November 21, 2008

OP Juveniles Arrested On Burglary Charges

OP Juveniles Arrested On Burglary Charges OCEAN PINES - Two Ocean Pines juveniles were arrested on felony burglary charges last week after allegedly breaking into a house in the community and stealing electronic equipment and other items while out of school for election day. Pines police last week arrested two juveniles, both 16, and charged them with first-degree burglary and burglary with intent to commit a felony for an incident dating back to Nov. 4. The investigation revealed the two...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

It's true Ocean City needs a new website, but not at $178,000, as estimated by the city's contracted ad agency. At a time when the city is trying to cut costs across the board, it's a no-brainer the town needs to get other bids. From the financial end, it fails the common sense test to simply accept an agency's word that it will cost that much money to design a state-of-the-art website for www.ococean.com. From a creative perspective, it's also silly to hear from just one company. There is lots...READ MORE

Spending Reductions A Reasoned Approach

Credit is due in Ocean City where officials are doing what they have to, albeit reluctantly. They are cutting spending a little bit at a time and have made it clear there will be more coming, not because they want to but because they have no other choice. Times are tight everywhere, and the municipal and county governments are feeling the pinch in a big way because revenue from property assessments and other sources are expected to be down tremendously this year. That much was known for months,...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

A Modest Start To Cuts Editor: The current expense cutting proposals by the city manager and department heads is commendable. However, with the predicted large revenue deficit looming, they are, at best, very modest. It is time for city officials to fully address the investment strategy for the employee pension plan funds. A recent report by Wilshire Associates (a global investment consulting firm) has the national median return for public pension funds down 14.9%. Locally, the Ocean City...READ MORE

Friday, November 21--Berlin Parking Garage Idea Floated

BERLIN - A conversation on parking in Berlin during last week's Berlin Planning Commission meeting revealed strong support for the necessity of more parking, but little in the way of action to achieve that goal. Ron Cascio, representing the prospective Pitt Street redevelopment project, said he just wanted to get the conversation going with his proposal of a parking garage. Under Berlin's code, the redeveloped Pitt Street property would need to provide more parking to accommodate tenants or pay...READ MORE

Friday, November 21--Major Channel Dredging Project Could Solidify Beach

OCEAN CITY - A significant dredging project of the main channel in the Isle of Wight Bay behind Ocean City, including depositing the dredged material on the beach at 33rd Street, is in the works and the deadline for public comment on the proposal is quickly approaching. Late last month, the Army Corps of Engineers issued a public notice on its intent to perform maintenance dredging of the federal navigation channel in the Isle of Wight Bay extending northward from an area just north of 8th...READ MORE

Friday, November 21--More Subway Cars To Find Home Off OC Coast

OCEAN CITY - A second batch of retired New York City 'Red Bird' subway cars are expected to find a permanent home off the coast of Ocean City this weekend, possibly as soon as tomorrow, when 46 of the cars will be dropped at one of two possible locations on the growing artificial reef system. Sometime in the next few days, possibly as soon as tomorrow, a barge carrying 46 of the retired subway cars is expected to rendezvous with local and state artificial reef officials who will direct their...READ MORE

Friday, November 21--Summer Camp Shuttle On Chopping Block In OC

OCEAN CITY - The bus might not be stopping for Camp Horizon campers next summer. As part of a citywide trend aimed at cutting costs, members of the Recreation and Parks sub-committee along with the City Manager Dennis Dare recommended to eliminate the free bus shuttle service that transports some of Camp Horizon's 150 weekly summer campers from its Ocean City Elementary school location to their homes in Ocean City. Last year, the bus service averaged 43 riders per week over the course of the...READ MORE

Berlin Junior Dolphins Lose Heartbreaker

BERLIN- The Berlin Junior Dolphins fell just short of their goal of winning the Salvation Army Junior Youth Football Championship last week, falling to the Snow Hill Eagles in a heartbreaker, 13-12, after reaching the post-season for the first time. Snow Hill exacted a bit of revenge with the narrow, 13-12, win over Berlin in the first round of the playoffs. The Dolphins had beaten Snow Hill just days earlier, 13-6, to clinch their first over berth in the Salvation Army Youth League playoffs. In...READ MORE

