March 9, 2012

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Assateague Welcomes New Filly

ASSATEAGUE -- Spring seems to be showing signs of new life everywhere, including on Assateague Island. A new wild horse foal was born into the herd at Assateague Island on Friday March 9. A young filly, with pinto coloration showing mostly white hair with brown patches was born to 8-year-old mare April Star (also known by the alpha numeric name N2BHS-C). The gangly long-legged newborn has been seen by many park visitors enjoying Assateague Island within the past week. She is one of the 114...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Bill Rolig Fondly Remembered

SNOW HILL -- On Tuesday, just two days after his 55th birthday, Bill Rolig, a Snow Hill resident with a passion for art, music and family, succumbed to his two-year battle with prostate cancer. Back in 2010, the lower shore community rallied to support Rolig, who was shockingly diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Two separate benefits at The Globe in Berlin and at Seacrets in Ocean City hosted pack houses as residents turned out to raise thousands of dollars for Rolig’s...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Sidewalk Markings Aim To Better Pedestrian Safety

OCEAN CITY – Prior to the peak tourist season in Ocean City, the State Highway Administration (SHA) has started a three-year pilot program using newly designed sidewalk markings to safely guide pedestrians along MD 528 (Coastal Highway). The new yellow and black pedestrian sidewalk markings will be located 10 feet prior to the intersections at 19th, 33rd and 49th streets in order to direct pedestrians to safe crosswalks. The pilot program specifically addresses the dangerous behavior of...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Charitable Souls Campaign Honorees Announced

BERLIN -- The honorees for the 2012 Charitable Souls campaign were announced this morning. They include Cathy Bassett, Gloria Carr, Ed Colbert, Alexis Dashield, Linda Dearing, Arnold Downing, Mary Ferry, Jim Flaig, Frank Gatley, Veronica Gatley, Bill Gibbs, Sierra Hall, Michael James, Jean Keagle, Bob Kelly, Becky Kelly, Audrey Killen, Kimberly Majus, Buck Mann, Daryl McCready & SonRise Church, Linda Pepper, Ginny Reister, Susan Runk, Michelle Schachter, Judy Johnson Schoellkopf, Christine...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: OC’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns Saturday

OCEAN CITY – This weekend will be the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ocean City’s history, and event organizers reflected this week on how the day has grown over the years. The 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Delmarva Irish-American Club (DIAC), returns to the streets of Ocean City on Saturday, March 17. “It starts at high noon and we’re never late,” said parade organizer Buck Mann. Mann said that the parade first...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: Air Show Acts To Fly Further North This Year

OCEAN CITY -- Resort business leaders this morning got an update on the 2012 Ocean City Air Show, including a plan to extend many of the show’s flyovers to the north end of town. Ocean City Air Show Director of Sponsorship and Hospitality Sales Steven Webster on Monday morning presented an update to the Ocean City Economic Development Committee (EDC) on the 2012 event, set for June 9-10 in Ocean City. Webster confirmed the signature act for 2012 will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: 9 Charges Filed Against Kaczynski For Baby Ava Accident

(The following is a press release issued this afternoon by the Office of the State’s Attorney for Worcester County.)SNOW HILL -- The Office of the State’s Attorney for Worcester County filed a criminal information in the Circuit Court for Worcester County charging Andre James Kaczynski, 47, of Ocean Pines, Maryland, with the following charges.Life-threatening Injury by Motor Vehicle While Impaired by a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Ava DelRicco); Life-threatening Injury by...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: Community Fast Underway, Culminates With Joint Worship Service

BERLIN — Daryl McCready admits he was intrigued and personally challenged when his fellow pastor friend and accountability partner talked about fasting. Bryan Pugner, pastor of The Worship Center, an Assemblies Of God Church, in Berlin, had spoken several times about how he had fasted for 21 days during the first 21 days of the year. Pugner even considered writing a booklet about it. McCready, founder and pastor of SonRise Church, also in Berlin, felt God "placed it on his heart to...READ MORE

