February, 10 2012

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Free Gas Promotion Proposed Again

OCEAN CITY – The topic of “free gas” has returned as discussions turn toward ways to encourage visitors to come to Ocean City with gas prices predicted to rise once again. During discussions with tourism partners this week, Councilman Brent Ashley re-visited a concept to offer a gas promotion this summer to encourage visitors to Ocean City despite raising gas prices. Last year Ashley introduced the concept, which was eventually rejected due to reasoning that it would create a...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Weekly Laser, Fireworks Shows Planned For Summer

OCEAN CITY – A weekly laser light and fireworks show will hit the sky downtown this summer as a new series of free events was approved this week. The Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) presented an update to the Mayor and City Council on its recent meetings where ideas were worked out to bring new events as well as expand existing events with the funds allocated by the town. TAB Chair Melanie Pursel requested that a summer family entertainment series be approved and funded partially with the...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: OC Area Represented Well In State Hospitality Contest

OCEAN CITY -- The Restaurant Association of Maryland yesterday afternoon announced the finalists for the highly anticipated Annual Awards Gala, sponsored by McCormick and Company, and there are numerous local representatives in contention once again. The awards honor the Maryland hospitality industry’s best in such categories as Maryland’s Favorite New Restaurant, Chef of the Year, and more.  Winners of these prestigious awards will be revealed at the 58th Annual Industry Awards...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: OCPD Outlines Major Undercover Drug Op Involving Cop Posing As Cabbie

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department’s narcotics unit, in collaboration with allied agencies, late last month concluded a two-year drug distribution investigation utilizing an undercover officer posing as a taxi cab driver and owner with the grand jury indictments of 34 local residents on 91 charges. Last week, the OCPD announced cursory information about Operation Sand Dollar, a two-year undercover operation targeting drug trafficking in the resort area during which an...READ MORE

Resort Tightens Noise Rules

OCEAN CITY -- The City Council officially approved two new ordinances this week, including a measure limiting the range of music and other noise and another that would require a sticker providing ownership information on rental properties. On Monday, the council signed off on an ordinance that would prohibit music or other loud noises from extending beyond 30 feet on the beach, Boardwalk and other public areas. Prior to the adoption of the ordinance on Monday, the old standard of 50 feet...READ MORE

County Agrees To Extend Services To Pines Plaza

SNOW HILL -- With septic systems in the area in trouble, the Worcester County Commissioners agreed to continue to support extending water and sewer coverage to the Ocean Pines Plaza Commercial Sub-Area. “The whole area has either failed or failing septic systems,” said Commissioner Judy Boggs, who represents the Ocean Pines District. Properties in that sub-area have been served by private well and septic for years. But in September 2010, the septic and treatment system for the Pines...READ MORE

OCPD Undercover Cab Operation Nails 34 Individuals

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department’s narcotics unit this week concluded a nearly two-year drug distribution investigation utilizing an undercover officer posing as a taxi cab owner and driver with the indictments dozens of individuals. During the investigation, an Ocean City Police narcotics officer acting in a covert capacity started a legitimate taxicab company and acted as the owner and operator of the company. The investigation has led to the indictments of 34 individuals...READ MORE

Casino Revenue Up Slightly

BERLIN -- January’s numbers for the Casino at Ocean Downs were released this week, providing the first real look at figures for the same month since the facility opened last January. The Casino at Ocean Downs generated around $3.13 million in January 2012, up from the $3 million recorded during the same month last year, its first month in operation. However, it’s important to note the casino officially opened for business on Jan. 4, 2011, meaning last month’s numbers...READ MORE

State Undergoing Traffic Light Study At Route 113 Intersection

SNOW HILL -- Efforts to calm an accident prone intersection in Worcester County resurfaced again this week when the County Commissioners received a letter from Maryland Secretary of Transportation Beverley Swaim-Staley. In the letter, Swaim-Staley noted that the intersection at Route 12 and US 113, which has seen more than 50 accidents since being revamped in 2006, is the current subject of a signal warrant analysis. “The new study will include a review of the existing signing, lighting,...READ MORE

