October 29, 2010

Things I Like

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Some Random Thoughts On The Positive Side

Grapes and cheese together Taking my kids to a pumpkin patch Political ads that aren't negative Being the first awake in my house Char-grilled oysters at The Crab Bag Knowing the election is just days away Halloween in Berlin Sports columnists Clothes that don't wrinkle easy Taking off a tie Coastal Highway this time of year ...READ MORE

Search On For Missing Man

OCEAN CITY - Law enforcement agencies across lower Delaware this week are searching for a missing Silver Spring, Md. man who was last seen in Easton attempting to take a bus to Ocean City. Around 11 p.m. last Friday, a concerned citizen contacted the Dewey Beach Police Department to report suspicious property found on the beach in that Delaware resort town. Dewey Police officers responded to the scene and met with the witness, who told them the property was first observed in the afternoon, but...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

The approach to getting a babysitter sure has changed over the last couple years. At first, getting a babysitter was a traumatizing thing for my wife and me. It's safe to say those days of natural trepidation and anxieties are long gone because now it's a cause for celebration most of the time. In the early days of this parenting thing, there was apprehension involved with getting a sitter and leaving behind a kid or kids. While there's still a natural concern over leaving our kids, it's nothing...READ MORE

Clarification Of Last Week's Article

In last week's issue, a story was published on the State's Attorney campaign between Joel Todd and Beau Oglesby. A small part of the article touched on a Facebook page titled, 'Crime Victims to Re-elect Joel Todd.' In the article, Oglesby questioned the site as a campaign tactic for Todd's re-election bid and alleges Todd solicited comments from crime victims for political gain. Though Todd denied having anything to do with the page, there were questions raised as to why the newspaper did not...READ MORE

Berlin Council Agrees To Fund New Speed Board

BERLIN - The Town of Berlin is moving ahead with plans to retrofit an old speed-monitoring board with a new, more advanced system. The previous speed board, which has been out of service for a long time, will be outfitted with better radar and mobile Internet capability. 'The old board had a standard radar,' said Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing. 'It displayed the speed, but we had to take it back to the station and plug it into a computer to track the data.' Not so with the new system. Now...READ MORE

Juvenile Drug Court Scores Federal Grant

BERLIN - The Worcester County Health Department's Case Management Unit, in conjunction with the county's Juvenile Drug Program, has received a $271,197 three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. Through the grant, the Juvenile Drug Court will be able to provide mentoring for participants in the drug court program. Before the grant, there had been problems with the budget. 'The grant is designed to provide mentoring and to enhance the local Drug Court...READ MORE

Judge Rejects Last Sifrit Appeal

OCEAN CITY - Convicted killer Benjamin Sifrit, who, along with his wife Erika, brutally murdered and dismembered a Virginia couple vacationing in Ocean City eight years ago, had his bid for a new trial denied by a U.S. District Court judge last week. After exhausting an initial appeal process based on the claim his defense counsel was ineffective during his 2003 trial, Benjamin Sifrit embarked on a different tack in an attempt to get his conviction reversed and gain a new trial when he filed a...READ MORE

Tough Guy Of The Week

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to Luke Bargar for his outstanding playing during a 38-6 win over Parkside. Pictured above is Barger (center) flanked by Coach Bob Knox (left) and ATP President and CEO Bob Hammond. Submitted photo ...READ MORE

BOC's MVP at SDHS

The Bank of Ocean City Most Valuable Player award for the Stephen Decatur varsity football team went to the entire defensive line and linebacker corps for their outstanding performance in a 38-6 rout of Parkside last week. Each week, the Bank of Ocean City donates $50 to the Stephen Decatur Athletic Boosters in the name of the MVP for the week. Pictured above, back row, from left: Coach Bob Knox, Nick Craven, Luke Bargar, Alan Lawrence, Shameal Stanley and Earl Conley from the Bank of Ocean...READ MORE

Mallards win in the ESIAC

Worcester Prep's Ryan Nally (16) throws the ball into Andrew Ternahan during the second half of the Mallards' win in the ESIAC semifinals. Ternahan finished the game with two goals. Photo by Shawn Soper  ...READ MORE