Commission President Wants End To Organized Budget Campaign

SNOW HILL -- After hearing the Worcester County Board of Education’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 Tuesday, Commission President Bud Church requested that parents, teachers and students stop flooding the commissioners with petitions. “Stop all of the letters, stop all of the emails,” Church asked. “We know what the problems are.” Church went on to tell the audience, the majority of whom were school faculty or parents, that bombarding the commission with...READ MORE

Berlin To Soon Hear Suggestions For Flooding Woes

BERLIN -- Months after beginning a stormwater feasibility study in Berlin, representatives of the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (UMEFC) announced that the process is nearing completion. “We are just about in the last quarter of this project,” promised (UMEFC) Program Manager Megan Hughes during a Historic District Commission (HDC) meeting Wednesday. Hughes did not sugarcoat the realities of what the town is currently facing in regards to persistent flooding...READ MORE

Proposed Scooter Changes Outlined

OCEAN CITY – The Planning and Zoning Commission is close to approving a final proposal regulating scooter rental operations in town. On Tuesday night, the commission continued a public hearing to consider including “scooters, scoot-coupes and other names commonly associated with such vehicles that do not require a state vehicle registration license” as a special exemption or conditional use with appropriate safeguards and regulations in various zoning districts. The item had...READ MORE

Plan To Expand Sales Tax Worries Trade Groups

BERLIN -- Proposed legislation expanding the state’s sales tax to more than two dozen new services has garnered the attention of the resort and state business community. House Bill 1051 calls for applying the state’s sales tax to services such as tax prep, property management, vehicles, commercial cleaning, cell phones, cable television, security systems, a parking facility, barber or beauty expense, sign painting, interior decorating and extermination, among others. The bill had a...READ MORE

$37.6M Bond Ceiling Approved

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council voted to approve an ordinance on final reading to authorize the issue and sale of General Obligation Municipal Purpose and Refunding Bonds not to exceed $37.6 million. Finance Administrator Martha Bennett explained that during work session discussions the refunding of 2005 bonds was discussed and the town’s project list was reviewed. The refunding amount of the bond issue is $14,630,000. “The original estimate that I gave you was just for...READ MORE

Salisbury Department Split Proposal Dies

SALISBURY -- Internal Services will remain a single department, despite Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton’s attempt to have it split into two separate divisions. He told the City Council Monday that a charter amendment placing Internal Services into its original components, Financing and Purchasing, would allow for greater internal control as well as making it much easier to find suitable department heads. “We can’t find anybody that has all three of those things,” said Ireton,...READ MORE

Route 50 Shopping Center Plans Advance

SNOW HILL -- The shopping center around Wal-Mart and Home Depot in West Ocean City is about to grow after the Worcester County Planning Commission approved a 15,755-square-foot commercial building to be included in the area. The commission granted conditional site plan approval last week for the “Ocean Landings I Building” to be located on the south side of Route 50, just north of Wal-Mart. According to attorney Mark Cropper, who represented developer Ocean City Partners and Daft...READ MORE

Worcester, Wicomico Officials Unite Against Pension Shift

ANNAPOLIS -- In a rare moment of accord, all nine counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore stepped up to oppose the shift of a traditionally state-paid fund to the county level. 
Though it’s too early to tell if the effort will sway state legislators, some Worcester County officials have adapted an attitude of reserved optimism. “On a scale of 1-10, I think the meeting was about a 6,” said Worcester County Commission President Bud Church. “I’m not certain...READ MORE

Boardwalk Wind Turbines Headed To Council For OK

OCEAN CITY – A favorable recommendation will be moved forward to the Mayor and City Council to allow the first wind turbines to be installed on a Boardwalk property. Last October, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the installation of wind turbines in a residential district for the first time. Upon approval, the commission asked for information of an accurate decibels (dBA) rating, the final color and the engineer renderings of the structure. Mario Villa Santa had applied for a...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Shoots Down More Say For Mayor

