April 22, 2011

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Impatience is still somewhat of a problem. But a sign of progress should soothe the anxious Aries heart. Meanwhile, invest some of that waiting time in preparing for the change ahead. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Bovines tend to excel at solving problems, not creating them. But you risk doing just that if you're slow to respond to a timely situation. If necessary, seek advice from someone you trust. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): The Gemini Twin might need to do more...READ MORE

Things I Like

A beach picnic Watching kids scatter during Easter egg hunts Berlin’s Little League parade Coming across a bird’s nest with eggs Neighbors who are friends Turkey sausage on the grill When someone is truly surprised Watching my son play soccer An old barn in a field Walking barefoot on fresh cut grass Driving on Old Ocean City Road ...READ MORE

"Americanism Night"

The Boggs Disharoon American Legion Auxiliary Unit #123 held “Americanism Night” earlier this month, featuring a an essay contest for area youth. Pictured, from left, are Kristin Rosser, third place; Zachary Birckett, second place; and Sierra Payne, first place. All students are fourth grade students from Berlin Intermediate School. Payne’s essay was entered at the district level where she placed third in the Southeastern Shore District Level I competition. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

WPS Saving Soda Can Tabs

Since 2009, Worcester Preparatory School students have been participating in the Ronald McDonald House Pull Tab Campaign, which encourages students to collect soda can tabs. Students pictured with teacher Carol Hartnett are those who brought in the most tabs. Pictured, from left, are Ty Burton, Rylie Carey, Samantha Wolpin, Brock Grosso, Marissa Grosso and Gavin Burton. Not pictured were Graham and Quinn McColgan,. ...READ MORE

Mobile Science Museum

Amy Doerzbach brought the Mobile Science Museum to all pre-kindergarten students at Ocean City Elementary School. Students were presented with mini science lessons and hands on science fun. Chemists were creating in the Color Lab and future doctors were learning anatomy. Chemists pictured are Saylor Amos, Taylor Davis and Jamie Consigli  ...READ MORE

Winner DAC Poster Contest

Lenore Huffer, left, education chairman for Daughters of the American Colonists (DAC), congratulates Worcester Prep third grade student Jacob Cockman for winning the DAC Regional Award for his poster about colonial times. With them is Celeste Bunting, Head of Lower School. ...READ MORE

MBS Has DAC Winners

Most Blessed Sacrament Elementary School Winners of the Daughters of the American Colonisst-Junior American Citizens Contest are, from left, second grader Morgan Carlson-stamp design; fifth Grader Brooke Cullen, stamp design; and third grader, Lindsay Gabbard, stamp design  ...READ MORE

Books Being Shared

Kindergartner Ja Don O'Brien and Mark Shipley read a book together during class at Buckingham Elementary ...READ MORE

Springtime Umbrellas

Showell Elementary pre-kindergarten Amy Braciszewski assists Bruce Bowen and Sadie Kauffman with watercoloring huge coffee filters that will magically be turned into springtime umbrellas. ...READ MORE

Young Authors Contest

Seven Most Blessed Sacrament students were recently recognized for winning awards in the Eastern Shore Reading Council's Young Authors Contest at Salisbury University. Back row, from left, are third grader Devan Fischbeck, second grader Morgan Lee Carlson and third graders Karstan St. Amant, and Andrew Blazek; and, back row, eighth grader Michelle Curtis, sixth grader Angela Aleman, eighth grader Tabatha Hayes and sixth grader Alex Abbott. ...READ MORE

Science Art Work

Showell Elementary first grader Caleb Sterling shares his science art work. Objects that were attracted to a magnet were pulled through the primary colors of paint to create secondary colors. ...READ MORE

Rotary Club Of Salisbury

Salisbury employees Joe Chandler, left, and Pete Torigoe, right, join 100-year-old Rotarian Pete Cooper, second from left, and Rotary Club of Salisbury’s Lee Whaley, Club President Henry Engster and Allen Brown in painting the Four-Way Test on the sidewalk in downtown Salisbury on April 13. Whaley is chairperson of The Rotary Club of Salisbury’s Four-Way Test Committee, while Cooper and Brown are committee members. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Youth Athlete Good Sports Award

The County Commissioners congratulated eighth grade student Jack Myers earlier this month for receiving the 2010 Youth Athlete Good Sports Award by the Mid-Atlantic Recreation and Parks Sports Alliance (MARPSA). Avery Nelson, who was unable to attend the meeting, received the 2010 Coaches Good Sports Award. ...READ MORE

