June 17, 2011

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Family and friends rally around as you confront an unexpected challenge. Some plans will have to be changed until all the fuss and fluster settle down. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your creative gifts find new outlets for expression this week. Someone (a Libra, perhaps) has ideas that you might find surprisingly appealing. Pay attention. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You'll soon be able to restart those delayed travel plans. A financial matter you thought was closed...READ MORE

Things I Like

Breakfast on the beach Rain at night in the summer The last piece of furniture during a big move Spending all day on Assateague A good movie and a comfortable couch Sunset boat rides A meticulous gardener Lobster ravioli A cool breeze in the shade Booking a vacation Stadium concerts ...READ MORE

Leadership Gift Of $7,500 Made By The Carousel Oceanfront Resort

A leadership gift of $7,500 has been made by the Carousel Oceanfront Resort to the capital campaign for the construction of a new athletic field house at Stephen Decatur High School’s Seahawk Stadium. Above, campaign chair Jay Bergey and Principal Lou Taylor accept the donation from Michael James, managing partner for the Carousel Oceanfront Resort. The fund raising campaign is a project of the SDHS Alumni Association. For more information and online giving opportunities to the campaign,...READ MORE

Foster Parent Appreciation Luncheon

The Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Departments of Social Services recently offered a Foster Parent Appreciation Luncheon at Chef Fred’s in Salisbury for area foster parents. Each county also recognized its Foster Parent of the Year, including Maurice and Gale Selby for Somerset County, Rick and Anne Rambo for Worcester County, and Melissa and Tom Darling for Wicomico County. Above, the Darlings are pictured. They have taken an active role in the Lower Shore Foster Parent Association,...READ MORE

OP Sanctioned Bridge Club Donates $400

Ocean Pines Tuesday Sanctioned Bridge Club recently donated $400 to McGuffey Literacy Program. Pictured here are members Flea Daly, Pat Kanz with McGuffey kids, Kay Gibbons and Jean Louis. ...READ MORE

Most Improved Student Receives Cash Award

Barbara Loffler, Membership Chair of the Republican Women of Worcester County, presents The Most Improved Student Cash Award to Ashley Nicole Bell during a ceremony at Snow Hill High School. ...READ MORE

Senator Mathias Marches With Members Of The Ravens Roost

Senator Jim Mathias marches with members of the Ocean City Ravens Roost #44 "Hons" in the Council of Baltimore Ravens Roost Parade held in Ocean City earlier this month. ...READ MORE

Students at OCE Learn About Alternative Energy Resources

Students at Ocean City Elementary School in Windy Phillips’ first grade class recently learned about alternate energy resources as part of STEM education. Representatives from Flexera, Adam Candeloro and Fin McCabe, shared solar panels and demonstrated how solar energy can power a simple fan. Students used compasses to find the best direction to place a solar panel. Pictured, from left, are Candeloro, Brian Flores, Matthew Janson, Tiernan Weinstein and McCabe. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Seaside Christian Academy Finish Out School Year

Seaside Christian Academy finished out the school year with many fun activities, including a Carnival Day. The school thanks Sonrise Church for the donation of their time, effort and supply of their outreach party wagon. Students are pictured above with a moon bounce on hand. ...READ MORE

BB&T Bank Donate Microphones & Headphones

BB&T Bank recently donated microphones and headphones to Showell Elementary School. These items will be used to enhance a reading program that teachers have chosen to implement in their classrooms. Above, students test out the new equipment. ...READ MORE

OC Pre-Kindergarten Class Takes Field Trip To Assateague State Park

Grace Mitchell's pre-kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School recently took a field trip to Assateague State Park. The children prepared for their trip by reading several books about the various animals that live at Assateague. Above, some future naturalists observe a terrapin. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Holds Commencement

