June 3, 2011

Bennett Caps Perfect Season with Title

SALISBURY- James M. Bennett’s varsity baseball team capped off a perfect 22-0 season with a dramatic extra inning win over LaPlata last weekend to claim the state Class 3A championship. The Clippers rolled through the regular season undefeated and won the Bayside Championship before setting their sights on a possible state championship. After winning the 3A-East region title, Bennett cruised in the state semifinals to set up a date with LaPlata in the state championship last...READ MORE

Memorial Day Bluefish Tourney a Hit

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Marlin Club’s second annual Memorial Day Bluefish Tournament was a hit last weekend with dozens of boats competing in the event dedicated to the men and women of the armed services. In the spirit of the Memorial Day holiday, proceeds from the event were dedicated to the Catherine and Charles Kratz Memorial Park and Scholarship Fund. Catherine and Charles Kratz are long-time members of the Ocean City Marlin Club who recently started a foundation to provide...READ MORE

Decatur Alum Miller to Compete in Worlds

BERLIN- Former Stephen Decatur wrestling standout Danny Miller, now a sophomore at Navy, will represent the U.S. at the FILA Jr. World Championships in Romania later this summer. Miller, who won three straight state championships at Decatur, has compiled a 26-17 record in two years at Navy including a 19-11 record this year. Navy requires its varsity wrestlers to do a certain amount of off-season wrestling and Miller this year chose to compete in the 2011 FILA World Team Trials in Indiana last...READ MORE

Local Pros Teach Middle Schoolers

BERLIN- Over the last few weeks, the Stephen Decatur Middle School Golf Club got some hands on coaching and teaching from some of the top professionals in the area. The SDMS Golf Club was recently treated to two separate sessions of free golf lessons from local PGA Certified Golf Professionals, Bob Affelder of The Bay Club; Bob Beckelman of Deer Run and John Leighton, director of Instruction at Deer Run.  According to Coach Jim Krall, each professional was very eager and more than willing...READ MORE

The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department this week announced the 2011 Ocean City Baseball Camp will feature instructors from Ripken Baseball. Since 2001, Cal Ripken, Jr. and his brother Bill Ripken have led Ripken Baseball in its mission to grow the game of baseball worldwide. This summer, Ripken Baseball is sending instructors to Ocean City to provide the best and most informative baseball camp experience available. Instructors will teach young players the “Ripken...READ MORE

15th Annual Mako Mania Underway

OCEAN CITY- The 15th Annual Mako Mania shark tournament got underway this morning with dozens of boats and teams of anglers competing in the first significant offshore tournament of the summer-long series of events in Ocean City. With warm water starting to show up in the canyons off the coast of the resort, the early offshore fishing season is starting to heat up just in time for the annual Mako Mania tournament hosted by Bahia Marina. Sharks of all sizes and species are typically the first...READ MORE

Authorities Do Their Job

Editor: Generally, I do not take time to respond to other letters posted in your paper but the comments in this letter, “Laws Need Enforcing,” just begged for a response. First, as to the statement "please start enforcing the laws and ordinances", I'm not sure if the writer has ever been out on the streets of Ocean City on Friday and Saturday nights during these events. But as someone who really enjoys seeing all the different cars and bikes and is on the street most...READ MORE

Between The Lines

Ocean City Councilman Doug Cymek caused a stir this week with a plan he devised to merge two marketing plans -- one on fuel and another on golf -- together into a single discussion, surprising some of his colleagues at City Hall. Consequently, I called him yesterday morning to get a little insight into why he did what he did. Acknowledging his idea to achieve a middle ground on the two seemingly unrelated matters ruffled some feathers, Cymek outlined his position, explaining he truly believes...READ MORE

Season Starting With A Bang Good News For All

Was it the hot, hazy and humid weather? Was it a sign the economy is recovering some and discretionary income is being restored? Was it a result of the town’s expanded advertising and marketing?   Whatever the case, the local tourism market’s prime season has gotten off to a splendid start, thanks to another strong Cruisin’ weekend and a better-than-expected three-day holiday run. For years, Memorial Day weekend has been an uncertainty on the town’s calendar. It has...READ MORE

