December 9, 2011

Salisbury Rejects Referendum

SALISBURY -- The Salisbury City Council put the final nail in a petition started by one of its own members Monday to have a controversial charter change placed on next year’s ballot. “This was a missed opportunity for the council majority to hear from citizens,” said Mayor James Ireton. “The resolution was non-binding, so council would have done no harm being respectful to our citizens.” Earlier this fall, Councilwoman Laura Mitchell took issue with what she felt...READ MORE

Ashley Wants Beach Horseback Riding Discussion

OCEAN CITY – A resort councilman brought the concept of horseback riding on the beach back to the Mayor and City Council’s attention this week, hoping for further discussion in the future. Councilman Brent Ashley initially offered the idea of allowing horseback riding on the beach back in October and has attempted to discuss it further on a few occasions. This week Ashley added that horseback riding on the beach would be an added attraction to go hand-in-hand with the Winterfest of...READ MORE

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Features Army Commander

OCEAN CITY – The commander of the infamous Black Hawk Down has been announced as this year’s Ocean City Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast speaker. Ocean City Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Director Bruce Spangler expressed excitement this week about Lieutenant General William G. “Jerry” Boykin of the US Army, retired coming to Ocean City next month. “Talking to people that know this guy, they say he’s a soldiers-soldier … he isn’t somebody that lives...READ MORE

Worcester Schools’ Economic Impact Gauged At $186M

SNOW HILL -- Every dollar spent on Worcester County Public Schools brings more than double that back to the county at large, according to a new study by Salisbury University. “Our study shows that the economic impact that Worcester County Public Schools has on Worcester County is $186 million,” said Dr. Memo Diriker, the founding director of Salisbury University’s Business, Economic, and Community Outreach Network (BEACON).  “This total is two-and-a-half times...READ MORE

Problem Property Demolition Avoided

SALISBURY -- A non-compliance hearing on the planned demolition of a known trouble spot in Salisbury set for this week was postponed again at the last minute after the property changed hands again. Salisbury officials and residents have long considered the Thrift Travel Inn on North Salisbury Blvd. to be a public nuisance. Over the past several years, numerous city agencies, including police, fire department and code compliance, have responded to calls for service at the property nearly 1,600...READ MORE

Mayor Learning While Juggling Multiple Duties

OCEAN CITY – This week The Dispatch caught up with Acting City Manager and Mayor Rick Meehan to discuss the multiple duties he is currently carrying out. When former City Manager Dennis Dare was removed on Sept. 9, Meehan assumed his responsibilities. According to the City Charter, the mayor shall act as the city manager of the town during the prudency of any vacancy in the position of the city manager and during such time shall be the chief administration and financial officer of the...READ MORE

Local Writer Hoping To Land School Free Books

OCEAN CITY – A local mom is hoping to hit the jack pot -- a year’s worth of free books for her son’s school -- but needs your votes to get there. Andrea Bowland has made it to the second round of MeeGenius Author Challenge 2011. The second round of the contest features a public vote in order to get the author through to the final round. Voting concludes on Dec. 18 at midnight with the third round to follow. The finalists in the third round will have their children’s books...READ MORE

Berlin Christmas Parade Results

BERLIN -- The Berlin Lions Club’s 41st Annual Christmas Parade was held last Thursday. Here are the results by category. (BULLET)Adult Sponsored Floats: River Church of the Nazarene, first place; Maryland Coastal Bays Program, second; and Son Rise Church, third. (BULLET)Youth Sponsored Floats: Beary Best, first; Stevenson United Methodist Church, second; and Assateague Coast Kids, third. (BULLET)School Sponsored Floats: Berlin Intermediate, first; Ocean City Elementary, second; and...READ MORE

Turtle Rescued By OCBP Released

OCEAN CITY -- Continuing a long-running series of positive outcomes, the National Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Program (MARP), with the help of some friends, successfully released a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle rescued off the coast of Ocean City in July last week in North Carolina. On July 26, the Ocean City Beach Patrol rescued the young adult loggerhead turtle found floating in the ocean off 15th Street. OCBP Sgt. Brent Weingard rescued the turtle from the surf and brought it...READ MORE

Engagements

Fowler-Witherow BERLIN – Rick and Barbara Witherow of Ocean Pines have announced the engagement of their daughter, Brooke Mary Witherow, to Stephen Thomas Fowler, son of Jim and Kathy Fowler of Ocean Pines. The bride-to-be is a 2006 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and a 2010 graduate of Stevenson University with a bachelor’s degree in business communication. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications at Duquesne University in...READ MORE

