March 30, 2012

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Tempers Flare At OC Meeting, As City Employee Addresses Council

OCEAN CITY – Municipal employees returned to City Hall this week to inform the Mayor and Council they were actively gathering petition signatures to amend the city charter to allow them the right to collective bargaining. Word spread in the beginning of the year that Ocean City general employees were weighing their options to unionize. At that time, it was reported that a document expressing the intent of general city employees to potentially create a union was circulating throughout the...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Bill Easing Casino Restrictions Worries OC

OCEAN CITY – The resort’s future is being threatened as a result of a bill proposing to drop restrictions from casinos throughout the state, including at Ocean Downs in Berlin, according to Ocean City officials. At the conclusion of Monday evening’s legislative session, Mayor Rick Meehan brought up Senate Bill (SB) 892, Gaming-Video Lottery Terminals and Table Games, that had been approved by the State Senate a couple of weeks ago and was heading to the House this week as House...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: Worcester Tech Teacher Earns Top Honors

OCEAN CITY -- It’s been 25 years since Worcester County began to formally recognize and crown a Teacher of the Year and, in the largest ceremony to date, Worcester Technical High School (WTHS) teacher Tony Bevilacqua brought home the 2012 award. “Tonight is a celebration of 25 years,” said 2000 Teacher of the Year Brenda Hommel on Friday night. With a record-breaking 377 attendees in attendance last Friday at the Clarion Hotel, Bevilacqua had the torch passed down to him by the...READ MORE

Three Indicted For Bank Fraud By Federal Grand Jury

SALISBURY -- Three Salisbury residents were indicted on Wednesday by a federal grand jury in a massive bank fraud scheme allegedly carried out over a three-year period. U.S. District Attorney Rod Rosenstein announced on Wednesday a federal grand jury had indicted Christopher Andre Devine, 33, Quanishia Williamson-Ross, 31, and Lenee E. Williamson, 22, in connection with a bank fraud scheme during which the suspects allegedly used pirated personal identification information of numerous...READ MORE

Senate Approves Tamed Septic Bill

BERLIN -- A slightly less onerous, but no less controversial, bill that would let the state dictate if and where septic systems would be allowed for development in rural areas of Maryland was passed by the Senate this week and now moves on the House for what will likely be another battle. Last year, Gov. Martin O’Malley’s stringent legislation that would ban outright on-site septic systems for new developments in Maryland was met with fierce opposition from legislators in rural areas...READ MORE

Councilman Seeks New Sister City For OC In Canada

OCEAN CITY – Councilman brent Ashley questioned this week Ocean City’s lack of involvement with Canada’s tourism market. Last week Councilman Brent Ashley had asked for an update on Ocean City’s Sister City Program, which began with President Eisenhower in 1956. Sister City International is a non-profit organization that creates and strengthens partnerships between the U.S. and international communities, working to build global cooperation at the municipal level while...READ MORE

Alcohol Sales Request Passed With Concerns

BERLIN -- Despite having several events under the town’s belt with no problems, the Berlin Mayor and Council once again hesitated to approve outdoor alcohol sales during two special events that would take place within a week of each other. “I don’t think we need two booze selling events in Berlin in six days,” said Councilwoman Paula Lynch. The request that troubled Lynch came from Jennifer Dawicki, owner of The Globe. Though Lynch asserted that she trusted Dawicki to be...READ MORE

Senate Bill Relaxes Ocean Downs Casino Restrictions

BERLIN -- An expansion to table games at approved slots venues in Maryland moved closer to becoming a reality this week as the Senate approved legislation that would put the issue back in front of the state’s voters through the referendum process. The Maryland Senate last Friday approved Senate Bill 892, which, among other things, would allow for an expansion of gambling at the approved slots locations in the state to include table games such as poker, blackjack, craps and roulette, for...READ MORE

Burglary Suspect Nabbed In Tennessee

BERLIN -- One suspect wanted in connection with a string of burglaries in Worcester County late last year and early this year is in custody in Tennessee after he was found in possession of a handgun allegedly swiped during one of the break-ins, while his alleged partner in the crimes remains at large. Back on Nov. 18, 2011, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary at a residence in Bishopville during which several electronic gaming devices and accessories,...READ MORE

McDermott Calls Offshore Wind A ‘Feel-Good Bill’

