December 14, 2012

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Resort Performing Arts Center Plans Advance

OCEAN CITY -- The new 1,200-seat performing arts center in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center is on the fast track after city officials this week got an overview of the schematic design for the project and an expedited timeline that could see it open as early as the fall of 2014. The Ocean City Mayor and Council on Monday heard an update on the plans for the long-awaited 1,200-seat performing arts theater and the second phase of the latest expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center....READ MORE

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Judge Sides WIth Family In Clean Water Act Lawsuit

BERLIN -- After three years of tense legal wrangling, a U.S. District Court judge today issued a ruling in the landmark civil suit filed against a Berlin farm family and Perdue over alleged pollution violations dating back to 2009, siding with the defendants Alan Hudson and Perdue and against the independent environmental watchdog group. In March 2010, the New York-based Waterkeeper Alliance, along with the Assateague Coastal Trust and the Assateague Coastkeeper, filed suit in U.S. District...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Police: Man Took Own Life On Beach

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City Police late Tuesday confirmed the remains recovered on the beach at 45th Street early Tuesday morning were those of a 27-year-old, Mt. Airy, Md. man, the victim of an apparent suicide. Around 7:55 a.m. on Tuesday, Ocean City police responded to the beach at 45th Street in reference to an unresponsive male who was lying on the beach with a rifle in his lap. Officers arrived at the scene and determined the individual was deceased. The individual’s name is not being...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Local School Security Under Evaluation After Conn. Shooting

SNOW HILL -- In the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. last Friday, school officials in Worcester and Wicomico counties acknowledged the need to discuss and potentially upgrade security in local schools. “Our school system was safe for the times we had and all of that changed on Friday,” said Worcester Board of Education President Bob Rothermel during the board’s meeting Tuesday. “It certainly changed for that school system in Connecticut because they had...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Body Discovered On Beach In OC

OCEAN CITY- Ocean City Police this morning confirmed a deceased body was found on the beach in the area of 45th Street. OCPD public information officer Mike Levy this morning verified a body had been discovered on the beach at 45th Street. At around 10:30 a.m., the deceased was still on the beach as the investigation continued as the remains were being prepared for transport to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. As of mid-morning, the deceased had not been identified although...READ MORE

Resort Man Charged With Pot Distribution

OCEAN CITY -- A local man was arrested with a significant amount of marijuana in an Ocean City hotel room after resort police earlier in the day arrested his caretaker for possession. Around 9:40 a.m. on Friday, Ocean City Police were conducting a follow-up check on the welfare of Brian Daniel Sterner, 37, of Ocean City, who was staying in a hotel room in the area of 32nd Street and Baltimore Ave. Earlier on Friday morning, another occupant in the hotel, identified as Jody Lyn Paull, 26, of...READ MORE

Q&A: OC Police Chief DiPino

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino will be feted with a going away celebration next week as the Ocean City chapter of her career closes at the end of the year and a new chapter opens in Sarasota, Fla.Earlier this fall, DiPino announced she was retiring after a 24-year career with the OCPD including the last nine as Chief of Police. In October, it was announced she had been hired as Chief of Police for Sarasota, Fla. after being named as one of the five finalists for the...READ MORE

Planning Comm. Again Supports Utility’s Substation Plans

OCEAN CITY – Once again the Planning and Zoning Commission passed on a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and City Council to approve the Delmarva Power and Light’s (DP&L) request to expand the substation in north Ocean City, despite the public’s request to have an independent study conducted on the facility’s impact to the immediate area. On Wednesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a deliberation session regarding DP&L’s Conditional Use request...READ MORE

Owners Urged To Research Homestead Tax Credit

BERLIN -- The deadline to ensure to file an application for the Homestead Tax Credit, which sets a cap on the amount of property tax increase for which a homeowner is responsible, expires Dec. 31 and many in Worcester County aren’t aware they haven’t applied while many others are scrambling to meet the deadline. The Homestead Tax Credit sets limits on tax increases for homeowners on the assessed value of their property. For example, the state of Maryland sets its Homestead cap at 10...READ MORE

