January 14, 2010

Taylor Bank Promotions

BERLIN – Raymond M. Thompson, President and CEO of Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company, announced this week a new round of promotions. Lee Chisholm has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Snow Hill Office. He is a graduate of Frostburg State University. He originally started with the bank as a teller in 2004.   Joy Fink was promoted to branch manager of the East Berlin office. A graduate of St. Bonaventure University, she started with the bank as a teller in 2005. Scott Williams is...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Aspects call for care in preparing material for submission. Although you might find it bothersome to go over what you've done, the fact is, rechecking could be worth your time and effort. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The week is favorable for Bovines who welcome change. New career opportunities wait to be checked out. You might also want to get started on that home makeover you've been considering. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You might have to be extra careful to...READ MORE

Things I Like

Playoff football My collection of Tervis Tumblers A ‘pay it forward’ act My son’s red hair and blue eyes Pleasant surprises A Dyson vacuum Grilling out in the winter Sitting after standing a long time Feel of a sweatshirt Arizona green tea Shoes with no laces ...READ MORE

Penguin Swim Receives Local Donation

Michael Franklin, President and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital (AGH), and Patricia Ilczuk-Lavanceau, chair of the AGH Penguin Swim, accept a $1,500 donation from Park Place Jewelers toward the 2011 AGH Penguin Swim. Pictured, from left, are Franklin; Jill Ferrante, owner of Park Place Jewelers; Ilczuk-Lavanceau; and Todd Ferrante owner of Park Place Jewelers. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Quilter's Support Diakonia

Quilters-By-The-Sea support Diakonia’s daily operations through generous donations of money, quilts, toys for the children at Diakonia and food to help restock the food pantry. Members of Quilters-By-The-Sea have recently formed a partnership to help those in need in the community. All food collected will benefit the people who live at Diakonia. Pictured, from left, are Linda Franklin, Diakonia Development Director, Carol Martin, Quilters-By-The-Sea member and Diakonia Thrift Store...READ MORE

Choptank Supports Seahawk Stadium

Lou Taylor, Principal of Stephen Decatur High School, left, presents a plaque to Joe Sise, Senior Regional Member Service Manager for Choptank Electric, in appreciation for the utility’s donation of labor for electrical needs in the building of the athletic field house at Decatur’s Seahawk Stadium.  The field house is now under construction and is a project of the SDHS Alumni Association.  For more information, go to www.sdhsalumni.com. ...READ MORE

OP Penguins Team Takes Plunge

The Ocean Pines Penguin Team, consisting of 21 individuals from The Parke community, took the icy plunge at Atlantic General Hospital’s 17th Annual Penguin Swim.  The team raised $6,266, earning second place in the team category. Team members included OPA Board Members Dave Stevens, Ray Unger and Tom Terry and Parke Board members Jim Angstadt and Tom Weber. ...READ MORE

Ravens Roost #44 Raises Money

Ravens Roost #44, Ocean City, raised $3,433 for the Atlantic General Hospital's Penguin Swim. Participants included Gary Miller, Maggie Miller, Tom Maly, Bill Cordwell, Jami Winterling, Larry Gerst and Tony Chaplinski. ...READ MORE

"Convection Cottage" At SDHS

Stephen Decatur High School senior Caitlin Bartlett puts the finishing touches on her "confection cottage" in art teacher Christy Powell's Photo & Design II class just before the holiday break. Prior to the activity, students were required to draft construction plans and then follow the plans throughout the building process. Students then used a variety of sweet mediums to decorate their final products. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

First Time Delay In 41 Years

For the first time in 41 years, Worcester Preparatory School’s Christmas Candlelight Service had to be rescheduled because of snow. The service was held on Jan. 3. Lower School Music teacher Alana Parker directed the program, which included a traditional Nativity Scene and music from many faiths. Above, the nativity is pictured featuring, front, Tucker Brown, Ankith Rajshekar, Austin Taylor, Ethan Gaskill and Grace Mullaney, and, back, Jayan Poduval, Colton Edmunds and Jack Fager. Below,...READ MORE

WPS Chorus Performs

Worcester Prep freshmen Meredith Soule´, Sara Freund, Lydia Pritchard, Ariella Anthony and Claire Dorey get ready for a holiday choral performance. The girls are part of music teacher Dan Freed’s Upper School Chorus. ...READ MORE

