February 26, 2010

Faces in Places

A spotlight on the local and regional bar and restaurant scene ...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Earn Top Seed in States

BERLIN- After a whirlwind five games in six days spanning late last week and early this week, Stephen Decatur's boys' varsity basketball team has a few days to collect its breath before starting the post season as the top seed in the state Class 3A-East Region tournament. Thanks to a bevy of make-up games coupled with regularly scheduled contests, the Seahawks played five games in six days starting last Thursday with a blowout 85-43 win over Crisfield. Last Friday, the Seahawks beat Queen...READ MORE

Decatur Girls Earn 10th Seed

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity basketball team closed out its regular season this week and is preparing to start the post season as the 10th seed in the state class 3A-East region tournament. Decatur beat Crisfield, 46-26, last Thursday and followed that up with a 46-35 win over Kent County on Saturday as Shaniece Hudson scored 17 points and Kylie Nottingham added 10. On Monday, Decatur lost to Mardela, 57-26, as Michelle Wangel scored 10 points. The Seahawks start the state regional...READ MORE

Decatur Wrestlers Win 7th Bayside Title

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity wrestling team last week captured its seventh straight Bayside Conference tournament championship, sending five wrestlers to the finals in their respective weight classes and winning three individual titles. The Seahawks finished with an impressive 230 team points in the Bayside Conference tournament to easily coast to its seventh straight championship. Parkside was second with 152 team points. Decatur was dominating in the tournament for the most part with five...READ MORE

Hollowell Wins State Pole Vault Title

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's Bradley Hollowell this week won the state championship in the pole vault, while teammate Matthew Allenbaugh finished third, continuing a recent run of success for the Seahawks' dynamic duo. Hollowell jumped an impressive 13'6' at the Class 3A meet this week in Prince George's County to win the state championship. Allenbaugh finished with a high vault of 12'6' to take third overall in the state meet. In the 3A-East region meet last week, Hollowell was first and...READ MORE

Mallards Advance to ESIAC Final

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's boys' varsity basketball team beat Delmarva Christian, 45-35, at home on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) tournament to advance to the finals. The Mallards got off to a slow start and trailed early, 12-4, in the first quarter before getting on track. Worcester led by a single point at the half, but steadily pulled away from Delmarva Christian in the second half to secure the 45-35 win and advance to the conference...READ MORE

Seahawk Swimmers Soar in Regionals

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity swimming teams enjoyed a highly successful state regional meet last weekend with the girls taking first place in Class 3A-2A-1A South and the boys finishing fifth with several individual championships and dozens of top ten finishes. The Decatur girls finished first overall as a team with a whopping 352 total points, or well over 100 more than second-place Patuxent, which finished with 232 team points. The Decatur boys finished fifth overall as a team in an...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

It's been a while since we looked inside numbers making news lately. Here's a few that caught my attention: -- Zero: Number of snow photos in the paper this week. Considering this winter's wrath, a light overnight dusting doesn't deserve any coverage. -- 25,000: Thousands of dollars being offered as a reward for information on the disappearance of Greg Forte, who was last seen at a Fenwick Island party earlier this month. Anyone with information is urged to call Delaware authorities. -- 20:...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

A Warning To Watch For Senior Week Scam Editor: Spring is coming sooner than you think, even though we still have plenty of snow left on the ground. Before you know it, it will be time for Senior Week. That's the week that a lot of hotel and condo owners pull their yearly scam. They have signs out on their porches welcoming these victims into their trap. How do they do it? By scamming these innocent teens out of their parents hard earned money. Every year these owners hire extra security...READ MORE

What Others Are Saying

Pension, Medical Plans Will Bankrupt City Editor: (The following letter was addressed to the Ocean City Mayor and Council with a copy forwarded to this publication.) Ocean City's public employee pension and retiree medical plans will bankrupt the city eventually unless you make changes soon. Last summer I was reading about the advice you were receiving from various consultants and advisors, and I remember thinking that you were being fed a load of crap. A defined benefit plan is simply...READ MORE

