May 22, 2009

Offshore Powerboats Return Next Weekend

OCEAN CITY- The grand spectacle and sheer energy of powerboat racing returns to the resort next weekend with the arrival of the first leg of the 2009 Geico Offshore Triple Crown. Produced by OPA Offshore Racing and sponsored locally by Sunset Marina, the event will turn Ocean City into the center of the offshore powerboat-racing universe next weekend. Roughly 60-65 of the top boats on Geico Offshore Boat Grand Prix will start arriving in the resort area late next week for the first leg of a...READ MORE

New Decatur Fishing Club Formed

BERLIN- Under the direction of a man who knows a little something about catching a very important fish, the fledgling Stephen Decatur Fishing Club is up and running with several competitions, classes and other events set for this summer. Formed this spring by Decatur teacher and last year's White Marlin Open winner Tom Hinkle, along with two other faculty members Todd Martinek and Jason Pylypczuk, the new Stephen Decatur Fishing Club is providing an outlet for students who have grown up around...READ MORE

Ocean City Spring Golf Continues

BERLIN- The Ocean City Ladies Golf Association continued their spring season last week with a variety of events at the Ocean City Golf Club in South Point. The OCLGA held a nine-hole tournament on the Newport Bay course at Ocean City last Thursday. Bonnie Houston turned in the low gross score of the day, while Judy Schoelkopk produced the low net. Irene Marshall had the top drive, while Connie Kerrigan was closest to pin on the 2nd hole and Sharon Parks was closest to the pin on number...READ MORE

Seahawks Competing in State Meet

Seahawks Competing in State Meet BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity outdoor track and field teams are well represented at the Maryland State Championship that got underway at Morgan State University in Baltimore yesterday afternoon. Two weeks after sweeping the Bayside Conference championships in impressive fashion, the Seahawks sent a handful of track athletes to compete in the state championship meet at Morgan State. The meet got underway with preliminary events yesterday and continues today...READ MORE

Seatbelt Stop Yields Weapons Bust In OC

OCEAN CITY - A Pennsylvania man was arrested on illegal gun charges last weekend in Ocean City after a Maryland State Police (MSP) trooper in the resort assisting with the Cruisin' event pulled him over for a seat belt violation. Around 4:30 p.m. last Friday, a MSP trooper assigned to a special hot rod weekend enforcement detail in Ocean City observed the driver of a 1995 Dodge Ram pick-up, later identified as Colin Whitney Stipe, 28, of Columbia, Pa., driving without his seatbelt on in the area...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Matthew Benjamin Barcase OCEAN PINES - Matthew Benjamin Barcase, 16, died suddenly Friday, May 16, 2009 as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident. Born in Maryland he was the son of Mark J. and Cindy A. Barcase Wittmyer. He was a kind, loving, polite and happy person with a beautiful smile. He loved life, his family and friends the most. He was a sophomore attending Stephen Decatur High School where he was touched by many especially his teacher Mrs. Saullo. Along with his parents,...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where and When Musically Speaking

Angler Restaurant 410-289-7424 , Talbot St. & The Bay Friday, May 22-Sunday, May 24: Blue Sky Duo Every Sunday: Dock Party with DJ Mike C Back of the bag 410-250-3337 , 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, May 22: TBA Saturday, May 23: TBA Every Wednesday: Open Mic Hosted By Chris Button Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 , 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, May 22: DJ Wood Saturday, May 23: TBA Every Sunday: Locals' Party with DJ BK CaribBean bar & grill 410-289-0837 , Just off the Boards...READ MORE

Snow Hill Elementary Enjoys Residency from Ceramic Artist

The second grade students and faculty of Snow Hill Elementary School enhanced their passion for art and learning through a six-day residency with ceramic artist John Orth. Above, students Hailey Brown and Carly Andrews show the ceramic tiles they created under the guidance of Orth. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Local Cub Scouts Visit Andrews Air Force Base

Members of Cub Scout Pack 480 recently hit the road to attend the Joint Services Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base. Adults in the back are Debbie Haas of Ocean Pines, Cubmaster William Danaher and Tim Collins, Webelos leader. In the background is a giant C-5 Cargo and troop transport. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Group Honors Razaak Eniola

Students in the Random Acts of Kindness group at Worcester Prep honored Razaak Eniola, center, for his outstanding work in the Optimist Oratorical Competition for 2009. The seventh grade student orator won the Worcester County, Eastern Shore Zone and State of Maryland speech competition. Pictured, from left, are Kristin Shriver, Salisbury; Hannah Showell, Bishopville; Eniola, Salisbury; Madison O'Malley, Salisbury; and Cynthia Delaney, Ocean City. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Enjoy Puzzle Day

Students in Lisa Brady's second grade class at Ocean City Elementary School enjoy "Puzzle Day" to celebrate their hard work and effort on the Cognitive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS). Pictured, from left, are Rachel Hreshko, Jenna Miller and Dori Krasner. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep 2010 National Merits Scholarship Winners Announced

Else-Britt De Long, director of Educational Services for the National Merit Scholarship Cooperation, has announced that Worcester Prep juniors, above from left, Connor Douglass, Megan Rosales and Michael Dowling have met all the requirements to enter the 2010 National Merit® Scholarship Program. These students were among the highest scoring students in the nation on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) taken in October 2008. Honoring the students is...READ MORE

Student Plays Headmaster for a Day

Shannon Southcomb, a sixth grade student from Ocean City, served as Headmaster of Worcester Preparatory School on May 8. Southcomb put together an exciting day for students and teachers at the school. She provided donuts for teachers when they arrived at school in the morning, lunch treats for all students in the sixth grade and extra recess time for lower school students. She asked that all students wearing casual clothing to pay $1 and said that all funds collected would go to the Humane...READ MORE

Thoughts from the Publisher's Desk

It's a good thing people love to come to Ocean City for Cruisin' weekend. What's unfortunate is every year they arrive in town they find some kind of new construction project to fight. Sooner or later, these folks are going to stop putting their heads in local beds if they find showing off their hot rods and custom cars is more trouble than its worth. This year the work getting a lot of criticism was the Route 50 resurfacing project, from Herring Creek east to the bridge. Organizer Bob...READ MORE

Mortality Lessons Taught Early, Often

It was disturbing to hear early reports on Saturday about a pedestrian being killed near the Route 50 Bridge leading into Ocean City. It became horrifying when it was revealed it was a teenager and to make matters worse it was a local, a sophomore at Stephen Decatur High School from a respected local family. Local teacher Michelle Hammond, perhaps showing why she was named the state's teacher of the year a few years back, eloquently wrote on the local daily's website that she was a better person...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Research Shows Need For Restructuring Editor: Since last month's sudden resignation of Mike Noah from the position of Director of Tourism and Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, there has been considerable discussion among the power elite of Ocean City about finding the right replacement for him. But the discussion has centered not on the qualifications and experience that any search committee would look for in potential candidates, but instead on questions regarding the...READ MORE

Decatur Student Mourned After Highway Death

WEST OCEAN CITY - Tragedy struck last weekend when a 16-year-old Stephen Decatur High School student was struck and killed on Route 50 just east of the western end of the bridge, closing the span in both directions for several hours during the height of the resort's Cruisin' event. Shortly before 8 p.m. last Saturday, Matthew B. Barcase, a sophomore at Decatur, was struck by a 2008 Jeep Wrangler as he attempted to cross Route 50 just east of Inlet Isle Lane in West Ocean City. A preliminary...READ MORE

Friday, May 22--$5K Reward Still On Table For Leads In OC Rape Case

OCEAN CITY - One year after a woman was violently raped in the area of 49th Street last Memorial Day weekend, the perpetrator remains at large and a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest remains in place. The attack and rape occurred around 2:30 a.m. last May 24. According to witnesses in the area, the attacker had a dark- or olive-colored complexion and was in likely in his mid-20s. At the time, the suspect had short dark hair and was around 5'7' tall with an average build and...READ MORE

Friday, May 22--Caution Urged With Rabid Raccoon Spike

BERLIN - With six confirmed cases of rabid raccoons in Worcester in the last two weeks including four in densely populated, highly developed areas, local health official this week issued a warning the disease is not limited to rural areas and residents and visitors should take the necessary precautions. On Tuesday, the Worcester County Health Department issued a release alerting local residents six new incidents of rabid raccoons have been reported in the county including four in areas such as...READ MORE

Friday, May 22--County Changes Stance, Opts To Buy Flu Meds

SNOW HILL - Worcester County will buy flu medication through the state of Maryland this year, a reversal of a decision made one year ago to forego the purchase. The situation is now different, reported Worcester County Health Officer Debbie Goeller Tuesday morning. 'The circumstances have changed and changed dramatically,' said Goeller. 'We do now have an outbreak of a novel virus.' The swine flu virus, also known as the H1N1 virus, can be transmitted from person to person and is vulnerable to...READ MORE

Friday, May 22--Judge Denies Chamber’s Bid For New Trial In Civil Suit

SNOW HILL - A Worcester County Circuit Court judge this week denied a motion for a new trial filed by the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce in the civil suit between the agency and its former executive director, bringing a measure of closure to the ongoing case although an appeal is still possible. Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Thomas C. Groton III on Tuesday denied a motion filed by chamber attorney William Hickey late last month seeking a new trial in the civil suit with former...READ MORE

County Officials Face $327K Shortfall

SNOW HILL - No progress was made toward balancing the Worcester County budget Wednesday during a work session that saw none of the necessary $327,000  in cuts made. 'You've either got to come up with additional revenues or additional cuts,' said county administrator Gerry Mason Wednesday. The County Commissioners face a less daunting task than originally projected, after the expected $6 million shortfall was reduced through a new way to handle retirement funding, also known as OPEB funding,...READ MORE

Fatality Raises Questions About Highway Safety

WEST OCEAN CITY - Last weekend's tragic accident involving a local teen hit by a car and killed while attempting to cross Route 50 has highlighted to need to follow through with a comprehensive transportation plan for the densely populated and heavily traveled corridor including the need for more sidewalks, crosswalks and other safety measures. Now, there is no direct correlation between last Saturday's fatal accident and the overall lack of pedestrian safety features along Route 50 corridor in...READ MORE

Numbers Show Best-Ever Cruisin' Weekend

OCEAN CITY - Despite a few proverbial and a few very literal bumps in the road, Crusin' weekend coasted into the Ocean City record books and helped the town pick up speed as it turns the final corner into the summer season. According to demoflush numbers, based on wastewater flow and calculated by the Ocean City Public Relations Office, more than 230,000 visited Ocean City last weekend, making it the highest attended Cruisin' weekend since numbers were recorded in 1992, usurping last year's...READ MORE

Officials Divided Over School Budget

SNOW HILL - A split-vote approving a Maintenance of Effort budget for the Worcester County schools ensures that the other county departments, which have already deeply cut their budget requests, will shoulder the burden of $327,000 in additional budget cuts. The Maintenance of Effort school budget was approved 4-3, with Commissioners Louise Gulyas, Judy Boggs and Virgil Shockley voting against the motion to simply approve the Maintenance of Effort budget, with the option to move money between...READ MORE

State Waterkeepers, MDE Settle Runoff Lawsuit

SNOW HILL - New sediment runoff rules must be in place by 2010, according to the recent settlement of a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Twelve Maryland Waterkeeper programs, including the Assateague Coastkeeper through the Assateague Coastal Trust, and the Waterkeeper Alliance brought the lawsuit against MDE over weak stormwater permit standards for construction sites. The waterkeepers were represented by the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic. The...READ MORE

Air Show Booze Sales On Beach OK'd

OCEAN CITY - When City Council heard event organizer Brian Lilley read off the impressive list of performers for next month's Ocean City Air Show, the debate over whether he could serve alcohol on the beach once again this year kind of became an afterthought. Lilley came before the Mayor and City Council on Monday night to discuss and outline his plans to sell beer and wine on the beach at 'Display Village' between 15-17th streets during the 2nd Annual OC Air Show, which will take place on June...READ MORE

Federal Stimulus Funds Disappoint Commissioners

SNOW HILL - Hopes of infusing cash into the Worcester County economy through federal stimulus funding have largely been dashed, with the county getting little direct money, and none for requested capital improvement projects, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 'I can tell you who's not getting it and that's us,' said county administrator Gerry Mason. A total of $10.3 million of ARRA money will be spent on Worcester County, but only $1.5 million will be put into county...READ MORE

Hefty Fines Aim To Reduce Illegal Outdoor Fires

SNOW HILL - New fines for unauthorized outdoor fires should steer citizens to get the necessary permits, Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon hopes. The County Commissioners introduced a bill increasing those fines and others at the Tuesday County Commissioners' meeting. Current fines for unpermitted outdoor fires and other infractions of the public safety code, $25 for a first offense and $100 for later offenses, are too small to be a deterrent, according to the fire marshal....READ MORE

Ocean City Amends Busker Rules

OCEAN CITY - The buskers got a little more wiggle room to perform on the Boardwalk, as the City Council hopes Monday's decision will make the relationship between the performers and the merchants a bit more harmonious. The City Council decided to grant the town's street performers some extra space than what was originally proposed, attempting to dispel any accusations that the city wants street performers squeezed out entirely. 'This was never a situation of us trying to eliminate street...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY - In the brief this week, the Ocean City budget passed through first reading, council granted an unused EDU to an entity who desperately needed it, a new downtown business could help draw some foot traffic off the Boardwalk and onto Baltimore Avenue and local cops join the world of social networking. Proposed Budget Reaches Final Stage Before Approval Any resident who would like to contest the town's proposed $112 million budget for fiscal year 2009-10 has one more chance to do it, as...READ MORE

Parking Lot Lease Gives Condo Board Chance For Fence

OCEAN CITY - A few residents of Jamestown Road got a bit strategic with the City Council on Monday, taking issue with one matter and then quickly switching gears to address another. In late April, council approved a request from Greene Turtle owner Steve Pappas to lease city-owned property on Jamestown Road to be used as additional parking for his popular uptown restaurant. Council voted unanimously to lease the lot to Pappas for $5,000 a year for at least the next three years. In addition,...READ MORE

