November 16,2007

Wednesday, November 21 - New Rules Put In Place For 'Scopers'

OCEAN CITY - Beach franchise operators will now be seeing tighter restrictions on late fees and stronger penalties for failure to meet payment deadlines.  At a regular session of the Mayor and Council Monday night, the City Council unanimously passed, on second reading, the ordinance outlining the changes to beach franchise operations. Several weeks ago, the Beach Mediation Board presented the Mayor and Council with a recommendation to enforce stricter punishments for continuous late...READ MORE

Monday, November 19 - Dates Set For Annual Christmas Parades

 Berlin Parade Turns 37 BERLIN - Berlin's 37th Annual Christmas Parade will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. The parade officially kicks off a number of Christmas events scheduled for December, and this year's theme is 'I Believe.' The parade is sponsored by the Berlin Lions Club, in cooperation with the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company, the Town of Berlin and the merchants of the town. All costs of conducting the parade are covered by donations from Berlin area businesses. Due to time...READ MORE

Shooting Suspect Sought

WEST OCEAN CITY - Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives this week are seeking a suspect in a shooting in West Ocean City early last Saturday morning. Shortly before 2 a.m. last Saturday, WCBI officers responded to a shooting complaint in West Ocean City. The victim, Eric Jamar Purnell, 19, of Berlin, had been in the parking lot on the west side of Trader Lee's Village at the intersection of Routes 50 and 611 when he was shot once in the right buttocks area. Purnell was taken...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Fact: The Ocean City Dog Playground off 94th Street is nearly ready to open. Opinion: It will be interesting to track this facility's popularity through the seasons. It will likely be used often when the dogs are not allowed on the beaches between May and late September, but only time will tell if it will be popular during the other months. It's also going to be interesting to see how the resident wildlife handles the new playground's opening. Folks familiar with the 94th Street area know all...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Where Are The Facts In Local Slots Debate? Editor: First of all, I would like to congratulate you on last week fine editorial piece, "Commissioners' Bubble Needs Bursting." That really needed saying. In Cara Dahl's story on the commissioners' anti-slots movement, I was very impressed by Commissioner Judy Boggs for actually attempting to keep the proceedings of the council within the confines of the law. Boggs and that other radical, Commissioner Linda Busick, actually had the temerity...READ MORE

What Others Are Saying

Editor: I would like to share with your readers my own experience with the manner in which County Commission meetings are conducted. On May 15, 2007, I attended a County Commissioner regular meeting to listen to a presentation being made by Carolyn Cummins, Worcester County Planning Commission Chair. The presentation was on behalf of the Planning Commission and concerned future expansion of county wastewater services. During Ms. Cummins' presentation, a question regarding a proposed development...READ MORE

Council On Board Subway Reef Plan

OCEAN CITY - The resort is one step closer to having decommissioned railway cars placed off shore to act as the footprint for artificial reefs. In a work session of the Mayor and Council Tuesday afternoon, the Ocean City Reef Foundation and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) presented a proposal to have railway cars placed offshore in an effort to create larger artificial reefs, resulting in unanimous support from the City Council. The proposal came before the town nearly 10 years ago,...READ MORE

Black Friday Rockfish Tourney on Tap

OCEAN CITY- Local anglers hoping to avoid the crowds and holiday shopping next week and perhaps win some money instead of spending it are encouraged to participate in the first-ever Black Friday 550 Rockfish Tournament next Friday and Saturday, November 23-24, out of the Ocean City Fishing Center. For 36 hours next weekend, local fishing enthusiasts looking for an alternative to holiday shopping will take to the waters in and around the resort area for the first annual Black Friday 550 Rockfish...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Awards

Worcester Prep recently handed out its student-athlete sports awards for the fall season. Pictured above left, front row, left to right: Brian Nawrocki, Coach's Award, varsity golf; Joe Wilson, Most Improved, varsity soccer; Chase Humphrey, Most Valuable Player, varsity soccer; and Christian Payne, Coach's Award, varsity soccer. Back row, left to right: Lee Kendall, Most Improved, Varsity Golf; Ivan Zorn, Coach's Award, junior varsity golf; Adam Albright, Most Improved, junior varsity golf; and...READ MORE

