July 1, 2011

Women Can Teach Us A Thing or Two About Finances

OCEAN CITY -- Women today are economic powerhouses. They now own 40% of America's privately owned businesses and hold half its wealth — estimated to be $11 trillion of a total $22 trillion by 2020. Two in 10 married women outearn their husbands, and over the course of a family's life, 90% of women will control its wealth. It's no surprise then that women's behavior as earners, investors and savers is the subject of a large and growing body of behavioral economic research, which has yielded...READ MORE

Things I Like

Surprising news A pool lit up at night John Corbett In “United States of Tara” U2 live in concert The Freeman Stage at Bayside That “True Blood” is back Flying a kite with my boys Grilled shrimp atop a salad Acoustic guitars Exhaustion at the end of a summer day Being busy ...READ MORE

Couple Traveled Route 50 From Sacramento, CA to OC

Welcomed recently by the Ocean City Visitor Center staff at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street, were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cooper of Yuma, Ariz. The Coopers were given a few mementos of Ocean City as the staff learned the couple had traveled famous Route 50 across the country from Sacramento, Calif. to Ocean City during the last 14 days. Pictured, from left, are Jackie Regler, Pam Harbaugh, the Coopers, Elfriede Kerstetter and Janice Cropper. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber Of Commerce Join Meris Properties, LLC in Celebration

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce joined Meris Properties, LLC to celebrate their grand opening on June 1 with a ribbon cutting. Above, employees, friends, customers, chamber staff and ambassadors joined owner Michael Daniels (with scissors) and Realtor Kiki Hargrove to celebrate the new business, located at 26 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Bethany Beach next to Sedona. ...READ MORE

Republican Women Of Worcester County Held Their Red, White & Blue Meeing

The Republican Women of Worcester County had their Red, White and Blue meeting and luncheon on June 23at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The speaker was Daniel Bongino, candidate for U.S. Senate. Pictured, from left, are Joan Gentile, president of RWWC; Bongino; and Gail Schuler, RWWC 1st Vice President.  ...READ MORE

Kiwanis Club Induct New Member

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City recently inducted new member Jane Slotter. Pictured, from left, are Pat Winkelmayer, membership chair; Slotter; Roy Foreman, club president and Slotter’s sponsor. ...READ MORE

Julia A. Purnell Museum Hosts Lecture By Professor Sharon Harley

On June 22, the Julia A. Purnell Museum hosted a lecture by Profssor Sharon Harley about women civil rights activists on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Pictured, from left, are Julia A. Purnell Museum Board President Meme Suznavick, Snow Hill Councilwoman Alicia Bickford, and Harley. ...READ MORE

AGH Joins Regional Exchange

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital is the first hospital on the Eastern Shore to begin actively sharing patient demographic data and clinical test results through the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) health information exchange. The CRISP health information exchange, or HIE, is one of many such exchanges being put into use across the country to allow hospitals and other health care organizations to share important diagnoses and treatment data about their...READ MORE

Gone Fishing

It is hard to beat an early morning walk across the Route 50 Bridge. For me, it’s therapeutic. In the off season, I almost always start my days out with a nice long morning walk. When summer rolls around, however, all the hustle and bustle — and just plain busyness — tends to make it a lot tougher for me to put on my walking shoes and get out there. So whenever I do get a nice morning to myself, I like to take advantage of the opportunity. I was able to get out one beautiful...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Samuel M. Landis CRALEY, Pa. -- Samuel M. Landis, 67, of Craley, Pa., died at 8:05 a.m. on Sunday June 26, 2011 at his home after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was the husband of Ruth Anne (Shindler) Landis, to whom he was married for 47 years. Born Aug. 13, 1943, in Lancaster, he was a son of Samuel M. Landis of York and the late Edythe M. (Oster) Landis. He was retired from Caterpillar, Inc., and had worked for White Oak Printing Company after retirement. He was an avid fisherman,...READ MORE

Best Bites

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Assateague crab house & Carryout Rte. 611, Assateague Island • 410-641-4330 On the way to visit the ponies of Assateague, stop by this rustic crab house. Enjoy Maryland crabs by the dozen or try the all-you-can-eat specials including snow crab legs. Their extensive menu features various appetizers, fresh fish, seafood, steaks, chicken and ribs. The kids can enjoy their own menu along with the great game room. Great for casual dining or...READ MORE