OCEAN CITY -- The long-standing effort to develop an offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City passed a significant hurdle on Monday when the House Economic Matters Committee passed Governor Martin O’Malley’s Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012. The House Economic Matters Committee on Monday approved the governor’s latest attempt at an offshore wind energy bill by a vote of 13-9, providing a possible jumpstart for the passage of the legislation this year. The intent of the...READ MORE

Council Updated On Berlin Trails Effort

BERLIN -- Plans to create a network of trails in Berlin and beyond are moving faster than expected, according to town officials. “It’s just got so much potential,” said Mayor Gee Williams. Though Williams asserted that he “did not have low expectations” for the project when it was first suggested last fall, he admitted that more progress has been made by this point than he predicted initially. Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT) Executive Director Kate Patton, who is...READ MORE

Erika Sifrit Cites Mental Issues In New Trial Bid

OCEAN CITY -- With the 10th anniversary of the heinous crime rapidly approaching, convicted killer Erika Sifrit, who, along with her husband Benjamin, brutally murdered and dismembered a Virginia couple vacationing in Ocean City on Memorial Day 2002, this week filed her latest bid for a new trial. Erika Sifrit, now 34, this week filed a petition seeking an overturn of her prior convictions and sentences and a bid for a new trial, citing her defense counsel at her original trial in 2003 failed to...READ MORE

Sides In Hudson Case Unable To Reach Settlement

BERLIN -- Despite a lengthy settlement conference on Wednesday, there was no resolution this week in the ongoing legal battle between a Berlin family farm and an environmental watchdog group over alleged pollution runoff violations. In March 2010, the New York-based 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 contract Perdue factory farm operation of about 80,000...READ MORE

Salisbury Selects New City Clerk

SALISBURY – The city announced this week that Assistant City Clerk Kimberly Nichols has been named the new Salisbury City Clerk. “It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the entire Salisbury City Council and along with Mayor Jim Ireton to announce good news for the City of Salisbury, news that has not happened in 17 years,” Council President Terry Cohen said on Monday. On March 19 in closed session, the council unanimously agreed to offer the position to Nichols, who is a...READ MORE

Modern Makeover For Historic Cottage

OCEAN CITY -- An historic old Ocean City beach cottage on the Boardwalk near 13th Street is undergoing a major renovation and rehabilitation project with the implementation of state-of-the-art 21st Century features and a keen eye on preserving the past. Built in the late 1930s and owned and occupied by the Laws family for decades, the old Coronet Apartments on the surface appear to be much like many of the other cedar shake-shingled old cottages along that stretch of the famous promenade, but...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Shore Justice System Seems Dysfunctional Editor: I want to thank the Coast Dispatch for doing an outstanding job of keeping me updated on the happenings at the beach. As a subscriber, I receive the latest issue in the mail each Monday and I enjoy reading about what has been taking place at my home away from home. The service the Coast Dispatch provides is essential and I would encourage all property owners to subscribe your paper. Among the sections I find to be of greatest interest is the...READ MORE

Scooter Industry Regulation A Necessary Step

A fine line exists between regulating and over-regulating. Oftentimes, it’s unknown whether that line has been crossed until after the fact. When it comes to the ongoing scooter industry re-evaluation, Ocean City seems to be tiptoeing around it deftly. With their continual proliferation, scooters have become dangerous in Ocean City, particularly on Coastal Highway. However, it was interesting to learn in recent weeks that more than half of the scooter-involved accidents over the last three...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Offer alcohol and they will come is a philosophy that seems to be working for Berlin special events, but how much is too much seems to be the question that continues to give the Mayor and Council some reason for pause.The latest example came this week when The Globe proprietor Jennifer Dawicki approached the council seeking support from the town for setting up a bar in the middle of Broad Street in front of her establishment. She basically wants to do the same thing for May’s Jazz and...READ MORE

OC Hotel Burglary Probed

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City Police this week are looking for the suspect or suspects wanted in connection to the burglary of a resort hotel over the winter during which dozens of flat-screen televisions, DVD players and vacuum cleaners were stolen. On March 7, Ocean City Police responded to the Castle in the Sand Hotel for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed the suspect or suspects had gained entry into numerous units at the hotel and stole 48 televisions, three flat-screen wall mounts...READ MORE

NOC Business Alliance Meeting Scheduled

OCEAN CITY -- The North Ocean City Business Alliance will meet next week to continue to discuss a variety of ways to direct more special events to the north end of town. Earlier this year, a group of north Ocean City business leaders formed the alliance in an effort to help ensure the o north end of the resort is getting its fair share in terms of marketing and promotion of special events. The alliance will hold its next meeting next Thursday, April 5 at the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel at 9...READ MORE