Chetelat Finishes 5th at States

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's standout cross-country runner Lindsey Chetelat turned in a great performance at the state Class 3A championship meet last weekend, finishing fifth in the field on 147 competitors from all over the state. Chetelat was the lone representative from Decatur or anywhere else on the Eastern Shore at the state championship meet at Hereford High in Baltimore County last Saturday. She acquitted herself well carrying her school's banner at the state meet, finishing fifth among...READ MORE

Seahawks Fall to Snow Hill, Miss Playoffs

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team's season came to a close last weekend with a gut-wrenching 30-27 loss to Worcester County rival Snow Hill in double-overtime. Decatur rallied late to tie the game and send into overtime during which each team got a chance on offense from their opponent's 25-yard line. Each team scored in the first overtime period but Snow Hill scored in its second overtime possession while the Seahawks did not for the dramatic 30-27 win. The loss in the season...READ MORE

Greene Turtle to Hold Lax Tryouts

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle Girls' Lacrosse Club is holding tryouts for the 2008 season on December 1 at the Crown Sports Center in Salisbury beginning at 10 a.m. The club is looking for girls who are interested in playing competitive tournament lacrosse against some of the best club teams on the east coast. Tryouts will be held for each of the Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club's teams in graduation years 2009 to 2014. Tryouts for players with graduation years 2011, 2012 and 2014 will be held from...READ MORE

Tough Guy Of The Week

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy and Fitness Center's 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to Decatur football standout Delonte Tate. Pictured above is Tate (center) flanked by Coach Bob Knox (left) and ATP representative Bobby Hammond (right). ...READ MORE

Annual Turkey Trot Set for Sunday

OCEAN CITY- Golf enthusiasts looking for a little pre-Thanksgiving diversion are invited to participate in the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's Turkey Trot golf tournament on Sunday at Eagle's Landing. The popular annual event features a four-player scramble format with scores based on 80-percent of the combined team average. The Turkey Trot gets started at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning with a shotgun start and is open to anyone who likes to play golf. The admission price is $45 per...READ MORE

Westcott Named Coach Of The Year

Worcester Prep's long-time men's varsity soccer coach was recently named the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) Coach of the Year after leading to Mallards to another conference title. Pictured above, Westcott poses for a picture with his outstanding senior class at a recent awards ceremony. Pictured, front row, left to right: Daniel Bunting, Joe Wilson, Chase Humphrey and Christian Payne. Pictured back row, left to right: Westcott, Clayton Perry, Max DiFilippo, Christian...READ MORE

Council Seeking Restrictive Option On Sex Shop Zoning

OCEAN CITY - Discussion surrounding sexually-oriented businesses continued this week at a work session of the Mayor and Council with another presentation of zoning possibilities in Ocean City. City Planner Jesse Houston, presented the Mayor and Council with four different scenarios for zoning, explaining that the intent is not to suppress the expansion of sexually-oriented businesses, but rather to protect the surrounding community. Sexually-oriented businesses were not an issue in Ocean City...READ MORE

Decatur Swim Team Approved By School Board

NEWARK - Worcester school officials this week approved a request from Stephen Decatur High School to move forward with an interscholastic swimming program at the Berlin school. The Worcester County Board of Education on Tuesday approved a request from Stephen Decatur to create a competitive swim team. The new program will begin this winter as a club sport and compete in a handful of dual meets with other schools on the Eastern Shore and in lower Delaware that offer swimming as a winter...READ MORE

Friday, November 16 - Judge Orders Fine, Probation For Prostitute

OCEAN CITY - One of two women arrested by resort police for prostitution after getting snared in an Internet sting pleaded guilty last week in Ocean City District Court and was sentenced to a year in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of a hefty fine and a considerable probation period. Theresa Maria Amoroso, 31, of Narbeth, Pa., appeared in District Court in Ocean City last week to face prostitution charges following her arrest in the resort in September. Amoroso pleaded guilty and was...READ MORE

Friday, November 16 - WOC Boat Thief Faces Minimum Of Six Months In Jail

SNOW HILL - A Virginia man accused of stealing a sport fishing boat from a marina in West Ocean City in October before crashing the vessel into the Route 50 bridge and running it aground on a sandbar pleaded guilty last week in District Court to an amended charge of unauthorized removal of property and now faces a minimum mandatory sentence of six months in jail. The bizarre case began shortly after 1 a.m. on Oct. 2 when a witness, an employee of the nearby Harborside Bar and Grille on the...READ MORE