Mallards Cruise to ESIAC Final

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's boys' varsity soccer team breezed past old rival Salisbury School, 4-0, on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) tournament to earn another date in the championship game. The Mallards scored early on a goal by Andrew Ternahan off an assist from Michael Dayton-Jones to take a 1-0 lead on the Dragons, but could not pull away. The first half ended with Worcester leading 1-0 and the outcome was still very much in doubt. With...READ MORE

Seacrets Lone Unbeaten in Flag League

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's Fall Flag Football League continued this week with just one team, Seacrets, remaining unbeaten after a battle between the frontrunners. Something had to give when league leading and unbeaten Seacrets and Schell Brothers-Greene Turtle met for the first time this year on Monday. Seacrets edged Schell Brothers-Greene Turtle, 25-20, to remain unbeaten at 6-0. Meanwhile, Buxy's Salty Dog fell to the Blue Ox, 26-19, to fall to 4-2, while...READ MORE

Dolphins Forming Cheerleading Squad

BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins youth football organization this week announced it was forming its first-ever youth cheerleading and dance squad. The Dolphins' organization is seeking youngsters ages 5-13 to join the newest addition to the local youth football family.  Practices will be held at Showell Park and Buckingham Elementary. Performances, competitions and practices are ongoing. Anyone interested in joining the cheerleading and dance team is encouraged to contact Vickie Bireley at (410)...READ MORE

Decatur Fall Teams Prep for States

BERLIN- Most of Stephen Decatur's fall sports teams have wrapped up their regular seasons and are now preparing to move on to regional state championship tournaments after successful 2010 campaigns. Decatur's boys' varsity soccer team finished its regular season with a 9-3 record and earned a number-three seed in the state Class 3A-East region tournament when the brackets were released this week. The Seahawks earned a first round bye and will face sixth-seeded Atholton in the second round....READ MORE

Seahawks Stay on Big Roll

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team continued its big roll last weekend, routing host Parkside, 38-6, to even its record at 4-4 in what has been a topsy-turvy season. The Seahawks dominated Bayside South rival Parkside in every phase of the game on the road last Friday to cruise to the 38-6 win. The win was the third straight for Decatur in a stretch where they have outscored their opponents by a combined 105-26. The turnaround started with a 20-13 win over Bennett three weeks ago....READ MORE

Berlin Dolphins Remain Unbeaten

BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins youth football leagues continued their unbeaten seasons this week with the Cadet Dolphins blanking Pocomoke, 19-0, and the Junior Dolphins routing Princess Anne, 53-0. The Cadet Dolphins got Pocomoke down early, scoring on their very first possession, and never looked back, cruising to the 19-0 win to improve to 5-0 on the season. The Cadet team led 13-0 at the half and turned it over the rest of the way to the defense, which forced four turnovers. Berlin's Terran...READ MORE

Seahawks Suffer First Loss

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season this week, falling to host Kent Island 3-2 in a five-game marathon decided by a tie-breaker. The Seahawks have been dominant all season, jumping out to a perfect 13-0 record before Tuesday's loss on the road the Kent Island. In 10 of its 13 matches before Tuesday's loss, the Seahawks had swept their opponents in three straight and had only dropped five individual games all season. However, Kent Island...READ MORE

Decatur Golfers Fare Well at States

BERLIN- The Stephen Decatur varsity golfers who qualified individually for the state championship tournament at the University of Maryland this week acquitted themselves well with two reaching their respective finals matches on Wednesday. Jake Miller, Nikki Rafer and Joe Iacona each qualified for the state tournament this week and two, Miller and Rafer, advance to the finals on Wednesday. Miller shot a 78 on Monday and a 79 on Wednesday to finish tied for 10th among the 70 male golfers in the...READ MORE

Worcester Girls Advance in Tourney

BERLIN- After struggling somewhat down the stretch in recent games, Worcester Prep's girls' varsity soccer had a big day when it mattered most, thrashing visiting Salisbury Christian, 7-0, at home on Wednesday in the semifinals of the ESIAC tournament. After winning their first six games of the season, the Mallards hit the wall somewhat toward the end of the regular season, dropping four of its list seven games. On Wednesday, however, they left nothing to chance, jumping all over visiting...READ MORE