OCPD Captains To Serve As Interim Chiefs

OCEAN CITY – All three Ocean City police captains have been chosen to serve as acting police chief for 45-day stints, while Ocean City searches for a permanent hire by the beginning of next summer. Following a short Mayor and City Council work session this week, City Manager David Recor asked the council to return to closed session for just a few minutes regarding a personnel matter. When the council returned to report on the brief closed session, Recor explained the council approved the...READ MORE

Latest Route 113 Fatality Renews Intersection Concerns

SNOW HILL -- A fatal accident at the intersection of Routes 113 and 12 near Snow Hill last weekend renewed the ongoing and often contentious debate about the need for improvements at the notoriously dangerous crossroads. Shortly before 3 p.m. last Friday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported fatal collision at the intersection near Snow Hill. The investigation revealed a 2005 Chevy flatbed truck belonging to Lowes and operated by Gerald Dean Smith, 42, of Delmar, Md., was...READ MORE

Last Robbery Suspect Sentenced From Summer Incident

SNOW HILL -- The fourth and final suspect indicted by a Worcester County grand jury in the armed hold-up of a Route 50 convenience store and subsequent high speed chase and crash in Ocean City in August pleaded guilty this week to armed robbery and was sentenced to 10 years in jail, all but three years of which were then suspended. On Wednesday, Sarah Gryskevicz, 19, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. pleaded guilty to armed robbery for her role in the Aug. 3 hold-up at Raceway Citgo on the corner of Routes...READ MORE

Holiday Party Benefit Set For Local Woman Known For Helping Others

WEST OCEAN CITY -- A West Ocean City local who has done so much for others in the community over the years needs a little help on the receiving end as she continues to battle leukemia and will be the beneficiary of a holiday party set for next Saturday, Dec. 22 at Sunset Grille. For nearly two decades, Carolyn Cordial has organized dozens of benefit events for those in need in the community and has helped countless local families and individuals with her leadership role with Worcester Youth and...READ MORE

Elliott Returns To Jail After Guilty Plea To Assault

SNOW HILL -- A former drug “kingpin”, who returned to Worcester County in June and was promptly arrested for battling with cops over two decades after being indicted as one of the central figures in a major cocaine distribution ring, pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to second-degree assault and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Archie Burton Elliott, now 64, whose current address is listed as Myrtle Beach, returned to the local area in June and was promptly arrested and...READ MORE

Casino Shows Modest Gains in November

BERLIN- Maryland Lottery officials this week released the revenue figures for November revealing the Casino at Ocean Downs continues to make modest gains, while the results were mixed for the state’s other two operating facilities. The Casino at Ocean Downs generated $3.3 million in November, representing an increase of about $213,147, or around seven percent, over November 2011. The gross gaming revenue per machine per day at the Casino at Ocean Downs in November came in at $138.14. The...READ MORE

Berlin Okay With ‘Septic Bill’

BERLIN -- Adopting a tier map as part of the much talked about “Septic Bill” should allow Berlin more control over expansion and town limit definition than ever before, according to state officials. “That’s probably the most leverage that the municipalities have ever had as far as protecting the integrity of your designated growth areas,” Maryland Department of Planning Lower Eastern Shore Regional Office Director Tracy Gordy told the Berlin Mayor and Council...READ MORE

Berlin Excited To Utilize $50K From Legacy Grant

BERLIN -- Approximately $50,000 in Community Legacy Grant funding was awarded to Berlin this month from the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The money will most likely be used for warehouse-to-office retail conversions and façade improvements, with officials hoping to look into land acquisition with DHCD grants next year. To date, Berlin has received $175,000 in Community Legacy grants, according to Berlin’s Director of Economic and Community Development...READ MORE

Assateague Foal Naming Contest Nears End

ASSATEAGUE -- The clock is ticking on a unique opportunity for a holiday gift as an auction for the naming rights of a wild foal born on Assateague last spring is set to expire early next week. Each year, the Assateague Island Alliance auctions the naming rights to a foal born in the Assateague Island National Seashore and the current auction is set to expire at midnight on Monday. The annual Foal Naming Rights Charitable Auction, active on eBay since last Friday, will allow the successful...READ MORE

