November 9, 2012

NEW FOR THURSDAY: One Turtle Hatchling Thriving After Being Relocated From Assateague

ASSATEAGUE -- It was good news, bad news this week as just one of the loggerhead turtle hatchlings rescued from the beach on Assateague in advance of Hurricane Sandy has lived, but the tiny survivor is well on the road to rehabilitation. On Friday, Oct. 26, just about two days before Hurricane Sandy arrived in the mid-Atlantic area, biological technicians and other staff from the Marine Animal Rescue Program (MARP) of the National Aquarium in Baltimore excavated a loggerhead sea turtle nest from...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Berlin Council Delays Fire Company’s Mediation Request

BERLIN -- The Berlin Fire Company (BFC) turned out in force at Tuesday’s meeting to petition the Mayor and Council to enter third-party mediation to resolve ongoing dispute and to restore the roughly $600,000 funding stripped from the fire company earlier this year. While the council said future mediation is possible, there are a number of conditions the town wants resolved before ever sitting down at a table with BFC leadership. However, even if funding is restored, the council has hinted...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Median Barrier, Lower Speed Limit Pitched To Heighten OC Pedestrian Safety

OCEAN CITY – Coming off a summer with numerous pedestrian accidents, city officials sat down this week with state authorities to come up with solutions. On Tuesday afternoon, the Mayor and City Council met with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) for their annual fall meeting. SHA Assistant District Engineer Ken Cimino said the SHA hired a consulting engineering firm to do a pedestrian safety study on MD 528, or Coastal Highway, between 62nd Street and Convention Center Dr. The...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: New OC Council Talks Common Ground; Lloyd Martin Chosen As President

OCEAN CITY – All “what ifs” were put aside at last Thursday’s Mayor and City Council organizational meeting as the new council were sworn in and took their seats, including a new council president and council secretary. Council Secretary Lloyd Martin sat in Council President Jim Hall’s chair to conduct the meeting in his absence. “[Jim Hall] asked me to express his thanks to all of the citizens and let them know that he is still an Ocean City resident …...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: Dr. Berger Honored With Glick Award

OCEAN CITY -- More than 400 people celebrated last Saturday the life, accomplishments and contributions of Dr. Leonard Berger, who was bestowed with the 2012 Hal Glick Distinguished Service Award during a gala event. Berger was presented his award by award and gala namesake Glick to cap off an evening of tributes, personal recollections and at times emotional stories. Glick was the first honoree of the award in 2010. Last year, Seacrets owner Leighton Moore earned the...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

Stress is measured on two different levels for me -- professional and personal. No question in my mind, it’s the personal stress that eats me up the most, particularly the pressures that come with the hectic nature of parenting two toddlers.I attribute it to the fact I have been working a lot longer than parenting and that I cope better with the stress involving my work than with being a parent at this point in my life.I have long thought being a stay-at-home parent is the toughest job in...READ MORE

Wicomico Sheriff Defends Traffic Camera Usage

SALISBURY -- Despite a minor hiccup that resulted in a week’s worth of speeding violations being refunded, Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis stood by his office’s continued use of traffic cameras this week. “This has enabled us to do a lot with our resources … I think they’re working as desired,” he told the County Council Tuesday. Currently, the sheriff’s office has two traffic cameras that it deploys in different county school zones. They are only...READ MORE

Casino Leader Talks Expansion Plan’s Potential

OCEAN CITY -- Hours after voters across Maryland approved an expansion of gambling in the state including table games, Casino at Ocean Downs General Manager Joe Cavilla was already talking about an expansion at the gaming facility on Route 589 near Ocean Pines. On Tuesday, a majority of the state’s electorate approved Question 7, a referendum on a bill that will expand gaming in Maryland including the addition of table games at the state’s current and future casinos and the addition...READ MORE

Employee Union Effort Rejected Soundly By Voters

OCEAN CITY – Union rights for general employees is a no go, as the citizens said it was not the time, but spirits were high this week as the new council is seeking to immediately re-establish the general employees’ faith in their elected officials. At Tuesday’s election, voters chose to vote against the referendum question on this year’s Ocean City municipal ballot. The referendum asked if the town charter should be amended to allow all town department employees the right...READ MORE

