January 6, 2012

Seahawks Get Mixed Results at Warrior Duals

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team turned in a mixed performance last week in the Warrior Duals at La Plata High in southern Maryland, going 3-5 over the two-day event against some of the top teams in the region. The tournament was held last Wednesday and Thursday at La Plata and the field included some of the top programs in and around the southern Maryland region. In its tournament opener last Wednesday, Decatur routed McNamara, 78-6, to get off to a good start. Wins for...READ MORE

Schorr Leads Seahawks in Coleman Sweep

SNOW HILL- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team took the title in the John Coleman Christmas Tournament last week, sweeping two games in the annual holiday event behind a strong performance by Abby Schorr. The annual tournament, named for longtime Worcester County Public Schools Administrator John Coleman, has become one of the highlights of the holiday basketball tournament schedule over the years. This year’s tournament featured the girls’ varsity teams from...READ MORE

Beach Lax Seeking Players, Coaches

BERLIN- The Beach Lacrosse Program is now holding player registration for the upcoming spring season and is also seeking coaches and volunteers. Practices will start in the beginning of March with games played on Saturdays beginning March 24. Those interested in registering for the upcoming season are encouraged to visit www.beachlax.org. Beach Lacrosse is also actively seeking volunteer coaching assistance at all age group levels as well volunteers for various activities that support the club....READ MORE

Seahawks Cruise Past Crabbers, 68-53

BERLIN- In its first regular season game after the holiday break at home on Tuesday, Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team cruised past Crisfield, 68-53, to get the second half off to a fast start. Both teams exchanged baskets early in the first before Decatur’s Teron Tyre launched a long three-pointer to put the Seahawks ahead, 7-6. Jesse Engle then connected on a pair of free throws, followed by a steal and a lay-up to but Decatur ahead, 11-10, about halfway through the...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Split in Governor’s Challenge

SALISBURY- Stephen Decatur held up its end for the most part in the Governor’s Cup Holiday Basketball Tournament in Salisbury last week, gaining a split after losing its opener, but when the dust settled, Maryland fell to Delaware, 13-10, in the annual event. The Seahawks last week competed in the inaugural M&T Bank Cup, featuring some of the top teams from Maryland’s Eastern Shore against a strong field of teams from Delaware with bragging rights and some symbolic desserts on...READ MORE

Tour Bus Accident Sends 14 To Hospital

WHALEYVILLE -- A late afternoon crash involving a tour bus and a passenger vehicle near Whaleyville sent 14 people to Atlantic General Hospital with injuries varying in severity. Around 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported motor vehicle collision with multiple injuries on Route 610 just east of Peerless Rd. in Whaleyville. The investigation revealed the two vehicles involved, a 2004 Honda Civic and a 1998 Blue Bird tour bus, were both traveling eastbound...READ MORE

Salisbury Rental Changes On Life Support

SALISBURY -- Everyone on the Salisbury City Council agreed Tuesday that a new angle is needed to energize the lagging discussion over rental inspections, but the jury was out on what that spark should be. “We’re having the same discussion, as people have noted, we’ve had before,” said Mayor Jim Ireton. In an uncharacteristic moment of agreement, the often at odds council majority and minority both echoed Ireton’s thoughts. “It defies logic that we can’t...READ MORE

Prayer Vigil For Ava Planned On Saturday In Resort

OCEAN CITY -- The resort community’s continuing support for the little girl critically injured in a horrific accident on Coastal Highway will reach a crescendo tomorrow night as hundreds, maybe even thousands, are expected to turn out for a candlelight prayer vigil for Baby Ava at the site where the crash occurred. On Dec. 16, Ann Marie DelRicco and her 18-month-old daughter Ava were out in Ocean City on a routine errand in the middle of the afternoon when they stopped at a red traffic...READ MORE

Weather Helps Winterfest Break Attendance Record

OCEAN CITY – Winterfest of Lights attracted more visitors this year than ever. There were 107,405 visitors that rode through the Winterfest of Lights on the Express tram. Over New Year’s weekend, there were almost 11,000 riders, including 2,000 on Sunday alone to close out the event. Coming in second in years of high attendance is 2001 with a ridership of 93,937. “That is the largest in the history of the event,” Special Events Director John Sullivan said. Sullivan said...READ MORE

OP Sewer Plant Expansion Study OK’d

SNOW HILL -- Budget season may be months away, but the Worcester County Commissioners started their new year by immediately looking for ways to trim costs for a study reviewing possible changes to the Ocean Pines Operations Facility. One commissioner, however, felt her colleagues were going overboard. “It’s not a zillion dollars … we’re not going into debt for it,” said Commissioner Judy Boggs, who represents the Ocean Pines district. The proposed $6,000 study would...READ MORE