Commissioner Regrets Last Week's Slots Vote

SNOW HILL - One County Commissioner who voted to oppose slot machines in Worcester County regrets his vote to approve that stance, he revealed less than a week after the vote was taken. Although he was convinced last week that the county leaders opposed slot machines, Commissioner Bobby Cowger, who represents Pocomoke, would now like to get his vote approving the anti-slots letter back. That letter was derided by some as a fruitless attempt to influence decisions being made at the highest levels...READ MORE

Local Fraternal Clubs Want Equal Playing Field On Slots

BERLIN - Local fraternal organizations still want slots in their lodges and the County Commissioners support them. The commissioners voted last week to oppose slot machines at Ocean Downs racetrack, but that is a separate issue from slot machines at service clubs and fraternal organizations, Commissioner Bobby Cowger said. 'This has nothing to do with the slots bill,' he said. Cowger was the swing vote last Tuesday in the commissioners' 5-2 decision to write to state legislators opposing slot...READ MORE

Mathias Calls Slots Debate 'A Disaster'

BERLIN - The emotional roller coaster ride that the Maryland slots issue has become this week took a long drop from a high peak yesterday when a House subcommittee reversed a decision to remove Ocean Downs from the equation and moved forward instead with a plan to keep the Berlin racetrack in the proposal. A clearly harried Delegate James Mathias (D-38B) said between sessions yesterday what had looked so promising just hours earlier had begun to unravel. 'It's become a disaster,' he said. 'We...READ MORE

Trooper Seeks $5M In Accident Lawsuit

SNOW HILL - A Maryland State Police trooper seriously injured in an accident on Route 50 in August this week filed a lawsuit against the local woman driving the car that collided with him and her employer seeking $5 million in compensatory damages. On Wednesday, MSP Trooper Louis Craig Suttka of the Berlin Barrack, through his attorney, filed a $5 million lawsuit against Susan Jenkins Leuthold of Berlin whose vehicle collided with him as he raced to respond to a reported crime in progress in...READ MORE

Berlin Needs Focus On Comp. Plan

BERLIN - The Berlin Planning Commission and the town must make the completion of the comprehensive plan a priority, the commission concluded this week. 'We have totally and utterly failed to get the comprehensive plan done. It's turning into a joke for me,' said Planning Commission Chair Pete Cosby Wednesday night. Planning consultant Tim Bourcier, engaged by the town to fill in some of the gaps while the new planning and zoning superintendent is hired, brought several draft ordinances and other...READ MORE

Berlin Planners OK Zoning Change For Senior Housing Project

BERLIN - The Davis Farm took another step this week in its journey from the never materialized industrial park to senior housing, with the Berlin Planning Commission's recommendation that the town approve a change in the zoning code to allow the senior project in an industrial zone. Joe Moore, representing the property owners, went before the planning commission Wednesday night to ask that senior housing be written into the zoning code as a principal permitted use in the M1A industrial zone,...READ MORE

Changes OK'd For New OC Dog Park

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Dog Playground, now in the final stages of completion, will be seeing some changes before it is open to the public, including modifications to the price and access. At a Recreation and Parks meeting Tuesday, Tom Shuster, Director of Recreation and Parks, reported the city is currently installing the final elements of the dog park, which was originally slated to open at the end of October, but a delay in the gate installation has pushed the grand opening back to Dec....READ MORE

Coast Guard Hears Little Concern Over Bridge Closure

OCEAN CITY - While there has been considerable debate about the impact of closing the Route 50 Bridge for five weeks in January and February from a traffic standpoint, little has been said or written about the closure of the span to marine traffic, but the U.S. Coast Guard announced this week a public comment period for navigational impacts is now open and will remain so until Dec. 24. The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic for roughly 35 days from mid-January to mid-February to facilitate...READ MORE

Commission Finds Tree Ordinance Overly Restrictive

BERLIN - More work needs to be done to a proposed tree removal ordinance presented to the Berlin Planning Commission Wednesday night, the commission concluded. The draft ordinance is the result of a discussion by the Berlin Mayor and Council in late October on protecting large old trees from being cut down on a whim. 'It hurts your heart to see a six-foot wide maple get chopped down for no reason,' said Planning Commission Chair Pete Cosby. The tree ordinance is nowhere near finalized, it became...READ MORE

