September 26, 2008

Arts Around the Area

Art League of Ocean City President Rina Thaler won first place for her "Mykonos" oil painting, inspired by her recent trip to Greece. The First Friday reception and "Art With A Heart" project benefited the county Child Advocacy Center. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

Artist Barbara Schmid took third place for her work entitled "Central Park Dreaming" during the First Friday art show at the ALOC reception. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

Sharon Himes is shown in front of a wonderful watercolor during her opening reception at the Worcester County Arts Council during Berlin's 2nd Friday Stroll. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

A Step Above Art Gallery in Berlin featured the works of Val Witkowski, who paints in oil and loves the plein air style of painting. She was exhibiting during 2nd Friday. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

Paige Ruby won an honorable mention for her work entitled "Sailboat Race" at the Art League of Ocean City's First Friday opening reception Sept. 5. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

Liz Lind, pictured in front of a piece of her work, was on hand to greet her many guests to her brand new studio in Berlin during the 2nd Friday art stroll. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

Artist George Hamaty stands before his oil painting "Looking East" which was on display at the Art League of Ocean City's First Friday opening reception. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

Nancy Howard and Colleen Powell, both members of the Art League, had a wonderful time greeting the many visitors and artists at the First Friday opening reception. ...READ MORE

Arts Around the Area

Artist Brigitte Bowden stands before her work entitled "Isle of Wight" which received an honorable mention at the Art League of Ocean City First Friday reception. ...READ MORE

Open Houses in 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 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Mahi Landing Sparrow Lane 28th Bayside Sat 1-3 3BR/2.5BA TH Dr. Carl Ortman ReMax Premier Properties 443-614-7756 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Daily 10-4 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Somerset Street Daily 11-3 3BR/2BA New...READ MORE

West Ocean City Open Houses

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 WEST OCEAN CITY New Construction West Harbor Village Daily 10-5 11 Townhouses 3BR/2.5BA/Garage Prudential Carruthers 410-524-7000 ...READ MORE

Open Houses outside Ocean City (DE, VA, included)

MILLVILLE Millville by the Sea Daily 9-5 3000 New Homes on 800 Acres 5 Models to Choose 302-539-2888 SALISBURY 208 Marshall St Every Sat 10-4 3BR/2BA Must See Home Tamera Myers Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 443-366-9222 MILLSBORO, DE 23515 Tristan Ln Burtons Crossing Sat & Sun 11-5 2BR/2BA TH Pat Eggers ResortQuest 302-537-8888 MILLSBORO, DE 29615 Sawyer Loop Burtons Crossing Sat & Sun 11-5 3BR/2BA TH Pat Eggers ResortQuest 302-537-8888 DAGSBORO, DE 29549 Phoenix Ave Chapel Crossing Sat...READ MORE

Bingo

Bingo 6 p.m., doors open; 7 p.m., games begin; Father Connell Parish Center, 17th St., O.C. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. 410-524-7994. ...READ MORE

Things I Like

Sharing bottles of wine with friends A cool breeze first thing in the morning BBQ chicken wings Tina Fey as Sarah Palin How Phil Cropper throws a party Fuze's Green Tea The first red leaf of fall on the window shield The unique sound of a banjo The temperature swings of a fall day My son's early gibberish Driving with a full moon overhead ...READ MORE

My Thoughts

It's obvious Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nomination on John McCain's ticket, is too pretty, too inexperienced in worldly affairs, too eloquent and too young to be vice president. All of that could be said about Barack Obama. The difference is he's running for president. The old guy read where a certain Silly Council candidate in the seaside town of Ocean City has some grand plans once he is put in office. Some of the concepts sound pretty good. Insider likes the idea of...READ MORE

People Joining Together For Community Causes

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

Thoughts From The Publishers Desk

Campaign signs are sprouting up all over. Leading the way in Berlin as far as signs posted by our unofficial tally is interim Mayor Gee Williams followed closely by Thom Gulyas, a District 2 council candidate. As far as aesthetics go, the nod has to go to Gulyas, who may have an advantage on others because he owns an established printing company in town. Gulyas' competitors, Lisa Hall and Jason Walter, each have their fair share of signs dotting the landscape as well. Sitting out the sign...READ MORE

Vending Machine Bandit Busted

Vending Machine Bandit Busted OCEAN CITY - A description of a suspect provided by witnesses last week led to the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with a rash of vending machine break-ins in the downtown area. Around 2 a.m. last Thursday, Ocean City Police responded to the Flamingo Motel at 30th Street in reference to a suspicious person who had just attempted to break into one of the motel's vending machines. Witnesses told police the suspicious person who had tried to break into the...READ MORE

What Is Socially Responsible Investing?