Council Votes 5-2 To Draft New Scooter Regs

OCEAN CITY – Due to safety concerns, new scooter rental businesses will have to follow new regulations approved by the Mayor and Council yesterday in a 5-2 vote, while current operators will have one year to conform. On Jan. 31, the Mayor and City Council passed an ordinance to establish a 90-day moratorium on the issuance of new or renewed business licenses for scooter rentals. The council became concerned over the proliferation of scooter rental businesses in town and the safety issues...READ MORE

County Dept. Heads Struggling To Find Cuts

SNOW HILL -- After a second budget work session, the forecast coming from the Worcester County Commission this week is bleaker than ever. “Nobody’s going to get what they want,” said Commission President Bud Church. Several commissioners agreed that this is shaping up to be the tightest budgets in recent memory. “I don’t know of anyone that’s going to jump up and down over it,” said Church, who called the budget the worst he had seen in his decade on the...READ MORE

City Council Throws Support Behind OC Experience

OCEAN CITY – The third time was the charm as Spark Productions’ concept, OC Experience, was approved this week along with its refined price tag. Last year Spark Productions LLC presented the OC Experience as a tractor trailer sporting Ocean City’s brand, traveling to different tourism shows selling the town as a destination. The Mayor and City Council supported the idea but not the price tag, which was upwards of $270,000. Last month Brad Hoffman of Spark Productions returned...READ MORE

State Relaxes New Pool Regs

OCEAN CITY -- Hundreds of pools and spas in the resort area and thousands more across the state facing mandatory new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards got a little relief last week when the deadline for compliance was extended amid considerable confusion. The state’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) late last year sent out a memorandum to public swimming pool and spa owners and operators in Worcester County detailing the requirements for compliance with the new...READ MORE

Berlin Club Welcomes Runners Of All Ages, Skills

BERLIN -- Whatever the age or skill level, the newly formed Berlin Runners/Walkers Club (BRWC) is looking for fresh members. “We’re trying to get some more folks interested,” said BRWC founding member Ron Cascio. After taking its first steps this winter, BRWC is starting to hit its stride. With about a dozen regulars showing up every Sunday for the club’s morning run, Cascio said that BRWC is doing well in its first few months. With spring weather on the way, he pointed...READ MORE

Ocean City Franchise Holder Failed To File Taxes

BALTIMORE -- Owing $296,701 to the government over a period of several years, Ocean City franchise holder Patrick McLaughlin pleaded guilty last Thursday to failing to file individual income tax returns in 2009 and one count of failing to report employment tax withholdings in 2007. The plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric C. Hylton of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation,...READ MORE

More Beer, Wine Licenses Sought In Berlin

BERLIN -- Between two new businesses and the expansion of an established café, Berlin wine lovers should have a lot to toast to this spring. Last week, Sisters, an eclectic store that will include everything from housewares to jewelry, received a beer and wine license from the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC). Owners Michael Anne Phillips and Dona Compher plan on offering wine and craft beer on location while people shop as well as for carryout. This week, Deborah...READ MORE

Kufchak Named OCPD Auxiliary Officer Of Year

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department last week announced Shalimar Kufchak has been named “Auxiliary Officer of the Year” at an annual banquet last Thursday. The OCPD Auxiliary Program, which began in 1999, includes 16 members who generously donate their time to the department and the Ocean City Community. The title of “Auxiliary Officer of the Year” is awarded to the individual who best demonstrates a devotion to duty and public service, and whose conduct and...READ MORE

OCFD Offers Free Home Evaluations

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) this week announced a new community outreach program including home fire safety evaluations. The program will be conducted on a voluntary basis as a courtesy to residents and homeowners in the OCFD response area. Members of the OCFD will begin a systematic door-to-door campaign asking if residents would like a free fire safety evaluation. Firefighters will look for overloaded outlets, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, unobstructed...READ MORE

Resort Employees Score Surprise Day Off

OCEAN CITY – About a month after general employees aired their grievances and announced plans to form a union, the Mayor and Council voted Tuesday to grant an additional holiday for this year, Random Acts Of Kindness Day. Last week, Mayor Rick Meehan presented Councilman Brent Ashley with a Proclamation designating April 6 as Random Acts of Kindness Day in Ocean City. According to the proclamation, “random acts of kindness are means by which we make deliberate attempts to brighten...READ MORE