OCPD’s Three-Captain Structure Approved

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) named this week a new captain following a change in the department’s structure, despite two councilmen’s concerns on how it will affect the department’s budget in the future. The OCPD announced that Lt. Gregory Guiton will be filling the new captain’s position. “He has been instrumental in working with the chief of police and hoping to update and promote professional standards throughout the organization...READ MORE

Three-Choice School Board Referendum Supported

SALISBURY -- It’s likely that the voters in Wicomico County will play a big part in determining what changes, if any, will impact the Board of Education  in the future. The Wicomico County Council voted Tuesday to send a letter to state delegates asking to have a three-choice, non-binding referendum placed on next year’s ballot. “We had delegates that said they would introduce it,” said Council President Joe Holloway. The choices would be to either convert the school...READ MORE

No Sanctions Against Hudson Farm For Information Leak

BERLIN -- The ongoing legal battle between a Berlin farm family and an environmental watchdog group over alleged pollution violations continued this week with a federal judge ruling the defendant’s leak of confidential information regarding settlement negotiations did not warrant sanctions. In March 2010, the Waterkeeper Alliance, along with the Assateague Coastkeeper and the Assateague Coastal Trust, filed suit in U.S. District Court against Perdue and Berlin’s Hudson Farm, a...READ MORE

Beach Assault Plea Nets 6-Year Sentence

SNOW HILL -- A West Virginia man arrested on attempted first-degree rape and other serious charges in June after attacking a woman on a north-end Ocean City beach early in the morning pleaded guilty this week in Worcester County Circuit Court to first-degree assault and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, all but six of which were suspended. Chance Daniel Bucy, 21, of Falling Waters, W.Va., appeared in Worcester County Circuit Court on Wednesday to face trial on numerous charges including...READ MORE

Worcester Eyes Nuisance Properties

SNOW HILL -- A crackdown on “nuisance” properties in Worcester County got off to an agreeable start Tuesday. Resident Michael Ward appeared before the Worcester County Commissioners for a hearing regarding a property located in Snow Hill recently served with a nuisance abatement order. The order set Ward on a tight timetable for addressing “three ramshackled and/or decaying structures which have been determined to be prejudicial to property values in the county.” The...READ MORE

Salisbury City Clerk To Retire After 17 Years In Position

SALISBURY -- After almost two decades of service, Salisbury City Clerk Brenda Colegrove has decided to retire. The announcement, delivered Tuesday, came as a shock to the Salisbury City Council. “We were floored last night,” said Councilwoman Laura Mitchell the day after the announcement. While it may have been a surprise, Colegrove noted that the retirement has been a long time coming and is not motivated by anything other than a desire to relax. “My original intent was to...READ MORE

Lawsuit Filed To Protect Tuna

OCEAN CITY -- Nearly one year to the day after threatening to sue federal fisheries officials over a failed threatened or endangered listing for Atlantic Bluefin tuna, an environmental watchdog agency last week filed suit in U.S. District Court in an attempt to reverse a rule change expanding the fishery. In late December 2010, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced an endangered or threatened listing for Atlantic Bluefin tuna was not warranted based on the best available...READ MORE

Accident Driver’s Bail Review Process Investigated

OCEAN CITY -- There has been confusion and outrage over a local man, who plowed into the back of a passenger vehicle on Coastal Highway last month, leaving an 18-month-old girl clinging to life, has been released on bond twice, but while there was some latitude in the decisions, it appears standard protocol was followed. On Dec. 16, Andre Kaczynski, 47, of Ocean Pines, rammed his pick-up truck into the back of a vehicle stopped at a traffic light on Coastal Highway at 142nd Street at a high rate...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Conservative Claim Is Not The Reality Editor: In a recent interview, Council President Jim Hall touts his conservatism, and states he has no regrets as he reflects on 2011. A conservative is one who is cautious with taxpayers’ money, believes in limited government intervention and most importantly is fiscally responsible. President Hall and his majority were not conservative in 2011. They first eliminated most of the town’s commissions, allowing them to micro-manage many aspects of...READ MORE

Did K-9 Charlie Have The Surgery?