Economic Committee Gets First Look At Expanded Powell Center

OCEAN CITY -- Resort business leaders this week got a first look at the nearly completed first phase of the expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center along with some encouraging words from its relatively new director about the future of the facility. On Wednesday, the Ocean City Economic Development Committee (EDC) held its bi-monthly breakfast meeting in the newest ballroom of the recently completed Phase I of the expansion of the facility. The first phase of the project featured an...READ MORE

Wicomico Mulls State’s Tier Plan

SALISBURY -- Like many neighboring counties, the Wicomico County Council is reviewing the potential effects of adopting a statewide septics bill that would require land to be assigned one of four tiers.“This bill is very complex,” said Transportation and Long Range Planning Director Keith Hall. “It’s not a one-day read.”The driving force behind the bill is an effort to encourage development on existing water and sewer and to shy away from adding more septics to...READ MORE

Timeline For New Snow Hill School Approved

SNOW HILL -- Without comments or questions, the Worcester County Commission unanimously agreed Wednesday to support the Board of Education’s Fiscal Year 2014 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which includes a timeline for the construction of a new Snow Hill High School (SHHS). While the commissioners generated some animosity in the county last year when they decided to delay planned renovations of SHHS due to financial concerns, so far this year the project is quietly moving...READ MORE

New Website Offers Objective Wine Reviews

SALISBURY – Wine lovers can now review objective wine recommendations online before their next trip to the wine store. DelmarvaWine.com is a new website created by wine writer John Rankin, who says he launched the site to provide wine reviews and to educate the growing number of wine consumers. “Despite the weak economy, the number of wine consumers continues to grow, particularly in the 25 to 40 age bracket,” he said. “The recent growth of this segment can be seen in the...READ MORE

Power Upgrade Planned For OC

OCEAN CITY -- Delmarva Power this week announced a major high-voltage transmission line installation project is scheduled to begin in mid-town Ocean City early next year along Coastal Highway. The $5 million project is designed to improve electric service reliability in Ocean City and throughout Worcester County and Sussex County in Delaware. The proposal includes rebuilding an existing transmission high-voltage transmission between 41st and 85th streets. Work on the 69,000-volt transmission...READ MORE

New Comfort Station Bids Opened; Roof For District Court Ahead

OCEAN CITY – City Manager David Recor presented the Mayor and City Council with a lengthy list of business items in need for approval this week. During the presentation, Recor he hinted it may be more productive to simply add a consent agenda to future legislative sessions to approve such items with one vote. The following items were approved in one fell swoop this week: New Comfort Station, Stage Bids Opened The Mayor and City Council recognized the low bid of about $940,000 by Black...READ MORE

State Warns Of Storm Scams

OCEAN CITY -- In the wake of Hurricane Sandy and this week’s Nor’easter, the state’s Attorney General is warning citizens to take steps to protect themselves from scam artists and con men looking to take advantage of those in vulnerable situations. Sandy passed through the area two weeks ago, downing trees, blowing off roofs and siding, flooding homes and businesses and picking up small buildings and moving them in some cases. In the wake of the storm, many area residents are...READ MORE

Sandy Called ‘An Elbow To The Ribs For Us On Delmarva’

SNOW HILL -- Early estimates for exactly how much damage Hurricane Sandy wreaked in Worcester County are positive, though officials acknowledge that certain spots in the area were hit harder than others. “Most of the county infrastructure was left with little or no significant damage,” Emergency Services Director Teresa Owens told the County Commissioners Wednesday. According to Public Information Officer Kim Moses, the first estimate of storm damage to public property and assets as...READ MORE

Casino Leader Talks Expansion Plan’s Potential

OCEAN CITY -- Hours after voters across Maryland approved an expansion of gambling in the state including table games, Casino at Ocean Downs General Manager Joe Cavilla was already talking about an expansion at the gaming facility on Route 589 near Ocean Pines. On Tuesday, a majority of the state’s electorate approved Question 7, a referendum on a bill that will expand gaming in Maryland including the addition of table games at the state’s current and future casinos and the addition...READ MORE

Entrepreneur Award Presented

SALISBURY – Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc. (MCE) has announced that its inaugural Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner has been present4ed to Pete Roskovich, owner of Adams Ribs and Black Diamond Catering in Fruitland. The award was created to recognize the entrepreneurial spirit, outstanding accomplishments and sheer determination of local entrepreneurs who own and operate successful small businesses. He was was presented the award at MCE’s Annual Gala at the UMES...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Impressed By Shelter Editor: I didn't want to go. It won't be THAT bad, I've been through other hurricanes, it happens to others but it won't happen to me. But then, at 11:45 a.m., Ocean City police officers were knocking at our door asking when we were evacuating (my husband wasn't going and needed to give his next of kin information).
So I drove to the hurricane shelter at Stephen Decatur High School and was met by two tables of smiling staff members from the Department of...READ MORE