Dress For Success At SDHS

Students at Stephen Decatur High School dressed for success on Jan. 6 to demonstrate the four principles of the Decatur Way – pride, respect, responsibility and achievement. Pictured, from left, are junior Dan Cericola, senior Garrett Neville, sophomore Yasemin Unal, sophomore Annie Brown, sophomore Alexis Martinek, senior Shazza Lovell and junior Nathanial Sullivan.  ...READ MORE

SCA Field Trip To Ocean Lanes

The first through third graders of Seaside Christian Academy recently took a physical education field trip to the Ocean Lanes Bowling Center in Ocean City to gain experience in the game of bowling.  ...READ MORE

New Year's Resolutions At OCES

Ocean City Elementary second grade students from Cindy Leitgeb's class take time to write out their 2011 New Year's resolutions.  Pictured, from left, are Danikah Coleman, Timothy Stedding, Claire Williams and Maddie London. ...READ MORE

Healthy Faces At OCES

While learning about healthy foods, students in Julie Vorsteg's kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School created faces with the foods they like. Above, Brock Lawson is pictured with his healthy creation. ...READ MORE

Taking A Step Back From Risk

OCEAN CITY – While the wounds from the deep recession of 2008 aren't quite so raw today, there is evidence of their having a strong long-term impact on how Americans think about their finances. When Sallie Krawcheck, president of Global Wealth & Investment Management, Bank of America, recently traveled around the country to talk with clients about their greatest concerns and goals, a majority of those she spoke with said they'd become more focused in their investing style. A range of...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Robert W. Smith OCEAN CITY – Robert Woodhall Smith, 89, of Ocean City and formerly of Federalsburg, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Phillip Glenn Smith and Marion Haycroft Smith. He is survived by his wife, Miriam Nichols Smith, whom he married on June 21, 1952, and by two daughters, Sharon R. Smith of Ocean Pines and Kathleen E. Smith of Ocean City. He was adored grandfather of Erin Terrell, Shannon Tustin, Robert Lomax, Alexander Bean and...READ MORE

Annual Super Bowl Scramble on Tap

BERLIN- With the field of teams in the NFL playoffs starting to narrow, it’s not too early to start making plans to participate in the annual Super Bowl Scramble at Eagle’s Landing in West Ocean City on February 6. The creative tournament has become a fixture on the winter sports schedule in recent year and this year should be no different. The tournament features a traditional four-player scramble format with a coach (the team’s A player), a quarterback, a wide receiver and a...READ MORE

Ocean City Basketball Action Continues

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s winter boys basketball league continued this week with a full slate of games at Northside Park. The following is a quick look at some of this week’s action: (bullet) OC/Berlin Optimists 23- Trimper’s Rides 8: Thomas Dibuo had eight points, while Colton Edmunds contributed six and Billy Wheatley added four to lead the Optimists over Trimpers. (bullet) OC Rec Boosters 23- Nantuckets 23: Trent Russo scored eight points...READ MORE

Mallards Snuff Flames, End Skid

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball team downed Greenwood Mennonite, 47-35, on Monday to end a four-game skid dating back to before the holiday break. Going into Monday’s game with the Flames, Worcester had dropped two in a row since returning from the holiday break and four straight dating back to a December 9 loss to Salisbury Christian. Last Wednesday, the Mallards lost a heartbreaker to Holly Grove, 45-42, in overtime, followed by a 53-47 loss to ESIAC rival...READ MORE

Seahawks Come Out Strong after Break

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team came out of the holiday break smoking hot, thrashing Bayside Conference rival James M. Bennett, 79-0, last Wednesday before settling an old score with Reservoir, 38-31, last Saturday. The Seahawks finished the first portion of their season with a perfect 6-0 mark before the holiday break including a 3-0 record in the Bayside Conference. Apparently, the holiday lay-off did not cost Decatur any momentum as the Seahawks came out of the break...READ MORE

