April 15, 2011

National Award Winners


BERLIN -- The local Prudential Carruthers offices were well represented at the Prudential Real Estate National Awards event at Chartwell Country Club in Severna Park last week. Honor Society recipients included Sue Haslam and Ed Balcerzak. Leading Edge Award Winner was Della Wilson. Presidents Circle Award recipients included Linda Moran and Erk Windrow and the Chairmans Circle Award winners include Joy Snyder and the Resort Group of Ryan Ray and Tony Golden. 
“These sales...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Whether a waiting period is taking longer than expected, or just seems that way, the anxious Lamb would do well to create a center of calm within her- or himself, and not do anything rash. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Practical matters dominate the week, but cultural activities also are favored, especially those that can be shared with someone special in the Bovine's life. Some important news might be forthcoming. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You need to know more...READ MORE

Retirement And Health Care

   OCEAN CITY -- With a modest recovery taking hold, affluent Americans are generally fretting less about the economy and meeting their financial goals — but they're still far from optimistic about their financial well-being, according to the most recent Merrill Lynch Affluent Insights Quarterly (AIQ) survey. "People still worry about the sustainability of the economy's improvement and have big questions about what to do next," says Sallie Krawcheck,...READ MORE

Things I Like

A clumsy puppy at play Christian Bale in “The Fighter” The Masters on Sunday afternoon When my sons hug A tire swing hanging from a tree Pizza and salad for dinner Birds chirping in the morning Riding a bike instead of driving Driving with the windows down A phone call with good news Family picture calendars ...READ MORE

SU Visits Stock Exchange

Christine Selzer, above right, Resident Director of Merrill Lynch in Ocean City, recently took Finance students from the Perdue Business School of Salisbury University to the New York Stock Exchange. They were given a two-hour private tour. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

PRMC Junior Auxiliary

The 2011-2012 PRMC Junior Auxiliary Board officers and board members were recently installed at the group’s annual meeting. Pictured, from left, are Alice Bailey, Board member; Mary Rhodes, Corresponding Secretary; Betty Sharpley, Board member; Theresa Rose, 2nd VP/Vice Shop Chairman; Mary Lou Zimmer, Treasurer; Cynthia Holloway, President-Elect; Charlotte Trice, Recording Secretary; Susan Peacock, President; and Susan Robinson, Immediate Past President.  Not pictured are Lynda...READ MORE

Help And Hope Breakfast

Diakonia’s 2011 Help and Hope Breakfast was recently held at the Carousel Hotel in Ocean City. The breakfast was a fundraiser to help Diakonia continue their work with the homeless and help sustain the daily operations of the crisis shelter. Above, Executive Director Claudia Nagle and Board Chair Ed Montgomery are pictured at the event. ...READ MORE

Miniature Golf Tourney

Gold and silver medal winners of the Ocean City/Rotary Club Miniature Golf Tournament fundraiser are pictured. Winning the gold medal was Team Taylor members Dave  and Doris Taylor and John and Karen Deming. Thunder from Down Under Team won the silver medal featuring Terry and Brian Pouliot and Iona and Ed Dougherty. ...READ MORE

Boy Scouts Receive Donation

Berlin Auto Wash owner John Simms presents a check to Scoutmaster John Savage for $1,417. Simms donated a portion of his proceeds on Saturday, March 26 to benefit the Boy Scouts of America Troop 225 from Berlin and Ocean City. ...READ MORE

SDHS NHS

Stephen Decatur High School inducted 71 new members of the National Honor Society in the annual candlelit Induction Ceremony on March 30. Each year the Honor Society dedicates over 1,000 hours of school and community service. Some of the inductees were juniors Michelle Rosinski, Ashley Hrebik, Kelly Sullivan, Karlie Straight and Hannah Getchell. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

"Fields Of Daffodils"

