December 26, 2008

Money Donated to Paper Back Book Library Project

Showell Elementary School Principal Paula Q. Jones, left, and Sandy Coates West, right, Curriculum Resource Planner, are shown receiving a $300 donation from Republican Women for Worcester County Caring for America/Literacy Chair Lou Etta McClaflin for the school's "Paper Back Book Library Project". The RWWC started the project, which allows each student to freely choose a book to share with other family members. The club also donated an American flag that...READ MORE

Worcester GOLD Extends Gratitude to Donations

Worcester GOLD Executive Director Debbie Cole is pictured thanking the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines- Ocean City for donating to the Priority One Program, which helps to provide formula and other necessities for young children  ...READ MORE

Worcester County Garden Club Christmas Wreath Demonstration

Sue Ann Hudson is pictured starting to decorate a Christmas wreath for the Worcester County Garden Club at its December meeting. She designed many items for club members and guest to see and try themselves. ...READ MORE

Worcester Preparatory School Holiday Gathering

At a Worcester Preparatory School holiday gathering, Dr. Merle Marsh, center, drector of Special Projects, enjoyed talking with two of her former students, Mechelle Nichols and Troy Purnell, about their days at Worcester Prep. Nichols' three children attend Worcester. Purnell, now a member of the Worcester Prep Board of Trustees, is the father of two Worcester alumni. ...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Craft Club Donates Thousands

 The Pine'eer Craft Club of Ocean Pines has donated $3,850 to the Ocean Pines community, from profits derived from the success of the annual Arts & Crafts Festival held in August, and chaired by the 2008 Vice President Carol Quinto. Above, Ocean Pines Association General Manager Tom Olson accepts the donation from Club President Bertha Huettner ...READ MORE

Cedar Chapel Special School Students Donate to Toys for Tots

Students and staff from Cedar Chapel Special School made a generous donation to the 'Toys For Tots' toy drive during the holiday season. Shown here are Travis Williams and Tyrae Tindley with this year's donations. ...READ MORE

Carmella's Kids Preschool celebrates Thanksgiving

Carmella's Kids Preschool located in Berlin celebrated Thanksgiving last month with a Thanksgiving feast. The children carefully prepared hats and placemats and a feast with the aid of teachers. Every student stated something that they were thankful for and then they reenacted Thanksgiving and the meaning of Thanksgiving. Pictured are Waylon, Max, Zoe, Kirby, Gavin, Summer, D'Anthony, Kayla and Mia. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary 4th Graders Decorate Christmas Stockings for Diakonia

 Lindsay Greenan's fourth graders at Ocean City Elementary School decorated Christmas stockings and filled them with items they donated for the adult residents of Diakonia. Pictured, back from left, are Diakonia Executive Director Claudia Nagle, Sommer Dinton, Alex Regnikov, Karen Codero, Kody Sineno, Ms. Lyndsay Greenan, Evan Ewing, Emma Leo and Ms. Kelly Seitzer; second row, Joe Waldecker, Robert Kaminski, Dylan Webb, Kristen Cabrera, Grace Rigby, Spencer Kaminski, Peyton Dunham and Akira...READ MORE

WPS Christmas Candlelight Service

 Worcester Prep's Christmas Candlelight Service was recently held. Fifth grade students participating in the nativity scene were, kneeling, Tres Wells and Conrad Gerachis; middle row, Allen Bross, Ross Dickerson, Taylor Hawkins, Caleb McCurdy and Brad Davis; and, back, Zachary Oltman. ...READ MORE

Volunteer to Teach Spanish at Snow Hill Elementary

Shannon Dooley has volunteered to teach Spanish to Snow Hill Elementary second grade students. With Dooley are second grade students Mason Lores, Marley McCabe, Jay Miller, Grayson Crosby, Keegan Gould and Zachary Geesaman. ...READ MORE

