October 5, 2012

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Fire Company Denies Role In Berlin Mayor Write-In Effort

BERLIN -- While a surprise write-in candidate for mayor shook up what was expected to be a quiet election in Berlin this week, the last-minute effort was not successful enough to change the composition of the council. After voters hit the polls Tuesday, Mayor Gee Williams, District II Councilmember Lisa Hall and District III Councilmember Elroy Brittingham emerged victorious in their re-election bids. Of the three, Hall was the only one to have an official opponent on the ballot, Ronald Marney,...READ MORE

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Boardwalk Reconstruction Underway In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY -- The second phase of a two-year Boardwalk reconstruction project got underway in earnest this week with a large section in the area of N. Division and First streets already torn up and the old surface underneath being excavated. Last year, the project’s first phase included a section from the north terminus at 27th Street to 15th Street, along with another section between the Inlet and Somerset Street. The second phase will finish the entire Boardwalk reconstruction from...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: New Ocean City Boat Ramp Construction Could Start Soon

OCEAN CITY – Soon enough a new public access boat ramp will be constructed at 64th Street in Ocean City as the designs have been completed and the city is reviewing bids for the project. This week the Town of Ocean City received seven offers to construct a new boat ramp and trailer parking facility at 64th Street. The project is expected to consist of construction of a two-lane boat ramp, channel dredging for ramp access, a 50-space trailer parking area and a small comfort station. The...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Faulty Circuit Identified As Waterman’s Fire Cause

WEST OCEAN CITY -- The commercial fire at the Waterman’s Seafood Company, leading to the evacuation of the crowded restaurant and closing a vast section of Route 50 in both directions for several hours on Friday, originated in a second-floor attic area and was caused by a faulty electrical circuit, the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office announced on Tuesday. The fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. on Friday and first-arriving units from the Ocean City Fire Company reported fire...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: Search For Missing Boaters Continues

OCEAN CITY -- A massive search for two missing boaters who left Ocean City early Saturday morning and did not arrive as scheduled at Chincoteague later in the day continues with the effort expanding from New Jersey to North Carolina. Brothers Michael Bramlett, 51, and Donald Bramlett, 54, left Ocean City early Saturday morning in the 38-foot “Reel Fun” sportfishing boat and were headed to Chincoteague. The Bramlett’s reportedly purchased the boat recently in New Jersey and were...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: Driver In Ava Accident Sentenced To 10 Years

SNOW HILL -- An Ocean Pines man who plead guilty to being high on PCP when he crashed his truck into a vehicle stopped at a traffic light last December, seriously injuring a mother and her then 18-month old daughter was sentenced today to 15 years in jail, all but 10 years of which were then suspended. In August, Andre Kaczynski, 48, of Ocean Pines, pleaded guilty to all of the 11 counts against him including causing life-threatening injuries by motor vehicle while impaired by a controlled...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: OC Franchise Holder Sentenced To 10 Months In Jail For Failing To File Taxes

BALTIMORE -- U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Patrick McLaughlin, 43, of Ocean City, today to 10 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for failing to file individual income tax returns and failing to report employment tax withholdings. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Rick A. Raven of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field...READ MORE

Natural Gas Lines Push Into Northern Worcester

BERLIN -- The push to extend a natural gas pipeline into northern Worcester moved closer to fruition recently as the main transmission line crossed the Maryland-Delaware state line, and service could be soon available to residences and businesses in certain areas of the county. Chesapeake Utilities, the parent company of Eastern Shore Natural Gas, in the last week moved forward with its planned expansion into northern Worcester County. For several years, the company has pushed south loosely...READ MORE

County Vows To Fight Septic Laws

SNOW HILL -- A series of unpopular septic system regulations passed last year despite the opposition of Worcester and several other counties, but, the Worcester County Commissioners promised Tuesday that they will continue to fight the legislation in hopes of eventual change. “I don’t think this is over,” said Commissioner Virgil Shockley. “I don’t think we can afford to let this be over. I think this is one we go to our graves fighting.” The new regulations...READ MORE

Salisbury Considers Pay Raises For All Employees

SALISBURY -- After agreeing to a pay grade adjustment for city police officers last month, the Salisbury City Council brainstormed questions Monday that need to be answered before considering a salary bump for all general employees. Since the issue surfaced, council members have been consistent in saying they would unanimously like to grant all employees a salary increase such as the one recently given to police officers; however, it is dependent on making sure that the numbers...READ MORE