Early Voting A Hit In County

BERLIN – If early turnout numbers are any indication, voters in Worcester County and across Maryland have embraced the concept of early voting, approved by state referendum two years ago, as significant numbers have taken advantage of the first-year opportunity. For the first time in history, Maryland voters this year have been afforded the opportunity to vote early in advance of Tuesday’s General Election at designated polling sites across the state. In Worcester, registered voters...READ MORE

General Election Endorsements

Overview The following is a look at our endorsements for a number of local contested elections. These endorsements are intended to give readers a glimpse into why we have decided to support certain candidates. We take this obligation of offering our suggestions seriously at this newspaper, and it's important to point out these are endorsements and not predictions and a result of an extensive review of each candidate and much deliberation. State Senate Voters are extremely fortunate here to have...READ MORE

Thanks For Leadership

Thanks For Leadership Editor: We want to express our thanks to Joe Mitrecic for his leadership with the Ocean City Council. He conducted meetings well as council president. We also want to congratulate our newly elected Council members, Ashley, Martin and Pillas, and wish them success. We have detected some concerns relative to the effectiveness of the newly elected council . However, the council should be able to conduct business just as successfully and efficiently as in the past. One...READ MORE

It was an interesting week of politics at City Hall in Ocean City.

It was an interesting week of politics at City Hall in Ocean City. Last Thursday, Councilman Joe Hall tried, at least temporarily unsuccessfully, to jam through his desire to eliminate all of the town's subcommittees. Hall has not been shy about his distaste for these committees meetings, dating back to his earlier terms in office. He believes too much is discussed at these gatherings and that the entire council should hear all of the city's business. Hall seems to have the votes to do away with...READ MORE

Berlin Bank Repairs Lead To Road Closures

BERLIN - PNC's Berlin branch was expected to be open by today, despite continued construction repairing the damage caused by last week's accident. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, a car struck the downtown bank at the intersection of William and Bay streets, resulting in the driver's fatality and multiple injuries to a passenger in the vehicle and extensive damage to the building. Berlin Superintendent of Planning and Zoning Chuck Ward told The Dispatch that repairs were going well as of Tuesday. 'Plans...READ MORE

Berlin Police Seeking Revenue From Gun Sale

BERLIN - The Berlin Police Department (BPD) had 14 handguns declared 'surplus' at Monday's Mayor and Council meeting. In addition, a request to return the revenue from the sale of the firearms to the BPD was made to the council with the issue to come up again when department budgets are next discussed. A list of 14 surplus guns was presented to the council, all between six and seven years old. Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing confirmed that those guns were all nearing the end of their...READ MORE

Downtown Project's Site Plan Extended

OCEAN CITY - Cropper's Landing's contract was extended an additional two years at this weeks Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. The commission initially approved the site plan for Cropper's Landing with a 6-0 vote in September of 2007. In October of 2009, the Cropper family asked the commission for an initial extension, which would have expired Nov. 16, 2010. Ocean City Zoning Administrator Blaine Smith and attorney Joe Moore, representing the property owners, were present to request a...READ MORE

Decatur Alumni Association Aims To Complete Field House

BERLIN - Stephen Decatur High School (SDHS) hosted a business breakfast in the school's cafeteria Wednesday morning. The highlight of the breakfast was the official introduction of the SDHS Alumni Association and their first special project - the construction of a new athletic field house at the school's stadium. Guests during the annual breakfast included alumni, business owners, members of Worcester County public schools and several elected officials. The Alumni Association is planning to...READ MORE

Berlin Police Geared Up For Halloween

BERLIN - Halloween weekend is almost here and Berlin is once again preparing for the annual festivities. As always, the Berlin Police Department (BPD) will be on the streets during the trick-or-treating in an effort to continue the long tradition of safety associated with the event. Berlin has been hosting a specific trick-or-treating period for more than two decades. 'I've been here 19 years,' said BPD Chief Arnold Downing, 'and it's been going on the whole time.' Downing will be joined by...READ MORE