Salisbury Fire Chief Vacancy In Limbo Till Summer

SALISBURY -- After the City Council rejected a candidate advanced by Mayor James Ireton last week, the position of chief for the Salisbury Fire Department (SFD) will likely be in limbo until at least June. In a 3-2 vote, the council decided not to promote Deputy and current Acting Chief Rick Hoppes to fill the position left when former SFD Chief Jeff Simpson resigned last month. Hoppes, who has more than 20 years’ experience with SFD and has served as acting chief twice before, was chosen...READ MORE

Councilman Seeks Official OC Song

OCEAN CITY -- In an era when nearly every town, building or sports event has an “official” something or other, Ocean City could soon have its own song if one councilman’s idea gets any traction. Just one week after Ocean City approved Coca-Cola as the new official soft drink of the resort, Councilman Joe Hall at the end of Monday’s regular council meeting pitched the idea of finding an “official song” for the resort. Hall said the idea was inspired by a song...READ MORE

Public Defender Order Delayed

BERLIN -- A recent Maryland Court of Appeals opinion guaranteeing legal representation for defendants at the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including initial bail reviews, has been put on hold after the high court agreed to slow down the order to further review the implementation process. In its opinion released in early January, the high court ruled even the earliest bail review hearing represents a potentially critical stage in the criminal process and that a defendant has a right to...READ MORE

OC Tourism Director Resigns To Take Private Sector Job

OCEAN CITY -- The resort’s tourism director informed the Mayor and Council on Monday she is resigning her post in favor of a local private sector job. Tourism Director Deb Turk, who will be joining Comcast as a local sales manager, will leave the city March 1. Her announcement this week has resulted in the city now having three vacant department head positions. The city is currently looking for a new convention center director after Rick Hamilton’s recent resignation and a new city...READ MORE

Rental License Revenue Eyed

OCEAN CITY -- While Ocean City attempts to find ways to expand its revenue base in the face of a looming deficit, one possible source in the form of unpaid rental property licenses could be right under the City Council’s noses. Ocean City officials are exploring alternative revenues sources to offset millions of dollars of needed capital projects, including an estimated $41 million in road repairs, but the resort could be missing out on a million dollars a year in unpaid rental property...READ MORE

OCPD Holds Taser Demonstration To Educate Public

OCEAN CITY -- Hoping to address concerns surrounding Ocean City’s decision to equip some officers with Taser Electronic Control Devices, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) held a public information session and demonstration Thursday. “We’ve spent enormous amounts of time researching this,” said OCPD Public Affairs Officer Mike Levy. Levy, along with Chief Bernadette DiPino, spoke at length about the devices the OCPD currently has in the field, including training,...READ MORE

Councilman Defends Social Network Comments

OCEAN CITY -- A social network post by an Ocean City councilman about tourists trashing the resort and the need for the millions of visitors to pay their fair share touched off a firestorm of controversy this week and a call for an apology, but the elected official stood by the premise, if not the language, on Monday. Following a discussion last week about increasing parking fees in the areas where meters already exist and possibly expanding the use of meters to other areas, Councilman Joe Hall...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

More Paid Parking Worth A Try This Year Editor: I'd like to offer my comments accordingly regarding last week's editorial, "Paid Parking Expansion Worth Deliberation." I am in Favor of the City placing and providing for the additional parking meters on the ocean block for numbered streets during the season for the purpose of collecting additional revenues. If the council does decide to vote in favor of the parking meters being installed into the...READ MORE

Content Now Offered In Multiple Formats

Dear Readers, I wanted to reach out today to update you on some new content distribution changes we have recently instituted. It’s no secret there are major changes taking place, seemingly daily, in the media world and newspaper publishing industry is no exception. It’s impossible to stay ahead of the technology curve, but we are doing our best to become a diversified media entity. We firmly believe in the role of a community newspaper and its purpose is verified each and every...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Ocean City Councilman Joe Hall found out firsthand last Friday what it’s like to be bitten by the viral world of social media.In his post on the Citizens For Ocean City Facebook page, Joe Hall addressed the town’s consideration of adding paid parking to certain areas of town and the reasoning behind it.In his post, he wrote, “The council has only asked for the big picture on parking meters. No one, even me has suggested blanketing Ocean City with meters. I'm biggest supporter...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

A disturbing morning routine is presently at play at home. Invariably, for the last week or two around 5 in the morning, Beckett has been wandering into our bedroom and giving us an early wake-up call.Sometimes he makes enough noise stomping through the room (actually the entire second floor) that it wakes Pam and me up before he gets close to the bed.A couple times, since we apparently did not wake up as quickly as he wished, he resorted to banging his hands on the bed to stir us awake.Other...READ MORE