Ocean City to Host Lax Goalie Clinic

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department is offering a lacrosse goalie clinic to aspiring young goalkeepers later this month. The Recreation and Parks Department is hosting the clinic, directed by Salisbury University men’s lacrosse assistant coach Erik Miller, on January 29. Miller is an SU graduate and was a captain on the school’s first national championship team. Miller was also named National Goalie of the Year as the collegian before moving on to play...READ MORE

Scoring Drought Dooms Worcester Girls

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team fell to Greenwood Mennonite, 27-22, on Monday after a long stretch without a basket from the field that included the entire third quarter. The Mallards led at the end of the first quarter and at the half against the Flames at home on Monday, but a scoring drought throughout the third quarter doomed them to a five-point loss. Olivia Brown hit a pair of free throws right before the end of the first quarter to put Worcester ahead,...READ MORE

Coastal Lax Club Seeking Players

BERLIN- The Coastal Lacrosse Club is seeking players for its 2011 outdoor spring season, but with limited space for players, the team rosters are filling up quickly. The Coastal Lacrosse Club, founded in 2009, is one of Worcester County’s only non-profit lacrosse organization serving young players throughout the area and across Delmarva. The club offers organized, instructional teams for both boys and girls. Young players ages 5-14 are invited to participate in the club’s upcoming...READ MORE

OC Rescue Boat Called A Major Need

OCEAN CITY – In need of a fire rescue boat, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) received approval from the Mayor and Council to move forward this week with acquisition of the vessel. According to OCFD Chief Chris Larmore, Ocean City contains 688 boat slips, 475 boat racks and 2,051 waterfront addresses. Within those addresses, 98 percent are residential, and 22 percent were built before the 1989 sprinkler legislation. West Ocean City contains 328 waterfront homes that are built in...READ MORE

Ocean City Inlet Lot System Upgrade Okayed

OCEAN CITY – The Inlet Parking Lot’s pay-to-park system is facing a makeover as it has become worn down over the years. The discussion during this week’s Mayor and Council meeting centered on which direction the Public Works Department should go in upgrading the current system or changing it all together. According to Assistant Public Works Director Richard Malone, the Inlet Parking Lot is a $2.5 million revenue generator for Ocean City each year. Malone presented the council...READ MORE

Council Inks Two-Year Contract For Visitors Guide

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council changed direction and compromised on a two-year contract with the Chamber of Commerce in producing the Sea for Yourself Visitor Guide. The 2011 Sea For Yourself Visitor Guide has been completed and is available. In the past, the guide has been a combined effort between the Town of Ocean City and the Ocean City of Commerce. The contract presented asked the city for financial support only. John Gehrig, past president of the Chamber of Commerce,...READ MORE

Height To Decide If Kids Ride Free In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council clarified the town’s policy this week on whether children below a certain height should be allowed to ride for free on municipal buses. According to the Superintendent of Transportation, George Thornes, in the past the department has allowed children under the height of 42 inches to ride for free on the buses and tram. A couple of years ago, that rule was discontinued and a fee was placed for children to ride. In the past year, the department...READ MORE

County Planning Commission Examines Water Resources Plan

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Planning Commission examined last week two of the four sections of the newly proposed Water Resources Element. While the commissioners were quick to praise the team responsible for drafting the element, many questioned exactly what making the document official would mean for the county. “There’s a big concern that we have to put these numbers down…,” said Planning Commission President Brooks Clayville. The Water Resources Element is...READ MORE

Scam Nearly Costs Area Business Owner Thousands

BERLIN – A prominent local businessman with deep roots in the community was nearly bilked out of hundreds of thousands of dollars this week when a suspect or suspects hacked into his email account and instructed his brokerage firm to wire the money to an unidentified account. On Tuesday, the victim, who prefers to remain anonymous to avoid risking further exposure, learned an Internet scheme carried out through his America On-Line (AOL) email account nearly cost him roughly $350,000. Only...READ MORE

Local Recognized Among Sportswear Line’s Featured Athletes

OCEAN CITY – Local surfer Michelle Sommers has been chosen as one of Athleta’s 2011 Featured Athletes. Athleta is a women’s sportswear line. According to Athleta’s Chi Blog website, the message is “connecting women to the energy of inspiration.” The site provides tutorials, training plans and nutrition and health tips. Sommers applied to the sponsorship program through the brand’s website. After she filled out a lengthy questionnaire, which was followed...READ MORE