Oyster Shuckers Set Fast Pace

WEST OCEAN CITY -- It was more of the same at the 9th Annual Oyster Shucking Contest at the Greene Turtle in West Ocean City last Sunday as Tom Creveling of Harrison’s Harbor Watch repeated as champion for the third straight year. For the last nine years, some of the fastest oyster shuckers on the Eastern Shore have gathered for the annual event at the Greene Turtle in West Ocean City. For the last three of those nine years, or a third of the entire history of the event, Creveling has come...READ MORE

Clean Water Act Milestone Celebrated

OCEAN CITY – Clean water advocates came out to Turville Creek last Thursday to take in the local waterways on Clean Water Day. “We are going to enjoy a paddle on Turville Creek … appreciate what we have and appreciate what we need to protect,” Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) Executive Director and Coastkeeper Kathy Phillips said. According to Phillips, World Water Day is held annually to raise awareness about increasing world pollution and the need for clean water. The...READ MORE

Youth Golf Drop-In Program Announced

BERLIN- The Eastern Shore Junior Golf League is inviting young players in the area to compete in a weekly coed nine-hole scramble throughout this spring. Area students in grades 7-12 are invited to compete in the weekly coed nine-hole scramble each Monday at Eagle’s Landing in West Ocean City beginning on April 23 and concluding on June 4. All boys and girls currently attending public or private school in grades 7-12 are invited to participate in the weekly drop-in event. The cost of the...READ MORE

Decatur Softball Falls to Pocomoke, 5-1

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity softball ran into a buzz saw on Monday, falling to visiting Pocomoke, 5-1, to drop to 1-3 early on in the season. After thrashing Wicomico, 8-2, in the season opener last week, the Seahawks have found runs hard to come by in their last two games, both defeats. Decatur lost to Mardela, 8-0, last Thursday before falling again to Pocomoke, 5-1, on Monday. Against Pocomoke, the Seahawks ran into a dominate pitcher, Anna Brittingham, who struck a...READ MORE

Seahawk Girls Rebound from Early Loss

BERLIN- Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team rebounded from an early season setback to rival Parkside last Friday with a decisive 16-2 win over Bennett on Monday. After beating Cambridge-South Dorchester, 16-0, in the season opener last week, the Seahawks found themselves in a huge early season game against rival Parkside last Friday. The Seahawks fell to the Rams, 12-3, as Parkside took early control in the Bayside South standings. Decatur rebounded quickly from the setback,...READ MORE

Flounlacker Benefit a Huge Success

OCEAN CITY- In typical fashion, the resort community rallied for one of its own in a big way last weekend on behalf of a local father, coach, lacrosse player and all-around sports enthusiast seriously injured in a deer stand fall in December with thousands raised to help with his rehabilitation and recovery. Mark Flounlacker, a local father, coach, lacrosse player, surfer and fixture at youth sports events in the area suffered a severe back injury during a fall from a deer stand in December and...READ MORE

Decatur Track Teams Cruise in First Meet

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity outdoor track teams cruised to victory in their season-opening meets last week with both the boys’ and girls’ teams finishing first in total team points. The Decatur boys finished with 276 total team points in the six-school meet, while Easton finished second with 99 points and Northampton was third with 92. The Seahawk girls also finished first with 275 team points, followed by Easton with 134.5 and Northampton with 35. On the boys’...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Top Rival Parkside

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team improved to 2-0 early in the season, beating Bayside South rival Parkside, 13-8, in front of the big home crowd. After cruising past Cambridge-South Dorchester, 11-1, in the season opener last Wednesday, the Seahawks had to regroup quickly for their early season matchup with perhaps their biggest rival, Parkside, on Friday. Last year, Decatur fell to Parkside, 12-7, in the last regular season game of the year to relinquish its...READ MORE

Beach Lax to Receive AED Donation

BERLIN- The Beach Lacrosse program will receive an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) tomorrow morning for use at its home fields at the Northern Worcester County Athletic Complex in Berlin donated by the Matthew Krug Foundation. Last April, nine-year-old Sierra Hall, now a Worcester Prep fourth grader, went into cardiac arrest at the Worcester County athletic complex in Berlin during a Beach Lacrosse practice. After an arduous rehab, Hall has fully recovered. Tomorrow morning, the Matthew...READ MORE