Council’s Top Priority Must Be Strategic Plan

With the election now over and all the bitterness and emotions that came before it a thing of the past, it’s time to focus on the present and future, and in Ocean City, that means the strategic planning initiative now takes center stage.This is a process that will serve Ocean City well in the future and go a long way towards making the Mayor and Council a more professional body and ensuring the elected officials stay on a consistent track unswayable by personal differences of opinions and...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Some thoughts on this week’s election in Ocean City: --------------------------------- In my 15 years in this chair, this was the ugliest election season I have ever seen in Ocean City. I may not be the longest in the tooth, but many folks I have spoken to can’t recall the level of dirty campaigning that took place from veteran elected official Jim Hall’s camp over the last month. I think it further fueled the mandate for change and the community’s desire to disband the...READ MORE

Seahawks Close Out Eagles, Finish .500

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team cruised past Worcester County rival Snow Hill, 40-24, last weekend to salvage a .500 season in 2012. The young Seahawks had an up-and-down year and were sporadic throughout the season on their way to a 5-5 mark. Despite often uneven play, Decatur was in most games and was often just a break here or a good bounce there from winning more games. Looking back, there were only a couple of games the Seahawks were not in until the end, including a...READ MORE

Turtle Lax Club Tryouts Slated

BERLIN- The Greene Turtle Boys Lacrosse Club will be holding tryouts for all high school-age boys interested in playing in a competitive travel lacrosse program next summer on December 2 at Salisbury University from 1-4 p.m. The Greene Turtle Boys Lacrosse Club was established to offer highly competitive student-athletes an opportunity within a select program to strive for their personal best and to help players in the recruiting process for college lacrosse. The coaching staff’s...READ MORE

Worcester Girls Win First ESIAC Crown

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity field hockey last week completed a remarkable season, beating rival Saints Peter and Paul, 3-2, in the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) tournament championship game for its first-ever title. The Mallards went 12-2 overall on the year including a 7-1 ESIAC mark to win the regular season title. In the conference tournament, the Worcester girls beat Holly Grove, 2-0, in the semifinals and then edged Saints Peter and Paul, 3-2,...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Bow Out of State Regionals

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity soccer team closed out its 2012 campaign with a 4-0 loss to River Hill in the state Class 3A-East region playoffs last week. The Seahawks entered the region playoffs as the number-two seed and earned a first round bye. River Hill, meanwhile, entered the regional tournament as the seven-seed and squeaked by 10th-seeded Wilde Lake in the first round to earn a shot at Decatur. Despite playing at home, the Seahawks could get little going...READ MORE

Bank Of Ocean City MVP Of The Week

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Second-Seeded Seahawks Knocked Out of States

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity soccer team closed out another great run with a 6-2 loss to visiting Atholton last Friday in the state Class 3A-East regional semifinals. The Seahawks went 10-1-1 during the regular season, their only loss coming to rival Parkside, 3-1, back on October 2. Decatur entered the state 3A-East regional as the number-two seed and garnered a first-round bye. In its first match in the regional tournament, the Seahawks beat Annapolis, 3-1, last...READ MORE

Resort Noise Rules Tightened

OCEAN CITY – Following another summer of noisy problem properties, the Noise Board has proposed amendments to move toward a more peaceful community in the future. Ocean City Noise Control Board Chairman Brett Wolf came before the Mayor and City Council on Monday to recommend several amendments to Town Code regarding noise. “We are here asking for changes to the noise code to give us the opportunity to better partner with the police in maintaining peace and quiet while assisting...READ MORE

Salisbury Looks To Formalize Internet Usage Rules

SALISBURY -- The Salisbury City Council is moving forward this week with creating a new Internet use policy as well as a more specific policy to address the addition of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to the city. For roughly a decade, Salisbury has operated without an Internet use policy because it was not responsible for its own connection. “Up until recently the city was using the county Internet connection,” said Salisbury Director of Information Technology Bill Garrett. By...READ MORE