Thing's To Do

Jan. 14: Crop-Til-U-Drop Event 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Clarion, 101st St., O.C. To benefit the American Cancer Society. Cropping space, a Wocken-fuss apple, use of scrapbooking tools, including Cricut, computer, color printer, Sizzix and access to vendors. Cost: $25. 50/50 and raffle. For reservations or more information, 443-235-2926. Jan. 14: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 6 p.m.; games begin, 7 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Re-freshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. Jan. 15:...READ MORE

Where To Eat

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines 707 Sports bar & grille 12702 Old Bridge Road (Route 707), West Ocean City • 410-213-9507 We may have changed hands, but we are still the same locally known Sports Bar in West Ocean City, and yes we are open everyday 11a.m.-2 a.m. Everything on our menu is made to order from our Homemade Soups, Salads,  new and improved Crab Dip, Mussels, the only place that serves the “Full Wing” Quesadillas, 1/2 lb. Burgers, Crab cakes, Fresh cut...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

Teaching is a wonderful part of parenting, but I have been surprised to discover learning is also a gratifying, albeit difficult, part of it. As to be expected, a lot of time is dedicated to showing our kids how to do things, from putting a puzzle together to tricks on a trampoline to stacking blocks to riding bikes, and everything in between. The teaching opportunities are numerous throughout any given day. They are sponges and soak it all up. However, patience – not exactly among my...READ MORE

Gun Fired In Domestic Dispute

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man was arrested on assault and weapons charges last weekend after allegedly firing a handgun at his resort residence during a domestic dispute with his wife. Around 3 p.m. last Friday, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) responded to a residence on 120th Street for a reported domestic dispute during which the victim advised gunshots had been fired. OCPD officers arrived on the scene and located a white male, identified as Charles Kenneth Grusholt, 77, of...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where And When

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 14: Electric Company Saturday, Jan. 15: Steelers Party Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, Jan. 14: Chris Button & Joe Mama Saturday, Jan. 15: Electric Velvet, 8 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Jan. 14 & Saturday, Jan. 15: New Censation Dr.Unks Bar & Grille 410-213-7775 9636 Stephen Decatur...READ MORE

Legislative Session Underway In Annapolis

BERLIN – The Maryland General Assembly convened this week for its 428th time with the representation for the local district considerably different than when the session closed last April. Conspicuously absent this week in Annapolis was former Senator Lowell Stoltzfus, who represented District 38 for the better part of two decades. In his place is Senator James Mathias, the former delegate from the district who won the seat in a close race in November. On the House side, Delegate Norman...READ MORE

Berlin Mayor, Historic District Squabble Revisited

BERLIN – A discussion of possible reform to the Berlin Historic District Commission (HDC) regulations sparked a multi-sided debate at Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting. Opinions were expressed across the board, with some members of the commission and public in favor of reviewing the standards, others believing the current regulations were adequate, and at least a few questioning why HDC business was being discussed at a Planning Commission meeting. Planning Commission Chair...READ MORE

Summer Visa Changes To Have Major Impact

OCEAN CITY – Significant changes to the summer work and travel program, including a provision requiring in most cases a confirmed job offer before a J-1 visa is offered, could put a serious dent in the foreign student workforce in the resort this summer. Ocean City, like many other seasonal resorts, relies heavily on a transient summer workforce made up largely of foreign students working and traveling on a J-1 visa issued by the U.S. Department of State through its embassies and...READ MORE

Councilman Fine After Missing Persons Scare

OCEAN CITY – After an early morning missing persons report was filed on his behalf last week, Ocean City Councilman Joe Hall turned up safe, although it remains uncertain just where he was at the time or what he was doing. Shortly before 2 a.m. last Wednesday, Ocean City police received a call concerning the whereabouts of Hall, who had not been seen or heard from by his wife since earlier on Tuesday. Ocean City police initiated a missing persons investigation and attempted to contact the...READ MORE

Berlin Moves Ahead With Altering Energy-Buying Process

BERLIN – After hearing recommendations from the Berlin Utilities Commission (BUC) and Dwight Davis, finance executive for Booth and Associates Inc., the Berlin Mayor and Council took the next step in securing an energy contract for the town. The current contract is due to expire within the year. The council voted unanimously to take three steps to prepare for finding electricity for next year. According to Mayor Gee Williams, the energy market is more favorable this year than two years ago...READ MORE

