The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of the Harrison Group’s new Starbucks on 16th Street last week with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Pictured, front from left, are Ruth Waters, Harrison Group Sales Director; Mary Knight, OC Council Secretary; Melanie Pursel, OC Chamber Executive Director; Brett Wolf, OC Chamber President; Matt Parsons, Starbucks Business Development Manager; Mark Mayers, Harrison Group Restaurant Division Director; Hale Harrison, owner; and Mary Beth Carozza, District 38C Delegate; and, back, Matt James and Wayne Hartman, OC Council members; G. Hale Harrison, owner; John Harrison, owner; Jim Mathias, State Senator; and Don Buchanan, Starbucks District Manager of Licensed Stores. Submitted Photos
Patty Jean’s Boutique on Broad Street in Berlin celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month. Above owner Megan Cosman is pictured with Mayor Gee Williams, Berlin Chamber of Commerce representatives and other supporters. She named the boutique after her mother, Patty Jean O’Toole. Photo by Jeanette Deskiewicz
Contractor Awarded
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has announced that Delmarva Veteran Builders has been named as a recipient of the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest honor the department gives to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees. Fifteen employers were selected for the 2016 award.
“These 15 employers have distinguished themselves through their outstanding support of our Guard and Reserve members and their families,” said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. “Without the unfaltering support of employers like them, the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve would not be able to fulfill their vital roles in our National Security Strategy. It is a great honor for me to recognize these employers, and I congratulate them on their receipt of the Employer Support Freedom Award.”
Top Agents Named
OCEAN PINES — The Ocean Pines Office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed
Realty has named it top agents for the month of June.
Recognized were John Talbott for highest volume of new contracts; The Sharyn O’Hare Team for most closed volume; and John Talbott for highest volume of new listings.
“Our agents were busy getting properties listed and sold this month. We are starting to see properties being listed and sold in the same month when using an aggressive pricing and marketing strategy,” said Branch Manager Sharon Curtiss.
Coordinator Appointed
BERLIN — Linda Corrigan, coordinator of the Cancer Registry Program at the Regional Care Cancer Center in Berlin, has been installed as the president of the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) at its Annual Educational Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 13.
NCRA is a non-profit organization that represents more than 5,800 cancer registry professionals. Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The data provide essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. In her role as president, Corrigan will represent the organization at regional and national meetings and support its mission to promote education, credentialing, and advocacy for cancer registry professionals.
Corrigan has a well-established career in cancer registry management and earned her Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential in 1996. She is currently the Cancer Registry Program Coordinator and Lung Screening Coordinator at Regional Cancer Care Center in Berlin.
Monthly Market Report
BERLIN — The number of homes sold rose in a number of areas in Maryland’s Eastern Shore region in May, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute reports. The Eastern Shore market includes Worcester, Wicomico, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Caroline counties.
The Long & Foster Market Minute reports are based on data provided by Metropolitan Regional Information System and Coastal Association of Realtors and their member associations of Realtors and include residential real estate transactions within specific geographic regions, not just Long & Foster sales.
The number of homes sold increased in many parts of the Eastern Shore real estate market in May. Queen Anne’s County experienced a 28 percent jump in the number of homes sold, while Dorchester County saw a 23 percent increase from the previous year. Caroline County experienced an increase of 17 percent and in Wicomico County the number of homes sold rose by 1 percent. Worcester and Talbot counties experienced declines of 1 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
Median sale prices varied in the Eastern Shore region in May, with Dorchester County seeing a 28 percent increase and Caroline County seeing a 23 percent increase compared to the same month last year. In Wicomico County, the median sale price rose by 7 percent and Worcester County experienced no change from the previous year. The median sale price in Queen Anne’s County fell by 3 percent, and in Talbot County it declined by 11 percent.
Inventory decreased throughout the Eastern Shore region when compared to year-ago levels, according to May data. Queen Anne’s County experienced the largest drop at 27 percent, followed by Caroline County at 18 percent. Both Wicomico and Worcester counties saw active inventory decease by 16 percent and it fell by 10 percent in Dorchester County. Talbot County saw active inventory decline by 7 percent.
Within the region, homes are selling in three to five months on average, according to May data.