February 15, 2008

Berlin Wants Newark Property For Spray Disposal

BERLIN - A years long search for more spray irrigation land is closer to paying off, after the town of Berlin identified a 200-acre tract near Newark with strong spray disposal potential. The Berlin Mayor and Council last week voted to accept a contract giving the town right of first refusal on purchasing the 200-acre site, which also allows the town onto the property to conduct necessary environmental testing before final purchase. The right of first refusal allows the town to buy the land by...READ MORE

Thursday, February 21 - OC Formalizes Sex Shop Laws

OCEAN CITY - The issue of sexually oriented businesses was laid to rest with little fanfare this week with the City Council voting unanimously to approve the second reading of two ordinances which outline the zoning and licensing of sexually oriented businesses in Ocean City. The discussion over sexually oriented businesses spanned nearly one year as the town worked to draw up a fair but restrictive amendment to the town code. The opening of a sex shop in uptown Ocean City spurred the council...READ MORE

Wednesday, February 20 - OC Council Seeks To Keep Volunteers

OCEAN CITY - The resort's fire service could soon be united under Ocean City Volunteer Fire Chief Chris Larmore after the Mayor and Council switched gears last night and offered the position to Larmore with certain conditions. Contention and heated debate continued last night as citizens, volunteers and paid fire fighters poured into City Hall in an effort to overturn the decision by the City Council last week to not appoint Larmore as the interim fire chief for the town's fire services. That...READ MORE

Monday, February 18 - Mardi Gras Carnival Events Planned For Final Run

OCEAN CITY - This year's King and Queen candidates are currently hosting their final events in the hopes of raising the most money for the Ocean City Parrothead Club's Mardi Gras Carnival. This year's Kings are Adam Osborn, Mike Cobo, Chris Hall and Mike Rutledge. The Queen candidates are Patti Miller, Veronica Donaldson, Lisa Tilghman and Mandi Wells. All money raised will go to the Life Crisis Center and Decatur Lifesavers Jr. Red Cross. The King and Queen candidates raising the most amount of...READ MORE

OC Drug Dealer Gets 11 Years

OC Drug Dealer Gets 11 Years SNOW HILL - A Dagsboro, Del. man arrested on cocaine distribution charges last August in Ocean City after an undercover investigation pointed to him as a potential dealer was sentenced last week to 11 years in jail. Arnesto Smith, 28, was in Worcester County Circuit Court last week to face possession of crack cocaine and resisting arrest charges after getting busted in north Ocean City last August. Smith was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute crack...READ MORE

Decatur Wrestlers Pound Reservoir

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity wrestling team stayed on a big roll last week, winning 12 of 14 individual matches to beat visiting Reservoir High, 60-9, last Friday. The Seahawks have been dominating all year as a team and as individuals in their respective weight classes. Last Friday, they turned in another dominating performance with the easy win over Reservoir. The Seahawks hit the road this week for a match with Atholton of Howard County in the state Class 4A-3A regional duals as a...READ MORE

Decatur's West Signs with Navy

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur men's varsity lacrosse standout Logan West this week became the latest high school lacrosse player from the local area to take his game to the NCAA Division I level when he signed a letter of intent to attend school and play lacrosse next year at the U.S. Naval Academy. West, who has been a solid leader on the lacrosse field and in the classroom for the Seahawks since breaking in as a freshman, will play next year at Navy, which has traditionally been one of the top...READ MORE

Worcester Falls to Salisbury in ESIAC Semis

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's men's varsity basketball team fell to visiting Salisbury School, 48-34, on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) tournament when the Dragons closed out the game with a 14-0 run. Worcester's hope of extending their season and reaching the conference championship game slipped away late Wednesday night when they simply could not get any shots to fall for a long stretch of the fourth quarter. The Mallards led by three at the...READ MORE

OC Gears Up for St. Pat's Tourney

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's annual St. Patrick's Soccer Tournament turns 20 this year with 150 teams and hundreds of players from all over the mid-Atlantic region expected to converge on the resort for the three-weekend event. From modest beginnings 20 years ago when competition was held in just four divisions, the annual St. Patrick's Tournament has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and is now one of the largest events of its kind. The 2008 tournament...READ MORE