Coastal Lacrosse Club Forming

BERLIN- Providing further evidence lacrosse is currently the fastest growing sport in the local area and across the Eastern Shore, a new youth recreational program has been formed to meet the growing demand for adequate instruction and playing time for young players in the area. With the goal of offering another option for young lacrosse players in the area, a group of dedicated and committed parents and local business people have formed the Coastal Lacrosse Club. In its inaugural season, the...READ MORE

Thanksgiving Golf Marathon on Tap

OCEAN PINES- Getting in the spirit of the holiday season, Ocean Pines Country Club PGA professional Sean Fischbeck will play a golf marathon tomorrow to raise funds for underprivileged families living in the community. Fischbeck is seeking sponsors to contribute to his golf marathon fundraising efforts. The money raised will go toward purchasing all of the food necessary to provide several underprivileged families in the Pines with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In his past fundraising...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Student To Play D-1 Lacrosse at Colgate University

BERLIN- Worcester Prep standout scholar-athlete Meegan Jayne Smith last week signed a letter of intent to accept a scholarship to play Division I lacrosse at Colgate University in upstate New York. Smith, a key player on Worcester Prep's outstanding girls' varsity lacrosse team for four years, has also lettered in soccer and basketball at the Berlin private school, but her first love has always been lacrosse since picking up the sport at the age of 7 and coming up through the local youth...READ MORE

Pocomoke Wins 4th Straight State Title

BERLIN- Pocomoke High School's boys' varsity soccer team completed an improbable run to a fourth straight state Class 1A championship last weekend, rallying to beat Boonsboro, 3-1, to continue a long period of dominance. The Pocomoke boys had won three straight Class 1A titles dating back to 2005, but struggled at times this season with issues both on and off the field. In the end, however, the Warriors put together a big run at the right time to extend their streak to four straight state...READ MORE

Seahawks Bow Out of State Playoffs

BERLIN- The Stephen Decatur varsity football team's first-ever foray into the state Class 3A playoffs ended on a down note last Friday as the Seahawks fell to host Fallston, 31-6, in the region semifinals. Decatur entered the state playoff match-up with Fallston on a mini-roll, having won three straight to finish the regular season at 7-3 and earn a number-three seed in the state's Class 3A east region tourney. However, a key injury to quarterback Tim Donelly, who broke his hand in the second...READ MORE

Turtle Lax Tryouts Slated

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle Girls' Lacrosse Club is holding open tryouts for the 2009 season on Saturday, December 6 at the Crown Sports Center in Salisbury beginning at 10 a.m. The club is looking for girls who are interested in playing competitive tournament lacrosse against some of the best club teams on the east coast. Tryouts will be held for each of the Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club's teams in high school graduation years 2010 to 2015. Open tryouts for players with graduation years 2013 to...READ MORE

Spotlight on the Regional Restaurant and Bar Scene

See who was where, when and with whom....without a need for a specified why. ...READ MORE

Arts in the Area

New Board of Directors for the Berlin Chamber of Commerce are Jessie Turner. Patricia Fisher, Joel and Anita Todd, Debbie and Steve Frene, Roxanne Williams and Toni Stuart. ...READ MORE

City Decides To Give Tourist Guide Another Year

OCEAN CITY - You will be able to 'Sea For Yourself', at least for one more year. After a debate about the future of the long running 'Sea For Yourself Visitors Guide', the City Council decided to run it for one more year at least, awarding a bid for design and printing for the 2009 publication during Monday's meeting at City Hall. 'It's too late to put the two publications [the other being the Chamber of Commerce Guide] together for 2009, but we could look to combine the two in fiscal year...READ MORE

County's Tight Finances Delay School Projects

SNOW HILL - Under current economic conditions, Worcester County's planned school renovation projects must wait at least five years before work begins, according to the County Commissioners this week. Work on the additions and renovations planned for Snow Hill High School, Showell Elementary School, and Stephen Decatur Middle School was officially pushed back in the mandatory capital improvement plans (CIP) required every year by the state of Maryland. The county and school CIPs cover the next...READ MORE

New Slots Questions Surface Weeks After Election

BERLIN - With the dust settled somewhat in the weeks after voters across Maryland resoundingly approved a referendum paving the way for slots at five locations across the state including Worcester County, there are still more questions than answers as state and local officials figure out what to do next. Shortly after state voters approved an amendment to the state's constitution, authorizing slots at five locations across Maryland including Ocean Downs in Worcester, the County Commissioners...READ MORE