Best Beats

Angler, the 410-289-7424 • 2312 Talbot St. On The Bay Friday, July 1: Time Police, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 2-Monday July 4: Eddie Pasa, 4-7 p.m. Every Sunday: Locals’ Social With DJ Deogee, 10 p.m. Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 • 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 1: Electric Co. Saturday, July 2: Aaron Howell Sunday, July 3: DJ Wax, 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...READ MORE

Things To Do

July 1: 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. July 2: Outdoor Flea Market 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Bethany United Meth-odist Church, Rte. 611 & Snug Harbor Rd., Berlin. Breakfast, lunch and great baked goods. For more information or to rent a table, 410-629-0926. July 2: Building Materials Sale 8 a.m.-noon, Habitat for Humanity, Worcester Co., 301 E. Market St., Snow Hill. Every first...READ MORE

Greene Turtle West 5K a Big Success

WEST OCEAN CITY- The 7th Annual Greene Turtle West 5K Run and Walk, held last Sunday for the benefit of the Ocean City Emergency Medical Technicians, was once again a big success with over 150 racers competing. For the seventh straight year, the Greene Turtle West, along with partner Races2Run, hosted the annual 5K for the benefit of the Ocean City EMTs. From modest beginnings seven years ago, the annual event has grown by leaps and bounds. This year, 153 competitors from all over the country...READ MORE

Snyder Selected to All-American Team

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur standout lacrosse player Curtis Snyder last week was named a 2011 High School Underclassmen All-American and has been selected to participate in the 2011 National Lacrosse Classic next week in Germantown, Md. The National Lacrosse Classic brings some of the top high school underclassmen players in the country where regional teams will compete to become the 2011 USA Champion. Snyder, a rising senior at Decatur and son of Chris and Kim Snyder, was selected as an...READ MORE

Ocean City Marlin Club’s 29th Canyon Kick-off Underway

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Marlin Club’s 29th Annual Canyon Kick-off tournament got underway this morning with the first of three official fishing days. With tuna practically jumping in the boat for most of the resort area’s sportfishing fleet for the last week or so, and billfish and dolphin turning up in decent numbers offshore, there should be plenty of action in this year’s Canyon Kick-off. Captains must choose to fish two of the three fishing days of the event, the first...READ MORE

32nd Small Boat Tourney in the Books

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Marlin Club’s 32nd Annual Small Boat Tournament last weekend was a big success with plenty of action both inshore and offshore. The Marlin Club’s annual Small Boat Tournament provides an opportunity for some of the smaller boats in the resort’s sportfishing fleet to compete before the bigger events such as the Ocean City Tuna Tournament and the White Marlin Open arrive on the calendar. As its name implies, the event was open to all boats with a length...READ MORE

Berlin Little League Rock Hounds

The Berlin Little League Rock Hounds, made up of Junior League all-stars last week wrapped up their regular season with a perfect 12-0 record and is now shooting for a deep run in the Maryland District 8 playoffs and beyond. The Rock Hounds, under the direction of Manager Donald Littleton, finished their regular season undefeated. Pictured above, first row, from left: Steve Martin, batboy Devin Scott, Brendon Scott, Sean Pletcher and Brooks Holloway. Pictured, second row, from left: Manager...READ MORE

MSSA’s 22nd “Tuna-Ment” Yield Big Fish

OCEAN CITY- The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association’s 22nd Annual Tuna-ment Tournament held last weekend in and around the resort area was a big success with dozens of big tuna caught and thousands of dollars in prize money doled out. The MSSA held the annual tournament last weekend with three days of fishing. Captain Sam Fisher and the crew on the “Right Hook” were the big winners, taking first-place in the main tournament, the single heaviest tuna category...READ MORE

Twinings’ Mark Shanty’s One-Year Birthday

OCEAN CITY – Twining’s Lobster Shanty, located bayside on Route 54, is celebrating its first anniversary this weekend and it hasn’t skipped a beat since the day it opened. Owners David and Janet Twining opened the Lobster Shanty around the same time they were celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first restaurant, Nantuckets, which is located on Route 1. “We opened the shanty a year ago on July 2,” Janet Twining said. “My husband and I both have New...READ MORE