WPS Celebrates Great Books By Bringing Them to Life

 Lisa Petrilli, Worcester Prep's librarian, each year works with teachers to sponsor an exciting week of the celebration of great books. Some fifth grade students, dressed as book characters, have fun discussing their favorite books. They are, front Regan Shanahan; seated, Zach Oltman, Victoria Middleton, Laura Issel, Lauren Jett and Grace Tunis; back, Lauren Dykes, Jordan Osias, Devin Hammond and Wyatt Richins ...READ MORE

OC Elementary 3rd Graders Work On Three-Dimensional Shapes

Third graders in Robyn Rincavage's class at Ocean City Elementary School work on identifying the faces, edges and vertices of three-dimensional shapes. Pictured, from left, are Lacey Eccleston, Samantha Workman, Shane Strennen, Kyle Plaskon, Logan Wilkins, Madeleine Barr and Matthew Sobol  ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Help Salvation Army

Students from second and third grades at Ocean City Elementary School helped the Salvation Army by donating stockings filled with toys and teddy bears for children in need. Students, top row from left, are Matthew Lodanski, Lacey Eccleston, Eric Rimel, Megan Hurley, Logan Wilkins and Colin O'Donnell. Bottom row, from left, are Caroline Engle, Ethan Linch, Brianna Perry, Dominic Cantrell, Michaela Vinogradov, Katherine Kotsifakis and Candace Allen. ...READ MORE

BIS 4th Graders Use Math Skills to Construct Gingerbread House

Students in Mrs. Lovell's fourth grade class at Berlin Intermediate School used their knowledge of perimeter and area to create a gingerbread house out of graham crackers. In the abck are Logan Gordy, Simeyon Mumford and Dustin Elman, and front are Maia Brittingham and Sophia Cifolilli ...READ MORE

6th Graders Learn Budgeting

 Students in Megan Garrity's sixth-grade mathematics class use their number skills to learn how to keep track of a budget. Taylor Bank Marketing Director Jody L. Falter visited Garrity's classes to help the students learn how banks work and how to keep track of their budget. Pictured, from left, are Will Hastings, Jimmy Edmunds, Hunter Hudson, Will Pedigo, Gabby Alicia, Fiona Reid, Victoria Lawrence, Shelby Laws, Jared Godwin, and Ali Khan. Garrity and Falter are in back. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Students of the Month

Buckingham Elementary recently recognized its "Students of the Month" for November. Above, first grade winners were Dana Beard, Shamar Baines, Cedasia Downing and Jonathan Church. Below, third grade winners were Tromaine Briddell, Alyssa Webb, Anthony Balsoma, Amia Hickman and Montrel Moore. Winners not pictured were second graders Nellie DeHart, Ian Burak, Bailee Bowden, Allison Hunter and De'ija Bowen and fourth graders Janae Fooks, Ja'Lynn Ewell, Daniel Scott, Andrew Nock and...READ MORE

State Police Give Gifts to the Needy

 Ocean City Lioness President Faye Cathell is pictured presenting stuffed bears to 1st Sgt. Sharp at the Berlin State Police Barracks. The State Police give the bears to young children who have been the victims of crimes or involved in stressful situations. The bears help calm the children and create a level of trust when dealing with the police. ...READ MORE

Coastal Association of Realtors Give to Maryland Food Bank

The Coastal Association of Realtors® recently presented a check to Jack Carpenter of the Maryland Food Bank for $660 from CAR's annual food drive. Members of the association helped raise money in addition to donating six barrels of non-perishable food to benefit Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Pictured, above from left, are Cynthia Walston, Countrywide Home Loans; Jack Carpenter, Md. Food Bank; Gregg Holland, Coldwell Banker; and George Rines, III, Coldwell Banker ...READ MORE

Resort Drug Bust

Resort Drug Bust OCEAN CITY - A Pittsville man was arrested on cocaine distribution charges last weekend after repeatedly selling narcotics to an undercover OCPD detective. Around 8:40 p.m. last Saturday, the OCPD Narcotics Unit with the assistance of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team concluded a one-week CDS distribution investigation with the arrest of Kwamaine Dealon Fisher, 18, of Pittsville. On two separate occasions, an OCPD undercover narcotics agent was able to purchase...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who We Have Lost