Homestead Tax Change Could Have Big Impact On Shore

BERLIN -- State officials this week began checking for and potentially penalizing Homestead Tax Credit scofflaws, and perhaps nowhere in the state could more offenders be found than in Worcester County. Last spring, the Maryland General Assembly passed a new law providing a mechanism for penalizing property owners who misrepresent a property as their primary residence in order to take advantage of state and local Homestead Tax Credit rates. In Maryland, resident property owners are protected...READ MORE

Salisbury Legend’s Passing Mourned

SALISBURY -- The city of Salisbury and the entire Lower Shore this week is mourning the passing of long-time civil servant and visionary Phillip C. “Pete” Cooper, who was instrumental in the development of much of what Salisbury is today. Cooper, who passed away on Monday at the age of 102, was a City Engineer and Director of Public Works in Salisbury from 1950 to 1978 and was instrumental in the development of many important projects including the Downtown Plaza and the Riverwalk,...READ MORE

Delegate Urges Support For Expanded Gambling

SNOW HILL -- With the future of gambling in Maryland on the ballot this fall, Delegate Mike McDermott visited the Worcester County Commissioners this week to explain exactly what new legislation allowing table games and new casinos could mean for the area. “It’s a significant win for Maryland,” he said of Question 7, a gambling initiative that residents will be voting on next month. Question 7 is a multi-layered bill that would allow table games in the current slots-only...READ MORE

Funds Eyed For Downtown Demolition Work

OCEAN CITY -- The City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution this week to authorize the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) to submit a funding application to the new Maryland Strategic Demolition and Smart Growth Impact Fund to pay for the demolition costs of the proposed Fat Daddy’s mixed use project at 210 and 216 S. Baltimore Avenue. According to OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin, the property owners have desired to construct a new mixed-use project with a larger Fat...READ MORE

Offshore Wind Environmental Studies To Start

OCEAN CITY -- The next crucial step in the evolution of a potential offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City is now pending after two state agencies last week announced they were partnering on an environmental study of the target area. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) late last week announced the two agencies had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner on environmental surveys necessary for the development of...READ MORE

Shore Governments Proudly Show Pink Support

OCEAN CITY – This week local municipalities vowed to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month as the color pink will start to take over throughout the area. At Monday’s Mayor and City Council meeting, Beverly Furst of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer reminded the public that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there will be several different pink ribbon events held in Ocean City. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has an event coming up on Oct. 20 at the...READ MORE

OC Building Fire’s Cause Remains Under Investigation

OCEAN CITY -- A little more than one week after a massive fire consumed the top floor of a midtown Ocean City condominium building last Wednesday, the investigation is ongoing and a cause has not been determined. Shortly before 6 p.m. last Wednesday, the Ocean City Fire Department received a call about a residential fire at the Bradley on the Bay condo complex at 37th Street. Heavy fire and thick black smoke that could be seen from miles around extended from the third floor of one of the...READ MORE

Worcester County Leads ‘Growth Triangle’ Tour

SNOW HILL -- A bus tour designed to show off Worcester County to prospective developers, builders, and members of the real estate community last week was successful and will likely lead to additional trips, according to officials. Hosted by County Director of Economic Development Bill Badger, the bus tour focused on what Badger called Worcester’s “growth triangle” including Ocean City, West Ocean City, Berlin and Ocean Pines. Each of those communities was specifically...READ MORE

Bishopville Pond Project Close To Starting

BISHOPVILLE -- The long-awaited Bishopville Pond restoration and dam replacement project is closer than ever to becoming a reality this week as the final stage of the approval process got underway on Monday. The project, which has been on the books for years, includes replacing the existing Bishopville Dam on the Bunting Branch of the St. Martin’s River and creating a series of weirs, or “fish ladders,” to aid in the migration of several species native to the area. Ultimately,...READ MORE

Seahawks Keep Win Streak Going

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity soccer team stayed on a roll this week, thrashing visiting Mardela, 8-2, on Monday for their third straight win. After dropping a pair of games to Queen Anne’s and Easton two weeks ago, the Seahawks have gone on a mid-season mini-roll with three straight wins. The run started with a 4-1 win over Wicomico at home and a 3-1 win over Worcester County rival Pocomoke on the road last Wednesday. On Monday, the Seahawks cruised past visiting...READ MORE

