December 30, 2011

Worcester Officials Reflect, Look Ahead

SNOW HILL -- With the calendar set to flip to a new year this weekend, several Worcester County Commissioners took the time to reflect on the struggles and successes of this year, while speculating on the challenges to be faced in 2012. Though the high points for the commission were unanimously the work of county employees and strength of Worcester compared to other parts of the state, the low points of the year ran the gamut from the struggle over Snow Hill High School (SHHS) to increased state...READ MORE

Worcester Assistant Super Barber Plans To Retire

SNOW HILL -- A couple months after the announcement that Worcester County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes would be retiring at the end of the school year, Assistant Superintendent for Administration Ed Barber has revealed recently that he will also be leaving his position in June. Barber’s announcement coincides with word that Worcester Technical High School Principal Jane Pruitt will be giving up her post. Despite his decision to retire becoming public knowledge only weeks after...READ MORE

Route 90 Project Nearly Complete

OCEAN CITY -- State Highway Administration (SHA) officials announced this week the final phase of the ongoing Route 90 guardrail replacement project, which has caused overnight lane closures for the last two months, is nearing the finish line and is expected to be completed next week. The final phase includes removing and replacing all existing guardrails along the westbound side of Route 90 between Route 589 and Route 113. The final stretch is expected to be completed over the course of three...READ MORE

Pollitt Seeking Property Tax Revenue Cap Review

SALISBURY – County Executive Rick Pollitt gave his State of Address this week, looking back at 2011 and looking ahead to 2012. “We know of the growing concern of the diminished capacity providing for quality public education, public safety, and infrastructure, the kinds of things that we as residents and taxpayers expect and demand of our county government,” he said. “We have seen a steady decline over the past 10 years in many of the benchmarks that define a community as...READ MORE

OP Man Jailed Again Less Than Week After Accident

OCEAN CITY -- Six days after causing a horrific accident on Coastal Highway that left an 18-month-old girl critically injured and clinging to life, an Ocean Pines man was arrested again late last week on drug possession charges and was observed driving recklessly through town. On Dec. 16, Andre Kaczynski, 47, plowed his pick-up truck into the back of a vehicle stopped at a traffic light on Coastal Highway at 142nd Street at a high rate of speed. The force of the collision caused the two vehicles...READ MORE

OCPD Probe Finds No K-9 Surgery Proof

OCEAN CITY – The issue involving a former Ocean City police officer and the health of his K-9 partner stands in a state of confusion this week as evidence is unable to be produced to close the chapter on the matter. Following last week’s City Council 5-2 vote to reimburse former Pfc. Earl Campbell $6,000 for the surgery of K-9 partner Charlie, Police Chief Bernadette DiPino conducted an internal investigation and found no evidence from any veterinary hospital in the region that a...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY – Due to the holidays, the Mayor and Council enjoyed some time off this week but worked out a number of items last week. The following items were discussed: Pension Policy Amendment An unscheduled agenda item was brought up having to do with amending town employee pension policies that were written in 2004. Human Resources Director Wayne Evans explained that there were two ordinances on the table. One addressed each of the two pension plans, public safety and general...READ MORE

New Winged Plow Added To SHA’s Winter Arsenal

BERLIN -- Despite the unusual balmy weather that has persisted over the local area of late, cold temperatures, snow and ice are inevitable, and the State Highway Administration (SHA) has a few new weapons in its arsenal to combat them. SHA officials this month released its snow removal plans for the Lower Eastern Shore, including Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties, including a new “winged plow” that will be utilized if and when snow falls over the area. The wing...READ MORE

Medicinal Marijuana Among Pre-Filed Legislation In Md.

BERLIN -- With the opening of the 2012 Maryland General Assembly now just under two weeks away, nearly 100 pieces of legislation of local and state interest have already been pre-filed in advance of the session. The Maryland General Assembly reconvenes on Jan. 11, and before the 90-day session is over, state lawmakers will debate and ultimately vote on thousands of pieces of legislation from the gravely serious to the somewhat mundane. With two weeks to go, already 47 bills have been pre-filed...READ MORE

Jim Hall Looking To Keep City On Conservative Path

OCEAN CITY – City officials are excitedly moving ahead into 2012, although future challenges are acknowledged. This past year has been a “whirlwind” in Ocean City, as Council President Jim Hall puts it. Many changes have taken place around town from cuts in town employee pay and benefits and the dismissal of former City Manager Dennis Dare to bringing new events to town including the OC BikeFest and the Dew Tour. Taking a look back at 2011, Jim Hall said he has “no...READ MORE