Ocean City Elementary School students Keeley Catrino and Arusa Islam were recently named Maryland’s first place winners in the National Garden Club’s “Fields of Daffodils” Youth Poetry Contest. Pictured are Islam with her second grade teacher Linda Brown and Catrino with her kindergarten teacher Julie Biscoe. ...READ MORE

SES Learn About The 50 States

Showell Elementary students in Mrs. Lertora's third grade class researched a state, wrote a report, created a map and a PowerPoint presentation and a fancy state hat to learn about the 50 states. Above, Anna Putsch, Kyle Elliott and Sierra Still present their knowledge to parents.  ...READ MORE

WMDT Co-Anchor

Ashley James, co-anchor of the news on WMDT, joined Worcester Prep’s eighth grade girls for a special career luncheon. Pictured, from left, are Caroline Lewis, Meridith Kellam, Jenny Rosales, Ashley James, Jordie Loomis, Gabrielle Alicea and Carolyn Dorey. The luncheon was prepared by the students’ mothers. ...READ MORE

Muffins With Mom

Buckingham Elementary School celebrated its annual Muffins with Mom this month. Above, third grader De'jai Small is pictured with his mom, Janiel Bowen. ...READ MORE

Full Color Spirit

Stephen Decatur High School senior Natalie Bush and junior Alan Odom hosted a literary reading of Full Color Spirit, the school literary publication, on March 29. Students, parents, teachers and local education dignitaries attended the event. To obtain a copy of Full Color Spirit, contact Dawn Russell at 410-641-2171. ...READ MORE

Potential Armed Robbery Averted

OCEAN CITY -- A potential armed robbery was averted last week after a concerned citizen got involved in a fight outside a resort convenience store and noticed one of the combatants was carrying a gun. Around 8:30 p.m. last Wednesday, Ocean City Police responded to a reported fight outside the 7-Eleven store on 26th Street after receiving a call from a citizen reporting the incident. The citizen told police three younger white males had gotten into a fight with an older white male, and when the...READ MORE

Where To Eat Around Town

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open seven days a week between Sun-sations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice...READ MORE

Little kids have much more strength than we adults think.

Little kids have much more strength than we adults think. That could be perceived as their resilience, regarding their ability to bounce back from injury or illness in short order, or it could be referencing their brute nature. In this case, I’m not going overly intuitive on you. I’m simply referring to their physical strength and it’s fresh on mind today after taking a good beating over the weekend from both my sons, Beckett, 2 (almost 3), and Carson (17 months). I consider...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Thomas Dulaney Bristow 
BERLIN -- On Sept. 14, 2010, Thomas Dulaney Bristow passed away from lung cancer. He served in the Maryland National Guard from 1962 to 1968. Originally from Baltimore, he retired as a welder from Baltimore Gas & Electric Company. He was an Ocean City/Berlin resident for 23 years. He is survived by his mother, three siblings, two children and three grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service at his dedicated bench at North Division...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where And When

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 15: TBA Saturday, April 16: Tim Cyphers Duo, 9:30 p.m. Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, April 15: Chris Button & Joe Mama, 9 p.m. Saturday, April 16: Randy Lee Ashcraft, 8 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, April 15 & Saturday, April 16: New Censation De Lazy lizard 410-289-1122 1st Street In De...READ MORE

Diakonia Hoping To Avoid Opening Line Of Credit

BERLIN -- For the first time in its nearly 40-year history, Diakonia is considering opening a line of credit to deal with a combination of rising demands and lower contributions. In an effort to avoid the risks involved with operating on credit, representatives from the charity organization asked the Berlin Mayor and Council to consider providing $7,500 in funding for next year. “We do need some financial help in these tough times,” said Joel Todd, a member of Diakonia’s Board...READ MORE

Franchot Honors OC Business With First Award

OCEAN CITY -- Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot was in the resort Wednesday to kick off his “Better with Less” tour, recognizing an iconic Ocean City restaurant as the first recipient of an award that bears the tour’s name. In an effort to highlight businesses innovatively operating at lower costs and pass along those lessons of efficiency to government, Franchot kicked off his tour with a first stop at BJ’s on the Water on 75th Street in Ocean City. The visit was the...READ MORE

Council Fine With Broader Commission Oversight

Council Fine With Broader Commission Oversight Joanne Shriner Staff Writer OCEAN CITY – The Planning and Zoning Commission received the Mayor and City Council’s go ahead in tightening up its code by expanding the commission’s site plan review authority. The Planning and Zoning Department recently initiated amendments to the Planning Commission’s Site Review Authority. The proposed amendments include amending the Planning Commission approval for certain uses, current...READ MORE

School Bomb Threat Suspect Apprehended

SHOWELL -- A Wicomico man suspected of making a bomb threat at Showell Elementary School last Thursday morning was located and arrested in Delaware the next day and now awaits extradition to Worcester County to face multiple charges. Around 8:40 a.m. last Thursday, Maryland State Police were notified of a possible bomb threat at Showell Elementary. School officials were immediately notified of the situation and the administration and Board of Education members made the decision to immediately...READ MORE

Former Concrete Plant Site Set For Auction

OCEAN CITY -- The George B. Cropper Concrete Company property in Ocean City goes up for auction later this month, adding a new chapter to the historic site along the bay at North 1st Street responsible for producing much of the building material for the resort’s decades-long development and redevelopment. The iconic plant, clearly visible to residents and tourists entering the resort along the Route 50 bridge for decades, will be put up for bid by Atlantic Auctions on April 29. The old...READ MORE

Council Votes 4-3 To Add Vesting Schedule To Plan

OCEAN CITY – An ordinance to switch newly hired municipal employees to a defined contribution pension plan moved toward second reading this week as the City Council agreed to add a vesting schedule. Last week, as the council voted a new retirement policy for new hires through first reading, Mayor Rick Meehan requested the council add a vesting schedule to the ordinance before second reading. Human Resources Director Wayne Evans reviewed the proposed pension plan and presented the council...READ MORE

Operation Medicine Drop Aims To Protect Kids, Waterways

BERLIN -- In an effort to protect the health of both area residents and waterways, Worcester County will hold Operation Medicine Drop (OMD) on April 30. “We really want to ensure that unused medications are disposed of responsibly,” said Berlin Mayor Gee Williams during a press conference last Friday. Kathy Phillips, executive director or Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) and Coastkeeper, described OMD as a “partnership effort” between several county and municipal agencies...READ MORE

Worcester Man Facing Life For Salisbury Robberies

BERLIN -- A Worcester County man pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit armed robbery for a spree of as many as five incidents in Salisbury last year and now faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Charles Ayres, 22, of Snow Hill, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and brandishing a gun in the furtherance of a crime of violence for his role in an armed robbery spree in the Salisbury area over a period of several...READ MORE

Campaign Begins To Fund ‘Amped’ Summer Camp

BERLIN -- This weekend, Amped Riders, an amputee advocacy group based in Berlin, will hold the first of a series of events to raise money for the nonprofit organization’s annual “Amped at the Beach” camp, set for July 18-23. The weeklong camp brings amputee children and their families to Ocean City, where they take part in activities such as surfing and skating. On Sunday, April 17, from 2-6 p.m., Todd and Natalee DeHart will host a beer tasting (beer for the big kids, root...READ MORE

Solar Power Proposed For Wallops Facility

WALLOPS ISLAND -- NASA has proposed the installation of up to 80 acres of solar panels on the Wallops Flight Facility Main Base in coastal Virginia just south of Assateague Island through an environmental assessment of alternative energy at the facility. The Alternative Energy Project at Wallops would generate renewable electricity to assist NASA as an agency in meeting or exceeding the requirements of the 2005 Federal Energy Policy Act and various executive orders. The project would also be...READ MORE

Planners Delay Route 589 Rezoning Decision

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Planning Commission heard the first arguments last week of a case requesting the rezoning of two properties near Route 589 last Thursday. Attorney Hugh Cropper, who petitioned the commission on behalf of A&B, Silver Fox, LLC and Burbage/Melson, Inc., made a presentation outlining several reasons why his clients felt their properties, which totaled approximately 30 acres, should be rezoned from A-1 (agricultural) to C-2 (commercial). However, in order to...READ MORE

Things To DO

April 15: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 5 p.m.; games begin, 6:30 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. April 16: Bird Club Field Trip Meet 7 a.m., Ward Musuem parking lot, at the corner of Beaglin Park Dr., and S. Schumaker Dr. Sponsored by the Tri-County Bird Club. Field trip to the Nature Conservancy’s Nassawango Peserve in seach of warblers and spring migrants. Bring snacks and drinks. For more information, 410-543-1853. April...READ MORE

Decatur’s Chase Coursey delivers an RBI double in the second inning of Monday’s game against Washington. The Seahawks won, 4-3, for their third straight. Photo by Shawn Soper

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Decatur’s Jessica Iacona delivers a pitch during the Seahawks 11-1 win over Washington on Monday. Iacona gave up just one hit and struck out nine in the win. Photo by Shawn Soper

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Worcester Prep’s junior varsity and middle school girls’ lacrosse teams this week played host to the North London Collegiate School, a prep school from Great Britain touring the U.S. this spring. Pict

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Decatur Continues Early Dominance

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity softball team continued it early season dominance this week, routing visiting Washington, 11-1, on Monday to remain unbeaten. Decatur starting pitcher Jessica Iacona turned in an impressive performance on Monday, allowing just one hit and striking out nine. She also helped her own cause at the plate with a couple of hits and an RBI. Maddie Justice led the Seahawk offense with four RBIs, three of which came on a three-run homer. Taylor Black...READ MORE

Former Seahawk Earns College Honors

BERLIN- Former Stephen Decatur High School softball standout Kylie Nottingham, now a freshman at Washington College, last week was named Centennial Conference Co-Player of the Week after an exceptional couple of games on the diamond. Nottingham was named co-player of the week for the week ending April 3 after batting .474 (9-19) at the plate including two home runs, seven RBIs, 18 total bases and a .947 slugging percentage to go along with two doubles and a triple during the week. Nottingham...READ MORE

Mallards Rout Tower Hill, 13-3

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team remained unbeaten last week, thrashing traditional Delaware powerhouse Tower Hill, 13-3, on the road last Thursday to improve to 6-0. The Mallards have taken on all comers this season thus far and have remained unbeaten. In late March, Worcester edged Delaware power Salesianum, 9-8, in a tight contest, but the 13-3 win over Tower Hill at Wesley College last Thursday was even more impressive. In six games, the Mallards have...READ MORE

Tournament to Honor Late Coach

SNOW HILL- The late Allen Miller, long-time Snow Hill High School teacher and coach who passed away unexpectedly last fall, will be honored with a first-ever memorial golf tournament in his name next week. In his honor, family and friends have organized the 1st Annual Allen Miller Memorial Golf Tournament, set for Monday, April 25, at the Ocean City Golf Club in South Point. The event begins with registration at 11:30 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Following the action on the course...READ MORE

Seahawks Edge Washington, 4-3

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team stayed on a roll this week, edging visiting Washington, 4-3, on Monday for their third straight win and fourth out of the last five. Decatur scratched out a close win over Washington on Monday, 4-3, in a tight, well-played game. Runs were difficult to come by for both teams as the Decatur and Washington starters continually squashed big rally opportunities with the help of some solid defensive plays. In the end, the Seahawks scratched out one...READ MORE

Open Space Funding Struggle Unnecessary

Editor: Among many budgetary struggles in Maryland’s General Assembly this year was whether our representatives would fully fund Program Open Space, or if dollars from the dedicated Real Estate Transfer Tax would end up in the general fund. Despite a difficult struggle, lawmakers opted to fund much of the dedicated land conservation programs, while shelving other environmental programs for future consideration. The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) received support...READ MORE

Legislature Keeps On Taking More Of Our Money

The cost of everything is going up these days, from fuel, cable service and electric rates to the cost of a drink, health insurance and home repair and service jobs. That’s why we are amazed the Maryland General Assembly approved a slew of consumer fee and tax increases during this year’s session. The most egregious of all the hikes was the irresponsible and ill-advised 50-percent jump in the state’s alcohol tax (a 9-percent sales tax will soon be implemented on all drinks,...READ MORE

Some thoughts on this year’s General Assembly session in Annapolis:

The Winners -- As always, Baltimore City comes out of the session with more money than it deserves. Marylanders continue to have to prop up the ailing Baltimore City, and a majority of legislators seem to have no problem with helping the city by burdening residents in other areas of the state. Look no further than the alcohol tax hike revenue, which will be largely directed toward Baltimore, and, of course, remember a percentage of local slots revenue is given to Charm City for no apparent...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Debates Property Donation Merits

SALISBURY – The Mayor and City Council went out with a bang this week, confirming one last time before the new council takes over their differences during a discussion of three pieces of property being donated to Salisbury. The resolution was to accept the donation of three parcels of land in Harbor Pointe currently owned by Empire Mortgage. It is not the intent of the city to own the parcels of land but to donate two of the parcels to Harbor Pointe Community Association and the other to...READ MORE

OC’s New Retiree Health Care Plan Near Passage

OCEAN CITY – A divided City Council moved forward this week with the town’s retiree health care contributions for newly hired municipal employees. Starting July 1 2011, Ocean City will offer new hires an HMO at a 90/10 cost share and a PPO at an 85/15 cost share. If a new employee plans on accumulating a retirement health fund, the town has added a Health Savings Account (HSA) option, which will be offered beginning Jan. 1, 2012 because it runs in accordance with the federal...READ MORE

Berlin Trail System Earns Favorable Nod

BERLIN -- A move to bring more hiking and biking trails to Berlin passed its first milestone Wednesday when it received a favorable recommendation from the town’s Planning Commission. “We want to move ahead positively with a general concept,” said Kate Patton, executive director of the Lower Shore Land Trust and a town resident. Patton presented the commission with a brief PowerPoint outlining the basics of her idea to spread connected trails throughout the Berlin area. She...READ MORE

Dismissal Sought In School Board Lawsuit

BERLIN -- The defendants in a civil suit filed in federal court in 2009 by a former Ocean City Elementary School (OCES) teacher, alleging a pattern of discrimination and retaliation that ultimately led to her termination, hae filed a motion to dismiss the case, alleging the non-renewal of her contract had more to do with classroom performance than her personal life. In July 2009, former OCES teacher Lindsay Greenan filed suit in U.S. District against the Worcester County Board of Education,...READ MORE

Wind Farm, Septic Ban Headed For Summer Study

BERLIN -- The Maryland General Assembly wrapped its 2011 session at midnight on Monday with hundreds of pieces of legislation passed and some left on the table, but by and large, but by and large the local delegation says it was successful in pushing through several bills of local importance. Some battles were won and others lost during the 90-day session, during which the budget and the lasting recession dominated the proceedings, but there were also weighty social issues introduced and acted...READ MORE

Berlin Debates Fee Waiver For Charity Work

BERLIN -- The town of Berlin is considering amending its building code to waive permitting and inspection fees associated with some charity projects. The request was made by Stacey Esham, who appeared before the Mayor and Council representing the Small Miracles Foundation (SMF). He told the council that the foundation was a “relatively new organization” that did contracting work for area residents who displayed a large amount of need, but did not have the resources to go to regular...READ MORE