Decatur Golfers Remain Unbeaten

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity golf team remained unbeaten this week, beating a tough field of Bayside opponents at Nassawango to improve to 7-0 on the season. Fresh off its victory in the annual Battle of Berlin against neighborhood rival Worcester Prep, the Seahawks returned to conference action last week and came out on top with a low team score of 173. Andrew Urban and Matt Ruggiere led Decatur, each shooting a round of 40 to share first place. Washington High was second, finishing...READ MORE

Seahawk Girls Suffer 1st Loss of Season

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity soccer team suffered its first loss of the season this week, falling to Parkside, 3-1, on the road on Tuesday to fall to 5-1-1. The Rams ended the Seahawks’ run at an unbeaten season on Tuesday, beating Decatur, 3-1, on its home field. Going into Tuesday’s grudge match with Bayside South rival Parkside, Decatur was 5-0-1 on the season, its only blemish a 1-1 tie with Queen Anne’s back on September 14. The Seahawks were on a...READ MORE

Decatur Sweeps Snow Hill, Pocomoke

BERLIN- Decatur’s varsity volleyball team continued its up-and-down season this week with a pair of big wins against Worcester County rivals Snow Hill and Pocomoke. The Seahawks have been all over the map thus far this season with a win in the opener, followed by a loss, followed by two more wins, two more losses and now two straight wins over Snow Hill last week and Pocomoke on Monday. The Seahawks beat Snow Hill, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-23 last Thursday. Casey Ortiz led Decatur with 11...READ MORE

Atlantic Physical Therapy Tough Guy Of The Week

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Worcester Girls Rally Past Dragons

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity soccer team got off to a sluggish start this week in a home game against rival Salisbury School before getting the offense cranked up and routing the Dragons, 5-1. Salisbury School took a 1-0 lead about halfway through the first half on Tuesday on a soggy field at Worcester Prep and made the advantage hold up through halftime. The first half of the game was played largely in the middle of the field and in the Salisbury School offensive end as...READ MORE

Lions Spoil Decatur Homecoming

BERLIN- Visiting Queen Anne’s returned a favor to Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team last weekend and spoiled the Seahawks’ homecoming with a 23-7 win. Last year, Decatur traveled to Queen Anne’s and ruined the Lions’ homecoming festivities with a dramatic 34-31 win. This year, Queen Anne’s returned the favor with a 23-7 win over Decatur in front of a big crowd on Homecoming last Friday. Queen Anne’s scored on three of its first four possessions,...READ MORE

Bank Of OC MVP Of The Week

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Voices From The Readers

Firefighters Appreciated Editor: In reference to the “How We See It” last week, it was written the only time the general public really gets a feel for what firefighters do on a day-in and day-out basis is during fires. That’s not so. I learned June 7 taking a stroll up Coastal Highway, near the 15th Street firehouse where I collapsed and flat-lined unexpectedly at their front door. Thanks God Bill Hall and Bill Tilghman were on duty at 9:04 a.m. and did exactly what they were...READ MORE

Time Is Now To Learn About Natural Gas

Natural gas is coming to Worcester County, and soon residents and businesses could have a decision to make. It’s a decision that should be welcomed by the lower shore community, but some education will most likely be needed before determining if it’s the right call for individual property owners. The general benefits of natural gas include it’s typically the cleanest of all fossil fuels; it’s a domestic product, reducing foreign dependence on oil; it’s efficient...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

The field for the four open City Council seats became more congested this week and that’s not good news for any of the individual candidates.If this election’s outcome was uncertain before this week, it became further clouded with the council field now up to 10 candidates.What happens in large fields like this is the voters have a lot of options with their four votes. Council elections are always tricky business because of the “single shot” factor, which is when a voter...READ MORE

Q&A With Council President Jim Hall

OCEAN CITY -- Currently serving his 25th year in elected office, Council President Jim Hall filed on Monday for another term because he says he has more work to do for the town. With his candidacy, Jim Hall, council president since 2010, became the ninth candidate to file with the candidate deadline coming Tuesday. Along with Jim Hall, vying for four open council seats in the Nov. 6 election are incumbents Doug Cymek, Joe Hall and Mary Knight as well as Bob Baker, Sean Rox, John Franklin...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