OC 'Buddy Up' Change No Problem, Police Say

OCEAN CITY - Just because the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) is about to 'buddy up', it doesn't mean there will be a scaled down police presence in Ocean City. As part of City Manager Dennis Dare's first round of town budget cuts totaling $1.4 million, the police department will be doing its part to save on fuel costs by riding two officers to a cruiser, which will reduce the number of marked cars on the road, not the number of officers on patrol, OCPD spokesman Mike Levy pointed out this...READ MORE

Private Wind Turbines Clear Planning Commission

OCEAN CITY - Small Wind Energy Systems took another step toward approval on Tuesday, despite the Planning and Zoning Commission being a bit apprehensive to throw all caution to the wind for residential districts. The Planning and Zoning Commission amended an ordinance at Tuesday's public hearing that would allow the permitted and accessory usage of small wind turbines in Ocean City making it a bit harder for turbines to be installed in residential or R-1 districts in the city grid. 'I think the...READ MORE

Area Hospital Sets New Income Mark

OCEAN CITY - It's obvious that Atlantic General Hospital is growing, but it's the way that it's growing that could be considered the most groundbreaking. President/CEO Michael Franklin outlined AGH's plans for 'full electronic integration' in its record systems within two to three years at Monday's City Council meeting. According to Franklin, only 12 percent of the nation's hospitals have fully applied an Electronic Medical Record System (EMR) and AGH's continuing efforts to achieve the goal of...READ MORE

Delaying Bond Sales Saved Big Bucks For County

SNOW HILL - Waiting six weeks to sell a series of bonds to fund a high school renovation project saved Worcester County over $1.3 million in interest costs over the life of the bonds. The Worcester County Commissioners sold $35 million in bonds Tuesday to UBS Financial Services to fund the county's share of the renovations and improvements to Pocomoke High School. Instead of the 4.4-percent interest rate seen in municipal bond sales earlier this month, Worcester County sold the multi-million...READ MORE

Fed Takes Formal Step Toward Offshore Oil Drilling

OCEAN CITY - Federal officials last week initiated the first steps in a process to potentially lease nearly three million acres off the coast of Virginia for offshore oil and natural gas drilling, a process which, if it comes to fruition, could bring the domestic oil drilling debate within 50 miles of Ocean City and Assateague Island. The U.S. Department of the Interior, through its Mineral Management Services (MMS) agency, last week published a Call for Information and Interest for the 2.9...READ MORE

Horseshow Crab Numbers Solid, Survey Finds

WEST OCEAN CITY - The local horseshoe crab population appears to be in good shape, according to the annual spawning survey conducted this summer. 'Locally it seems to be doing well, particularly at Skimmer Island,' said Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) technical coordinator Carol Cain. 'It was just covered this year at certain times when they finally did show.' MCBP enlisted volunteers to survey eight beach sites, which yielded 86 surveys, in the 7th Annual Spawning Horseshoe Crab...READ MORE

OC Not Panicking Over Tourism Cut

OCEAN CITY - Budget cuts handed down from Annapolis concerning the tourism advertising budget don't appear to be a major concern for Ocean City, at least not for now. Ocean City Assistant Tourism Director Debbie Travers said that the almost $2.2 million in tourism budget cuts that the state included in its $297 million across-the-board budget cut will not 'directly effect the way that Ocean City plans to market the town or the money available for this year.' The town receives $187,500 from state...READ MORE

Officials Seek Fire Information

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Fire Marshal's Office this week is continuing to investigate the source of a fire on St. Louis Ave. in the downtown area late last Friday night and is seeking the public's help with information about the blaze. Shortly before midnight last Friday, Ocean City fire units were dispatched to an unknown type of fire at 7 St. Louis Ave. First-arriving crews observed fire showing at the unoccupied two-story residential structure and the incident was upgraded to a working...READ MORE

Open Space Funds To Further Improve Berlin Park

BERLIN - Berlin will receive $227,000 from Maryland's Program Open Space (POS) initiative for improvements to the town's Stephen Decatur Park, the Maryland Board of Public Works announced this week. Berlin will use the open space funding to pay for playground improvements and fitness and nature trails improvements at Stephen Decatur Park and a parks master plan. 'On the nature trail and pond area, we want to get educational signage and create a picnic area,' said Mary Bohlen, Berlin's acting...READ MORE

