrigerator...READ MORE

Wednesday, May 9 - High Schools Grads Hear Unique Prom Message

BERLIN - A then-18-year-old Pennsylvania high school graduate in Ocean City for the annual Senior Week ritual who struck and killed a pedestrian, another recent high school graduate, in June 2005 was back in the resort area this week to preach the dangers of drinking and driving to the senior class at Stephen Decatur High School, which is preparing for its prom this weekend. Benjamin Walter, now 20, was highly intoxicated when he ran over Justin Sheftel on Coastal Highway on June 15, 2005,...READ MORE

Tuesday, May 8 - Ocean City Ranks No. 7 In Auto Travel List

OCEAN CITY - Resort tourism officials had good reason to celebrate this morning with the release of the latest AAA/CAA Club Auto Travel Survey. After being ranked No. 10 for the last three years, Ocean City moved up to No. 7 in this year's ranking. Rounding out the top 10 Member Auto Travel Destinations were Orlando, Fla., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Niagra Falls, N.Y., Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Nev., Williamsburg, Va., Ocean City, Md., Gatlinburg, Tenn., Anaheim, Calif. and Grand Canyon. Bumped from...READ MORE

Monday, May 7 - Springfest Cut Short By High Winds

OCEAN CITY - High winds, gusting up to 50 mph in some areas, forced Ocean City officials yesterday to cancel Springfest early. Springfest, Ocean City's official launch to the peak season, began on Thursday with live entertainment, arts and crafts and an abundance of food and drinks all under the big tents. The event was to run through yesterday afternoon with activities planned throughout the day. However, a passing front brought high winds and overcast skies to the resort for much of the...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Pasted

Henry Otto Berghuys, Jr. BERLIN - Henry Otto Berghuys, Jr., age 75, died May 1, 2007 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Jersey City, N.J., he was the son of the late Henry Otto Berghuys, Sr., and Gertrude Walsh Berghuys. Berghuys was an Iron Worker and belonged to the Local #483 in Patterson, N.J. He was an Army Veteran and a member of the Knights of Columbus in Englewood, N.J., Sinepuxent American Legion Post #166 and the Elks Lodge in Ocean City. He is survived by his wife,...READ MORE

"Keeping Your Cool (like Peter O'Toole)"

Two weeks. I figure that the single men of Ocean City have about two more weeks to get their 'game faces' on for the summer. As businesses await the arrival of the 'summer help' and the palm trees are planted so as to make restaurants with a coastal (highway) view look more tropical, the local Lotharios of Ocean City are preparing to have yet another feast or famine summer feeding season. According to my single sources, the ratio of available men to women in this town makes Ocean City seem a bit...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Merril Lynch Ocean City Attends Workshop.  The Merrill Lynch Ocean City office of Rodney Dean, John Allen, Brian Selzer, Kelly Sobol and Christine Selzer attended a leadership workshop in Baltimore Maryland. Guest speakers were Zig Ziglar, General Colin Powell amongst other business leaders. New Realty Team BERLIN - A new team has started operating out of the Coldwell Banker Bud Church Realty office in Ocean City. Nancy Hooper and Lauren Devito, both of Berlin, have joined forces as...READ MORE

Boomer's Has New Focus Under New Ownership

OCEAN CITY - To the delight of locals and visitors alike, one of Berlin's most well known establishments, Boomer's Restaurant, recently opened its doors once again after its new owner took to renovating the establishment at the closing of summer last year, having it ready to serve up a variety of American-fare favorites once again this year. According to co-owner Heidi Butler, she bought the restaurant only a month after it hit the market back in May of 2006 and soon sealed the deal another...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy grabbed a couple packs of Goldenberg Peanut Chews and a can of his RC Cola the other day and jumped into his old DeSoto. Once a month, the DeSoto needs to stretch its legs and Insider usually just heads south on Route 113 because it's an easy drive and he's ensured of not getting lost. That is until he took a detour due to road construction and ended up in Princess Anne. Insider had to stop and ask for directions on how to find his way back home. Next time the old guy will just head...READ MORE