Uptown Drug Bust

OCEAN CITY -- An Ocean City woman was arrested last weekend on drug distribution and possession charges after a search and seizure warrant was executed at her north end residence. Last Saturday, the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team and Ocean City Police executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on Newport Bay Drive following an ongoing investigation into the illegal distribution of prescription narcotics and Phencyclidine (PCP). During the execution of the warrant, a suspect...READ MORE

State Undergoing Traffic Light Study At 113 Intersection

SNOW HILL -- Efforts to calm an accident prone intersection in Worcester County resurfaced again this week when the County Commissioners received a letter from Maryland Secretary of Transportation Beverley Swaim-Staley. In the letter, Swaim-Staley noted that the intersection at Route 12 and US 113, which has seen more than 50 accidents since being revamped in 2006, is the current subject of a signal warrant analysis. “The new study will include a review of the existing signing, lighting,...READ MORE

Area Trails Effort Collecting Public Input

BERLIN -- A Berlin group is proceeding with plans to build a network of nature trails in Worcester County. “Our time has come,” said Kate Patton, who led the Plan Our Trails meetings held last Wednesday and Thursday nights in Berlin. Patton, executive director of Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT), outlined the progress her group has made so far in preparing Worcester. “There will be economic opportunities for the town as we go forward,” she told the crowd Thursday. “We...READ MORE

Wicomico Supports New Hybrid Liquor License

SALISBURY -- Support from the Wicomico County Council could help pass a state law creating a new kind of liquor license that would allow minors in establishments that serve beer, wine and liquor but aren’t restaurants. If passed, the new license would apply to facilities that serve liquor but do not meet the requirements for a Class B restaurant license that necessitates selling a ratio of food versus alcohol. For establishments that don’t meet the minimum for food sales, there is a...READ MORE

Worcester’s Bloxom Requested To Help Salisbury

SALISBURY -- Hoping to bring in an outsider immune to conflict of interest complaints, the Salisbury City Council has been given permission to use Worcester County attorney Sonny Bloxom to advise the Salisbury ethics board. “That’s what we really need, someone that is removed,” said Councilwoman Laura Mitchell. The council has seen numerous ethics complaints thrown around in the past few months. All members of the council, except for Mitchell but including new City Attorney...READ MORE

Berlin Announces New Electricity Supply Contract

BERLIN -- The Town of Berlin announced this week it has signed an additional two-year electricity supply contract with NextEra Energy Power Marketing, LLC, (NextEra Energy), stabilizing bills for the town’s electric customers starting in June 2013 and continuing through May 2015. A recommendation to apply to the Maryland Public Service Commission for reduced municipal electric rates for non-residential customers is expected to be considered by Berlin’s Council in February and if...READ MORE

Council OKs Voluntary Design Guidelines

OCEAN CITY -- The City Council approved an ordinance this week that would add non-binding design guidelines to the site plan approval process for new development in the resort, but not before amending the code change to define just where they would apply. In an effort to gain some conformity for new development in the resort, Ocean City officials on Monday approved an ordinance including suggested uniform design standards during the site plan review process. According to the ordinance, the...READ MORE

Culinary Center Added To Annual Resort Trade Expo

OCEAN CITY -- On March 4-5, hospitality buyers and sellers are invited to meet in Ocean City for the 38th Annual Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Trade Expo. Held each year at the Ocean City Convention Center, the regional Expo is produced by the local, non-profit trade association. The Expo welcomes the return of many loyal exhibitors and showcases new and emerging products and trends. Hospitality professionals from many industry sectors will have the opportunity to peruse nearly 400 exhibit...READ MORE

Assateague Camping Fees Increase

ASSATEAGUE -- New camping fees at Assateague National Seashore went into effect last week resulting in significant changes to the fee structure on the barrier island. Assateague officials last week announced an increase in fees for camping at the national seashore went into effect on February 1. Fees for the regular sites in the Oceanside and Bayside camping areas, along with the horse camp sites increased by $5, while the group site increased by $10. The new fees apply only to camping and do...READ MORE