Seahawks Trounce Warriors, 34-1

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team trounced visiting Pocomoke, 34-1, on a windswept field at home on Monday to improve to 3-0 on the season. The Seahawks dominated the Warriors from the start, building a huge early lead and adding to it through the middle innings. Decatur already led, 15-0, after two before a seemingly endless third inning during which Pocomoke could not record an out. After a steady parade of walks and hit batsmen with a few hits sprinkled in along with a few...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

Getting sick -- and I mean really sick -- is something new to me. For most of my life, I was never one to be ill. Rarely did I ever miss school for sickness growing up and the only actual academic awards I ever had a sniff of were those spotlighting attendance.In my adult life, that has carried through to work, as I have never missed a day due to an illness. Hernia surgery, concerts and births of my kids, yes, but calling out sick has never happened.Last Friday, however, of all days, I did have...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Open Wed., Thurs. & Sat.: Shepherd’s Nook Thrift Shop 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Community Church at Ocean Pines, Rte. 589 & Racetrack Rd., Berlin. Accepting donations of gently worn clothes and small household items. Open Wednesday-Friday: Stevenson United Methodist Thrift Shop 5 Stevenson Lane, Berlin, across from the Laundromat. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sale days every Friday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. March 30: KC Bingo 5 p.m., doors open; 6:30 p.m., games begin; rear of St....READ MORE

Best Bites On The Beach

Fruitland-Salisbury Restaurant 213 213 N. Fruitland Blvd., Fruitland 410-677-4880 • www.restaurant213.com Just 20 minutes from Ocean Pines and Berlin, Restaurant 213 is worth the drive! Chef Jim Hughes has been serving celebrities worldwide for 25 years and was named a 2009 inductee to the coveted Distin-guished Restaurants of North America awards, one of only 220 in North America and the only one in this region. Serving dinner Tuesday-Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Also offering a 5 course...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Take Part In Production Of Fiddler On The Roof

Students at Worcester Prep recently took part in the production of Fiddler on the Roof, which was directed by music teacher Dan Freed. Above left, junior Elise Harmon played the role of Hodel, the daughter of Tevye. Above right, Michael Dayton-Jones, a senior, played the leading role of Tevye. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Raises $5,800 For Amercian Heart Association

Buckingham Elementary physical education teacher Joan Martin is pictured with fourth graders Takera Steele and Taylor Stakiel at the Jump Rope for Heart celebration. The school raised $5,800 for the American Heart Association. ...READ MORE

Kindergarten Class At Showell Elementary Learn About Van Gogh

At Showell Elementary, Miss Pike's kindergarten class learned about the artist Vincent van Gogh. Above, Lauren Sikora, Jack Croll and Hannah Allam used similar colors and brush strokes to create artwork like his famous painting Starry Night. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Invite Grandparents To Class

Each year Worcester Prep students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade invite their grandparents to visit in their classes with them. Student representatives from each lower school grade treated the grandparents to a special program titled, “What Grandparents Mean to Me”. Fourth graders pictured, from left, are Ryley Carey, Sierra Hall and Quinn McColgan. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Demonstrate Their Knowledge Of Fractions

Second graders in Kristie Fogle's class at Ocean City Elementary School demonstrated their knowledge of fractions by creating "Fraction Pizzas." Pictured, from left, are Marina Bryan, Philip Rittersbacher, Aeddan Jones and Hailey Bowden. ...READ MORE

Decatur Lifesavers Holds Benefit To Raise Money For American Red Cross

The Decatur Lifesavers recently held a Spin Like A Hurricane benefit to raise money for the Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bonnie and Pete Zemo of West Ocean City Fitness have hosted the event for two years. This year, WOC Fitness gave the club a little surprise when half of their spin time turned into a Zumba workout time. Pictured, back from left, are club advisor Ryan Cowder, Ben Crane, Shaun Kotowski, Jake Knopp, Timmy VanVonno and Andrew Bradshaw; middle, Alycia Skarzinski,...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Get A First-Hand Experience With Earthworms