At HaHa’s, Make It As You Wish

FENWICK ISLAND -- While it is becoming popular in other parts of the nation, there’s a noticeable lack of self-serve frozen yogurt shops on the Eastern Shore. One Fenwick couple has decided to change that. “When we started, no one was doing it,” said Mike Robel, who along with his wife Karen, owns HaHa’s frozen yogurt in Fenwick Island, Del. The restaurant, which held its grand opening festivities last Thursday, features five self-serve stations, each with two flavors,...READ MORE

Water Suit Transferred To U.S. District Court

BERLIN -- The $20 million plus civil suit filed by Worcester County, the town of Berlin, the city of Salisbury and seven other jurisdictions in Maryland against the nation’s major oil companies will heard by a U.S. District Court judge who has years of experience in adjudicating similar cases. The suit, filed in the Circuit Court in Baltimore City in January, was transferred in April to the U.S. District Court in Maryland. This week, the suit was moved again, this time to the U.S. District...READ MORE

Volunteers Sought For Flounder Surveys

OCEAN CITY -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has partnered with the Atlantic Coast Chapter of the Maryland Saltwater Sportsmen’s Association (MSSA) to conduct a survey to assess the recreational flounder catch rate. Beginning in July, MSSA members will take to the water to distribute the survey to anglers in Maryland’s coastal bays as part of the innovative program. “This cooperative effort between MSSA and DNR is designed to test the assumptions made by the...READ MORE

Berlin Drainage Study Planned

BERLIN -- In an effort to manage both localized flooding and increasing state restrictions, the Berlin Mayor and Council agreed to a University of Maryland led stormwater feasibility study Monday. “We have to have a plan customized for the needs of Berlin,” said Mayor Gee Williams. Hoping to achieve that, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center Director Joanne Throwe approached the council with the possibility of adding Berlin to a stormwater pilot program. “The...READ MORE

Shore Hospital Receives $6.1M Maryland Grant

SALISBURY -- A lower shore hospital got a much needed fiscal shot in the arm this week with the award of a $6.1 million state grant for a new kidney dialysis unit. On Tuesday, Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown presented Deer’s Head Hospital officials with a $6.1 million state grant for the construction of a new kidney dialysis unit for the Salisbury facility. Brown presented a ceremonial check to hospital officials after touring the facility’s current dialysis unit and hearing from...READ MORE

Boardwalk Counterfeit Suits Closed

OCEAN CITY -- The last of the multi-million civil suits filed against a dozen individual Boardwalk businesses for selling counterfeit Coach merchandize was settled out of court this week after each of the other 11 defendants defaulted last month and were ordered to pay $10,000 each in damages to the company. Coach Inc. and Coach Services, Inc., last August filed suits in U.S. District Court against a dozen individual Boardwalk stores for allegedly marketing and selling counterfeit knock-offs of...READ MORE

Wicomico Education Budget Passed Amid Fears

SALISBURY -- The Wicomico County Board of Education this week reluctantly passed consolidated fiscal year 2012 budget, which includes cuts of nearly $5 million less than the current year’s spending plan, but not before issuing some stern comments about the future of the county’s schools if the trend continues. At a special meeting on Tuesday, the Wicomico Board of Education approved the fiscal year 2012 consolidated budget of $168.6 million, which is $4.9 million less than the public...READ MORE

Md. Officials Get Close-Up Look At Island Restoration

OCEAN CITY – Maryland elected officials visited Skimmer Island this week to get an update on the efforts being made to replenish the eroding island that is a breeding ground for endangered wildlife. Gov. Martin O’Malley visited Skimmer Island on Wednesday morning by kayak and was informed by Maryland Coastal Bays Program representatives, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, and Coastal Stewards, members of a summer youth employment program, on the efforts that have...READ MORE

Berlin Planning To Hold First Octoberfest Celebration

BERLIN -- While Octoberfest is a tradition in many parts of the world, it’s not a celebration that Berlin has ever officially participated in. The Chamber of Commerce has decided to change that this year and in a big way. “This is a new event,” Economic Development Director Mike Day told the Mayor and Council at their meeting Monday night. Though the event is months away, town and business officials are already starting to lay the groundwork for a big...READ MORE

