August 17, 2007

Thursday, August 23 - Ocean City Room Tax Hike Proposal Clears First Hurdle

OCEAN CITY - Just one week after the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) appeared before the Mayor and Council to present its plan to increase advertising funds, the City Council has approved the first reading of the ordinance outlining the plan. The ordinance, which details the plan for directing the expenditure of certain monies from the hotel rental tax, was approved unanimously on first reading Monday night. The ordinance aims to increase the room rental tax from the...READ MORE

Wednesday, August 22 - Movies On The Beach Proposed For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY -Imagine sitting on the beach after a warm, summer sunset, snuggled up with your friends and family on a beach blanket enjoying the latest hit movie on a 54 foot movie screen. Although the idea of movies on the beach is far from being approved in Ocean City, the idea is floating on the horizon after the Mayor and Council agreed this week to bring the Movies on the Beach presentation to a work session for review. Rob Herting of Sunset Cinemas, Inc., came before the Mayor and Council at...READ MORE

Tuesday, August 21 - Brothers Charged In Resort Stabbing

OCEAN CITY - Two brothers face attempted first-degree murder charges after allegedly stabbing two men during an altercation in front of an Ocean City hotel early yesterday morning. Around 2:15 a.m. on Monday, Ocean City Police were flagged down by security officers at the Princess Bayside Hotel in reference to two stabbing victims found lying on the pavement near the facility's front door. One of the victims had a stab wound to the chest, while the other had stab wounds to his back torso....READ MORE

Monday, August 20 - Ocean City Beach Patrol Scales Back Coverage

OCEAN CITY - As Ocean City Beach Patrol personnel return to other obligations, the number of surf rescue technicians available to staff the stands along the 10-mile beach decreases. As a result, the beach patrol has implemented a reduced coverage plan effective Aug. 20. For their safety, beach patrons should take the extra precaution and walk the distance to the nearest lifeguard on a stand. This reduction in personnel is an annual occurrence, but is being complicated by the early start of...READ MORE

Things I Like

Sleeping on sheets the first night after a wash Vanilla Creme Brulee Crushed ice out of a refrigerator Leftovers for lunch the day after A breeze on a hot day A pork chop cooked on the grill How Erik Bedard pitches Little kids in Crocs M.R. Ducks on a summer afternoon No line for the bathroom in a busy place Catching the turn arrow at an intersection  ...READ MORE

Things We Like

The outside bar at Harborside Completing a home improvement project Local asparagus in the spring Local corn in the summer A night when the Nats and O's both win Thrasher's French Fries and Boog's BBQ for lunch Servicemen who show up on time The way the lawn looks after mowing Finding a bargain on EBay Happy hour at the marlin club October in OC By Fred White ...READ MORE

Council Supportive Of Room Tax Hike Proposal

OCEAN CITY - With a declining tourism trend evident and competition increasing for the vacation dollar, a local business organization has proposed a room tax increase program that would significantly increase the amount of money the resort can spend annually on advertising. After several attempts by the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) to obtain further funding for advertising, tourism representatives made another appearance before the Mayor and Council this week, this time...READ MORE

Shots Fired In Berlin Community

BERLIN - A Berlin man faces first-degree assault and other charges this week after firing a shot during an altercation in the Decatur Farms community last weekend. Last Saturday, Berlin Police officers responded to Decatur Farms in the area of Schooner Lane for a report of shots fired. The investigation revealed Joseph Milo, DeAndre Gordon and a juvenile male were involved in an altercation in the area when Gordon, a former football and wrestling standout at Stephen Decatur High School,...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Sheila Croker BERLIN - Sheila Croker, age 49, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 at her home in Ocean Pines. Born in Dorchester, Mass., she was the daughter of the late John McHugh. She is survived by her mother, Mary Sweeney McHugh of Berlin; her husband, Ron Croker; a daughter, Melissa Mc Manus and her husband Ryan; and two grandchildren, Samantha and Kayla McManus all of Berlin. She was preceded in death by her son Timothy Michael Croker in 2000. Also surviving is a brother, Kevin McHugh and his...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