When there is a perceived violation or injustice committed, it’s human nature to be defensive and fire back, and that’s exactly what appears to have happened with the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD). In a memo dated Dec. 22, OCPD Chief Bernadette DiPino reported to the Mayor and Council that an internal probe conducted by her investigators has found no proof K-9 Charlie had a surgery performed this month. The memo read, “After an extensive search of veterinary surgical...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Government officials across the lower shore are showing concerns about how they are going to get through the upcoming budget season. That much is clear after just a few meetings in 2012.In Ocean City, Councilmen Doug Cymek and Lloyd Martin took issue Tuesday with the Ocean City Police Department’s three-captain restructuring plan, believing the department could get by with an efficient two-captain system that would result in some salary savings. In a 5-2 vote, the City Council ultimately...READ MORE

Shooting Suspect Sought

SALISBURY -- Salisbury Police this week are looking for the suspect wanted in connection with the shooting of a juvenile late Sunday. Around 9:30 p.m. last Sunday, Salisbury Police responded to a reported shooting in the area of Records Street and E. Church Street. Upon arrival, officers located a 15-year-old male who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. The investigation revealed the victim was standing in the area when the unknown suspect approached him on foot and shot him. The...READ MORE

Legislators Blast DNR For Rockfish Decision

BERLIN -- A delegation of Eastern Shore lawmakers last month lashed out at state fisheries officials over a new regulation to hold back 5 percent of the Maryland’s annual striped bass quota in the wake of last year’s illegal taking of tons of rockfish around the state. Last February, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) confiscated 10 tons, or 26,000 pounds, of striped rockfish snagged in illegal gill nets in Maryland waters, prompting Department of Natural Resources (DNR)...READ MORE

OC’s Cigarette Initiative Looking To Grow

OCEAN CITY – A positive review of the town’s Cigarette Butt Beach Container initiative was presented this week. As Ocean City Surfrider Foundaion member Terry Steimer prepared for his report on the Cigarette Butt Beach Container initiative, he wheeled in a grocery cart of bags full of cigarette butts and placed it directly in front of the Mayor and City Council. Steimer’s report followed a discussion held last winter concerning smokers on the Boardwalk and the beach. The...READ MORE

Kratovil Now A District Court Judge

BERLIN -- Former U.S. Congressman Frank Kratovil, who served a single term representing Maryland’s First District, which includes the entire Eastern Shore, was appointed last week to a District Court judgeship in Queen Anne’s County. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley announced the appointment of Kratovil to fill the Queen Anne’s County District Court bench, a vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable John T. Clark III. “I am honored to appoint Frank Kratovil to...READ MORE

How Does OC Police Handle Drug Money?

OCEAN CITY – Police Chief Bernadette DiPino summarized this week how the police department spends the “bad guys” money as she explained forfeiture fund accounts. “Basically, I have two accounts for the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) that has money that were either seized from drug operations or were amounts of money that were abandoned or turned over to the police department by court order,” DiPino said. According to DiPino’s report, OCPDs Asset...READ MORE

Council Approves New Golf Marketing Partnership

OCEAN CITY – A golf marketing opportunity couldn’t be passed up this week as a new advertising method was approved and Pam’s Ocean City Golf Getaway is back in partnership with Ocean City. Tourism Director Deb Turk explained that Ocean City has a history of golf destination advertising with Bobby Vermillion’s Golfing the Mid-Atlantic cable show. Due to the town’s marketing strategies for golf transitioning over the years, a decision was made not to renew the annual...READ MORE

Convention Center Expansion Project Called ‘Smooth’

OCEAN CITY – The Dispatch stopped in at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center to catch up with officials on the building’s expansion project that is now well underway. Phase one of the project began last summer and is expected to be completed by October 2012. The phase will bring 32,000 square feet of new space, including a new lower exhibit hall of 14,218 square feet, a new bayfront ballroom addition of 12,663 square feet and the remainder of the renovation includes hallways,...READ MORE

Whale Protection Rules In Effect

OCEAN CITY -- With the appearance of whales feeding and frolicking off the coast of the resort last week, the Coast Guard this week is reminding large vessel operators that the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule is in effect from November to April, to protect endangered right whales in mid-Atlantic waters where they are known to migrate. Collisions with ships and interaction with fishing gear are a major cause of mortality and injury to the North Atlantic right whale. As the federal...READ MORE

Wicomico Undecided On Bennett Middle Support

SALISBURY -- With the need to weigh a potential property tax increase, debt increase and whether heavy renovations would accomplish the same goal as replacement, the Wicomico County Council chose to continue discussion on Bennett Middle School (BMS) at a work session later this month before making a final decision on a new school building. The council began its meeting by hearing a strategy on how it could fund replacing BMS if it so chose. During County Executive Rick Pollitt’s Capital...READ MORE