OC Planners Approve New Downtown Water Operation

OCEAN CITY - The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting approved a new parasail and wave-runner site downtown Ocean City this week. Graham Bostic of Bishopville, Md. requested a permit to run a water-related parasail and wave-runner recreational activity operation for a period of three years at the site of 700 S. Philadelphia Avenue near the Inlet. Bostic has owned and operated the Sea Rocket for 10 years and is retired from the Coast Guard. 'I have been around this kind of business for a long...READ MORE

Ordinance Concerns Delay Decision On Wind Turbine

OCEAN CITY - Once again, Jim Motsko's attempts to install a small wind turbine on his downtown property have been extended due to the language written in the ordinance. Back in August, the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission elected to extend the public hearing until certain questions were answered about the plan to build a wind turbine on property owned by Motsko, a local realtor and White Marlin Open founder and tournament director. At that earlier hearing, opposition came from...READ MORE

OCDC Scores $225K In Community Legacy Grants

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) recently received the largest award on the Eastern Shore from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). According to Glenn Irwin, executive director of OCDC, the corporation has received funds for three of its application through DHCD's 2011 Community Legacy Program. The three applications include the Façade Program, which had $50,000 approved; the Green Building Initiatives Program, $50,000 approved; and Land...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY - This week's Mayor and City Council meeting agenda included a few requests that were approved. The following is a recap of the items discussed. Boardwalk Decking Maintenance Extended Public Works Director Hal Adkins requested for the contract with Kade Construction to be extended to continue the Boardwalk's Decking Maintenance Project at the 2009 price. According to Adkins, this past summer numerous areas on the Boardwalk have required above-average repairs due to what appears to be...READ MORE

Gulyas, Diegelmann In Rematch For Ocean City Commissioner

BERLIN - Worcester County Commissioner Louise L. Gulyas (R) got a chance to face challenger Ellie Diegelmann (D) last Thursday in a question-and-answer forum. The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce hosted an election candidate forum where representatives from three of the seven commissioner districts were in attendance. But the only district to have both an incumbent and opponent at the forum was District 7, which encompasses Ocean City. The forum, which concentrated on the topics of trade...READ MORE

Council To Discuss Spiking Government Committees

OCEAN CITY - Last week's Mayor and City Council organizational meeting revealed the council's division, even after many officials did their best publicly after the election to mask their diversity in opinion. Once former Councilman Joe Mitrecic gave his good-bye speech and the oaths of the new City Council had been taken, the agenda seemed to take a turn down a rocky road when Councilman Joe Hall brought forward some unexpected business. 'During the election cycle of the last two years, we have...READ MORE

Sheriff's Office, Marshals Locate Sex Offender In Ecuador

BERLIN - Apparently unhappy with the state's new stringent sex offender laws, a Worcester County registered sex offender recently flew the coop to Ecuador, but county law enforcement officials, with the help of U.S. Marshall's, were able to track the offender back to his native country. According to Worcester County Sheriff's Department Detective Lou Esposito, who oversees the county's sex offender registry program, registered offender Adrian Ricardo Reinoso, 37, whose last known local address...READ MORE

Honest Mistake Defense In Campaign Mailer Gaff

BERLIN - With the Worcester County State's Attorney race nearing the finish line, a flap this week over campaign mailers sent out to voters all over the county including pictures and names of prominent local citizens has added a late chapter to what has already been a heated battle. Voters across Worcester this week received campaign literature in their mailboxes from State's Attorney Joel Todd, who is being challenged again by Republican Beau Oglesby, including the candidate pictured with...READ MORE

Tight Vote Gives Jim Hall President's Chair

OCEAN CITY - The Mayor and City Council gathered last week for an organizational meeting to swear in the returning incumbents and welcomed Brent Ashley. Former Councilman Joe Mitrecic sat in the chair of council president one last time and called the meeting to order. He took the time to thank all those who have supported him in the last eight years, including his family, colleagues, other fallen candidates and the residents of Ocean City. 'I would like to thank my colleagues both past and...READ MORE