The local version of 'No Slots In Maryland' campaign was stepped up a notch this week to time with the Maryland Association of Counties convention. On Monday, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association issued a press release reiterating its stance on the issue with businessmen Buddy Jenkins of Jolly Roger fame and Dr. Lenny Berger, known best for his landmark Clarion Hotel, weighing in on the issue (see page 26B for more on that). On Tuesday, the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce...READ MORE

No Choice But To Look At Room Tax

After weeks of not getting anywhere with presentations before Ocean City and Worcester County governments and even Governor Martin O'Malley, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association took a creative approach to an obvious solution. Officials came before the Ocean City Mayor and Council this week to proposed increasing the 4-percent room tax rate to 4.5 percent and using a portion of the revenue from the increase to bolster the town's marketing and advertising effort. Although it will not...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Mark Calendars For OC Public Hearing Editor: The question of 'How much growth?' comes at us again. This time from a different angle. At the Ocean City Council meeting on Aug. 6, five very well-dressed individuals, the owners, their attorney and their architect, came before the council to request an end to the stop work order placed on the Rivendell project on 81st Street. They admitted at least three times that the building was at least five feet taller than called for by the plans. They also...READ MORE

Poor Girls Open Underway in Resort

OCEAN CITY - The 14th Annual Captain Steve Harman Poor Girls' Open is right around the corner. Beginning on Thursday, Aug. 16 at Bahia Marina, over 100 boats with up to 500 lady anglers will compete for bragging rights with all of the proceeds from the tournament going to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research and development. The Poor Girls' Open is a billfish tournament for women only that was started by Capt. Steve Harman 14 years ago in order to help promote sport fishing in...READ MORE

MA500 to Have Strong OC Presence

OCEAN CITY- The resort area's collective hangover from last week's White Marlin Open has just about worn off in time for the next big event on the summer sportfishing calendar- the Mid-Atlantic $500,000, a Cape May, N.J.-based tournament that will again have a strong presence in Ocean City again this year. Now in its 16th year, the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 continues to be one of the top sport fishing events in the region with an anticipated $2 million in prize money expected to be doled out this...READ MORE

Rommel's Takes OC Soccer Title

OCEAN CITY- Rommel's Ace Hardware captured the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's adult summer soccer league title last week, routing the Greene Turtle, 8-0, in the championship game. Rommel's, which won the regular season championship with a 9-2 record, took care of business against the Turtle in the title game, scoring two goals in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into intermission. In the second half, Rommel's poured it on with six more goals to cruise to the 8-0 championship...READ MORE

White"Rebel" Holds on to Win 2007 White Marlin Open, $1 Marlin Open Wrap Up

OCEAN CITY- The 34th Annual White Marlin Open fizzled to a quiet close last Friday after a remarkable Thursday that saw the leader board, and the fortunes of several anglers, change rapidly in a couple of dramatic hours. This year, Thursday was the day that provided the most drama with the eventual winner, an 83-pound white marlin worth nearly $1.4 million caught by angler John Frankos on the 'Rebel' out of Nags Head, N.C. highlighting a flurry of activity on Day Four. The 83-pound winner was...READ MORE

Ocean Air Tops Phillips South for Co-Ed Title

OCEAN CITY- Ocean Air's co-ed undefeated softball team completed its perfect season this week, beating Phillips South, 11-4, in the championship game of the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's summer-long co-ed softball league's playoffs. Ocean Air ran the table in the regular season, compiling an impressive 13-0 record. The team then swept through the playoffs culminating with the impressive 11-4 win over always-tough Phillips South on Monday. The win in the championship game completed...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Lacrosse Camp