Fed Probe Shakes Up Foreign Worker Effort

OCEAN CITY -- In light of last summer’s controversy in Pennsylvania that led this month to federal sanctions against the Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA), a new organization has stepped forward to represent the approximately 1,100 foreign workers who spend summers in Ocean City. Last week, CETUSA, considered one of the country’s largest international cultural exchange programs, was banned by the State Department from sponsoring foreign students who annually come to the...READ MORE

OC Okays Hourly Parking Rate Hike

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City officials this week approved a 50-percent increase in the hourly parking rates at metered spots throughout the downtown area, but there was little discussion about the proposal to add meters at parking spaces throughout other parts of the resort. The City Council on Monday approved an ordinance raising parking spaces covered by the Cale Meter System throughout the downtown area from the current $1 per hour (25 cents per 15 minutes) to $1.50 per hour (25 cents per 10...READ MORE

Charitable Souls Nominees Sought

OCEAN CITY – Do you know of someone who volunteers to make the lower shore community a better place to live, work and play?If so, The Dispatch wants to hear from you.Last year, The Dispatch’s Shore Stars program was launched with the intention of organizing campaigns to recognize leading citizens on the lower shore.The first-ever event was called Charitable Souls, and The Dispatch Publisher Steve Green announced this week that campaign will be revisited this spring.“About 120...READ MORE

Businesses Citied In Alcohol Compliance Check

BERLIN -- In late January and early February, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks at businesses throughout much of Ocean City and Worcester County, resulting in 11 locations being cited including one that failed twice in two days. On Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, and again on Feb. 2, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department conducted compliance checks at 58 stores and restaurants throughout the county. Forty-seven of the establishments targeted did not...READ MORE

Police Seeking Person Of Interest In Ava Benefit Theft

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a “person of interest” wanted for questioning in regards to a silent auction item taken from a downtown bar during a fundraiser for Baby Ava. Last Thursday, the OCPD responded to the Pour House on Wicomico Street to investigate a theft that had allegedly occurred during a fundraiser on Jan. 28 for Ava DelRicco, a toddler critically injured in an accident on Coastal Highway at 142nd...READ MORE

OC Buskers No Longer Need To Register

OCEAN CITY -- A federal lawsuit filed by a Boardwalk street performer over alleged First Amendment rights violations officially ended this week with Ocean City agreeing to a consent decree allowing certain performers or vendors to sell their wares and eliminating the registration requirement. Last June, the City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance requiring all street performers to register each day at City Hall and pay a nominal fee for the registration. The ordinance also...READ MORE

Beach Horseback Rides Coming To OC

OCEAN CITY -- Despite some last-minute misgivings, the Ocean City Mayor and Council on Monday approved an ordinance allowing horseback riding on the beach on a limited basis in the offseason. With a split vote of 4-3, the council approved horseback riding on the beach with an amendment to add a $20 one-day permit fee. The ordinance as written only allowed for a $50 seasonal pass to ride horses on the beach, but Councilman Joe Hall suggested the one-day pass as a means to encourage more riders to...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Jennifer Lea Conn SALISBURY -- Jennifer Lea Conn (Jen), 34, died Friday, Feb. 3 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at the age of 10, the disease ultimately claimed her life. Originally of southwest Philadelphia, Jen attended grade school at St. Barneys’ where she was a cheerleader and eventually captain of the squad. She continued her education at Motivation High School where she developed a love for English and hatred for Algebra. Jen left Philly to...READ MORE

Seahawk Track Teams Soar at Regionals

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity indoor track teams turned in good performances at the state Class 3A-East Region Meet this week, with both teams finishing in the top 10 and several individual athletes turning in strong performances. The Decatur boys’ finished 10th overall as a team with 24 total points. Greg Petersen finished first in the high jump with a leap of 6’4” and earned 10 team points. Ian Bresnahan was sixth in the high jump and earned three team points....READ MORE

Turtle Lax Club Tryouts Slated

OCEAN CITY- The Green Turtle Lacrosse Club-Eastern Shore will be holding tryouts for this year’s summer travel teams on Sunday, February 19, at Sea Gull Stadium on the campus of Salisbury University.  The Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club-Eastern Shore offers highly competitive high school lacrosse players an opportunity within a select program to strive for their personal best and to aid in the college recruiting process for the high school lacrosse player. Try-outs are open to all players...READ MORE