Council Moves To Lower Minimum Bid For Beach Scopes

OCEAN CITY - At this week's Mayor and City Council meeting, it was confirmed what many realize - the beach photography business, also known as scopes, is struggling to stay alive. Patrick McLaughlin of United Beach Photo, Inc. is the current bid holder for both beach photo franchise licenses in Ocean City. A franchise is held for a term of four years, and upon renewal the franchise fee raises 10 percent greater then the initial fee of the term before. The minimal bid to obtain the franchise is...READ MORE

Some Ways To Get Ahead Of Estate Tax Changes

OCEAN CITY - When Congress adjourned in December 2009 without reaching an agreement to extend the 2001-2009 version of the federal estate tax, the estate tax •€' and the strategies for addressing it - suddenly became a lot harder for millions of mainstream investors to ignore. Having likely disappeared altogether for 2010, the tax is now slated to return in 2011 at a maximum rate of 55% •€' 10 percentage points higher than in 2009. Of even greater concern,...READ MORE

Harvest For The Hungry

Officers of the National Junior Beta Club of Stephen Decatur Middle School, a service and character building organization, announced the start of the club's annual Harvest for the Hungry on Monday.  This canned food drive, which supports the club's motto, 'Leading by Serving Others,' will continue until Nov. 19. Pictured, from left, are Meriajah Jackson, president; George Eppard-Annis, vice president; Aaron Dale, secretary; and Chelsea Lawson, treasurer. Submitted Photos  ...READ MORE

BES Becomes "The Polishing Police"

The fourth graders at Buckingham Elementary School became "The Polishing Police" as they finalized their writing piece of the day. Students pictured with teacher Heather Robins are Tara Smith, Jessina Almazon, Alexander Gaddis, Lauren Barrett and Josie Bahn.  ...READ MORE

BIS Studying Ancient Civilizations

Fifth grade students at Berlin Intermediate School, in Susan Cropper\'s Social Studies class, are studying ancient civilizations.  Children learned about and drew Petroglyphs and learned about a game called the Woodlands bowl game. Students used petroglyphs and beans to play this game of chance. Here are Alyssa Brooks, Lindsey Laughlin and Madison Elman.  ...READ MORE

SES Mastering Addition

Kayla Short and Abby Adamson encourage each other to master addition with regrouping in a Showell Elementary third grade classroom.  ...READ MORE

WPS Students Commended By JHU

Among the Worcester Prep students commended by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth were brothers Jordan and Jamie Welch. The boys, in Grades 6 and 9, were honored at JHU's Shriver Hall for their high scores in state testing. They are the sons of Patricia and Edward Welch of Ocean Pines.  ...READ MORE

SHES Kicks Off Reading Social

Snow Hill Elementary School's 21st Century Haven House After School Tutorial Program kicked off its first Reading Social earlier this month.  Throughout the afternoon, parents, teachers and staff members read books to children. Above, first grade students Brianah Shockley and Makayla Elliott listen as Haven House staff member Gloria Waters reads to them.  ...READ MORE

GPS @ BIS

Berlin Intermediate School's BIS and Beyond Afterschool Academies is introducing students to new technology with its GPS @ BIS Academy.  Sponsored by Ms. Bennett, Mrs. Thaw and Mrs. Chapman, the students will use new GPS systems to plot and find various locations around the campus. Showing off their treasures are Michael Tinelli, Zach Davis, William Hrecka and Andrew Haas.  ...READ MORE

Calender of Events

Oct. 29: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 6 p.m.; games begin, 7 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Re-freshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. Oct. 30: Fall Festival 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Showell Elementary, Racktrack Rd. Games, food, cake walk, fire truck rides, hay rides, baked goods. Lollilop the Clown will be on hand from 11 a.m.-noon. Oct. 30: Fall Festival 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Bowen U/M Church, Newark. A luncheon will be served with oyster sandwiches, chicken salad, clam chowder,...READ MORE

Where To Eat Around Town

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines 707 Sports bar & grille 12702 Old Bridge Road (Route 707), West Ocean City , 410-213-9507 We may have changed hands, but we are still the same locally known Sports Bar in West Ocean City, and yes we are open everyday 11a.m.-2 a.m. Everything on our menu is made to order from our Homemade Soups, Salads,  new and improved Crab Dip, Mussels, the only place that serves the 'Full Wing' Quesadillas, 1/2 lb. Burgers, Crab cakes, Fresh cut Steaks, Fresh...READ MORE