CASA Program Provides Stability For Local Children

BERLIN -- Worcester County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) program is running at full tilt and, without new volunteers, may soon become overloaded. With 40 volunteers, 38 of which are assigned with two on hiatus, CASA is at maximum capacity and more children are expected to become eligible for advocacy in the next few months. “We’d have to put kids on a waiting list,” said Program Director Brigitte Saulsbury on what may happen if more volunteers...READ MORE

County Delays Approval Of Watershed Plan

SNOW HILL -- Dissatisfaction with the current language in a state-required Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) caused the Worcester County Commissioners to delay authorization of the proposal Tuesday. “There are so many unknowns,” said Commissioner Madison Bunting while analyzing the WIP. After reviewing the plan, Bunting felt that the wording was not “generic enough” and could have a negative impact on Worcester. “We haven’t even addressed cost,” he...READ MORE

New Salisbury Towing Ordinance Nearly Complete

SALISBURY -- After two years of work, it looks like the Salisbury City Council nearly has a citywide police towing ordinance ready to hit the streets. During a work session Monday, the council put some finishing touches on the document, adding language protecting vehicle owners from having to pay a fee if their car is parked near the site of an emergency and needs to be towed through no fault of their own. In such a scenario, the city, or whatever public agency responded to the emergency, would...READ MORE

County Seeks Route 113 Light

SNOW HILL -- A recent fatal crash has the Worcester County Commission demanding safety improvements at a local intersection. “I’ve heard excuses and quite frankly, I’m fed up,” said County Commissioner Virgil Shockley. Shockley is leading the charge to have a traffic light installed at the intersection of Routes 113 and 12, where an accident resulted in a fatality last Friday. The crash is hardly the first to occur at the intersection. Shockley estimates upwards of 50...READ MORE

New Wicomico Councilman Appointed To Fill Vacancy

SALISBURY – Some seats were swapped this week as the Wicomico County Council was joined by a new council member followed by the traditional election of officers. In late November, the Wicomico County Council appointed John Hall, a local businessman, to fill a vacant seat on council left by Councilman Bob Caldwell who had passed away after a long battle with cancer. According to the county charter, when a council vacancy takes place before the end of the term of office the vacated...READ MORE

OC Finalizing Komen Race For Cure Details

OCEAN CITY – Plans to turn the resort pink next year continue to be finalized, as the inaugural Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Ocean City approaches. Earlier this year, the Mayor and Council authorized the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to take place in Ocean City. Before this week, the last time the event’s coordinators approached the Mayor and City Council requesting minor changes was in the spring. “After our review and further consideration of what this event will be...READ MORE

OC Condo Bookkeeper Charged In Theft Scheme

OCEAN CITY -- On the heels of one of the largest condo association theft schemes in recent memory, a Dagsboro, Del. woman last week was indicted on 15 counts of theft scheme and theft for allegedly bilking an Ocean City condominium association out of tens of thousands of dollars over a three-year period. Carolyn H. Miller, 51, last week was indicted on 15 total counts including theft scheme over $10,000 and under $100,000 after the property management company hired to replace her by the Marlin...READ MORE

Worcester Parents Urged To Fight For Budget

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Board of Education is gearing up for a tough budget season and encouraging parents to fight for more funding for schools. According to County Commissioner Virgil Shockley, however, what happens at the state level over the next few months will play the largest part in deciding how much funding schools will be given next year. “This is a year we need to fight,” said Board President Bob Hulburd during Tuesday’s annual budget review...READ MORE

Pocomoke School Earns Title I Designation

POCOMOKE -- Pocomoke Elementary School (PES) received a National Title I Distinguished School designation this week, making it one of only two schools in Maryland to do so this year. “I think it’s quite an accomplishment,” said Board of Education President Bob Hulburd. PES joins an elite list of schools to receive the designation in 2011. “Each year, only 100 schools in the country are selected,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes. Each state selects two,...READ MORE

Wicomico May Host Two National Softball Tourneys

SALISBURY – The Wicomico County Council took the swing to go ahead with a request that will bring two softball tournaments into the county along with a predicted millions of dollars in revenue. The County Council reviewed a request on Tuesday to authorize the appropriation of $30,000 from the tourism fund balance to tourism capital for improvements to athletic fields. Wicomico Recreation Parks and Tourism Director Gary Mackes, requested the appropriation to make improvements to the...READ MORE