OC Lioness Celebrate 35th Anniversary

The Ocean City Lioness Club recently celebrated its 35th Anniversary.  Above, original founding members of the Ocean City Lioness Club are pictured. They are, from left, Donna Greenwood, June Todd, Louise Villani and Anna Mae Hales. Faye Cathell was not pictured.   ...READ MORE

Small Business Grant Awarded

Bank of America Salisbury Market President Monty Saylor, left, presents a check for $81,250 to Maryland Capital Enterprises Executive Director Hayley Gallagher. The award was the result of a successful application to the bank’s Small Business Grant Reserve Program. The grant will leverage $875,000 to loan micro-business on the shore and in other areas. ...READ MORE

Blue And Gold Dinner

The Ocean Pines Cub Scout Pack 480 is pictured outside the Ocean Pines Community Center at the celebration of the 2011 Blue and Gold Dinner.  ...READ MORE

Funding Your Next Step With A Plan

OCEAN CITY -- The current economy has created double challenges for many midcareer professionals: Not only are they saving for their children's college education or helping their children to repay their college loans, they may also be reinventing themselves to improve their employment prospects. While an advanced degree can offer abundant rewards, including intellectual satisfaction and entrée into a new, potentially higher-paying field, it can also mean a temporary drop in income and a big...READ MORE

OCHMRA Marks Anniversary

OCEAN CITY -- On Thursday, April 14, Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) Past President and Empress Motel owner Susan Cropper installed the 2011-2012 Officers and Board of Directors of the OCHMRA at the Princess Royale Resort Hotel. More than 200 members gathered for this annual ceremony which was also a celebration of the Association’s 40th Anniversary. Founded in 1971, the OCHMRA is a tourism advocate and the voice of industry. Executive Director Susan Jones led the...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Eunice Quillen Sorin BERLIN -- Eunice Quillen Sorin, 87, died April 16, 2011 at her home in Berlin. Born in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Calvin Edward Quillen, Sr. and Beulah Lee Trader Quillen. Eunice began her career in the business world of Ocean City working summers serving the tourist trade. At 16 years old she attended Cosmetology School at Wimbrow Beauty Academy in Salisbury, first receiving her operator's license then her manager's license. After completing her training, her...READ MORE

Second-Degree Murder Conviction

SNOW HILL -- A Pocomoke man last week was found guilty of second-degree murder for the stabbing death of another man last September and now faces as many as 30 years in jail pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. Around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2010, Pocomoke Police responded to the area of 9th Street for a reported stabbing incident. Upon arrival, Pocomoke Police located an individual later identified as Russell Matthew Bailey III, 18, unconscious and unresponsive. The officers...READ MORE

Where To Eat Around Town

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open seven days a week between Sun-sations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice...READ MORE

Things To Do

April 22: Spring Dinner 11 a.m., Duncan/Showell American Legion Post #231, Berlin. Chicken, fish, chitterling platters with 2 sides. Carry-outs available. To place an order call 410-641-0796 or 410-641-2067. April 22: Cross Walk Noon, Ocean City Boardwalk, meet at The Son’Spot, Worcester St. Coordinated by the Ocean City Christian Ministers. Brief ministry at several stops on the way ending at the Methodist Church on 4th St. Refreshments at the church. Rain or shine. For more information,...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where And When

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 22: Electric Company Saturday, April 23: TBA Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, April 22: Chris Button & Joe Mama, 9 p.m. Saturday, April 23: Electric Velvet’s Anthony Carmen & Mike Curry Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, April 22 & Saturday, April 23: Power Play De Lazy...READ MORE

A Decade Later, AgriRecycle Plant Serving Key Role On Shore

BERLIN -- The Perdue AgriRecycle facility in Seaford, Del. is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this month. The facility, which was the first of its kind in the country, is still the largest converter of chicken litter to organic fertilizer for American farmers, including those in Worcester County. “It has served as an alternative for poultry growers on the Eastern Shore,” said Steve Schwalb, Perdue’s Vice President of Environmental Sustainability. He explained that some...READ MORE

Berlin Landmark ‘Locally Owned, Loved And Operated’

BERLIN -- The Globe in Berlin turns 5-years-old this weekend, and like a child reaching the same age, it is all at once confident, creative and expressive while still growing and evolving into its full potential. Five years is a fairly long time for a restaurant and many have come and gone since owner and operator Jennifer Dawicki David and her partners took over the historic establishment in 2006. Since then, it has grown up before the community’s eyes. Like any small child, The Globe...READ MORE