Commissioners Suggest Efficiency Study For Schools

SNOW HILL -- Worries over finances next year have Worcester County Commissioners already looking to the fiscal year 2013 budget, despite the fiscal year 2012 budget still being worked on. One possible suggestion from the commission to help weather the expected trouble next year is for the Board of Education to establish an “efficiency committee,” a request that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes agreed would be taken into consideration. “We were very effective at the...READ MORE

Body Recovered In Pond After Accident

SALISBURY -- A search for a Fruitland man who capsized his kayak in a pond in Delmar late last Thursday afternoon ended in tragedy when his body was recovered the next morning. Around 4 p.m. last Thursday, James Edward Cain, Jr., 42, of Fruitland, was kayaking in Leonard’s Mill Pond in Delmar when his vessel capsized, sending him into the water. Cain reportedly called for help and residents on either side of the pond attempted to recover the victim, who had gone under and did not...READ MORE

Ocean City Seeking To Identify Free Fishing Areas

OCEAN CITY – A list of suggested free salt water fishing areas has been sent to Sen. Jim Mathias to present to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). According to Mayor Rick Meehan, there has been some confusion in the last year over salt water fishing licenses and free fishing areas in Ocean City. He said that in 2010 Maryland legislators passed a saltwater fishing license and there are fees associated upon registration. “They have created some free fishing areas where you still...READ MORE

Necropsy Confirms Minke Whale Died Of Natural Causes

FENWICK ISLAND, Del. -- Delaware Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute officials have concluded the 25-foot minke whale that washed up on the beach in Fenwick Island likely died of natural causes and was later buried not far from where it came ashore. Shortly after 9 a.m. last Thursday, the minke whale, estimated weight of around five to six tons, was discovered in the surf at the shoreline in the area of James Street in Fenwick. According to MERR Executive Director...READ MORE

Area Officials Stress Planning As Hurricane Season Begins

OCEAN CITY -- Wednesday marked the beginning of this year’s hurricane season, and Ocean City officials are warning area residents to start preparing now. “The public is part of the emergency management service,” said Joe Theobald, Ocean City Emergency Services Director, at a press conference held Wednesday. “We’re trying to stress preparation.” According to information distributed by Delmarva Power officials, who coupled with Ocean City and other emergency...READ MORE

Ocean City To Fund Gas, Golf Campaigns

OCEAN CITY – A free gas giveaway promotion and a golf advertising co-op were approved this week in one fell swoop through a compromise made among City Council members. Councilman Brent Ashley began the discussion by proposing to have an assessment completed on Ocean City’s summer seasons to examine data collected on its visitors. For example why or why not people come to town or if advertising efforts affect people who come or don’t come. Tourism Director Deb Turk explained...READ MORE

Hero Helps Women In Accident

OCEAN CITY -- A potential tragedy was averted last week during a two-vehicle crash on Coastal Highway when a Good Samaritan on the scene jumped in to help two elderly victims trapped in an overturned minivan until emergency services arrived. Around 10:15 a.m. last Friday, a white minivan attempting to turn north on Coastal Highway from 33rd Street on the bayside was struck broadside by a southbound vehicle that had just run a red light. The force of the collision caused the minivan to roll over...READ MORE

Slots Activated In Service Clubs

OCEAN CITY -- After four years of often contentious debate and disappointing outcomes in the state legislature, slot machine gambling began this week in service clubs for veterans’ groups and fraternal organizations in Ocean City and across Worcester County.   For each of the last four years, a bill that would have added Worcester to the list of eight Eastern Shore counties that allow a limited number of slot machines in non-profit service clubs and organizations in an effort to...READ MORE

Season’s First White Marlin Earliest Ever Hooked

OCEAN CITY -- The first white marlin of the year was caught and released off the coast of the resort last Sunday afternoon, marking the earliest date ever for the annual milestone and the first time it occurred in May. Captain Mark Hoos and the crew aboard the “Marli” were enjoying a great early season yellowfin tuna bite last Sunday afternoon when the first white marlin of the season off the coast of Ocean City came calling. Hoos said this week the crew had caught about 30 to 40...READ MORE

State Police, OCBP Partner For Summer Season

OCEAN CITY -- Local emergency services have another valuable tool at their disposal as the Maryland State Police (MSP) last week started stationing its Trooper 4 medevac helicopter at the Ocean City Airport on weekends during the summer season. Earlier this year, MSP Aviation began exploring better ways to deploy its fleet of medevac helicopters around the state in an effort to get the resources to areas where they’re needed the most and cut down on often critical response times. Trooper...READ MORE