Owners Aim To Simplify Dining With Delivery Service

OCEAN CITY – With the cold weather settling in, Just Deliveries will bring your meal to you. Just place your order with them and any craving can be satisfied whether, it’s Chinese in front of the TV or buckets of chicken for your next football get together. Just Deliveries, LLC owners Jennifer Judd and Dawn James moved to Ocean City from Baltimore three years ago and fell into a culture shock when they found out the limitations of delivery service. “We saw a need for it,”...READ MORE

Pocomoke Elementary School Commended

POCOMOKE -- Pocomoke Elementary School (PES) received a visit last Friday from State Superintendent Dr. Lillian Lowery, who presented plaque designating PES as a Superlative High Performing Reward School, one of only eight such Title-1 schools state-wide. During the visit, Lowery also spoke with PES leadership about the strategies used to promote education, which will be highlighted in an upcoming Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) video that will showcase best practices for...READ MORE

New Pines Yacht Club Plan Okayed

OCEAN PINES -- It’s been a long road but a new Ocean Pines Yacht Club has finally received site plan approval by the Worcester County Planning Commission. The project suffered delays last month when the commission initially refused to lower parking requirements for the proposed facility, which was short 62 spaces as judged by the county code. Following the denial, the Ocean Pines Administration (OPA) eventually won an administrative adjustment hearing that allowed them to alter parking...READ MORE

Lower Shore Counties Confirm Republican Tendencies

BERLIN -- In Tuesday’s general election, the lower shore continued its long-standing traditions of bucking statewide and nationwide trends and stayed close to its Republican roots in nearly every race. While President Barack Obama edged Republican challenger Mitt Romney by mere percentage points nationally, the presidential race was hardly an issue in the traditionally Democratic state of Maryland, but Worcester and Wicomico counties bucked the statewide trend as it has for decades. In...READ MORE

Ethics Charge Filed Over Finance Report On Election Eve

OCEAN CITY – With the municipal election looming on Tuesday, an ethics complaint was filed Monday at City Hall against Council President Jim Hall for reporting false campaign finance information. First thing Monday morning, Councilwoman Mary Knight, who was re-elected handily on Tuesday, formally filed an ethics violation against Jim Hall for not including accurate disclosures in his campaign financial report that was due on Oct. 30. Jim Hall filed his campaign financial statement on Oct....READ MORE

WOC Restaurant Named In Class Action Wage Lawsuit

WEST OCEAN CITY -- A West Ocean City restaurant has been named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit over alleged unfair wages for tipped employees in what could be a test case of sorts for the hospitality industry. The Sakura Japanese Steakhouse chain, including its local restaurant, has been named as a co-defendant in the class action suit brought by a handful of former employees and filed in U.S. District Court last week. The suit alleges Sakura not only did not meet the minimum wage...READ MORE

Salisbury To Seek Agreement In Case Of Water Service Problems

SALISBURY -- With recent emergencies like Hurricane Sandy grabbing attention, Salisbury Public Works Director Teresa Gardner briefed the council this week on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Emergency Services to provide water services to areas of Wicomico County during “catastrophic” events. According to Gardner, one of the biggest issues following an emergency situation is providing water services to all residents. Should water be disrupted in...READ MORE

Viable Sea Turtle Nest Discovered

BERLIN – On Friday, Oct. 26, before the onset of high winds and waves from Hurricane Sandy, biological technicians and staff from the Marine Animal Rescue at the National Aquarium in Baltimore excavated a loggerhead sea turtle nest on the north end of Assateague Island National Seashore (AINS). The nest contained two live hatchlings and 160 potentially viable eggs.
When sea turtle hatchlings emerge from the nest, they look for residual light in the night sky reflecting off the ocean....READ MORE

Town Officials, Farmers Market Vendors Ink ‘Good Agreements’

BERLIN -- Town leadership and vendors appear to have mended any fences that may have broken last month when the Mayor and Council requested a re-location of the Berlin Farmers Market. Following their confrontation in October, both groups have been working together to develop a new, agricultural-based town event as well as form a nine-member Advisory Board composed of vendors, town officials and business and community representatives. “I think that we’ve come to some really good...READ MORE

Repairs Underway On Assateague’s Fed Side

BERLIN – Slowly but surely, the Assateague Island National Seashore is licking the wounds caused by Hurricane Sandy, but some will take more time to heal than others. According to a press release from the federal side of the island, the cycling and pedestrian bridge on the Verrazano Bridge sustained significant damage. On the island side, part of the path has been completely washed out. Pedestrians and bicycles are consequently prohibited until further notice. Additionally, officials say...READ MORE