Resort Mayor Urged Not To Veto Benefit Changes

OCEAN CITY – The question of whether Mayor Rick Meehan will veto ordinances involving newly hired town employee retiree benefits lurks overhead today. In January, the mayor vetoed a series of ordinances involving newly hired town employees’ pay and benefits. The two ordinances that have been in the spotlight most recently involve retiree pension and health plans. The majority of the council has formed a new retiree pension plan ordinance, stating that the plan for new hires will be a...READ MORE

Relay For Life Special For Ocean City Survivor

OCEAN CITY – The Relay For Life of North Worcester is right around the corner and for one of Ocean City’s own the event hits home. City Clerk Kathy Mathias was diagnosed in 1997 with breast cancer. She found her first breast tumor when she was only 19 and had three benign surgeries before her diagnosis. During that time, Mathias was working full-time, raising a family and attending college to earn a degree. “No one is prepared to hear those words from a doctor,” Mathias...READ MORE

OC Expects $695K In Slots Money

OCEAN CITY –During this week’s Mayor and City Council meeting Mayor Rick Meehan presented the council with the plan on how to process the new casino at Ocean Downs revenue that Ocean City will receive. Meehan was appointed chair of the Local Development Council (LDC) for the Ocean Downs Video Lottery Facility during the LDC’s first meeting on March 7. During that meeting, the LDC decided to request the county and municipalities involved submit a multi-year plan for the...READ MORE

Women Leaders Honorees Announced

OCEAN CITY -- Forty-five leading Eastern Shore women were chosen this week as honorees for the “Women Leaders” campaign, the second installment in The Dispatch’s Shore Stars awards program. Immediately after the program’s first campaign, “Charitable Souls”, in March, advertising commenced seeking “Women Leaders” nominations. The ad read, “Do you know of a leading woman in Wicomico, Worcester or Sussex counties who distinguishes herself in...READ MORE

OC Council Okays Malt Drinks At Bikefest

OCEAN CITY -- The Mayor and City Council received updates this week on two of the resort’s newest events, Bikefest and the Susan G. Komen race for the Cure. In February, Cliff Sutherland was approved by the council to create “OC Bikefest” in the Inlet Lot. He returned to the council this week seeking approval to apply for a license to sell beer, wine and malt liquor during the event as well as permission to rent a billboard advertising sponsors and vendors. “We are...READ MORE

Blue Crab Dredge Survey Promising

BERLIN -- Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley this week announced the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population is at its second highest level since 1997 and well above the target for the third year in a row, setting the stage for a bay-wide recovery. The results of the 2011 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey indicate that management measures put into place in 2008 are continuing to pay dividends for the crab population, the industry, recreational crabbers and those who just plain enjoy the...READ MORE

Sweet Adeline Convention Eyes OC

OCEAN CITY – Harmonious music will be flowing from the Convention Center Thursday, April 28 to Sunday, May 1, as the ladies of Sweet Adeline International Region 19 come into town for their annual convention. Sweet Adeline’s International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. There are 33 regions who participate in Sweet Adeline International. The organizations motto is to...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Starts New Chapter

SALISBURY -- The Salisbury City Council looks like a much different entity after Monday’s reorganization meeting. Former President Louise Smith and former Vice-President Gary Comegys both called this term their last and were replaced by Tim Spies and Laura Mitchell. Second term member Terry Cohen was unanimously elected as president, while fellow second-termer Deborah Campbell narrowly edged out newcomer Mitchell for the vice presidency. “Ladies and gentleman, this is a great night...READ MORE

Running Team Formed With Eye On Bringing Families To OC

OCEAN CITY – A group of courageous locals are “Running to Get Kids to the Beach”. An OC Half Marathon team of 15 will be running, walking, or crawling 13.1 miles from the Ocean City Inlet to Assateague Island. The team hopes to raise $13,100, which is $1,000 a mile, to benefit the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s House by the Sea. Meeting their goal will mean they provided the support for 13 families to vacation in Ocean City. The vacation will allow a family to escape home...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

Introducing my kids to something new tops my list of fun things to do, and last weekend provided a few unique opportunities to do just that. Here’s a little recap: One of the great aspects of living in Berlin is being within walking distance to just about everything, including the annual Christmas and Little League parades. Last Saturday was the parade marking the opening of the new Little League season. The parade starts at the firehouse and runs south to the ball fields off Route 113 and...READ MORE