SALISBURY -- An attempt by Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton to regain some of the control taken from his office by a charter amendment last fall was dismissed by the City Council in a traditional 3-2 vote. “I’m just trying to gauge if we could meet halfway or partway,” Ireton told the council Monday. Ireton suggested a new charter amendment placing the city administrator and department heads on “at-will” status. Ireton also asked that his office be granted some say in the...READ MORE

Worcester Towns Hoping For Level Grant Funding

SNOW HILL -- Municipalities in Worcester County got a chance to pitch a few budget requests at the County Commissioners this week, but the almost across-the-board request was to simply preserve the same level of grant funding from last year. “We’re at a time right now where things are really starting to happen in Pocomoke,” said Mayor Bruce Morrison. According to Morrison, Pocomoke has benefited from working with Lisa Challenger, the director of tourism for Worcester...READ MORE

Berlin Chamber Redesign Rejected

BERLIN -- Plans to honor Edward Hammond went back to the drawing board this week after the Berlin Historic District Commission (HDC) failed to approve the design. “I don’t like it,” said Commissioner Rick Stack at Wednesday night’s meeting. The proposed Edward H. Hammond Jr. Visitor Center would be located at 14 South Main St. where the current Chamber of Commerce building sits. Former Berlin Councilwoman Ellen Lang, who spoke on behalf of the chamber, explained that the...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Extremism On Display Editor: In the Feb. 24, 2012 issue, James A. Hoage of Severna Park once again comes forth with his extreme left wing views. This time, he not only rants against capitalist excesses, he rants against capitalism itself. Mr. Hogue strongly supports the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) mob, and asks us to “Join OWS,” as though it was a movement and not simply a slogan. But he is in good company; President Obama is on his side. Hoage then warns us there is further to come...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Democratic State Sen. Jim Mathias hit the nail on the head this week when he said same sex marriage is “a very generational issue”. The gay marriage bill was just last week signed into law by Gov. Martin O’Malley and is indeed a polarizing matter for a number of reasons.On the surface, this bill appears to be a party line matter. Generally, Democrats are the more liberal among us and subsequently support gay marriage. It’s a litmus test issue on many fronts, similar to...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

Accounting for the kids, and their antics, is a critical thing to keep in mind when buying just about anything these days.Obviously, that’s the case when grocery shopping, but it goes beyond that to just about all realms of purchasing.Pam and I have both have learned this after clearly making a few mistakes along the way. Here are a few examples to illustrate the point: -------------------------------------------- While shopping for sunglasses at K-Coast Surf Shop last week, I found myself...READ MORE

Showell Students Learn About Virtues Of Books, Libraries

BERLIN -- As part of National Read Across America Day, representatives from the Ocean Pines branch of the Worcester County Library visited Showell Elementary School (SES) to talk to students about books and becoming a member. Library representative Robin Long began the presentation by revealing that, not only was last Friday Read Across America Day, it was also the 108th birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. According to Long, Dr. Seuss “helped people learn to love...READ MORE

Resort Hosting ‘Home Show’ This Weekend

OCEAN CITY – The Home, Condo, and Outdoor show will be back in action this weekend. The 28th Annual Home, Condo & Outdoor show will be held at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on Friday, March 9, noon-6 p.m.; Saturday, March 10 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 11, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. It is put on by Ocean Promotions, which bills the home show as an all-under-one-roof convenience that will display an “exciting array of the latest home improvement products and...READ MORE

OC Job Fair Set For March 17

OCEAN CITY – Attention all job seekers, the 27th Annual Job Fair will be held next weekend, March 17, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is free to all attendees. “It really started out as a way to have employers all in one place in Ocean City to hire seasonal help,” Events Director for the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Lisa Dennis said. There are 12,000 seasonal positions available in Ocean City a year. The job fair was initially...READ MORE