Over the last week, I have seen this quote twice -- on Facebook and emailed to me by a reader commenting on a recent rambling in this space. It’s from Dave Harvey, a man of faith who apparently in a book or commentary along the way astutely opined, “I thought parenting was going to portray my strengths, never realizing that God had ordained it to reveal my weaknesses.” I got to thinking about the quote on Tuesday night as I struggled (more like wrestled) to contain Carson, 2,...READ MORE

Berlin’s Paint The Town Pink Events Kick Off Tonight

BERLIN -- It’s autumn and while the leaves may be turning brown and gold, Berlin is gearing up to go pink. Paint the Town Pink (PTTP) is now in its third year in Berlin, and is one of a slew of projects Women Supporting Women (WSW), a local non-profit aimed at breast cancer awareness, conducts during the month of October. “The town seems to be very much behind Women Supporting Women,” said WSW representative Mary Henderson. Though this year’s town transformation is...READ MORE

Tickets Still Available For Film Festival

OCEAN CITY -- Tickets are selling fast for the 2nd Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival at Seacrets' Morley Hall on Thursday, Oct. 11. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door, so buy your tickets now and save money while celebrating and supporting 10 years of the Assateague Coastkeeper. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is a collection of films from the annual festival held in Nevada City, Calif. Now in its 10th year, Wild & Scenic focuses on films that speak to the environmental...READ MORE

Harbor Day Set For Saturday

OCEAN CITY -- Celebrating coastal heritage is paramount to the organizers of Harbor Day at the Docks, which on Saturday, Oct. 6 will mark its fifth anniversary. Beginning at 10 a.m., the waterfront festival showcases Ocean City’s humble beginnings as a fishing village. Held along the working harbor docks adjacent to Sunset Avenue, “this event is truly authentic and is great because it caters to people of all ages,” according to Amy Tingle, event manager for the Ocean City...READ MORE

Berlin Gives Update On Plans For New Police Headquarters

BERLIN -- Prompted by residents’ interest, the Berlin Mayor and Council took a moment last week to give a progress update on a new police station to be located adjacent to Route 113. Though a new station is not expected for several years, Mayor Gee Williams said that there’s a hope that the land it will sit on will be entirely paid off within two years and that contract bids and design work can also go out at that time. “We want to obviously make sure the property is paid for...READ MORE

An Idea Blossoms Into Reality With Red Doors Community Center

OCEAN CITY – The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting last Thursday for the grand opening of Red Doors Community Center at St. Paul’s By-The-Sea. The center is a non-profit organization providing enrichment opportunities for the community and engaging in community service.  “Our mission is to provide opportunities for enrichment in mind, body and spirit for children and adults in the community and we hope to do so,” Director Fawn Mete said...READ MORE

City Hall Conversations Confirm Election Drawing Near

OCEAN CITY – With Election Day approaching in a month, discussions are heating up at City Hall, as City Council members and citizens alike continue to stir the political pot. Citizens For Ocean City spokesman Joe Groves approached the Mayor and City Council during the comments portion of Monday’s council meeting to speak in regards to an incident that occurred a couple of weeks ago. At that time, Councilman Joe Hall asked Groves to come to the podium to answer a few questions...READ MORE

Brown Box Theatre Planning To Return To Shore Next Year

BERLIN -- After a popular performance of Romeo and Juliet downtown last month, Brown Box Theatre co-founder Kyler Taustin confirmed that his trope will be back on the shore next year for a follow-up. The play, which took place outside in historic Berlin, was well received, earning a standing ovation, which Town Director of Community and Economic Development Michael Day said was “well deserved.” “I think Romeo and Juliet was one of the most magical events in downtown Berlin that...READ MORE

Cruisin Now Underway In OC

OCEAN CITY -- The 15th Annual Endless Summer Cruisin Car Show returns to the Ocean City Inlet parking lot Oct. 4-7. Show hours are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 6 and the Grand Finale Car Show and Awards Ceremony 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7.  This four-day automotive event continues to be one of the eastern regions largest fall car shows with more than 2,000 hot rods, street machines customs and more. Special guest this year is Butch Patrick, best...READ MORE