Ocean City Voters Support Dare, Knight, Mitrecic, Cymek

OCEAN CITY – Tuesday’s Ocean City’s Municipal Election results blew the last election’s voter turnout out of the water with the highest voter turnout seen in years as incumbents Mary Knight and Doug Cymek, along with former Council President Joe Mitrecic and former City Manager Dennis Dare, were elected to fill the four open council seats. Complete council election results were Dare, 1,952 votes; Knight, 1,853; Mitrecic, 1,778; Cymek, 1,680; incumbent Jim Hall, 929; Bob...READ MORE

Mayor Extends Unbeaten Streak In Ocean City Politics

OCEAN CITY – Mayor Rick Meehan cruised to re-election on Tuesday and is excited by how the voters structured the new City Council. For the first time as mayor, which he became in 2006, Meehan was opposed, this year by Nick Campagnoli. However, he succeeded to gain his post once again with 2,238 votes compared to Campagnoli’s 629 votes. “I am very appreciative of the fact that the citizens came out supported me in this election … it was great to see so many people come out...READ MORE

Heroin Dealing Bust

BERLIN -- Two local individuals were arrested on heroin distribution charges late last month after a months-long investigation into the trafficking of the narcotic in Worcester County. Over the last several months, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team and the Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit have been conducting several heroin distribution investigations in the north end of Worcester, specifically the Berlin and Ocean City areas. During the course of the investigations,...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Elizabeth C. Apple BERLIN -- Elizabeth C. Apple, “Betsey”, age 60, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Kensington, Md., she is survived by her parents, Malcom Washington Gray and Mary Church Gray of Providence, R.I. She is also survived by her husband, George Richard Apple, and children, John Malcolm Apple and his wife Joscelyn of Berlin, and Mary Megan Martin and her husband Jon of Manhattan, N.Y.; step daughters Chantal Gaasrud and her...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Every Saturday: Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m.-noon, Ocean City Airport. To benefit the Ocean City Aviation Association’s Huey Memorial Display restoration and continuous maintenance fund. For more information, 410-641-6888 or 410-213-2471. Every Sunday: Morning Worship 8 a.m. & 11 a.m., Traditional Worship; 9:30 a.m., Contemporary Worship; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A, 10301 Coastal Hwy., O.C. For more information, 410-524-7474. Open Monday-Saturday: Atlantic United Methodist...READ MORE

Who's Playing When And Where

19th hole bar & Grille, The 410-213-9204 Corner of Rte. 611 & Sunset Ave., West Ocean City Friday, Nov. 9: Chris Button, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10: Louis Wright, 6-10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11: Louis Wright, 10 a.m.-noon 28th Street Pit and Pub 410-289-2020 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Nov. 9: TBA 45th Street TapHouse Bar & Grille 443-664-2201 45th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Nov. 9: Scott Glorioso, 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10: DJ Ukulelee Every Thursday: Open Mic Night with...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 Distinguished 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

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 OCEAN CITY Sunset Island 67th St & The Bay Sat & Sun Condos, Townhomes, Single Family Homes Luxury Resort Living Terry Riley Vantage Resort Realty 443-880-0512 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Business Relocates BERLIN -- Eastern Shore Physical Therapy recently relocated to its new office at 314 Franklin Avenue, Suite 405, in Berlin‘s Medical Professional Complex. Eastern Shore Physical Therapy provides one-on-one care to each and every patient. Staff completes a thorough evaluation and then develops specific goals to meet the patient’s needs. The personal manual therapy approach is why Eastern Shore Physical Therapy has such a high patient satisfaction. Offerings include...READ MORE

Pocomoke, Snow Hill And Stephen Decatur Join Forces For Peer Leadership Training

Worcester County High School students from Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Stephen Decatur joined forces for peer leadership training at Delaware’s Camp Arrowhead this October. The purpose of the two day retreat was to provide members of Students Against Destructive Decisions with multiple strategies to strengthen their leadership skills in modeling good decision-making. The peer leadership training was made possible through a Worcester County Health Department grant. Teachers Penny Butler, Paul...READ MORE

OC Elementary School Honors October Students Of The Month

Ocean City Elementary School honored the October Students on the Month with a luncheon sponsored by Interior Electronics. The students also received a special T-shirt and pencil. Pictured, first row from left, are first grade honorees Dane VanDornick, Hannah Hammel-Naylor, Amanda Berry, Haley Whitehead, Peyton Marohi and Olivia Ambrose; second row, second graders Logan Intrieri, Brooks Kendall, Riley Moyer, Parker Savage and Willa Novelli; third row, third graders Grace Williams, Linkin...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Work On Book Reports