AGH Honors Foundation Chair For Service

BERLIN – The Atlantic General Hospital Foundation held its annual membership breakfast this month at Fager’s Island in Ocean City to elect the members of the Class of 2013. The foundation’s officers will be Chair Laura Deeley Bren, Vice Chair Todd Ferrante, Secretary Christopher Hoen and Treasurer Phillip C. Houck. Re-elected foundation Board members include Commissioner James “Bud” Church, Jennifer “JL” Cropper, Matthew C. Giardina, Patricia...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Building Violation Bothers Residents Editor: We believe the residents of our community should be aware of a significant violation in our community. The Montego Bay community started more than 40 years ago and has always had a set of restriction covenants to which property owners agree upon purchase. Any revisions must have more than a 50% agreement of all property owners. These restrictions protect us all. They are in the process of being revised with notice going to all in March 2013 for a...READ MORE

Fairness Attempt Could Backfire In Chief Search

The Ocean City Mayor and Council decided this week to give each of the three current captains of the Ocean City Police Department stints at the helm of the force while the city searches for Chief Bernadette DiPino’s replacement. The idea behind the move was to maintain a level playing field for the individuals likely to be considered the internal front-runners to succeed DiPino. However, we understand there are other lower ranking members of the OCPD planning to apply for the job as well,...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

It’s been less than two months now since shooting wrapped up on the Ocean City-based movie “Ping Pong Summer,” but details are now starting to surface on when we can actually expect to see the movie.According to an article on Reel-Scout.com, production could be wrapped by spring and the movie may be released as soon as next summer if all goes as planned. Much of the release schedule will depend on the timing of the various independent film festivals held around the country....READ MORE

Worcester Girls Stay on a Big Roll

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team swept two games this week to remain unbeaten and improve to 5-0. Last Friday, the Mallards edged Salisbury Christian, 36-32, as Sophie Brennan and Meredith Smith each scored six points. Smith also grabbed 12 rebounds, while Lilly DiNardo had six steals. On Monday, the Mallards crushed Greenwood Mennonite, 32-7, as Brennan led with eight points and Molly Marshall grabbed nine rebounds. ...READ MORE

Seahawks Strong in First Indoor Meet

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity indoor track teams turned in a strong performance in their first meet of the season last week with the boys finishing second overall and the girls coming in fourth. The Seahawk boys scored 71 total team points to finish second behind Caesar Rodney, which accumulated 115 total team points. North Caroline was third with 65 points. The Decatur girls, meanwhile, finished fourth with 45.5 points. Cape Henlopen was first, followed by Caesar Rodney and Kent...READ MORE

Mallards Remain Unbeaten at 5-0

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball team remained unbeaten this week, beating Greenwood Mennonite, 65-49, to improve to 5-0 on the season. The Mallards are off to one of their best starts in recent memory after running the table in their first five games. Against Greenwood Mennonite on Monday, Worcester led 16-12 after the first quarter and rode a 10-point run in the second quarter to take a 32-18 lead into halftime. Greenwood rallied a little in the third quarter and...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Split Two to Start Season

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys varsity basketball had an up-and-down start to the season, beating North Dorchester, 61-45, last week before falling to Bayside South rival Bennett, 54-44, on Monday. With a strong cast of returning players and a handful of newcomers already making an impact, the season looks bright for the Seahawks. Jesse Engle returns in great shape after missing large chunks of last season with an injury and the Seahawks are also bringing back Josh King, Chase Sams, Shae...READ MORE

Longtime Teammates to Become College Rivals

BERLIN- After playing together as teammates from youth lacrosse through high school, two Stephen Decatur standouts will soon compete as rivals at the next level after each signed letters of commitment to two universities last week. Last Friday, Stephen Decatur varsity lacrosse all-everything midfielder Ashley Trice signed a letter of commitment to attend and play lacrosse at Furman University in South Carolina next year. Teammate Skylar Siegfried, a stalwart goalkeeper for the Seahawks last year...READ MORE