Decatur Student Sets Md. Record Before Graduating

BERLIN -- A Stephen Decatur High School (SDHS) senior reaffirmed his record breaking pole vault at the State Track and Field Conference at Morgan State University on May 28. Brad Hollowell repeated the 15-foot, 3-inch vault that won him the event at the Bayside Conference earlier this month when he broke the previous state record by one inch. However, because the Bayside meet isn’t a state event, Hollowell didn’t technically break the record at the time. It wasn’t until he...READ MORE

Council Agrees To Transfer Funds To OPEB Trust Fund

OCEAN CITY – The newly stated retiree health care program has resulted in additional funds being directed to Ocean City’s Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) Trust Fund. Last month, the Mayor and City Council passed a new ordinance concerning retiree health care for newly hired town employees. The ordinance states, “if an employee elects to participate in the high deductible health plan the town will contribute an amount to the employee’s health saving account (HSA),...READ MORE

ESAHU

The Eastern Shore Association of Health Underwriters (ESAHU) recently donated $500 to Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore.  The donation will help Junior Achievement fund new programs and serve more students throughout the Lower Shore with their educational and inspirational programs. Pictured, from left, are Jen Ratliff of Keen Insurance and Co-Program Chair of ESAHU; Sherry Schuyler of Avery Hall Benefit Solutions and Co-Program Chair of ESAHU; Mary Mengason, Vice President of...READ MORE

Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day 2011, Grow Berlin Green partnered with local students to produce original artwork to promote the benefits of recycling. All fifth through eighth grade students from Berlin area schools were eligible to enter by submitting original work of art that promoted recycling and was made primarily from recycled or recyclable materials. All entries were displayed at the Globe's upstairs gallery, and were judged by local artists who selected the winners. Pictured, from left, are...READ MORE

United Way

The United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore presented the Delmarva Boy Scouts with a check for $43,000 to help fund educational and leadership activities for boys ages 6-17 as well as a Scoutreach program for at-risk youth. The Boy Scouts have received $868,843 in funding from the United Way since 1983. Pictured, from left, are United Way’s Aaron Reid with Delmarva Boy Scouts’ Kevin Les Callette, Bill Turner and Bryan White. ...READ MORE

WCOP

The Women’s Club of Ocean Pines (WCOP) recently presented $2,300 to community organizations and $5,000 in college scholarships. Three scholarships were awarded to deserving seniors by WCOP President Betty DePaola. Recipients were Samantha Carestia, Leigh Anne Flounlacker and Kelley Grande Freeman. Above, community recipients Steve Rosen (Fire Department), Sandra Fennell (WCOP Treasurer), Officer Schoeph (Police Department), Sonya Bounds (Recreation & Parks), Sandy Reifsnyder (McGuffey...READ MORE

Sherwood Of Salisbury

Sherwood of Salisbury representative Tim Collins, left, presents a check for $500 to Roy Foreman, president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City, for earnings generated by members of the Kiwanis Club who shuttled cars back and forth from Sherwood to The Centre at Salisbury for Sherwood's big car sale last month.  ...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

John J. McNulty, Sr. OCEAN CITY -- John J. McNulty, Sr., age 83, a retired businessman, World War II veteran and devout Catholic, died May 28, 2011 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he was the son of Felix and Mary (McCabe). “Jack” McNulty was a former business owner in Havertown, PA, and a former sales executive for Borden Foods. He was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for over 18 years. Mr. McNulty was...READ MORE

Things I Like

Sock-less weekends The first wave of air-conditioning on a hot day Cutting open a big watermelon A good speaker at a graduation Swimming with my kids Holiday weekends The show, "Mike & Molly" Walking the halls of a school Baseball in the summer A long lasting laptop battery Smell of clean laundry ...READ MORE

Firm Announces Addition

OCEAN CITY -- Susan Vodak has joined the staff of Insurance Management Group, Inc., an independent insurance agency located at 77th Street in Ocean City. Vodak joined Insurance Management Group in April as a commercial lines account manager. She started her insurance career in 1993. Her career includes experience in property and casualty insurance and coastal exposures. New Realtor Joins Group BERLIN -- Shamrock Realty Group announced that Dee Kradz has joined its office located at the Grays...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Lots of possibilities begin to open up by midweek. Some seem more appealing than others. But wait for more facts to emerge later on before you consider which to choose. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Bravo to the determined Bovine. While others might give up, you continue to search for answers. Expect your Taurean tenacity to begin paying off by week's end. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You might want to consider stepping back from the task at hand for a while. This...READ MORE