Candidate Adkins Refuses To Withdraw From Race

OCEAN CITY – Although attempts have been made to persuade John Franklin Adkins to drop out of the race for City Council, he has declared that he is in it for the long run, saying it is time for a change on the council. Adkins’ choice to run for elected office goes back to a Mayor and City Council meeting almost two years ago when the majority was voting a list of ordinances through on second reading to change city employees’ benefits. It wasn’t the council...READ MORE

Play It Safe Recaps Campaign For City; Benefit Planned For Monday

OCEAN CITY – The 23rd Annual Play It Safe campaign took place last summer and this week Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee Chair Donna Greenwood presented a status report. The mission of Play It Safe is to encourage high school graduates coming to the beach to make informed, healthy choices while having responsible fun without the use of alcohol and other drugs In 1989, then-Gov. William Donald Schaefer asked Ocean City Mayor Roland Powell to set up a committee to fight...READ MORE

New Business Aims To Extend Life Of Property Owners’ Roofs

BERLIN -- Seeing the opportunity to get in on the “ground floor” of a burgeoning service industry, Berlin native Lee Kendall decided last year to create his own roof cleaning business last year, a move he said has seen marked success. “I finally found my niche,” said Kendall, owner of Kendall Scapes. While researching possible business opportunities, Kendall explained that he stumbled upon a specific kind of roof treatment service meant to combat Gloeocapsa Magma, an...READ MORE

New Salisbury Skate Park Site In Question

SALISBURY -- With $262,000 in grant funding for a new skate park already approved, the Salisbury City Council has decided to hold off on accepting the money while searching for an alternative location for the project. However, Community Development Director Debbie Stam warned the council that too much delay could cost the city future funds. “I don’t want to wind up in a situation where there’s no skate park,” said Stam. Five years in the works, the grant from the...READ MORE

Three Arrested For Crack

OCEAN CITY -- Three local men were arrested on crack cocaine possession charges last week after a routine traffic stop in Ocean City.Around 2:35 p.m. last Wednesday, OCPD stopped a 2002 Nissan Altima with three occupants inside for a traffic violation in the area of 62nd Street and Coastal Highway. During the traffic stop, officers noticed two of the occupants shoving an unknown object under the front seat.The driver was identified as Larry Dennell Floyd, Jr., 30, of Berlin, and a check of his...READ MORE

Storm Silences Trains In Berlin

BERLIN -- The blaring train horn so familiar to Berlin residents has been eerily quiet for the last month after a storm washed out a significant portion of the track near Showell. For decades, the loud train whistle of the Maryland and Delaware Railroad Company as its locomotives and cars roll through town have been a way of life for Berlin residents and a quaint reminder of a bygone era, but the familiar horn has been silent since the epic storm on Aug. 25, deemed a “1,000 year...READ MORE

Ping-Pong Summer Cast, Crew Discuss Movie

OCEAN CITY – The stars of Ping-Pong Summer took the time this week to sit down and take in the scenery while they introduced themselves to the media. The conference was held at the Hilton with select cast and crew of the independent movie now being filmed in Ocean City. “I can’t tell you how proud we are to have all you here in Ocean City overlooking the Atlantic Ocean … and we are proud of [writer/director] Michael [Tully] being so determined over the course of the last...READ MORE

Jeweler Wins Annual Berlin Award

BERLIN -- Commended for more than 20 years of volunteerism and dedication to the town, Terri Sexton was named the recipient of the 47th Annual Berlin Award last Thursday. Sexton, who owns The Treasure Chest jewelry store, was singled out for the award this year for a lifetime of striving to improve Berlin. “It was a pleasure watching this person work,” said Steve Frene, co-owner of Victorian Charm. It was Frene’s job to announce the winner this year and, as per tradition, he...READ MORE