November Casino Figures Released

BERLIN -- The November figures for the Casino at Ocean Downs were released this week, representing a steady decline in off-season numbers after peaking this summer. The Maryland State Lottery Agency, which oversees the two existing slots facilities in the state, released the final numbers for November for the Casino at Ocean Downs this week, revealing the monthly revenue figures had dropped to a level not seen since the second month of operation last February. The Berlin slots facility generated...READ MORE

Farmer, State Settle Pollution Complaint

BISHOPVILLE -- Avoiding what would have been the largest penalty of its kind, a Bishopville poultry farm recently reached a settlement with the state for a groundwater pollution complaint. In June, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) filed an administrative complaint against the Jacobs Farm, a poultry operation in Bishopville, seeking a $30,000 fine, which would have been the largest ever handed down by the department for the alleged unauthorized discharge of animal-related...READ MORE

Music Festival Organizers In Process Of Picking Bands

OCEAN CITY – Bands are in the process of being selected to perform in the next big thing to come to the resort, next summer’s High Tide Music Festival. “We have sent out offers to headliners and are in the process of locking in which ones make the most sense for the event,” partner of Founders Entertainment Tom Russell wrote on Monday. “The venue will be right on the beach, between Dorchester Street and N 2nd Street, and event hours are 11 a.m to 11 p.m. Not too...READ MORE

Parents Fed Up With Wicomico Education Problems

OCEAN CITY – Members of the newly formed Parents in Action group came before the Wicomico County Council this week to express their concerns for Board of Education funding, in particular the maintenance issue at James M. Bennett Middle School. Kim Hudson, one of the founding members of Parents in Action, said the group strongly believes solutions can be found when all parties put aside their differences and work together. “Our newly formed independent parent group, Parents in Action,...READ MORE

OC Man Faces Felony Theft Charges

OCEAN CITY -- An Ocean City man was arrested last week on felony theft and other charges after allegedly bilking an elderly relative out of over $110,000 over the course of several years. Last week, New Castle County, Del. police, with the assistance of members of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested Rick Foster, 49, of Ocean City while the suspect slept in a vehicle in a parking lot in New Castle. Foster was wanted by Delaware and federal officials after an...READ MORE

Thunderbirds Returning To OC In 2012

OCEAN CITY – The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds team released its 2012 show schedule on Wednesday, revealing it will be heading to Ocean City for this summer’s OC Air Show, scheduled for June 9-10, 2012. Ocean City Air Show LLC President Bryan Lilley will be coming before the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday to announce the Thunderbirds will return for the OC Air Show’s fifth anniversary event. Lilley said discussion with the Thunderbirds on their return to Ocean City started back...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Youth Get Training Editor: On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross conducted a regional Day of Training for three of the areas Jr. Red Cross Clubs. Approximately 80 young adults traveling from Snow Hill High, Worcester Prep and Stephen Decatur High School took part in a full day of CPR/AED and First Aid certification training. Mary Ann Moddee, the Lower Shore Chapter’s Red Cross Instructor, along with assistants Bob Williams, Ryan Cowder and Brian Mahoney,...READ MORE

Parades Truly Excellent Community Traditions

At the risk of being a tad corny and overly warm and fuzzy, traits we don’t usually aspire to, we enjoy the unique charm at the area’s Christmas parades. Within the last week, local municipalities, such as Ocean City, Berlin, Salisbury, Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Selbyville, among others, have hosted their annual parades. All unique in their own details and routes they run, each of the parades are similar in that there is a long tradition, community pride and general reverence...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

In an interview this week, former City Manager Dennis Dare took the high road for the most part, most likely due to retirement treating him fairly well three months in.There were a number of interesting aspects to what Dare said this week, but what he refrained from doing for the most part may have been the most intriguing.In large part, Dare did not openly bash the council majority, who abruptly removed him from office in September. However, he did specifically counter claims he did not provide...READ MORE

Q&A With Former City Manager Dennis Dare

BERLIN -- The former city manager of Ocean City broke his silence this week, three months after being forced to retire by a majority of the City Council and a week after his severance agreement with the city was made official. Dennis Dare retired in early September after the City Council voted 4-3 in closed session to terminate him if he did not submit his resignation. He resigned on Sept. 9, 2011. Council members Brent Ashley, Joe Hall, Jim Hall and Margaret Pillas supported the move, while...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