Del. Wind Contract Cancelled

OCEAN CITY -- While legislation opening the door for the development of offshore wind power off the coast of Ocean City will almost certainly be introduced in the upcoming General Assembly session, a major player in both the Delaware and Maryland projects announced this week it was backing off its plans for the near term. Delmarva Power announced this week NRG Energy, the parent company of Bluewater Wind, had cancelled its long-term power purchase agreement, which the two parties signed in 2008...READ MORE

Bill Would Tweak Slots Wording

OCEAN CITY -- Among the dozens of bills pre-filed in advance of the 2012 General Assembly session is a piece of legislation introduced by Eastern Shore Senators Jim Mathias (D-38) and Richard Colburn (R-37) that would alter the amount of charitable donations service clubs and fraternal organizations make to local causes. After three unsuccessful tries in the General Assembly, state lawmakers last spring finally approved a bill adding Worcester to the list of eight other counties on the Eastern...READ MORE

Berlin Selects Contractor For Spray Site

BERLIN -- An additional spray site for the town of Berlin should be 100 percent finished around this time next year, said town officials. The Mayor and Council agreed to a contract with AP Croll, a Delaware-based construction firm, Tuesday for the completion of the town’s Newark spray site location. Croll will be adding a lagoon, pump stations and other units to the property. “That will be the last piece in the construction phase,” said Town Administrator Tony Carson. The $3.9...READ MORE

Berlin Eyes Net Metering Rider

BERLIN -- Interest among business owners and residents has Berlin officials looking into a net metering rider that would allow property owners to pay for a portion of their energy bill by generating their own electricity. “It has to be generated through means approved by the Public Service Commission (PSA),” said Mayor Gee Williams. There are four acceptable means of self-energy generation, according to the PSA. Biomass, fuel cells, solar and wind generators are all considered...READ MORE

Animal Cruelty Nets 18 Months

SNOW HILL -- Two days after getting sentenced to a combined 20 years for convictions on five counts of possession of child pornography, a Berlin man was sentenced last Thursday to an additional 18 months for animal cruelty stemming from an incident last August. On Aug. 24, Berlin Police received a tip that Greenberg was in possession of animals in compromised health conditions in direct violation of his probation for an animal cruelty conviction in Salisbury in August 2010. When officers arrived...READ MORE

Seahawk Wrestlers Don’t Miss a Beat

BERLIN- With a new coach at the helm and several new faces up and down the line-up, Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team hasn’t missed a beat in the 2011-2012 campaign, jumping out to a 4-0 record and extending its Bayside Conference winning streak to 113 matches. Coach Todd Martinek took over the highly successful Decatur wrestling program after long-time coach Kevin Gilligan resigned last year and thus far this season, it has been business as usual. The Seahawks are out to a...READ MORE

Decatur Girls Prevail in Coleman Tourney

SNOW HILL- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team beat Pocomoke, 37-32, this week in the opening round of the 2011 John Coleman Christmas Tournament at Pocomoke. The annual tournament, named for long-time Worcester County Public Schools Administrator John Coleman, has become one of the highlights of the holiday basketball tournament schedule over the years. This year’s tournament features the girls’ teams from the county’s three public high schools-...READ MORE

Mallard Fives Regroup for Second Half

BERLIN- With the first half of their seasons in the books, the jury is still out for the Worcester Prep boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams, but there has been reason for optimism thus far, particularly on the boys’ side. With just three players returning from last year’s varsity team, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Worcester’s boys’ varsity team this year, but thus far, the Mallards have been holding their own against some of the better...READ MORE

Seahawks Fall in Challenge Cup Opener

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team dropped its opening game in the 2nd Annual Governor’s Cup Holiday Basketball Tournament in Salisbury this week, falling to Sussex Central, 58-54, on Tuesday. The Seahawks are competing in the M&T Bank Cup, featuring some of the top teams from Maryland’s Eastern Shore against a strong field of teams from Delaware with bragging rights and some symbolic desserts from each state on the line. Maryland Gov. Martin...READ MORE