Officer Assault Alleged

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a resort police officer last weekend during an altercation at an uptown residence. Around 7:15 p.m. last Sunday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a residence on 142nd Street to assist with an EMS call for a female who had possibly had a stroke. Emergency Services staffers evaluated the woman in question, but she refused medical assistance. While on scene, the OCPD officer encountered a man in the...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Laughing at myself is always entertaining, but sometimes it's a little embarrassing, too. After a few dining out experiences of late, I sat down at my trusty Dell intending to detail the differences between taking two kids out to eat compared to one, and I have to admit I got bored with what was coming out. In the midst of my yawns, I came across one of these columns dating back to August of 2008 when I discussed how difficult it was to eat out with my son Beckett, who was about 3 months old at...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Nancy A. Ruggerio OCEAN CITY - Nancy A. Ruggerio age 98, died at her home in Ocean City on Feb. 17, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph B. Ruggerio, and a son, Russell 'Bo' Ruggerio. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, John Alizzo, and Joseph Alizzo, and sisters; Marie Puccio, Jennie Rodio, Angela Lamonte, and Anne Venuto. She leaves her close friend, Mary Jane Swift. Ruggerio was a homemaker and lived in Ocean City for 40 years. A memorial service will be held...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, March 5: Bond & Bently Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, 7-9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Ocean Club: Friday, Feb. 26 & Saturday, Feb. 27: First Class Dr.Unks Bar & Grille 410-213-7775 , 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City Friday, Feb. 26: Blake Haley Saturday, Feb. 27: DJ Skip Dixxon Fager's...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 26--Authorities Await MDE Report On Human Remains

SNOW HILL - The human remains found on the grounds of a Snow Hill bed and breakfast late last week have still not been identified although vague information obtained yesterday suggest they could be a woman reported missing in Pocomoke in 2007. Last Friday, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) developed information on the location of possible human remains on the property of the River House Inn, a bed and breakfast on East Market Street in Snow Hill. From the information learned,...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 26--Benefit Planned To Support Search For Local Man

FENWICK ISLAND - Law enforcement officials are no closer to solving the disappearance of a Selbyville man, who went missing in Fenwick Island back on Feb. 9, after the investigation of a possible person of interest this week turned out to be fruitless. Gregory R. Forte, 29, was last seen at a small gathering of about eight people in a condominium on South Carolina Ave. in Fenwick. When he did not return home the following day, family and friends became concerned and went to the area where he was...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 26--Bill Seeks To Extend Cap To Second Homes

BERLIN - A seemingly innocent bill introduced in the General Assembly could allow property owners in Maryland to claim the Homestead Tax Credit on second homes, but the legislation, if approved, could have grave consequences in Worcester County where vacation homes make up nearly 80 percent of the residential real estate. Senate Bill 232, introduced by western Maryland Senator David Brinkley and others, would, if approved, allow homeowners in the state to claim the Homestead credit on second...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 26--Former Priest Extradited To Face Child Abuse Charges

OCEAN CITY - A former Catholic priest charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse and assault on a minor in Ocean City is behind bars in Snow Hill this week after finally being extradited to Worcester County from North Carolina. The Ocean City Police Department last year received a complaint about the sexual abuse of a minor. The alleged incidents were to have taken place in Ocean City between 1977 and 1983 and involved a former priest, later identified as Michael Lowell Barnes, 64, of Haywood...READ MORE

North OC Parking Meter Study Derails Commission Proposal

OCEAN CITY •€' Councilman Joe Hall wanted to spark a conversation about creating a group to discuss the possibility of installing parking meters in uptown Ocean City on Tuesday, but the topic made the rest of the council seemingly uncomfortable and, as a result, uninterested. Hall proposed the formation of a parking commission in order to conduct a study that would find out how much it costs the town of Ocean City to maintain and manage the current parking in town and to research the...READ MORE

People in Society

Snapshots of those helping causes throughout the community ...READ MORE

County Letter Hints At Grants Cut

OCEAN CITY •€' The last time the Ocean City Mayor and City Council received a bit of correspondence from the County Commissioners concerning annual grant money, they were eventually cut 9.5 percent of the prior year's funding. This time around, the town is hoping to merely hold the line. At the end of Tuesday's work session, Mayor Rick Meehan showed the council a letter from County Commission President Bud Church, which in Meehan's words, 'laid the groundwork for the fact that there would...READ MORE

DiPino Weighs In On Gun Debate In Interview

OCEAN CITY •€' The ongoing debate amongst council members and police officials concerning the proposed amendment to the General Order that addresses police officers and the right to carry a weapon while consuming alcohol has sparked a bit of controversy throughout Ocean City in recent weeks. The perception from the public concerning the proposal, which essentially says that an officer could carry a weapon if their blood alcohol level is below a .04 (half the legal limit), has largely...READ MORE

Five-Day Waiver Possible For County Schools

NEWARK - Worcester County Public Schools lost another day to inclement weather yesterday, seemingly nudging the end of the school year back further toward the end of June, but state officials this week approved a mechanism to provide some relief from closures during one of the worst winters in recent memory. County schools were closed yesterday as the front edge of a major winter storm brushed by adding an inch or so of new snow on a region pounded by several similar storms already this year....READ MORE

Retiree Incentive Plan Could Reduce OC Government Size

OCEAN CITY •€' As the second veteran member of town government announced their retirement this week, it appears more changes to the face of local hierarchy are sure to be on the horizon in the next few months. Town Finance Administrator Martha Lucey has been granted the task of sitting down with each of the 84 town employees who qualify for the town's recently announced retirement incentive plan, and although she is unsure of who in fact will take the plan (as general employees have until...READ MORE