Beckett has been completely potty trained for about three months now, and this is a big deal in the life of a parent. It’s actually been such a success that a couple new chapters in the parenting adventure have been opened as a result. One is the newfound fascination Beckett has with toilets and how they work. As a result of this odd obsession, any trip outside the house with my oldest son always involves a trip to the bathroom. This is not a big deal typically, but it can be when we go...READ MORE

Berlin Burglary Suspect Nabbed

BERLIN -- A Perryville, Md. man was arrested on first-degree burglary and other charges this week after attempting to steal a safe from a Berlin residence. Around 2 a.m. last Saturday, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives responded to a residence on Evans Rd. in Berlin for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed the suspect, later identified as Kyle Barton Brittingham, 22, of Perryville, entered the residence and attempted to steal a safe located next to the...READ MORE

10th Annual War on Shore Underway

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s 10th Annual War on the Shore wrestling tournament got underway today at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center for the second year in a row with some of the top high school wrestling programs in the mid-Atlantic and all over the country converging on the area for the two-day event. The War on the Shore tournament, which features some of the best high school wrestling programs in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Pennsylvania and even...READ MORE

Banks Finishes Strong in Hawaii

OCEAN CITY- Local trainer and runner Corrine Banks turned in a strong performance at a prestigious world championship race in Hawaii last weekend, finishing in the top 100 among the nearly 700 competitors from all over the world including a top three in her age group. Banks, a single mom who works as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and nutritional consultant among other things at WOC Fitness in West Ocean City, competes in regional and national events from 5K to 10K races to trail races...READ MORE

Worcester Girls Take Lumps Early

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s young, but talented girls’ varsity basketball team took some early lumps, losing its first three games of the season, all of which were on the road. The Mallards are extremely young with no seniors and just three juniors on the roster this season to go along with four sophomores and three freshmen. The team is facing obvious growing pains as evidenced by the 0-3 start to the 2011-2012 season, but the upside is optimistic. The Worcester girls fell to Greenwood...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Cruise in Opener

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team got off to a good start this week, beating North Dorchester, 69-55, on the road on Tuesday. With just three returning players from last year’s 8-15 team, the Seahawks start the season with a lot of uncertainty as they attempt to improve on last year’s mark and continue to move the program forward under second-year coach Mark Engle. On Tuesday, the Seahawks got a glimpse of what might be with a resounding 69-55 win...READ MORE

Fishing Community Loses Local Treasure

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City community lost a fishing legend and local treasure last weekend when Captain Bob Gowar, who had trolled the waters in and around the resort area for decades, passed away at the age of 73. Gowar, who most recently captained the “Bay Bee” out of the Ocean City Fishing Center, died last Saturday, December 3. According to reports, Gowar suffered a heart attack in his deer stand while hunting deer and later died at AGH. Gowar, was a local legend in the...READ MORE

Mallards Take Two of Three on Road

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball got through a tough stretch of three road games to start the 2011-2012 season with a 2-1 record after thrashing Salisbury Christian, 32-21, on Monday. The young Mallards team, with just three players returning from last year’s squad, started the season with three games all on the road against Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) foes and came through the tough stretch with a 2-1 mark. Worcester beat Greenwood...READ MORE

Seahawk Girls Rout Eagles, 60-13

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball opened the 2011-2012 campaign with a sound thumping of visiting North Dorchester, 60-13, on Tuesday in the home opener. The Seahawks dominated the overmatched Eagles in every phase of the game, crashing the boards and challenging every shot and pass by North Dorchester with an aggressive, up-tempo defense. On offense, the Seahawks got balanced scoring from all over the roster in the dominating performance. North Dorchester took an...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Dec. 9: KC Bingo 5 p.m., doors open; 6:30 p.m., games begin; rear of St. Luke’s Church, 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Refreshments on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. Dec. 9: Ocean City Downtown Association’s Holiday Progressive Dinner 5 p.m., begin at the Pour House, corner of Wicomico St. & Baltimore Ave., for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Continue on at 6 p.m. to the Courtyard Marriott, 15th St. & the boardwalk for dinner. At 8 p.m. meet at Trimper’s Rides...READ MORE