Legislature Hurting All Of Us

Editor:        In just a few short years, current Annapolis politicians have given us a sales tax increase, a personal income tax hike, predatory gambling and now a 3% tax increase in the alcohol tax. To add insult, they are not even using this projected new income to balance the state budget, reduce state debt, or return the dollars proportionately to the counties. They are spending it. This new tax can only further damage Worcester County where supermarkets,...READ MORE

Employees Show They Are Happy To Have Jobs

It was refreshing to see some people are just happy to be employed and to have some job stability. That’s the reasonable conclusion this week after deals were announced between the Ocean City Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Ocean City Mayor and Council as well as the teachers’ union and the Worcester County Board of Education. It was learned this week that resort police officers as well as county public school teachers have agreed to forgo pay raises for the next year. In the...READ MORE

Between The Lines

The shock of the traumatizing situation still remains fresh today among the minds of many, but the affected community is funneling its energy in the positive direction with the hope of helping a local family. On Thursday, April 14, Sierra Hall, a third grader at Worcester Preparatory School, was practicing with her Beach Lacrosse team at the county fields in Berlin when she suddenly collapsed. While transporting Sierra, a Millsboro, Del. resident born with a heart condition, to A.I. DuPont...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

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 Sunset Island Sat & Sun 10-4 3-5 Bedroom Condos, Townhomes, Single Family Homes C.Jett/T.Riley Vantage Resort Realty 410-723-1730 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 WEST OCEAN...READ MORE

City, Police Union Reach Deal, Avoid Binding Arbitration

OCEAN CITY – The City Council and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) were able to avoid arbitration this week, coming to a settlement and inking a two-year collective bargaining agreement. “We are very proud to tell you the Mayor and City Council has come to an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement,” Council President Jim Hall said Monday. According to City Solicitor Guy Ayres, under the town charter, sworn Ocean City police...READ MORE

Fire In OC Condo Contained

OCEAN CITY -- A fire at a north-end condominium Wednesday afternoon was quickly contained to the kitchen of the unit where it originated and no injuries were reported save for a cut on the hand of the resident who broke a glass fire alarm to report it. Shortly after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) responded to a fire alarm activation at the Sea Watch Condominiums on 115th Street. First arriving units reported smoke showing from a unit on the first floor of living units...READ MORE

License Board Issues Warnings For Underage Violations

SNOW HILL -- Two first-time offenders were let off with warnings by the Board of License Commissioners (BLC) on Wednesday, though reports of the incidents were stored in case of future violations. Ponzetti’s Pizza and 94th St. Beer, Wine, and Liquor in Ocean City came before the BLC Wednesday for violations of the county’s alcohol code, specifically, the sale of alcohol to a minor. “I was very, very disappointed,” said John Trader, owner of 94th St. Beer, Wine and Liquor...READ MORE

Governor Opts For Septic Task Force

BERLIN -- Less than a week after the Maryland General Assembly session ended, Gov. Martin O’Malley this week announced the formation of a task force to study the impact of septic system pollution on the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays. During the 2011, O’Malley introduced legislation that would ban the use of on-site septic systems in new development in critical areas around the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays watershed. The legislation drew the ire of lawmakers from rural areas all over the...READ MORE

School Board Needs To Cut 15 Positions

NEWARK -- Despite an increase in state aid, the Worcester County Board of Education has learned that it will have to phase out three additional positions in the school system beyond what was originally anticipated due to rising state costs. “It is more and more challenging each and every year to make sure we maintain small class sizes,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes after learning of the necessity of additional cuts. When the fiscal year 2012 budget was first drafted,...READ MORE

Schaefer Leaves Behind Fond Memories With Shore Officials

OCEAN CITY -- His infamous remark about the Eastern Shore being an “outhouse” notwithstanding, former Maryland Governor and Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer, who passed away this week at the age of 89, was a strong advocate for the shore in general and Ocean City specifically, local elected officials said this week. Schaefer, whose strong, often irascible personality largely dominated Maryland politics for half a century, first as the outspoken four-term mayor of Baltimore and...READ MORE

School Bomb Threat Suspect Extradited

BERLIN -- A Mardela Springs man, arrested in connection with a bomb threat made at Showell Elementary this month, was extradited to Worcester County from Delaware last week and remains behind bars on a $250,000 bond. Patrick Earl McCready, 23, has been charged with making a false statement of a destructive device, arson threat and disturbing the operation of school activities following his arrest in Delaware after the April 7 incident. McCready was arrested in Delaware after investigators were...READ MORE