Sex Offender Laws Dominate Session

BERLIN - The Maryland General Assembly session reaches its halfway mark today in terms of calendar days, but state lawmakers still have several weighty issues to resolve, not the least of which are the dozens of bills related to strengthening sex offender laws. It was standing room only this week during House Judiciary Committee hearings on no less than 31 pieces of legislation aimed at tightening nearly every aspect of Maryland's existing sexual predator laws. Worcester County's...READ MORE

Area Anglers Join DC Rally

OCEAN CITY - In a historic show of solidarity, thousands of recreational and commercial anglers, including a large contingent from the Ocean City area, convened in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in an organized protest against perceived flaws in management policies. Busloads of anglers from Florida to Massachusetts and from California to Alaska joined the 'United We Fish' demonstration hoping to capture the attention of the dozens of federal lawmakers also in attendance. Two busloads of...READ MORE

Easements Approved For Worcester Land

BERLIN - Vast sections of rural Worcester were preserved in perpetuity this week when state officials announced approval for the purchase of conservation easements on over 700 acres of coastal land. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley on Wednesday announced the state's Board of Public Works (BPW) approved the purchase of a conservation easement on the 500-acre-plus Bassett property prominently situated along Newport Bay. In addition, the BPW approved the purchase of a second conservation easement...READ MORE

Jacobs Enters Last Month Of 33-Year Run With Town

OCEAN CITY •€' City Clerk Carol Jacobs may not have necessarily written all the rules in Ocean City, but she most certainly has been writing them down for the better part of three decades. As one of the most recognizable faces at City Hall announced her retirement in recent weeks, some of the town's top officials are admittedly sad to see her go and are taking turns singing her praises for her 33 years of service in Ocean City. It is clear and evident that Jacobs, who recently announced...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

Bryan Russo Staff Writer OCEAN CITY •€' In the brief this week, a new director of human Resources was hired and approved by the Mayor and City Council, which also gave the nod for the purchase of 14 bulletproof vests for police officers and new 'microwave' equipment. In addition, the council decided to move forward with the town's comprehensive plan, which was written almost two decades ago. Salisbury Native Hired As New HR Director Ironically, the town of Ocean City didn't have to search...READ MORE

Schools As Polls Questioned

NEWARK - Election day use of county schools should be reviewed or possibly eliminated, the Worcester County Board of Education concluded last week while discussing the 2010/2011 school year calendar. The school schedule in fall 2010 includes two election days, which are holidays for students, and professional development days for staff. Seven of Worcester County's 14 schools are used as polling stations. The other seven schools would be used for professional development. 'It's very difficult to...READ MORE

Tight Berlin Budget Expected

BERLIN - Money will be tight in Berlin next year, but the town's budget is nowhere near a crisis. Projected budget revenue figures for the next fiscal year are not yet available. 'It is going to be a little tighter,' Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said. The town should have some solid number projections in the next few weeks, but Williams said he did not want to speculate on those figures. 'We already faced tougher choices last year than this year,' Williams said. 'I think we'll have to have some...READ MORE

Town Of Berlin Notebook

BERLIN - At the second meeting of the month, the Berlin Mayor and Council discussed several topics briefly this week including trash pickup in newer developments, support for the microbrewery concept, the town website and reinvesting reserve funds. ---------- Two more developments have asked the town of Berlin to provide basic trash or snow service, tasks which most town taxpayers already receive. On Monday night, Holly Moreland of Jamestown Place Townhouses Homeowners Association asked Berlin...READ MORE

Brace Your Assets For A Tax Hike In Near Future

OCEAN CITY - While it's notoriously difficult to predict Washington's next move, you should probably start preparing yourself for higher taxes. A sweeping series of tax cuts introduced by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003 are set to expire at the end of this year. It's unclear yet whether Congress plans to renew some of these tax breaks. Yet even if only a few expire, the impact on your portfolio could be significant. To help offset any impending changes in the code, we believe you should consider...READ MORE

Things I Like

Talking kids with friends A perfectly cooked steak Walking around Baltimore A tall pint of Guinness every once in a while Ridley Scott's productions A good floss The new ski cross event in the Olympics Trying out a wine I've never had How much my toddler has to say these days Needing sunglasses first thing in the morning How long the days are getting ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Company Appoints New Leader OCEAN CITY - Re/Max Premier Properties President and owner Bill Cook announced this week the new leadership team for the company. Dr. Carl E. Ortman will take over as vice-president, general manager and broker for Maryland and Virginia. Ortman brings 33 years of educational leadership to the company with 10 of those years as headmaster of independent schools and six years in real estate. Ortman will oversee a team consisting of Betsy Clark, chief financial officer;...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Having second thoughts could be a good thing, even if you're determined to go through with your plans. You might find it worthwhile to take a fresh look at how things have been set up. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Financial matters could continue to be a problem until you're able to straighten out some of the more pesky situations. Once that happens, the rest should be easier to unsnarl. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Family matters once again take center stage, and...READ MORE