Several former Worcester Prep lacrosse players returned to their alma mater this summer to contribute their combined talent, skill and experience to the school's summer lacrosse camp. Pictured above, left to right: WPS junior varsity coach Jim Schreeve; Travis Gregory, Class of 2007, Haverford College; Matt Heiderman, Class of 2005, Georgetown; Chris Mancini, Class of 2003, Washington College; Garvey Heiderman, Class of 2006, Pennsylvania; Christian Payne, Class of 2007, Salisbury; Trip Dyer,...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): As eager as you are to take on that new challenge, it would be best to temper that spurt of 'Ram'-bunctious energy until you have more facts to back up your decision to move. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): This is a good time for hardworking Bovines to take a break from their hectic on-the-job schedules to bask in the unconditional love and support of friends and family. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Pay attention to what you hear in the workplace. You could pick up...READ MORE

Live Bands And DJs

Angler, The: 410-289-7424, Talbot St & the bay; Outside Deck: Sunday, Aug.19: Blue Sky, 4-7 p.m.; Every Sunday night; Locals Social with DJ Deogee. Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Friday & Saturday, Aug. 17 & 18: Patrick McAllorum; Wednesday, Aug. 22: Jon Pheasant; Thursday, Aug. 23: Katie Bragg. All entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. Blue Ox & Babe's Lounge: 410-250-6440, 127th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Aug. 17: Aaron Howell; Saturday, Aug. 18: Nancy...READ MORE

AEDs Saving Lives On Ocean City Beach

OCEAN CITY - Imagine a 21-year-old collapsing on the beach during a football game. Friends and lifeguards rush to the victim only to find there is no pulse. CPR is virtually useless and the seconds pass with slow agony as everyone waits for the ambulance to arrive with the equipment needed to revive his heart. With each passing minute, chance of survival slips away. Fortunately, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is well prepared for situations like this. With 12 Automated External Defibrillators...READ MORE

Berlin Signs Off On Mandatory Water Restrictions

BERLIN - With water pumps working 33 percent harder and water levels down by one foot, the Berlin Mayor and Council enacted mandatory water restrictions Monday night governing watering of lawns and gardens. 'Personally, I think it goes without saying, we have a problem,' said Berlin Mayor Thomas Cardinale. The regulations restrict lawn and garden watering, including underground sprinkler systems, to Mondays and Thursdays from 7 p.m., to 8 a.m. Violations will incur fines of $25 per incident....READ MORE

Downtown Park Plan Adjusted After Concerns Aired

OCEAN CITY - After hearing complaints from residents in regards to the plan to shorten the basketball courts at 4th Street, the Recreation and Parks Committee has unanimously agreed to adjust the plans for the downtown park so that the basketball courts will remain at regulation length. The master plan for the Downtown Recreation Complex, or the Bayside Park, were presented to the Mayor and Council in July, outlining plans that included expanding the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, widening St. Louis...READ MORE

Ocean City First In State To Complete Emergency Plan

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City received recognition at Tuesday's work session for being the first jurisdiction in Maryland to have a workable Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP). The Maryland COOP is a program that aims to prepare and plan for potential emergencies so government and business can continue to function efficiently. Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald, along with Ocean City's Grant Administrator Wayne Pryor, Emergency Management Planner Richard 'Buzzy' Bayles, intern Lisa Connor...READ MORE

Expert Finds Freeman Case Unlike Any Other Neonaticide

BERLIN - With a grand jury this week reportedly indicting an Ocean City woman on first-degree murder charges in the death of her infant son, a picture of other women in similar situations continues to emerge with a wealth of case history available to prosecutors and defense attorneys, but the extreme nature of the Christy Freeman case apparently does not fit into any prior set of circumstances and could be a first of its kind. Freeman, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death...READ MORE

Inlet Surfing Beach Program A Success, Patrol Captain Says

OCEAN CITY - The long-awaited pilot program for the Inlet surfing beach has been deemed a success this week by Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin, after assessing all aspects of the first year of the Inlet surf beach. 'We have not had a single complaint from the public,' Arbin said of the pilot program. The southern part of the beach at the Inlet was designated for surfers at the beginning of summer, giving surfers complete access to that water, Monday thru Friday, with no interference...READ MORE