Council Briefed On This Summer’s Play It Safe Events

OCEAN CITY – Play It Safe 2012 is eagerly preparing for the thousands of high school graduates that will visit Ocean City this summer. This week the Mayor and City Council approved a list of events to keep the high school graduates busy while they are in town. This summer will be the 23rd Annual Play It Safe. Donna Greenwood of the OC Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee describes the event as a program to encourage high school graduates to make good choices and to have responsible...READ MORE

Taxi Roof Ads Moving Forward

OCEAN CITY – Taxi owners moved one step closer this week to having the ability to earn additional revenue though alternative means. A couple of weeks ago, Kevin Lyons, owner of Community Cab, requested an increase in base fare rates and a change in the taxi indicator roof light to an advertising carrier. Lyons’ request to increase fare rates was denied, but the Mayor and City Council did agree to allow a change to an advertising carrier as well as to allow a $1 surcharge once fuel...READ MORE

Capital Project Plan Includes $37M For New Bennett Middle

SALISBURY -- After generating so much controversy in the community, it came as a surprise Tuesday when a public hearing for the Wicomico County 2013 Capital Budget and Proposed 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) came and went without much fanfare. Though filled with a variety of projects and budget items for the coming years, the centerpiece and most widely debated piece of the CIP and Capital Budget is funding for a new James M. Bennett Middle School (BMS). The CIP calls for...READ MORE

Beach Music Fest Eyes Summer 2013

OCEAN CITY – Not all hope is lost for a high-profile beach music festival in Ocean City, as Founders Entertainment asked the town this week to save a date next summer to debut its planned two-day event. Founders Entertainment first proposed its music festival in October of last year. It was to be held June 2-3, 2012 as a weekend music and arts festival with multiple stages on the beach from north Dorchester Street to 2nd Street. The event was estimated to bring 35,000 people per day with...READ MORE

OC Councilman Proposes Random Act of Kindness Day

OCEAN CITY – April 6 may become “Random Act of Kindness Day in Ocean City” to help motivate residents and visitors to pay it forward through acts of compassion. At Monday’s meeting, Councilman Brent Ashley started out by asking for an update on the initiative to have an official Ocean City song that was originally suggested by Councilman Joe Hall a few weeks ago. Mayor Rick Meehan said the concept has been sent to the town’s advertising firm, MGH, for its...READ MORE

City Council Approves Park-And-Ride Fee Hike

OCEAN CITY – It looks like the cost to ride the Park-and-Ride shuttle from West Ocean City into the resort is heading for an increase as it received the Ocean City Mayor and Council’s approval this week and now only needs the blessing of the Maryland Transit Administration. The Mayor and City Council held a public hearing at its meeting Monday to seek public comment on a proposal to raise the fare for the Park-and-Ride shuttle that operates between West Ocean City and the South...READ MORE

Council Narrows City Manager Field

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City has narrowed the field of candidates to fill Ocean City’s vacant city manager post and expects to have the seat filled no later than May. In separate phone interviews Wednesday, Mayor and Interim City Manager Rick Meehan and Human Resources Director Wayne Evans confirmed the process to hire a new city manager is on track and reaching its final stages. During a closed meeting at City Hall on Monday, the Mayor and City Council met with John Anzivino, Senior Vice...READ MORE

Bill Paves Way For North OC Wine, Beer Festival

OCEAN CITY -- If businesses in north Ocean City want to pool resources to hold a wine or beer festival, the law will most likely soon be on their side. It was said at last month’s North Ocean City Business Alliance meeting at the Greene Turtle North that holding an event or two in the northern part of the town would help bring people to the area as well as help surrounding businesses. Suggested events included a wine festival or maybe a craft beer event or a combination of both, although...READ MORE

Coastal Highway Lane Closures Planned

OCEAN CITY – Beginning on Monday, March 12, motorists traveling northbound on Coastal Highway at 49th Street will be rerouted to the bus lane as all three northbound lanes will be closed to enable work on the town’s sewer main project. The lane closure is necessary as the contractor working on the sewer main project along Coastal Highway this winter needs to cross from the southbound fast lane, where work has been occurring all winter, at 49th Street over all three of the northbound...READ MORE