Salisbury University Named “Best Value”

SALISBURY -- For the fourth consecutive year, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine has named Salisbury University one of its Top 100 “Best Values in Public Colleges.” Featured in the February  edition, SU and the other campuses listed “deliver quality education at an affordable price,” according to the publication. Each institution is ranked based on several factors, including in-state and out-of-state costs. SU is number 71. More than 500 traditional...READ MORE

Bakery Enjoying ‘Cupcake Craze’

BERLIN -- Cupcakes aren’t the only thing blooming at Berlin’s newest bakery. Less than six months after opening, Cupcakes in Bloom has a growing fan base, eyes toward the future and has already been in the national spotlight on the popular Food Network show Cupcake Wars. Owner Shawnee Berzonski opened in July with a unique strategy for dealing with those first few crucial weeks for a new business -- she didn’t tell anyone she was open. “I didn’t tell anybody,”...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Jan. 6: KC Bingo 5 p.m., doors open; 6:30 p.m., games begin; rear of St. Luke’s Church, 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Refreshments on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. Jan. 6: Longaberger Basket & Vera Bradley Bingo Doors open, 6 p.m.; games begin at 7 p.m.; Bishopville Fire Dept. Spon-sored by the Auxillary. Twenty games (10 baskets, 10 bags), special bingos and 50/50. Cost: $20, in advance; $25, at the door. Food including oysters and fried chicken and beverages available. For...READ MORE

Who's Playing When And Where

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Call For Entertainment Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Saturday, Jan. 7: Randy Lee Ashcraft & Jimmy Rowbottom Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Jan. 6 & Saturday, Jan. 7: Power Play Dead freddies 410-524-3733 64th St. & the Bay Friday, Jan. 6 DJ Rupe, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7: DJ Wax Fager’s...READ MORE

Best Eats On The Beach

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City • 410-213-1804 Open 7 days a week between Sunsations & 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 own-ed 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

Adventures Of Fatherhood

For about 45 minutes the other night, we sat on our couch as a family. That’s pretty big news in our house, as our little boys are not much for sitting still for prolonged periods of time.This has not been for lack of trying, as we have repeatedly tried to convince the kids to relax and watch a movie with us, particularly over the last two long weekends. Pam has purchased any number of kids’ flicks, most recently “Surf’s Up” and “Cars”, in hopes of...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Raymond L. Adkins, Sr. OCEAN CITY -- Raymond L. Adkins, Sr., 81, of Ocean City, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake surrounded by his loving family. Raymond was born Aug. 27, 1930 in Berlin to the late Lawrence and Mae Smack Adkins. Raymond worked at the Berlin Post Office for over 30 years. He was a member of the Berlin Fire Department. He was also a Past President of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association in 1965-66 and was inducted into the Maryland State...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Performance Recognized OCEAN CITY -- NRT, LLC, recently recognized Realtor Peck Miller of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage-104th St. for “having achieved an outstanding quarterly performance, ranking in the nation’s Top 1,000 Sales Associates for the third quarter”. NRT’s vast network includes 750 sales offices, 5,100 employees and 45,000 sales associates. Accomplishing top sales in a soft economy is no small feat. “It’s easy to become complacent when...READ MORE

Be Flexible, Willing To Adjust Long-Term Care Strategy

OCEAN CITY -- Whether embarking on a new career, earning an advanced degree or pursuing a combination of for-profit, nonprofit and leisure interests, Americans increasingly view retirement as a gateway to a second act. It's understandable: The average 65-year-old today can expect to live well into his or her 80s, so the time to pursue new careers could be extended by decades. While having more time to pursue a second act is good news, it also means that you need to plan financially for your new...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary School Uses PBIS Program

Second grader Luke Scott and teacher Crissy Williams make cookies as part of the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program at Buckingham Elementary School.  ...READ MORE

Stephan Decatur Band Members Return From 29th Annual Honor Band Performance

Eight members of the Stephan Decatur High School’s Band recently returned from the 29th Annual Junior/Senior Honor Band Performance at Towson University. These honor band students worked with 80 other musicians for one day to learn music and play together as a symphonic band. They performed for the public on Dec. 10 in the concert hall of Towson University. Students chosen to make this trip were, from left, Katherine Bakke, Victoria Murcia, Natalie Cieri, Sarah Prengamen, Peter Elliott,...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Search For Natural Resources

After learning about natural resources and their importance, Tommy Gjoni and Mason Houck in Robyn Rincavage's second grade class at Ocean City Elementary School search for natural resources outside with their homemade telescopes. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Drama Students Treat Parents And Friends