Time Served For Snoozer

OCEAN CITY - A local man who partied a little too hard in celebration of the nation's birthday and was found by resort police after he decided to take a nap on the sidewalk came before Judge Daniel R. Mumford to face his charge of disorderly intoxication Monday morning in District Court. It was approximately 2:38 a.m. on July 4 when OCPD Officer Carl Perry was dispatched to the area of 39th Street and Coastal Highway for a report of a man who had passed out on the sidewalk. Upon arrival, Perry...READ MORE

OC Landmark Could Be Scaled Down In Near Future

OCEAN CITY - Faced with stable, if not stagnant revenues and staggering property tax assessment increases, an Ocean City landmark and the cornerstone of the resort for nearly 120 years is facing extinction and could be preparing for what might be one last summer season. Trimper's Rides, at the foot of the Boardwalk, was abuzz with activity this week as workers repaired and installed rides and splashed a fresh coat on paint on the buildings and amusements, just as they have done each May for the...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

OC Would Be Change Forever Without Park Editor: My parents first brought me to Ocean City, Md. the year of my birth, 1964. Like them I return to Ocean City as often as is possible. When I cross the Route 50 bridge and see Trimper's in the distance, my mood lightens, joy returns and I know that I'm returning to a place I and many other visitors consider home. I'm saddened to learn of the potential sale and closing of Trimper's following this historic 117th season. The loss of the...READ MORE

How Many Cops Should Patrol Schools?

The County Commissioners touched on a debate last week that has surfaced in jurisdictions across the country. The issue years ago, prior to the eruption of school violence, revolved around the question: should cops be in school to maintain peace and order? The answer to that is yes, leading to the next quandary: how many cops does it take to keep our kids secure? Clearly, the answer to that question depends on whether it's urban or rural districts. Sheriff Chuck Martin, who came before the...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

It appears the days of Trimper's Rides anchoring the south-end of the Boardwalk are numbered. It may not be next year or the year after, but the family whose name is synonymous with amusements along the Boardwalk is looking to get out. The reason, according to the family, is rising property assessments, from $29 million in 2004 to $77 million in 2007. The family has seen its tax payments balloon by more than $500,000 in the same time frame. Trimper's Vice President Doug Trimper, great grandson...READ MORE

Decatur Girls Dominate Rivals, 16-4

BERLIN - The highly anticipated girls' varsity lacrosse match-up between friendly neighborhood rivals Stephen Decatur and Worcester Prep on Monday proved to be a little lopsided with the Seahawks jumping out to an early lead and cruising to the fairly easy 16-4 win. It's always special when Decatur and Worcester face each other in any sport, but lacrosse seems to be the focal point of the old rivalry. The girls on both teams are very familiar with each other and often compete together on summer,...READ MORE

Mallard Boys Edge Seahawks, 8-7, in Thriller

BERLIN- Wednesday's highly anticipated match-up between old neighborhood rivals Stephen Decatur had a little bit of everything including rumbling thunder, a 30-minute lightning delay, great shots, big hits and lots of penalties, but in the end, the Mallards edged the Seahawks, 8-7, in front of a big bi-partisan crowd at Decatur. Fans from both area schools filled the stands on either side of the field as the two teams prepared for the annual dust-up between the neighborhood rivals with nothing...READ MORE

Springfest Entertainment Schedule

Friday, May 4 10:00 a.m  Rick K and the Allnighters - Indoor 11:00 a.m. Randy Lee Ashcraft & the Saltwater Cowboys - Outdoor 12:00 p.m. Frankie & The Pack - Indoor 1:00 p.m. Poole & The Gang - Outdoor 2:00 p.m. The Broadband - Indoor 3:00 p.m. Rick K & the Allnighters - Outdoor 4:00 p.m. JR Booker - Indoor 5:00 p.m. Cherrybud - Outdoor 6:30 p.m. The Broadband- Outdoor 8:00 p.m. Billy Currington (Country) - Indoor Tickets are $15, $20, $25, $30, and $35  Saturday, May...READ MORE