Resort Sees Sharp Jump In Wild Animal Sightings

OCEAN CITY - The number of interactions between animals and humans has spiked dramatically in the resort recently, causing town officials to remind citizens of the potential dangers associated with confronting wildlife in otherwise developed areas of town. According to a report released this week, the OCPD's animal control officers have seen a sharp increase in the number of complaints about wildlife generating from within Ocean City. During the past year, Ocean City residents and visitors have...READ MORE

Stringent Cell Phone Policy Sought After Near Collision

OCEAN CITY - In an ironic twist, a faulty turn by a town employee could lead to restrictions on the usage of cell phones in town vehicles. City Council President Joe Mitrecic said he was almost struck by a town vehicle while driving in his truck. The unnamed driver was apparently talking on a cell phone, and Mitrecic wants strict rules that lean toward 'something beyond reprimand.' 'He had one hand on his cell phone and was punching numbers into the computer with the other, so I'm not really...READ MORE

Worcester County News Briefs

SNOW HILL - The Worcester County Commissioners discussed several items briefly at their last November meeting, held Tuesday. The following is a synopsis of some of those issues. •��The Worcester County Health Department inspections fees have been increased to more closely reflect the department's inspection costs. 'These fees have not been increased since 2005,' said Debbie Goeller, head of the Health Department. 'The proposed fees would reflect actual costs with the exception of some of...READ MORE

Your Musical Entertainment Guide for the Week

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Nov. 21: DJ BK Saturday, Nov. 22: Kevin Poole Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th Street Friday, Nov. 21: DJ Rupe, 7-10 p.m. Every Tuesday: Dave Sherman. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 , 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Friday-Sunday, Nov. 21-23: On The Edge Thursday, Nov. 27: First Class Cowboyz smokehouse & Saloon 410-520-0062, 114th St., Above Gold Coast Mall Friday, Nov. 21: DJ...READ MORE

County Orders Vast Spending Cuts

SNOW HILL - A daunting task faces the Worcester County school board and county departments after the Worcester County Commissioners issued instructions this week to cut 3 percent from their operating budgets for the next fiscal year, a task necessary, say the commissioners, in light of the significant revenue declines expected. 'This is a prudent step the commissioners had to take,' said Commission President Virgil Shockley. 'Some of the budget cuts may be unpopular to some people but it is...READ MORE

My Thoughts

Insider is confused over all the fuss about bringing slot machines to Worcester County. He can't understand why certain people are having a hissyfit that the bandits are probably coming here. Hell, Ocean City had them all over the place in the 40s and the resort prospered, and nobody seemed to suffer, except maybe the vacationer who went home with somewhat emptier pockets. That happens today when visitors leave Ocean City as well. The old guy considers slot machines stupid, a long drawn-out way...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Middle School Students Present a Comedy

Students in Worcester Prep's Middle School recently presented "This Phone Will Explode at the Tone: A Comedy in Three Acts" to students, parents and friends. Teacher Linda Smith directed the play with the help of Assistant Director and seventh-grade student Jamie Welch. Some of the actors are pictured, above first row from left, Ali Wyatt, Kyle Chandler, Mattie Maull, Carolyn Dorey, Claire Esham and Arella Berger; second row, Brittany Wangel, Shea Dowling, Victoria Lawrence, Lindsey...READ MORE

BIS Students Work To Improve Awareness on Library

The Berlin Intermediate School After School Academy's Berlin Library Walking Club walked to the Berlin Library every Tuesday. Students gave feedback about books/CD's/DVD's that they'd like to see ordered, created new bulletin boards and conducted surveys among their peers to improve awareness about the library. Above, first row from left, are Rebecca Cooper, Brandon Salgueiro, Dustin Elman, Mrs. Lovell, Hailey Ross, Lilli Watsky and Chance Coley; and, second row from left, Erin...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Learn About Different Jobs on the Shore

As part of the Social Studies unit on the local economy and the ecology of the region, Ocean City Elementary students were taught about the different jobs on the shore related to the bay and how the things they do affect the environment. Students had the opportunity to dress up as the jobs they were learning about.  Above are Veronica Reinoso, the crabber; Ay'Bree Oliver, the oyster shucker; Brice Messick, the fisherman; and Wyatt Davy, the Skipjack Captain. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Celebrate Red Ribbon Week