Boardwalk Skate Law Now Official

OCEAN CITY – Skateboarding is officially legal on Ocean City’s Boardwalk for transportation purposes following a Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday evening when the council voted to have the mayor pass the law as an emergency and he agreed. Last week, the council voted to draft an ordinance that would allow skateboarding, for transportation purposes only, on the Boardwalk during the same off-season schedule that bicycles are allowed. The law regarding skateboarding will...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Every Saturday: Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m.-noon, Ocean City Airport. To benefit the Ocean City Aviation Asso-ciation’s Huey Memorial Display restora-tion and continuous maintenance fund. For more information, 410-641-6888 or 410-213-2471. Every Sunday: Morning Worship 8 a.m. & 11 a.m., Traditional Worship; 9:30 a.m., Contemporary Worship; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A, 10301 Coastal Hwy., O.C. For more information, 410-524-7474. Open Monday-Saturday: Atlantic United...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 Sunset Island 67th St & The Bay Sat & Sun Condos, Townhomes, Single Family Homes Luxury Resort Living Terry Riley Vantage Resort Realty 443-880-0512 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium...READ MORE

Who's Playing When And Where

19th hole bar & Grille, The 410-213-9204 • Corner of Rte. 611 & Sunset Ave., West Ocean City Friday, Oct. 5: Scott Glorioso, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6: John Remy, 6-10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7: Louis Wright, 9 a.m.-noon 28th Street Pit and Pub 410-289-2020 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Thursday, Oct. 11: DJ Jeremy 45th Street TapHouse Bar & Grille 443-664-2201 45th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Oct. 5: 2 Guys And A Mama, 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6: 1st Annual Beerfest, 1-7 p.m.with...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

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Carole Jean Hagan Judge SALISBURY -- Carole Jean Hagan Judge, age 72, of Salisbury, died of natural causes surrounded by family and friends on Sept. 25, 2012. She was born March 9, 1940, the middle of five children, to Julia and James Hagan in Boston, Mass. 
Carole was a graduate of Jeremiah E. Burke High School in 1958. She met the love of her life, Paul F. Judge, on a blind date. The two were married in Quincy, Mass. on June 18, 1960. The couple lived in Rhode Island and New Hampshire...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Doctors Appointed BERLIN -- Atlantic General Hospital recently appointed two individuals to its medical staff, Jessica Colyer, M.D., received her medical degree from The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pa. She completed her residency and fellowship in pediatrics at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, where she became chief resident in pediatrics. Colyer is a member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Cardiology and...READ MORE

Your 2012 SD High Homecoming Court Girls

Representing the Stephen Decatur High School 2012 Homecoming Court girls were Ali McLoota, Olivia Quattrini, Devynn Detzer, Lexi Ashton, Liz Brittingham and Jessica Iacona....READ MORE

Your 2012 SD High Homecoming Court Boys

The Stephen Decatur High School 2012 Homecoming Court included senior boys Jake Howe, Daniel Winters, Dallas Harrington, Robert Phillips, Colin May and Shae Farmer....READ MORE

SD High School Homecoming Queen And King Crowed

Newly crowned Stephen Decatur High School Queen and King Liz Brittingham and Dallas Harrington are pictured above with Principal Tom Zimmer during halftime of the Homecoming football game last Friday. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Field Hockey Team Takes Second In 2012 Betty Lang Memorial Tournament

Worcester Prep’s field hockey team recently took second place in the 2012 Betty Lang Memorial Tournament held at Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland. Some team members pictured, from left, are Sonya Walker, Devin Hammond, Maddy Pilchard, Natalie Twilley, Caroline Lindsay, Jordie Loomis and Hannah Esham. The team is coached by Jenny Frostrom. ...READ MORE

SH Elementary Students Create Pinwheels For Peace

Cindy Sullivan, art teacher of Snow Hill Elementary, coordinated the Pinwheels for Peace project this year. Students created pinwheels as part of the creation process, then the students wrote or discussed about what peace meant to them on one side. Above, third graders Natalie Bowden, Zhamaia Collick and Bryce Purnell are shown. ...READ MORE

SD High School Students Participate As Face Painters At Bounce Out Bullying Event

Stephen Decatur High School junior Paige Bradford, sophomores Christina Van Vonno, Serena Craven, and juniors Cora Cox and Ciara Wright participated as face painters at the inaugural Bounce Out Bullying event sponsored by the Acts of Kindness organization and the Student Government Association.  ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Honors September Students Of The Month

Ocean City Elementary School honored the September Students of the Month with a luncheon sponsored by the Ocean City/Berlin Optimists, the Ocean City/Berlin OptiMs, and the OCES PTA. Pictured are, first row from left, first grade honorees  Caitlin Williams, Lukas Loring, Christopher Stedding, Eric Braica, Matthew Beck and Cavontay Smith; second row, second graders Hilary Tirado-Cano, Caden Daubach, Arlenni Rodriguez-Carpio, Jessica Beck and Devin Phillips; third row, third graders Brandon...READ MORE