Who's Playing When And Where

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Every Thursday: Team Trivia With DJ Jeremy, 5-9 p.m. Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, Dec. 9: TBA Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Dec. 9 & Saturday, Dec. 10: On The Edge Dead freddies 410-524-3733 64th St. & the Bay Friday, Dec. 9: OC Locals’ Christmas Party with Full Circle and DJ Rupe, 8 p.m. Saturday,...READ MORE

Best Eats On The Beach

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City • 410-213-1804 Open 7 days a week between Sunsations & 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 own-ed 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

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Robert F. ‘Captain Bob’ Gowar FRANKFORD, Del. -- Robert F. “Captain Bob” Gowar, age 73, of Frankford and formerly of Ocean City and West Palm Beach, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. He was born in Elizabeth, N.J. and was the son of the late Michael C. and Anna H. (Breidt) Gowar.   He was a private boat captain for the Nichols family for nearly 30 years and was the captain of the “Bay Bee,” a bay charter fishing...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Students Learn About Snowflakes During Weather Lesson

Salisbury University intern Megan Kappes helped Ryder Swanson and Hannah Allam create paper snowflakes during a weather lesson in Ms. Pike's kindergarten classroom at Showell Elementary. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Participates In Food And Toy Drive

Ocean City Elementary School students and staff participated in a canned food and toy drive for less fortunate families in Worcester County. Several different groups of students volunteered to help move the items from the lobby to the back of the school for pick-up. Pictured are fourth graders Garrett Herr, Ethan Kalchthaler, Miles Thompson and Nicholas Franklin. ...READ MORE

Teachers Work With Students During Success Maker Lab At Buckingham Elementary

Teacher Jessica Kline is pictured working with Jaya Mitchell on a math problem during Success Maker Lab time at Buckingham Elementary. ...READ MORE

Essay And Poster Winners In The Elks Drug Abuse Competition Honored

Essay and poster winners in the Elks Drug Abuse competition for 2011 were honored by the Elks Club of Ocean City/Berlin. Each winner received a Savings Bond and a soccer ball. Pictured, from left, are Paul Yates, Exalted Ruler of the Ocean City/Berlin Elks; seventh graders Caroline Savage, Kathleen Emche and Lauren Meoli; and Pete Peterson, Elks Drug Awareness Chairman. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary After School Academy Discover The Fun Of Cooking

Mrs. Oltman’s second grade students in the Showell Elementary After School Academy are discovering that cooking can be fun. Students learned about fractions and measurement as they created a Scouting Mix, while reading and following a recipe. Pictured are Emma Sperry, Kelis Sandifer and ZiMere Handy. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Enjoy A Special Thanksgiving Snack

Kindergarteners Patrick Hain and Antonio Vazquez from Ocean City Elementary enjoyed a special Thanksgiving snack they made with their classmates in Christine Lieb's class.  ...READ MORE

Snow Hill Elementary School Recognized By Maryland State Department Of Education

Snow Hill Elementary School was recently recognized by Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Maryland, a Maryland State Department of Education collaborative program, as a Gold level school. One of the programs initiated by the school is the “Exceptional Eagle Award” given daily to students who go above and beyond expectations without being prompted. Above, third grade ‘Exceptional Eagle’ Jamie Willing, middle, is pictured with Kristin Braun, left, and Erin...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Investigate How Bats Use Echolocation

Students in Andrese Foreman's third grade class at Ocean City Elementary School investigated how bats use echolocation to find prey at night. Above, Alexandra Strebe, left, was blind-folded and had to rely on her sense of hearing to locate Jessica Janney and Arusa Islam by listening to the sounds of their clicking spoons. This helped them develop a better understanding of how echolocation helps bats find food. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Announced Its November Students Of The Month

Buckingham Elementary School recently announced its November Students of the Month. Pictured above are third grade honorees Emmanuel Aroh, Jamie Adams, Haley Lynch, Kinsie Ruckle, D’Ajah Smith and DeShauna Waters. Not pictured but honored were first graders Gracie Reister, Aaliyah Johnson, Ava Richardson, Aaliyah Sturgis and Leah Morris; second graders Frankie Richwalski, Luke Scott, Sunny Trivits and Zanyha Duffy; and fourth graders Brian Rodriguez-Perez, Alayiah Deshields, Jordyn Charvat...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Create Designs Made Of Felt And Silk