Ocean City Businesses Advocate Anti-Slots Message

OCEAN CITY - With the arrival of state officials and representatives of every county in the state for the Maryland Association of Counties (MaCo) annual convention, Ocean City became the battlefield for the moment in the pending war over slots in Maryland and the local business community made it clear how it feels about the issue to the opponents in the fray. From one end of the resort to the other, business marquees boldly boasted the message 'No Slots in Maryland. Period,' or some version of...READ MORE

Ocean Pines As A Municipality Question All About Finances

OCEAN PINES - Whether Ocean Pines ever becomes an incorporated town will likely hinge on the question of money, specifically the question of taxes versus assessments. Dan Stachurski, who just finished his second and last term as a Director of the Ocean Pines Association (OPA), wants to convene a group of residents to research the process, advantages and disadvantages of incorporating Ocean Pines as a town. 'I've been thinking about it for six years now, or maybe more,' said Stachurski, who...READ MORE

'Full Weekend Of Bluegrass' Planned For Berlin

BERLIN - Berlin's Fiddlers Convention, the town's largest special event, will run a full three days this year, continuing the music from the evening of Friday, Sept. 21, into the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 23. With a concert on Friday night, an annual staple added several years ago, and the addition of the blue grass and gospel jam on Sunday morning two years ago, the bluegrass event has been well on its way to becoming a true three-day long affair. Now with the 15th Annual Fiddlers Convention...READ MORE

Annual Lacrosse Classic Attracts 72 Teams

OCEAN CITY - The 14th Annual Ocean City Lacrosse Classic descended on the resort area this week, providing local fans with an opportunity to see some of the sport's top professional and collegiate players in action, but with loads of young talent roaming area fields at all levels all year long, the tournament is no longer the only, once-a-year opportunity in the area to showcase lacrosse's brightest stars. In the not-so-distant past, lacrosse was largely an afterthought in the resort area and...READ MORE

Berlin Scared To Support Tax Differential Concept

BERLIN - Citing the need to preserve Berlin's good relationship with county elected officials, the Berlin Mayor and Council this week declined to support a tax differential for municipalities in Worcester County. 'All those services again are provided at the county level so municipal taxpayers are taxed twice,' Carol Krimm, a resident of Frederick, who owns a second home in Ocean City, told the Berlin council Monday. Krimm began a petition this spring to ask the Maryland General Assembly to...READ MORE

Chronic Shoplifter Nabbed

OCEAN CITY - A Brookhaven, Pa. woman was charged this week with felony theft and theft scheme after going to the same well too often in a shoplifting spree at a resort pharmacy dating back to April. On Aug. 3, OCPD officers responded to a reported shoplifter in custody at the CVS store on 120th Street. When they arrived, the officers met with store officials who had caught a woman, later identified as Deborah Hoover, 52, stealing cosmetics. Hoover admitted stealing $372 worth of Burt's Bees...READ MORE

County Disputes Water Quality Report

SNOW HILL - A report that bacteria levels in the water at Public Landing have been too high several times in the last year due to septic system leaching into the bay has been disputed by Worcester County, which released a statement this week contending the at-times high bacteria levels are due to stormwater run-off. 'I don't like the •€˜sky is falling' thing and that's why we had to respond and correct the record,' said Bob Mitchell, director of Worcester County's environmental...READ MORE

Engagements

BERLIN - Spencer and Terry Rowe of West Ocean City have announced the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Joy Rowe, to Keith Elliot Geiger, son of Frank Geiger of Del Haven, N.J. and Gail Stern of North Cape May, N.J. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Joyce Harrison and the late Harry Harrison of Ocean City and the late Frank and Carolyn Rowe of Williamsburg, Va. The groom-to-be is the grandson of Enid Bayan of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Frank and Shirley Geiger of Belvadere, N.J. The...READ MORE

Four New Faces Take Over Duties In Ocean Pines

OCEAN PINES - The Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors saw major turnover last weekend when four directors finished their terms and four new ones took their places. Bill Rakow, Dave Stevens, Martin Clarke and Les Purcell replaced Glenn Duffy, Dan Stachurski, Heather Cook, and Tom Sandusky. All the newly elected directors will serve three-year terms, except Purcell, who received the least votes of the four and will serve the remainder of Janet Kelly's term. Sandusky, a former...READ MORE