Council Briefed On Success Of Montego Bay Community Pond

OCEAN CITY - Friends of Walkers Pond and the Montego Bay Civic Association came before the City Council last Monday night to thank them for its success and to provide an update on the status of the pond that has been undergoing a facelift of sorts for the past couple years. Vera McCullough represented Friends of Walkers Pond and the Montego Bay Civic Association last week as she explained the success story of the pond that she and many others have been fighting to save. 'What we have here is a...READ MORE

Fall Surf Challenge Attracts 105 To Ocean City

OCEAN CITY - The 9th Annual K-Coast/Reef Surf Challenge drew 105 of the top surfing competitors from Florida through New York to compete for a trip to Barbados and more than $10,000 in prizes at 35th Street in Ocean City last Sunday. A solid chest to head-high north swell with light sideshore winds created excellent conditions for the athletes to put on a great show. Lucas Rogers of Virginia Beach, Va. blew away the competition and took home more than $1,000 in prizes including a trip to...READ MORE

Md. Approves Beach Replenishment Funds

ANNAPOLIS - With state funding for projects large and small under question given Maryland's current financial crisis, it was uncertain if the Board of Public Works this week would approve the requested $203,000 latest installment in the state's share of the ongoing Ocean City beach replenishment project, but the grant was approved without any wavering by the three-member panel on Wednesday. The three-member Board of Public Works, made up of Gov. Martin O'Malley, State Comptroller Peter Franchot...READ MORE

Questions Remain On County's Lack Of Public Comments

SNOW HILL - Public comments may soon come to a County Commissioner meeting, but citizens should not expect to see a change in the public comment policy at next week's commissioner meeting. One commissioner said this week there might be changes in the near future.  'I can see the commissioners taking time before lunch at 11:45, and basically opening the floor up and letting everyone have their two minutes, have their say,' said Commissioner Virgil Shockley. Shockley did reiterate his...READ MORE

Report Finds Flooding 'Issues In The Entire Town’'

BERLIN - Growth has outpaced Berlin's stormwater systems, overloading insufficient-sized pipes, inadequate ponds, low ground and high water tables, the town learned Tuesday night from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) stormwater analysis. The long anticipated, three years in the making, Berlin stormwater study results were finally presented to the Berlin Mayor and Council this week. The study, conducted by ACE, was concluded in August. Seven high priority areas, were identified, Craig Thomas of...READ MORE

With Complex Project Shelved, Focus On Skate Park Safety

OCEAN CITY - With the expansion of the Ocean Bowl Skate Park and the construction of the Downtown Recreation Complex officially on hold, the Recreation and Parks Department has decided to take a closer look at the quality of the current skate park. In a Recreation and Parks meeting Tuesday morning, Tom Shuster, director of Recreation and Parks, explained that the expansion of the skate park would have included a rehabilitation of the current skate park, a facelift that still needs examining...READ MORE

Whats Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Restless Rams and Ewes might want to let others finish a current project while they start something new. But if you do, you could risk losing out on a future opportunity. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The Bovine's creative forces start revving up as you plan for the up-coming holidays. Some practical as-pects also emerge, especially where money is involved. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Moments of doubt disrupt your otherwise clear sense of purpose. Don't ignore them....READ MORE

Two Ways To Make A Difference

BERLIN - These days, as philanthropists prepare to parcel out billions of dollars to charitable organizations, there's an additional option for those who want to make a meaningful contribution. A donor-advised fund, like a private foundation, allows philanthropists to fulfill their goals in an efficient, strategic way that can fit with overall financial plans. To weigh the merits of each approach, and the circumstances under which each is appropriate, consider these questions: How much do you...READ MORE

My Thoughts

A good person with a true heart is hard to come by these days and it's getting increasingly difficult to know whether you have a good one or not. That's why so many people are getting divorced these days. Insider would be the first to admit he does not fit the bill. He's not so good and not so true. He's just an old guy who is selfish and stuck in his ways, but one trait he does possess is he's honest. That's what Insider finds so wrong with most people. They are just dishonest. You are either...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