Whos playing where and when musically speaking

707 Sports Bar & Grille 410-213-9507 12702 Old Bridge Road, West OC Friday, Oct. 29: Halloween Party with Tranzfusion, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Oct. 29: DJ BK Sunday, Oct. 31: Halloween Football Bash Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, in the Bamboo Lounge, 6-9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy....READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Ellsworth George Merritt BERLIN - Ellsworth George Merritt, age 91, died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 at Atlantic General Hospital. Born in Girdletree, he was the son of the late George Washington Merritt and Viola Mae Pruitt Merritt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lotus Aydelotte Merritt in 2001. He is survived by his son, Joseph Ellsworth Merritt and his wife Amy Marie of Fruitland, and daughters, Sandra Mae Jones and her husband Isaac D, Jones of Belle Haven, Va., and Nancy Louise Cropper of...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Condo Somerset Street Downtown OC Sun 11-2 3 & 4 BD Fully Furnished Skip Schlesinger Prudential Carruthers 410-520-2600 WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY Coconut Malorie 60th Street Bayfront Open Daily 1BR w/ Views Jim White ReMax Premier Properties 410-726-9026 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily...READ MORE

A Spotlight On The Local And Regional Bar Scene

Faces In Places ...READ MORE

A Look At The People Helping Causes In The Area

People In Society ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Deciding to work out that pesky problem (even though you might have been bored, bored, bored with it) should be paying off right about now. Expect to hear some very welcome news very soon. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Unexpected news might cause you to rethink a previous conclusion. Don't be bullheaded and try to bluff it out. Make the needed change, and then take a bow for your objectivity. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Money-matters should be considered as you...READ MORE

Things I Like

Grapes and cheese together Taking my kids to a pumpkin patch Political ads that aren’t negative Being the first awake in my house Char-grilled oysters at The Crab Bag Knowing the election is just days away Halloween in Berlin Sports columnists Clothes that don’t wrinkle easy Taking off a tie Coastal Highway this time of year ...READ MORE

Bell Ringer Award Presented

At the Salvation Army 2010 Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off Celebration, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City was presented the 2009 first place Bell Ringer Award in the club or organization category for collecting over $8,000 in the 2009 campaign.   Every year Kiwanians ring the bell for holiday collections at the Wal-Mart on Route 50 and will do it again this year.  Above, State Delegate and Red Kettle Campaign Co-Chair Jim Mathias, right, presents...READ MORE

SDHS Cheerleaders To Perform At The Citrus Bowl

Stephen Decatur High School junior Mya Taylor, senior Courtney Coleman, junior Jacqueline Saldana, and senior Chrissy Aperance are headed to perform at the half-time show at this year's Citrus Bowl in December.  The four earned the opportunity after the Stephen Decatur varsity cheer team qualified with a superior rating while attending the Pine Forest Cheer Camp in Pennsylvania.  C. Carol Quinto and Darlene Musitano, co-chairs, prepare for the 1st annual Pine'eer Craft Club...READ MORE

Julia A. Purnell Museum To Get Exhibit Upgrades

Assateague Questers President Jackie Landon presents Julia A. Purnell Museum Director Claire Otterbein with a check for $1,000.  The funds are to be used for exhibit upgrades.  ...READ MORE

Gwen Lehman Honored For Outstanding Contributions

Gwen Lehman was honored during Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services' 35th Anniversary and Annual Review for her many years of dedication and service to the non-profit.  Her outstanding contributions to the agency, which serves the residents of Worcester County, were recognized with a commemorative sun. ...READ MORE

Hospital Earns High Rating

BERLIN - On Oct. 20, Atlantic General Hospital was recognized by HealthGrades, an independent, for-profit international healthcare rating organization, with a five-star rating of care in heart failure, pneumonia and pulmonary services, respiratory failure, GI bleed, and GI surgeries and procedures. While hospital officials feel the AGH's ratings are deserved, a larger emphasis is placed upon the comparison reporting provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services through the agency's...READ MORE

Art Around The Area

Creative Moments ...READ MORE