Students in Monica Piern's second grade class at Ocean City Elementary School enjoyed working on a book report this month to describe the character traits of the main character in the book they read. Pictured with a model/drawing of their character are Keeley Catrino and Jessica Beck.  ...READ MORE

Tobacco Industry Magnate Visits Pocomoke High As Part Of Red Ribbon Week

As part of Worcester County Public Schools' Red Ribbon Week Celebration, Patrick Reynolds, grandson of RJ Reynolds, tobacco industry magnate, visited Pocomoke High School and Stephen Decatur High School to speak to students about the dangers of smoking and smokeless tobacco. All ninth grade students were in attendance as well as members of the Students Against Destructive Decisions groups. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

A Surprising Opportunity In Europe For Some Investors

OCEAN CITY -- In today's low interest-rate environment, the search for higher-quality, higher-yield fixed income can sometimes seem like a fantasy. While low-risk standbys such as 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds and 10-year German bunds offer principal protection at their current yields of 1.8% and 1.5%, respectively, barely beat current inflation. Recently, bonds issued by some European countries offer more attractive yields, but considering the serious economic problems the Eurozone continues to...READ MORE

Kiwanis Club Of Greater OP-OC Sell Hot Dogs At Annual Winter Wonderland Craft Fair

On Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Ocean Pines Community Center at the Annual Winter Wonderland Craft Fair, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City "Dog Team" once again turned out for a local event to sell hot dogs, BBQ and snacks to benefit their scholarship fund. Pictured are Pat Winkelmayer, seated, and, from left, Stella Hartington, President Barb Peletier, Past President Dan Peletier, Ed Aurand and Ralph Chinn. ...READ MORE

Members Of The Mongolian Delegation Visit The USA For A Political Campaign Study Tour

Team leader Baagii Shagdar is shown with six other members of the Mongolian delegation visiting the USA for a Political Campaign Study Tour. Shown are guests and Board members of the Republican Women of Worcester County who hosted a luncheon and forum on “The Conduct and Administration of Elections” on Oct. 23 at the GOP headquarters in West Ocean City. Photo by Ted Page...READ MORE

Salvation Army Awards 2011 Bell Ringing At 2012 Campaign Kick-Off

At this month’s Salvation Army 2012 Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off Celebration breakfast, awards were given for the 2011 bell ringing. Once again, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City club won the first place volunteer hours award for civic group bell ringing, having put in 219 volunteer hours. Pictured, from left, are Maryland State Senator Jim Mathias, Kiwanis Club President Barbara Peletier holding the award given to the local Kiwanis Club and President-Elect...READ MORE

Bank Of OC Employees Support Comunity Outreach Fund

Bank of Ocean City employees get to dress casual twice a month on Fridays to support the employees’ community outreach fund and help local initiatives. The employees get to dress casual by donating $5 to the fund and the money is donated to the chosen nonprofit, such as last month’s Atlantic United Methodist Church’s effort to provide children who receive free and reduced lunches at school with food on the weekends. Pictured, from left, are Jason Parker, member of the Bank of...READ MORE

AGH Junior Auxilliary Donates To Community Education Department At AGH

Atlantic General Hospital’s Junior Auxiliary Group donated $5,000 to the community education department at Atlantic General Hospital. The donation makes events such as Patrick Reynolds’ visit to Worcester County Schools possible. Reynolds shared his anti-smoking messages with school students. Pictured, from left, are Dawn Denton, community education manager at Atlantic General Hospital; Loretta Spinuzza, member of the AGH Junior Auxiliary Group; Rebecca Taylor, member of the AGH...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Your work requires increased effort during the next few days. But it all will pay off down the line. Things ease up in time for weekend fun with family and/or friends.TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your genuine concern for others could prompt you to promise more than you can deliver. It's best to modify your plans now, before you wind up overcommitted later.GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A situation that seems simple at first glance needs a more thorough assessment...READ MORE

Things I Like

Celebrating my kids’ birthdays Walking the beach on a cold day Watching election nights results come in Halloween in Berlin Interviews on 60 Minutes A store with a big electronics department That the election is behind us When a real person answers the phone Getting a back scratch Reading old newspapers Movies that end with a shocking twist ...READ MORE