WPS Boys Win on Senior Night

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball team didn’t miss a beat after a long break, beating Chincoteague, 55-49, at home on Senior Night on Tuesday. The Mallards last played on January 20, a 58-51 win over Gunston, before embarking on winter break. Back in action on Tuesday, Worcester beat Chincoteague, 55-49, in the first of two meetings between the two schools. The Mallards finish the regular season with Holly Grove and Salisbury School next week before the ESIAC...READ MORE

Decatur Girls Sweep Crabbers, Jags

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team inched closer to the .500 mark for the season with a pair of wins over Crisfield and Washington this week. Last Thursday, the Seahawks routed the Crabbers, 63-24 behind 13 points from prolific scorer Abby Schorr. On Tuesday, the Decatur girls stayed on a mini-roll, beating Washington, 77-57. Schorr again led the Seahawks with 24 points, while Katie Purnell pitched in 18. Monique Wise was tough on the boards, grabbing 20...READ MORE

Coastal Lacrosse Registration Open

OCEAN CITY- Registration is ongoing for the Coastal Lacrosse Club’s 2012 spring season, but the teams are filling up quickly, according to club officials. The Coastal Lacrosse Club, founded in 2009, offers organized, instructional teams for both boys and girls ages five to 14. Registration for the 2012 season is still open, although the teams are rapidly filling up. In order to maintain a low player-to-coach ratio, teams are being formed solely on a first come, first served...READ MORE

Fundraisers Set for Local Lax Coach

OCEAN CITY- A two-day special fundraising event has been planned for early next month to benefit a Berlin resident, surfer, lacrosse coach and builder battling a rare degenerative disease for over two years. In 2009, Steve Falck, a local surfer and girls’ lacrosse coach, among many other attributes, was stricken with Multiple Systems Atrophy, a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease with no know treatment or cure. Among other things, Falck is a carpenter and craftsman who owned and...READ MORE

Mallards Tame Ponies, 35-20

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team came back from winter break with a 35-20 win over visiting Chincoteague on Tuesday for their third straight win. The Mallards spotted the Ponies a 6-0 lead early before going on a 20-point run that spanned much of the first quarter and last nearly two minutes into the third. Trailing 6-0 early, Worcester’s Sophie Brennan got the Mallards on the board with a jumper at the four-minute mark to cut the lead to 6-2....READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Feb. 10: 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 info, 410-524-7994. Feb. 10: Potluck Dinner & A Movie 6 p.m., Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin. Sec-ond Friday of each month. Bring a covered dish to share and enjoy the movie, Dolphin Tale, a family friendly drama. The move will be shown in the Sanctu-ary following the meal. Feb. 11: Indoor Yard Sale 7 a.m.-until,...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

Who's Playing When And Where

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Feb. 17: Bryan Russo, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18: Electric Co., 9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Feb. 10 & Saturday, Feb. 11: The Tommy Edward Band Dead freddies 410-524-3733 64th St. & the Bay Friday, Feb. 10: DJ Rupe, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11: DJ Wax Fager’s Island 410-524-5500 60th St. in the Bay Deck: Friday, Feb. 10: DJ Robcee Saturday, Feb. 11: DJ...READ MORE

Best Bites On The Beach

Fruitland-Salisbury Restaurant 213 213 N. Fruitland Blvd., Fruitland 410-677-4880 • www.restaurant213.com Just 20 minutes from Ocean Pines and Berlin, Restaurant 213 is worth the drive! Chef Jim Hughes has been serving celebrities worldwide for 25 years and was named a 2009 inductee to the coveted Distinguished Restaurants of North America awards, one of only 220 in North America and the only one in this region. Serving dinner Tuesday-Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Also offering a 5 course...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Enjoy Making Vegetable Faces

Students in Sheri Brueckner's kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School enjoyed making a face with vegetables and fruits. Pictured are Hannah Campbell, Christopher Stedding and Taylor McCoy having fun making a healthy face and then eating it. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Students Learn About Solid Figures

Jaiden Denk, Brooklynn Pugner and other third graders from Showell Elementary used craft sticks and clay models to learn about solid figures recently. ...READ MORE

NSCAA Recognizes SD HS Girl's Varsity Soccer Team

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) this week recognized Stephen Decatur High School's girls’ varsity soccer team for its exceptional academic performance this year with a Team Academic Award.  Above, from left, are Principal Loy Taylor, senior player Ariel dePaul and Coach Misty Bunting. ...READ MORE