Beach Lax Seeking Players, Coaches

BERLIN- The Beach Lacrosse Program is now holding player registration for the upcoming spring season and is also seeking coaches and volunteers. Registration for Beach Lacrosse, a private volunteer organization dedicated to providing area youth with an opportunity to experience the oldest game native to North America in a sportsmanlike manner, is now open for the spring 2012 season. Beach Lacrosse will field several teams for both boys and girls on different levels including under-9, under-11,...READ MORE

Coastal Lacrosse Secures Significant Grant

BERLIN- The Coastal Lacrosse Club recently secured a $15,000 grant from a local foundation and now has plans to utilize the funding for a number of initiatives both on and off the playing field. The non-profit Coastal Lacrosse Club, formed two years ago to provide additional opportunities for the growing youth lacrosse movement in the area, recently secured a $15,000 grant from the Humphreys Foundation, a local charitable foundation named for its benefactor, the late Dr. Mary Humphreys of...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Support Appreciated Editor: I want to take a minute and thank everyone who sent me a Christmas card this year. I have been a widow now for two years and I am looking forward to returning to Ocean City soon. I especially want to thank St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, Holy Savior and St. Luke Catholic Church for all their prayers. Thank you Jeff and Kate, John and Paula and the Dart Club in the Village of Newark. I’ll never forget you. Bob is smiling and so am I. Merry Christmas to...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Here’s a look at some predictions I offer for the New Year: The Ocean City Mayor and Council will hire an administrator from Florida as its next city manager. The next convention center director will also come from that state. Due to a number of delays in the process, the new city manager will not be in place until the summer. The Worcester County Commissioners will increase the property tax rate, largely a result of public education proponents’ pressure. Former Ocean City Police...READ MORE

Open Houses Of The Week

WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Sat&Sun 10-4 3BR/3.5BA New Construction Luxury Townhouses Only 3 Left Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

I spend most of the time in this space poking fun at myself, my wife and my kids, but I’m feeling quite warm and fuzzy today, thanks in part to what was a memorable Christmas weekend. Although it was an incredibly special holiday this year, it was equally exhausting. Over the last couple weeks, the excitement of Christmas has been building and it reached its apex last weekend with Santa’s arrival. Although Carson showed obvious signs as well, Beckett, 3 ½, was incredibly amped...READ MORE

Man Dies In Bicycle Fall

OCEAN CITY -- A popular local man died last week after reportedly hitting his head during a fall from his bicycle on Coastal Highway. Around 7:50 p.m. last Thursday, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) responded to the area of 116th Street and Coastal Highway for a welfare check on an individual observed lying on the ground near a bicycle. When officers arrived, they located a man, later identified as Paul Christopher Day, 54, of Ocean City, on the ground and unresponsive. OCPD officer began...READ MORE

Small Business Center Interest Growing In Worcester

SNOW HILL -- The update given to the Worcester County Commissioners last week on the condition of small business in the area turned out to be a silver cloud with a dark lining. Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Regional Director John Hickman noted that interest in using the center has grown enough in the last year that his Berlin office has had to double its service time, from half-a-day once a week to a full day. “Our client volume is fairly steady,” wrote Hickman in...READ MORE

Resort Optimistic About Sports Marketing Venture

OCEAN CITY – The resort’s tourism department is looking to stay ahead of the game in partnering with the Maryland Office of Sports Marketing through its TEAM Maryland initiative. Last week Maryland Office of Sports Marketing Director Terry Hasseltine presented the Mayor and City Council with an update on Ocean City’s initiative to join TEAM Maryland. The Maryland Office of Sports Marketing strives to enhance Maryland’s economy, image and quality of life through the...READ MORE

Extensive Probe Leads To Indictment

OCEAN CITY -- A Worcester County grand jury last week indicted an Ocean City man on child pornography charges following a nearly two-year investigation. Last Tuesday, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) arrested Laurence John Bode, 60, of Ocean City, after a grand jury indicted him on 16 child pornography charges earlier this month. The grand jury indicted Bode after an 18-month investigation into his alleged illicit activities that began back in July 2010. OCPD detectives began their...READ MORE

Ace Printing and Mailing Planning To Go Solar In 2012

OCEAN CITY – A Berlin business is moving forward in taking on renewable energy to not only benefit itself but the community as well. Ace Printing and Mailing owner Thom Gulyas said he has been investigating solar energy for his business for about three years now. He interviewed quite a few different companies to install solar panels onto his roof and settled on Flexera. According to Flexera Vice President Benjamin Farr, the company is an engineering-based firm that specializes in energy...READ MORE