Rosenblatt, Kail Take Titles at War on Shore

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team had a strong performance at its own 11th annual War on the Shore tournament last weekend, collecting two titles and turning in one of its best finishes as a team in recent years. The War on the Shore, hosted by Decatur for the last 11 years, features some of the best high school wrestling programs in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. each year and this year was no different. The field of 31 teams this year was...READ MORE

Salisbury Cable Rates Likely Heading Up

SALISBURY – Cable rates in Salisbury could be headed up in the near future. The only other business on the City Council’s legislative agenda this week besides a consent agenda and the presentation of this past fiscal year’s audit was a resolution to approve the calculation of Maximum Permitted Rates for limited basic service and regulated equipment rates and installation charges as set forth in Comcast’s rate filing dated Oct. 1, 2012. City Administrator John Pick...READ MORE

Ocean City Honors, Thanks Long-Time Employee

OCEAN CITY – The city recognized this week Deputy Fire Marshal Jack Hastings’ retirement after 24 years of service in that capacity and 47 as a town employee. “You may or may not know but he has invested interest in Ocean City at an early age, he attended elementary school here,” Deputy Chief Fire Marshal David Hartley said. Starting in 1966, Hastings started working for the town as a mechanic and driver for the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) and in late 1980’s...READ MORE

Major Changes Planned For OC Fire Department Buildings

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) has received the go-ahead to move into the next phases of the renovation on the headquarters building downtown and the complete rebuild of Station 4 uptown. The first request before the Mayor and City Council this week was for approval to contract an architect, Design Atlantic, for final design services and construction documents for Fire Station 4 on 130th Street. According to City Engineer Terry McGean, who was not present during the...READ MORE

Couple Relocates Business With Same Goals In Mind

OCEAN CITY – Martin and Kathleen Weinstein are continuing to add to the success of Eastern Shore Physical Therapy by focusing on providing convenience and the best quality care to their patients out of their new location in Berlin. In the early 1990s, the married couple graduated from Salisbury University. Martin received a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing and Kathleen received a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Fitness and a Minor in Biology. After graduating, the couple...READ MORE

Council Majority Remains Opposed To New Year’s Bar

BERLIN -- A packed house of supporters on Monday night wasn’t enough to swing a divided Berlin Council in favor of an application by The Globe to operate an outside bar during New Year’s Eve. While Mayor Gee Williams chided opponents of the application on the council for allowing personal feelings to dictate policy, those same opponents reminded the room that the issue has come up twice in the last month and that it is time for the town to move on. The Globe owner Jennifer Dawicki...READ MORE

Chamber Working To Grow Berlin’s Arts Scene

BERLIN -- As part of the Town of Berlin’s continued efforts to increase the spotlight on local artists, the Chamber of Commerce and the art community have begun developing new town events and working on ways to play a bigger part in current ones. Berlin hosted a “traditional” arts event last Saturday, showcasing talents like blacksmithing and weaving and brought more than 1,000 visitors to the chamber building over the course of the day, according to Executive Director Aaren...READ MORE

Berlin’s Alcohol Debate Grows To Parade Concerns

BERLIN -- Recent controversy over an outdoor bar on a public road during Berlin’s New Year’s Eve ball drop as well as complaints of rowdiness during last week’s Christmas parade caused the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday to examine and discuss alcohol at future events. Though current events aren’t expected to see major changes, the discussion made it clear that new events featuring alcohol will not likely to be added to the town’s roster anytime soon. While a touchy...READ MORE

Berlin Eyes First Wind Turbine

BERLIN -- Dependent upon the reaction from residents, the Berlin skyline could see an interesting change next year with the potential addition of a unique 85 foot tall wind turbine. “It will be a DC [direct current] machine, the first of its kind in this capacity ever installed,” said creator Doug Richards of DDU Magnetics. Richards pitched the 50-kilowatt turbine to the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday night. After several years developing the machine, Richards is looking for a...READ MORE

AGH Scores Grant For Electronic Records Transition

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) is staying up to date with federal requirements in taking the local health care system into the future and is reaping rewards by doing so. AGH recently received $1.8 million from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) for achieving Stage 1 Meaningful Use. By federal definition, meaningful use is the use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care while reducing health...READ MORE