Strategies For Surviving Spouse

OCEAN CITY -- It’s not a subject anyone likes to talk about, but it is a critical one. Losing a spouse is undoubtedly painful, but when the spouse who passed away was also the one managing the family finances, it can further complicate an already difficult time, forcing the surviving partner to gather scattered pieces of the family’s financial records. “There are many cases where one spouse or partner simply does not know where this stuff is,” says Chris Rosin, senior...READ MORE

Things To Do

June 3: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 5 p.m.; games begin, 6:30 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. June 4: Giant Yard Sale 7 a.m., Snow Hill Christian Nursery School, Rte. 12, Snow Hill. Please bring donated items to the school. June 4: AYCE Pancake Breakfast 8:30-11:30 a.m., St. Martin’s Church in the field, West Church St., Selbyville, Del. Pancakes, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee. Cost: $5. Bake...READ MORE

Best Bites

Angler, the 410-289-7424 2312 Talbot St. On The Bay Saturday, June 4 & Sunday, June 5: Alex & Shiloh, 3-6 p.m. Every Sunday: Locals’ Social With DJ Deogee, 10 p.m. Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 • 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, June 3: Kid Davis & The Bullets Saturday, June 4: Bryan Russo Band Sunday, June 5: DJ JJ, 10 p.m. Every Wednesday: DJ JJ, 10 p.m. Every Thursday: Tim Cyphers Duo, 10 p.m. Caribbean bar & grill 410-289-0837 Just Off The Boards On 2nd...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

Over the course of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, I found myself often amazed at what was coming out of my mouth. When I say these are “aha” moments, Pam likes to tell me I’m citing an Oprah line. I actually never realized that was something Oprah cites a lot, but I guess a little bit of her has crept into my psyche after years of her shows being on the television in the background at home. Nonetheless, many times throughout last weekend, I thought to myself how I never...READ MORE

Child Abandonment Alleged

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Charges are pending this week against two Wilmington mothers for allegedly neglecting and abandoning their young children at a West Ocean City motel while they went to the Boardwalk. Around 9:40 p.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police responded to the Bed Time Inn in West Ocean City in reference to an allegedly abandoned 3-year-old girl located by a waiter in the hotel restaurant. The waiter located the child after she approached him and clung to his leg. The investigation...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

Casual Designs Celebrating 50 Years In Local Market

BERLIN -- Despite the lackluster economy in recent years and a general slowdown in the housing market, Casual Designs Furniture has endured and is marking its 50th anniversary this year. According to Terry Bell, filling a niche while keeping expansion manageable is responsible for her company’s longevity during a time when so many other businesses have failed. “You have to pay attention to the changing economy,” said Bell, who has been a buyer and designer for 30 years for the...READ MORE

Second Year Brings Upgrades To OC’s Dead Freddies

OCEAN CITY – Dead Freddies Island Grill on 64th Street opened a year ago but is entering into this summer season with newly added space for family fun and a menu aimed to please all kinds of taste buds. Dead Freddies is the most recent location to open out of its three sites. The original is in Parkville, Md., and the second is in Bel Air, Md., which is titled just Freddies. According to Dead Freddies Manager Tara Wancowicz, the name of the establishment was created through a customer...READ MORE

Street Performers Win Early Battle

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department was instructed to stand back from enforcing recently proposed regulations restricting Boardwalk performers over Memorial Day weekend and that will continue to be the case until the Mayor and Council decides on a course of action later this month. Boardwalk street performers protested over Memorial Day weekend by setting up their performance areas on North Division Street, which is proposed to be banned from the available space for artists in a...READ MORE

OC Officers Injured In Undercover Drug Operation

OCEAN CITY -- Two Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) undercover narcotics officers were seriously injured last weekend when they were jumped by four men during an arranged drug deal gone bad in the area of St. Louis Ave. and 4th Street. Last Saturday, the OCPD Narcotics Unit was working in the downtown area in an undercover capacity in an attempt to purchase illegal drugs from various individuals. Around 10 p.m., undercover detectives set up an arrangement to purchase marijuana from two...READ MORE