Grand Finale Planned For End Of Ocean Downs Meet

BERLIN - Although only five nights remain in the 2007 summer meet at Ocean Downs, there are some big races and events on tap. The fourth and final legs of the 'Hal Belote Memorial' and 'Alan Myer Memorial' Trotting Stakes series will be run Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 22 and 23, respectively. The purse for each of the Late Closer Series will be $6,000 or more. 2006 Ocean Downs Horse of the Meet, Whitesville Tara won the two opening legs of the 'Hal Belote Memorial' Series, but was placed in the...READ MORE

O'Malley Wants Area Dairy Products Processed In Md.

BERLIN - Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, on his way to the annual Maryland Association of Counties (MaCo) convention in Ocean City this week, made a pit-stop at the Chesapeake Bay Farm market on Wednesday for a late afternoon dish of locally made ice cream and an open and frank discussion on agricultural issues. O'Malley, along with long-time Lower Shore farmer Roger Richardson, who was appointed Secretary of Agriculture in Maryland earlier this year, met with members of the Holland family, who...READ MORE

State Surfing Champions Crowned At ACS Event

OCEAN CITY - After winning his first Open surfing event in July, Travis Knight of Ocean City dominated his competition once again last weekend to become the 2007 Maryland State Surfing Champion. Knight out-surfed 45 of the region's top surfers in the all-ages Open surfing division and also took the Jr. Mens division title at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Maryland State Surfing Championships held at 47th Street last weekend. More than 230 competitors came to celebrate cancer...READ MORE

OC Seeks Tax Differential

OCEAN CITY - The tax differential discussion resurfaced at Tuesday's work session of the Mayor and Council, resulting in the agreement once again that Ocean City be compensated for the duplicated services that it provides. Tax differential is the money a municipality spends on a service that the county will not then have to provide. In Ocean City, there are numerous services that taxpayers pay the county for, but in reality received the service from the city, not the county. Officials say that...READ MORE

Piping Plover Population Rebounding On Assateague

BERLIN - Not many people ever see the piping plovers on Assateague Island, but with numbers increasing, visitors may get a glimpse of the threatened shore bird in the future. Maryland's piping plover population on Assateague Island has nearly quadrupled since the birds were first protected in 1986, from 17 breeding pairs to 64 in 2006. North America is home to several populations of the small, sand and white colored birds that feed at the water's edge, and all have increased, though the Great...READ MORE

Reserved Street Spots For Lifeguards Turned Down

OCEAN CITY - Due to the decrease in available parking in the downtown area and the increase in equipment that lifeguards bring with them to the beach each day, the Recreation and Parks Commission has granted lifeguards free access to the municipal lots in the downtown area south of 5th Street. Captain Butch Arbin came before the Recreation and Parks Commission Tuesday to relay the current employee parking problems and to propose a three-pronged solution. 'More and more employees are driving to...READ MORE

Teen Sentenced To 18 Months In Armed Robbery

SNOW HILL - A Finksburg, Md. juvenile, charged as an adult for his part in a pair of armed robberies in the resort in April, pleaded guilty last week to attempted armed robbery and was sentenced to eight years in jail, all of which was suspended but 18 months. Andrew William Hyle, Jr., 16, of Finksburg, Md., was in Circuit Court last Wednesday for a motions hearing related to charges against him on two armed robberies on the same night in Ocean City in April. Hyle was arrested on April 22, along...READ MORE

Two Arrested For Burglary, Theft

OCEAN CITY - Two local men were arrested this week in connection with the burglary and theft that occurred at Buck's Store in Berlin on Tuesday. Jeffrey Thomas Petronek of West Ocean City and Norman Kirk Scott of Berlin were charged with second-degree burglary, theft over $500, theft under $500 and conspiracy to commit theft for allegedly breaking into Buck's Store and taking lottery tickets along with beer and cigarettes. On Tuesday, Maryland State Police responded to Buck's Store for a...READ MORE