Volunteers Planning To Leave Resort For WOC

OCEAN CITY - Fallout from a meeting between the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC) and the Mayor and City Council reverberated throughout the town this week with the announcement from the OCVFC that it will be relocating its services to West Ocean City. "The OCVFC has no alternative but to relocate our operations to West Ocean City, and to relinquish the primary delivery of fire and rescue services within the corporate limits to the Town of Ocean City. The Town has been notified,...READ MORE

Friday, February 15 - Council Split On Chief, Plans Strategic Retreat

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC) went head to head with the Mayor and City Council this week in an effort to resolve lingering issues hindering the combination of the OCVFC and career fire fighters in Ocean City. Although headway was made with a unanimous decision to hold a strategic retreat, ground was lost when a 3-3-1 vote among the council denied the OCVFC's request to be united under one fire chief. The ongoing issue has run a tenuous course in Ocean City over the...READ MORE

Jolly Roger Wants What Trimper's Gets

OCEAN CITY - Jolly Roger Amusement Park wants to be included in legislation that would provide tax breaks for Trimper's Rides, a request that was met with the full support of the Mayor and Council this week. The County Commissioners voted unanimously last week to support the state's enabling legislation that would give the county and the town the power to provide tax relief to Trimper's Rides in the form of tax credits. Trimper's came before both the County Commissioners and the Mayor and...READ MORE

OC Steers Away From Big Name Event Sponsorships

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department clarified its position on sponsorship solicitation for town events this week, noting the success it's had in soliciting sponsorship in the past and explaining the desire to keep keynote events in Ocean City as town sponsored events. At a Mayor and City Council meeting last month, Recreation and Parks Director Tom Shuster was encouraged to solicit more big name sponsors for town events and ultimately increase town sponsorship. At the...READ MORE

Performing Arts Center Pitched For Proposed Expansion

OCEAN CITY - A performing arts center in Ocean City could become a reality sooner rather than later, with city officials aiming to include the proposed performing arts center in the upcoming Convention Center expansion. 'I think the public would be much more receptive to the expansion of the Convention Center if they had something like this to look forward to,' said Council President Joe Mitrecic at a Tourism Commission meeting last week. The proposal for a performing arts center on a parcel...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publishers Desk

There will be no Verizon's Springfest. No Comcast's Art's Alive. No Pepsi's Sunfest. No The Dispatch's Winterfest of Lights. It seems the town is content with the sponsorship dollars it receives for its special events and wants the big festivities to remain town-sponsored events. This is fine, but it's understandable some folks find it a bit hypocritical when the town once inked a deal to make a company the official soft drink of the town. I think the town is right to stay away from selling the...READ MORE

Council's Indecisiveness Comes At Bad Time

The dreaded worst-case scenario has now become a reality as far as the future of fire service goes in Ocean City. A mess is another way to describe the current state of affairs after the Ocean City Council's split vote Tuesday on temporarily naming Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Chief Chris Larmore to oversee fire service until a permanent appointment is made. The council's vote on Tuesday afternoon was quickly followed up Wednesday with an announcement the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Reconsider Position Editor: (The following letter was written to Ocean City Council members.) In my 20-plus years as a council member, I don't believe I have ever written a letter to the newspaper. Today I am writing to urge you my fellow council members to reconsider your vote on Tuesday which has caused tremendous ill will and hurt feelings among our volunteer firefighters. We were faced with a simple request from the fire chief to allow him full control over all fire/EMS personnel until a...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 10-4 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Mon-Fri 11-3 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Somerset Street Daily 11-3 3BR/2BA New Const. Skip Schlesinger Re/Max Premier Properties 410-520-8118 OCEAN CITY South Beach Boardwalk at 7th Fri-Sun 11-3 3&4BR...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Ocean Pines - Berlin - MD - VA

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Sat & Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker VIRGINIA 3205 Salty Way Captains Cove Sat & Sun 10-2 4BR/3BA Waterfront For Sale by Owner 410-365-8561 VIRGINIA Coulbourn Mill Road Sat 10-4 3BR/2BA Cozy Rancher Decked Pool Tamera Myers Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-4853 BERLIN Purnell Crossing Tues-Sun 11-6 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 OCEAN PINES Canvasback Road Sat 11-3 3BR/3.5BA...READ MORE

A Look At Who Was Out On The Town This Week

Weekly pictures from the restaurant and bar scene around the Ocean City area ...READ MORE