Holiday Weekend Gets Season Off To Booming Start

OCEAN CITY – The number of visitors to Ocean City this past Memorial Day weekend were record breaking, creating a brighter outlook for the resort area over the months ahead. According to Communications Manager Donna Abbott, this year’s demoflush population calculations for the holiday weekend saw an estimated 281,895 people, which is well over last year’s estimate for Memorial Day weekend, which was set at 254,717. “I have demoflush figures back to 1992 and I could not...READ MORE

Route 54 Work To Continue Through Summer

FENWICK ISLAND -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announced this week road construction on Route 54 through West Fenwick will continue through the summer months. The project, which began last November, consists of widening the existing roadway and adding a 14-foot-wide center left turn lane in order to improve safety for vehicular traffic as well as bicycles and pedestrians. Improvements will also include six-foot-wide bike lanes and five-foot-wide sidewalks. The Route 54...READ MORE

Boat Ramp Makes Holiday Weekend Deadline

WEST OCEAN CITY -- The new public boat ramp at the commercial harbor in West Ocean City opened in time for the hectic Memorial Day weekend as planned last Friday after crews worked practically around the clock as the deadline neared. The extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of the decades-old public boat ramp in West Ocean City was completed with little room despair late last week and opened around 12:30 p.m. on Friday as promised. The $450,000 project, paid for with a combination of...READ MORE

Non-County Student Tuition Costs Questioned By Shockley

SNOW HILL -- Out-of-county residents attending Worcester public schools could face a tuition increase in the near future. “I’m worried about the cost,” explained County Commissioner Virgil Shockley during a budget meeting with the Board of Education on Tuesday. According to Shockley, students from outside of Worcester that choose to pay to attend its schools are costing the county a lot of money. The current annual tuition for an out-of-county student to attend public school in...READ MORE

Bluefin Tuna Not Endangered, Data Says

OCEAN CITY -- Federal fisheries management officials last Friday announced an endangered or threatened listing for Atlantic bluefin tuna, a staple of the resort’s vast recreational fishery and important element in the multi-million sportfishing industry, is not warranted at this time, although the bluefin tuna remains on the “species of concern” list. During a conference call last Friday morning, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Secretary for Conservation...READ MORE

No Trespassing Program Pitched In Resort

OCEAN CITY – Resort authorities are looking to crack down on trespassers by waiving warnings and immediately taking action through arrest for those property owners who choose to participate in a no trespassing program. Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino explained that the current law in place by the State of Maryland regarding trespassing is when a subject is issued a warning and if that person repeats the offense then he or she is subjected to arrest. “I am proposing an...READ MORE

Governor Fills Wicomico Circuit Court Vacancy

SALISBURY -- Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley last week announced the appointment of Master Leah Jane Seaton to the Circuit Court for Wicomico County. Seaton will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Donald C. Davis. She has been a Master in the Wicomico County Circuit Court Division for Juvenile Causes since 2005. She also serves as a member of the Juvenile Delinquency subcommittee and Child in Need of Assistance legislation subcommittee, both of which are...READ MORE

Resort, Comcast To Meet About Digital Service Change

OCEAN CITY – A heads up was given to the Ocean City area this week that the Comcast cable and internet service is making a switch to digital service, and the proper equipment will be needed in order to continue functioning as usual. At the conclusion of Tuesday afternoon’s Mayor and City Council meeting, Councilwoman Mary Knight brought to the public’s attention Comcast cable company’s intention to transfer all services to digital. In an interview on Wednesday, she said...READ MORE

PGA Pro Bob Affelder

PGA Pro Bob Affelder of the Bay Club in Berlin last week taught golf lessons to a group of Stephen Decatur Middle School Golf Club players. Submitted photo ...READ MORE

“Reel Estate”

This happy crew aboard the “Reel Estate” earned a share of first place in the Ocean City Marlin Club’s 2nd Annual Memorial Day Bluefish Tournament last weekend. Submitted photo ...READ MORE

wrestling standout

Former Stephen Decatur wrestling standout Danny Miller, now a sophomore wrestler at Navy, last month won his weight class at the FILA World Team Trials and will now represent the U.S. at the Junior World Championships in Romania in July. Photo courtesy U.S. Naval Academy ...READ MORE