October 2, 2009

Tuesday, Oct. 6-Resort Trolleys Vandalized In WOC

WEST OCEAN CITY - Local law enforcement agencies this week are looking for the suspect or suspects who broke into and vandalized four town of Ocean City trolleys stored at a Public Works facility in West Ocean City sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Yesterday morning, a Maryland State Police trooper responded to a public works yard on Keyser Point Rd. in West Ocean City in reference to the malicious destruction of four Town of Ocean City trolleys stored there. According to...READ MORE

Berlin Dolphin Cadets Roll, 28-6

Berlin Dolphin Cadets Roll, 28-6 BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins youth football teams split a pair of games last weekend with the Cadets rolling past Princess Anne, 28-6, and the Juniors falling to Pocomoke, 19-6. The Berlin Dolphins play in the Salvation Army League against teams from all over the Lower Shore. The Cadets, ages 7-10, beat Princess Anne last week with a stellar performance on both sides of the ball. The offense scored on its first possession to take an early lead and never looked...READ MORE

ATP Tough Guy of the Week

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to Decatur quarterback Tyler Hartrim for his outstanding play in a tough loss to Queen Anne's last Friday. Pictured above is Hartrim (center) flanked by Coach Bob Knox (left) and ATP lead therapist Charles Curran (right). Submitted photo ...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Drop Tough One to WiHi

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's boys' varsity soccer team continued its up and down ways this week, falling to Wicomico, 2-1, on Tuesday to fall back to .500 on the season at 3-3. Continuing a season-long pattern of win one, lose one, the Seahawks got out to an early lead on a goal by Dominick Mann off a great feed by Ryan Davis to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. Wicomico came out firing in the second half, quickly scoring the equalizer just minutes into the second half. The Indians took the lead for...READ MORE

Seahawks Rally Past Mardela, 4-2

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity soccer team beat visiting Mardela, 4-2, on Monday in a somewhat odd game that mirrored the Seahawks' season thus far. Monday's game against Mardela basically came down to a tale of two halves, with the Warriors winning the first half and the Seahawks taking the all-important second half. For Decatur, the game was a microcosm of sorts for the season during which the Seahawks have shown an early capacity to win one, lose one. Decatur got on the board first...READ MORE

Seahawks Mauled by Lions, 36-8

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team ran into a buzz saw last weekend, falling to a solid Queen Anne's team, 36-8, after playing the Lions tight for at least one quarter. The Seahawks played Queen Anne's to a scoreless first quarter although the Lions had two touchdowns taken off the board by untimely penalties. On the first play of the second quarter, however, on a 31-yard touchdown run to break the ice and take a 7-0 lead. With six minutes left in the second quarter, Queen Anne's...READ MORE

Miller Leads Seahawks to Golf Win

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity golf team continued its impressive early season run this week, shooting a team-low 161 to win another match at Nassawango on Tuesday. The Seahawks shot 161 to take the team victory on Tuesday, while Parkside finished second with a team score of 174 and Worcester Prep finished in third place with a team score of 193. Decatur's Jake Miller, who has been winning individual tournament titles all season, again took the top individual honors with an impressive 35,...READ MORE

Take-Home Cars A Perk Requiring City Limitations

There were a lot of angry folks this week after the Mayor and Council's decision on take-home vehicles. The fumes emanating from some of the department heads and lower level staff as a result of the decision is understandable, although the decision was the right one for the city to make. It's no surprise 26 take-home vehicles will no longer be going home with a variety of employees, including police detectives, public works employees, fire and bomb squad personnel, airport, risk and golf course...READ MORE

Open Houses in West Ocean City and Berlin

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Daily 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 WEST OCEAN CITY New Construction 9800 Mooring View West Harbor Village Daily 11-5 11 Townhouses 3BR/3.5BA/Garage Bryant Hungerford Prudential Carruthers 410-430-0370 BERLIN Purnell Crossing Mon 12-6 Tues-Fri 10-6 Sat & Sun 11-6 3BR/2.5BA Villas New Construction Ryan Homes 410-641-2730 ...READ MORE