Virginia Lee Brittingham Dennis BERLIN - Virginia Lee Brittingham Dennis, age 91, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Powellville she was the daughter of the late Grover Gorman Brittingham, Sr. and Dollie Rayne Brittingham. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Aubrey "Tooky" Curtis Dennis, Jr. Dennis was a graduate of Paynters Business School. She had been the co-owner and operator with her husband of Dennis Beer...READ MORE

Friday, December 26--All Agree Arts Center Needed, But Question Is How

OCEAN CITY - John Lafferty has helped put on concerts for the biggest names in music all over the world. When he comes home to Ocean City, however, he can't find any place to see a good show. Lafferty is a local resident since 1999 and travels the globe as a production manager for some of the biggest names in music like 311, Gnarls Barkley, Nine Inch Nails, and most currently, international pop-opera group, Il Divo. He says that the idea to put a performing arts center in Ocean City is long...READ MORE

Friday, December 26--Bays Program Claims NAACP Confused Over Plans

SNOW HILL - A new Diversity Advisory Committee for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) has the local chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) upset over perceived attempts to do away with current minority outreach initiative. A letter issued by the Worcester County NAACP, written by chapter President Ed Lee, threatens to take the matter to the Maryland Attorney General's office. The letter contends that the Diversity Advisory Committee was voted in...READ MORE

Friday, December 26--Sentencing Delayed Two Weeks For West OC Murderer

SNOW HILL - A sentencing hearing set for this week for the man accused in the stabbing death of a West Ocean City woman in April was postponed, forcing the convicted murderer to wait two more weeks to find out his fate. In October, Roberto Antonio Murillo, 29, of West Ocean City, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cecilia Dea Parker, 56, of Ocean City, but his sentence was delayed pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. Murillo was scheduled to be...READ MORE

Friday, December 26--State Employees Face Pay Cuts, Furloughs

BERLIN - While most local workers had time off this week to enjoy the holidays, some state employees in the area could soon be getting more time off then they desire. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley last week signed an executive order establishing a furlough and salary reduction plan for all state employees, including many in Worcester County, due to the deepening national recession. According to estimates, the plan is expected to save the state over $34 million in fiscal year 2009. O'Malley's...READ MORE

Nearly All OC Property Values Decline

 OCEAN CITY - Property assessment notices will hit mailboxes throughout Ocean City next week, and for the first time in several years, most homeowners will find their values have declined this year. Assessments of real estate values in Ocean City were officially completed in October, but property owners will not receive the notices with their new values until next week. While it should come as no surprise to most that the assessed value of their residential and commercial properties have...READ MORE

OC Police Denies Allegations In Discrimination Civil Suit

OCEAN CITY - Less than a month after a long-time Ocean City Police sergeant filed a discrimination civil suit against the town and its police department alleging he was by-passed for promotion to lieutenant when he was activated into service as a U.S. Coast Guard reserve officer following the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks, Ocean City and the OCPD last week filed a formal answer to the complaint, denying many of its allegations and evoking a statute of limitation defense. OCPD Sgt. William Bunting,...READ MORE

Ocean City Officials Expect "Difficult Decisions" In 2009

OCEAN CITY •€' Balancing the budget might be the most difficult task the Mayor and City Council has to undertake each year; Yet with 2009's economic forecast looking anything but sunny, is the task facing local government more like: Mission: Impossible? Mayor Rick Meehan said that the 2009 Ocean City budget, like every year, must be at the top of the priority list. 'The City Manager (Dennis Dare) has already been proactive at making necessary cuts and I think that is the right move. There...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Wants Slice Of Slots Pie

OCEAN PINES - Everyone in northern Worcester County wants their piece of the slots pie, and the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) moved to protect its own interests in future slot machine gambling revenue in a letter to state elected officials early this month. The letter, dated Dec. 5 but released to the public just this week, asks the Lower Shore delegation to 'reconsider the present allocation of funds to reflect the true impact of slots, which will fall on Worcester's largest residential...READ MORE