Judge Urges Settlement In Clean Water Act Case

BERLIN -- In a ruling with mixed results for the parties involved, a U.S. District Court judge in Baltimore last week again urged both sides in the ongoing legal battle involving a local farm to strike a settlement. In a statement this week, the Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) said it, too, was interested in seeing a settlement being reached in the lawsuit pitting the Waterkeeper Alliance against Perdue Farms, Inc. and Alan and Kristin Hudson, owners of the farm at the heart of the Clean Water...READ MORE

State’s Attorney Addresses Baby Ava Case Critics

BERLIN -- In response to dozens of Facebook posts on the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s page in recent weeks, Beau Oglesby posted a statement on the social network last Friday addressing the situation involving Andre Kaczynski. Back in December, Kaczynski, while allegedly high on PCP, crashed into a vehicle on Coastal Highway in north Ocean City, causing major injuries to Ava DelRicco, who was 18 months old at the time, and her mother. On the scene of the accident, which...READ MORE

Surprises Await Inside New Pink Building Along Route 50

BERLIN -- Fashions For Less has moved into Berlin and is making its presence known with some unconventional marketing. “The pink building is an advertisement itself,” acknowledged owner Don McLane. Located off Route 50, across from Stephen Decatur High School, the brightly colored Fashions store specializes in fashion accessories, and Don McLane is confident that his business will fill its own niche in Worcester County. “We really wanted to introduce wholesale to this...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Joyce L. Kinion BISHOPVILLE -- On Feb. 23, 2012, Joyce L. Kinion peacefully passed away at her home in Bishopville. She was the beloved wife of Les Kinion; beloved mother of Kathy, Dina and Cheryl Kinion; loving sister to Carol Jacobs; and loving friend to Tina Parlaman and Justine Keefe. For most of her life, Joyce worked alongside her husband and family as an assistant race director and was pivotal in creating and organizing hundreds of Maryland running races, including the Maryland Marathon....READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Open Wed., Thurs. & Sat.: Shepherd’s Nook Thrift Shop 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Community Church at Ocean Pines, Rte. 589 & Racetrack Rd., Berlin. Accepting donations of gently worn clothes and small household items. March 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. March 10: Pancake Breakfast For Huey Memorial 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Ocean City Airport Terminal Building....READ MORE

Who's Playing When And Where

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Saturday, March 10: Aaron Howell Band Thursday, March 15: Tim Cypher Duo Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, March 9 & Saturday, March 10: Power Play Fager’s Island 410-524-5500 60th St. in the Bay Deck: Friday, March 9: DJ Robcee Saturday, March 10: DJ Robcee, 6 p.m.; DJ Groove, 9 p.m. Inside: Friday, March 9: TBA Saturday, March 10: The Loop Every Sunday: Jazz Brunch with Everett...READ MORE

Best Eats 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 Ameri-ca awards, one of only 220 in North Ameri-ca and the only one in this region. Serving dinner Tuesday-Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Also offering a 5 course...READ MORE

Department Loses K-9 Cop

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department is mourning the loss of veteran K-9 Jester, who passed away on Feb. 18, 2012, one day after his 11th birthday. Jester, who retired from the department in 2008, came to the OCPD from Augsburg, Germany, at which time he became the partner to Pfc. Christine (Plant) Kirkpatrick. Jester, who achieved the highest level of certification (Schutzhund) before joining the OCPD in 2004, spent hundreds of hours in training in Patrol/Narcotics Division. During...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 Saturday 10-4 3BR/3.5BA New Construction Luxury Townhouses Only 3 Left Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN...READ MORE

Things I Like

Working while it’s snowing Chewing on ice Springing forward on Sunday Adkins hardware store’s smell When a new aisle opens at a busy grocery store Picking up both my boys at one time while I still can Wardrobe malfunctions Hearing surprising news Checking out summer concert tours The soul of an old dog Sunrises over the ocean ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Receive Their Class Rings