Music Fest Acts Could Be Released In February

OCEAN CITY – The process to have High Tide Music Festival come to town is on schedule as the event’s organizers have set a goal to have a lineup and its headlining bands released by February. Founders Entertainment Festival Project Manager Tom Russell last week said that offers have been sent out to headliners and he is awaiting confirmations but names cannot be released due to confidentiality. “We’re excited about it and it’s hopeful that some of these headliners...READ MORE

Plan To Reroute Berlin’s Street Closures Rejected

BERLIN -- After learning that changing street closures for town events was not an option, Berlin officials brainstormed other ways to increase foot traffic to businesses that lie off the beaten path. Earlier this month, several residents approached the Mayor and Council about the possibility of rerouting traffic closures to open up more space for visitors in downtown Berlin during special events. The current street cutoff for most festivals is at the intersection of Bay and Main streets. If the...READ MORE

Worcester Youth Conducting Annual Appeal For Funds

BERLIN -- Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) is in the midst of conducting its annual appeal, seeking contributions from area residents so the organization can continue to provide local services. Development and Donor Relations Director Stefanie Gordy explained that the appeal plays a major role in providing WYFCS with enough funding to operate throughout the year. “There is a common misconception that we are a county agency,” she said. Gordy clarified that WYFCS...READ MORE

Route 113 Overpass Lanes Reopened

SALISBURY -- The State Highway Administration (SHA) last week re-opened all travel lanes associated with the $6.7 million rehabilitation of the Route 13 overpass over Route 50 in Salisbury. SHA may institute temporary single lane closures in early January to complete sidewalk and landscaping work.  All remaining work is expected to be finished during the first weeks of 2012, weather permitting. SHA started the project in fall 2009 with major work getting underway in spring 2010 and is part...READ MORE

New Pool Regs Meeting Set

OCEAN CITY -- A public information session outlining new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for public pools and spas throughout Worcester County and across the state is scheduled for Jan. 10 at the Ocean Pines Library from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Last week, state officials announced hundreds of pools and spas in the resort area and thousands more across the state could be forced to comply with rigorous new ADA standards or run the risk of not getting their permits issued by state and...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Adds Curbside Recycling

OCEAN PINES -- The Ocean Pines Association last week awarded Waste Management of Maryland an exclusive three-year agreement for curbside collection of household garbage and single-stream recycling for residential properties in the community. Starting next week, Waste Management will start twice per week garbage collection, and every-other-week recycling service will be phased in over the next couple months.  Starting today, every resident of Ocean Pines interested in continuing or...READ MORE

State Approves County Conservation Easement

BERLIN -- Worcester County’s growing list of lands placed in perpetual conservation easement got a little bigger last week when the state’s Board of Public Works approved a proposal to permanently conserve a 33-acre tract along the Pocomoke River. The state’s three-member Board of Public Works, which includes Gov. Martin O’Malley, Comptroller Peter Francot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, last week approved the preservation of 33 acres of streamside forests, natural areas and...READ MORE

New Sign Law Is Here

BERLIN -- Travelers across Worcester County and the Lower Shore can expect to see far fewer illegally-placed signs along state highways next week when a new law prohibiting their placement and allowing state and local governments to recuperate the cost of removing them goes into effect on Jan. 1. Passed during the 2011 General Assembly session, the new law created a three-month warning period beginning in October for the removal of illegal signs along state-maintained roadways. Starting Jan. 1,...READ MORE

Gansler Issues Holiday Reminders

BERLIN -- With Christmas in the books and the wrapping paper and boxes piled by the curb, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler this week issued a few tips for consumers to avoid post-holiday trauma when returning or exchanging gifts. Because an otherwise festive holiday season can turn sour when attempting to return merchandise or use older gift cards, Gansler this week is advising Marylanders to know the policies and conditions that are in place to protect consumers. “No one wants to...READ MORE

Va. Men Busted With Counterfeit Goods

BERLIN -- Three Virginia men were arrested on counterfeit merchandize charges last week after police discovered hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of knock-off products in their van during a routine traffic stop in Berlin. Around 9:45 p.m. on Monday, a Maryland State Police trooper pulled over a Chevy passenger van on southbound Route 113 near Route 50 for negligent driving and speeding. After approaching the van, the trooper observed a significant amount of cargo in the rear of the...READ MORE