Proposed Slots Bill Changes Worry Berlin Officials

BERLIN - Changes sought in Maryland's slot machine legislation by the Worcester County Commissioners have both surprised and concerned Berlin's elected officials, who approved a letter to state legislators this week in an attempt to preserve the town's right under the slots law to 10 percent of slots revenue in the county. Last week, the commissioners voted to request several changes to the slot machine gambling law passed this year, including elimination of the codified revenue split, with all...READ MORE

School Board On Clock To Secure Proof Of $1.1M

SNOW HILL - It was good news, bad news last week for the Worcester County Board of Education when the state's Court of Special Appeals ruled it would not have to begin paying the $1.1 million settlement lost to a private contractor in a civil suit over a dispute about work done at the new Ocean City Elementary School until the pending appeal is exhausted, but the school board is now on the clock to get a bond in place to ensure the money will be there when the time comes. Two weeks ago, the...READ MORE

3rd Murder Suspect Pleads Guilty

SNOW HILL - The third of three man charged in the murder of a local woman in Pocomoke in January 2007 last week pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and now awaits his sentencing David K. Justice, 20, of Pocomoke appeared in Worcester County Circuit Court last week to face charges of first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and other charges for his role in the beating death of Judy L. Wojcik in a rural area near Pocomoke last January 13. Justice pleaded guilty to...READ MORE

AGH Now Offers Online Wait Time Service For ER

 BERLIN - In February 2007, Berlin-based Atlantic General Hospital launched an initiative brand-new to the area's healthcare market: a time promise for services in their ER. Through grand-scale efforts to streamline procedures that involved all departments from housekeeping to intensive care, the healthcare facility's 30 Minute ER Promise was born. Atlantic General has not stopped with this novel idea, instead pushing on to develop another program to improve patient convenience and access...READ MORE

AGH Penguin Swim Benefit Marks 15th Year

OCEAN CITY - It's almost time for the 15th Annual Penguin Swim, which will be held on New Years Day to benefit the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. In 2008, the Penguin Swim raised over $67,000 in support of the hospital's mission: 'To provide quality care, personalized service and education to improve individual and community health.' The Penguin Swim is a fun, annual event to raise funds to support the non profit, community hospital. Each year, hundreds of "penguins" raise...READ MORE

Businesses See Fuel Surcharges Fading Away

 OCEAN CITY •€' Now that consumers can speak of astronomical fuel prices in the past tense, can they say the same for those pesky fuel surcharges? When fuel surcharges started popping up on invoices of restaurant food orders all over the country, sometimes adding 4 percent to 7 percent to the bill itself, many businesses could understand the rising costs for distribution companies to operate based on the almost $4 a gallon prices, thus justifying the need for a surcharge. Restaurants...READ MORE

Campaign Looks To Help Marlin

OCEAN CITY - Although Ocean City is known as the White Marlin Capital of the World, you'll probably never see it on a menu in a local restaurant. What could be considered sacrilege by some in the local fishing community to see the area's number one sport fish and part of the town's claim to fame served as a blue plate special at a local restaurant is apparently a reality elsewhere in the U.S. 'It just wouldn't make sense to put it on the menu, said Marlin Moon Grille owner Gary Beach. 'Plus,...READ MORE

Coast Guard Seeks Dredge OK

OCEAN CITY - Locals and visitors alike are being offered to weigh in on a proposal to dredge the channel and boat basin in front of the Coast Guard Station in Ocean City with a public comment period that opened last week and concludes on January 20. The Coast Guard has requested the Army Corps of Engineers' approval to perform maintenance dredging as needed for the next 10 years within an area approximately 15,000 to 20,000 square feet in the vicinity of its station at the foot of Somerset...READ MORE

Damages Rejected In Fatal Pedestrian Case

 SNOW HILL - For the second time in three months, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge last week granted a motion for summary judgment in a civil suit filed by the family of an Easton man struck and killed while crossing Coastal Highway in June 2007, effectively dismissing the portion of the case seeking $1 million in punitive damages against the driver of the vehicle that struck the victim. In November, attorneys for the family of Tyler Adams, of Easton, Pa., struck and killed by a...READ MORE