Three Rescued Off Resort Coast

OCEAN CITY -- A potential tragedy was averted this week when a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was able to pull two adults and a child from their 22-foot recreational boat early Tuesday morning. Around 8:26 a.m. on Tuesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a distress call from a crewmember aboard the “Real Deal,” a 22-foot recreational boat based in Ocean City, reporting the vessel was taking on water and starting to sink about 60 miles offshore. An MH-65 Dolphin...READ MORE

Assault Charges Filed

BERLIN -- A Berlin man remains behind bars this week after his arrest last week on assault and multiple sex offense charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a vulnerable male adult over a period of three years.Jason Paul Carpenter, 30, is being held without bond in the Worcester County Jail following his arrest on June 15 on multiple charges including first-degree assault, first-, second- and third-degree sex offense, vulnerable adult abuse, sodomy and perverted practice after his former...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

Ever since my 3-year-old has decided to start his mornings around 5, the days have become quite long and exhausting. Depending on his mood, specifically how he is treating his little brother at any given time, these days can be wonderful or torturous. Most of the time, however, they are simply a little bit of both and usually include lots of highs and lows. When the days start this early, the best thing for us is to get the kids out of the house as much as possible because trouble usually brews...READ MORE

Open Houses

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 BERLIN Glen Riddle Open Daily 11-6 Single Family Homes In New Community 2 Golf Courses Owners Clubhouse Private Marina Pulte Homes 410-213-1386 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

Between The Lines

It’s been a big week for alcohol-serving establishments. Besides gearing up for the busiest weekend of the summer for many, they are getting a new leader of the liquor monopoly that controls each of their expenditures throughout the year and are dealing with the additional sales tax on beer, wine and spirits. It’s safe to say many are too busy to worry about what the arrival of former County Commissioner Bobby Cowger and the ousting of former Liquor Control Board Executive Director...READ MORE

Skimmer Island Project Deserves A Little Attention

The restoration of Skimmer Island, that crescent-shaped spit of land north of the Route 50 Bridge that many never knew had an official name until this year, is a project that deserved some attention, and it got just that this week. The intent of this worthwhile rebuilding project may have gotten lost a bit this week in the hoopla of U.S. Senator Ben Cardin’s boat ride and Gov. Martin O’Malley kayaking excursions, along with other officials, to the island. These are scripted events...READ MORE

Thankful Funds Not Spent On Gas Promotion

Editor: This weekend my husband and I hosted a reunion in Ocean City with 65-plus members of my family. Every family member was from out of town and most had never been to our town before. I just want to say that someone from each family commented on what a beautiful, clean and exciting resort we live in and how amazing it is to find a town that offers something for everyone. Every family mentioned that they would like to consider either eventually moving here or going in on a family condo here...READ MORE

Rocket Launch Brightens Area Sky

OCEAN CITY -- Local residents and visitors got a rare Fourth of July fireworks preview this week when NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility made a significant rocket launch visible over the resort area and much of the Eastern seaboard. Shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday, a U.S. Air Force Minotaur 1 rocket trailing bright orange and red flames and a plume of smoke arched its way across the dark sky to the south of the resort area and dissipated to a small white light before disappearing...READ MORE

Ohio Family Gets Free Gas Before Leaving OC

OCEAN CITY – Whether pulling into a gas station, eating dinner with your family or enjoying a day on the beach, keep an eye out because you may be approached by Councilman Brent Ashley giving away free gas in appreciation of vacationing in Ocean City. At the Shell gas station on the corner of Coastal Highway and the Route 50 Bridge on Wednesday, husband and wife, Bob and Trish Disabato, along with their children Christine and Robert, were surprised with a free tank gas to say thank you for...READ MORE

Local Man Dies In Vehicle Fire Near Home

BERLIN -- A local man perished this week when his vehicle caught fire and became engulfed in flames near his residence on Racetrack Rd. early Sunday morning. Around 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, the Ocean Pines Fire Department was dispatched to a reported vehicle fire with entrapment on Racetrack Rd. Upon arrival, firefighters observed the vehicle was completely involved in flames and the blaze had spread to the residence nearby. The Ocean Pines Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire, with support...READ MORE

