OCHMRA Marks Anniversary

OCEAN CITY — On Thursday, April 14, Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) Past President and Empress Motel owner Susan Cropper installed the 2011-2012 Officers and Board of Directors of the OCHMRA at the Princess Royale Resort Hotel.

More than 200 members gathered for this annual ceremony which was also a celebration of the Association’s 40th Anniversary.

Founded in 1971, the OCHMRA is a tourism advocate and the voice of industry. Executive Director Susan Jones led the attendees through the memories and milestones looking back at the association’s history. During the early years, Ocean Mecca Motel owner Kathleen Harman urged business owners to join the association for $25 membership fees stating, “much can be done to benefit the town and businesses through the strength generated by one group.” Forty years later, that message still rings true as the association continues to assist the hospitality businesses and the town in marketing the resort.

Special recognition was given to the recently retired, OCHMRA Past President Paul Wall of Phillips Seafood Restaurants. In the early 70’s, he brought Restaurant Association of Maryland’s Tish Carter to the OCHMRA to help create a tradeshow. He was the organizing force for many years behind the long-standing Expo, which is now one of the region’s largest.

During the meeting, Mary Eastman, owner of Cayman Suites, was installed as president; Travis Wright, owner of The Shark on the Harbor, was installed as 1st Vice President; and Chris Trimper of Trimper’s Amusements was installed as 2nd vice president. Shawn Harman, owner of Fish Tales, reaffirmed his term as the secretary-treasurer.

The three-year Board of Directors installed include Doug Buxbaum, owner of Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon; Dave Robinson of Boardwalk Hotel Group; and Caryl Cardenas, owner of Park Place Hotel. Two-year directors include G. Hale Harrison of Harrison Group Hotels and Restaurants; Bob Torrey, owner of Happy Jack Pancake House; and Patrick Staib of Grand Hotel. One-Year directors include Mark Elman of The Clarion Fontainebleau Hotel; John Lynch, owner of Commander Hotel; and Tammy Patrick-Cebula, owner of Galaxy 66 Bar & Grille.  

Outgoing President Malcolm VanKirk, co-owner of Sea Bay and Best Western Suites Hotels, was presented with a plaque in appreciation for all his hard work and dedication as OCHMRA president.

Service Recognized

OCEAN PINES — Marlene Ott of Re/Max Premier Properties in Ocean Pines was recently recognized for 30 years of service with Re/Max.  

Ott’s specialties include senior real estate and residential sales in the Berlin, Ocean Pines and surrounding areas.

New AGH Staff Member

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital recently appointed John D’Ambrosio, M.D., who will be working as an eCare Telemedicine Provider at Atlantic General Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine and emergency medicine.   

Realtor Changes Affiliation

BERLIN — Dr.Carl Ortman, Broker of Record for Re/Max Premier Properties, has announced that Edie Brennan has joined as an associate broker at the Ocean Pines office on Route 589.

Licensed for 35 years, she is a past president of the Coastal Association of Realtors, a past Realtor of the Year, and has received hundreds of sales accolades including being inducted into the Re/Max Hall of Fame in 1988. She has chaired the professional standards and grievance committees for the Coastal Association. She is also the only woman to have served two consecutive terms as president of the Women’s Council of Realtors. She was the first woman in Ocean City to receive the Certified Residential Specialist designation.  

Chamber Work Underway

BERLIN – The Berlin Chamber of Commerce has selected Lifestyle Builders to do the renovations on its new building at 14 S. Main St. The chamber expects to move by June 1 into the new location, which will also be home to the town Visitors and Heritage Centers.

The rear of the building will house artist studios where local artists may lease space, allowing local area artists affordable space within the borders of the town’s Arts and Entertainment District, which provides special tax benefits to artists.

The artist studio will be named The Artists Studio at the Old Post Office, keeping in mind the historical significance of the building, which was originally built by the U.S. government in the 1950s as the Berlin Post Office. The chamber is now accepting applications from artists who would like to lease studio space, artists who are interested can contact the Chamber for more information.

The chamber was able to obtain the building through the Town of Berlin with grants from the Humphrys Foundation and the state. The chamber will begin a capital campaign later this year to help pay off the remaining mortgage and renovation costs.

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to have a permanent home for the Chamber,” said Berlin Chamber President Tanja Giles. “It is a bonus that this project will also allow us to bring together the business, art and historical communities while enhancing our retail district for visitors to our town”, added Giles.