Grants, Budget Cuts May Doom After-School Programs

NEWARK - After-school programs in Worcester County schools are essential to school success, but funding for the after-school academies could be endangered by budget cuts and closing grants, county Board of Education staff say. According to Board of Education spokesperson Barb Witherow, 12 of 14 county schools have after-school programs, with just specialty schools Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special School without a post-school day academy. Those programs serve roughly 1,900...READ MORE

Kratovil Eyes Seat On Farming Committee

BERLIN - While he won't be officially sworn in until next month, Maryland's newest congressman Frank Kratovil is already endearing himself to his First District constituents with a bid to secure a seat on the House Agriculture Committee. Kratovil edged Republican Andy Harris in the First Congressional District race in November in a narrow election that came down to absentee ballots. Kratovil carried the nine rural counties of the Eastern Shore while Harris scored well in the densely populated...READ MORE

Needy Drive Helps Out 60 Local Families

OCEAN CITY - The annual Ocean City Police Department's Christmas Needy Drive proved to be a blessing to many local families. With a volunteer crew of more than 50 people, Chief Bernadette DiPino and her staff tended to more than 60 families, including more than 150 children, this past Saturday at the Public Safety Building. The OCPD Christmas Needy Drive was started by Chief DiPino's grandfather in the Baltimore Police Department many years ago. The tradition was continued by her father in...READ MORE

New Year's Open House Theme Is 'Storms Of Change'

OCEAN CITY - Start off the New Year with a visit to the Ocean City Mayor and City Council's 13th Annual Open House, scheduled to be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on New Year's Day at City Hall, located at 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue. The Mayor and City Council's Open House has become a community tradition. Each year offers a different theme. This year's theme is "Storms of Change," focusing on the major storms that impacted the resort town over the years and the changes they brought....READ MORE

OC Resident Operates Recording Studio Out Of Home

OCEAN CITY - You've no doubt seen some of Steven J. Cirile's architectural work in Ocean City.  Yet, few would have expected him to not only design but also run Ocean City's first professional music recording studio. The Caine Woods section of north Ocean City may seem like an unlikely place for a recording studio of any kind, albeit one that resembles one that you might find in Nashville, but for local architect, former New York City musician and aspiring music producer Steven J. Cirile,...READ MORE

Ocean City, Atlantic City Similar In Some Ways

OCEAN CITY - When slots were approved in Maryland last month, some residents vocally feared that Ocean City was going to turn into Atlantic City. Some might cringe at any comparison of Ocean City and Atlantic City, but doing so could shine some light on how to proceed with current issues facing the town, and surprisingly enough, it has nothing to do with gambling. Although the towns differ in size, target markets and generally draw visitors to their resort for different reasons, it is...READ MORE

Some Retailers Surprised By Sales During Holidays

BERLIN - Dire predictions of drastically low sales during the 2008 holiday shopping season appear to not be coming true for local retailers, with several reporting solid sales. Business at the Harry and David store at the Ocean City Factory Outlets is as strong as ever, said store manager Bonnie Oliverio. 'Things are going great. It is our season,' Oliverio said. 'It was slower than usual getting started, but it's doing fine now. We're holding our own.' The store did two times as much business...READ MORE

With Purnell's Swearing In, Berlin Council Finally Full

 BERLIN - Troy Purnell was sworn in at Monday's Berlin Mayor and Council meeting and took his seat as a councilman, giving the body a full roster of elected officials for the first time since May. 'It felt good. Definitely a different view,' said Purnell of his swearing in and first meeting as a sitting council member. 'I feel a lot more weight on my shoulders.' Berlin Councilwoman Paula Lynch acknowledged this meeting was the first time the entire dais has been full at town hall. 'I...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where and When Musically Speaking

Back of the bag 410-250-3337 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 26: Pompous Pie Saturday, Dec. 27: Kevin Poole Every Tuesday: Open Mic Hosted By Tungsten Groove Wednesday, Dec. 31: NYE with Kevin Poole Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 26: TBA Saturday, Dec. 27: TBA Wednesday, Dec. 31: NYE with the Surf DJs Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th Street Friday, Dec. 26: DJ Rupe, 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31: NYE...READ MORE