Agency Aims To Support Families

(This column is dedicated to Margaret Wood Davis. She is one of the most strong, independent and positive people I have ever met. I am lucky that she is my grandmother. Mardie, thank you for being such a wonderful part of my life.) BERLIN -- Sometimes the strongest of us need help. As a licensed and certified clinical social worker, I have been working with families for over a decade. One of the toughest times that a family can face is when a family must ask for help. This can especially be true...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

When your kids are young, you never know how they will react to new situations. That’s why I had an attack of the nerves when the lights went off last Friday at Beckett’s school for the annual Candlelight Christmas service. All of a sudden, I had that anxious, nauseous feeling that comes with nerves and anxiety and inability to control a situation.For me, it was the unknown and wondering how our 4-year-old would handle being on the stage and the hundreds of people in front of it.It...READ MORE

Three Men Charged With Computer Crime

OCEAN PINES -- Ocean Pines Police assisted federal law enforcement last week in the service of a search warrant at an Ocean Parkway home in Ocean Pines, resulting in a number of criminal charges related to computer crimes. Members of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as Ocean Pines Police, served a search warrant at 66 Ocean Parkway in Ocean Pines on Dec. 4.  The search warrant was in reference to a federal Kansas City investigation in which the three...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Every Saturday: Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m.-noon, Ocean City Airport. To benefit the Ocean City Aviation Association’s Huey Memorial Dis-play restoration 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

Who's Playing When And Where

19th hole bar & Grille, The 410-213-9204 Corner of Rte. 611 & Sunset Ave., West Ocean City Friday, Dec. 14: Chris Button Saturday, Dec. 15: Scott Glorioso Sunday, Dec. 16: Louis Wright, 10 a.m.-noon 28th Street Pit and Pub 410-289-2020 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 14: Muskrat Sally Saturday, Dec. 15: Hot Sauce Sandwich, 7-11 p.m. Every Thursday: DJ Jeremy 45th Street TapHouse Bar & Grille 443-664-2201 45th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 14: Scott Glorioso Saturday,...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

A Week In Business

Department Appointments SALISBURY -- Dr. Courtney Harris has been promoted to chief of the anesthesiology department and Dr. Alex Mah to vice chair of anesthesiology at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. The announcement was made by Sheridan Healthcare, Inc., the leading anesthesia services provider in the country that provides anesthesia services at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. In their new positions, Harris and Mah are responsible for ensuring the quality of the anesthesia...READ MORE

Seaside Christian Academy Students Learn About The Solar System

Mrs. Collins' class at Seaside Christian Academy is learning about the solar system.  Displaying their models are students Genevieve Hilbert, Camdyn Chute, Jenesis Perez, David Cook and Ethan Hitchens.
 ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Seventh Grade Golf Awards Presented

Students in Grades 7-8 Worcester Preparatory School have the opportunity to begin competitive golfing in seventh grade. This year boys team awards were presented to Reid Carey, most valuable player; Jonathan Ruddo, coach’s award; and Thomas Polk, most improved. Team members pictured, front from left, Connor Cebula, Davis Mears, Nik Moondra and Ruddo, and, back, Carey, Polk, Grant Brown, Rayne Parker and Coach Bob Afelder. ...READ MORE

SD High School Seniors Box Canned Goods For Annual Food Drive

Stephen Decatur High School seniors Annie Brown, Sarah Kirstein and Madi Mitrecic helped box canned goods during the annual food drive, which brought in nearly 4,000 pounds of canned goods for Diakonia and the Worcester County Sheriff's Department’s Needy drive. ...READ MORE

SD High Preform 36th Annual Childrens Theatre Production Of The Pied Piper

Stephen Decatur High School junior Kayla Short is pictured with Showell Elementary student Brooke Berquist following one of the performances of the 36th Annual Childrens Theatre production of "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." Nearly 10,000 students from across Delmarva attended the production. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Second Graders Freshen Up Their Personal Home Librarys By Swapping Books

Showell Elementary second graders got to freshen up their personal home library by swapping books with their friends. Above, Alexis Hudson, Alex Navarro, and Ellie Sturgill brought in slightly used, age appropriate books in good condition from home and swapped them for books from other children. Volunteers like, Kendra Sackadorf (pictured), helped students make selections based on their interests.  ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Boys Take Donates For Hurricane Sandy In Lieu Of Birthday Gifts