Open Houses in Surrounding Areas of Ocean City

SALISBURY 846 Johnson Rd Summersgate Daily 12-5 2-5BR Custom Homes For Active Adults Lynn Brocato Senior Realty 410-543-8750 MILLVILLE, DE Millville by the Sea Mon-Sat 9-5 Sun 11-5 New Beach Community Single Family & Townhomes Off Rt 26 877-285-2888 NEWARK, MD Arcadia Village Affordable New Homes Models Open Sat & Sun 11-2 Prudential Carruthers 410-430-5333 ...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 , 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Every Friday: TBA Saturday, Oct. 3: Rampage Thursday, Oct. 8: DJ Wax Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 , On the beach, 118th St. Every Thursday: DJ Rupe, 5-8 p.m. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, 1-5 p.m. Castaway's 410-524-9090 , 64th St. On The Bay Friday, Oct. 2 & Saturday, Oct. 3: DJ Deogee Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 , 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Ocean Club: Friday, Oct. 2 & Saturday, Oct. 3: First...READ MORE

Alleged Knife Assault

OCEAN CITY - A Bear, Del. man was arrested on assault and other serious charges this week after allegedly brandishing a knife and threatening to cut a group of individuals in an attempt to buy cocaine at an uptown Ocean City hotel parking lot. Around 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday, an OCPD officer was dispatched to the parking lot of the Carousel Hotel for a reported assault. The officer met with three individuals who reported they were in the hotel parking lot when they were approached by a man in a...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Concetta Vendemia Canfora OCEAN PINES - Concetta "Tina" Vendemia Canfora, 85, of Ocean Pines, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from complications due to diabetes. She had been ill since the beginning of June. Born in New Castle, Pa., to Stefano and Assunta "Susan" Granata Vendemia, she moved to the Eastern Shore in 1991 with her husband, Philip C. Canfora, who died on May 19, 2008. She is survived by her daughter, MaryAnn;...READ MORE

Bank of Ocean City SDHS MVP of the Week

The Bank of Ocean City continues to sponsor the live broadcast of Stephen Decatur High School's football games on WQMR 101.1FM this season. Additionally, the bank is presenting a weekly plaque to the MVP of each game as well as making a $50 donation to the football program's athletic boosters. Above, from left, Coach Bob Knox, Bank of Ocean City's Earl Conley, this week's MVP Tyler Hartrim and WQMR's Rick Charles. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Classes Earn 36 AP Scholar Awards

Members of Worcester Prep classes of 2009 and 2010 earned 36 AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. Some of those scholars are pictured, front from left, Thomas Barranger, Julian Greer, Kathryn Marshall, Paige Spangler, Bethany Frick, Megan Rosales, Max Perim and Bradley Harris; back, Michael Dowling, Connor Douglass, Elizabeth Desmarais, Chelsea Thaler, Elizabeth Twilley, Marisa Grimes, Adam Albright and Brandon Thaler. ...READ MORE

Sports Gear Day at OC Elementary

Ocean City Elementary School held 'Sports Gear Day' on Friday, Sept. 18 to raise money and collect sports gear for the Global Gear Drive in memory of Sammy Wilkinson.  OCES students and faculty collected a truckload of sports gear, as well as some money to donate to the drive. Pictured, front, are Maddox Bunting, Colin Porter, Kellan Catrino; and, back, Jamey Gannon, Henry Brous, Aiden Morrison and Brittyn Lyra Leonard. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Holds Student of the Month Luncheon

Buckingham Elementary School's "Student of the Month" Luncheon was recently held. First grade honorees were, above, Jocelyn Berzonski, Amier Kee, Aaron Joseph, Daniel Ridenour and Joshua Williams. Not pictured but honored were second graders Zaida Jefferson, Brittany Bowen, Jalen Planter and Clayton Carter; third graders Tred Briddell, Bailee Bowden, Kylia Burke, Jessica Newton and Tara Smith; and fourth graders Rachel Prengaman, Levi Metzger, Lindsey Laughlin, Maysell Crossland and...READ MORE

Scenes from Carmella's Kids Learning Center

Student Deliah Holland, 3, of Berlin, explores the Mobile Science Museum at Carmella's Kids Learning Center in Berlin. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Kindergarteners Give Cheer for Reading

Some members of Tracey Berry's afternoon kindergarten class at Worcester Prep give a cheer for readings. 'We love books,' the children say. They are front, from left, Jordan Willey, Ben Tinkler, J.R. Hamer, and Aiden Hammond; and second row, Brice Richins, Abby Miller, Hannah Brasure, Cyia Quillin, Hugh Thomas Cropper, Kate Conaway, Grace Baeurle, Mary Clare Mathias, Brooke Phillips, Myra  Cropper, Carter McCabe, Maggie Miller and Lily Baeurle. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Honors September Students of the Month

Ocean City Elementary School honored the September Students of the Month with a luncheon sponsored by the Ocean City/Berlin OptiMs.  First row, from left, are first graders Samantha Cummings, Houston Phillips, Noah Selt, Melis Unal and Claire Williams; second row, second graders Cory Briaca, Ryan Ethridge, Kaitlyn Ewing, Kayla Janek and Natalie Piltoyan; third row, third graders Grace Gasior, Jenna Miller, Skylar Moore, Orre Omer, Wesley Powell and Francesca Wheeler; and...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Thus far, we have a poor opinion of childproof locks, most of which fail miserably at keeping our child out of areas he should not be in. We see evidence of this fact every day, as Beckett routinely snaps the childproof locks off our kitchen cabinets and throws them on the floor. If he's not in his usual destructive mood, he will even run around smiling broadly with the so-called childproof lock swinging around in one hand and a Tupperware container from inside the cabinet in the other. He may...READ MORE

Route 90 Span Closure Near

OCEAN CITY •€' If you drive anything bigger than a pick-up truck, you will not be allowed to drive on the Route 90 bridge until further notice. On Wednesday, the Maryland State Highway Administration informed the town of Ocean City that an annual inspection of the Route 90 Bridge revealed a substantial structural flaw on an 85-foot section above the Assawoman Bay. In a memo obtained from an anonymous source on Wednesday from City Manager Dennis Dare to all town department heads, City...READ MORE

Friday, Oct 2--Atlantic General Partners With Pharmacy For Walk-In Clinics

BERLIN - The new culture of health care in the United States has prompted Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) to partner with local pharmacy Rite Aid to bring health clinics to the community on site at three participating pharmacies. AGH plans to open health clinics in the Ocean Pines Rite Aid, at Manklin Creek Rd. and Route 589, as well as in Pocomoke City and Millsboro, Del. 'It's a new and emerging concept in the last five years, and it's been growing very rapidly across the country,' said AGH...READ MORE

Friday, Oct 2--Local Couple Becomes Lighthouse Keepers For A Summer

BERLIN - Bill and Brenda Simmons traded the gentle shoreline of Worcester County for the rockier shores of Maine this summer in their tenure as volunteer lighthouse keepers on Seguin Island. 'We were interested in doing something different. We have a motto of •€˜live life.' We want to go out and do different things,' said Bill, who works part-time as a deputy sheriff for Worcester County.  Having found the job in an online caretakers magazine in 2007, Bill applied for himself and...READ MORE

Friday, Oct 2--New Bids Eyed For Tourism Guide

OCEAN CITY•€' The City Council might have been unhappy with the quality, but it appears they wanted a bit more quantity as well. The old adage, 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again' took literal meaning this week as the council voted to re-bid the task of designing the town's Sea For Yourself Guide by way of a new Request For Proposal (RFP) after the bids received failed to impress. Tourism Director Deb Travers queried council for permission to basically have a do-over for the...READ MORE

Friday, Oct 2--Planning Report Gives Way To Renewed Demoflush Debate

OCEAN CITY •€' Councilman Joe Hall thinks the numbers are way off, and it seems he's keen on hammering that point home. A seemingly normal presentation about future community planning and preparedness in Ocean City by Planning and Development Director Jesse Houston and Planner Bob Nelson got a bit heated on Tuesday as Hall decided to express his disdain for demoflush numbers once again. As Houston outlined new information and projections that will be added to the town's comprehensive plan,...READ MORE

A Q&A With Ravens Owner

OCEAN CITY - With his team off to a 3-0 start and heading into an early AFC showdown on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti is at or near the top of the football world right now, but one might never know it judging by his quiet, unassuming demeanor. Bisciotti, 49, the self-made success story who started his multi-million business just a year removed from graduating from Salisbury State in 1982, bought a minority share of the Ravens in 2000...READ MORE

City Detectives Link Ex-Priest Living In NC To Sex Abuse Case

OCEAN CITY - An alleged child sex abuse case involving a former Catholic priest and an unidentified victim in Ocean City and other area towns dating back to 1977 resurfaced this week when OCPD detectives traveled to North Carolina to arrest the now 64-year-old suspect. Earlier this spring, the Ocean City Police Department received a complaint of the sexual abuse of a minor. The alleged incidents were to have taken place in Ocean City between 1977 and 1982 and involved a former priest, later...READ MORE

Council Okays Plan To Cut Take-Home Cars By 63%

OCEAN CITY •€' Just as quickly as one can say unanimous vote, Ocean City's fleet of 71 take-home vehicles was chopped to 26. City Manager Dennis Dare knows he has 45 angry town employees to deal with, but he said the public's voice demanded change in the town's take-home vehicle policy, and that's the change he went with on Tuesday, proposing a 63-percent cut of the town's take home vehicles which will garner savings for the town in upwards of $90,000 a year. 'We probably pissed off some...READ MORE

OC Seeks Dismissal In Discrimination Case

OCEAN CITY - Nearly a year after a long-time Ocean City police sergeant filed a discrimination civil suit against the town and its police department alleging he was bypassed for promotion to lieutenant when he was activated into service as a U.S. Coast Guard reserve officer after the Sept.11, 2001 terrorists attacks, Ocean City last week filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming the plaintiff's lack of qualifications was the reason he was not promoted. Last November, Sgt. William Bunting, an...READ MORE

Three Turtles Wash Ashore In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY - Just a week after a healthy, rehabilitated loggerhead turtle was released from Assateague Island, three more deceased loggerheads washed up on the beach in Ocean City last weekend including a large, decapitated carcass near the Inlet not far from the nearby Sunfest event. The loggerhead turtle was discovered by passersby near the water line between the pier and the jetty at the Inlet last Saturday. The deceased turtle, which was missing its head, was recovered and taken to the...READ MORE

Berlin Comp Plan Draft Nears Completion

BERLIN - The final draft of Berlin's new comprehensive plan is nearly complete and could be sent out for state and county review this month, town staff reported this week. 'The final draft is getting some recalculations done based on the last meeting of the Planning Commission,' Planning and Zoning Superintendent Chuck Ward reported to the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday night. Originally, Ward said, he expected turn around time on the changes would be much quicker, but the recalculations are...READ MORE

Berlin Council News In Brief

BERLIN - The Berlin Mayor and Council held its final September meeting Monday night. The town council discussed a variety of issues. A selection follows below. --- The townwide power failure on Sunday morning was due to an equipment problem, not, as electric utility staff initially thought, the result of a dead snake found across an electric transformer. Once the snake was removed from the transformer, Berlin electric workers thought the problem was resolved, only to see the power once again...READ MORE

Berlin Inks Spray Land Deal

BERLIN - A deal for 350 acres of spray irrigation land in Newark has been struck, according to an unheralded announcement made during the Berlin Mayor and Council meeting Monday night. The land's purchase price, $1.7 million, will come from a bond issue, with the total cost, including debt service over 20 years, bringing the price up to $2.2 million. The debt will be paid through water and sewer hook-up fees, which the town has been accumulating against the need to make major upgrades to the...READ MORE

Berlin To Borrow Funds To Pay For Sewer Plant Project

BERLIN - The town of Berlin will seek interim financing for the wastewater treatment plant work through bonds and grant anticipation notes that will carry the project financially until completion. 'We've got to do interim financing to get there,' said Berlin Mayor Gee Williams of the $6 million in general obligation bonds and $8 million plus in grant anticipation notes the town plans to issue. 'We've got to borrow this money in anticipation of receiving the grants,' said Berlin town attorney...READ MORE

Delay Expected On Pocomoke River Bacteria Levels

SNOW HILL - Three of four Pocomoke River Total Maximum Daily Load pollution limit numbers will not be complete for some time, state of Maryland officials say. Four substances have been listed as concerns in the Pocomoke River, but only one has been assigned a TMDL, which are being developed by the state as a measure of how much of a substance can enter a water body without harming water quality. A fecal coliform bacteria TMDL has been established and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY •€' Here's the weekly recap of some of the smaller stories circulating around City Hall in the last seven days. Town Saves Big With Bus Bid If you notice the city buses looking a bit cleaner in the not so distant future, there is a logical reason for that. The town needs a new facility to wash the city buses in, as the current one has been in operation for well over a decade, and is in disrepair according to town officials.  However, the town got a nice surprise of sorts on...READ MORE

Routine Dredging Project Underway

OCEAN CITY - Dredging work in the Inlet channel and the nearby ebb shoal continued this week as part of a routine effort by the federal Army Corps of Engineers to keep the area open to navigation and supplement areas prone to beach erosion. The Army Corps' hopper dredge 'Currituck' has been frequently been seen in and around the Inlet in recent weeks as part of an effort to maintain the depth of the Inlet and the ebb shoal. The channel often silts in over time and the 'Currituck' returns each...READ MORE

Sheriff's Deputy Tip Aids Cigarette Bust

BERLIN - A tip from a Worcester County Sheriff's Deputy on Tuesday led to the seizure of thousands of packs of contraband cigarettes flowing through the county. A Brooklyn, N.Y. man was arrested for possessing and transporting unstamped, untaxed cigarettes in Maryland on Tuesday after Deputy Nate Passwaters observed him purchase a substantial volume of cigarettes from a Virginia store. Passwaters then contacted the Maryland State Comptroller's Office field enforcement office about the possible...READ MORE

Texting Ban, Other New Laws Now In Effect

BERLIN - Dozens of new laws passed by the Maryland General Assembly earlier this went into effect this week including a ban on text messaging while driving and the use of speed limit cameras in construction areas and school zones. State lawmakers passed hundreds of pieces of legislation during the General Assembly session last spring, many of which are just now going into effect. Among the laws that took effect yesterday, Oct. 1, was a statewide ban on text messaging while driving. The new law,...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

The aspect I enjoy most about my job is that I learn something new every day. On Wednesday, when trying to figure out whether my wife should drive her Chevy Tahoe over a failing Route 90 bridge, I became familiar with the weights of vehicles. In the case of a Tahoe, it weighs about 6,500 pounds compared to a Honda Accord, which weighs around 3,500 pounds, and a standard short-bed pickup truck's 5,000 pounds. All of this is relevant after a structural deficiency was reported on the eastern most...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Thanks For Successful Tour Editor: On behalf of the Art League of Ocean City, I would like to thank the community for supporting the 5th Annual Sand Castle Home Tour. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for a visual art center that can accommodate the many art and cultural programs and activities for our residents and visitors. The art league is a private non-profit organization, the vast majority of whose funding comes from the people of our community. This year's tour...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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

A Week In Business

Rite Aid, AGH Ink Accord BERLIN - Rite Aid Corporation and Atlantic General Hospital and Health System have announced an agreement to open Atlantic ImmediCare clinics inside three Rite Aid stores in Ocean Pines and Pocomoke City and Millsboro, Del. this fall. The clinics, which will be open daily, will provide extended hours for care in the evening and on weekends. At Atlantic ImmediCare, certified nurse practitioners will provide patients with quality care for...READ MORE

Analysts See Emerging Markets Worthy Of Note

OCEAN CITY - The steep market declines of the past year have been undeniably global, with stocks just about everywhere suffering major losses. Yet the recovery is likely to unfold unevenly, with early opportunities for economic growth in such emerging market countries as Brazil, China and Russia. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which is a benchmark for market growth in developing countries, has climbed over 70% since March, and shares in many developing nations seem poised continue...READ MORE

Renowned Local Artist Donates Print to OC Lions Member

Renown artist Patrick Henry, owner of Henry Fine Arts, recently donated a print of "Beached at Assateague" to Ocean City Lions member Norm Cathell, Sr. The print will be auctioned during the 4th Annual Lions Golf tournament to be held at the Ocean City Golf Club on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The tournament raises money for wounded heroes from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Call 410-641-0778 or e-mail fncathell@aol.com for tourney information. ...READ MORE

Worcester GOLD Reports Biggest Students Project Ever

Worcester County GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity), Inc. reports the biggest School Supplies for Students project ever, serving more than 550 Worcester County school students. Above, Janet and Jack Cassidy representing Taylorville United Methodist Church in Berlin delivered more than two dozen filled backpacks to GOLD. Helping with unloading are George Deshields and Marybeth Quillen of the Worcester County Department of Social Services. ...READ MORE

Assisted Living Residents Hold Toys For Tots Drive

Brandywine Assisted Living at Fenwick Island celebrated Delmarva Bike Week with a Toys for Tots drive. Over 75 toys were generously donated as the residents for Brandywine enjoyed the motorcycles and visitors. Above, resident Angela Schaech is pictured with some of the bikers on hand. ...READ MORE

Local Heads Up "Green Team" at Community Church

Bill Killinger heads the •€˜Green Team' at Community Church. This group follows the theme of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in an effort to preserve resources. Recently a grant was received from The Maryland Coastal Bays Program that was used to purchase 30 rain barrels. Killinger is pictured above with one of them. ...READ MORE

Pinesteppers Square Dance Club Meet Weekly

Students with the Pinesteppers Square Dance Club meet every Wednesday night at the new Community Center in Ocean Pines. Pictured, back from left, are Clifford Warden, Jack Newton, Club Caller Ed Shaffer, Pat Newton, Jacque Warden and Larry Christman; and front, from left, Mary Breckenridge, Rita Wilkinson, Helen Nappier and Jackie Christman. ...READ MORE

People in Society

A Look at Your Neighbors Lending a Helping Hand Throughout the Community ...READ MORE

Things I Like

A lazy, rainy morning at home Eating at Sunfest Penn State's uniforms The crisp air of autumn When the clean up after a party is complete My son's excitement over Diego Walking on the beach The awesome feeling after a massage Season premieres on TV Staying off the computer all weekend A horoscope that actually makes sense ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A changing situation calls for a change in plans. Although you might prefer the schedule you had already worked up, you could do better by agreeing to make the needed adjustments. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): That once seemingly rock-solid proposition you favored might be hiding some serious flaws. Take time to check it more carefully and question anything that seems out of kilter. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Finish up those lingering tasks so that you can then...READ MORE