Thoughts from the Publisher's Desk

Each year I give some predictions for the coming year in this space. Here's a look at how I fared with what I thought might take place this year. Some of my thoughts turned out to be accurate prognostications, some look ridiculous today and some are still hanging in the balance. On The Money: -- I guessed that 60 percent of Marylanders would support slots in a referendum. In fact, in November, 59 percent of Marylanders voted to bring slots to the state. In Worcester County alone, 55 percent...READ MORE

What Others Are Saying

What Others Are Saying State's Budget Blues Unlike Any Of Late Forget the comparatively minor cash crunch that Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. faced as governor. Even the three-year budget debacle that began in 1991 under William Donald Schaefer has been eclipsed. Last week, it became official: The national recession is pulverizing the state budget like no other since the early 1980s, perhaps even longer. Maryland tax revenue projections are so flat that no one is assuming a recovery in 2009 or even early...READ MORE

Voices From the Readers

A Good Deed Recognized Editor: The Eastern Shore is a wonderful, friendly place to live and visit, isn't it? I used to think so, but I had to be reminded again this year. I was checking out at the Super Fresh grocery store in White Marlin Mall when I realized that I no longer had my wallet in my purse. I had been shopping in the crowded aisles with my purse sitting open in the child's seat. My wallet wasn't there no matter how hard I searched. Before retracing my steps through the busy store, I...READ MORE

Things I Like

Getting my shopping done in one day Eating crab cakes in the winter Ralphie in 'A Christmas Story' A good laughing fit with my son Seeing a seal on the beach My new Kirk McBride painting Feeling better after being sick The band, 'Widespread Panic' Driving a street that just got paved The yard after a fresh load of mulch Not working the day after Christmas ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might be busier than you had expected right now. But between the socializing rounds and the workplace tasks, there are opportunities for special moments with that certain someone. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your creative approach leads to a quicker-than-expected solution to a workplace problem. Now you can devote more time to that proposal you hope to introduce by midmonth. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Technological glitches create problems early on. But by...READ MORE

A Week in Business

Team Completes A First BERLIN - Atlantic General Hospital's bariatric surgery team performed its first Laparascopic gastric banding procedure in early December, marking the end of 11 months of preparation and community education. In addition to the staff training and specialized equipment procurement that occurs when a new procedure is introduced, the hospital forged a relationship with the medical practice of general surgeon Alae Zarif, MD, who performs the gastric banding procedures and joined...READ MORE

My Thoughts

Insider does not wish to be Happy New Year'd. That has to be the silliest greeting in the history of man. Insider was on his daily walk the other day and a neighbor stopped what he was doing to scream, 'Happy New Year.' It was all Insider could do not to just keep his head down and keep walking oblivious to the idiot. Instead, he waved his hand and tried to force a smirk, the kind you give the stranger you are standing behind at the grocery store line or the kind men give to each other as they...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

One of the things I have always liked about being a newspaper editor is each day is different. Sure, there's a certain routine and a little of the mundane associated with every job, but there's always something that pops up that makes a particular day unique in this business. A new challenge often arises that's different from the day before. I find that compelling because I learn something new every day. It's interesting to me that the same can be said for parenthood and perhaps that's why I...READ MORE

A Smart Year-End Strategy For Today's Markets

 OCEAN CITY - As this extraordinarily challenging year for the economy and investment markets finally nears its end, it may be difficult to see ways to gain ground financially. Yet, as you are adjusting your portfolio, you may be able to take advantage of an important year-end tax strategy called tax-loss harvesting. It can help offset investment losses when you are repositioning your portfolio to seize any new opportunities that can emerge during times of market turmoil. The strategy is...READ MORE

See Who Was Helping Those in The Community

A look at locals helping out their fellow neighbor while out on the town. ...READ MORE

Spotlight on Who Was Where and When

A look at the regional bar and restaurant scene ...READ MORE