People Joining Together For Community Causes

See who was out helping causes in the Ocean City area. ...READ MORE

Diving Into The Area's Cultural Activities

An inside look at the regional arts scene through photographs.  ...READ MORE

Ocean City Man Wins $50K In Lottery

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man got on a roll playing the state lottery last weekend and parlayed his good fortune into a $50,000 payday. Raymond Bartole, 51, an employee at the Super Fresh grocery store on 94th Street, began his lucky streak last Saturday when he won $30 on Bonus Match 5 and followed that up by winning another $20 on Multi-Match scratch-off tickets. On Sunday, the New Jersey native continued his hot streak, winning another $85 on scratch-off tickets. By the time Bartole was...READ MORE

Route 50 Bridge Meets Deadline, Opens As Planned

OCEAN CITY - Despite torrential rains mid-week and the snow and ice yesterday morning, the Route 50 Bridge, which has been closed to traffic since Jan. 17, is expected to re-open by around noon today as planned. The initial estimate for the length of the project was 35 days, which would have put its completion around next Friday, Feb. 22. However, area elected officials and business leaders urged the State Highway Administration (SHA) to expedite the project so that it would be done in time for...READ MORE

County Grand Jury Indicts Trio In Pocomoke Murder

SNOW HILL - A Worcester County Grand Jury on Wednesday handed down indictments for first-degree murder and other charges for three men held in connection with the murder of a local woman found in a wooded area near Pocomoke last month. The September 2007 term of the Worcester County Grand Jury convened on Wednesday morning and handed down an indictment against Shawn A. Treherne, 23, of Bowie, Md., David K. Justice, 20, and Kendall I. Northam, 19, both of Pocomoke, for the murder of Judy L....READ MORE

Incumbent Gilchrest Defeated In First District

BERLIN - While Worcester County voters bucked statewide trends in several races during Tuesday's primary election, they certainly showed up in droves considering there were no local races to decide. Nearly 44 percent of Worcester County's registered voters turned out for Tuesday's primary election, marking a considerable increase over voter turnouts in the county in recent primary elections. During the 2006 primaries, when there were County Commissioner seats and other local elected positions at...READ MORE

Town, Mayor Move To Dismiss Lawsuit

BERLIN - The town of Berlin and Mayor Tom Cardinale last week filed a motion to dismiss the suit filed against them in December by former Finance Director Ron Bireley, who was fired in January 2005, citing certain fallacies in the original complaint. Bireley filed the suit in Worcester County Circuit Court on Dec. 26, contending, 'he was subjected to a frivolous, unmerited but widely publicized investigation for misconduct and then fired, depriving him of his rights to substantive and...READ MORE

Cop Assaulter Up To Old Tricks

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man is in custody this week facing a slew of charges including indecent exposure and assaulting a police officers after an incident last Saturday that began with a domestic dispute, included exposing himself to a group of juveniles and ended with him spitting on an OCPD officer and grabbing him by his genitals. Around 8 p.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer responded to the area of 122nd Street for a reported indecent exposure. Upon arrival, the officer met with a man...READ MORE

Councilman Seeks 2nd Sidewalk In Berlin

BERLIN - A sidewalk needs to be added to the south side of Flower St., to join the in-progress north side sidewalk, Berlin Town Council member Elroy Brittingham said at Monday night's council meeting. The traffic on the road makes walking unsafe, Brittingham feels. 'We get over 20 school buses a day. We get all the traffic for parents,' Brittingham said. Flower St. is an often-used short cut to Stephen Decatur Middle School (SDMS) and Stephen Decatur High School (SDHS) from Route 113. Several...READ MORE

County Planners Discuss Possible Dredge Spoil Sites

SNOW HILL - Planners said last week that Worcester County needs a dredge spoil site, but wondered whether a proposed private spoil site would fulfill the lack. The question was raised Feb. 7 during an informal discussion by the Worcester County Planning Commission of a private dredge spoil site in Friendship Village, northeast of Berlin. The private spoil site has already excited neighborhood opposition. 'Is this the appropriate place? That's the question,' said Ed Tudor, director of development...READ MORE

Developer Seeking Direction From Town

BERLIN - Developer Berlin Properties North (BPN) and the town of Berlin must begin a new round of negotiations over the Tyson chicken plant property annexation now that the two wastewater plant scenario has been reduced to one.    BPN's Troy Purnell went before the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday and confused the council members with a request to begin negotiations on the annexation of the chicken plant property into Berlin without the on-site wastewater treatment plant. The town...READ MORE