Families’ Holidays Brightened At Children’s House

OCEAN CITY -- Children and families coping with critical illness were able to relax and enjoy the holidays last Friday when the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation House by the Sea hosted its annual Christmas party in Ocean City. “It’s amazing that they go through all of this effort,” said Cheryl Urban, whose 7-year-old son Morgan was invited by the foundation to last Friday’s event. Along with his mother, Morgan Urban was able to bring both an older brother...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur High Collects 5,214 Pounds Of Canned Goods For Food Drive

Stephen Decatur High School seniors Lydia Logan, Madison Lathbury, and Maura Smith collected and weighed food during the school’s annual food drive this month. The student body collected 5,214 pounds of canned goods for the week. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Preforms Holiday Of Music

Second grade students Emma Johnson, Sommer Smith and Zach Powers pose on the set of their Showell Elementary Holiday Music program. The entire second grade performed a "Holiday of Music" for a jolly audience. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Learn About Hanukkah

Bruce Krasner, pictured above with Zak and Sam Krasner, came into Kelly Gee's third grade classroom at Ocean City Elementary School and shared a lesson about Hanukkah. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Students Of The Month

Students of the Month for December at Buckingham Elementary were recently announced, including, pictured from left, third graders Brett Truitt, Giuliana Cascio, Skyler Mahoney, Colbey Sirman, Adon Russo and Chris Nock. Not pictured but recognized were first graders Rebecca Nock, Zi'Quase Duffy, Ezra Morningstar, Raven Wheatley and Austin Cooper; second graders Kahlan Carrier, Bri'Kyra Tingle, Isaiah Mitchell and Richard Bunner; and fourth graders Joshua...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Thank Sergeant Crisafulli

Theo Hobbs, Abby Yesko, Josselyne Maza-Chavez from Julie Biscoe's class at Ocean City Elementary School take a moment to thank Sergeant Crisafulli for teaching four DARE lessons with fourth grade students. 
 ...READ MORE

BIS Students Prepare For Worcester County Science Fair

Berlin Intermediate School students Emmalle Jarman and Savannah Nilo hold up their hand sculpted volcano. They are preparing in the BIS After School Science Fair club for the annual Worcester County Science Fair that takes place in January.  ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Students Show Campus Respect

Showell Elementary second graders Amalia Murphy, Abby Wesche, Kimberly Kaufman and Grace Windon show respect to the campus environment by wearing protective gloves and collecting bits and pieces of litter from the playground area.  ...READ MORE

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School Preforms A Spanish Christmas Carol

Kindergarten students at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School are pictured performing a Spanish Christmas Carol during the school's Christmas concert. ...READ MORE

Worcester County Sherriff's Department And Santa Greet Worcester Prep Students

Dena Holloway, back left, of the Worcester County Sherriff’s Department, and Santa Claus greeted Worcester Preparatory students who were among the 200-plus who brought presents to be distributed to others through the Sheriff’s Needy Drive.. The students, clockwise from left, were third graders Ava Gerachis, Abby Reynolds, Fiona Pando, Tenley Pelot, Mina Trice and Sydney Stebenne. ...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur Nation Honor Society Raise Money For Believe In Tomorrow

Stephen Decatur High School National Honor Society (NHS) members raised money for the local chapter of Believe in Tomorrow. On hand for the presentation of $500 were NHS member Miranda Oliver, advisor Mary Berquist, Believe in Tomorrow Coordinator Wayne Littleton, NHS President Michelle Ott, NHS member Hannah Getchell, and Principal Lou Taylor. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Sunset Grille Bloody Mary Competition Raises $1,400 For Worcester Youth And Family

About $1,400 was raised for Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services from the 2nd Annual Bloody Mary Competition at Sunset Grille in West Ocean City on Dec. 18. Local bars and restaurants competed for the title of best Bloody Mary recipe in Ocean City. First place went to the Greene Turtle West followed by Seacrets, second, and Bull on the Beach and Sunset Grille, tied for third. Above, Brent Spicer of Liquid Assets received a basket of cheer for winning People’s Choice award. He is...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Optimist Club Install New Officers

The Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club installed officers at a recent meeting. Pictured, from left, are Charlie Dorman, Mel Jones, Rich Caproni, Joe Hammen (Treasurer), Bob Russell (Past President), Ron Kupec, Steve Acton, Les McKee (Secretary), Lew Frey (President) and Dan Stachurski. Not pictured were Ken Mitchell, Ralph Green and Rich Dalton. ...READ MORE

Bank Of American And Merrill Lynch Present United Way With Gift

Bank of America’s Monty Sayler and Merrill Lynch’s Christine Selzer recently presented United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore’s Executive Director Kathleen Mommé and Wicomico County Campaign Chair Ginny Reid-Matern with a $7,500 Bank of America corporate gift to support the 2011 United Way Campaign.  ...READ MORE

American Legion Donates To Perry Point VA Hospital

Four veterans from American Legion Post #166, Ocean City went this month to Perry Point VA Hospital with a pickup truck load of donated men’s clothing for the patients at the VA hospital. They also presented a $500 check to Rich Maichle, Voluntary Service Specialist for Perry Point hospital, to be used for the patients at the hospital to purchase socks, slippers and other items. The Veterans for Clothing project also collected donations to buy 900 Christmas cards, 900 stamps, along with...READ MORE

AGH Receives Proceeds From Hal Glick Award Gala

Atlantic General Hospital was one of four non-profit organizations to receive proceeds from the 2nd Annual Hal Glick Distinguished Service Award Gala honoring Leighton Moore in November. Pictured, from left, are Glick Gala Co-Chair Jeff Thaler, Atlantic General Hospital President and CEO Michael Franklin and Glick Gala Co-Chair Warren Rosenfeld. Submitted Photos ...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

Who's Playing When And Where

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Saturday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve with DJ Bigler and Tim Cyphers Duo Every Thursday: Team Trivia With DJ Jeremy, 5-9 p.m. Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Saturday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve with Old School Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Dec. 30, Saturday, Dec. 31 & Sunday, Jan.1: First Class Saturday, Dec....READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Dance 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m., St. Andrew Catholic Center, 14401 Sinepuxent Ave. Fabulous 50’s band featuring Denny Fox and Ed Holson. Snacks and set-ups provided. BYOB. Coffee and danish. Door prizes. Cost: $25, per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, 302-436-8247.Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Party At The Post 8 p.m.-1 a.m., American Legion Post #166, 23rd St. & Philadelphia Ave., O.C. Music and dancing with DJ Andy. For more information,...READ MORE

Things I Like

Staying home on Christmas Sound of a keyboard at work A baby’s smooth skin My son’s early guitar interest Thinking before I talk Christmas morning videos New Year’s resolutions A good dishwasher Heated car seats Watching a bunch of dogs run Volunteers ...READ MORE

Adapting Your Financial Plan

OCEAN CITY -- Whether embarking on a new career, earning an advanced degree or pursuing a combination of for-profit, nonprofit and leisure interests, Americans increasingly view retirement as a gateway to a second act. It's understandable: The average 65-year-old today can expect to live well into his or her 80s, so the time to pursue new careers could be extended by decades. While having more time to pursue a second act is good news, it also means that you need to plan financially for your new...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Rev. Dr. Fred M. Bruner BERLIN -- The Rev. Dr. Fred M. Bruner, 79, of Berlin, died Dec. 22, 2011, at Coastal Hospice on the Lake after a courageous battle with cancer. Fred was born July 10, 1932 in Healdsburg, Calif. to the late Wilmer Paul Bruner and Marion Bruner, who will be celebrating her 100th birthday in April 2012. Throughout his life, Fred held many jobs (teacher, lumberjack) before graduating from The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (PA) and entering the ministry full-time. In...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): With the new year's opportunities almost within reach, the Arian's courageous aspects are raring to go. And don't be surprised if a lot of people follow the zodiac's most trusted leader. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Change lies ahead for the brave Bovine who is ready to shuck off the tried and true to try something new. But appearances can be deceptive. Check it all out before you charge into anything. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): This week promises a peek into what...READ MORE

A Week In Business

New Alumni Board Members SALISBURY -- The Salisbury University Alumni Association recently welcomed three new members to its board of directors: W. Douglas Ashby of Ocean View, Del.; Byron Hughes of Blacksburg, Va.; and Beau Oglesby of Berlin. Ashby earned his B.A. in history from SU in 1969, followed by his M.B.A. from the University of Miami in 1981 and a master’s degree in advanced teaching and learning from Rhode Island College in 2006. He taught introductory courses in social work and...READ MORE