Wicomico Residents Could See 5-Cent Tax Hike

SALISBURY -- Faced with declining revenues and a growing list of budget obligations, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt this week painfully called for a five-cent increase on the property tax rate to help balance his proposed $111.4 million fiscal year 2012 budget. Pollitt pitched the proposed property tax hike to the County Council during his budget presentation on Tuesday. He acknowledged the tax increase would be tough sell to the property owners in Wicomico, but asked for the citizens to...READ MORE

WOC Man Killed In Deer Collision

BISHOPVILLE -- A local man was killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday morning after colliding with a deer on a rural road in northern Worcester County. Around 2:43 a.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle on Bishopville Rd. between Route 113 and Jarvis Ave. The investigation revealed a 2003 Honda motorcycle, operated by William Louis Engle, 39, of West Ocean City, was traveling east on Route 367, or Old Stage Rd.,...READ MORE

Worcester Now Has Natural Gas Accord With Two Companies

SNOW HILL -- Worcester County entered into a non-exclusive service agreement with Chesapeake Utilities for natural gas Tuesday. Chesapeake joins Eastern Shore Gas (ESG) as the two franchises so far that have taken advantage of a general intention to bring natural gas to Worcester by next year. “Natural gas will benefit Worcester County,” said Steve Thompson, Senior Vice-President of Chesapeake Utilities and President of its subsidiary, Eastern Shore Natural Gas (ESNG). Thompson gave...READ MORE

City Manager’s Budget Retains Same Tax Rate In OC

OCEAN CITY – As the Mayor and City Council and staff officially enter into fiscal year 2012 talks, City Manager Dennis Dare explained that Ocean City is above other surrounding jurisdictions in keeping its cool during this tough economic time. “A great deal has been accomplished to ‘right size’ our operations since the recession began in 2008,” Dare said during Monday night’s Mayor and Council meeting. Ocean City has implemented a hiring freeze, offered...READ MORE

Berlin Sewer Upgrades Get Fed Boost

BERLIN -- The ongoing expansion and rehabilitation of Berlin’s aging sewer treatment facilities got a much needed fiscal shot in the arm this week with the announcement of over $3 million in federal loans and grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program. U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin on Wednesday announced a roughly $2.5 million loan and a $1 million-plus grant from the federal Rural Development Program that will help the town of...READ MORE

Council Seeks Middle Ground With Street Performers

OCEAN CITY -- The City Council is trying to find a compromise regarding the ongoing debate over street performers and their presence on the Boardwalk this summer. Council President Jim Hall said that some “loop holes” have been found concerning the ordinance that needs to be addressed by the city’s attorney. The Boardwalk performer licenses were scheduled to expire on Monday at midnight, but Jim Hall suggested the council to extend the present system another 30 days so issues...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Polling Site Change Looks Likely

SNOW HILL -- After discussing a possible move with the Worcester County Commissioners, the Board of Elections is still leaning toward finding a new location for primary polling in Ocean Pines. Though Board of Elections Supervisor Patti Jackson stated that no final decision has been made, she did confirm that her organization is putting serious thought into moving from the Ocean Pines fire station to another nearby site, possibly the Community Church. “This is not an argument that we can...READ MORE

Route 50 Getting New Traffic Signal Near Big Box Stores

BERLIN -- A new traffic signal is going up this week on Route 50 between Route 589 and the existing signal at the entrance to the Wal-Mart and Home Depot, as part of a larger, long-range plan to rectify the traffic situation along the busy corridor. For the last few weeks, road crews have been busy making a new cut across the median just west of the existing intersection in front of the large retail centers on Route 50 and just east of Route 589. Orange barrels and lane closure signs have been...READ MORE

School Board Seat Open After Mumford Steps Down

SNOW HILL -- At a Worcester County Board of Education (BoE) meeting Tuesday, members took a moment to honor Garry Mumford, who is stepping down from the board in order to take on the position of warden at the county jail. “Garry is leaving a legacy of advocating for all students who need a strong and steady voice,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Andes. “He has been instrumental in promoting services and programs, such as our after school academies, which address unique...READ MORE

Eunice Sorin’s Generosity Is Her Local Legacy

OCEAN CITY -- An Ocean City legend, known best for extreme generosity in the community she loved so much, Eunice Q. Sorin, passed away last Saturday, April 16 at her home in Berlin at the age of 87. Sorin, whose name adorns the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Building and Atlantic General Hospital’s Women’s Diagnostic Center, began her career modestly as a teenager working in the summer tourist industry in the resort and soon embarked on a career in cosmetology that saw her...READ MORE