Rocket Launches From Wallops

BERLIN - After several delays over the last two weeks for a variety of reasons including the weather, a major launch event at the Wallops Flight Facility took place as planned Tuesday night, creating a rare fireworks display throughout the mid-Atlantic area as the Air Force Minotaur I rocket arched its way across the twilight sky trailing a plume of white smoke in its wake. The launch of the Minotaur I rocket, one of the largest launched at the Wallops Flight Facility in nearby coastal Virginia,...READ MORE

Travel Companies Claim Room Tax Suit Flawed

BERLIN - Defendants in the civil suit filed in January by the Worcester County Commissioners against a bevy of Internet-based travel booking companies seeking what could be millions of dollars in unpaid hotel room taxes this week filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing several problems with the county's complaint including a slippery definition of a hotel. In January, attorneys for the commissioners filed suit in U.S. District Court, naming 14 individual defendants, all Internet-based travel...READ MORE

People in Society

See Neighbors Helping One Another Throughout the Community ...READ MORE

Faces in Places

A spotlight on the local and regional bar and restaurant scene ...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

With each passing day, it seems to be getting progressively noisier around the house. Those high-pitch shrieks and screams that were once a novelty, and as cute as could be, have become so incessant they have been known to rattle a nerve or two every now and again. Long gone are the cute coo and ooh sounds that used to make my heart melt. Those were his first sounds and were some of the sweetest utterances I have ever heard. They have now been replaced with a persistent stream of sounds -...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Bank Promotion  WILLARDS - Marcia A. Jones has been promoted to head teller at the Willards branch of the Farmers Bank of Willards. Jones has been employed with the bank since February 2005. She started as a teller at the West Ocean City office and later transferred to the Willards branch. Her responsibilities will include opening new accounts and oversee day-to-day operations on the teller line.  Magazine Marks 5 Years FRUITLAND - Delmarva Youth Magazine is...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy is a homeowner and has been since the 1970s. The last time Insider rented he was a teen-ager living in Baltimore. The old guy and a buddy rented a rowhouse in the Hampden area after graduating from high school and before entering the Navy. It was on what is called 'The Avenue' today and just a block away from where all those crazy people decorate their homes with gaudy Christmas lights, illuminating the sky for blocks. Back then, rent was around $120 per month. Insider hit the road...READ MORE

Sharing A Wealth Of Values

OCEAN CITY - With unprecedented wealth poised to transfer to the next generation, the creators of that wealth are giving serious thought to how they want to build a strong, lasting legacy. Minimizing estate and gift taxes has always been important, but "our clients today want to transfer their family values and to have their legacy managed in a way they deem appropriate," says Chris Heilmann, Chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch Trust Company. And with people living longer, parents...READ MORE

Kiwanis Club Donates to Salisbury School

At its weekly meeting on May 13, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City presented a check to the high school Key Club from the Salisbury School. Accepting the check are, from left, Bob Cullen, Key Club advisor from The Salisbury School; Rebecca Parsons, Key Club secretary; Herbert Freyere, Key Club treasurer; Al Kastner, Kiwanis Club liason; and Corky Widerman, Kiwanis Club president. ...READ MORE

OP Skate Committee Gets Donation from OC Surfing Memorial Rep

Ocean Pines Skate Committee member Marie Gilmore is pictured accepting a $500 donation made by OC Surfing Memorial representative Martin Furst, owner of Coach's Corner Diner and an avid surfer and skateboarder. ...READ MORE

American Legion Donates to Buckingham Elementary School

American Legion Auxiliary's Dee Whittington recently presented a check donation to Buckingham Elementary School Principal Roger Pacella as part of a recent fundraising initiative. ...READ MORE

Memorial Balloon Release Promotes Suicide Prevention

The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program's Memorial Balloon Release That Wasn't was recently held. Pictured are some of the participants who wrote special messages on their helium balloons before they were popped in remembrance. ...READ MORE

3rd Annual Vera Bradley Bingo held at Worcester Youth and Family Counseling

Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services recently held its 3rd Annual Vera Bradley Bingo. Above, Lori Calloway, middle, is congratulated for winning the top prize by Executive Director Teresa Fields and Board member Arnold Downing. ...READ MORE

Things I Like

Taking a frozen bottle of water to the beach An old, worn-in baseball hat A big gazebo in a backyard Funny mug shots A small pile of bills The curls in my son's hair A frozen coffee drink every now and again A car air-conditioner that works well The compact version of the Local Book Living outside OC on Cruisers weekend Curbside recycling ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): An unexpected development could change the Arian's perspective on a potential investment. Keep an open mind. Ignore the double talk and act only on the facts. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): A surge of support helps you keep your long-standing commitment to colleagues who rely on you for guidance. Ignore any attempts to get you to ease up on your efforts. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Family continues to be the dominant factor, but career matters also take on new...READ MORE