BERLIN - As popular as socially responsible investing may appear right now, it's not really new. Throughout this country's history, there have always been investors who have guided their decisions by the values they hold near and dear. Back in the 1750s, for instance, Philadelphia Quakers shunned profiting from the slave trade; in the 1960s, some investors avoided companies that profited from the war in Vietnam. If these investors' finances suffered because of those choices, they chalked it up...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Comp Plan Being Gutted Editor: My comments come to you in the interest of the 'Critters' which populate our county. The ones that help our marsh grass and wetlands grow and subsequently protect our lives and property from catastrophe. And the Critters who want to flourish in our bays, and thus continue to massage the economic engine of Ocean City. And so many other critters who make our quality-of-life here on the Lower Shore a thing of pride. At the recently held Coast Day, this statement was...READ MORE

Field Of Candidates Gives Voters Options

What was shaping up to be a quiet election season in Ocean City heated up this week, and we are glad to see eight candidates have come forward to take a shot at the four open City Council seats. After Tuesday's filing deadline passed, some things in Ocean City became clear. Mayor Rick Meehan will serve another two-year term since he was unopposed, and seven men and one woman will vie for the four open council seats. Meehan has yet to be opposed in his mayoral career. Whenever someone is given...READ MORE

The Weekly Guide to the Area's Music and Entertainment

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Blue ox/Babe's: 410-250-6440, 127th St., Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Sept. 26: Sean Holloran; Saturday, Sept. 27: Kevin Poole; Every Thursday: Bill Morningstar. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Sept. 26: DJ BK. Saturday, Sept. 27: Crowded Outhouse. Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums: 410-524-1000, On the beach at 118th St.; Friday, Sept 26: DJ Rupe, 7-10 p.m.;...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Harold Albert Littleton BERLIN - Harold Albert Littleton, Sr., age 78, died Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 at his home in Libertytown. Born in Libertytown he was the son of the late Herman Littleton and Margie Dennis Littleton. He was preceded in death by his wife Henrietta Lane Littleton in 2001 He is survived by three sons, William Dale Littleton and his wife Opal of Pittsville, Harold Wayne Littleton and his wife Gerri of Ocean Pines and Harold Albert Littleton, Jr. of Libertytown; two daughters,...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Bank Declares Dividend BERLIN - Reese Cropper, Jr., chairman of Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc., recently announced that the Board of Directors declared a $1.30 per share special cash dividend to shareholders of record date Sept. 5. This special dividend was paid on Sept. 16. 'We are pleased to report that our company earnings, through mid-2008, continue to outperform that of our peers due to our conservative lending and investment philosophies. Our well funded capital account has become...READ MORE

Friday, September 26th-Berlin's Brittingham Secures 6th Term

BERLIN - With no opponent running against him, Berlin Councilman Elroy Brittingham will begin his sixth term on the town council this year. Brittingham, who had considered leaving his District III town council seat if an opponent challenged him, filed to run on the last day possible. 'That was kind of a surprise to me,' Brittingham said of the lack of opposition. 'I had heard three or four people were thinking of running, three or four months before the election.' Brittingham usually waits until...READ MORE

Friday, September 26--Metal Detector Finds Explosive Device

OCEAN CITY - An individual using a metal detector on the beach in front of the Atlantis condominium around 103rd Street this week discovered an unusual find, an explosive device that was later destroyed by members of the resort's bomb squad. Shortly before 10 a.m. on Monday, an individual combing the beach with a metal detector in front of the Atlantis located an improvised hand grenade in the sand. Ocean City Police and members of the Ocean City Bomb Squad responded to the scene and were able...READ MORE

Friday, September 26th- Route 589 Future Discussed

BERLIN - The dualization of Route 589 may be further away than ever with the recent decision by the state of Maryland to defer a lengthy list of planned highway projects, but State Highway Administration planners went ahead with a Route 589 open house last week. The well-attended event at Stephen Decatur Middle School offered maps, schedules, traffic assessments, environmental impacts and an opportunity for concerned citizens to voice their suggestions. Arlene Conway of Ocean Pines recommended...READ MORE