Friday, May 4 - Concerns Raised About Proposed Offshore Oil Drilling

OCEAN CITY - Federal officials this week announced a plan to open a vast three million acre area off the coast of Virginia not far from Chincoteague and Assateague Island to offshore oil drilling, raising concerns locally about potential environmental impacts and the inclusion of some of the fertile fishing grounds off the coast of the resort. The inclusion of the site off the coast of Virginia is part of a larger proposal to expand offshore oil drilling in several areas around the U.S....READ MORE

Council To Review $2.2M Plan For Recreation Complex

OCEAN CITY - Master plans for the Downtown Recreation Complex were signed off on Tuesday morning at the Recreation and Parks Committee meeting when members unanimously voted to pass their recommendation of the plans to the Mayor and City Council. The complex would encompass properties from Philadelphia Avenue to the west to the Chicago Avenue boardwalk and be bound by 3rd Street to the south and 4th Street to the north. This includes the existing ball fields, tennis courts, basketball...READ MORE

Murder Suspect Found Competent To Stand Trial

SNOW HILL - Accused West Ocean City murderer Gregory Stokes is competent to stand trial, according to a psychiatrist for the state, but a request for further evaluation has moved the scheduled court dates in the case back a couple of months. Stokes is charged with the shooting death of Pamela Balk in her parents' West Ocean City home on Jan. 11. In March, Stokes' attorney, Neil Brafman, entered a plea of not criminally responsible by reason of insanity and a psychiatric evaluation was ordered....READ MORE

Post Office Snafu Thickens Plot Over Community Center

BERLIN - All 8,400 ballots for the new Ocean Pines Community Center referendum must be re-sent after a postal system error caused some filled out ballots to be returned to the sender. The results of the referendum will not be counted until the end of May, with the new deadline to return the ballots moved to May 31, by the close of business. The trouble arose when software used to sort business reply mail did not identify the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) address and sent some ballots back to the...READ MORE

Advocates Rally For Education Funding

SNOW HILL - The Board of Education got the lion's share of support at the annual budget hearing hosted Tuesday night from Worcester County advocates, who packed the auditorium of Snow Hill High School, as they do every year, calling for the County Commissioners to fully fund the education budget. The requested schools budget, $70.7 million, has increased by $6.8 million (10.6 percent) over the approved budget from last year. Worcester County by all accounts faces a tight budget year, with...READ MORE

Authorities Investigate Travel Agency Fraud

OCEAN CITY - Dozens of local residents have allegedly been duped out of thousands of dollars in vacation money by a former West Ocean City travel agency. Worcester Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) officials announced this week they had received several complaints throughout April and early May from local residents who booked vacations with the former Seaside Travel in West Ocean City only to find out their money had been collected but the trips were never booked. According to WCBI, the victims...READ MORE

County Eyes Seven-Month Moratorium On Adult Shops

SNOW HILL - No adult businesses will be permitted in Worcester County for the next seven months after the County Commissioners approved a moratorium proposed this week. The moratorium will prevent 'application for or issuance of permits for adult entertainment businesses until December 31, 2007,' according to the resolution. Approving the measure gives the county time to research the issue and write regulations governing where adult-themed businesses may be located. The commissioners will...READ MORE

Flea Market Revival Pitched For Downtown Lot

OCEAN CITY - Recent rumors of the once popular flea market in Ocean City returning may prove to be true as members of the Recreation and Parks Committee sat down Tuesday morning to discuss the details of reviving a favorite pastime. 'You guys probably don't remember but when we got rid of the flea market it was a real stinker,' Councilman Jim Hall said Tuesday. 'People really enjoyed that.' It was at a recent Mayor and City Council meeting during the closing comments that Hall brought up the...READ MORE

Area Police Looking For Pa. Runaway

OCEAN CITY - As of late yesterday, Ocean City Police were still looking for a 17-year-old runaway from Pennsylvania, who has been missing since April 27 and is believed to have come to the resort area. Candace Faircloth, 17, of Littlestown, Pa., near Gettysburg, is described as a white female, 5-feet, 3-inches tall and about 125 pounds with brown hair dyed blonde and a pierced left eyebrow. The piercing is a straight bar with small orange balls attached to each end. Resort police believe...READ MORE