Council Approves Beach Photo Bids

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council decided to accept the only bid made this year for the two beach photo franchises of Ocean City. United Beach Photo owner Patrick McLaughlin possesses the current beach photo franchise in town. Last month, McLaughlin was the only bidder on the two franchises once again. The annual bids given were $220,000 and $175,000, bringing the total for the four-year contract of the franchises to $880,000 and $700,000. Besides owning the beach photo franchise,...READ MORE

Council Majority Questioned Over Lengthy Phone Talks

OCEAN CITY – Questions were raised and accusations hurled this week at the City Council majority after cell phone records revealed hundreds of minutes of communications between them outside City Hall. Councilman Doug Cymek, a private investigator by trade, recently underwent an extensive review of the cell phone records of the council majority – Brent Ashley, Jim Hall, Joe Hall and Margaret Pillas. Cymek obtained the records from a resident, who obtained the usage breakdowns from the...READ MORE

OC Wind Turbine Bill Stalls

OCEAN CITY – The option to install small wind turbines has come to a stand still again. Since 2009, the town of Ocean City has been approached on several occasions to pass an ordinance regulating the placement of small wind energy systems to be placed on waterfront properties. On April 20, 2009, the Mayor and Council passed an ordinance amending the zoning code to allow small wind turbines under conditional zoning regulations. One of the conditions requires a setback of 1.1 times the...READ MORE

Resort Unlikely To Pass Laws On Feral Cat Colonies

OCEAN CITY – The Police Commission put a stop this week to persistent rumors the city is going to pass legislation preventing the care for feral cats. Paul Toulette, founder of Delmarva Association of Animal Rescuers, recently sent a letter to the Mayor and City Council worried that an ordinance would be drafted preventing the public from feeding the town’s large stray cat population. “Restricting contact between caretakers and these colonies would create a situation where any...READ MORE

Police Chief Rails Against Pot Legalization

OCEAN CITY – You hear about it in California, but in Ocean City? Legalizing marijuana was briefly discussed during this week’s Police Commission meeting and along with it came a loud and clear message. Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino brought to the commission’s attention the legislation initiative of legalizing medical marijuana in California. “Being active with the International Association of Chiefs of Police that was one of the things we are very strongly...READ MORE

Governor Calms Teacher Pension Shift Worries

BERLIN – Worcester officials breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when Governor Martin O’Malley announced he would not pass a portion of the teacher pension costs off to the counties as expected, but some are waiting for the other shoe to drop. On the eve of the Maryland General Assembly session that got underway this week, O’Malley told a delegation of county officials from around the state the budget he is about to present does not include a proposal to shift the...READ MORE

Council Needs To Slow Down And Deliberate

Editor: I am shocked and appalled by the blatant, consistent, wholesale 4-3 votes by the Ocean City Council members. This is not what I cast my vote for in October 2010. I believed the campaign promises of searching for fiscal responsibility in these troubling times. I believed in the campaign promises of representing the interests of the residents of Ocean City. I believed that there would be a refinement and trimming of the waste and fat in the budget. This is not what I’m seeing on the...READ MORE

Cooperation Appreciated

Editor,
The Delmarva Association of Animal Rescuers (DAAR) would like to thank Mayor Sheehan, Chief DiPino and the rest of the Ocean City Police Commission for meeting with us on Wednesday to discuss the feral cat issue in Ocean City. 
There was a lot of useful information and ideas exchanged during the meeting, with each side taking away a new understanding of the trials and tribulations the other faces on a daily basis. We hope that this dialogue will continue and there can be...READ MORE

Between The Lines

As would seem consistent with how things are most of the time in the Ocean City political world currently, the Ocean City Ethics Commission is divided on whether Councilman Joe Hall should serve on the town’s pension committee. Ocean City Pfc. Michael A. Levy, public safety representative on the town’s pension committee, charged that Joe Hall conflicted himself out of a seat on that committee with his recent comments.  Readers will recall Joe Hall said in this paper the...READ MORE