Williams Wants Berlin To Focus On Sidewalks

BERLIN - Berlin needs more sidewalks, the Berlin Town Council concluded during a discussion of a resident's request to split the cost of a new sidewalk at his home. 'I think we definitely need to be encouraging homeowners to put in sidewalks,' said Council Vice President Gee Williams. 'I think it's a benefit to the town.' Williams said that it does not take a degree in engineering to see that Berlin is better off with sidewalks. The discussion began Monday night when Paul Evans requested that...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Slots Stance Solidified BERLIN - Dozens of Ocean City businesses and associations gathered this week to discuss slot machine gambling in Maryland. According to a press release from the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, the message from all was loud and clear - 'No Slots in Maryland.' Slots' gambling is simply a transfer of wealth, leaders said. 'Today's family is under extreme pressure from rising energy, food and interest rate increases that have reduced their amount of disposable...READ MORE

Balancing A Manager's Heart With An Owner's Intensity

OCEAN CITY - It's barely past noon at the Marina Deck, and already owner Dennis Kalchthaler can be seen scurrying around the restaurant, masterfully preparing for another busy Friday at one of the gems of the downtown area, the Marina Deck Restaurant. The Marina Deck, located on Dorchester Street just past the Route 50 Bridge, is situated with a spectacular view of the busy marina and the glistening water. The 300-seat restaurant carries the family atmosphere as well as the feel of the boat...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy likes his sports, particularly baseball, golf and college football. He's not too queer over basketball, tennis, hockey, water polo, lacrosse, soccer and all those others you find on the sports channels late at night. While flipping back and forth last Sunday afternoon during commercials of the Orioles game and the golf tournament, the inevitable happened a couple times there were commercials on both channels. So Insider hit mute on the golf tourney and waited. In a couple-minute...READ MORE

Retirement Does Not Mean What It Once Did

BERLIN - For years, retirement planning was a matter of simple arithmetic. With the house paid off and the children moved out, expenses were easy to project. Social Security combined with a company pension to create a predictable income, and any shortfall between projected income and expenses told you how much you needed to save to cover the gap. All that is changing. Baby boomers, the generation that has greatly influenced U.S. culture over the years, are now rewriting those old retirement...READ MORE

Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company

Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company has announced a $10,000 pledge toward the Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke City. Presenting the first of four installments are Baxter Brasure, manager of the Pocomoke Branch, and Barry Laws, manager of the Snow Hill office, to Discovery Center Director Bryan Garrett and President Barbara Tull. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Wal-Mart

Tracy Peters from Wal-Mart in Berlin recently presented a $1,000 donation to the Worcester County Developmental Center, Inc. (WCDC). This was a Wal-Mart Good Works match for the first annual golf tournament held to support the center's mission to provide opportunities to adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Pictured, from left, are Cecil Tull III, WCDC Foundation Member, Tracy Peters, Wal-Mart Customer Service Manager, Joan Jenkins, WCDC Foundation Member, Tayborie Fisch, WCDC...READ MORE

The Democratic Women's Club

The Democratic Women's Club will sponsor a Military Bridge afternoon Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Ocean Pines Country Club beginning at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Tables of four are suggested but individuals are invited and will be grouped with other individual players. For reservations contact Pam Mitchell at 410-641-7480. Above, planning the event are committee members, from left, Kathy Muncy, Rosemary Goodman, Carolyn Herbert and Eileen McCabe. ...READ MORE

"You Gotta Serve Somebody"

Hot sand is a beach town's greatest equalizer. Regardless of your size, status, sex, race, or creed, the minute your feet hit the scalding mass of sand particles that reside on your beach walkway, you are instantly humbled to a whimpering child that is racing to the beach stand guy's shaded area like he's holding your 'blanky.' There is no way to 'run that out' and make yourself look cool after that, especially since you are carrying a striped beach chair and enough equipment/refreshments to be...READ MORE