Banana Bikes Debated In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY - A recent problem that has constantly been brought up before the Mayor and City Council in recent months and openly advocated by Councilman Jay Hancock was finally discussed openly at a work session on Tuesday. The problem has to do with the use of banana bikes, or a type of recumbent bicycle where the user sits down and places their feet forward to pedal the front wheel drive vehicle. Store owners along the Boardwalk have been driving home the fact that they have become a safety...READ MORE

Bay Bridge Decking Project To Last Two Years

OCEAN CITY - The trip to Ocean City could become more difficult for visitors trying to reach the beach over the next two years as Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) officials this week told resort business leaders the state is getting ready to embark on a major re-decking project on the westbound Chesapeake Bay Bridge. MdTA officials were on hand on Wednesday to brief the town's Economic Development Committee (EDC) on the scope and duration of the major renovation of the Bay Bridge. The...READ MORE

Bishopville Pond Work To Begin In September

BISHOPVILLE - Work on the Bishopville Pond and Lizard Hill borrow pit environmental restoration project should begin in September. Sandy Coyman, director of Comprehensive Planning for Worcester County, said if all goes well, work could be completed by early spring 2008. 'We've been working on this for the four and a half years I've been a commissioner,' said Commissioner Judy Boggs. Commissioner Linda Busick, who represents Bishopville's district, said she remembers that 'doing something' about...READ MORE

City Approves Next Round Of Work On Bayshore Drive

OCEAN CITY - One of Ocean City's recent large capital projects continues to plug along and the approval of purchasing additional lighting fixtures by the town's elected officials during a work session of the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday only helps to push the Bayshore Drive reconstruction project closer to the finish line. Public Works Director Hal Adkins came before the council to make the request for an additional 30 poles and lighting fixtures to finish lighting the 26th Street area....READ MORE

County Hears Budget Concerns At Meeting

SNOW HILL - Although the majority of the speakers stood up for the Board of Education budget, the annual Worcester County budget hearing on Tuesday night attracted a handful of comments in other areas. A specific invitation did not elicit any comments on the constant yield tax rate, which is the rate necessary to generate the same amount of revenue as last year. The current property tax rate, the second lowest in the state, is 70 cents per $100 of assessed value. The constant yield rate would...READ MORE

Fine Arts Fest Showcases Work Of 800 Area Students

BERLIN - Over 800 students participated in Worcester County Public Schools' annual Fine Arts Festival, held on April 25 at Pocomoke High School. The festival showcased over 500 art exhibits from students at each of the school system's 14 schools. The evening also featured performances from elementary and middle school choruses, as well as performances by the prestigious All County Chorus and All County Band. Although the festival's theme was 'Celebrating the Arts,' the Fine Arts Festival was...READ MORE

Latest Wor-Wic Addition Eyes Fall Completion

BERLIN - April marks the one-year anniversary of Wor-Wic Community College breaking ground on its newest building project - the Workforce Development Center (WDC). Since the $15 million project began, steady progress has been made on exterior and interior construction of the 48,000-square-foot building. With about 75 percent of the building complete and warmer weather in store, the building is expected to be open for the upcoming fall semester. Anyone interested can go to the college Web site...READ MORE

Mystic Harbor Sewer Plant Needs Replacing, Report Finds

SNOW HILL - The Mystic Harbor wastewater plant must be replaced, concluded the four-year sewer report created by •€˜sewer czar' Dennis Escher, but regionalization is not part of his recommendations. The report was commissioned originally as a sewer regionalization study on how to handle growth in the northern end of Worcester County, but the focus of the study changed when the new comprehensive plan, approved in spring 2006, established specific growth areas. Considering each county...READ MORE

An Ocean City landmark formally recognized.