Christine Lieb's kindergarten students at Ocean City Elementary got a first-hand experience with earthworms during a Growing Up Wild lesson. Pictured are Andrey Tcheremissine and Kazin VanFossen with Wally the Worm. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Open Houses Of The 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 SELBYVILLE Lighthouse Crossing 38623 Green Heron Rd Open Daily 11-6 New Construction Large Luxury Homes On Expansive Lots 90-Day Delivery 877-436-9157 OCEAN CITY Decatur House #403 1201 Atlantic Ave Sat 11-2 On Boardwalk With Pool Terry Looney Century 21 New Horizon 410-723-4500 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St....READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Marc L. Beaubien, Sr. SALISBURY -- Marc Laurence Beaubien, Sr., age 71, passed away on March 23, 2012 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Born in Woonsocket, R.I., he was the son of the late Wilfred Henri Beaubien and Rose Trudel Beaubien. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara Jean, and his sons, Marc L. Beaubien, Jr. and his wife Sharon of Wellington, Fla., and Sean C. Beaubien and his wife Cori, of Coral Gables, Fla. He was adored grandfather to Sean Luc,...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Top 100 Advisors SALISBURY -- Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate in Salisbury has announced the company advisors and their teams who ranked in the top 100 for Sperry Van Ness Corporate out of more than 900 advisors. They were John McClellan, who ranked No. 20; Bradley Gillis and Joey Gilkerson, ranked No. 21; Henry Hanna and Wesley Cox, ranked NO. 22; and Tom Knopp, ranked No. 97. Entrepreneur Of Year FRUITLAND – Apple Discount Drugs, a locally owned Health Mart...READ MORE

OCDC Public Art Committee Chairman Welcomed As Speaker At OC/Berlin Rotary Club Meeting

Lauren Taylor, chairman of the OCDC Public Art Committee, was welcomed as speaker during the regular Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club Meeting. She discussed the 2nd Annual Preakness Party to be held, Saturday, May 19 at the Captain’s Table Restaurant in the Marriott Courtyard Featured will be heavy hors d’ oeuvres, hat contest, fun horse “wagering” and live entertainment by The Larks. Cost is $40 per person (includes two drink tickets for beer or wine) R.S.V.P. to...READ MORE

Plans Being Finalized For Ava DelRicco Weekend

Plans are currently being finalized for Ocean City’s Ava DelRicco Weekend on June 15-17. The event features a charity golf tournament as well as kid-friendly activities in north Ocean City, culminating on Sunday, June 17 with a prayer gathering in Ava’s honor. Watch for updates at www.Facebook.com/pray4ava. Pictured during a meeting to discuss weekend details are Lisa and Nikki DelRicco (Ava’s aunt and cousin) and Crabcake Factory owner and weekend creator Johnny Brooks and his...READ MORE

Republican Women Of Worcester County Show Their Purchases From Worcester GOLD's Spring Holiday Basket Program

Peggy Long and Marian Novack, members of the Republican Women of Worcester County, are shown with purchases they made for Worcester GOLD’s 2012 Spring Holiday Basket Program. If you are interested in helping with this program, call 410-677-6830 for information.  ...READ MORE

Sons Of Italy Holds Annual Fundraiser At St. Andrews Church

Sons of Italy Lodge 2474 of Ocean City held its annual fundraiser at St. Andrews Church in Ocean City on March 24 to a full house of visitors looking for food, drink, auction items and entertainment. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to support local charities. Pictured are volunteers working the fundraiser with Sons of Italy Lodge President Sal Castorina, sixth from left. ...READ MORE

Berlin Lioness Club Holds Annual Donation Dinner

The Berlin Lioness Club held its annual donation dinner this month inviting 10 local non-profits. The Berlin Lioness Club donated $3,350 across these 10 organizations and will continue to donate more throughout the year in goods and volunteer time. On March 31, the Berlin Lioness Club will be holding a Yard Sale as a fundraiser from 7 a.m.-noon at 1064 Ocean Parkway in the South Gate of Ocean Pines. Above, Andrea Petersen from Diakonia, Alice Paterra from the Berlin Library, Kathy Kelly from the...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Be careful about doing someone a favor when you don't know the full story behind the request. Don't rely on someone's unsubstantiated assurances. Insist on all the facts before you act. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): That workplace problem still needs your attention before you finally can close the book on it. Meanwhile, a long-anticipated reunion gets closer to becoming a happy reality. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You might be demanding more from others than they can...READ MORE

Things I Like

A working lunch Planning ahead A light shining up a tree at night Strange finds on a beach A hand-written note Waves from people I don’t know Holding hands with my sons Men who can pull off suspenders Not having to wear glasses (yet) Allergy meds that work A moving church service ...READ MORE