How To Protect Berlin Trees Debated

BERLIN - Trees in Berlin need to be protected, the Berlin Planning Commission agrees, but discussions this week revealed that there is little concurrence on the method.  'We definitely need some kind of tree thing where substantial trees can't be cut,' said Newt Chandler, newly elected chair of the Berlin Planning Commission. Guidelines, not a new law, are what is needed, he said. Property owners wishing to cut down substantial trees could need a permit, the commission has suggested in the...READ MORE

Judge Finds Woman Guilty In OC Hotel Robbery

OCEAN CITY - A Columbia, Md. woman implicated in a staged armed robbery at a resort hotel last summer was found guilty this week on all charges and now faces up to 15 years in jail for the conviction. In District Court this week, Brady Ashley Greer, 21, pleaded not guilty to theft plus $500, conspiracy to commit theft plus $500 and making a false statement to a police officer, claiming she had no part in the robbery that occurred at her place of employment last August. Greer burst into tears...READ MORE

Lang Seeks Ethics Clarification Over Private Work

BERLIN - Berlin Town Council member Ellen Lang said this week she wants to settle ethics questions from her constituents over her participation in votes on issues brought before the council by going before the town ethics committee. The council member said there had been some questions from Berlin citizens over her involvement with OC Law Office Holding Company, LLC, a limited liability company owned by three lawyers, including local attorney Joe Moore, who often appears before the...READ MORE

Mardi Gras Carnival Events Planned For Charity

OCEAN CITY - This year's King and Queen candidates are currently hosting their individual events in the hopes of raising the most money for the Ocean City Parrothead Club's Mardi Gras Carnival. This year's Kings are Adam Osborn, Mike Cobo, Chris Hall and Mike Rutledge. The Queen candidates are Patti Miller, Veronica Donaldson, Lisa Tilghman and Mandi Wells. All money raised will go to the Life Crisis Center and Decatur Lifesavers Jr. Red Cross. The King and Queen candidates raising the most...READ MORE

New Hangar Would Build Out Resort's West OC Airport

SNOW HILL - While the major Ocean City airport expansion is still pending, the facility plans to add some capacity to the current configuration with a new hanger. The town of Ocean City went before the Worcester County Planning Commission for a site plan review of a five-unit, 19,355-square-foot box hanger on Feb. 7. Box hangers handle larger aircraft. This is the last hanger that can be added to the airport property as it exists now. 'It actually builds us out. We'd have to go back to the...READ MORE

OC Wants Coastal Bays In Legislation

OCEAN CITY - The Town of Ocean City, along with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, is making efforts to include the Coastal Bays in proposed legislation that, if passed, would provide financial assistance to the protection of the Chesapeake Bay. The City Council unanimously approved a motion to send a letter to the legislators this week requesting that the Coastal Bays remain in the proposed Senate Bill 213 and House Hill 369.  'We're following a number of bills for you in the legislature...READ MORE

Police Investigate OC Liquor Store Break-Ins

OCEAN CITY - Resort police this week are looking for suspects in three separate liquor and beer store break-ins early last Sunday morning that appear to be related. Shortly after 3 a.m. on Sunday, Ocean City Police officers were called to Brewski Brothers at 133rd Street and Coastal Highway for a reported burglary. Witnesses told police three men broke into the beer and wine store by throwing a trash can through the front door and stole nearly $500 worth of cigarettes, a small amount of cash...READ MORE

Regulators Uphold Allstate's Coastal Move

BERLIN - Maryland insurance regulators this week announced Allstate had not violated any laws when it decided last year not to write any new homeowner policies in coastal areas of the state including Ocean City and parts of Worcester County, but a bill introduced in the General Assembly last week could help rectify the situation. Maryland Insurance Commissioner Ralph S. Tyler on Monday announced Allstate was within its rights under the letter of existing state law with its decision to refuse to...READ MORE

Seminars Planned For 34th Annual Spring Trade Expo

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association 34th Annual Spring Trade Expo in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center is just where you want to be on March 2-3. You can place orders for everything you need to keep your business stock up to date, and attend free seminars to better your business. In addition to the many seminars offered, there are two seminars being showcased prior to the Expo's opening. 'The 7 Secrets of Successful Marketing' will be held at 10 a.m. on March 3....READ MORE