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City landmark and a lasting tribute to a different era in the resort was formally recognized yesterday with an unveiling of a sign celebrating its importance to area history. The old Henry Hotel, a late 19th century building on the corner of Baltimore Ave. and South Division Street, for nearly a century served as the resort's 'colored only' hotel in a less tolerant and enlightened era. During the 1930s and 40s, the historic hotel hosted African-American icons such as Cab...READ MORE

Resort Aims To Narrow Sites For Adult Businesses

OCEAN CITY - After weeks of outcries from several local residents demanding zoning codes and other types of regulations on sexually oriented businesses in the town, only one resident was in attendance to show support of the regulations at the Planning and Zoning Commission's public hearing Tuesday night. The purpose of the public hearing was to consider a draft of amendments to the town's zoning code concerning those types of adult themed establishments. However, following a reading of the...READ MORE

Resort's Play It Safe Gearing Up For Seniors

OCEAN CITY - The month of May marks the end of school for many graduating high school seniors and with that brings a well-known ailment commonly known as senioritis, which is not necessarily a bad thing and most times can be cured with a trip to the beach come June when the wait for summer becomes too much to bear. For the past 18 years, Ocean City's Play It Safe Program has been working to ensure seniors who come to Ocean City during the month of June for their senior weeks have a safe and...READ MORE

School System To Launch New Website May 7

BERLIN - Worcester County Public Schools will launch its newly designed website on Monday, May 7. The new website, located at www.worcesterk12.com, will provide increased functionality and a fresh look, while providing visitors with timely information, in an easy to access format. The need for a new website was apparent through the school system's annual Communications Survey. 'In the survey, parents told us that they wanted a more current and timely website to provide the information that they...READ MORE

Ocean City

Ocean City Dune Mist III Saturday 11-1 Don Yelton 443-523-7485 Debbie Salins 410-250-3858 Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. 410-440-5062 Call for Directions Ocean City Ocean Break Saturday 11-1:30 Debbie Salins Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. 410-440-5062 Call for Directions Ocean City 122 Old Wharf Rd. Sat 10-2 Ed Sheppard Holiday Real Estate 410-524-7700 Call for Directions Ocean City 410 SurfWatch 41st. 3 BD/2BA Sat and Sun 11-3 Myrna Wright Prudential Carruthers 410-524-7000 Call for...READ MORE

Berlin - Ocean Pines - West Ocean City

Berlin Decatur Farm 318 Schooner Lane Sunday 10-1 3BR/BA Debbie Bennington Remax Premiier Properties 410-641-5222 Call for Directions Ocean Pines The Parke 5 Easton Ave Saturday 1-3 2 BD/2BA Den Debbie Bennington Remax Premiier Properties 410-641-5222 Call for Directions Ocean Pines The Parke 26 Arcadia Court Saturday 9-12 3BD/3BA Debbie Bennington Remax Premiier Properties 410-641-5222 Call for Directions West Ocean City Mystic Harbor #20 Blue Heron Saturday 10-3 Coldwell Banker Bud Church...READ MORE

Live Bands and DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Every Friday & Saturday: Patrick McAllorum. Bahama Mamas: 410-289-0291, Call for entertainment. Big Tuna Grill: 410-250-1001, 128th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Call for entertainment. Blue Ox & Babe's Lounge: 410-250-6440, 127th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Call for entertainment. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, May 4: DJ BK; Saturday, May 5: Pompous Pie. Castaway's: 410-524-9090, 64th St. Bayfront; Friday,...READ MORE

Springfest Entertainment

Friday, May 4 10:00 a.m  Rick K and the Allnighters - Indoor 11:00 a.m. Randy Lee Ashcraft & the Saltwater Cowboys - Outdoor 12:00 p.m. Frankie & The Pack - Indoor 1:00 p.m. Poole & The Gang - Outdoor 2:00 p.m. The Broadband - Indoor 3:00 p.m. Rick K & the Allnighters - Outdoor 4:00 p.m. JR Booker - Indoor 5:00 p.m. Cherrybud - Outdoor 6:30 p.m. The Broadband- Outdoor 8:00 p.m. Billy Currington (Country) - Indoor Tickets are $15, $20, $25, $30, and $35  Saturday, May...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary School