Liam Hammond and Dylan Meoli celebrated their 12th birthdays together with a dodge ball party and their friends and classmates at Worcester Prep. Thinking about the people who suffered from Hurricane Sandy, the boys decided that in lieu of gifts they would ask for donations for the 30 displaced families living in a retreat home on Staten Island. The effort was part of a community relief program organized by Laura Mears and Michelle Dashiell. The effort generated $1,010 in gift cards, which the...READ MORE

Third Graders At OC Elementary Fill Stockings For The Salvation Army

Third grade students at Ocean City Elementary School filled stockings for the Salvation Army to help out local families in need for the holidays. Pictured are Brooklyn Durham, Dylan Bracia and Sophia Haines. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Check Presented To SD High From The Annual Ravens-Steelers 5K Fan Challenge

OC Tri-Running's Christopher Klebe, right, presents a $700 check to Stephen Decatur High School Principal Tom Zimmer.  The money was raised from the annual Ravens-Steelers 5K Fan Challenge. ...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Rotary Interact Club Sell Hot Chocolate And Baked Goods During Annual Christmas Tree Sale

Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Interact Club members from Stephen Decatur High School, Josh Michnick, Treton Lindenberger, Paige McWilliam, Joel Mejber and David L’Hussiar, are shown selling hot chocolate and baked goods during the 2012 Annual Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club Christmas Tree Sale. ...READ MORE

Worcester Chorale Preform Holiday Concert At Atlantic United Methodist Church

The second of two holiday concerts by the Worcester Chorale was given Nov 30 at the Atlantic United Methodist Church in Ocean City to help kick off the season. The chorale gave a presentation of "Hallelujah!, Handel's Messiah and Music of the Season."  Chorale Director Billie Wall and Accompanist June Todd are shown standing, with the chorus. ...READ MORE

Star Charities Volunteers Gather Gifts For Soldiers In Afghanistans

Anna Foultz and her Star Charities volunteers from Ocean Pines have been busy gathering gifts for soldiers in Afghanistan and on Dec 4th, along with members from the Maryland National Guard in Salisbury, packed the gifts in a van for delivery overseas. Shown with the gifts all loaded for the journey are, front seated, Foultz, Lou Ann Trummel, Lee Tilghman, and Sandy McAbee; and, back, Mary Ellen Schreiner; Sgt. Jessica Hunt; Jeremy Werner, Family Assistant Center...READ MORE

Wicomico County Board Of Ed Recently Presented United Way With Check

Wicomico County Board of Education recently presented the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore with a check of their contributions to support the 2012-2013 campaign. Employee contributions totaled $54,007.43. Nine schools had 100% participation and 35 schools and departments contributed to the campaign. Pictured, from left, are Lori Batts, Guidance Services Supervisor; Dr. Margo Handy, Assistant Superintendent; and Kathleen Mommé and Kierstin Pennington of United Way. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Unique Challenges For Women Mulling Retirement

OCEAN CITY -- Despite their growing economic might, women still have a more difficult road to a secure retirement than men, notes Debra Greenberg, director of IRA product management at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. 
Greenberg points out that women still make 80 cents for every dollar earned by men and are much more likely to interrupt their careers to care for a child or a parent, which can result in a reduction in both wages and Social Security benefits lost. They also face even more...READ MORE

Things I Like

Long-time advertisers Unique smells of a crab house The look on my kids’ faces at Winterfest An ambitious young person Finding a quick spot in a crowded parking garage Sitting under the OC pier The all-you-can-eat breakfasts at the Berlin Fire Hall Visiting big cities Food cooked on a charcoal grill Reading local history books New advertisers ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Make a start on that new workplace challenge. But get more information before you find yourself too deeply involved without knowing in which direction you should go. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You might find things becoming tedious as your schedule slows down for the holidays. Use this time to get information about a possible post-New Year job change. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): The creative Twin finds outlets for her or his ideas in the early part of the week....READ MORE