Juniors at Worcester Preparatory School received their class rings during a recent ceremony. Above, Marianne, Miranda, and Spiro Buas celebrate Miranda’s receiving of her class ring. Below, Dawne and Steve Pappas celebrate their daughter Dara’s class ring. ...READ MORE

Daughters Of The American Revolution Honors Its 2011-2012 Essay Winners

The General Levin Winder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored its 2011-2012 essay winners at a luncheon at Worcester Preparatory School. The winners were, from left, Caroline Savage, Grade 7 Historic Essay winner; Sarah Savage, Grade 6 Historic Essay Winner; Devin Hammond, Grade 8 Historic Essay Winner; Dori Krasner, Grade 5 Historic Essay Winner; Lenore Huffer; Halie Murray-Davis, Grades 9-12 Christopher Columbus Essay Winner; and Pat Arata. Krasner is a student at Berlin...READ MORE

Students At OC Elementary Follow Recipe To Make Green Eggs And Ham

After reading the story Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss pre-kindergarten students at Ocean City Elementary enjoyed following a recipe to make Green Eggs and Ham.  Above are Nehemiah Keithley and Adanya DuPont. ...READ MORE

SD Middle School Student Solves Rubik Cube In Average Of 44.9 Seconds

In the After School Rubik's Cube Workshop at Stephen Decatur Middle School, students were challenged to understand and apply various methods of solving the Rubik's cube.  Students studied and practiced different algorithms necessary to complete each side of the cube, then they focused on mastering the challenge. On March 1, 18 students competed in the final round of the tournament. The overall winner, Owen Dennis, solved three Rubik's Cubes with an average of...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Students Observe Snowflakes Falling

Jeannette Mears' kindergarten class at Showell Elementary School went outside on Monday and observed snowflakes falling. Pictured, from left, are Chase Ponton, Aiden Blake and Brody Grunewald. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Announces February Students Of The Month

Buckingham Elementary School recently announced its February Students of the Month. Above, third grade honorees were, from left, Joshua Williams, Judah Morningstar, Naomi Derrickson, Aidan Richardson, Judah Matlock and Mariana Juarez-Quio. Below, fourth grade students honored were, from left, Zion Shockley, Terran Wright, Brittany Bowen and Billy King. Also honored but not pictured were first graders Junior Perez, Ethan Nock, Javon Fisher, Ivorie Helmbright and Jamira Johnson and second graders...READ MORE

Pre-K Students From OC Elementary Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Pre-kindergarten students from Ocean City Elementary School celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday by reading many of his books and ending with a culminating activity. After reading The Cat in a Hat, students made an ABAB pattern on a hat. Students from Jennifer Fohner's afternoon pre-kindergarten class are shown here with their Cat in the Hat patterns. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

St. Patrick’s Day Boardwalk Run Planned For Next Weekend

OCEAN CITY -- Before they head to the parade or begin celebrations of a different kind, hundreds of runners from all over the local area and beyond will compete in the 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Boardwalk 5K next weekend. Sponsored by OC Tri-Running Sports, which produces several events and races in the resort area, the St. Patrick’s Day Boardwalk 5K is set for Saturday, March 17. The course starts at Shenanigan’s and heads south on the Boardwalk toward the Inlet where it...READ MORE

Injuries Provide Early Hurdles For Lady Mallards Squad

BERLIN -- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team opens the 2012 season with more questions than answers, although it appears the Mallard should have enough veteran leadership to overcome the early obstacles. According to Coach Page Watts Rogers, the biggest obstacle facing the team at the start of the new season is the goalkeeper position. Last year’s starter, Skylar Seigfried, transferred to Decatur in January and the projected backup, last year’s junior varsity...READ MORE

New Coach Looks To Continue Winning Ways For Seahawks

BERLIN -- With a new coach at the helm and a talented group of returning players and newcomers, the outlook is bright for the Stephen Decatur boys’ varsity lacrosse team this season. Coach Scott “Spunky” Lathroum takes over at Decatur this spring as the Seahawks embark on what should be another promising season. Lathroum takes over for Coach Jason Macrides, who stepped down at the end of last season after shepherding the Seahawks through a significant transition phase for the...READ MORE