Friday, September 26th--Two Nabbed For Beach Thefts

OCEAN CITY - Two suspects wanted in connection with a rash of thefts on the beach this summer were arrested this week in Wilmington, Del. and await extradition to Worcester County to face several charges. Back in July, Ocean City police began investigating two separate thefts that occurred on the beach. In both cases, the suspects stole backpacks containing the victims' personal items including credit and identification cards. After stealing the backpacks, the suspects took the victims' credit...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might need to get more facts to help you work out those problems with your new project. As always, a friendly approach shows the charming Arian at his or her persuasive best. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Information is what energizes ambition, and this is a good time for the ambitious Bovine to expand his or her range of knowledge and to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): This is a good time to consider making some...READ MORE

Berlin Youth Football Teams Split Pair

BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins of the Salvation Army Youth Football League rolled in their home opener last week, trouncing the visiting Chincoteague Colts, 47-0, to improve to 1-1 on the young season. After falling to rival Salisbury in the season opener on the road, the Berlin Dolphins came out strong against Chincoteague in the home opener at Buckingham Elementary last week, scoring early and often and stopping the Colts from getting anything going on offense. Coach Earnest Shockley and his...READ MORE

Buxy's, Schell Bros. Lead Flag League

OCEAN CITY- Defending champion Buxy's Salty Dog has jumped out to an early lead in the standings in the Ocean City Recreation and Park's Department's fall flag football league after winning its first two games, but the team currently shares the top spot with a relative newcomer in the action. Buxy's has won the title for three years in a row and got off to an early start in the first week of action, first blanking the Crab Cake Factory, 28-0, in the season opener. In the second game of the...READ MORE

Mallards Snuff Dragons to Stay Unbeaten

BERLIN- Things couldn't be much better for Worcester Prep's men's varsity soccer team right now with the Mallards beating old rival Salisbury School, 4-0, this week to remain unbeaten on the season and one of their own being named among the top 100 young players in the country. On Tuesday, the Mallards cruised by Salisbury School, 4-0, for their fifth win on the season against no losses. The only non-win on Worcester's record thus far is a 1-1 tie with Sussex Tech in the second game of the...READ MORE

Decatur Rolls by Kent Island, 35-7

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team got back in the win column last weekend, thrashing visiting Kent Island, 35-7, on Friday to improve to 2-1 on the young season. The Seahawks set the tone early against the Buccaneers, scoring a touchdown just over four minutes into the game on a four-yard pass from quarterback Tim Donnelly to Andrew Brickey. Kent Island tied the game at 7-7 with just under two minutes left in the first quarter with a 14-play, 47-yard drive culminating with a...READ MORE

Tie's the Limit for Seahawks

BERLIN- For the second time in a week, Stephen Decatur's men's varsity soccer team played to a tie, ending it match with Washington at a 3-3 draw after two overtime periods. The Seahawks went on the road on Monday to face a suddenly tough Washington team and came away without a win or a loss for the second time in a week. The two teams battled for 80 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods, but the contest ended in a 3-3 tie. Dylan Post led the Seahawks with two goals and Evan Tomasello...READ MORE

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy "Tough Guy of the Week"

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to senior captain Danny Miller for his outstanding play in a big win over Kent Island last Friday. Pictured above is Miller flanked by Head Coach Bob Knox (left) and ATP president and CEO Bob Hammond (right). ...READ MORE

Mayor Re-Elected To 2nd Term

OCEAN CITY - Mayor Rick Meehan was re-elected on Tuesday before the first ballot was ever cast in the first election after the filing deadline passed with no one opposing his campaign. This is the second time that the mayor has been elected in this manner, the first being the October 2006 election after he took over for former mayor Jim Mathias who vacated the position that July. Meehan has served in public office in Ocean City since 1985. Therefore, in a political campaign year that seems to...READ MORE

Arundel Strip Club Owner Enters Council Race

OCEAN CITY - The field of candidates for the Ocean City Council elections next month was rounded out this week with a few incumbents, a couple of former candidates and a handful of relative newcomers including one dark horse, a strip club owner with a colorful past and a passion for cutting frivolous spending and ever-increasing taxes in the resort. The filing deadline came and went on Tuesday afternoon with the list of candidates for October's City Council elections swelling to eight vying for...READ MORE

Boardwalk Gets New Landmark

OCEAN CITY - The first day of fall was the ironic backdrop for the unveiling of a new Boardwalk landmark that will be seen by thousands of summer visitors for years to come. Dozens of onlookers gathered at the foot of the Boardwalk on Monday to officially dedicate a 'skin mount' of the largest white marlin ever to be caught in the state of Maryland. The 135-pound fish was caught in 1980 by angler George Pierson while fishing aboard the 'Five C's' with Captain Charlie Kratz at the helm. The...READ MORE