James Joseph White BERLIN - James Joseph White, 57, died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 at his home in Ocean Pines. He was the son of the late James Joseph White, Sr. and Frances Cobb White. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen White; a son, James Jason White and his wife Marcella of Long Island, N.Y.; a sister, Patricia White Kearney of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and a grandson, James Henning White. White was a Navy veteran, and a member of the Ocean Pines Golf Club. A funeral service was held at...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY Trout Lane 14th Street Fri-Sun 11-3 Bayside Townhouses Rick Meehan Coldwell Banker 410-723-8778 OCEAN CITY The Quay Sat 10-1 2 & 3BR Oceanfront Mary McCracken Long & Foster 410-430-7302 OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 9-5 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bay 1 Fri-Sun 10-4 3/4BR, 3+ BA Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Ocean Pines - MD - DE

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker WILLARDS 7407 E Adkins Rd Sat 2:30-5:30 2BR/Fenced Yard Stacy Schaffer Sheppard Realty 443-783-4807 BERLIN Purnell Crossing Tues-Sun 11-6 New Villas w/ 2-car Garages Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 OCEAN PINES 19 Bridgewater Rd Sat 11-2 3BR/2BA Rancher Terry Testani Shamrock Realty 443-523-2966 NEWARK, MD Arcadia Village Rt 113 South Sat & Sun 11-2 New Neighborhood Jim Terrill Prudential...READ MORE

Students from Worcester County

Students from Worcester County recently inducted into the Alpha Nu Omicron chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Wor-Wic Community College are shown, in the front row, from left, Tracy Clowson, Sviatlana Dyson, Deborah Haines, Allison Pilat and Nancy Poret of Berlin. In the back row, from left, are Heidi Kelley of Bishopville, Tara Smith of Girdletree, and Alesia Kazakevich, Dustin Kruger and Leila Milewski of Ocean City. Not pictured are Patti Fooks of Berlin and Daniel Taylor of Ocean City. Submitted...READ MORE

Worcester Prep's 2007 Homecoming Court

Worcester Prep's 2007 Homecoming Court is pictured. From left are Austin Gerachis, Freshman Prince; Jenna Kramer, Freshman Princess; Mike Guerrieri, Sophomore Prince; Austin Coates, Sophomore Princess; Christian Coates, Homecoming King; Caroline Wyatt, Homecoming Queen; Sami Taraila, Junior Princess; Thomas Hoffman, Junior Prince; Tori Dickerson, Senior Princess; and Christian Payne, Senior Prince. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary

Students at Buckingham Elementary School have started practicing for their 'Chance To Dance Program,' which is funded through an after-school program grant. There will be performances in the spring. The theme and title this year is Eastside Story: The Importance of Friendship. Pictured above are De'Quan Andrews, Emily Lampman, Tara Smith, Jessie Lupiwock, Brandon Juarez-Garcia, Anamelina Juarez Garcia and Shekinah Thomas. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary

Kate Rose and Kelly Wenzel of the Worcester County Public Health Department recently visited third and fourth grade students at Buckingham Elementary School. They were at the school to educate the children about drugs. Pictured, from left, are Rose Billings, Tymeir Hovington, Wenzel, Bailey Warren, Blaine Warren, Rose and Brittany Baker. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep

Alice and Greta, The Tale of Two Witches by J.T. Simmons was presented by Worcester Prep sixth grade students Libby Truitt and McKenna Shanahan in the school's Guerrieri Library. Pictured, front, are Ashley Laws, Jordan Campbell, Taylor Campbell, Melissa Laws, Shelby Laws, and, back, Librarian Jeff VanSpriell, Truitt, Shanahan and Library Assistant Diana Brotherton. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep

Worcester Prep students inducted recently into the Charles R. Jenkins Chapter of the National Honor Society were, first row from left, Meegan Jayne Smith, Sami Taraila, Skylar Wilson and Alexandra Lewis; second row, Rachel Sharp, Tori Dickerson, Gina LaBarck, Alexandra Smith, Mary Mazcko, Brooke Bochinski. Niki Kunciw, Josh Berman, Sean Hearn and Nick Spinuzza; third row, Hilary Roughton, Elizabeth Hudson, Jackie Wangel, Sophie Townsend, Katie Twilley, Allie Pedigo, Molly Simons, Will Regan,...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary

Ocean City Elementary held its annual Science Fair on Nov. 5 and 6. There were about 200 projects in both experimental and non-experimental categories from pre-kindergarten to fourth grade. Pictured, above left, is Nathan Braude with his project called Ramped UP and, above right, Alex Oatman with The Heart Of Rock and Roll. The winning projects will now travel to Snow Hill Middle School to compete in the Worcester County Science Fair held on Nov. 28. ...READ MORE

Live Bands And DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Friday, Nov. 16: Patrick McAllorum; Saturday, Nov. 17: Jon Pheasant; Thursday, Nov. 22: Phil Knight; All entertainment 6:30-9:30 p.m. 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, Nov. 16: DJ BK; Saturday, Nov. 17: Opposite Directions. Castaway's: 410-524-9090, 64th St. Bayfront; Friday, Nov. 16: Lower Class Citizens; Saturday,...READ MORE

18 Greene Turtles And Counting

OCEAN CITY - Thirty years ago, Tommy Dickerson and Steve Pappas become employees of the Greene Turtle in North Ocean City. Today, the Greene Turtle is in 18 locations and growing each year with owners Pappas and Dickerson at the helm of the franchise. Dickerson and Pappas started working at Greene Turtle north in 1977 as doormen. The next year, they moved up to bartenders, earning some extra cash to get them through school at Salisbury University. In 1980, fresh out of college, the pair decided...READ MORE

Decatur Lifesavers

Al and Jeanne LaVie were the recipients of Stephen Decatur High Schools newly formed "Decatur Lifesavers" Red Cross Club's first local outreach project. The club volunteered to come out to the LaVie's home and do exterior painting, clean the gutters, redo garden beds, cut branches, small trees and overgrowth from around the house and do much heavy lifting. Club members were joined by club advisor Ryan Cowder and club organizers Alison Sappington, Patti Miller and Madalaine How, as well...READ MORE

Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross

Alan Lee, 13 year director of the Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross, was honored at a surprise retirement dinner and roast recently at Reflections. Lee was surprised by many friends and family members at the event. Above, Lee is pictured blowing out candles on a cake during the first-class sendoff. ...READ MORE

The Arbor at Ocean Pines

The General Levin Winder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently visited with veterans at The Arbor at Ocean Pines in observance of Veterans Day.  Seated, from left, are Veterans EP Chmielewski, Bob Massey, William Harris, John Spurrier and Will Russell. Standing, from left, are DAR members Pat Arata, Sue Mallory, Jacqueline Spurrier, Carol Morrison, Linda Busick and Kathy Muncy. ...READ MORE

Things I Like

Sounds of kids at play in a neighborhood Watching messy weather football games Walking the halls of a school A horoscope that hits close to home A day that starts gray and ends blue Hearing about friends getting engaged The first holiday lights of the year The smell of a hardware store A little dog with a big personality When the cold forces the Uggs back on The feel of an old sweatshirt  ...READ MORE

Things We Like

Snow on Christmas morning Going to Assateague by boat New clothes that fit The peace of a walk in the woods My friends at Shape-Ups A warm day on the Boardwalk in winter My grandchildren's smiles When I don't have to cook dinner The taste of warm chocolate A surprise present The warm feeling of volunteering By Ann Prince  ...READ MORE

"Just the good ol' boys"

They were popping bubbly in the Country Clubs and retirement villages all over town this week, as the Angel of Death that had taken the form of a slot machine had apparently passed over us here in Worcester County. Nobody even had to put any blood on their doors, opting rather to do the more politically correct 'sending of a letter' expressing their disdain for proposed slots in the county. Way to go gang, you sure showed •€˜em, so treat yourselves to another round of pats on the back and...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Bank Awards Presented BERLIN - Farmers Bank of Willards recently presented two awards to employees. The Customer Service Award for the third quarter of 2007 was given to Amy Hoffman, who began her career with the bank in November of 2005. Currently, she is pursuing a degree from the American Banking Institution in Banking and Financing. The Employee Appreciation Award for the third quarter was presented to Denise Littleon, who began her career with the bank in July of 1997 and is currently the...READ MORE