OC Public Art Committee to Hold "Dress to Impress"

Ocean City Public Art Committee members Patti Miller, standing, and Louise Gulyas make plans for a fun evening to benefit public art in Ocean City. This event is 'Dress to Impress, an Elegant Soiree' to be held on Friday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Captain's Table Restaurant located in the Courtyard by Marriott. Tickets are $75 per person and includes open bar, set tables, heavy hors d'oeuvres and a few surprises. Space is limited so get your tickets early. Committee members not pictured are...READ MORE

Winners of the OC/Berlin Optimist Club's County Art Contest

Over 60 students submitted art for judging this year in the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club's Worcester County High School Art Contest. All art was displayed at the Ocean City Art League. Pictured, from left, are Ralph Green, art show chairman and club vice president; Christine Burkhead, Snow Hill High School; Danielle Miller, Snow Hill High, 1st place drawing; Micha Bunting, Pocomoke High; Kate Kotaski, Stephen Decatur High; Jane Davidson, Stephen Decatur High; and Bob Russell, club president. ...READ MORE

Scenes From "Garden Therapy"

Worchester County Garden Club sponsors 'Garden Therapy' at the Berlin Nursing Home monthly. Above, co-chair Peggy Cain and members Lynn O'Keefe, Betty Thompson and Kandy Bartholomew work on a design for a Valentine arrangement. ...READ MORE

Kiwanis Club Welcomes Guest Speaker

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City recently welcomed as its guest speaker for the month Mindy Bankert, a special needs physical education teacher at Stephen Decatur Middle School and also the director for Maryland Special Olympics for the tri-county area of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. She is pictured above with President Don Peletier. ...READ MORE

Decatur Alum Awarded Junior Sailor Award

Petty Officer Second Class Christopher Chavis from Berlin has been awarded the Junior Sailor of the Quarter for October-December 2009 and Junior Sailor of the Year for 2009 aboard the USS San Antonio in Norfolk, Va. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2000 and has been an active duty member for the U.S. Navy for seven years. Above, Chavis, the son of local residents Danny and Cindy Chavis, is pictured with his ship commander receiving his awards. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Middle School Students Perform Concert

Worcester Prep Middle School students get ready for a concert under the direction of Middle and Upper School Music Teacher Dan Freed. Having a bit of fun before their performance are Hannah Arrington, Meg Lingo, Neva Richardson, Devin Hammond and Julia D'Antonio. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Students Create Seasons Dioramas

Students at Ocean City Elementary created Seasons Dioramas as a culminating activity for their weather unit in Science. Pictured are second graders Ava VanDornick, Macy Conners, Betul Yucel and Victoria Dickson. ...READ MORE

Most Blessed Sacrament Holds Catholic Schools Week Activities

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School recently held Catholic Schools Week activities. During one event, each member of the faculty and staff created a "Kiss a Pig" themed collection jar. Students were then asked to place monies in the jars of the faculty/staff members they would most like to see pucker up to a porky. Above some of the students pet the pig while waiting for the winner to be announced. ...READ MORE

Showell Students Get Lecture on Oral Hygiene

Children's Regional Oral Health Coalition representative Alexandra Hall, a registered dental hygenist, lectured Showell Elementary pre-kindergarten students on the importance of oral health. She is pictured with students Kylie Ried, William Halverson, Kai Ross, Chelsea Richie, Chloe Beall and Jasmyne Christello. ...READ MORE

Showell First Graders Learn About Symmetrical models

Showell Elementary first graders in Mrs. Huber's class, Ryder Ridout and Danikah Coleman, drew a line down the middle of a paper to create a line of symmetry. Then they took turns using colorful shapes to create a symmetrical model. ...READ MORE

Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest Winners Announced

Pat Arata, Regent for the General Level Winder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presents awards to Worcester County historic essay winners: Devin Hammond, Grade 6, Worcester Preparatory School; Brody Shockley, Grade 5, Berlin Intermediate School; Emma Richardson, Grade 8, Worcester Preparatory School; and Mark Wilson, Grade 7, Worcester Preparatory School. ...READ MORE

Storyteller Tells Tales of China to BIS Students

Storyteller Linda Fang presented her "Chinese Sticky Rice and the Chinese New Year" to Berlin Intermediate School this month.  Her stories include her unique life experience in China.  She has performed nationally and internationally. Above, fifth grader Kara Mihavetz shows off her acting ability with Fang. ...READ MORE

Arts in the Area

Scenes From the Local Art World ...READ MORE