Ocean City Elementary School held the April Students of the Month Luncheon last week to honor the students in grades one through four who were chosen by their teachers because of their excellent choices in all aspects of the school environment. Pictured, first row from left, are Braedon Dang, Lacey Eccleston, Lizeth Flores, Grace Mullaney and Kevin Williams; second row, from left, Joey Haines, Emma Hancock, Juliana Kotsifikas, Olivia Rorke, Kyle Tanner and Alyssa Williams; third grade, from...READ MORE

Snow Hill Elementary School

Snow Hill Elementary School first graders Jeffrey Wimbrow and Mackenzie Taylor, pictured with members of the Worcester County Garden Club, are anxious to read the gardening books donated to their school library by the Garden Club. Garden Club members, from left, are Betty Thompson, Mary Lou Scott, Ruth Bowie, Bozy Markiewicz, Suzy Young, and standing Linda Glorioso and Nancy Smith. ...READ MORE

Cedar Chapel Special School

The staff and students of Cedar Chapel Special School would like to express their appreciation to all that helped to make their 2007 Bowling Tournament a success. Each year a trophy is given to the team that raises the most donations prior to the tournament. This year the first place trophy went to the team of "The Bombers". Shown here is student Nathan Holland, front, with his team sponsers, from left, Kelly Sharpley, Courtney Scott, Devin Fairman, BJ McCotter and Tyler Fairman. ...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

Keeley Marks and Beverly Thompson are pictured applying plaster to the face of Madelyne Beebe while constructing Egyptian Death masks. Sixth grade students in Mrs. Kreppel's social studies class at Berlin Intermediate have been studying ancient civilizations, most recently Egypt. ...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

Nine-year-old George Eppard-Annis, a fourth-grader at Berlin Intermediate School, is shown with his mother, Shelly Eppard-Annis, an executive associate at Wor-Wic Community College, on Take Your Child to Work Day. The student spent the day on the job with his mother at Wor-Wic's campus. The purpose of the activity is to help children discover the link between what they do now in school and what they can become in the future. ...READ MORE

Worcester Preparatory School

Inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society at Worcester Preparatory School were, from left, Melissa Choy, Rehoboth Beach; Jenna Sternberg, Seaford; Christian Coates, Berlin; Morgan Crank, Berlin; Sean Hearn, Rehoboth Beach; Charlotte Desmarais, Salisbury; and Marissa Dean, Bishopville. These students, as specified by the Cum Laude Society, are among the top academic students in the Classes of 2007 and 2008.  They qualified for membership with their high academic averages and their...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a fine business sense and a love of the arts. You enjoy living life to its fullest.ARIES (March 21 to April 19): The often skeptical Aries might find that an answer to a question is hard to believe. But check it out before you chuck it out. You might well be surprised at what you could learn. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your resolute determination to stick by a position might make some people uncomfortable. But if you\'re proved right (as I expect you to be), a lot of...READ MORE

Things I Like

The sound of keyboards at work in the newsroom Reading the Sunday paper outside Buds beginning to grow on a tree Getting a good parking spot at the hospital That Macky's is open again The Boardwalk during the dog walk Winning a door prize at an event The flags on the Route 50 Bridge Ignoring the presidential election news for now A teenager mowing the lawn Life returning to the Talbot Street Pier...READ MORE

Things We Like

The sound of raindrops Watching my grandson play Little League baseball Fresh flowers in the foyer Friday nights at the casino Writing letters to my elderly aunt Driving the speed limit Crossword puzzles  Saturday mornings -- Dorothy Johnson ...READ MORE

Retirement Planning Essentials For Late Starters

BERLIN - For those quickly approaching retirement, proper planning may have been put on hold for a variety of reasons. It could have been due to a lack of savings as people find themselves dealing with such financial strains as higher education costs for their children or caring for elderly parents. Others may have set up 401(k) plans through their employers but have lost track of the assets held there. Regardless of the reason, it's never too late to construct an appropriate retirement...READ MORE