Resort Police Eye Zero Tolerance On Business Flyers

OCEAN CITY – During this week’s Police Commission meeting, methods to prevent the distribution and eventually littering of pizza business flyers was discussed. According to Captain Kevin Kirstein, complaints have been coming into the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) over the amount of pizza business flyers being distributed on parked cars and residences that eventually find their way into the streets creating a littering issue. “We haven’t had a whole lot of luck so...READ MORE

Commissioners Oppose Pines Polling Site Relocation

BERLIN -- Ocean Pines voters may have to go outside of their district to reach a polling station at the next election, as the Worcester County Board of Elections is considering moving the District 5 polling location from its traditional Southside fire station to a new location. “It’s unnecessary,” said County Commissioner Judy Boggs, who represents District 5 and has been trying for more than a month to convince the board a change is unneeded. “They seem determined to...READ MORE

Block Grant Will Fund Linens Building Demolition

SALISBURY – Mayor James Ireton and city staff asked this week for the council’s approval of the 2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan, in order to get the ball rolling to receive funds to demolish a problem property in a Salisbury neighborhood. According to the resolution, the Maryland State Office of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has determined that Salisbury qualifies as an “entitled community”. Therefore, the city is...READ MORE

Council Rejects Proposed Changes To Intersection

SALISURY -- Proposed changes to Onley Rd. and Bateman St. are going back to the drawing board after being rejected by the Salisbury City Council last week. With a number of concerns ranging from an increase in congestion to possible blockage of Route 13, the council unanimously agreed that the current plan to alter the intersection between the streets was insufficient and asked the city’s administration to make changes before bringing it back to another work session. “I believe the...READ MORE

Legislation Passed To Dissolve LCB

BERLIN -- After years of considerable saber rattling and gnashing of teeth, the Maryland General Assembly this session almost quietly abolished Worcester’s Liquor Control Board (LCB) and replaced it with a county-run agency that will soon take over the dispensing of spirits in the county. Dissatisfaction with Worcester County’s antiquated LCB, one of four agencies of its kind still in place in Maryland, reached a crescendo last summer and early fall amid allegations of price gouging,...READ MORE

Ocean City Street Paving To Begin

OCEAN CITY – Town departments heard a few requests from the Mayor and City Council, and the following is a review of some issues discussed. Spring Paving To Begin According to Public Works Director Hal Adkins, the recent allocation of $1 million from the General Fund for street improvements will be used to repair a list of the town’s streets. The streets Adkins proposed to begin with are 44th, 52nd, 61st, 67th, 91st, 92nd and 120th streets, Hitchens and Trimper avenues and the canals...READ MORE

Md. Lawmakers Blasted For Late Alcohol Tax Hike

BERLIN -- The Maryland General Assembly late Monday approved a 50-percent increase in the sales tax on alcohol in the state, leading shore businesses to fear reduced sales because of their proximity to Delaware. Just before the 2011 General Assembly session closed late Monday night, the House of Delegates approved legislation that will increase the sales tax rate on alcohol in Maryland from the current 6 percent to 9 percent beginning July 1. Earlier, the State Senate had approved a similar...READ MORE

Slots For Clubs Bill Passes In Fourth Year

BERLIN -- After falling just short in each of the last three years, the Maryland General Assembly this year passed legislation allowing limited slot machine gambling in non-profit service clubs, fraternal organizations and veterans’ groups in Worcester County. For each of the last three years, a bill that would have added Worcester to the list of eight Eastern Shore counties that allow a limited number of slot machines in service clubs and organizations in an effort to enhance their...READ MORE

Life Term For Attempted Murder

SNOW HILL -- A Worcester County man found guilty of attempted first-degree murder last December for his role in a shooting incident in Pocomoke that left one man dead last May was sentenced to life in prison last week in Circuit Court. Last May 27, Pocomoke Police responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Laurel Street. Officers arrived and found a victim, Reginald Handy, also of Pocomoke, had been shot several times from behind. Handy was taken to PRMC in Salisbury where he was pronounced...READ MORE