Dan Freed’s drama students at Worcester Prep recently treated parents and friends to an evening of Horrific Hauntings, Deadly Dealings, and Eerie Entertainment. There were dark tale readings from Shakespeare, Poe, urban legends, newspapers, Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and more. Pictured, from left, are Brad Mullen, Michael Dayton-Jones, Lynde Pepper, Olivia Massey, Halie Murray-Davis, Razaak Eniola, Alyssa Alicea, Jim Engle, Ashley Foreman and Christopher Potvin. ...READ MORE

Berlin Art Of Math Students Use Geometry To Map Out Picture

In the Berlin Intermediate School Art of Math academy, students learn how to use geometry to map out a picture on a ceiling tile. The picture is dedicated to a teacher of their choice. After school administrator Julie Sigafoos is with students Victor Vick, Daniel Zehnter, and Michael Tinelli as they present her with their completed art of math. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Students Work Together With Geometric Pattern Blocks

First grade students in Mrs. Huber's class at Showell Elementary Kylie Raffensberger, Mia Diehl and Evan Justice worked together with geometric pattern blocks to create an interesting work of art with symmetry. Patterns, geometry, geometric shapes and symmetry are all math concepts that first graders study. ...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur National Honor Society Adpoted A Family From Worcester GOLD

Members of the Stephen Decatur High School National Honor Society got into the holiday spirit, adopting a family from Worcester GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity). Students shown with advisor Mary Berquist are, front, Elizabeth Anderson, Bryton Adkins, Bethany Hooper, Brandee Hartz and Michelle Ott; and, back, Hannah Getchell, Mari-Claire Bowie, Kelly Sullivan, Jamie Parker and Carly Bodolus. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Novelettes Book Club Met For Annual Luncheon

The Novelettes Book Club met for its annual luncheon at the Inn on the Ocean to discuss “The Paris Wife” and collect new books for Worcester G.O.L.D. Pictured, front from left, are Darlene Stevens, Dottie Pinto, Em Hench, Joan Muschiatti and Mary Spina; and, back, Dian Witt, Jan Paige, Edie Brennan, Jackie Todd, Ellie Sizemore and Bev Biegler. Absent are Pat Capezio and Irene Grimes. ...READ MORE

Wine Tasting Held To Benefit Women Supporting Women

Enjoying the Holiday Cheer wine tasting and open house on Dec. 8 to benefit Women Supporting Women’s Worcester County chapter were Kathryn Danko-Lord and Susan Hutchinson of Costa Ventosa Winery in Whaleyville, Rota Knott, WSW’s Worcester County coordinator, and Shelly Bruder, owner of Bruder Hill boutique in Berlin. Bruder Hill hosted the event with Costa Ventosa Winery providing wine tastings and Baked Desserts of Berlin providing a dessert sampling. The event raised more than $300...READ MORE

OC Power Squadron Collected Gifts For Toys For Tots

The Ocean City Power Squadron collected gifts at its holiday party for the Toys for Tots campaign. Pictured, from left, are Ocean City Power Squadron member Sid Stiely, OCPS Past Commander Tony Curro, OCPS Commander Mort Brown and Wally Stevenson, Past Commandant, First State Detachment, Marine Corps League.  ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Raise Funds For Diakonia

Worcester Prep students Maya ZiaShakeri and Kendall Whaley of Berlin have a passion to help homeless individuals and families.  After doing some research online, they decided to raise funds for Diakonia. They started in July by baking cookies, then took the cookies door to door explaining their project, and asking for donations for Diakonia. They raised $340 and pictured above presenting it to Claudia Nagle, executive director of Diakonia.  ...READ MORE

St. Luke Parish Meets Giving Tree Goal

The Social Action Committee of St. Luke Parish in Ocean City has been sponsoring a Giving Tree for the past 11 years, obtaining names of families in need from schools in the Ocean City and Berlin area. This year’s goal was met once again with overwhelming generosity thanks to the parish’s generosity. In 2009, 45 families were presented to us, including 114 children. Approximately 422 gift tags for food cards, clothing and toys were created. In 2010, there were 58 families (121...READ MORE

Things I Like

Multiple football games on multiple TVs A cold day with no wind Berlin on New Year’s Eve Sanuk shoes Iced tea and lemonade mixed together How crowded gyms are these days The movie, “Babe” Chocolate and peanut butter brownies NFL playoff games When my kids eat well Not having to wear a jacket in January ...READ MORE