Erika Sifrit Appeal Filed

FREDERICK COUNTY •€' Convicted murderer Erika Sifrit is hoping for another day in court after her lawyers filed a motion for appeal in the Frederick County Circuit Court. Sifrit, who was tried and convicted in 2003 for killing two Ocean City tourists, hopes to reveal to jurors in a new appeal she was a 'needy' woman who 'lacked the capacity to act as a rational adult' during the murders. Sifrit and her husband, Benjamin, both originally from Hollidaysburg, Pa., were tried in separate...READ MORE

Local Groups Applaud No Child Left Inside Passage

OCEAN CITY - Local environmental groups this week applauded the passage by the House of the No Child Left Inside Act, a bill which, if approved, could funnel federal funding into environmental education with the intent of getting kids out from in front of a television screen or computer monitor and back outside to connect with their natural world. The U.S. House of Representatives last Thursday approved the No Child Left Inside Act (NCLI), legislation aimed at expanding and improving...READ MORE

Resort Settles Police Brutality Suit For $63K

SNOW HILL - The town of Ocean City and six OCPD officers named as defendants in a multi-million dollar police brutality civil suit from an incident in the resort over two years ago this week reached a settlement with the plaintiffs that will pay the latter a small fraction of what they were seeking. Six Ocean City Police Department officers as well as the town of Ocean City in July 2007 were named defendants in a 93-count civil lawsuit seeking nearly $19 million in damages for an incident in...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School Honored For Focus On Arts

BERLIN - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts recognized Berlin Intermediate School (BIS) this week for its arts immersion program. BIS, one of just five schools nationwide to be honored, received the National School of Distinction in Arts Education designation for the 2007-2008 school year. The award honors schools that have made the arts an integral part of the curriculum. Two other schools in Maryland were also honored with the award, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School in...READ MORE

Old Marlin Club Property Sold For $1.04M

WEST OCEAN CITY - The Sunset Marina potentially extended its property line on Tuesday after representatives outbid the competition in a public foreclosure auction for the building that last housed the Miyako Sushi and Seafood Buffet. A bidder representing John Gudelsky, owner of the Sunset Marina and OC Fishing Center, won the building with a bid of $1,040,000 during a half-hour on-site auction handled by national brokers Tranzon Fox. Bidding for the building started at $1.5 million, but quickly...READ MORE

Berlin Utilities Comm. Seeks Member

BERLIN - The Berlin Utilities Commission (BUC) has at least one vacancy after the departure of BUC chair Damian Preziosi, and is looking for someone with experience to fill that spot. Preziosi resigned from the BUC in late August, citing the lack of respect for the BUC by the town government. At their first meeting after Preziosi' s resignation, the three BUC members present elected a new chair and discussed the need for a new member. BUC member Erik Quisgard also said that BUC member Rick...READ MORE

Consultant Unable To Talk Electric Bill Details

BERLIN - Electric consultant Booth and Associates had good news for the town of Berlin Monday night after completing a preliminary survey of the electric generation and distribution system. The burning question, whether Booth can find a way to bring electric bills down, will be answered in detail at the Oct. 7 meeting. 'I think the good news is we can help you work your way out of this situation,' said Richard Booth in the cafetorium of Berlin Intermediate School. The first priority for Booth...READ MORE

Energy Official Tells Berlin To Keep Power Plant

BERLIN - An official from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) encouraged Berlin to keep its electric power plant Monday night during a Berlin Town Council meeting devoted to the electric system and use the power plant to help make Maryland more energy self-sufficient. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley pushed for more local, smaller scale power plants in his keynote address at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) convention in Ocean City in August, said Robert Howatt, of MEA's...READ MORE

Joe Hall Among Eight Seeking Four OC Council Seats

OCEAN CITY - For Joe Hall, running for City Council may not totally be a numbers game, but there's one that he's keeping in the back of his mind: the number 74. Back in 2006, he fell just short in his re-election bid, coming in fifth place in the voting, losing by just 74 votes to Mary Knight. Hall is one of eight seeking the four open council seats. He is competing against incumbents Jay Hancock, Jim Hall and Knight as well as residents Brent Ashley, Doug Cymek, Sean Rox and William Steiner....READ MORE

Federal Grant Hike Not A Big Help For Shore

BERLIN - A federal rural development grant to improve substandard housing in the tri-county area is nearly $10,000 more than the 2008 funds, but many homeowners will be left out. 'It's very little we get to address it,' said McKinley Tull, housing development director at Shore-Up! 'It's very hard.' The $35,378 grant will fund Shore-Up's entire housing rehabilitation program for the rural regions of the tri-county area. Last year, the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant was...READ MORE

Route 50 Repaving Project Kicks Off

BERLIN - The arrival of fall in the resort area typically coincides with the arrival of a maze of orange cones and barrels in the resort area and this year will be no different with a couple of substantial repaving projects underway along the busy Route 50 corridor. The State Highway Administration (SHA) this week began the first of two repaving projects along Route 50 in Worcester County on the eastbound side of the highway from the Wicomico County line to Route 346 just west of Berlin....READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Further evidence of our little man growing up at a clip far too fast for his parents was his entrance earlier this month into the world of solids, or at least some mushy stuff resembling food. The first couple days of this new experience were not pretty. Rather than swallowing the oatmeal cereal-formula mix, he was simply storing it in his cheeks for a few seconds before refunding it all over his cheeks, bib, shirt and basically anything in the immediate area of his little mouth. The good news...READ MORE

Worcester Prep School Board Committee

Worcester Preparatory School Board Development Committee meets monthly to guide the school's development direction. It consists of parents, Board of Trustee members, alumni and Worcester staff members. Pictured, first row, Susan Beauchamp, Cathy Davies-Harmon, Dr. Merle Marsh and Laura Mears; second row, Kathleen Marshall, Chair Laura Jenkins, Steve Green and William Esham III; and third row, Reese Cropper, Dr. Barry Tull, Mitchell Parker, Mike Truitt and Charles Nichols. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Locals attend the DNC in Denver

Local residents Bill and Mary Ochse attended the Democratic Convention in Denver and related their experiences at the Democratic Women's Club monthly meeting. Pictured, from left, are Bill and Mary Ochse; Arlene Page, President, Democratic Women's Club of Worcester County; and Chuck Herbert, Worcester County Democratic Central Committee. ...READ MORE

Organist Honored for Ten Years of Service

Organist June Todd was caught by surprise when her friends and family showed up at services at Temple Bat Yam, a Reform Jewish Congregation, to honor her for her ten years of service as the Temple Bat Yam organist. Above, Cantor Cheryl Taustin, Rabbi Susan Warshaw and Organist June Todd, standing behind grandsons Zach and Josh Farnan, daughter Mary with husband Tim Price and daughter Martha Farnan. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Kindergarten Students

Liz Engh's kindergarten students show at Ocean City Elementary School show their spirit by wearing their school T-shirt for "School Spirit Day". Pictured, from left, Allison Marx, Eric Cropper, Brittyn Lyra Leonard, Anthony Rozaieski, Deklan Conner, and Brooks Travers. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

BIS Sixth Grade Artists

Sixth grade students at Berlin Intermediate School recently created and interpreted "cave drawings" about an important event in their lives in order to learn about each other and the challenges historians face as they attempt to interpret the past. Above are Tonya Jones, Jack Hammond and George Eppard-Annis. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Students All Smiles

Buckingham Elementary School fourth graders Claire Billings and Jenna Morlock are all smiles after working on a reading project at school together. ...READ MORE

Snow Hill Elementary 2nd Graders

Snow Hill Elementary School second grade students in Janet Nicholson's class recently made necklaces in non-numeric patterns during Math Lab. Pictured, from left, Rabeka Vreeland, Jacob Torres-Bettis, Jadelynn Blank and Daija Stevenson show off their completed necklaces. ...READ MORE

BIS French Students

Berlin Intermediate students in Madame Peers Introductory French class connected with the visual arts when decorating their foreign language folders. Students used the technique of crayon resist to place French phrases on their folders. Students in fifth and sixth grades are introduced to both French and Spanish on a rotating yearly basis. This year students at BIS will learn about the culture and language of the French people. Above, Delilah Purnell, Brittany Purnell and Chelsea Lawrence begin...READ MORE

Cedar Chapel Special School

Cedar Chapel Special School held its annual Back To School Barbeque earlier this month. This event is held each year to welcome students and parents back to a new school year. In addition to a barbeque picnic, parents are given the opportunity to meet their child's teacher and sit in on informative presentations such as  the work experience program and facilitating communication devices. Shown here are Tiffany Taylor with sons Hunter and Noah enjoying time at the event. ...READ MORE