Worcester Prep’s recently held commencement exercises for Class of 2011. First row, from left, are Erin Cook, Anna Pavlos, Alexandra Schwartz, Bethany Parks, Devon Zorn, Madeline DiNardo, Brittany Flurer, Erica Martin, Carson Wigley, Kelley Chandler, Lauren Mollichelli, Alexia Buas, Haylea Reiner, Lyndsey Odachowski, Hope Evans and Rubab Ahmad; second row, Christopher Fisher, William Tyler III, Hunter Harmon, Christopher Duke, Wesley Scott, Tyson Mayers, Matthew Carey, Morgan Bissell,...READ MORE

Four Global Growth Stories

OCEAN CITY -- Make no mistake: The global economy is in the midst of a major transformation. The U.S. economy is joining much of the rest of the world in shifting into investment-spending-led growth. According to David Bianco, chief U.S. equity strategist at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, emerging countries will be leading this growth. "In that environment," says Bianco, "we like sectors that are exposed to healthy global business spending, tend to benefit from...READ MORE

Recognized For Teaching Skills

Recognized For Teaching Skills SALISBURY – AZAR Eye Institute (AEI) has announced Dr. Alex Azar has been awarded the Allan D. Jensen Part-Time Faculty Teaching award for the 2010/2011 academic year. Azar was nominated for the award by medical students attending the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. This is the second consecutive year Azar has received the award. “The time I spend at Johns Hopkins is just as rewarding and valuable to me as it is to the students,” said Alex...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

It’s been about three years since I have truly felt rested. Not coincidentally, that’s when my first child was born. This may be more psychological than anything else because I have this mental thing with being forced to get out of bed and start the day at a certain time. I can wake up at 5 a.m. on my own and be just fine, but when coerced by a screaming kid, a loud alarm clock, a sick dog or what have you, I am disturbed, and it seems to make me more tired than I should be. Perhaps...READ MORE

Best Bites

West Ocean City-Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Assateague crab house & Carryout Rte. 611, Assateague Island • 410-641-4330 On the way to visit the ponies of Assateague, stop by this rustic crab house. Enjoy Maryland crabs by the dozen or try the all-you-can-eat specials including snow crab legs. Their extensive menu features various appetizers, fresh fish, seafood, steaks, chicken and ribs. The kids can enjoy their own menu along with the great game room. Great for casual dining or...READ MORE

Best Beats

Angler, the 410-289-7424 • 2312 Talbot St. On The Bay Friday, June 17: Time Police, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, June 18 & Sunday, June 19: Troy Mawyer, 4-7 p.m. Every Sunday: Locals’ Social With DJ Deogee, 10 p.m. Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 • 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, June 17: Bond & Bentley Saturday, June 18: Dust & Bones Sunday, June 19: DJ JJ, 10 p.m. Every Wednesday: DJ JJ, 10 p.m. Every Thursday: Tim Cyphers Duo, 10 p.m. Caribbean bar &...READ MORE

Things To Do

June 17 & 18: OP Players Present “The Odd Couple, Female Version” Doors open 6 p.m.,; curtain, 7:30 p.m.; Ocean Pines Country Club. Directed by Sammy Barnes. Cost: $19, includes admission, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and dessert. For tickets, 410-208-3491. June 18: Knights Of Columbus Indoor/Outdoor Yard Sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C., behind St. Luke’s Church. Refreshments available. Donated items accepted or rent a table for $15. For more information...READ MORE

Big Family Steering Captain’s Galley In West OC

WEST OCEAN CITY -- In a resort where many restaurants rely on a stream of seasonal workers, Captain’s Galley in West Ocean City prides itself on retaining employees for years, sometimes decades. “Usually when they come here, they come to stay,” said Captain’s Galley owner Dew Hanson. “… They’re the ones who generally care about the place.” And that’s one reason Hanson believes he owns a unique business -- the level of commitment from family...READ MORE

Team RV Puts On Aerial Show For The Dispatch Writer, Photographer

OCEAN CITY -- In its "Year of Extreme Flight," the Ocean City Air Show featured plenty of military aircraft and solo performances that were meant to awe the crowd with overwhelming power and gravity defying aerobatics. Also present, however, was the world's largest precision air show team, Team RV. Founded in 2002 by flight leader Mike "Kahuna" Stewart, Team RV is made up of 13 pilots from the southern United States who are dedicated to providing the best performance possible...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Hears Mixed Message On Tow Changes