State Bill Provides Means To Continue Conv. Center Tax

BERLIN - With the Maryland General Assembly moving into the meat of its 2008 session, several bills of local importance have been dumped into the hoppers on both sides of the aisle, including a handful introduced last week that deal with a potential expansion of Ocean City's convention center, a Homestead Cap extension and a significant bond for a major historic restoration project ongoing in Worcester.  Of course, almost all of the pieces of new legislation proposed during the General...READ MORE

Town Tables Land Rezoning For Senior Living

BERLIN - There will be no •€˜back-door' rezoning for the Davis Farm property in Berlin, the Berlin Mayor and Council decided this week, instead choosing to wait on further options that will allow the industrially-zoned site to be used residentially, as the developer intends. The council tabled developer Tom Ruark's request for a text amendment allowing senior living facilities as a conditional use in the M-1A industrial district at Monday night's meeting. The technology park intended for...READ MORE

West OC Blaze Destroys Vacant Home, Blocks Traffic

WEST OCEAN CITY - A fire in West Ocean City on Tuesday claimed a nearly 90-year-old vacant house and wreaked havoc on afternoon rush hour traffic along the heavily traveled corridors in the surrounding area. The Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office this week is investigating the cause of the fire at an old vacant house located on a 46-acre-plus otherwise undeveloped parcel near the intersection of Center Drive and Keyser Point Rd. First-arriving units found the residence, built in 1920...READ MORE

My Thoughts

Yesterday was one of those blah days for the old guy. He was out of orange juice to start the day. The coffee was weak and too sweet. The toast was burnt, and it just started to rain. The dog wanted to go out, then she wanted in, then she wanted to go out. Chest pains from recent garden work were probably the first sign of a heart attack. His morning cigarette was hot and harsh, and the cough after lighting up was probably cancer. The sty on his eye was still working its magic, and the delights...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Residents Opens Business OCEAN CITY - Ocean City resident Blake McGrath completed his soft opening business rollout plan and officially launched his Screenmobile franchise Feb. 1. Screenmobile is a franchise system that builds custom window, door and patio screens at a customer's home using proprietary equipment transported to the residence via a custom-built trailer. The at-your-door screen business provides a variety of window screening products including standard screening, sunscreen products...READ MORE

"Every Dog Has Its Day"

While driving the lovely and scenic Route 50 to return some videotapes the other day, I noticed a sign that informed me that February was not just the month of the year when we celebrate Black History. Apparently, February is also National K-9 Obesity Awareness month, and let me tell you that I immediately thought to myself, 'Finally, someone is addressing an issue that has been overlooked for far too long: fat dogs.' Hopefully, you can sense my sarcasm as I'm laying it on pretty thick in this...READ MORE

Showell Elementary School

Students in Mrs. Mears' kindergarten class at Showell Elementary School were honored on the 100th day for being in school all 100 days thus far. Pictured above are Ariel Alvarado, Devon Ross and Alicia Thomas. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary

Ocean City Elementary School honored the January Students of the Month with a luncheon sponsored by the Optimists. Students pictured are: first grade, first row from left, Desire Alexander, Remy Andersen, Robert Gross, Sam Ingersoll, Cassidy Vanvonno; second grade, second row,  Tyler Curran, Karla Maldonado, Dina Sbih, Hannah Stolba, Bradley Wroten; third grade, third row, Karen Cordero, Destiny Ginn, Robert Kaminski, Tyler Keiser, Jerry Qian, Jessica Wharton; fourth grade, fourth row, Alea...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

Berlin Intermediate School fourth and sixth grade students blended their study of Peace Day with their use of Math and Visual Art terminology to create a peace crane. Students in Mrs. McCracken's fourth grade visited Mrs. Yingling's sixth graders to teach them how to fold origami paper peace cranes. Above, fourth grader Sonny Furst teaches sixth grader Jamie Jones how to fold origami Peace Cranes. ...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary Participates In Jump Rope For Heart

Students at Ocean City Elementary School raised over $13,000 during the Jump Rope for Heart events on Jan. 18 (first grade) and January 31 (second, third and fourth grades). All the money has been donated to the American Heart Association. Above, third grader Christopher Leitgeb takes his turn jumping for his team. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep

Rich Edgar, director of Admissions at St. Mary's College, took time from his busy schedule to talk with eighth grade students at Worcester Prep about the importance of their high school years. Pictured, from left, are Peyton Dickerson, Lauren Esham, Lynde Pepper, Michelle Stickler, Edgar, Bryce Butler, Zach Jacobs and Zach DiFilippo. ...READ MORE

Salisbury School

Two students from The Salisbury School were recently selected to serve as 'Librarian For A Day.' Above are first grader Elsa Quillin and third grader Lila Quillin of Berlin. ...READ MORE

Community Foundation

Community Foundation Board Chair Art Cooley, second from left, recently congratulated professional advisors in the region who received awards for outstanding service in promoting philanthropy for the benefit of the community. Award winners are, from left, Bob Anderson, Ruth Donaway, Charles 'Chip' Dashiell, and K. King Burnett. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

The Worcester County Democratic Central Committee

The Worcester County Democratic Central Committee recently invited County Commissioner Virgil Shockley to discuss 'A Day In A County Commissioner's Life.' Pictured, from left are Chuck Herbert, president Worcester County Democratic Central Committee, Arlene Page, president of the Democratic Women's Club, and Shockley. ...READ MORE

Appalachia Service Project Youth Mission Team

Members of the Appalachia Service Project Youth Mission Team recently held a Pancake Supper at Community Church. Proceeds from the event will help to fund the team's trip to Kentucky in June. The group will repair homes in the Appalachia area in order to make them warmer, drier, and safer for residents. Above, Gavin Townsend, Ben Davis, and Emily Cieri help serve at the event. ...READ MORE

Twisters Gymnastics

Twisters Gymnastics recently hosted the Mason Dixon League's 3rd Annual Sweet Treat Meet. The Twister gymnasts had an amazing competition producing two all-around champions, Serena Michnick and Chelsea Smith. In addition to her championship performance, Smith broke three high score records for Level C (vault, beam, and all-around). Alexis Kent topped the Level C floor exercise record with a beautiful routine. Pictured, from left, are Smith, Michnick, Madeline Barton, Mackenzie Wagner and Lexie...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Mildred Sturgis Parsons Marfing SNOW HILL - Mildred Sturgis Parsons Marfing of Mount Vernon, Va., died on Jan. 11, 2008 after battling pancreatic cancer and a stroke. She was born in Snow Hill as Mildred Sturgis Parsons to the late William Herman Parsons and Mildred Louise Sturgis on July 27, 1921. Throughout her distinguished and successful life, she was well known for her many talents and abilities, and for her tenacity •€' there was nothing she could not do. She loved the Eastern Shore...READ MORE

What Will You Need To Retire?

BERLIN - As you think about your retirement, chances are you've come across some of the standard estimates of how much retirees need in order to live comfortably. Some experts focus on targeting a retirement income goal equal to 60 to 80 percent of pre-retirement income. Others cite anywhere from $1 million to $10 million, and suggest the retiree live off just 4 percent to 5 percent of those assets each year. Many experts' estimates have little regard for individual lifestyles or the goals...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Stop being the wool-gathering Lamb, and start turning that dream project into reality. You have the ideas, the drive and the charisma to persuade others to follow your lead. So do it. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You've scored some big successes. But remember that all hardworking Ferdinands and Ferdinandas need some time to restore their energies and refresh their spirits. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You're gaining a stronger mental image of what you're trying to...READ MORE

Things I Like

Young people with big aspirations Grabbing a cold bottle of water from the fridge Insider's •€˜young-timer' - •€˜old timer' lists Any movie with Morgan Freeman Being overwhelmed in Barnes & Noble Chocolate Soy Milk A long line of people waiting to vote When people adopt from the shelter High school athletes in their letter jackets Hearing the wind howl while laying in bed The writing of John Lennon ...READ MORE

Proprietors Taking "Orange Crush" Home To New Heights

OCEAN CITY - Over the past 15 years, Harborside Bar and Grill has become a mainstay in West Ocean City, providing a casual dining atmosphere, a view of the commercial harbor, and, of course, the 'orange crush'. Co-owners Chris Wall and Lloyd Whitehead met in middle school while attending Worcester Preparatory School. Later, they became closer friends working together at Phillips, where they gained some of the restaurant and bar experience that they would carry with them into their own business...READ MORE