Seaside Christian Academy Pre-K Students Learn How Water Freezes

Pre-kindergarten students from Seaside Christian Academy learned about how water freezes by making "ice sculptures." Proudly displaying their creations are Torrence Brickman, Anna Hickman and Genevieve Hilbert. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Students Enjoy Bucky Bear Reader Store

Second graders from Buckingham Elementary enjoyed the Bucky Bear Accelerated Reader Store for reading books. Students pictured are Erika Kolacz, Kahlin Carrier, Hailey Timmons, Frankie Richwalksi, Tavon Parsons, Dyasia Johnson and Derek Hamad.  ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Have Fun Learning About Solids, Liquids And Gases

Kirsten Danisavich's fourth grade students at Ocean City Elementary School had fun learning about solids, liquids and gases. Above, Michael Kerns, Max Taylor and Hunter Wolf smiled and laughed while investigating oobleck, a water and corn starch mixture. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Recognizes Students Of The Month

Buckingham Elementary School recently recognized its Students of the Month. First grade honorees, above, were Austin Trimble, Airiyel Mapp, Khalia Ballard, Marsha Malcolmson and Daquan Farmer. Honorees not pictured were second graders Deanna Mitchell, Alexis Walker, DyAsia Johnson and Derek Hamad; third graders Kvontae Johnson, Asher Layton, Ly’Resha Sturgis, Olivia Brown, Marly Brooks and Ricardo Nava-Gusman; and fourth graders Taylor Stakiel, Josie Merritt, Bryan Aquilar-Orona and...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Store Grand Opening Set PITTSVILLE -- Shoppers in Pittsville have a new place to shop for everyday essentials at low prices, as Dollar General recently opened a new store at 7260 Sixty Foot Rd and is hosting a grand opening celebration Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 a.m.At the grand opening event, customers will enjoy special deals and free prizes. The first 50 shoppers at the store will receive a $10 Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag, among other...READ MORE

Copy Central Provides Supplies, Postage And Labor To Package Valentines

Copy Central once again has graciously provided the supplies, postage and labor to package and ship 1,867 valentines collected from the Worcester County schools, the Ocean City Seniors Center and caring local citizens. Pictured with the valentines are Linda Dearing, owner of Copy Central. ...READ MORE

Popeye's Chicken Of West OC Presents OC Elementary PTA With Check

Salah Hassanein, owner of Popeye’s Chicken in West Ocean City, recently presented to Jen Wheeler, secretary of Ocean City Elementary School PTA, a $100 check from a fundraiser held on Jan. 19.  ...READ MORE

Food Lion Charitable Foundation Presents $2,000 Grant To Diakonia

The Food Lion Charitable Foundation recently presented a $2,000 grant award from National Foundation for Emergency Food Pantry Program to Diakonia. Pictured, from left, are Diakonia Homeless Prevention coordinator Andrea Petersen, Diakonia Executive Director Claudia Nagle and Food Lion West Ocean City store manager Vaughn Dennis. ...READ MORE

AGH Donates $21,069 To United Way

The United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore recently received $21,069 from Atlantic General Hospital for its 2011 United Way employee campaign. The total is a 17.4-percent increase over last year. Currently, the United Way is at 80% of its goal and is in the longest yard of the campaign, with results being announced in April. To support the campaign or start an employee campaign in your place of business, call 410-742-5143 or visit www.unitedway4us.org. ...READ MORE

Habitat For Humanity ReStore Receives Old Carpet Tile Donation

When Delmarva Power recently awarded a contract to Bozman’s Floor Coverings to replace over 10,000 square feet of flooring in the utility’s Salisbury headquarters, the contract required Bozman’s to find a way to reuse the old carpet tiles. Bozman’s contacted the Habitat for Humanity ReStore to see if the resale shop would be interesting in the flooring. Since the majority of the tiles were in good condition, the ReStore was pleased to accept the donation. Above volunteers...READ MORE

Things I Like

Close Super Bowl games Wings with bleu cheese Laughing The movie, ‘Money Ball’ Being at home when it’s raining The recreation center in Snow Hill Listening to my son spell actual words Recycling at home A snow-less winter Allen Sklar’s picture on this year’s Assateague pass Watching kids play soccer ...READ MORE