Young Players Look To Make A Mark For Worcester Prep

BERLIN -- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team looks deep and talented as they prepare for another campaign against some of the stiffest competition on the shore and elsewhere. Worcester won its third straight Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) championship last year, and with talented returning players up and down the roster, it appears the Mallards should be set up for a shot at a fourth straight this year. With upperclassmen leadership all over the...READ MORE

Choosing Best Way To Manage Your 401(k) Distributions

OCEAN CITY -- Although you may not be planning to change jobs anytime soon, when you do retire or make a change, it’s important to understand the choices you have for your 401(k) distributions. It’s important to make the most of the assets you’ve set aside for the future. Start by considering your choices and their tax consequences. If permitted by your plan, leaving your account balance in your current plan may make the most sense. If you need more time to decide, you can...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Keep an open mind about a suggestion you see as unworkable. Give it a chance to prove itself one way or another. The results could surprise both supporters and detractors. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): News about an upcoming venture causes you to make some last-minute adjustments in your plans. But the extra work will pay off, as you come to learn more about the potential benefits opening up. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A more positive aspect grows out of your...READ MORE

Republican Women Of Worcester County Attend Red Scarf Day In Annapolis

Several members of the Republican Women of Worcester County spent the day in Annapolis last month attending the Maryland Republican Women’s Club Red Scarf Day.  Pictured with Delegate Mike McDermott are, from left, Laura McDermott, Barbara Loffler, Ann Lutz, Joan Gentile and Merilee Horvat. ...READ MORE

Community Foundation Awarded $2,000 From Biron

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore awarded HALO (Hope and Life Outreach) $2,000 from the Biron Wicomico County Fund to support the conversion of an empty lot on the property of the HALO Day Center property to an organic garden called the Harvest of Hope Project, which hopes to provide fresh food for the HALO guests and clients. Pictured, from left, are Spicer Bell, President, Community Foundation; Kathleen McLain, WMDT 47 General Manager and Master Gardener; and Celeste Savage,...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Rotary Club President Welcomes Fellow Rotarians

Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club President Arlan Kinney, left, welcomes fellow Rotarian, Joe McLean of the Austin, Texas Rotary Club. Kinney and McLean share interesting experiences as both are retired from the U.S. Department of State Foreign Services. Club meetings are held Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. at the Captain’s Table Restaurant. ...READ MORE

Community Foundation Recognizes Past Board Members

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore recognized past board members at an annual luncheon at the Foundation’s Nonprofit Support Center in Salisbury. This year, nine board members who served in several capacities with the foundation, gathered to enjoy lunch and to hear an update on the recent activities from Spicer Bell, CFES President. Seated, from left, are Sue Morris, Karen Lischick and Jan Perdue. Standing, from left, are Joe Ollinger, Tom Hershey, Tony Sarbanes, Mike...READ MORE

Optimist Scholarship Lotto Winners Receive Checks

The Optimist Scholarship Lotto winners received their checks at a recent meeting. Jeffery G Bauer won $75,000 and Katherine A Cioccio won $15,000. Proceeds from the lotto will be awarded to college ready seniors from Stephan Decatur High School. The Optimists Have awarded $1,500,000 in scholarships over 24 years from lotto proceeds. Above, from left, are Lotto Chair Rich Dalton, Bauer, Cioccio and Optimist Club President Lew Frey. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

AGH Closes Pocomoke Clinic POCOMOKE – Atlantic General Hospital announced last week that the Atlantic ImmediCare walk-in clinic located within the Rite Aid in Pocomoke City has permanently closed. The seven-day-a-week walk-in clinic first opened in December 2009 along with sister clinics at the Ocean Pines and Millsboro, Del., Rite Aids to address a need for additional access to primary care on the Delmarva Peninsula. According to Atlantic General Hospital leaders, who operate the Atlantic...READ MORE