Worcester Preparatory School Artist-in-Residence Renate Maile-Moskowitz worked with students in Rebecca Tittermary’s lower school classes as she helped them create flowers and other designs made of felt and silk. During her visit, the children learned about felting and natural fiber processing. Showing products created from felt are, front, Ashley Laws, Alec Burbage, Rylie Carey, Ava VanDornick, Carly Hoffman, Will Tinkler and Audrey Stearns; back, Jacob Cockman, Jordan Campbell, McKenzie...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Write Letters To Gov. Martin O'Malley

Fourth grade student Katie Mitchell in Sarah Tilghman's class at Ocean City Elementary School wrote a letter inviting Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley to visit her class during American Education Week. O'Malley was unable to attend but he asked E.C. Townsend, Regional Director of Maryland State Department of Education's Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) for the Eastern Shore, to represent him. Above, Mitchell is pictured with Tilghman and Townsend. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Campground Honored BERLIN -- Frontier Town Campground has been named one of the "Top 10 Favorite Parks in North America", an honor that was determined by guests as part of Woodalls "Vote for Your Favorite Campground Sweepstakes". Woodalls, producer of the most comprehensive and reliable campground directories available, announced award winners during the National Association of RV Parks and Campground's annual convention held in Savannah, Ga. "This is a huge honor for...READ MORE

Start Early On Asset Accumulation

OCEAN CITY -- While everyone's needs are unique, specific topics typically resonate with individuals at specific stages in their lives and careers. Your financial success can depend heavily on planning and making informed decisions about your money during each of these life stages. Over the next few weeks, we take a look at some typical challenges and suggested action steps for each life stage. This week we start this series with, “Starting Early & Asset Accumulation”. The...READ MORE

Kiwanis Club Support Pre-natal Children And Worcester County G.O.L.D. Programs

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City’s "Priority One" Program supports pre-natal through age 5 children and ties-in with Worcester County G.O.L.D. programs.  Above, Program Chair James Spicknall  presents Darlene Onley, executive director of Worcester G.O.L.D., a semi-annual donation of $600 to support the purchase of food and formula, clothing, childcare, car seats and other needs for Worcester County infant children in...READ MORE

Pine'eer Craft Club Decorate Old Fashioned Christmas Tree

Members of the Pine'eer Craft Club are shown by the tree they decorated for the Old Fashioned Christmas at White Horse Park in Ocean Pines. Pictured, from left, are Margaret Lamphier, Nancy Welsh, Janet Rosensteel, Mary Jolly, Margaret Long, Luz Castillo and Carol Mills. ...READ MORE

Assateague National Park Ranger Speaks With Democratic Women's Club

Assateague National Park Ranger Chris Seymour spoke to the Democratic Women's Club last month. Pictured are Diana Gross, president; Seymour; Dell Purrell, president-elect for 2012; and Marge SeBour, vice president.  ...READ MORE

Annual OC / Berlin Rotary Club Christmas Tree Sale Begins

The Annual Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club Christmas Tree Sale began last month. Pictured above with their tree are Ryan and Kristy Haley with their three children, Tanner, Gabby and Callie. Hours are Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and weekdays, 3-7 p.m. on Route 589 across from the Steer Inn in Berlin. All proceeds go to the scholarship fund for Stephen Decatur High School students. ...READ MORE

Community Raises $20,000 For Worcester County Developmental Center

Thanks to community support, $20,000 was raised for Worcester County Developmental Center in a recent benefit dinner held at Liquid Assets Bistro & Package Goods in Ocean City. Liquid Assets owner John Trader donated all the food and beverages and provided the perfect place to showcase the programs and services of WCDC. Above, WCDC clients present a plaque to thank Trader for his generosity. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Things I Like

A good parallel parking job 
 Christmas parades My newly paved street Family pictures with Santa Weekends with no plans 
 A coffee with a little Irish in it David Halberstam’s books A fake Christmas tree that looks real Getting holiday cards in the mail Crawling into bed after a long day Parade floats with little kids ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): I know, dear Lamb, that you don't like anyone trying to take charge of one of your projects, but try to be a bit more flexible. A new idea could help hasten a positive result. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): I'm sure, like the time-thrifty Taurus that you are, that you've done much of your holiday shopping. But don't relax yet. Wrap those gifts now to save yourself lots of unwanted pressure. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Be receptive when a family member or friend asks...READ MORE