SALISBURY – A public hearing was held on Monday evening in regards to the city’s towing ordinance, providing the opportunity for those victimized by local towing companies to air their concerns. Jim Richardson of Claiborne, Md., and his wife were passing through Salisbury last week when they stopped for dinner at the Back Street Grill and accidentally parked in the neighboring lot of Glidden Professional Paint Center. Consequently, their car was towed by Adkins Towing...READ MORE

County Deputies Requested For Casino’s Season

SNOW HILL -- An increase in business has the Casino at Ocean Downs requesting more security than ever before. It was a request that a majority of the County Commissioners were willing to grant last week, though two commissioners maintained doubts. The casino contacted the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department about the possibility of having uniformed deputies on hand at the Ocean Downs facility over the summer. “This is usually a rare feat for us,” Chief Deputy Dale Smack told...READ MORE

Proposed Gas Promotion Fizzles Out In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – During a closed session on Tuesday afternoon, the much talked about gas promotion, supposed to hit the streets by the 4th of July, hit a dead end as a majority of the council voted it down. The promotion was approved by a majority vote of the council a couple weeks ago. Councilman Brent Ashley set the motion to allocate $100,000 of the town’s advertising budget toward a gas promotion. Since then, Ocean City’s advertisement agency, MGH, and the tourism department...READ MORE

Wicomico Council Approves One-Cent Tax Rate Hike

SALISBURY -- The property tax rate will increase in Wicomico County, though only by a fifth of what one proposal suggested. The Wicomico County Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to raise the property tax rate by a penny, amending the current tax rate from 75.9 cents to 76.9 cents per $100 of assessment property value. The decision to raise taxes was a controversial one, as the council had a budget without any tax increases ready as late as Monday. However, the council learned Tuesday morning that cuts...READ MORE

Prayer, For Now, Off Salisbury Council Agenda

SALISBURY -- Whatever their feelings on prayer, the Salisbury City Council was at least able to agree that it should be up to future councils to decide if it’s part of official meetings or not. During a work session last Monday, the council all supported the idea of removing prayer from the Rules of Order. The move doesn’t mean that there will no longer be prayer before meetings, however; only that an invocation won’t be an official part of the proceedings. The decision is one...READ MORE

Berlin Council Okays Henry Park Church Services

BERLIN -- Church services will be coming to Henry Park this summer. Local Evangelist Leshell Fooks approached the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday night, requesting permission to conduct church services twice a week over the summer. “The goal is to create a positive impact,” she told the council. “We want to change mindsets.” Fooks explained that services would be held outdoors at Henry Park and requested that the council issue a special events permit for them....READ MORE

Dew Tour May Put Message On Water Tower

OCEAN CITY – The resort gave the Dew Tour permission to explore the costs associated with painting a welcome message on a water tower to be viewed by visitors while entering into town. The Dew Tour will make its first appearance in Ocean City July 21-24. The Dew Tour is put on by Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, which is a global business that encompasses national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia production and a consumer-facing lifestyle brand. The tour...READ MORE

County To Host Bay Bridge Toll Hearing

OCEAN CITY -- In order to provide residents of the Lower Eastern Shore with an opportunity to comment on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge toll increase plan proposed earlier this month by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), Senator James Mathias and Delegate Norm Conway this week requested and received an additional public hearing on the issue scheduled for July in Ocean City. The Lower Shore public hearing will take place on Thursday, July 14, in the Ocean City area from 5:30-8 p.m. although...READ MORE

Son Gets 25 Years For Running Over Mother

SNOW HILL -- After delivering a 30-minute dissertation on how much he cared for his late elderly mother and how much money he spent on that care, a Pennsylvania man last Friday was sentenced to 25 years in prison for repeatedly running her over on a rural road in northern Worcester County last August. Steven Frederick Molin, 58, of Darby, Pa., last Friday was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty by a Worcester County jury in March of second-degree murder in the death of his...READ MORE

Brutal Assaulted Allged

Brutal Assaulted Allged OCEAN CITY -- A Crisfield man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last weekend after allegedly first punching a man outside a resort fast-food restaurant and then attempting to run over the victim with his car. Around 10:15 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City police responded to the area of the McDonalds on 32nd Street for a reported assault that had just taken place. The officers arrived and saw a large crowd gathered at the scene. The officers met with a...READ MORE

Between The Lines

The resort’s Mayor and Council passed an emergency ordinance outlawing North Division Street as a place for the buskers to perform this week. The emergency nature allows it to take effect immediately, meaning police officers will more than likely have to make some arrests. It’s going to be interesting to see if the street performers change their tune at all. Previously, they flexed their will, contending the council was violating their Constitutional rights by restricting where they...READ MORE

Looney Actions Cloud Best End Result

Looney Actions Cloud Best End Result After the Ocean City Mayor and Council reversed course, voting 4-3 not to fund a gas marketing campaign two weeks after it was approved by the same vote, confusion is running rampant in town. Subsequently, the council has embarrassed itself and the town, though the end result -- the likelihood that the gas promotion will now fizzle out altogether -- is the best thing. We never liked the idea of throwing money at gasoline, whether it was giving away a certain...READ MORE

Letters To The Editor

Treatment Questioned Editor: I am and have been a summer resident of Ocean City for many years. The rest of the year I reside in Florida. On a morning in September 2010, I pulled my white pick-up truck out of a side street at a traffic light on North Philadelphia Ave. I was pulled over on North Philadelphia Ave. by Officer Chris Snyder who accused me of making a U-turn at the intersection, then he proceeded to issue me a ticket. When trying to explain that I was never traveling on South...READ MORE

Peace Corps Eyes Sammy Sports Effort

OCEAN CITY -- The Sammy Wilkinson Memorial Foundation’s Global Gear Drive, an effort to collect new and used sporting goods from in and around the resort area to ship to less fortunate children around the world. reached another milestone recently with a partnership with the Peace Corps. Sammy Wilkinson died tragically when he fell through the ice at a frozen pond at Northside Park. The Sammy Wilkinson Foundation dedicated in his name has achieved remarkable results in tiny outposts around...READ MORE

Five Injured In Fiery Accident

OCEAN CITY -- Five people were injured, including one with serious burns, after a fiery crash involving three vehicles in the area of 67th Street and Coastal Highway early Monday morning. Shortly after midnight on Monday, Ocean City police responded to the area of Coastal Highway and 67th Street for a reported multi-vehicle collision. The investigation revealed Daniel Becker, 19, of Elkton, was driving north on Coastal Highway in a reckless manner and struck the front driver’s side of a...READ MORE

Jury Finds Man Guilty Of First Degree Murder

SNOW HILL -- After three days of dramatic testimony, a Worcester County jury on Wednesday found a Texas man guilty of first-degree murder in the death of the Delaware woman reported missing near Pocomoke in November 2007 whose remains were discovered buried on the grounds of a bed-and-breakfast in Snow Hill over two years later. Justin Hadel, now 20, of College Station, Texas, was found guilty of first-degree murder this week for the beating death of Christine Sheddy, a 26-year-old Delaware...READ MORE

OC Lighting Changes Move On

OCEAN CITY – As a result of a few problem properties in town, government officials are looking to become more restrictive on lighting standards. “The staff and the planning commission has been working on improving our outdoor lighting standards for a couple months now,” Planning and Community Development Director Jesse Houston said. Houston explained the current code states, “all focal lighting including exterior lights, parking lot lighting, and lighting necessary for...READ MORE

Resort Resident Held On Attempted Murder Charge

OCEAN CITY -- An apparent dispute over $10 at a north-end convenience store last Thursday afternoon has left one local man fighting for his life and another in jail facing attempted first-degree murder charges. Around 12:20 p.m. last Thursday, Ocean City Police responded to a reported fight at the 7-Eleven convenience store on 139th Street. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2004 Cadillac Escalade, identified as Richard L. Edwards, 64, of Ocean City, had first backed over a store...READ MORE

Area Store License Suspended After Underage Alcohol Sales

SNOW HILL -- The sale of alcohol to minors recently cost several Worcester County businesses a combined total of $7,250 in fines. Additionally, one business will have its license suspended for 30 days during the busiest time of the year. While the fines were distributed between five businesses, the store hit hardest by the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) Wednesday was the Shop Kwik located in the Food Lion Shopping Center in Berlin. The store appeared before the BLC on two...READ MORE

Charges Filed After Beach Attack

OCEAN CITY -- A West Virginia man was arrested on attempted first-degree rape and other charges this week after allegedly attacking a woman on a north-end beach early Tuesday morning. Around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Ocean City police interviewed an unidentified woman who reported she had been attacked on the beach from behind by a man later identified as Chance Daniel Bucy, 21, of Falling Waters, W. Va. The victim told police she was walking back to her hotel alone in the 130th Street area after...READ MORE

Performers Banned From North Division Street

OCEAN CITY – Street performers are officially banned from North Division Street and the Boardwalk, as the Mayor and Council moved its decision into law through an emergency ordinance. The town and the buskers have been battling it out on where, when and how the performers can perform for some time now. The original ordinance to regulate street performers was proposed in March. The most prevalent rule placed was to remove performers from North Division Street due to the street providing...READ MORE

Council Questions Transit System Over Lengthy Waits

OCEAN CITY – The transportation department stood strong this week as all of its department heads attended this week’s Mayor and City Council meeting to answer concerns over bus ridership issues. Councilman Joe Hall has expressed concern over the bus ridership and the level of customer service being provided. He said starting on Cruisin’ weekend he began observing a large wait line for the buses and observed it again over Memorial Day weekend. As his concern grew, he drove to...READ MORE

Berlin’s Main Street Paving Planned For Night

BERLIN -- Roadwork on Berlin’s Main Street will take place late at night this time around, instead of the usual daylight hours. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) decided to let the Mayor and Council choose during what time period Main Street would be paved. While paving work is traditionally done during the day, a similar project in Snow Hill generated complaints from business owners. The major concern is that paving requires one lane of the road to be closed, creating...READ MORE

Liquor License Requests Granted

SNOW HILL -- Half a dozen local bars and restaurants came before the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) Wednesday with a variety of requests, all aimed at preparing for more business this summer. The most dramatic expansion discussed was the merging of Dr. Unks’ Class B Beer/Wine/Liquor license with Marlin Market Holdings, Inc. Currently, Dr. Unks is a West Ocean City bar that shares a shopping center with a convenience store. The entire center is owned by William Cook,...READ MORE

State Grant To Help Polluted Berlin Stream

BERLIN -- The Berlin Mayor and Council decided to accept a Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant Monday night. The $129,000 grant will cover most of the costs associated with restoring a section of Hudson Branch, considered the most polluted stream section in Maryland’s Coastal Bays watershed. Town officials also hope that the grant will serve as a catalyst, becoming a stepping stone to further funding. “People tend to treat it [Hudson Branch] as a sewer,” said...READ MORE

Man Dies After Vessel Capsizes In Resort Inlet

OCEAN CITY -- Tragedy struck last weekend when a 59-year-old Glen Burnie man died after a 16-foot pleasure boat carrying six people capsized in the Ocean City Inlet near the south jetty, continuing a recent string of water-related fatalities across the region. Shortly after 9 a.m. last Saturday, a 16-foot Wellcraft pleasure boat with six men aboard prepared to lift anchor in the area of the south jetty at the Inlet during an apparent fishing trip when the anchor line became ensnared with the...READ MORE

OC Air Show Official Calls Event Best Ever

OCEAN CITY – Despite hesitations over the date and the lineup of this summer’s OC Air Show, it turned out to be a success and the numbers prove it to be the best year yet. “We had a very successful weekend,” OC Air Show President Bryan Lilley said. “We successfully skirted the weather and got two full days of the air show in.” Lilley said the feedback received from spectators and performers have all been incredibly positive. “From our perspective, this...READ MORE

Beach Lacrosse Wins Championship

The Beach Lacrosse under-13 girls’ team last week won the championship in their division at the prestigious Lax Splash Tournament in Baltimore, which features some of the top youth lacrosse programs in the region. Pictured above, showing off their trophies, in the back row, from left: Abby King, Makensie Froman, Sara Mitrecic, Gabrielle Wilkins, Hattie Brous, Natalie Bunting, Ally March, Christina Romano, Malia Nichols, Melissa Laws and Karlie Southcomb. Pictured, middle row, from left:...READ MORE

Shockers Win State Tournament

Shockers Win State Tournament BERLIN- The Mid-Atlantic Shockers under-14 baseball team last weekend won their division at the USSSA Maryland State AA Championships in Salisbury. The under-14 Red Shockers, made up of young players from the Ocean City-Berlin area and all over the Lower Shore, won the title in their respective division in the USSSA Maryland AA Championships held at Henry S. Parker Complex in Salisbury last Saturday. Pictured above, in front, is Chase Coursey. Pictured, first row,...READ MORE

K-Coast Team Rocks NSSA Event

OCEAN CITY- The K-Coast Surf Team made a strong showing at a Northeast District National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) contest in New Jersey last weekend with the local surfers finishing in the finals in each event they entered. The K-Coast Surf Team rocked the competition at Seaside Heights, N.J. last weekend with every team member finishing at or near the top in their respective divisions. The contest, the NSSA’s third in a summer series, was held in near perfect conditions with...READ MORE

Beach Lax Festival a Huge Success

OCEAN CITY- The resort area last weekend became ground zero for youth lacrosse with scores of teams and hundreds of players from the top youth programs in the country descending on Ocean City and Berlin for the annual Beach Lax Splash Tournaments. Hosted by the Beach Lacrosse program, in conjunction with Warrior and the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department, the event was essentially two tournaments held simultaneously with the girls’ only tournament at Northside Park and the...READ MORE

31st Ocean City Shark Tourney Underway

OCEAN CITY- The 31st Annual Ocean City Shark Tournament got underway this week, and with the action off the coast hitting a fever pitch, there should be no shortage of excitement at the docks this weekend. Hundreds of offshore anglers will chug out to the canyons off the coast next week in search of sharks of all species and sizes. A decent number of sharks were weighed during Mako Mania two weeks ago and quite a few more were released, setting the stage for what should be a strong Ocean City...READ MORE

Dolphins Football Camp Slated

BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins youth football league teams will be holding a free football camp and registration for the upcoming season next Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Buckingham Elementary School. The Dolphins, who compete in the Salvation Army “Red Shield” League, are coming off one of their most successful seasons as the two teams combined for a 19-1 record and the Cadet Dolphins won their division championship. The Dolphins are now ready to plant the seeds for...READ MORE

Skate Competition Dates Set

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department is once again hosting it annual skate competitions at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park on three Tuesdays throughout the summer. Three dates have been set for the summer skate competition schedule at the skate park including next Tuesday, June 21; Tuesday, July 19, which will take place during the Dew Tour; and Tuesday, August 9. Registration begins each day at 2 p.m. with the competition held from 3-6 p.m. For more information, contact Derrick...READ MORE

Weekend Series of Events to End with Assateague Triathlon

OCEAN CITY- The resort area will play host to a weekend-long series of events this weekend associated with the 2011 Ocean City June Fitness Challenge, starting with a Boardwalk 5-mile Run early Saturday morning and culminating with the Assateague Assault Sprint Triathlon on Sunday. Produced by OC Tri-Running Sports, the same outfit that produces the Ocean City Half Marathon and other significant events in the resort area each year, the Ocean City June Fitness Challenge features events for...READ MORE