The Ocean City Mayor and Council could soon deliberate on whether to support a room tax increase, which would then need to go through the Worcester County Commissioners and the Maryland General Assembly. This year is not the time for this consideration.There is too much instability within the economy and unknowns associated with visitor travel… Read more »
It was a pleasure to spend some time this week looking ahead to 2021. The following are some thoughts on what will make news over the next 12 months.•2021 will not include any governor-mandated stay-at-home orders in Maryland.•Masks in public places and outside when social distancing not possible will be required throughout 2021.•With production continuously… Read more »
It’s remarkable to consider how Christmas mornings have changed over the years.With our two boys, who are now 12 and 11 years old, there’s excitement but it certainly pales in comparison to how it once was in the house. There was no waking up at 5 in the morning to ensure we were up before… Read more »
There are two critical components to a free community newspaper – readers and advertisers. Without folks seeking to pick up the product each week and businesses supporting it through their marketing dollars, The Dispatch would not exist.No year in our history, dating back to 1984, was more trying than 2020 for a variety of factors,… Read more »
When gratitude is sincereWatching a snowy football game in my homeThe burnt ends at Annabelle’sRealistic New Year’s resolutionsGiving giftsReceiving giftsPacking shorts for a vacationWhen numbers confirm an opinionFacebook birthday wishes from old friendsWhen locals open a new businessLong weekends off this time of year
We can officially look beyond 2020 next week, and there are a few reasons for optimism to start 2021.It’s customary to start a new year with hope and cheer for what lies ahead. Perhaps no year will start with higher expectations than 2021 because this year was one of unprecedented struggle and angst for a… Read more »
It’s that time of year to review the predictions I made in this space one year ago for 2020. As usual, some I nailed while others missed the mark entirely. Next week’s column will look ahead to 2021.•ON THE MARK•The Maryland General Assembly did approve tougher enhancements to the special event zone for Ocean City…. Read more »
It took a terrible fall on a skate ramp to bring it back, but I got to see my 12-year-old boy’s vulnerability again.While tough to handle at times, the oldest kid in the home is clearly distancing himself from his parents. We remain engaged as possible with him, but Beckett is shutting us out of… Read more »
Admiring a completed project with a drink in handStraight talk without spinFeeling hopeful seeing people get the COVID vaccinationSeeing my kid overcome a fearGood news from an unknown phone numberA street with a lot of decorated housesNo jacket required days in DecemberWhen my memory serves me rightCharitable teenagersClosure when it’s neededThe morning after a big… Read more »
SNOW HILL — The second of five individuals arrested in connection with a stabbing incident on the Boardwalk in June pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to 10 years in jail, all but six of which were then suspended.On June 9 between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., Ocean City Police Department… Read more »