Berlin Filing To Lower Business Electric Rates

BERLIN -- As part of a long-running strategy to attract business to Berlin, the Mayor and Council voted Monday to fund a rate case with the goal of lowering commercial electricity rates. “If we can get them in line … I think it would just be another major incentive for people to establish businesses in Berlin,” said Mayor Gee Williams of commercial electric rates. Currently, there’s anywhere from a 15 to 20 percent disparity between residential rates and different levels...READ MORE

Worcester Test Scores Among State’s Highest

NEWARK -- Once again, Worcester County is at the top of its class. Results for the 2011 Maryland State Assessment (MSA) for grades 3-8 were released this week and confirm that Worcester students are almost at a combined 100 percent proficiency on the test. The MSA is broken into two categories -- reading and math. In the reading category, Worcester achieved first, second or third place in five of the six grades tested. They repeated the performance in the math category as well. Of the 12...READ MORE

Local Crab Supply, Size Looking Solid For Long Weekend

OCEAN CITY – Get your crab fix while they are hot this weekend, even though local crab houses are optimistic the quantity will hold out over through the 4th of July. Crab Bag Assistant Manager Chuck Sheubrooks, has no concerns over running out of crabs over this weekend. He said on a normal summer weekend the restaurant sells at least 70 to 80 bushels of crabs a night, or around 300 bushels a weekend, but this weekend he expects to sell at least 500 bushels. “We sell most of our big...READ MORE

County Officially Absorbs LCB; Cowger Named Executive Director

SNOW HILL -- Control over the sale of liquor in Worcester has officially been passed on to the County Commissioners. As of today, the Liquor Control Board (LCB) has become the Department of Liquor Control (DLC). Along with the name change comes a new director, though a familiar one for liquor licensees. Bobby Cowger, who has been serving as a consultant to the commissioners on liquor control matters, has been confirmed as the man taking over the role of executive director. “Having Mr....READ MORE

Beaches Earn Top Water Quality Ratings

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City and Assateague each earned five-star ratings in an annual report released this week on water quality at beaches around the country, and two neighbors to the north were awarded “Superstar” status, but the news for many resorts around the rest of the nation were not as glowing. According to “Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches,” an independent report released this week each year by the Natural Resources Defense Council...READ MORE

Foreign Students Welcomed With Dinner

OCEAN CITY – Students from around the world came together to eat dinner at the Holy Savior Church parish center on Tuesday evening all made possible through the Council for Educational Travel, U.S.A. (CETUSA) of Ocean City. Anne Marie Conestabile is CETUSA’s Ocean City regional manager and said she expected at least 300 students to the dinner out of the around 3,000 students in Ocean City this summer. CETUSA of Ocean City receives many volunteers from many churches in the area. The...READ MORE

Alcohol Tax Hike Takes Effect Today

OCEAN CITY – Local businesses expressed frustration this week as they prepared to implement the alcohol tax increase approved by the legislature earlier this year. In April, the Maryland General Assembly approved a 50-percent increase in the sales tax on alcohol in the state. The legislation will increase the sales tax rate on alcohol in Maryland from 6 percent to 9 percent. The tax hike projects around an $85 million increase for the state’s general fund, portions of which will be...READ MORE

Athletes Announced For Dew Tour Stop In OC

OCEAN CITY – The Dew Tour announced yesterday the line-up of athletes who are to hit Ocean City during the tour’s first stop in Ocean City, July 21-24. AlliSports, owned by NBS Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand that conducts events like the Dew Tour to connect fans with athletes and brands. Alli has announced the biggest names in skate and BMX that will be coming to Ocean City for the first time in the tour’s six-year history, participating in Skate and BMX Vert, BMX...READ MORE

Street Performer Files Civil Suit Against Resort

OCEAN CITY -- Exactly one week to the day from when he was allegedly bounced from the Boardwalk by an emergency order banning him from setting up shop at North Division Street, an Ocean City street performer filed suit in U.S. District Court, claiming the action violated his First Amendment rights to free speech and expression in a public forum. Last Tuesday, the Ocean City Mayor and Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance banning street performers from practicing or exercising their...READ MORE