During the last week in October, Ocean City Elementary School celebrated Red Ribbon Week.  This week is set aside each year to unify communities to take a stand against drugs and alcohol.  Sporting all the red they could find were, front from left, Spencer Kaminski, Joe Waldecker, Robert Kaminski, Akira Smith and Dylan Webb; second row, Steven Kaminski, Kristen Cabrera, Karen Cordero, Sommer Denton, Peyton Dunham and Emma Leo; and, third row, Alex Reznikov, Evan Ewing, Alexis Jenkins,...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur Students Host a Mock Wedding

Stephen Decatur High School hosted a mock wedding and reception for its Singles Living Class. Teacher Heather Patnode said the event was an activity to teach students that a wedding is about more than 'the dress'. 'Students had to plan, attend, dress, finance and work the wedding and the reception,' she said. Above, from left, are Bridesmaid T'Keyah Pitts, Mother of the Bride Shantee Pike, Bridesmaid Kekysha Johnson, Brooke Shelton, Maid of Honor Bride Cassandra Pike, Bride Lauren Sens, Maid of...READ MORE

Worcester's Random Act of Kindness Group Hard at Work

Worcester Prep seventh grade students Kristen Shriver, Kyle Zarif, and Trevor Hanley display a banner requesting new or gently-used washcloths and towels for care packages that they will assemble and deliver to a local homeless shelter. The students are part of Worcester's Random Acts of Kindness group. With them is advisor Yvonne Kline. Jan Calloway, Berlin, is also an advisor for the group. ...READ MORE

Carmella's Kids Show Off Artwork

Carmella's Kids preschoolers stand in front of the bulletin board of gourds that they made marble painting. Pictured, from left, are Gavin Solito, Waylon Hobgood, Summer Brenner, Ryan Springle, D' Anthony Harmon, Zoriah Shockley, Kirby Kauffman, James Thompson, Eden Mcmullen and Gabriel Ricard. ...READ MORE

BIS Students Donate To Worcester County Humane Society

The spirit of giving was obvious at Berlin Intermediate School on Oct. 31 when 126 fourth graders and their teachers dressed up to the theme of 101 Dalmatians. During the week, each student gave a donation of $1.01 to the Worcester County Humane Society.  At the end of the week, $270 had been collected. Pictured are Ethan McCready, Mrs. Wisniewski, Matt Bagrowski, Maia Brittingham, Hailey Ross, Katie Fortney, Alyssa Schaffer and Savanna Hastings. ...READ MORE

National Financial Literacy Challenge Recognizes Exceptional SDHS Students

The inaugural National Financial Literacy Challenge has recognized exceptional achievement of the students of Stephen Decatur High School Consumer and Personal Finance, Economics and Marketing teacher Kurt Marx and Business and Finance and Marketing I teacher Jason Konyar. Pictured, front row from left, aer Board of Education President Garry Mumford, Andy Acosta Ruiz, Anthony Lynch, Jeff Pinzhoffer, Katie Hansen, Hunter Downs and Dr. Jon Andes, Superintendent of Schools; and second row, Marx,...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Kindergarteners Celebrate Harvest Festival

Kindergartners in Tracey Berry's class at Worcester Prep celebrated the fall season through their Harvest Festival. Two of the festival participants were Nathan Oltman and Graham McColgan ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Headlines Holding Open House  BERLIN - TIGI's Cosmetic Art Team members Julia Glekas and Kiima Morrison will be visiting Headlines Salon of South Ocean Pines on Dec. 2-3 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.  They will be giving complimentary make-up lessons and applications, Santa will be handing out give-a-ways and holiday wishes. Refreshments and treats all day compliments of The Village Inn. Appointments are now being accepted at 410-208-0300. Top Company Producers BERLIN - ResortQuest Real...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Barbara J. Dickey OCEAN PINES - Barbara J. Dickey, 73, died on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 at Coastal  Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury. Born in Colorado, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Victoria Gernazio Arrigo. Dickey had worked as an administrative assistant in special education with the school system. She was a member of Play It Safe in Ocean City. She loved her family. She is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas L. Dickey; one son, Thomas Brent Dickey and his wife...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Are we a mini-van family? It was a question my wife and I confronted a couple months ago while shopping for a new vehicle. In the end, we decided we were not at this point, but it was not an easy call because mini-vans have come a long way. When I was growing up, I was a mini-van teen-ager. While friends were driving around Jettas, Mustangs, Corvettes, Accords, Tercels and Civics, I was driving a used Ford Aerostar van. I still have a picture somewhere of me standing next to my proud 'baby' the...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A project benefits from your organizational skills that get it up and running. Your success leaves a highly favorable impression. Don't be surprised if you get some positive feedback soon. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Spend time on practical matters through the end of the week. Then begin shifting your focus to more-artistic pursuits. Resist being overly self-critical. Just allow yourself to feel free to create. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Restarting those creative...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Rotary Club partners up for Christmas Tree Sale

The Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club will be partnering with Ocean City Lioness members for their Christmas Tree Sale. The Ocean City Lioness will be selling wreaths like the one held by Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club President Stan Kahn and Past President Daniel Harris, above. All proceeds will go into the scholarship fund for Stephen Decatur High School students. The Tree/Wreath Sale will begin Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The sales continued on weekdays from 2-8 p.m. on Route 589 across...READ MORE

Village of Hope receives 2008 Henson Award

The Village of Hope was one of two nonprofit organizations serving the Lower Shore that received the Community Foundation's 2008 Henson Award of Excellence. The Village of Hope provides homeless women and children with transitional living facilities. Pictured, from left, are T.J. Maloney, board president; Rita Korman, administrative assistant; and Jessica Smith Harper, executive director. Presenting the award was Marty Neat, past board member and foundation chair. ...READ MORE

Red Cedar Tree planted at Furnacetown

Worcester County Forestry Board members recently planted a red cedar tree at Furnacetown in memory of James H. Dryden. Pictured, top row from left, are William Cropper, Rob Clarke, Jay Geesaman, Mike Allinder and Billie Laws; and, bottom from left, Richard Holland, Tony DiPaolo and Stacey Esham. ...READ MORE

4th Annual Client Appreciation Held by Prudential Carruthers

Prudential Carruthers' 'Team Moran' recently held its 4th Annual Client Appreciation Party at Marlin Moon Grille in West Ocean City. All guests were asked to bring a donation to be presented to the Ocean City Food Bank, which is located at the Ocean City Baptist Church. With the donations are Shirley Johnson, Linda Moran and Claudia Gausepohl. ...READ MORE

Retired Nurses of Ocean Pines Donate $1000

The Retired Nurses of Ocean Pines recently donated $1,000 to the James G. and Nancy W. Barrett Scholarship Program. The scholarship program offers assistance with tuition, books, and health care benefits to applicants who wish to pursue a career in nursing or radiology. Above, retired nurses Mary Stevens, Joan Hatfield, and Pam O'Dowd are pictured with Colleen Wareing, Vice President of Patient Care Services; Jim Brannon, Vice President of Human Resources; and Damian Magarelli, Director of...READ MORE

Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation Receives Donation

Star Charities President Anna Foultz recently presented a check for $1,500 to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation. Accepting the check is Marie Gilmore, foundation secretary. ...READ MORE

10 year old participates in Coastal Bays Nature Clinic

Jordan Mansker, 10, recently participated in the Coastal Bays Nature Clinic, which was offered by Ocean City Recreation and Parks in cooperation with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experiences (DLITE). While exploring Assateague State Park, she discovered this partial US Fish and Wildlife Tagged Horseshoe Crab. Above, Mansker is presented with a certificate and other gifts for her participation in the program by recreation supervisor Ron...READ MORE

Things I Like

Surprise endings to movies A tall glass of sweet tea with lots of ice Waking up before the baby French dip subs My son's long eyelashes A package on the front porch When a live person answers the phone Headache medicine that works A good back scratch Reading old newspapers Creative pumpkin carvings ...READ MORE

The Disappearance Of The Equity Risk Premium

(The following information was provided by nationally recognized Jeremy Siegel.) OCEAN CITY - A basic tenet of financial theory is that equities will outperform fixed-income investments •�' they must to compensate investors for additional risk. The difference between equity returns and risk-free rates •�' known as the equity risk premium •�' was almost 9% for most of the 20th century, as detailed by William Goetzmann and Roger Ibbotson's 2005 study, History and the Equity Risk...READ MORE