Berlin Students Create Pinwheels To Celebrate International Day Of Peace

Students at Berlin Intermediate School created hundreds of pinwheels and installed them outside of the school to celebrate International Day of Peace. Students pictured include David Cherry, Kaitlyn Peters, Noelle Davis, Sarah Hyatt, Shelby Evans, Grace Schwendeman, Chy’na Riley, Kaliegh Redner and Halle Friedman. ...READ MORE

SD High 6th Annual National English Honor Society Induction Ceremony Celebrated

Celebrating after the 6th Annual Stephen Decatur High School National English Honor Society Induction Ceremony were juniors Gabi Ortega and Katie VanBruggen. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Honors National Merit Scholarship Commended Students

Worcester Preparatory School Headmaster Dr. Barry Tull congratulates the students who were named by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as Commended Students. Pictured, from left, are Scott Gee, Katherine Pavlos, Casey Knerr, Talha Ehtasham and Michael Durkin. Commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Things I Like

The Orioles’ bright orange uniforms Pushing my kids on a swing The Avalon Theater in Easton Old clothes that still fit The show, “Once Upon A Time” The way Brooks Robinson talks A shave after skipping a day That my son likes going to school The Clarion’s breakfast buffet A sunny day predicted to be rainy Short phone conversations ...READ MORE

A Drawdown Strategy Designed Just For You

OCEAN CITY -- For previous generations, retirement planning generally meant one thing: saving and investing for the time when you would no longer bring in an income. Nowadays, with people living longer, health care costs rising, pensions disappearing and people increasingly embracing more active, adventurous post-career lives, retirees need to be a lot more deliberate about making their money last. "It used to be that retirement planning consisted of accumulating enough assets to achieve...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Although you love being the focus of attention, it's a good idea to take a few steps back right now to just watch the action. What you see can help with an upcoming decision. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): "Caution" continues to be your watchword this week, as a former colleague tries to reconnect old links. There are still some dark places that need to be illuminated. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Making a good first impression is important. Revealing your...READ MORE

Delmarva Poultry Executive Director Guest Speaker At NARFE Meeting

NARFE Chapter 2274 had as its guest speaker Bill Satterfield, executive director of the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., at its regular monthly meeting. Pictured, from left, are Anna Foultz, program chairperson; Satterfield; and Arlene Page, chapter president. All active and retired Federal workers are invited to NARFE's monthly meetings. The next meeting will be at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club, October 25th, doors open 11:00 am, meeting starts at 11:30. Interested persons can call...READ MORE

OC Police Teach Bike Safety To After School Program

Members of the Ocean City Police Department visited the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department to teach the importance of bike safety to participants of the After School Program. In addition to bike safety, they led a bike rodeo for the kids and each child received a badge making them Junior Police Officers. ...READ MORE

Cardin's Campaign Representatives At Democratic Women's Meeting

Representatives from Sen. Ben Cardin’s campaign were at last month’s meeting of the Democratic Women's Club of Worcester County (DWC). Pictured are Lee Whaley, assistant to the senator; Dell Purrell, DWC president; Durand Ford, Jr., Regional Field Director Cardin Campaign; and Judy Butler, DWC vice president.  ...READ MORE

SH Rotary Donates Dictionaries To SH Elementary

The Snow Hill Rotary Club recently donated dictionaries to Snow Hill Elementary School. Each third grade student will receive a personal dictionary. Pictured, from left, with the dictionaries are Snow Hill Elementary School third grade teacher Michelle Harr, Snow Hill Rotary President Kemp Wills, third grade student Ashley Haueisen with her aunt, Amanda Kiesewetter, Rotary Treasurer, Rotary member Michael Labesky with his son Sage, a third grade, and SHES Principal Dee Shorts. ...READ MORE

Questers Hold Successfull Card Party

The Assateague Chapter of The Questers held another successful card party at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club recently. Waiting at the registration table to welcome players are Assateague Quester members Nancy Norris, Linda Barrett (Assateague Questers President), Marie Stenger, and Mary Page. Over 130 attendees participated in the event. Funds from this year's card party are going to the Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE