The C3 Presents-produced music festival and its two others upend Ocean City’s standard business model with huge well-behaved crowds. — PAGE 3
This weekend’s concert series steps up to deliver one-two punch for music’s fans and local businesses. — PAGE 14
Furnace Town fully recovered after vandals did $100,000 in damage four years ago. — PAGE 50
Event brings crowds, big business to town for third year, resort officials report
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) While rain put a damper on Saturday’s festivities, officials say this year’s Oceans Calling Festival proved to be just as successful as in years past.
According to Mayor Rick Meehan, tickets were sold out well before the first performer took to the stage last Friday for the third annual Oceans Calling Festival. And despite a soggy Saturday, officials say it did not stop an estimated 55,000 people from taking in the weekend’s entertainment.
“The event was a tremendous success,” Ocean City Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo said Monday, just hours after the last performance concluded in this year’s festival. “Although [there
was] one day of rain, it didn’t stop the music. Our promoter did a terrific job along with all of our city services.”
After a dry, mild Friday, rain moved through the area Saturday and continued through the evening hours, leaving attendees soaked as they made their way around the festival footprint on day two. However, drier conditions prevailed for the remainder of Oceans Calling, and no major issues were reported throughout the weekend, officials said.
Officials and attendees also pointed out several improvements to this year’s festival site, including additional walking paths, seating areas, restroom locations and entry points.
Perlozzo said the promoter’s improvements provided a better guest experience.
“As always, with an event of this size there’s a learning curve,” he said.
“Changes inside the venue this year added additional space for viewing
See TRANSPORTATION Page 6
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areas that improved flow from stage to stage and patron overall experiences.”
Transportation system sees improvements
Outside of the festival footprint, the transportation system operated smoothly throughout the weekend, according to City Manager Terry McGean. However, he said the buses did encounter a delay as attendees were leaving the festival grounds at the conclusion of day one.
“We had a bit of delay Friday night due to congestion downtown holding up buses, but we were still clear by a little after midnight, and Saturday and Sunday we were clear by 11:45,” he said. “As usual the promoter did a terrific job and the crowds were amazing.”
Ocean City Transportation Manager Rob Shearman said he was pleased with his department’s performance this past weekend. He said preliminary numbers show the department completed roughly 25,400 trips on Friday, 26,600 trips on Saturday and 24,400 trips on Sunday.
“For every festival so far, we have contracted with a bus company to provide service to the West OC Park and Ride. They did their usual outstanding job,” he said. “On top of that, for the third festival in a row, the promoters arranged for additional buses to assist us with the northbound return trips starting at 8 p.m. each night. That arrangement seems to be working better and better each time.”
However, Shearman said the key improvement appeared to be the transportation department’s own staff
levels. He said staffing this summer was the best it had been since COVID, and that carried over into Oceans Calling weekend.
“We consistently had about 10 more city buses on the road all weekend as compared with last year,” he said.
Shearman also praised the crowds that came out to Oceans Calling.
“The crowds for these shows remain amazing in terms of bringing patience and positive attitudes – and so has my team, who has continued to step up and show me their best,” he said. “Our drivers continually impress me with their level of overall situational awareness and ability to anticipate our supervisors’ needs. And the teams behind the scenes, working in our bus yard and our dispatch offices, really deserve more credit than they
ever get for their tireless work all weekend to keep our buses roadworthy and ready to go.”
As for the crowd’s behavior, Ocean City Police Department Deputy Communications Manager Ashley Miller said Oceans Calling “proved to be a safe and enjoyable weekend for all who attended.” She said only a small number of arrests were made between Friday and Saturday in or near the festival grounds.
“Transportation has remained a top priority over the past few festivals, and this year we were pleased to keep traffic flowing smoothly during the evening hours,” she added. “While some post-concert congestion is always expected, we did not encounter any major incidents or concerns as we prepare for Country Calling next weekend.”
Miller also recognized the festival staffers and the team at C3 Presents, who worked alongside the Ocean City Police Department to make the weekend a success.
Group joins growing
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Oct. 3, 2025) Reactions to recent political events have reached Worcester County, where students at Stephen Decatur High School have kick-started a conservative thoughtbased group.
According to an Instagram post from last month, some SDHS students have conducted their first meeting of a new chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a club that, according to its website, aims to promote conservative values through
activities, campaigns and open dialogue.
The social media picture, which shows around seven members at a Panera Bread, was posted by the mother of two boys who started the group. The parent did not respond to a request for comment.
Turning Point USA was the brainchild of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative and debater who was shot and killed on Sept. 10 during a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was conversing with an attendee as part of his “Prove me Wrong” segment when the assassination took place.
The murder has been labeled as an act of political violence, sparking
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“Despite a mix of sunny and rainy weather, fans showed remarkable enthusiasm and resilience, enjoying the music, food, and local boardwalk businesses throughout the weekend,” she said.
Restaurateurs report steady business
As was the case the last two years, several businesses in and around the festival grounds – which spanned from North Division Street to the Inlet – reported strong sales throughout the weekend. Shenanigan’s owner Greg Shockley said the C3 Presents festivals are changing the way merchants and restaurateurs view their season.
“The Fourth of July used to be a big deal for us. And during the fall, Sunfest was a big weekend,” he explained. “Now these concerts – with the advent of the one in May and the two Callings festivals in the fall – they have become the capstones of the season.”
With the exception of St. Patrick’s weekend, Shockley said the C3 Presents festivals are now the biggest weekends of the year for Shenanigan’s. He said the weekends are made better by the type of crowd the festivals attract.
At Bull on the Beach, Manager Brad Wells said his team had learned from last year’s event and had changed their menu to ensure patrons did not have to wait. He said that while sales were up 28% on Friday, they were down on both Saturday and Sunday.
“We started off great on Friday …,” he said in an interview Monday. “Then the rain came in on Saturday and blew all that out of the water. Even yesterday (Sunday), the weather didn’t start off that great.”
However, Wells said he learned to adjust and even started selling ponchos on Saturday to offset the loss in income. Overall, he said the weekend went well, despite business being just shy of where he wanted it to be this year.
“We’re really starting to like the crowds that come to these festivals,” he added. “We could do this every weekend.”
Susan Jones, executive director of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, said the C3 Presents festivals boost the city’s hospitality industry and “give people a reason to visit and explore our area.” Anecdotally, she said the city appeared busy throughout Oceans Calling weekend.
“The concert draws a great crowd, a very happy bunch of people,” he said. “We find they live up to O.A.R.’s mantra on stage – be happy and have a good time.”
Continued from Page 10
outrage and furthering the tumultuous tension on both sides of the aisle. The incident has also led to an increased interest in Kirk’s organization. According to a Sept. 18 report by Fortune, TPUSA has received approximately 60,000 inquiries for new chapters for high school and college campuses.
One of these branches has made its way to Worcester County, where high school students have become involved, starting a non-schoolsanctioned club to promote their right-leaning beliefs.
The news of an SDHS TPUSA chapter has initiated a passionate response from the community on social media, particularly in regard to a post by Worcester County Board of Education member Katie Addis, who, after being reached out to by a parent of the group asking if any staff member could advise the club, took to Facebook to seek an interested teacher publicly.
However, despite allegations that it was Addis who initiated the group’s formation, the board member maintained that she takes no credit for getting the club off the ground. She said that she simply commented at a board meeting after Kirk’s passing, urging students to “keep Kirk’s legacy alive.” She adds
that the group of students had submitted an application to the TPUSA chapter even before Kirk’s assassination.
“Less than a week later, I saw a post on Facebook saying the TPUSA high school chapter at Decatur was official, and the first meeting was a success,” she said. “... At no point did the actual members reach out to me for assistance.”
Addis said that she let the parent who had reached out to her know that she would see what she could do to get an advisor.
“I then took to my personal Facebook page, asking publicly for any willing and able teachers to consider being an advisor for this group,” she noted. “A teacher was confirmed two days later. This is the extent of the involvement I’ve had with this group.”
Addis’ social media post from last month seeking a faculty member to oversee the club reads, “I’m excited to reach out and discover if anyone knows any teachers at Stephen Decatur High School who would be passionate about being an advisor to a newly established TPUSA high school chapter. The students are eager to launch initiatives and host local events, and with the right advisor, they’ll be empowered to make a meaningful impact. If you know
someone who would be an ideal fit, please don’t hesitate to connect us. Together, we can inspire positive change and nurture the next generation of leaders.”
Decatur’s TPUSA chapter is not school-sanctioned, officials say. However, if it meets specific criteria, the club would be allowed to meet on school property during Out-OfSchool-Time (OST).
This criterion, as outlined by Worcester County Public Schools’ protocol for student-led organizations that meet during OST, reads, “to ensure consistency, transparency, and alignment with federal and state guidelines, all religious or political clubs within Worcester County Public Schools’ OST program must operate under [certain] principles.”
For instance, according to Carrie Sterrs, WCPS’s coordinator for public relations and special programs, “requests to form the clubs must come from interested students, not outside organizations or adults,” and “the purpose and activities of the club should reflect the students’ genuine interests.”
The organization must also be student-led. Meaning, gatherings are to be directed by students, and outside adults may only provide occasional support as guests. Adults
cannot lead or run the club.
Sterrs cited the school system’s criteria for OST clubs further, explaining that “each club must have a WCPS staff member who serves as the school-based advisor,” and that “the advisor’s role is supervisory, ensuring compliance with school policies and maintaining a safe environment.” Advisors are also not to lead religious or political activities. However, they should be present to support and oversee. Parent permission slips that outline the nature, activities, and purpose of the club must be signed.
Sterrs said that regarding the TPUSA organization at Decatur, “should the chapter meet the criteria above, it would be allowed to meet on school property during OST.”
Sterrs noted that she is aware of a staff member who has expressed an interest in acting as the group’s advisor. The name of that faculty member has not been made public.
Turning Point USA has over 1,000 chapters on high school campuses across the nation. The organization’s website says that, “TPUSA High School is energizing a new generation of pro-America patriots.”
Sterrs added that to operate, even as a club that meets on school property during OST, the organization requires a high school chapter charter.
The Country Calling Festival includes three stages situated between the ocean and the Boardwalk.
Performers include Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) Following a successful inaugural event last year, this weekend’s Country Calling Festival will return to Ocean City for three days of entertainment at the southern end of the beach and Boardwalk.
The second annual Country Calling Festival kicks off Friday, Oct. 3, and will continue through Sunday, Oct. 5, in downtown Ocean City. This year’s headline acts include Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan and Luke Combs.
“Over 25 artists will take the stage, two set right on the sandy beach and one along the Boardwalk, serving up non-stop country energy all weekend long,” a message reads. “From bootscootin’ anthems to heartstring-tugging ballads, this is a weekend made for making memories with friends and family.”
This weekend, performers will grace three stages of the Country Calling Festival.
In addition to Carrie Underwood and Brooks & Dunn, Friday’s concert lineup will include Jon Pardi, Tyler Hubbard, Tucker Wetmore, Chase Rice, Leann Rimes, Avery Anna, John Morgan, Drew Baldridge, Timmy McKeever, Luke Borchelt and Cale Tyson.
On Saturday, the festival will continue with performances by Luke Bryan, Zach Top, Jordan Davis, Treaty Oak Revival, Flatland Cavalry, Wynonna Judd, Gretchen Wilson, LOCASH, Ingrid Andress, The Band Perry, Jimmy Charles, Jack Van Cleaf and Colton Bowlin.
Festivities will conclude Sunday, with performances from Luke Combs, Koe Wetzel, Ryan Bingham & the Texas Gentlemen, Gary Allan, Gavin Adcock, Gabby Barrett, Stephen Wilson Jr., Chase Matthew, Margo Price, The Castellows, Colby Acuff, Laci Kaye Booth, and Thelma & James.
Similar to the Oceans Calling Festival of last weekend, Country Calling Festival will have three stages within the same footprint, as well as additional entrance locations and improved walkways.
Festivalgoers also will have access to the Ocean City Boardwalk and its businesses, including restaurants, bars and variety shops, as well as the Jolly Roger at the Pier Amusement Park, included with the purchase of a Country Calling Festival ticket.
As was the case with previous festivals, the promoter is encouraging festivalgoers to walk, bike or take public transportation to the festival site.
For those who are driving, parking
will be available at the West Ocean City Park and Ride, the Ocean City convention center, and the 100th Street municipal lot. The West Ocean City Shuttle will run to and from the Park and Ride, while the Ocean City Beach Bus will offer a reduced-stop express service. The northbound Beach Bus will pick up passengers on Baltimore Avenue between Wicomico and Talbot streets when leaving the festival.
Residents and festivalgoers can also expect road closures and changes to traffic patterns throughout the festival weekend. Southbound St. Louis Avenue will be restricted to emergency vehicles, residents and employees of downtown businesses.
From the Route 50 bridge, the south turn lane of Philadelphia Avenue will also be restricted to emergency vehicles, mass transit and downtown residents. Traffic will be diverted onto North Division Street and then to northbound Baltimore Avenue, where only the left lane will be open for travel.
The city reports the southern end of the Boardwalk will reopen to the public by 6 a.m. Oct. 6. The beach will open in stages as areas are cleaned and deemed safe for public use, which will occur on or before Oct. 9.
For more information, visit www.countrycallingfestival.com.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) The Town of Ocean City will follow up on a request that will allow the county to use additional capacity at the city’s wastewater plant and to decommission failing treatment facilities in the Assateague Point and Landings communities.
In a unanimous vote, the Ocean City Council on Tuesday agreed to have the city attorney draft an amendment to the city’s sewerage agreement with Worcester County and increase its allocated capacity to West Ocean City by 170,000 gallons per day.
That increase, officials say, will be restricted to serving the communities of Assateague Point and the Landings, which are currently experiencing wastewater treatment issues.
“This is primarily to take two of our service areas offline,” Weston Young, Worcester County’s chief administrative officer, told the council this week.
Last month, the Worcester County Commissioners directed staff to meet with the City Council and ask to purchase enough treatment capacity at the resort’s midtown treatment plant to handle flow from the two wastewater service areas.
In his presentation this week, Young delved into the issues that resulted in the county’s request to Ocean City. At Assateague Point, a mostly seasonal community, Young said the burden of large capital expenses are placed on fewer ratepayers, causing the county government to get involved and spread out costs over several years. At The Landings, Young said disposal issues have crippled the system.
“It was designed with the use of injection wells, so it would put treated effluent into the groundwater table, and those injection wells can do about a third of what it was designed to do,” he explained. “So, as these areas have built out, we’ve realized we have disposal issues there, and then that is then being treated at Mystic Harbour right now.”
The county’s request, Young said, is to pay for capacity at the city’s treatment plant to cover the two existing service areas in West Ocean City. He said those areas were mostly built out, and mostly residential.
“I will say The Landings includes a recent expansion, working with USDA, on Lewis Road,” he added. “That area has a bunch of failing septics and even on the vacant parcels they simply have what we view as one EDU, so the equivalence of a single-family home. There doesn’t exist so much capacity that a large commercial project of any sort could be built out there.”
However, City Manager Terry McGean said the county’s request re-
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Lakeside clubhouse with shaded verandas and game room
Resort-style pool with lazy river, splash pad, and bath house
Tennis and pickleball courts
Fitness center with yoga room
Fishing pier
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quires an amendment to the Sewerage Treatment Facilities Transfer Agreement, which was enacted in 1994, when the city took ownership of the Ocean City wastewater system from Worcester County.
That agreement set aside 1 million gallons per day – or about a twelfth of the city’s capacity at the time – to be transmitted from West Ocean City to the city’s treatment plant through an existing force main that runs underneath the Isle of Wight Bay. Now, officials are proposing to amend that agreement and increase capacity by 170,000 gallons per day – 100,000 gallons to serve The Landings and 70,000 gallons to serve Assateague Point.
McGean also told council members this week the county had the opportunity to increase its capacity allotment in 2000, when the city increased its own plant capacity from 12 million gallons per day to 14 million gallons per day. Provided they pay one-twelfth of the cost – $433,000 at the time – they could maintain one-twelfth of the capacity. The county chose not to do so.
“I believe what the county is here for this afternoon is to make that request now for the council’s consideration,” he said. “I will tell you that per the agreement, there was a time limit on when the council could approve
that, and that time limit has passed. So if the council wants to move forward with granting this request, the agreement would have to be amended, which would have to occur by ordinance.”
When asked for his opinion on the request, Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins said he was “on board” with the county’s plans. He noted that this past summer, the city’s peak day of July 5 recorded a flow of 11.5 million gallons. An average day in June is 8 million gallons, while an average day in July is 9.7 million and an average day in August is 8.9 gallons.
“With all due respect to Weston, it’s a drop in the bucket,” he said.
Adkins noted that even with the county’s request, there would still be enough capacity to meet the needs of future development and redevelopment.
With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to draft an ordinance amending the city’s sewerage agreement and increase the allocated capacity to West Ocean City by 170,000 gallons per day. The increase would be restricted to serving Assateague Point and The Landings.
As part of the amendment, Worcester County will be required to pay the city $780,386, which is about onetwelfth of the cost of the 2000 plant expansion, adjusted for inflation.
Since we made the decision to livehere, we have not regretted it onebit. We have met many terrific new people since moving here and look forward to engaging more withour community.
-MARK & RUSS
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 3, 2025) The Eastern Shore’s congressman said he believes the Trump White House likely will be working to halt a proposed wind farm off the coast of Ocean City after reevaluating its permits.
Federal officials came to Ocean City last week for a rare face-to-face meeting with local leaders and commercial watermen to discuss long-running concerns about the proposed US Wind offshore project.
Congressman Andy Harris (R-1st) hosted the meeting at Sunset Grille in West Ocean City, where a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration met with stakeholders.
Harris in an interview afterwards said the gathering gave watermen a
rare chance to speak directly with NOAA scientists about the potential impact of offshore wind turbines on fisheries.
“I think they were very happy to hear that the officials from NOAA were cognizant of their concerns, and I think the officials who were there agreed with them that the offshore wind project likely would do permanent damage to the commercial fishery,” he said.
The latest twist in the years-long saga of offshore wind is happening in federal court: Ocean City and several other plaintiffs are suing the federal government’s oversight agency, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, to slow or halt the development of a 114-turbine wind farm. It’s planned for a lease area for developer US Wind that starts about 10 miles offshore and extends several miles be-
yond that.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Interior filed a brief in the case on Sept. 12 to say that project approval under the Biden administration wasn’t “properly informed” by an array of environmental concerns, and the Trump administration now plans to review it.
The filing also said the agency would welcome a judge’s remand of the case but stopped short of asking for it to be vacated directly.
Harris said that, under the Biden administration, “BOEM appears to have had its own agenda of approving offshore wind without regard to the many concerns raised” by NOAA scientists.
The congressman added that, should a judge remand US Wind’s permit back to BOEM, “then the whole
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Continued from Page 20
process of evaluation is going to be reopened. I think this time the government agencies are going to do their due diligence – they’re not going to have an outcome of approving these offshore projects. And I think they’ll come to a very different conclusion.”
Harris was joined by state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, Del. Wayne Hartman, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, City Manager Terry McGean, and Worcester County Commissioner Ted Elder, among others. NOAA’s representative was Erik Noble, the principal deputy assistant secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.
Representatives from the fishing community also attended, including and Sonny and Jeanene Gwin, husband and wife co-founders of the Waterman’s Association of Worcester County. They formed the group specifically to join as co-plaintiffs for Ocean City’s lawsuit against wind power.
The Gwins did not return a request for comment at press time.
Topics discussed at the meeting included how marine life would be affected by driving wind turbine foundations into the ocean floor, and
other possible disruptions to the ocean ecosystem, including horseshoe crabs and Maryland blue crabs, according to Del. Hartman (R-38C, Worcester).
He also mentioned how watermen have been offered financial incentives by the wind industry.
“If the wind farm industry is willing to offer buyouts to these fishermen, it means they know they’ll have a detrimental impact. It means they know they’re being put out of business. They’re being offered money to go away – they don’t want to go away. They’re looking for a sustainable seafood supply for our country,” he said.
Carozza (R-38, Worcester) called the meeting “one of the most meaningful and productive, high-level government and partnership meetings that I’ve been part of in my public service.”
She said NOAA officials made it clear that the Trump administration is “extremely concerned about the fasttrack process used by the prior administration” to approve the offshore wind project, and that federal officials are now fully committed to supporting and protecting the state’s domestic fishing
See OFFICIALS Page 24
industry.
“These NOAA officials will conduct a scientific, data-driven comprehensive assessment, and that will be to the benefit of our fight to completely eliminate the offshore wind project off Maryland’s Coast and to protect our way of life for the future,” Carozza said.
Mayor Meehan said everyone at the table seemed to agree that “the negatives far outweigh what any perceived advantages would be to build this project.” He said the city would like to see the federal government vacate lease agreements with wind developers to halt the project.
“We’re very committed to following this through all the way,” he said. “It’s not just this project. We don’t want to win the battle but lose the war. We’ve invested eight years in this now and we want to make sure we follow it through to the end.
Added Meehan: “You gotta stay in there. You gotta fight. You gotta defend yourself. If you’re complacent or stand on the sidelines you’re going to lose and that’s not something we can afford
do.”
100% of cover charges & donations go to John H. “Jack” Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center & Tidal Health Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 3, 2025) Seaside Christian Academy has about 100 days to raise $2.5 million for a new athletic center, or the school could lose out on a donor’s $1 million pledge.
The West Ocean City parochial school is up against a Dec. 31 deadline to break ground on a 26,000-squarefoot facility that includes not only a gymnasium with a full NCAA-size basketball court, but new classrooms and a performing arts stage.
Donors Steve and Alice Zentz, a local couple who are members of the school-affiliated Ocean City Baptist Church, previously had been anonymous donors to Seaside Christian. They added a deadline contingency to their $1 million gift to create momentum and urge others to donate to the project, according to school spokeswoman Kara Waggoner.
“They felt God led them, put a calling on their heart, to specifically help us build and support this project to further Christian education in the community,” said Waggoner, who’s a fundraising leader on the project. “They believe in us.”
For now, building permits have been filed, blueprints are drawn, and architectural renderings are complete. The school already owns land for the build on its 26-acre property behind West Ocean City’s retail outlets.
from the public, Seaside’s fundraising also includes a plan to auction off its water and wastewater access, municipal credits known as Equivalent Dwelling Units, or EDUs.
With an estimated 18-month construction timeline, school officials say they hope the future Seaside Athletic Center will be ready for students by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
They had planned to break ground over the summer when Seaside’s leaders got the sobering news from their builder: the project would end up costing $9.5 million, almost twice the school’s $5 million budget, thanks to tariffs and inflation.
When the church acquired land for the school via donation in 1999, the land came with its own EDUs, Waggoner said. Now, they hope to sell off 16 of the rare and valuable sewerage credits to raise a minimum of $800,000 toward the project. Bids are still being accepted, and the auction ends Monday, Oct. 6.
“We were 99.9% at the finish line,” Waggoner said. “I think it took us all by surprise. The prices skyrocketed within 18 months.”
They ended up going back to the project engineer to scale back where possible, and that took about $1 million off the cost. The project’s revised price tag now sits at $8.5 million. Should the donation pledge be fulfilled, then they’d be down to $7.5 million in costs.
One other notable donation comes from Sandra Spedden, a daughter of former Perdue Farms CEO Frank Perdue. She has given $75,0000 annually for the last two years and has pledged three more years of donations in that amount, according to Waggoner.
The Seaside Athletic Center won’t just be a new home for the school’s Fighting Marlins sports teams. With six new classrooms, including computer and science labs, the building will serve as a new home for upper school students in grades 9-12 – which is much needed, because the existing school is at capacity with 155 students enrolled.
With $1.5 million already in the bank, the school needs to raise another $2.5 million in order to secure a bank loan to finance the build, Waggoner said.
In addition to soliciting donations
“Even if people aren’t invested in faith-based education, it’s OK. We have something for everybody,” Waggoner said, urging the public to contribute. “We really need people to step up and support the mission.”
(Oct. 3, 2025) The Art League of Ocean City announces a new art show at the Ocean City Center for the Arts with the theme “Visionary Voyage.” Curated by Deborah Rolig of Berlin, Md., the exhibit is also the artist’s first solo show of her own work.
The public is invited to attend this free event on First Friday, Oct. 3, 5-7 p.m. at 502 94th St. bayside with refreshments sponsored by PKS Investments and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
Rolig’s show in the Thaler Gallery is a solo retrospective of art, soul, and evo-
lution, spanning decades of creative exploration. Her work defies categorization, moving fluidly from painting to assemblage to illustration, while revealing the inner pulse of a life devoted to art. Each piece in the exhibit is both a milestone and a mirror: evidence of technical discipline, emotional insight, and unflinching authenticity.
A focus of the show is a wall of small portraits Rolig created of 36 personas where she painted stylized faces of imagined people and gave them names and backstories. Rolig is asking guests to “Adopt a Friend” for $150. The artist
is donating a portion of the sale towards funding the monthly “heART & Soul” classes at the Arts Center, geared towards those dealing with stress, trauma, or grief using projects designed to focus on centering and healing.
In tandem with this retrospective, the Art League’s Sisson Galleria upstairs will host a companion exhibit featuring member artists responding to the theme of “Visionary Voyage.” These works in all media explore personal or creative departures, moments when artists stretched beyond expectation, comfort, or technique to reach some-
thing more instinctual. Rolig will judge the show, and the Art League will award cash prizes to the winners.
Rolig continues her presence in the Artisan Showcase for the month, teaming with her sister, Dee Grey, in a show and sale of their hand-crafted jewelry, inspired by vintage colors and themes.
In Studio E, Debbi Dean’s show is entitled “Nature’s Organic Palette: Interplay of Land, Sea & Sky,” and invites viewers to explore the intricate relationships among terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric elements through the lens of organic materials. Dean’s artwork is
crafted from wood, beachcombing finds, metal, and other found objects. “Through the thoughtful use of these materials, the exhibit emphasizes sustainability and the beauty found in nature’s remnants,” she said.
The Schwab Spotlight Gallery will host artwork by pastel painter Donna Finley. “The immediacy, vibrancy, and luminosity of soft pastels fulfill my instinctive need to permanently capture moments in time to emphasize their beauty,” she said. Finley creates representational still life and landscape paintings with the recurring themes of water and sunsets.
Aria Islam continues her exhibit in the Burbage Staircase Galley. Art League class instructors will be on hand with demonstrations and previews of upcoming learning events.
In the satellite galleries, Anabela Ferguson presents her artwork at the
Princess Royale, 9110 Coastal Hwy. Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, where her grandfather and grandmother were nationally-renowned artists, Ferguson is a third-generation impressionist artist. In 1979, she immigrated to the United States to Northern Virginia, where her creativity gave rise to acrylic and oil painting.
Gail Stern exhibits her artwork at the Coffee Beanery on 94th St. Stern began painting in retirement and loves the color and tactile use of pastels. “I work in a spontaneous and expressive way to show the beauty and color of a scene,” she said. “I am a lifelong birder and naturalist and hope to support our environment through my art.”
Exhibits at the Arts Center run through Nov. 1; satellite galleries through Dec. 27. More information is available at OCart.org or by calling 410524-9433.
(Oct. 3, 2025) The Pine’eer Craft Club is culminating its 50th anniversary with a special gift to the Ocean Pines community: a newly donated bench
Club President Sharon Puser says this donation is just one of many ways the club has given back to the community through the years. Installed next to the side entrance of the Artisan Gift Shop in White Horse Park, Puser adds that the bench has already become a popular spot for visitors, especially during the weekly Farmers Market.
Established in 1974, the Pine’eer Craft Club is known for creating handmade gifts, home décor, jewelry, and more. These items are sold at the Artisan Gift Shop, with proceeds donated back into the community. Since its inception, the club has contributed more than $196,000 to local initiatives, including the Ocean Pines Police and Fire departments, Recreation and Parks programs, Summer Concerts in the Park, the Veterans Memorial, and other community projects.
For more information on becoming a member, contact Program Chair Sherry Waskey at 919-291-6566.
Outstanding Sunsets from this beautifully maintained 4th floor bayside gem. Generous open concept kitchen/dining/living area with LVP flooring throughout, is flooded with light from southern & western balconies. A cozy corner gas fireplace brings warmth and ambience to the living area. Full kitchen appliances and washer & dryer for your convenience. Roomy Primary Suite has sweeping bay views, its own balcony access, large walk-in closets & sumptuous BA with jetted tub, walk-in shower & double vanities. 2 large guest BRs share a full BA. Insulated windows & screens. Under-building parking, elevator, private storage, shared pool & occasional marina or slip availability. Walking to the Boardwalk, beach, top restaurants, shopping, entertainment & all of Ocean City's attractions. This is a must-see unit! Don’t miss the opportunity to own this wonderful unit that makes you feel like you are on vacation year-round!
$579,900
•Elegant home on 17th hole Robert Trent Jones championship course
•Resurfaced hardwood floors, new LVP & custom window treatments
•Gourmet kitchen all-new appliances, Corian counters & breakfast bar
•Living room gas fireplace & whole-home Bose music system.
•Primary BR California Closet & spa-inspired BA new tiled shower & glass door.
•Back deck with retractable awning & views of lush fairways.
•Recent upgrades: new roof, hot water heater, irrigation system.
•Amenity-rich area with pools, trails, Yacht club & Marina.
•Ocean City is a few miles away.
On Worcester Wednesday, Sept. 24, students and faculty at Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) joined together to celebrate National Literacy Month by collecting children’s books for local organizations and libraries. Thanks to the generosity of the WPS community, the effort brought in more than 1,200 books. This month’s Worcester Wednesday initiative was held in partnership with WPS alum Riley Schoch and his literacy nonprofit, Words for Winners.
Each month, WPS students nominate charitable organizations for the school’s Worcester Wednesday fundraiser. To launch this year’s program, seniors Catherine Cullen and Emily Patrowicz volunteered as student sponsors, raising awareness and rallying support across campus. In exchange for donating books, students and staff enjoyed a casual dress day while showing their commitment to literacy.
Above, Cullen and Patrowicz stand with a portion of the nearly 1,200 children’s books collected on Worcester Wednesday in support of National Literacy Month. Each student was asked to bring in a few children’s books in exchange for a casual day of dress.
(Oct. 3, 2025) Worcester County Public Schools is proud to announce that Snow Hill Elementary (SHES) and Middle (SHMS) schools have been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Schools for 2025–2028 for their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to create exemplary learning practices.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments.
The selection of SHES and SHMS as Apple Distinguished Schools highlight the schools’ success as innovators and creators of compelling learning environments that empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.
“We are incredibly proud of Snow Hill Elementary and Snow Hill Middle schools for earning this prestigious recognition,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Annette Wallace. “This distinction is a testament to the hard work of our educators and the dedication of
our students, who are using technology not just as a tool, but as a bridge to creativity, critical thinking, and problemsolving. In Worcester County Public Schools, we believe in preparing every child for the future, and this honor affirms that our schools are leading the way in creating innovative learning environments where students can succeed.”
The three-year designation of being an Apple Distinguished School comes with the expectations that SHES and SHMS will continuously innovate and explore cutting-edge opportunities for using technology to design the future of education. They join Berlin Intermediate (BIS), Stephen Decatur Middle, Pocomoke High (PHS) and Snow Hill High (SHHS) schools, who previously received this distinction.
Students and staff at all six schools will engage with the Apple Education team, along with a worldwide network of school leaders, to investigate and support the integration of new education products, curriculum, and services and inspire others.
The schools will have the opportunity to renew the recognition during the last year of their recognition term, by demonstrating continued growth in innovative learning with integrated technology. BIS, PHS, and SHHS will apply to renew their designations this school year.
• The history of Ocean City, Md., from its beginning in the 1870s to the present day. Over 500 photo images.
• A hardbound, 220-page coffee table book featuring cover by noted artist Paul McGehee.
• Over seven years in the making with personal memories of Ocean City’s locals and visitors. Recall your own favorite memories of Maryland’s famous beach resort.
• Revisit the old restaurants and long-vanished hotels, relive summer nights on the Boardwalk, go fishing on the ocean or the bay, and learn about the fires and storms that changed the town forever.
Vanishing Ocean City is available for $49.95 at select locations in Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines and Salisbury. It can also be ordered online at vanishingoc.com. Visit the website for further information and photos.
The Art League of Ocean City invites local artists, nonprofits, and businesses to compete in the annual tree decorating contest, “Trees for the Arts,” at Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park in Ocean City.
The Art League supplies the six-foot artificial trees, and decorators compete for the most votes and the honor of taking home a cash prize. The public will tour the trees during Winterfest and vote on their favorite decorations at $1 per vote. The tree with the most votes will win $1,000.
“Embrace the holiday spirit and show your creativity by transforming a Christmas tree into a stunning masterpiece that reflects your unique style or your organization’s mission,” Aubrey Sizemore, Art League Trees for the Arts coordinator, said. “Let your imagination run wild with lights, ornaments, ribbons, and other decorations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to shine.”
Sizemore noted that the number of available trees is limited, and the earliest reservations get the trees. The entry fee is $40. The trees will be decorated at Northside Park on Nov. 1213 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and will be on display during the Winterfest of Lights opening Nov. 20 and running through Dec. 31.
Proceeds from “Trees for the Arts” votes will benefit the youth outreach programs of the Art League. Trees for the Arts is sponsored in part by the Town of Ocean City.
To enter or for more details, contact Sizemore at aubrey@artleagueofoceancity.org or 410-524-9433.
Wor-Wic Community College will offer its credit degree students the opportunity to study abroad in January. A special seven-week program will bring students to Stirling, Scotland, to live in a residence hall for two weeks for both classroom and field-based learning.
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From Jan. 3-17, students will live at the University of Stirling. They will attend classes taught by Wor-Wic professors, and take excursions to Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands, as well as the nearby historic Stirling Castle, which dates back to the 1100s and is where Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1543. Students will also have some free time for exploration on their own.
Upon returning to the United States, students will continue studies for five weeks in an online program that will earn them six credits, in communications and history (COM 102 and HIS 101). Participants must be enrolled in a degree program and in good standing. Financial aid may be applied to the program. A passport, health insurance and visa waiver are required.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience a new culture in person and see history firsthand,” said Dr. Deirdra G. Johnson, vice pres-
ident for strategic initiatives and community engagement.
An information session will be held in room 109 of Shockley Hall at the college on Monday, Oct. 6, at noon, and a virtual information session will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. Visit the events section of worwic.edu for the link.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Dr. Robert C. Mock Jr. has been selected as the next president of Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska. He will assume the presidency in January 2026.
Mock joined UMES in 2018 as the first cabinet appointment of President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson. Over the past seven years, he has held several key leadership roles, including vice president for Enrollment Management & Student Experience and interim athletic director.
“Dr. Mock has been an extraordinary servant to UMES – thoughtful, effective, and deeply committed to student success,” said Dr. Anderson. “His leadership, integrity, and ability to bring people together have elevated every initiative he has touched. Peru State College is gaining not only a proven leader, but also a visionary who understands the transformative power
of higher education. I am confident he will inspire the campus community and guide Peru State into an exciting new era of growth and achievement.”
A celebration to honor Dr. Mock and say farewell is being planned for the UMES community.
Each spring, the AARP Foundation Tax Aide Program offers free tax preparation at five local sites, including the largest site at the Ocean Pines Library.
Roughly two dozen volunteers make this program work every year. Volunteers train in the late fall and prepare several hundred returns during the winter.
The program is currently seeking volunteers for this tax season. Training classes are held November through January, and involve about four hours of class work per week on a flexible schedule. Several hours of additional home study and test preparation from November through January should also be expected.
Volunteers will also be expected to participate in at least one full day of tax preparation with other volunteers from February through mid-April. If this volunteer opportunity is of interest to you, you can get more information by contacting Maria at 443373-2667/ liebig83@gmail.com,or you can go online to AARP.org/taxaide.
(Sept. 26, 2025) The 28th Annual Endless Summer Cruisin Car Show will roll back into Ocean City the weekend after Country Calling, Oct. 9-12.
The four-day automotive event continues to be one of the region’s best fall car shows with hot rods, cool classics, customs and more. The epicenter of the event will be the Inlet parking lot with activities at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street as well as businesses around town.
Scheduled to appear at Endless 2025 is automotive enthusiast Derek Bieri from Vice Grip Garage and Roadworthy Rescues. Bieri will be at the Inlet parking lot Friday and Saturday meeting and greeting fans.
Also joining the fun will be an American Graffiti takeover with cars and stars. Meet Mackenzie Phillips and Candy Clark, stars from the hit classic movie and make sure to check out the largest collection of American Grafiti show cars on display, Thursday, Friday and Saturday inside the OC Convention Center. Additional entertainment includes a pedal car show, a neon light car show, deejays, live music, a beard contest and more.
Some of the top National names in the country will be on display at Manufacturer’s Midway located at the Inlet including Advance Auto Parts, AMSOIL, Bruno’s Classic Muscle, Cabela’s, Carroll Shelby Racing, Classic Auto Mall, Gateway Classic Cars, Maryland Lottery, National Parts Depot, Photo Magic OC, Wildfire Lifts and more.
Another Endless Summer Cruisin Car Show highlight will be the special Boardwalk cruises that will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Cruises begin at 8 a.m. leaving 27th Street and cruising south along the Boardwalk to the Inlet.
Being held in conjunction with Endless Summer Cruisin is the Hot Rod & Custom Car Show taking place indoors at the Ocean City Convention Center Oct. 9-11. See some of the hottest show cars on display competing for awards.
Spectator tickets for Endless Summer Cruisin are $15/day Thursday, Friday & Saturday and $10/day Sunday. Four-day event passes are also available for $40 at the event. For more information on Endless Summer Cruisin or to register to be a participant visit www.EndlessSummerCruisin.com or call 410-798-6304.
“Endless Summer Cruisin has always held safety as our number one priority,” event organizers reported in a pre-event media release. “The event does not tolerate unlawful activities or the disrespect of Ocean City. During Cruisin the town of Ocean City will be classified as a Special Event Zone where there will be increased fines for speeding, negligent/reckless driving, spinning wheels and alcohol related offenses. We encourage everyone that comes to Ocean City for Cruisin, both participants and spectators, to respect the town and abide by the rules.”
Although he did not take home the evening’s top award, Worcester County Teacher of the Year Phil Cropper was celebrated last Friday in Cockeysville at the annual Maryland State Teacher of the Year Gala. Cropper was one of seven finalists for the state teacher of the year award won by ALonna Soward-Puryear, a fourth-grade teacher in Frederick County Public Schools. Cropper, a chef who has led Worcester Technical High School’s culinary education program since 2012 and spearheaded the opening of the Pines Café last year, is pictured at the gala with Board of Education members, administrative team officials and leaders from the tech school.
By Tara Fischer
Staff Writer
(Oct. 3, 2025) Leaders of the proposed skate park in Berlin received word this week a grant application for approximately $487,000 has been elevated from the state level to the federal level, where it will undergo final review and, hopefully, approval.
Tony Weeg, founder of We Heart Berlin, a nonprofit dedicated to recreation activities and leading the skate park charge, announced via Facebook this week that the project’s application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant has advanced to the next round.
The application was initially sent to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. According to DNR’s website, successful applicants are invited to prepare a full application for submission to the National Park Service.
The skate park project received a favorable evaluation from the DNR and will now be reviewed at the federal level. If approved, We Heart Berlin’s skate park dream will receive $487,500.
Berlin has not yet been awarded the LWCF grant. Project leaders are
awaiting final review and will update the community on whether they are successful in securing the money or not.
Weeg said that a total of $975,000 is needed to create a skatable facility. To make it “top-shelf” with features including shade structures and lighting, a more accurate estimate is roughly $1.3 million. Currently, the endeavor has approximately $45,000 to $50,000 available for preliminary stages, such as obtaining construction documents.
The LWCF grant would be significant in helping make a skate park a reality for Berlin, Weeg noted.
“This is essentially the next big step in this process, and it pushes us further along to getting grant funding,” he said.
The LWCF grant requires a funding match from non-federal sources. If awarded the nearly $500,000, Weeg hopes that We Heart Berlin will also be successful in securing finances from Program Open Space and Community Parks and Playground, an initiative aimed at revitalizing and developing parks and playgrounds, and can use it as the match.
See SKATE Page 43
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“We’re hoping one will match the other,” he said. “Maybe we’ll get one of them, or maybe we’ll have to see local funding to get the grant match. I’m not sure how it’s going to shake out.”
Local funding has been a mission for We Heart Berlin. Weeg said that he has spoken with groups throughout the community, seeking their interest in supporting the skate park cause. While some have not been receptive yet, initiative organizers are hopeful the tides will turn. Financial assistance from these groups could propel the project toward realization.
“I’m hoping by 2027, we are breaking ground,” Weeg said. “Maybe even in 2026.”
Weeg estimated that once construction starts, the project will take six to eight months to complete.
The undertaking has the funds to support the next steps required, like construction documents, until the “big dollars” will be needed, according to Weeg. The stages where additional funding still needs to be secured include ground clearing and environmental testing. Weeg noted that he and his fellow skate park proponents are hopeful that they can secure in-kind donations from local companies, such as sand, gravel, excavation work, or concrete.
The skate park will be situated at Heron Park. Spohn Ranch, a skate park design and build company based in Los Angeles, was hired in 2022 to develop concept plans. Spohn Ranch will likely complete the actual construction of the amenity.
According to Weeg, the skate park would not have be a possibility without the support of the Town of Berlin staff, administration, and officials.
Specifically, the We Heart Berlin founder noted the work of Kate Daub, the municipality’s special project administrator, for her efforts in helping the initiative apply for grants.
“[Daub] has been a crucial lynchpin for moving things along internally at the town, and she and I work like toast and butter together,” Weeg said. “There have to be kids that want a skate park, and there has to be someone in the town that moves papers around. Making phone calls, sending emails, and ensuring everything is in order on the town side, as the town bears a significant responsibility for obtaining grant approval and all related paperwork. Without [Daub], we would be dead in the water.”
Donations for the skate park are encouraged by project leaders and can be submitted by going to WeHeartBerlin.org.
Every detail has been thoughtfully updated, making this the ideal retreat or investment property. Boat slips are available to rent through COA.
$399,990
Well-maintained Home nestled on spacious lot that backs to pond with peaceful views & sense of privacy. Bright & airy 3-season room & large deck. Versatile bonus room above garage perfect for home office, playroom, or guest space. Formal Dining Room has tray ceilings. Primary BR also has tray ceilings & has ensuite BA with jacuzzi tub, stand-up shower & 2 sinks. Open layout makes home functional & inviting. Exceptional amenities include pool, community center & sidewalks throughout. Please note that family room, primary BR and Kitchen table are virtually stage.
BURLEY OAK
BREWING COMPANY
443-513-4647
10016 Old Ocean City
Blvd., Berlin
Sat., Oct. 4: TBA
BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28
410-289-BUXY
28th Street Coastal Hwy.
Fri. & Sat., Oct. 3 & 4: Kevin Dale Country Performer
CAPTAIN’S TABLE
410-289-7192
15th & Boardwalk
In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue
CARIBBEAN POOL BAR
410-289-6181
In The Plim Plaza Hotel 109 N. Atlantic Ave.
Fri., Oct. 3: The Banana Hammocks
Sat., Oct. 4: Ramsey’s Ride
Sun., Oct. 5: Free State Country Band
COCONUTS BEACH BAR
410-289-6846
Oceanfront At Castle
In The Sand Hotel 37th & 38th Streets
Fri., Oct. 3: Opposite Directions & The Castaway Band
Sat., Oct. 4: Kevin Poole & Joe Mama & Chris Diller Band Sun., Oct. 5: Margot & Val & The Dunehounds
Thurs., Oct. 9: Kevin Poole & Joe Mama
COINS PUB
410-289-3100
28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Fri., Oct. 3: TBA Sat., Oct. 4: Lennon LaRicci
CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE
302-988-5000
37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE
Fri., Oct. 3: Uncle Ward
Wed., Oct. 8: Jack Bannon
CRAWL STREET TAVERN
443-373-2756
Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.
Fri., Oct. 3: Chicken Charlie & The Biscuits
Sat., Oct. 4: DJ Liam Brice
From The UK
VERTIGO RED
Fager’s Island: Friday, October 3
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
Coconuts Beach Bar: Friday, October 3
Harborside: Sunday, October 5
FREE STATE COUNTRY
Caribbean Pool Bar: Sunday, October 5
Coconuts Beach Bar: Saturday, October 4 & Thursday, October 9
Caribbean Pool Bar: Saturday, October 4
FAGER’S ISLAND
410-524-5500
60th St., In The Bay Fri., Oct. 3: Southland, DJ Stinson & Vertigo Red Sat., Oct. 4: Pistol Whipped, Chris Ryan Band & DJ RobCee Mon., Oct. 6: Risky Business & DJ TBA
GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500
Route 611, West OC Fri., Oct. 3: TBA
HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846
South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.
Fri., Oct. 3: DJ Billy T Sat., Oct. 4: The Dunehounds & DJ Bigler Sun., Oct. 5: Opposite Directions Wednesdays: DJ Billy T Thursdays: Dust N Bones
PICKLES PUB
410-289-4891
8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fri., Oct. 3: Beats By Casper & Deogee Sat., Oct. 4: Rogue Citizens Sundays: Beats By Styler Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Madame Dutchess Thursdays: Beats By Connair
PURPLE MOOSE SALOON
410-289-6953
Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards Fri., Oct. 3: Mark Bray & The SSC Sat., Oct. 4: Dwyane Wilson Sun., Oct. 5: Miggs Wed., Oct. 8: DJ Papi
SEACRETS
410-524-4900
49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Fri., Oct. 3: Carley Twigg, DJ E-State, DJ Mary Jane, & Red Dirt Revolution Sat., Oct. 4: Faith Noel, DJ E-State, DJ Connair & Kristen & The Noise
Thurs., Oct. 9: TBA
THE WEDGE
410-289-5121
806 S. Atlantic Ave. Sun., Oct. 5: Jason Lee
Thurs., Oct. 9: Joe Esham
PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted
South end to 28th Street
BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON
DRY DOCK 28
28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com
Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, pierogis, egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.
CAPTAIN’S TABLE
15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-2897192, captainstableoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m. Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m. COINS PUB & RESTAURANT
28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 25:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out.
CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR
17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CRAWL STREET
19 Wicomico St., Ocean City, 443-373-2756, crawlstreet.com
Established in 2020 just a short walk from the legendary Cork Bar. Don’t leave without trying the famous wings, but everything on the menu is solid, including flatbreads, tacos, salads, sandwiches and seafood platters. Be sure to check out the live music offerings as the nightlife is top of the line.
DISTRICT 24 CRAFT BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ & BLU CRABHOUSE & RAW BAR
2305 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City 410-2893322, district24oc.com
There is more at District 24. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, pastries and coffee at Jay’s Cafe. CRAFT Pizza, Beer & Cocktails at CRAFT Lounge. Fresh Seafood at BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar. Enjoy an elevated dining experience with great chophouse dishes and charcuterie boards, along with a Wine Spectator Award Wining Wine Menu at Embers Rooftop Restaurant. There is something for everyone at District 24 like live music in the courtyard, mini golf, arcade play and axe throwing.
FISH TALES
2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, 410-289-0990, ocfishtales.com
Bayfront marina dining offered here with a huge menu to satisfy guests of all ages. Enjoy a drink from a hanging chair or fish tacos at your table while the kids play in a playground build in the sand. Food and drink menus offer enough of a variety to meet all needs.
HARBOR WATCH
806 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410-2895121, www.harborwatchrestaurant.com
$$-$$$ | Reservations | Kids’ Menu | Full bar
Celebrating our 41st anniversary with fresh seafood, an award-winning raw bar, mouthwatering steaks and the best view of the Ocean City Inlet and Assateague Island. Open Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Call for banquet and large-party details.
PICKLES PUB
706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2894891, picklesoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment year-round and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.
PIT & PUB
2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com
Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Familyfriendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.
THE WEDGE BAR
806 S. Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, www.thewedgeoc.com
$-$$ | Full bar
Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, bay and Assateague Island. Enjoy small plates, sandwiches and grilled burgers. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
29th to 90th streets
32 PALM
32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-2892525, 32palm.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year!
THE BONFIRE
71st Street, Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410-5247171, thebonfirerestaurant.com
Celebrating more than 50 years as the best seafood and prime rib buffet in Ocean City. It’s all here – the service, the atmosphere and finest, freshest seafood available and quality meats. Save room for the decadent desserts available as well including homemade donuts.
COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL
3701 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 410-289-6846, castleinthesand.com
A tropical open-air patio steps from the beach. A unique place for lunch or dinner with a menu featuring all the customary items and a few Ocean City-based surprises. Guests can also enjoy beach service for lunch and cocktails. Be sure to check out the daily entertainment schedule.
FAGERS ISLAND
201 60th St., Ocean City, 410-524-5500, fagers.com
$$ | Full bar
Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m.
HOOKED
8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-7234665, hookedoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and well-made food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.
LONGBOARD CAFÉ
6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6645693, longboardcafe.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.
MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT
3301 Atlantic Ave., in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com
$$ | Full bar
Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.
SEACRETS
49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.
ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY
13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-2502000, albertinosoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.
CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS
118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com
The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs. Serving breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours.
THE CRAB BAG
13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410-2503337, thecrabbag.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring consistent hot steamed crabs, eat in or carryout. The Crab Bag is also an Eastern Shore style seafood house specializing in preparing and serving the biggest and the best blue crabs available. The extensive menu promises something for everyone. Winter hours, Friday-Sunday, open 11 a.m.
CRABCAKE FACTORY USA
120th Street, oceanside, Ocean City, 410-2504900, crabcakefactoryusa.com
Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.
JOLLY JELLYFISH BEACH CLUB
9800 Coastal Highway, Ocean City 443-6646147, jollyjellyfishbeachclub.com
Oceanfront bar with casual island style outdoor dining with awesome ocean views focused on cool beach vibes. Open for lunch and dinner and suitable for the entire family. Diverse menu available for every type of diner and featuring a cocktail menu with six housemade kegged cocktails. Every Sunday all summer features a “big deck energy party.” Entertainment daily, 4-7 p.m. Located in the Plaza Condominium with plenty of free parking.
VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.
CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE
Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-988-5000, CCFBayside.com
Same award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys. Enjoy waterfront dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily year-round. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Philly-style
cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu.
DIRTY HARRY’S
100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys
$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar
Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.
NANTUCKETS
Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-2607, nantucketsrestaurant.com
Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 30 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty.
TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY
Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-436-2305, twiningshanty.com
Reservations | Kids’ Menu
“A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England fare, lobsters, steaks and burgers. Bird watching and magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.
ASSATEAGUE BAR AND GRILL
9636 Stephen Decatur Highway, West Ocean City 443-664-8158, abarngrill.com
$$ | Full bar
Full service, family friendly, casual dining to please everyone. Offering breakfast lunch and dinner with breakfast being served all day. Classic American cuisine with a selection of delicious Maryland favorites. Happy hour everyday from 16 p.m. with bar specials and tasty bites. Daily specials Monday through Friday. Dine-in and carry-out.
BREAKFAST CAFE
12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com
All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.
CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL
12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com
$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar
Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.
DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND
West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com
This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40s-style décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 123rd Street location offers lunch and dinner menus in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.
GREENE TURTLE WEST
Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-213-1500
Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.
HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL
12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410-2131846, weocharborside.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours. Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. OC DINER 12744 Ocean Gateway, Rt 50 east, Ocean City, 410-390-5112
Family owned for over 25 years. Serving the best homemade food. Local’s favorite. Breakfast served all day. Kids’ menu. Dine-in and carry-out. Open 7 days a week.
Lower Shore Land Trust will host annual event with music, food and drinks
(Oct. 3, 2025) Tickets and sponsorships are now available for the Flannel Formal, the annual celebration of land conservation held each year to benefit the Lower Shore Land Trust, this year commemorating their 35th Anniversary.
To celebrate this special occasion, the Land Trust will honor one of its founders, King Burnett, with the esteemed Stephen N. Parker Conservation Legacy Award, presented annually to recognize a landowner or conservation practitioner for their contributions to private land conservation on the Lower Eastern Shore. Past recipients include Charles “Buddy” Jenkins, Larry Leese, John B. Long, Hugh Cropper IV, and Ann G. Carlson.
The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 3-6 p.m. and will be held at the Cellar House Farm in Pocomoke City, a venue with rich history known for its legends of privateering, ghosts, underground tunnels and a murder mystery, inviting intrigue and curiosity to all who enter.
Flannel Formal attendees are invited to wear their favorite flannel, dressy or casual, to celebrate the season. This year’s musical entertainment will be a live performance by the Seth Mitchell Band. Hailing from the Baltimore/DC/Annapolis region, they will be playing a variety of originals and covers of Bluegrass and Americana.
Delicacies offered will be an array of artisan charcuterie, oysters on the half shell, and Pit & Pub BBQ with all the fixings. Beverages available are fine wines, craft beers, and a George’s Mixes Bloody Mary Bar. Attendees will enjoy yard games, fire pits, and bidding on silent auction items.
Tickets are $100 per person until Oct. 31 and $125 per person after and at the door. Purchase tickets and sponsorships at the Lower Shore Land Trust website, call 443-2345587, or email mresto@LSLT.org.
All proceeds benefit the Lower Shore Land Trust, whose mission is to conserve and restore land by engaging landowners and the public to sustain the unique rural character, landscapes, environment, and vibrant communities of the Lower Shore.
2 BR, 2 BA 1ST FLOOR
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This is a rare opportunity to own a 3-BR Bayfront Condo in Harbour Island. Meticulously maintained unit with new flooring. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances & beautiful finishes. Breathtaking open bay views from your primary suite & living area. You have to see it to appreciate it.
OVER-SIZED 2 BR, 2 BA CONDO with PANORAMIC VIEWS
Welcome to prestigious Harbour Island! Rarely do these oversized 2 BR, 2 BA units in the K building come on the market. It is a very nice, clean unit. Panoramic views of the bay & Ocean City. Rental potential would be very good. Jacuzzi tub and a new washer & dryer. This is a "must see" to appreciate the size and the view from the balcony.
427 14TH STREET UNIT 206 M
Your sanctuary awaits! This open bay view, 2-bedroom condo, nestled in the gated community of Harbour Island, welcomes you. This beautiful unit has never been rented. Great rental potential. The unit is immaculate and has been well cared for. The deck provides an unobstructed view of the bay. Sunsets are the best!
Four years after devastating vandalism, Furnace
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 3, 2025) It was an ordinary Monday morning when Furnace Town Executive Director Claudia Nagle came to work and noticed the broken windows in the visitor’s center. Then she saw how the cash registers had been ripped apart.
Walking out into the village area, it got worse. Someone put a pickaxe through the roof of the woodworker shop. In the chapel, thick wooden pews had been split like firewood, and a historic Bible was freed from its plastic housing and chopped to bits. More windows were found smashed, and items pulled from storage were strewn about the campus.
That staggering act of vandalism on September 22, 2021, caused more than $100,000 in damage to several century-old buildings and forced an early seasonal closure of the Furnace
Town Living Heritage Village.
The act shattered not only buildings and windows, but Nagle’s sense of security at Furnace Town. The park’s showpiece, its 200-year-old iron furnace nestled deep in the Pocomoke Forest, was mercifully left untouched. But police never caught the culprit.
“It was just really disturbing,” Nagle said, walking through the wooded campus outside Snow Hill.
“People would say things like, ‘oh, the kids.’ This wasn’t kids. There was something more than just tomfoolery. There was some real malice. It really could have ended things for us.”
Four years later, Furnace Town’s comeback is complete. Insurance and donations helped Nagle to facilitate intricate repairs to the historic properties – you’d be hard pressed to tell how much damage was done. She also had a security system upgraded, complete with cameras and motion detectors. “We worked really hard to get that fixed,” Nagle said.
She stops to remark on how peace-
ful it is in the forest. It’s not only the lush greenery, backlit by the afternoon sun, but you can hear it, too: a steady drone of cicadas, wind rustling through treetops, all punctuated by melodic songbird calls – nature’s own symphony.
The museum today offers a glimpse of what life was like in this former bustling company town, anchored by the towering Nassawango Iron Furnace. At its peak in the 1840s, hundreds of families lived and worked here – skilled workers like bakers, weavers, broom makers, blacksmiths, coopers – all in service of producing valuable iron sourced from ingredients found in the surrounding swamp. It was the only such site in Maryland where bog iron was produced.
At the bottom of the hillside beside the towering brick edifice, Nagle points to the base of the furnace, the spot where iron eventually would emerge after smelting. It was a process that started inside the tower, where workers layered pieces of bog containing iron ore with charcoal and
oyster shells.
Pond water flowing through a causeway powered the 22-foot-wide water wheel – what’s left of it sits in a museum display here – which operated a giant bellows. The roaring fire would heat the mix to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, with the oyster shells acting as a slag to separate the ore from its impurities.
The resulting molten metal flowed into a ceramic mold vaguely resembling the shape of a pig – hence the name, pig iron.
Canal barges pulled by mules would haul iron ingots to schooners waiting in Nassawango Creek. On the return trip, barges were loaded with clam and oyster shells brought from the Chesapeake Bay, sourcing new ingredients for another run of the furnace. You can still walk a trail in the woods that would have run paralleled the canal.
By 1850, the Maryland Iron Company declared bankruptcy, and the property and its 7,000 acres went up for sale. While some families stayed on, buildings eventually rotted away
and the forest retook the village. Only the furnace remained.
A century came and went before the Worcester County Historical Society embarked on restoration work in the 1960s. By 1982, the Furnace Town Foundation, Inc., was formed to own and operate the museum as a living history site. All the buildings here – the Old Nazareth Church, the woodshop, the blacksmith shop, the broom house, the weave house, the one-room schoolhouse –were once real historic properties, each relocated from elsewhere in Worcester County.
Claudia Nagle took over as director in September 2020. She had a background in nonprofits, having previously run Diakonia, the homeless outreach center in West Ocean City. In the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown mandates, it helped that Furnace Town was a place people could safely gather outdoors.
“There’s so many opportunities and so much potential for this place and this site that I went to work,” she said. “When they hired me, that was my charge – to bring it back to life, if you will, so that people know about us and will come out again.”
Heritage and nature continue to be at the forefront of their messaging. They’re adding more events with an eye on more familyfriendly activities. The first Saturday of the month is Artisan Day, where volunteers show visitors how the historic tools were used.
School field trips are still popular, too. Visting students are shown how, if they’d lived here during the 1800s, you brought
lunch to the schoolhouse in a tin bucket, you made your own bread in a communal oven, you slept on a straw-filled mattress, and you hand-washed your own clothes in a tub.
“They think you go to the Walmart, wait in a parking space, and there’s the food, right? Well, that’s not always how it was,” Nagle said with a smile.
Now in her fifth year as executive director, and nursing a modest budget, Nagle has gone on to hire a small staff to help run the place. They collaborate with a cadre of enthusiastic volunteers. This past summer, they saw the fruitful results of a new social media marketing push. And last weekend’s annual Renaissance Faire, their biggest fundraiser of the year, brought hundreds festivalgoers to Furnace Town.
Moving forward, one daunting goal under her leadership would be to develop another 13 untouched acres on the property, including new trails to blaze in the Pocomoke Forest. Another project, just as formidable, would be to stabilize their fundraising and budget.
Nagle admits she once thought the job would be her foray into retirement, but happily, that hasn’t panned out.
In a place so deeply rooted in the past, her future is still here in Furnace Town.
“I have the gratitude for people who came before me, who had this as a vision and made it happen – we still have it and we can continue to preserve it,” Nagle said. “You have all kinds of things worth preserving because it's just not like anyplace else.”
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by Steve Green
o much is being said these days about Autism — what it is, what it isn’t from the uniformed, what causes it, and what society should do about it.
Every time I hear a new announcement, especially from leaders in politics or science, I can’t help but listen a little closer. As the parent of a 15-year-old son on the Autism spectrum, this conversation is deeply personal. I know the statistics, I read the headlines, and I follow the press conferences. When the president or other public figures speak about Autism, it catches my attention. But more often than not, I find myself frustrated because the words feel so tied up in politics. The causes and theories are debated endlessly, and while I understand that research is important, it sometimes feels like the human side of Autism (and all the other developmental disabilities) — the daily lives of individuals and families living with it — gets lost in the noise.
For me, the questions that matter most are not just about why Autism exists, but about what comes next for my son. He is 15 years old, growing taller by the day. He is still searching for his voice, but his personality is evident in unique and beautiful ways without saying a word.
I see him as my child, but I also see him as now a teen. That’s why, when I hear these big announcements, my mind doesn’t linger on Tylenol and political talking points. Instead, it races ahead to the future: What kind of life will my son be able to build? What kind of support will he need? What opportunities will exist for him once school is no longer the structured safety net holding him in place? Will more funding mean more services?
In those early days post-diagnosis, my concerns were more immediate: finding the right therapies, advocating at school, navigating doctor’s appointments and medicine, and learning the language of special education.
I remember sitting in meetings with teachers and specialists, trying to absorb acronyms and terms I had never heard before. I wanted to do everything in my power to give him the best possible start. At the time, my focus was on helping him find his voice, develop his social skills, and build the foundations that every child deserves.
Now, 15 years later, the focus has shifted. We are no longer only the parent of a little boy with big needs; we are parents of a teenage sophomore in high school. And that brings with it a whole new set of fears, questions, and hopes. Transition planning is no longer an abstract concept — it’s our reality. Services and supports for teenagers and young adults are harder to navigate, and sometimes harder to find. I can’t help but wonder: after high school, then what? I don’t spend a lot of time in that grayness.
A safe, happy and stable lives come to mind but isn’t the case for all parents reflecting on their kids. But, can it be meaningful and fulfilling? That means thinking about career opportunities, education pathways, independent living skills, and social connections. I want him to have the chance to pursue his interests, whether that means a job that uses his strengths, a hobby that brings him joy, or friendships that make him feel included and valued. I don’t want him to simply “get by.” I want him to thrive.
But as any parent in this position knows, the pathway is not always clear. I read about services and programs, but access can depend so much on where you live, what resources are available, and what funding exists. Some programs seem promising, but they have long waiting lists or strict requirements. Others aren’t tailored to the unique needs of someone like my son. And so, even as I try to stay hopeful, I sometimes feel a deep undercurrent of worry. It’s in these moments that I realize just how little the political debates about “causes” matter to me. Don’t get me wrong —research is important. I care about science and understanding. But
when you’re raising a teenager on the Autism spectrum, the questions aren’t about why your child is Autistic. They’re about how he will live. They’re about what tools, supports, and opportunities will exist to help him shape a future that is his own.
I also think about our family as a whole—how we will cope with the years ahead. Parenting a child with Autism changes you. It teaches patience and resilience, but it also forces you to confront fears and uncertainties most parents don’t have to face. I know that my son’s journey into adulthood won’t be the same as his peers’. I know that Pam and I will continue to play roles as advocates, cheerleader, and probably caregiver. And I know that the bond we share, though sometimes tested by challenges, is also a source of deep love and strength.
What I want most is for the national conversation around Autism to shift. We need less finger-pointing about causes, potential ones at that, and more energy devoted to solutions. We need systems that prepare young people for independence. We need communities that embrace difference and create spaces for people with Autism to contribute, belong, and shine. Our job, as his parents, is to keep pushing for the supports that will allow that vision to become a reality.
So, while the world debates causes, I am thinking about careers, friendships, housing, and independence. While politicians argue with each other and organizations, I am imagining my son’s smile when he finds something he loves to do. And while researchers search for answers, I am holding onto the truth that my son is not a problem to be solved — he is a person to be supported, cherished, and believed in. That, more than anything, is what matters to me as I look toward the future.
(The writer is the executive editor of OC Today-Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@octodaydispatch.com.)
By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer
(Sept. 26, 2025) Surfing is a unique sport, especially when the “playing field” is almost always subject to change.
Let’s consider the various factors.
The ocean is major, of course. Within the ocean and the formation of waves, lots of different elements will come into focus. Swell, wind, tide, and bottom contours all become a part of the big picture. With all of these factors and elements to consider, simple observation is a good idea.
Modern day forecasts, accessible through the internet, are available through computers and cell phones. Another ingredient that comes into play are cameras that will, at least, provide an indicator as to what the surf is doing on an immediate basis. Still, when all is said and done, nothing will take the place of direct observation or to put it another way, “getting eyes on it.”
Assuming that a surfer has set aside time and place for a session in the water the idea of observation is a good one. Taking a bit of time to watch and observe the ocean, up close, can go a long way in making for a quality “go out.” To simply run out into the water, board in hand, doesn’t seem to be the best idea. Is there noticeable longshore current? Are larger outside waves breaking from a far off ground swell? Are rip currents part of the ocean condition? These are just a few essential details to be considered when dealing with the ocean. So the next time you go for a surf take a little time and get a “read” on the conditions. If the surf is particularly large take more time. It’s safe to say you’ll be better for it.
— Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City
By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer
(Oct. 3, 2025) There is nothing more satisfying than biting into crispy toast smothered in mayo, and adorned with salty bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce.
The notorious BLT is simple but it’s the particular pairing of ingredients is what sets this sandwich apart.
While we are talking about sandwiches, does one know how sandwiches came about? It is believed that sandwiches were invented in England in the late 1700s by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich.
The Earl of Sandwich was on a winning streak at a gambling table. It’s said that, rather than interrupting his lucky run with the typical plated meal, he was presented with a dish requiring no utensils: beef sandwiched between two slices of bread. And thus, an unassuming snack worked its way into being an international sensation.
So now that we have established the history of sandwiches, do you know how a BLT got its name? Conclusion does not always come to the forefront but it is believed to have come about in the U.S. in the 1940s with the rise of diners, where waitstaff often used shorthand to quickly convey orders to the kitchen.
The BLT took off after World War II, with the rise of supermarkets opening across the country. Seasonal ingredients were more readily available to consumers which is essential to a delicious BLT. When entertaining, it is imperative to leave predictability on the shelf. So, one might be wondering where I am going with this? A BLT consists of bread, mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes. Consider replacing bacon with spicy, candied bacon. It is tasty and easy to prepare.
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Place a wire rack on a foil lined baking sheet. Arrange one pound of thick cut bacon on the wire. In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, one tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper with one cup of light brown sugar. Place the brown sugar mixture evenly on top of the bacon to create a thin layer.
Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the mixture has melted and the bacon is crisp. Sliced tomatoes are essential but not mandatory when making BLTs. A sweet and spicy tomato jam adds depth of flavor and raises the bar of creativity. Roma tomatoes are used and available year-round. This jam makes a great gift for the upcoming fall holidays. Place the jam in a small canning jar and top with a rustic bow.
The recipe for a sweet and spicy jam follows. The ingredients are 1 ½ pounds Roma tomatoes, seeded, and coarsely chopped. Two minced cloves of garlic, 1
small chopped yellow onion, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, and 3 tablespoons rice vinegar. Combine all of the ingredients in a heavy bottom saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered until very thick, about 1 ½ hours. Stir occasionally, especially as the jam thickens. Remove jam from heat and allow to cool.
Weight gain or loss can be a life changing experience. I went from 110 pounds to 230 pounds. Trust me, this was a difficult time in my life but I was determined to get the weight off. Bread was the first thing to go; lettuce became my bread of choice.
Bacon and eggs are a delicious combination. So, if one wants a twist on a BLT with less calories, forgo the bread and build your sandwich in between a hard-boiled egg.
If you want to use the candied bacon, I would suggest pairing it with lettuce and tomatoes. If the idea of the tomato jam tickles your fancy, I would use regular bacon and lettuce.
If you want to take this a step further, the BLT ingredients would be a clever twist on deviled eggs. BLTs include mayonnaise and deviled eggs are mixed with mayonnaise, so harmony flourishes with each and every bite.
In closing, guests love surprises and a BLT with hard boiled eggs, candied bacon, crisp lettuce, and sliced tomatoes will certainly get their attention. This
dish would also be a great idea for fall brunches.
There are no set rules so allow your imagination to be your guiding factor. And the most important thing to remember -- is to have fun! Enjoy!
Secret Ingredient –
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
— Steve Jobs
(The writer is the author of "An Eastern Shore Special: Recipes from the Heart.”)
With Bunk Mann
Today concerts such as Oceans Calling and Country Calling bring crowds exceeding 50,000 to Ocean City to enjoy music performed live on the beach by popular musicians but only a few know that the first celebrated beach concert was held on Aug. 29, 1993.
On that day The Beach Boys ("Surfin' USA", Good Vibrations") played to a crowd of nearly 10,000 from a stage on the beach near N. Division Street. With opening act Sh-Boom and popular band America ("A Horse with No Name") the concert proceeded with gorgeous weather although under a tropical storm watch.
The Town of Ocean City furnished the cost of the concert in order to provide an economic stimulus in the normally slow week prior to the Labor Day weekend and a local Ford dealership donated chairs (which they were allowed to keep) for those in the reserved seat section.
The concert covered expenses and was deemed a major success by then Tourism and Convention Center Director Bob Rothermel as well as by most in attendance.
By Steve Green
Oceans Calling Sunday’s sunset sky
Watching a leader in action
The first time hearing an old expression
Unified sports
The first sunny day after a Nor’easter
A shower after yard work
Pool swimming in October
Comeback stories from homelessness
Coachable teens
Running into my teenage son at a music festival
The optimism of a new day
To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.
courtesy of Mike Beatty
OC lifeguard crew releases summer stats, says team had most employees ever
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Sept. 26, 2025) The Ocean City Beach Patrol ended its season last month and will not return until Memorial Day weekend next year.
Preliminary numbers show the beach patrol recorded 2,075 rescues, 253,849 preventative actions and no drownings over the course of the summer season.
Capt. Butch Arbin said the 2025 season also had the highest number of employees in beach patrol history – with 224 people on the payroll at one time. Those staff members, he said, worked 115,000 hours this summer.
However, the season also brought new challenges for beach patrol staff.
“The new tent ordinance was our
biggest issue this summer,” he said in an email Tuesday, “not that the public was uncooperative, but it added a whole new set of enforcement and education tasks to our staff.”
Earlier this year, the Ocean City Council passed legislation banning all beach tents and placing restrictions on beach canopies.
From the outset, officials made it clear that the city would focus on educating the public this summer on the new regulations. That effort involved members of the beach patrol talking to violators and hanging tags on canopies left unattended before lifeguards went on duty at 10 a.m.
Arbin touched on those educational measures this week, reporting that the beach patrol had documented roughly 8,000 interactions and attached 1,600 tags to unattended structures.
He also acknowledged the “great season” staff had, noting that the beach patrol recorded no drownings – on or off duty – and had a strong
presence on the beach following Labor Day.
“We had more stands post Labor Day than in the past five years,” he said, “which cuts down the distance between stands.”
The beach patrol also recorded 148 calls for an ambulance, 29 calls for police assistance, 385 calls for lost and found persons and eight calls for animal control.
The agency also recorded 1,275 mobile ATV patrols, 279 calls for beach wheelchairs and 2,250 instances of surf beach use. There were also several non-water-related CPRs, some of which were successful.
“These are not complete since we just ended the guarding on Sunday,” Arbin said.
The beach patrol captain said staff continue to perform close-down
tasks, as well as mobile patrols, on the beach this week.
Until the beach patrol returns in 2026, community members are asked not to participate in water-related activities. The beach patrol notes that hurricane activity peaks in mid-September, making ocean conditions hazardous. The agency noted that an increase in surf and wave action has resulted in several rescues since Labor Day.
“However, you remember it, swimming only when lifeguards are on duty could save a life… yours or someone you love,” the Facebook post reads. “So please don’t let someone you love enter the ocean when the SRTs are not on duty. It is not only dangerous to them but may put others in danger if they attempt to help you in an emergency.”
Bill Turner of Salisbury was recently appointed to the board of trustees of Wor-Wic Community College by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Turner is the executive vice president and chief lending officer at Farmers Bank of Willards, where he has served for over two decades. With more than 35 years of experience in banking, financial leadership and public accounting, Turner has built a respected career rooted in service, integrity and community development. He is a licensed certified public accountant and holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Salisbury University. His professional journey began at Wor-Wic Community College, where he earned his associate degree in accounting, an experience he credits as foundational to his personal and professional growth.
Turner is committed to serving the Lower Eastern Shore, serving as a member of the board of directors of Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services and as finance chair at The Uprising Church in Hebron. He is also a past president of the Salisbury Jaycees, a past executive vice president of the Maryland Jaycees and has held leadership roles with the Lower Eastern Shore Boy Scouts of America. Turner and his wife of 29 years, Diane,
have three children and two grandchildren.
“Bill brings a wealth of experience as a local resident and alum of Wor-Wic. We look forward to him joining the trustees and contributing to our shared mission,” said Deborah Casey, Ph.D., president of Wor-Wic.
Anna G. Newton of Bishopville was recently sworn in for a new term on the board of trustees. Newton was originally appointed to the board by Gov. Larry Hogan in 2021. Newton is a senior vice president with the Giles Newton Wealth Management Group in Ocean City. She has a bachelor’s degree from High Point University in North Carolina, and has earned the designation of certified financial planner from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. In addition to her service to the board of Wor-Wic, she previously served on the Wor-Wic foundation board of directors and is a past president of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce.
Becker Morgan Group has announced the opening of its new office in Virginia Beach, Virginia, marking another step in the firm’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. The office will be led by Michael J. Winner, who
brings nearly 30 years of experience and leadership to the region.
The firm has already been active in the area with projects such as Staybridge Suites in Norfolk, The Landing Bar and Bistro at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Norfolk, as well as Home2 Suites by Hilton in Virginia Beach, and The Cardinal Restaurant and Bar at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Virginia Beach. “We are excited to strengthen our presence in Virginia and continue building lasting partnerships,” said Jack Mumford III, Vice-President and Hospitality Practice Area Leader. “This expansion allows us to better support our clients and build upon the successful projects we’ve already com-
pleted across the region.”
Virginia Beach becomes Becker Morgan Group’s seventh office location, joining Salisbury, Maryland; Dover and Newark, Delaware; and Wilmington, Charlotte, and Raleigh, North Carolina. This new presence enhances an already robust practice, solidifying Becker Morgan Group’s position as a top design firm along the East Coast.
TRGroup Inc. announced President and CEO Aaron Finney has earned the American Water Works Association
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Your energy is off the charts this week, Aries. This is the perfect time to start a new fitness regimen or tackle projects that you’ve been putting off for a while.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
Focus on your finances this week, Taurus. A new opportunity to increase your income or make an investment comes your way. Your practical nature will facilitate sound decision-making.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Your communication skills are very powerful right now, Gemini. Whether it is a difficult conversation or a creative collaboration, you will find the right words to express yourself.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
Take some time for self-care this week, Cancer. Your intuition is strong and your inner voice will lead you to what will ultimately bring security and comfort.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, you are shining brightly right now. This is your time to be seen and celebrated. Step into the spotlight at work or in your social circle. Your confidence will be contagious.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
Productivity and organization are the name of the game this week, Virgo. You will feel a sense of satisfaction from checking off tasks and bringing order to your surroundings.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Your natural charm and diplomatic skills make you a sought-after companion, Libra. This means your social life may be buzzing right now with plenty of people staying close.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
You are in a powerful position to achieve your professional goals, Scorpio. A new project or recognition at work might be on the horizon. Stay focused.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
Adventure is calling you, Sagittarius. Whether it is travel plans, a new work project or trying a new restaurant, you will be seeking novel experiences this week.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Take some time for deep reflection, Capricorn. You can find clarity by looking inward and understanding what drives you. Expect some good news by midweek.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Your relationships are a great source of joy this week, Aquarius. You may connect with others who share your unique vision and ideas. Don’t be afraid to be yourself.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
Creativity is flowing right now, Pisces. Devote some time to a passion project, whether it is art, music or writing. It is alright to daydream a little while as well.
(AWWA) Utility Risk and Resilience Certification. This credential positions Finney and the firm to provide expert guidance to public water systems in fortifying their infrastructure against critical threats, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity.
The AWWA certification is directly aligned with the requirements of the America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, which mandates that water utilities conduct comprehensive risk and resilience assessments. The program provides a specialized framework for evaluating vulnerabilities, developing robust emergency response plans, and implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols to protect against an evolving threat landscape.
"Securing our nation's water infrastructure is a critical imperative," said Finney. "This certification provides the strategic framework needed to address complex risks, from operational hazards to sophisticated cyberattacks. Our goal at TRGroup is to leverage this expertise to help utilities meet their regulatory obligations and, more importantly, ensure the operational resilience necessary to protect public health and safety."
For public utilities, partnering with an AWWA-certified professional ensures that their risk assessments and security strategies are built on a foundation of industry best practices. This leads to strengthened security postures, improved incident response capabilities,
and greater confidence in the continuity of essential services.
TidalHealth recently announced that it has received accreditation under the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Accreditation Program as an (INCP) Integrated network cancer program.
The ACS CoC accreditation is awarded to the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute locations at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Maryland, TidalHealth Ocean Pines Campus in Berlin Maryland, and the Allen Cancer Center at TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Delaware.
The ACS CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting the standard for outstanding clinical results for all aspects of oncology care.
“Earning accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer is a powerful affirmation of the quality, teamwork, and dedication of our entire cancer care program,” said John Mansueti, MD, radiation oncologist, Medical Director and Chairperson of TidalHealth’s Cancer Committee. ”It reflects our commitment to delivering comprehensive, compassionate, and evidencebased care for every patient we serve. This recognition reinforces that people anywhere on the Delmarva Peninsula
don’t need to travel far from home to receive nationally recognized cancer treatment.”
CoC accreditation is granted to institutions committed to providing high-quality cancer care by demonstrating compliance with the CoC standards. Each cancer program must undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of its performance and compliance with the CoC standards.
To maintain accreditation, cancer programs must undergo a site visit every three years. The CoC accreditation standards supply the structure for providing all patients with a full range of diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services either on-site or by referral, including community-based resources.
As a CoC-accredited institution, TidalHealth also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies an institution’s dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step.
"ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital’s surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, TidalHealth has shown a commitment providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion, and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement," said ACS Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Patricia L. Turner.
Endless Summer Cruisin has teamed up with PIT & PUB for a fun game. Winner will receive the Game Award as well as a cash prize of $1000 thanks to Pit & Pub. Stop by 4 Pit & Pub locations and the Information Desk during Endless Summer Cruisin and get stamped. Once you receive all 5 stamps drop off your completed game sheet to the Inlet Office Trailer or the Information Desk by 5pm on Saturday. One lucky winner will be randomly selected and announced on Sunday at the Grand Finale Award Show. Must be present to win.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH CLUB PROVIDES SU
The Ocean City Surf Club recently provided the Salisbury University Girls Surf Club with surf lessons. Pictured in the front row are students from Salisbury University, in the back row are surf instructors and volunteers from the Ocean City Surf Club.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
The Republican Women of Worcester County help their 16th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Ashore Hotel in Ocean City. Two hundred and sixty women were treated to a delicious lunch and lovely fashions. For the Finale of the show, they heard the angelic voices of the Salisbury Children’s Choir singing patriotic songs , including God Bless America.
SPIRIT WEEK FUN
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH LIONS SUPPORT DIAKONIA
The OC Lions continue their support of Diakonia with a $2,000 donation. Diakonia provides shelter, food, clothing and program services for homeless men, women, families and veterans across the lower shore tri-county area. Pictured are Diakonia Executive Director Ken Argot and OC Lions President Steve McMillan.
PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Worcester Prep’s Upper School students celebrated Spirit Week, dressing according to each day’s theme in the lead-up to Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 20. The week concluded with a spirited pep rally, where students showcased their Mallard enthusiasm through class games and activities. Pictured, from left, are freshmen Liam McAllister, Elliot Mason, Reed Grinestaff and Will
Submit calendar items to: editor@octodaydispatch.com. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.
COUNTRY CALLING
Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 12:30-11 p.m. Featuring headliners like Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Carrie Underwood, food from festival vendors, classic boardwalk bites and more. Tickets: https://www.countrycallingfestival.com.
OC MAHJONG CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All adults welcome. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
SURVIVAL SPANISH: TELLING TIME
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Learn how to tell time in Spanish. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
HOMESCHOOL HIATUS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m. Take a break from learning to explore STEAM activities and crafts. For ages 611 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
DISCOVERY DEN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3:304:30 p.m. Come enjoy a new topic every week. Week 1: Art Studio. Best for elementary and middle school students, but all are welcome. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FAMILY PUZZLE NIGHT
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 5 p.m. Families will compete for prizes and prestige — and pizza. Registration required: 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
FIRST FRIDAY OPENING RECEPTION FOR OCTOBER EXHIBITS
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 5-7 p.m. Meet the artists, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and see the new exhibits by a variety of local artists! Free. All are welcome. Refreshments sponsored by PKS Investments. Live music. 410-524-9433
KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO
Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available
before bingo and at intermission. 410524-7994
COUNTRY CALLING
Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 12:30-11 p.m. Featuring headliners like Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Carrie Underwood, food from festival vendors, classic boardwalk bites and more. Tickets: https://www.countrycallingfestival.com.
19TH ANNUAL CRUIZERS FOR CHRIST CAR SHOW
Whaleysville United Methodist, 11716 Sheppards Crossing Road, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Entry fee is $15. Trophies awarded to Top 20 and “Best in Show,” silent auction, gospel music, and food for purchase including scrapple sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and baked goods.
SATURDAY WRITERS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Novice and established writers gather to share their writing projects. Structure includes critiques and appreciation, market leads and writing exercises. Drop-ins welcome. 410-641-0650
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT FRIED CHICKEN BUFFET
Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, 36540 Mount Pleasant Road, 11 a.m. Includes vegetables, beverages and desserts. Cost to dine in is $17 for adults, $8.50 for children and free to those 5 years and younger. Carryout cost is $15. No pre-orders. Info: 410-835-8340.
GLOBAL GOODIES
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Are all snacks created equal? Taste test some snack from around the world and find out. All food provided. For families. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS
MARKET
Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Also featuring family-friendly activities, music and unique shopping experiences. Open to the public, year round. 410-6417052, https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages /farmers-artisans-market
COUNTRY CALLING
Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 12:30-10:30 p.m. Featuring headliners like Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Carrie Underwood, food from festival vendors, classic boardwalk bites and more. Tickets: https://www.countrycallingfestival.com.
DEADLINES TO RSVP FOR GEMS TEA
Gems Tea Event to be held Oct. 19 from 2-4 p.m. at Worcester Technical High School. Cost is $35. RSVP by Oct. 5 to: Friends of WCCW, P.O. Box 211, Snow Hill, MD 21863. http://FriendsOfWCCW.org
DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR ALL-YOUCAN-EAT CRAB FEAST FUNDRAISER
Higgins Crab House N., 12801 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. Held Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. Cost is $65. All-you-can-eat steamed crabs and shrimp, fried chicken, sides, beer, wine, soft drinks and dessert. Raffles and 50/50 drawing. Register: 302-524-9033 by Oct. 5.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3 Church St., Berlin, 2 p.m. All animals are welcome. Must be on a leash or otherwise contained.
BERLIN FARMERS MARKET
Sundays - Pitts Street, Commerce Street and Main Street, Berlin, May through October, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Producers only market featuring more than 50 farmers, food cultivators, bakers, distillers, seafood, meat and more. Also featuring a petting farm (9-11 a.m.), free kids art station and live music. TheBerlinFarmersMarket.com
SEWING FOR A CAUSE
Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org
Mon., Oct. 6
STORY TIME: SPIDERS
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stores. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
TED TALKS: STORIES
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m. Explore stories about genealogy, the importance of having many stories
and how one artist shows us if art can amend stories in history. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169
Mondays - Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-641-0157
BRIDGE
Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity
DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS
Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Elissa, 410-641-8050; on social media; or delmarvachorus.org.
OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS
Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100
STORY TIME AT CYPRESS PARK Cypress Park, 7 Bridge St., Pocomoke City, 10:30 a.m. Meet at the playground for stories and outside play. Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch if designed. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Story time geared for ages 0-5 years featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and fingerplays. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
RACKLIFFE HOUSE
Rackliffe House, behind the Assateague Island Visitor Center, 11800 Marsh View Lane, Berlin, 10:30 a.m. Tour this 18th century coastal plantation house. Registration required: 443-783-6164.
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OC KNITTING GROUP
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Do you love to knit or crochet? Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
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from Page 59
MASTER GARDENERS PLANT CLINIC
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Master Gardener Ginny Rosenkranz talks about all things plants. Bring questions and feel free to show your plants as well. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
BLACKOUT POETRY
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. The group will be using the “blackout” technique to write poems; it’s a good way to start a new work of art. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CHARMING BOOKS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4 p.m. Come celebrate Banned Books Week by creating a book charm using banned book covers. All materials provided. For ages 12-18 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
PUMPKIN PAINTING PARTY
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4:30 p.m. Paint and pumpkins will be available while supplies last, but feel free to bring your own. For families. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
SAFE BOATING COURSE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 6-9 p.m. Held Oct. 7 and 8. Cost is $20. Register: Barry Cohen, 410-935-4807, CGAUXOC@gmail.com.
CROSS FARMS POP-UP FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays - Flower Street Field across from Henry Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Accepting Maryland Department of Agriculture FMNP (WIC & Seniors) Checks and Maryland WIC Fruit & Vegetable Checks. Also offering a "Produce Bucks" program, which doubles purchases for eligible residents. https://www.facebook.com/theberlinfarmersmarket.
BEACH HEROES-OC
Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org
TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY
Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410289-4725
OC KNITTING CLUB
Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal High-
way, 10:30 a.m.
ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE
Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.
ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS
Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP
Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m.
Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.
EASTERN SHORE SEWISTS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Promoting the needle arts through sewing education, activities and textile crafts. For artisans of all skill levels. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Songs, stories and giggles. For ages 0-2 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
TEA CARD CRAFT @ 50PLUS CENTER
Snow Hill 50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, 11 a.m. The group will be making Tea cards, all supples provided. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
MERRY MAKERS: HONEYCOMB BOOKPAGE PUMPKINS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Using recycled book pages and fall colored craft papers, create festive decorative pumpkins to welcome the fall season. Registration required: 410-2084014. www.worcesterlibrary.org
PUZZLE SWAP
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1-7 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with new-to-you puzzles. Don’t have a puzzle to exchange but still want one? That’s OK too. All puzzles must be complete in their original boxes. 410-641-0650
CASH BINGO
Wednesdays - Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave. Door open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Food available before bingo and at intermission. Open to the public. 443-605-5028
POLISH AMERICAN CLUB MEETING
Knights of Columbus, Behind St. Luke’s Church, 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean
City, 2-4
p.m. Held the second Wednesday of each month. Members and those wanting to become members are invited. Denise, 443-857-9054.
ORAL HISTORY RESEARCH
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Historian Mike Dixon discusses how many experiences, if not recorded, are lost in time. Oral history provides a valuable method of capturing these insights. 410208-4014
FRANKENSTEAM: DOUGH CREATURE
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4:30 p.m. Design your own dough creature with a touch of electricity. Learn about circuits, conductive versus inductive and get a taste of the story of Frankenstein. For ages 6-11 years. 410-524-1818
PAJAMA STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 6:30 p.m. Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffie to snuggle while you enjoy stories and songs to wind down to bedtime. For ages 0-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FAMILY FUN NIGHTS
Wednesdays (through Aug. 20) - Ocean Pines Yacht Club Pool, 1 Mumford's Landing Road, 6-8 p.m. DJ, games and prizes. Food available for purchase. Admission is $3 for OP swim members, $5 for OP residents, $7 for non-residents and free for non-swimmers. Cash only. 410-641-7052, oceanpines.org
KIWANIS CLUB MEETING
Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Last Wednesday of the month meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.
28TH ANNUAL ENDLESS SUMMER CRUISIN AND 44TH ANNUAL HOT ROD & CUSTOME CAR SHOW
Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Also Inlet Parking Lot and locations throughout Ocean City. Car shows, boardwalk parades, live music, special guests and more. Schedule and tickets: https://specialeventpro.com/endlesssummer-cruisin. 410-798-6304
PARTY OF THE YEAR
Kalamata Meze Bar, 12849 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, 6-9 p.m. Tickets $150. “Aladdin’s World: pARTy of the Year” features live music, dancing, modern Mediterranean cuisine, Nori sushi, open bar (potable potions) and more. https://givebutter.com/c/PartyoftheYear2025, 410-524-9433
PLAY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill
Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME: LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Can Leonardo learn to be scary or become something even better? Songs, a story and a craft. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
OC CHESS CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a relaxing game of chess every Thursday at the library. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
LET’S MAKE … FABRIC COLLAGES
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Experiment with texture, color and composition using vibrant textiles and foam core as a canvas. No sewing. All materials provided. Registration required: 410641-0650. www.worcesterlibrary.org
MUSIC LEGENDS MOVIE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Watch this biopic detailing of Bob Dylan’s early years. Rated R. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CHAIR YOGA
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 2 p.m. This is an all-levels chair yoga program. Handouts with poses and stretches you can do at home will be provided. Registration required: 410-957-0878. www.worcesterlibrary.org
BINGO
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Play a lively game of Bingo and win fun prizes. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
DRY PANTRY
Thursdays - St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower Street, Berlin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For those in need of resources such as paper products, laundry products, baby items, and personal care items. Limits apply. 410-641-0270
Crossword answers from page 56
CARPENTERS HELPER
OC Home Improvement Co. looking for help with Demo/Light Drywall, Carpentry and Painting. Must have transportation. Text 410-430-5027.
St. Matthew’s by the Sea United Methodist Church in beautiful Fenwick Island is looking for a PT ORGANIST/PIANIST to join our staff! Learn more at smbts.org or call 302-537-1402.
AMERICAN LEGION
Assistant Manager, PM Shift
2 Line Cooks, Part-time. Exp. required. Apply at Post, 2308 Philadelphia Avenue or call 410-289-3166
JOLLY ROGER
Small Engine Mechanic. Ride Maintenance. Year Round. Wage starts at $15/hour & up based on experience. Benefits available. 410-289-4902
Busy office is looking for someone to help with various duties. Human Resource/payroll experience a plus. Located in Clarksville, DE. Please call for more info: 302-228-2353
Established Fast-paced RESTAURANT Is seeking An experienced, year-round
Send resume/inquire Beacheats2@gmail.com
OC WINTER RENTAL
Downtown
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Y/R Rental
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YEAR-ROUND RENTAL
3BR, 2BA
Beautiful Townhouse with garage. Unfurnished. Off Rt. 54 in Atlantic Lakes. $2,600 per mo. + util’s. Owner pays HOA. Community pool. No pets/smoking. Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555
Seeking YR & Seasonal Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
FOR SALE
39 ACRE FARM mostly cleared. Between Pittsville and Salisbury. Huge warehouse/barn w/concrete floor. Perfect for horse, vehicles, contractors. Includes 2,200 sq. ft. house. Gourmet kitchen, liveable but needs updating. $675,000 Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555
COMMERCIAL
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Saturday, October 4 • 11-1pm
10651
This custom cedar-shake Cape Cod offers over 3,000 sq. ft. of finished living space. The bright foyer welcomes you with gleaming hardwood floors, classic wainscoting, and a wide staircase. The open-concept layout features a spacious living/dining area with gas fireplace, a sunroom filled with natural light, and a chef’s kitchen with custom cabinetry, granite counters, and island seating. The main level includes a large primary suite, home office, and half bath. Upstairs, find three bedrooms plus a Jack-and-Jill bath and flexible bonus spaces for work, play, or storage.
$795,000 (MDWO2028450)
1099 WINTERSON ROAD, SUITE 301
LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MARYLAND 21090
www.cgd-law.com/sales
&
By authority contained in a Deed of Trust dated August 25, 2020 and recorded in Liber 7968, Folio 440, among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, with an original principal balance of $99,000.00, and an interest rate of 20.990%, default having occurred thereunder, the Substitute Trustees will sell at public auction at the Courthouse door for the Circuit Court for Worcester County, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, on
October 20, 2025 AT 11:00AM
ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE property more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. The property is improved by a dwelling.
Terms of Sale: The property will be sold “as is” subject to any conditions, restrictions, easements and agreements of record affecting same with no warranty of any kind. A deposit of $9,800.00 by certified funds only (no cash accepted) required at time of auction. Balance of the purchase price to be paid within 10 days of ratification of sale by the Court, with interest at the note rate from date of sale to settlement. If settlement is delayed for ANY reason, there shall be no abatement of interest or taxes. All private utility, water and sewer facilities charges, front foot benefit payments, ground rent, or condo/HOA assessments, not otherwise divested by ratification of the sale are payable by purchaser without adjustment. Real estate taxes and all other public charges, or assessments, to be adjusted as of date of sale. Transfer and recordation taxes, and all other costs incident to settlement, shall be borne by purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. If purchaser fails to go to settlement within ten days of ratification, or otherwise fails to comply with the terms of sale, the Trustee may declare the entire deposit forfeited and resell the property at the risk and expense of defaulting purchaser, who agrees to pay reasonable attorneys' fees and costs if a motion to resell the property has been filed, purchaser waives personal service of any paper filed in connection with such motion, and agrees to accept service of any such paper by regular mail to the address provided at time of sale. If the Trustee cannot convey insurable title, or the loan servicer determines that the sale should not have occurred, the sale shall be null and void, and purchaser's sole rem-
edy shall be the return of deposit without interest.
Richard E. Solomon, et al., Sub. Trustees
Tidewater Auctions, LLC (410) 825-2900
www.tidewaterauctions.com
CGD File #: 460586
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BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 961-6555
OF REAL PROPERTY AND ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEREON
357 TIMBERLINE CIRCLE BERLIN, MD 21811
Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust dated April 27, 2001, recorded in Liber 3033, Folio 147 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, with an original principal balance of $38,700.00, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Sub. Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on OCTOBER 21, 2025 AT 4:05 PM ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with any buildings or improvements thereon located in Worcester County, MD and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust.
The property, and any improvements thereon, will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.
Terms of Sale: A deposit of $5,000 in the form of certified check, cashier's check or money order will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price, together with interest on the unpaid purchase money at the current rate contained in the Deed of Trust Note, or any modifications thereto, from the date of sale to the date funds are received by the Sub. Trustees, payable in cash within ten days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court. There will be no abatement of interest due to the purchaser in the event additional funds are tendered before settlement. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THE PURCHASER. Adjustment of all real property taxes, including agricultural taxes, if applicable, and any and all public and/or private charges or assessments, to the extent such amounts survive foreclosure sale, including water/sewer, ground rent and front foot benefit charges, to be adjusted to date of sale and thereafter assumed by purchaser. Purchaser is responsible for any recapture of homestead tax credit. All transfer taxes and recordation taxes shall be paid by Purchaser. The purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of the ground rent escrow, if required. Condominium fees and/or homeowners
association dues, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. Purchaser is responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property, and assumes risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale. The sale is subject to post-sale audit of the status of the loan with the loan servicer including, but not limited to, determination of whether the borrower entered into any repayment agreement, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. In any such event, this sale shall be null and void, and the Purchaser's sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of the deposit without interest. If purchaser fails to settle within ten days of ratification, subject to order of court, purchaser agrees that property will be resold and entire deposit retained by Sub. Trustees as liquidated damages for all losses occasioned by the purchaser's default and purchaser shall have no further liability. The purchaser waives personal service of any papers filed in connection with its failure to settle within ten days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail at the address provided by the Purchaser as identified on the Memorandum of Sale. The defaulted purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds resulting from said resale even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulted purchaser. Sub. Trustees will convey either marketable or insurable title. If they cannot deliver one or the other, or if ratification of the sale is denied by the Circuit Court for any reason, the Purchaser's sole remedy, at law or equity, is return of the deposit without interest. (Matter No. 376599-1)
Howard N. Bierman, Carrie M. Ward, et. al., Substitute Trustees
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PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20824
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the ORPHAN'S court of YORK, PENNSYLVANIA appointed LORI HATTERER whose address is PO BOX 5 80 W MAPLE STREET EAST PROSPECT, PA 17317-0005 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of ROBERT G COOK who died on JANUARY 03, 2025 domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA
The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is PETER S BUAS whose address is 3509 COASTAL HWY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in
the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-9/18/3t
PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of LARRY ELLIS HOLDREN Estate No. 20826 Notice is given that CARRIE KAY HOLDREN SERRELL whose address is 933 WHISPERING RIDGE LN BEL AIR, MD 21015-2102 was on SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LARRY ELLIS HOLDREN who died on AUGUST 29, 2025 with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 12th day of MARCH, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET
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VICTOR A. LEMBO
SIMS & CAMPBELL LLC
181 HARRY S. TRUMAN PKWY., STE. 150 ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-7565
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Estate No. 20628 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF YOKO WALKER
Notice is given that David G. Walker, 10128 52nd Ave., College Park, MD 20740-1124, was on September 11, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Yoko Walker who died on January 19, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 11th day of March, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
David G. Walker Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: September 18, 2025
Personal Representative of the estate of SHIRLEY J. TINGLE who died on JUNE 10, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of MARCH, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-9/18/3t
REENA J. PATEL ESQ. LAW OFFIC OF MARIANNA BATIE
1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B
SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20820 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF PAULINE J. ELLIOTT
Notice is given that Jerome Wood, 12249 Snug Harbor Rd., Berlin, Md 21811-2617 and John Wood, 5 LaFayette Way, Monongahela, PA 15063-3506, were on September 09, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Pauline J. Elliott who died on May 06, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Jerome Wood John Wood
Personal Representatives
True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: September 18, 2025
OCD-9/18/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of SHIRLEY J. TINGLE Estate No. 20821 Notice is given that BARBARA ELIZABETH TINGLE whose address is 6 NW 4TH ST., MILFORD, DE 19963-1412 was on SEPTEMBER 09, 2025 appointed
Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: September 18, 2025
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of March, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of
OCD-9/18/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20823 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CHARLES WALTER HINZ
Notice is given that Kenneth W. Hinz, 6848 Bent Grass Dr., Naples, FL 34113-2658, was on September 10, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles Walter Hinz who died on September 03, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 10th day of March, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Kenneth W. Hinz Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for
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BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852
ANDREW J. BRENNER, et al. 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852
Substitute Trustees/ Plaintiffs, vs.
JOSEPH R. SCHNEIDER (DECEASED) 18 Southwind Court Berlin, MD 21811
Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
Case No. C-23-CV-24-000138
Notice is hereby given this 18th day of September, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 18 Southwind Court, Berlin, MD 21811, made and reported by the Substitute Trustee, will be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 20th day of October, 2025, provided a copy of this NOTICE be inserted in some weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 13th day of October, 2025. The report states the purchase price at the Foreclosure sale to be $350,000.00.
Susan R. Braniecki Clerk, Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD
OCD-9/25/3t
PORT WARDENS
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 106 ”Waterways,” Article II – “Shoreline Development” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Port Wardens Ordinance of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.
Thursday, October 9, 2025 2:00 PM
PW 24-063 A request has been submitted for a revision to a new pier granted in November 2024 due to an after the fact construction change. The initial request was ap-
proved for a 22’ pier extension. To comply with the finished pier measurement of 27.5’; a 5.5’ extension is requested. The site of construction is described as being located at 206 52ND STREET Parcel #6816-206 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Walter Dea
APPLICANT: Kayla Lewis
PW 25-082 A request has been submitted to install one boatlift with associated pilings and to install a 17’ extension to an existing pier for a total length of 47’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 13503 HOLLY LN UNIT A Parcel # 9617A-12A in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Vincent Magliano
APPLICANT: McGinty Marine Construction
PW 25-083 A request has been submitted to remove an existing PWC lift and install a new elevator type lift with a platform maximum channelward extension 30’6”. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 506 32ND ST UNIT 6 Parcel # 4454 -6 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Zeus Araquel
APPLICANT: Kayla Lewis
PW 25-084 A request has been submitted to install 100’ of replacement vinyl bulkheading and install a new 5’ x 100’ parallel platform, maximum channelward extension 6’6”. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 601 SEAWEED LN Parcel # 9937A- in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Baytree CM, c/o Carolyn DiArcangelo
APPLICANT: Martin’s Marine LLC
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RACHEL B. HARRIS ESQ.
P.O. BOX 62
POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851-0062 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20830 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF AUDREY G. WILLIAMS AKA: AUDRY WHITEHEAD WILLIAMS, AUDREY GLORIA WILLIAMS
Notice is given that Harry Guy Williams, 31906 Walter Johnson Rd., Westover, MD 21871-3110 and Gloria Dawn Herbert, 4075 Grosse Point Dr., Salisbury, MD 21804-2534, were on September 19, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Audrey G. Williams who died on August 09, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of March, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned per-
The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles.
The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law.
These three weeks of notification begins on DATE: 9/19/2025
All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.
AUTH: Raymond J Austin Chief of Police
sonal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Harry Guy Williams
Gloria Dawn Herbert
Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: September 25, 2025 OCD-9/25/3t
COUNTY
The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing and will receive public comment on the following map amendment on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 10:30 AM in the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1101, One
West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland:
Rezoning Case No. 451, filed by Hugh Cropper on behalf of Richard and Elizabeth Smithson, property owners, for an amendment to the Official Zoning Maps to change approximately 150 acres of land located on the north side of Public Landing Road (MD Route 365), west of Outten Road, Snow Hill, in the Second Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland, from E-1 Estate District to A-1 Agricultural District.
A copy of the file on Rezoning Case No. 451 and the Planning Commission’s recommendation, which will be entered into record at the public hearing, are available to view online at www.co.worcester.md.us or during normal business hours at the Department of Development, Review and Permitting, One West Market Street, Room 1201, Snow Hill, MD.
THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-9/25/2t
WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA
THURSDAY OCTOBER 9, 2025
Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held in-person before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County, in the Board Room (Room 1102) on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Audio and video recording will take place during this public hearing.
The public is invited to view this
meeting live online athttps://worcestercountymd.swagit.co m/live
6:30 p.m. Case No. 25-53, on the lands of the Donald W. Urbancic Living Trust, requesting a variance to the rear yard setback from 5 feet to 3.4 feet (to encroach 1.6 feet) for a proposed deck in the A-2 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1202(c)(18), ZS 1-305 and ZS 1-318, located at 8837 Bay Ridge Drive, Tax Map 33, Parcel 347, Lot 163, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:35 p.m. Case No. 25-54, on the lands of Holly and Daniel Bernabei, requesting a variance to the side yard setback from 10 feet to 4.8 feet (to encroach 5.2 feet) and a variance to the rear yard setback from 25 feet to 24.875 feet (to encroach 0.125 feet) for a proposed open deck enlargement in the R-1 Rural Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-205(b)(2) & ZS 1-305 located at 11406 Maid at Arms Lane, Tax Map 26, Parcel 1, Lot 74, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:40 p.m. Case No. 25-56, on the lands of Kristi and Brooks Brittingham, requesting five (5) variances associated with a proposed minor subdivision, including three (3) variances to the front and side yard setback for existing poultry houses from 200 feet to 100 feet (a reduction of 100 feet); one (1) variance to the front yard setback for an existing manure shed from 200 feet to 170 feet (a reduction of 30 feet); and one (1) variance to the minimum lot width requirement from 200 feet to 180.13 feet (a reduction of 19.87 feet) for a proposed new lot in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-
201(b)(5), ZS 1-349(f) and ZS 1-305, located at 8723 Ninepin Branch Road, Tax Map 30, Parcel 16, Tax District 4, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:45 p.m. Case No. 25-57, on the lands of Rhonda and Clayton Hathaway, on the application of Blair Carey/RBR Homes, requesting a variance to the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 20.8 feet (to encroach 9.2 feet) for a third floor open deck with stairs and a variance to the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 26 feet (to encroach 4 feet) for first, second and third floor porches associated with a proposed residence in the R-3 Multi-family Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-207(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 38 Teal Circle, Tax Map 16, Parcel 41, Section 4, Lot 61, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:50 p.m. Case No. 25-55, on the lands of the Friends of Bishopville Cemetery, Inc., on the application of Joseph E. Moore, requesting two (2) special exceptions for (1) the expansion of an existing cemetery and (2) the approval of a Columbarium on a separate parcel in the V-1 Village District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1-204(c)(19) and ZS 1-305, located at 10636 Cemetery Road, Tax Map 3, Parcels 98 and 101, Tax District 5, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:55 p.m. Case No. 25-58, on the lands of Cecelia and Joseph Letts, on the application of Hugh Cropper IV, requesting a special exception for the enlargement of a nonconforming structure (single-family residence) and three (3) variances including (1) a variance to the side yard setback from 20 feet to 11.2 feet (to encroach 8.8 feet) for the dwelling; (2) a variance to the side yard setback from 20 feet to 13.5 feet (to encroach 6.5 feet) for a proposed deck and steps; and (3) an after-the-fact variance to the side yard setback from 20 feet to 3.7 feet (to encroach 16.3 feet) for an existing shed in the A-2 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(5), ZS 1-122(d)(1), ZS 1116(c)(3), ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1202(b)(5) and ZS 1-305, located at 8949 Clark Road, Tax Map 33, Parcel 7, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.
7:00 p.m. Case No. 25-59, on the lands of John Skidmore, requesting a variance to the side yard setback from 6 feet to 0 feet (to encroach 6 feet) for a proposed pool, deck, covered deck and associated improvements in the R-3 Multi-family Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1207(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 26 West Mallard Drive, Tax Map 21, Parcel 273, Section 14C, Lot 122, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.
7:05 p.m. Case No. 25-52, on the
Call: 410-723-6397
Fax: 410-723-6511
or E-mail:
lands of Nicholas and Danielle Campanaro, on the application of Hugh Cropper IV, requesting a variance to reduce the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Buffer from 100 feet to 75.4 feet (to encroach 24.6 feet) for a proposed single-family residence in the R-1 Rural Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(m), ZS 1-205(b)(2) and ZS 1-305 and Natural Resources Code §§ 3104(d)(4) and NR 3-111, located on the southwestern side of Trappe Creek Drive at its intersection with Hunting Hound Road, Tax Map 32, Parcel 349, Lot 15, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.
OCD-9/25/2t
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS, LLC
C/O KENNY LAW GROUP, LLC
Plaintiff vs.
CORA DANIELS NEELON, GAIL E. NEELON, OCEAN PINES ASSOCIATION, INC., WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND AND
All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property situate and lying in Worcester County and known as 1300 OCEAN PKWY AND
Unknown Owner of the property 1300 OCEAN PKWY described as follows: Property Tax ID 03-105830 on the Tax Roll of Worcester County, the unknown owner's heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest in the property.
Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO C-23-CV-25-000021
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights ofredemption in the following property described below in the State of Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding:
All that property lying and being situate in the Town of Ocean Pines, in the Third Election District of Worcester County, Maryland; More particularly described as LOTB-101129 7725 SQ FT OCEAN PKWAY PL, OCEAN PINES SEC 10; Parcel ID: 03-105830, 1300 Ocean Pkwy, Ocean Pines, MD 21811
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid although more than six (6) months (or nine months if the Property was listed as a Principal Residence by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on the date of the sale) from the date of sale have expired.
It is thereupon this September 26, 2025 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County:
ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) successive weeks on or before the 28th day of November, 2025, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 28th day of January, 2026 and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a Final Judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.
Brian D. Shockley CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY
True Copy
Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-10/2/3t
TIMOTHY J. OURSLER ESQ. MCALLISTER, DE TAR, SHOWWALTER & WALKER LLC 706 GIDDINGS AVE., STE. 305 ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-1425
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of JOSEPH C. COURTNEY IV Estate No. 20829 Notice is given that LISA COURTNEY whose address is 9811 WINDING TRAIL DR., OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9332 was on SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOSEPH C. COURTNEY IV who died on AUGUST 11, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of MARCH, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20832
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the SUPERIOR court of NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DELAWARE appointed DENISE KATZ whose address is 209 APACHE CT., NEWARK, DE 19702-1903 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of BEATRICE A. SMITH who died on JUNE 13, 2025 domiciled in DE, USA
The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is DEBRA ERBE whose address is 3010 PHILADELPHIA AVENUE, UNIT N 206, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3898. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-9/25/3t
GORDON D. FRONK ESQ. EWING, DIETZ, FOUNTAIN & KALUDIS, P.A. 16 S. WASHINGTON ST. EASTON, MD 21601-3008
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of KATHERINE J. FARMER Estate No. 20835 Notice is given that BRIAN P. RECKORD whose address is 1017 VINEYARD HILL RD., BALTIMORE, MD 21228-5360 was on SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of KATHERINE J. FARMER who died on AUGUST 22, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of MARCH, 2026. Any person having a claim
against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-9/25/3t
Cove Landing Road Culvert Rehabilitation
Worcester County is seeking Bids from qualified Vendors to contract for the construction of the Cove Landing Road Culvert Rehabilitation in conformity with the requirements contained herein Bid Documents.
Bid Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer at purchasing@worcestermd.gov or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Bid Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Bid Documents.
A pre-bid conference will be held on-site at the project site, located at the intersection of Captains Lane/Cove Landing Road in Bishopville, MD, on October 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. The last day for questions will be noon on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Sealed Bid Documents are due no later than 2:30 pm, Thursday, October 30, 2025, and will be opened and read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Bid Documents will not be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked " Bid Solicitation – Cove Landing Road Culvert Rehabilitation” in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for the award of the solicitation.
OCD-10/2/1t
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS, LLC
C/O KENNY LAW GROUP, LLC
Plaintiff vs. STACY-ANN NAGLE, BANK OF AMERICA, NA, MARK H. FRIEDMAN, TRUSTEE, ESTATE OF ALVIN E. FREIDMAN, TRUSTEE, ESTATE OF RAYMOND CONGOUR, ESTATE OF MAUREEN C. CONGOUR, WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND AND
All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property situate and lying in Worcester County and known as 135A JAMESTOWN RD, #18A AND Unknown Owner of the property 135A JAMESTOW RD, #18A described as follows: Property Tax ID I 0-214688 on the Tax Roll of Worcester County, the unknown owner's heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest in the property.
Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO: C-23-CV-25-000239
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property described below in the State of Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding:
Parcel No. 10214688 Lot 18A S Side Jamestown Rd PL Jamestown Manor TNHS assessed to Nagle Stacy-Ann
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid although more than six (6) months (or nine months if the Property was listed as a Principal Residence by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on the date of the sale) from the date of sale have expired.
It is thereupon this 25th of September, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County: ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) successive weeks on or before the 25th day of November, 2025, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 25th day of November, 2025, and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a Final Judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.
Brian D. Shockley CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR
WORCESTER COUNTY
True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-10/2/3t
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS, LLC
C/O KENNY LAW GROUP, LLC Plaintiff vs.
ESTATE PHYLLIS A. DAVIS, ESTATE OF CARMELA DAVIS, WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND AND
All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property situate and lying in Worcester County and known as 51 BRANDYWINE DR AND
Unknown Owner of the property 51 BRANDYWINE DR described as follows: Property Tax ID 03-058433 on the Tax Roll of Worcester County, the unknown owner's heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest in the property.
Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO: C-23-CV-25-000238
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property described below in the State of Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding:
LOT B-13-183 9750 SQ FT BRANDYWINE DR PL OCEAN PINES SEC 13; Assessed to DAVIS NICK WILLIAM & DAVIS PHYLLIS ANNE; Parcel 03 058433; 51 Brandywine Dr, Ocean Pines, MD 21811
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid although more than six (6) months (or nine months if the Property was listed as a Principal Residence by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on the date of the sale) from the date of sale have expired.
It is thereupon this 25th of September, 2025 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County:
ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) successive weeks on or before the 25th day of November, 2025, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 25th day of November, 2025, and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a Final Judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all
encumbrances.
Brian D. Shockley CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-10/2/3t
Worcester County is seeking proposals from a qualified consulting firm experienced in revising and updating existing Hazard Mitigation Plans to conduct a comprehensive review and update of the 2020 Worcester County Hazard Mitigation Plan, resulting in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- approved plan in conformity with the requirements outlined herein, Proposal Documents.
Proposal Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer, at purchasing@worcestermd.gov or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
The last day for questions will be noon on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 2:30 pm, and will be opened, and only vendor names will be read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked " Proposal Solicitation –Hazard Mitigation Plan” in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for the award of the solicitation.
OCD-10/2/1t
Whaleyville Recycling Center
Concrete Pad
Worcester County is seeking Bids from qualified Vendors to contract for a concrete pad at the Whaleyville Recycling Center in conformity with the requirements contained herein Bid Documents.
Bid Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing
the Procurement Officer at purchasing@worcestermd.gov or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Bid Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Bid Documents.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 10:30am on site at the Whaleyville Recycle Center located at Rt 610 and Shepards Crossing Rd. Whaleyville Md. 21872. The last day for questions will be noon on Friday, October 17, 2025. Sealed Bid Documents are due no later than Monday, October 27, 2025 at 2:30pm and will be opened and read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863. Late Bid Documents will not be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked " Bid Solicitation – Whaleyville Recycling Center Concrete Pad” in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for award of the solicitation.
OCD-10/2/1t
Portable Toilet Services
Worcester County is seeking Bids from qualified Vendors to provide Portable Toilet Services at various locations throughout Worcester County, including Public Works, Parks and our Boat Ramps in conformity with the requirements contained herein Bid Documents.
Bid Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer at purchasing@worcestermd.gov or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Bid Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Bid Documents.
The last day for questions will be noon on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Sealed Bid Documents are due no later than 2:30pm on Thursday, October 23, 2025 and will be opened and read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Bid Documents will not be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked " Bid
Solicitation – Portable Toilet Services” in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for award of the solicitation.
OCD-10/2/1t
QUINN W MCGINNES
WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP
3509 COASTAL HWY
OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334
SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of BOWMAN J KELLEY Estate No. 20842 Notice is given that J MICHAEL KELLEY whose address is 12336 BACK CREEK RD BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813-1724 was on SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of BOWMAN J KELLEY who died on JANUARY 31, 2025 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY
ONE W MARKET STREET
ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-10/2/1t
QUINN W MCGINNES
WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP
3509 COASTAL HWY
OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334
SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
ESTATE NO. 20840 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF SHIRLEY A. TAYLOR
Notice is given that Robert L. Taylor Jr., 114 Upshur Ln., Berlin, MD 21811-1437 and Denise Madden, 14981 Newburyport Dr., Fishers, IN 46040-9128, were on September 26, 2025 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Shirley A. Taylor who died on March 04, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
Robert L. Taylor Jr. Denise Madden Personal Representatives True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: October 02, 2025
OCD-10/2/1t _________________________________
OF PASSAGE OF BILL 25-03
Take Notice that Bill 25-03 (Zoning – Multi-family dwelling units in the C-2 General Commercial District) was passed by Commissioners Bertino, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on September 16, 2025.
A fair summary of the bill is as follows:
§ ZS 1-210(b)(21). (Amends the Zoning and Subdivision Control Article to add a permitted use to allow detached multi-family dwelling units as an accessory use to a commercial development, provided at least sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the net lot area for a given parcel be developed with a commercial use or structure permitted in the C-2 District, and a minimum of 15%
of open space be provided for the residential uses.)
This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103 and is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center. In addition, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.
THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OCD-10/2/3t
OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 25-05 WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Take Notice that Bill 25-05 (Taxation – Homestead Property Tax Credit) was introduced by Commissioners Abbott, Bertino, Bunting, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on September 2, 2025.
A fair summary of the bill is as follows:
§ TR 1-210 Homestead Property Tax Credit. (Amends the subsection to reduce the homestead property tax credit from three percent to zero percent effective July 1, 2026.)
A Public Hearing will be held on Bill 25-05 at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 10:35 a.m.
This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103, is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center once County Government Offices are opened to the public. In the interim, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.
THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OCD-10/2/2t _________________________________
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20836 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MATHILDE LOUISE KHOM
Notice is given that Cynthia Marrufo, 112 Middle St., Berlin, MD 21811-1429, was on September 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mathilde Louise Khom who died on October 23, 2023, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their
objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of March, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Cynthia Marrufo
Personal Representative True Test Copy
Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: October 02, 2025
OCD-10/2/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIE MAE MYER Estate No. 20833 Notice is given that DIANE N. RAYNES whose address is 571 MICHIGAN DR., FALLING WATERS, WV 25419-4217 was on SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIE MAE MYER who died on SEPTEMBER 03, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of MARCH, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not pre-
sented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-10/2/3t
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS, LLC
C/O KENNY LAW GROUP, LLC
Plaintiff vs. SCOTT WILLIAM ROEMER, ELIZABETH M ROEMER, OLYMPIC CONDOMINIUM, WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND AND
All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property situate and lying in Worcester County and known as 15 40TH ST, #14 AND
Unknown Owner of the property 15 40TH ST, #14 described as follows: Property Tax ID I 0-238129 on the Tax Roll of Worcester County, the unknown owner's heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest in the property.
Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO: C-23-CV-25-000023
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property described below in the State of Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding:
All that property lying and being situate in the Town of Ocean City, in the Tenth Election District or Worcester County. Maryland: More: particularly described as U 14 40TH ST OLYMPIC CM: Parcel TD: I 0238129, 15 40th Street. Unit 14, Ocean City, MD 21842
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid although more than six (6) months (or nine months if the Property was listed as a Principal Residence by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on the date of the sale) from the date of sale have expired.
It is thereupon this 26th of September, 2025 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County: ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) successive weeks on or before the 28th day of November, 2025, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 28th day
of January, 2026 and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a Final Judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.
Brian D. Shockley CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-10/2/3t
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS, LLC
C/O KENNY LAW GROUP, LLC Plaintiff vs.
GLENN E SHERMAN, BONNIE GALE SHERMAN, QUAY CONDOMINIUM, WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND AND
All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property situate and lying in Worcester County and known as 10700 COASTAL HWY, #1005 AND
Unknown Owner of the property 10700 COASTAL HWY, #1005 described as follows: Property Tax ID 10-125138 on the Tax Roll of Worcester County, the unknown owner's heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest in the property.
Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO: C-23-CV-25-000017
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property described below in the State of Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding:
All that property lying and being situate in the Town of Ocean City, in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland; More particularly described as U 1005 BEACH HWY QUAY CM; Parcel ID: 10-125138, 10700 Coastal Hwy, Unit 1005, Ocean City, MD 21842
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid although more than six (6) months ( or nine months if the Property was listed as a Principal Residence by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on the date of the sale) from the date of sale have expired.
It is thereupon this 26th of September, 2025 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County:
ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a
general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) successive weeks on or before the 28th day of November, 2025, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 28th day of January, 2026 and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a Final Judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.
Brian D. Shockley CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-10/2/3t
BETH B. MILLER ESQ. FOX ROTHSCHILD, LLP 1201 N MARKET ST., STE. 1200 WILMINGTON, DE 19801-1163
TO
OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20828 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the ORPHANS court of BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed ANDREW W. BONEKEMPER whose address is 400 KENNEDY RD., COLLEGEVILLE, PA 19426-1779 as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of H. GEORGE BONEKEMPER AKA: H. G. BONEKEMPER, HAROLD G. BONEKEMPER, HAROLD GEORGE BONEKEMPER III, HAROLD G. BONEKEMPER III, GEORGE BONEKEMPER, H. BONEKEMPER who died on MARCH 10, 2025 domiciled in PA, USA
The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is CRYSTAL BRADY whose address is PO BOX 255, OAKLAND, MD 21550-0255. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER COUNTY. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-10/2/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Estate No. 20656
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HOWARD R. SHAFFER
Notice is given that Christopher M. Shaffer, 10007 Mill Pond Dr., Bishopville, MD 21813-1274, was on September 24, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Howard R. Shaffer who died on April 12, 2025, without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 24th day of March, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Christopher M. Shaffer Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: October 02, 2025
OCD-10/2/3t
COATES, COATES, & COATES, P.A.
RAYMOND D. COATES JR., ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300
OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
ESTATE NO. 20853
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Circuit court of Prince William County, Virginia appointed William S. Chakalos, 359 Fox Chase St., Warrenton, VA 20186-2371 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Spyridon V. Chakalos AKA: Spyridon Vasilios Chakalos who died on January 21, 2007 domiciled in Virginia, USA.
The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is Raymond D. Coates, Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698.
At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
William S. Chakalos
Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott Register of Wills
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of Newspaper:
Ocean City Digest
Date of first publication: October 02, 2025
OCD-10/2/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20815 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF STEPHEN K. YOVANOV
AKA: STEPHEN KARL YOVANOV
Notice is given that Robert F. Yovanov, 840 Arden Ct., West Chester, PA 19382-7992, was on September 15, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stephen K. Yovanov who died on August 26, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of March, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not pre-
sented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Robert F. Yovanov
Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: September 25, 2025
OCD-9/25/3t
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M.
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update, on October 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers located in City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.
The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to direct and manage the future land use, development and natural resources conservation of the Town of Ocean City. The Town of Ocean City is required to update its Comprehensive Plan at least once every ten years by the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has completed a chapter-bychapter review and determined that updates are necessary to correct demographic data and analysis, and to confirm that policies and objectives are appropriate and still reflect the needs of the community. Once approved by the Mayor and City Council, the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update will replace the adopted 2017 Comprehensive Plan as amended on March 5, 2018.
The draft Comprehensive Plan Update and related documents can be viewed on the Town’s web site at the following address: https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/planning-community-devel-
opment/comprehensive-plan/, or at the Department of Planning and Community Development. Written comments may be submitted to Joe Wilson, Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842 or online from the webpage. Contact George Bendler, Planning Director, at (410) 289-8973 or GBendler@oceancitymd.gov for more information. Public comment at the hearing is encouraged. Speaker sign-up will begin at 5:30 p.m. for those wishing to speak. The regular business meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the public hearing is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Citizens with special needs may call prior to the hearing at (410) 289-8855.
AT 7:00 PM
A public hearing for an ordinance to amend Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland; Article V, Supplemental Regulations; Division 3, offstreet parking; Section 110-935, entitled design standards, to require all garages to have a driveway apron of no less than five (5) feet between the garage door and the interior drive aisle.
Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall.
Joseph Wilson, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney
Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Friday 11am-1pm Fri-Mon 11am-4pm H
Saturrdday10am-Noon
Saturrdday 10am-Noon
Saturrdday 10am-Noon
12430 Old Bridge Rd., West OC 2BR/2BA
Oct. 2 - 9
Reither/Coldwell B on Harbour erro r, , 120th St., Bayside
Muirfield Lane, Berlin
Sandy Dougan/BHHS Pe 99000 Coastal Hwyy. . Unit 1609
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) The Ocean City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to increase general employee pay table minimums and maximums by 6% – rather than the budgeted 3% – and to move annual pay increases among the police department’s command staff from January 2026 to July 1, 2025.
Human Resources Director Katie Callan said the adjustments address current inequities and pay compression, or the lack of a significant monetary difference between pay grades and positions in the employee hierarchy.
Just to recap, this council already approved the FY26 budget, which includes a 3% [cost-of-living adjustment] and an annual midpoint pay adjustment for general employees,” she told the council this week. “We’re not requesting any changes to those two pay-related items. We are, however, making two other recommendations.”
Callan said staff first recommended an increase in general employee pay table minimums and maximums from the budgeted 3% to 6%. They also requested that command staff within the police department receive their annual pay increase this year, instead
of in January.
“We would retro their pay from this point back to July 1,” Budget Director Jennie Knapp explained.
Callan noted an earlier increase in command staff pay was justified, as a recently ratified contract between the city and its police union created some pay compression – both between general employees and Fraternal Order of Police members, and between sergeants and lieutenants.
“For some background there, Jennie, Terry and I, in consultation with the former police chief a few years ago, committed to making every effort to keep the distance between the sergeant and the lieutenant at about 15%,” she said.
“This differential is necessary to attract qualified candidates to apply for those roles, as they will no longer be eligible to earn overtime, which can represent significant earnings above their base pay. This recommendation allows us to reestablish that separation, which has shrunk to single digits in some situations.”
Callan added the recommendation would provide greater earnings potential for general employees in positions equivalent to those in the police union, and align yearly command staff increases to those of all other public safety employees. She said that in-
cluded everyone in the fire union, fire department command staff and the police union.
“And finally, with these more competitive pay tables, we anticipate it will eliminate the need for probably at least seven seasonal rates,” she said. “These have become administratively burdensome over the years and something we’ve been trying to resolve for several years now.”
Knapp said the two recommendations would cost the city $180,355 above what had already been budgeted in the current fiscal year. However, she said she would continue to find funding to cover the cost.
“In order to pay for that, I want to remind you we do have $1.3 million set aside in a reserved fund balance for pay, salary and benefit increases,” she told the council. “In addition, I will be looking throughout the fiscal year at estimated revenue that generally goes above what we estimated in the budget. So, amusement tax, parking, licensing fees and interest on investments. In addition, there are several vacant positions throughout the town. And we would use the savings from those vacant positions toward the increments.”
With no further discussion, the council voted to approve the two staff recommendations.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) A former Resort Homes employee pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and tax evasion in federal court this week.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced that Tammy Barcus, 56, of Berlin, entered a guilty plea to the three counts following a criminal investigation into claims of embezzlement at the Ocean City-based home building company.
Barcus, a former office manager and bookkeeper, admitted to forging the business owner’s signature on checks at least 500 times and embezzling at least $1.79 million from her employer. She faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud, five years for tax evasion and a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft.
Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026.
“Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties,” a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office reads. “A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S.
Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.”
Last October, Resort Homes filed a civil suit against Tammy Barcus, the company’s bookkeeper, and her husband, Ron Barcus, the company’s tile and marble subcontractor, alleging the couple defrauded the business out of $1.5 million over the course of several years.
The suit claims that Tammy Barcus wrote unauthorized payments – totaling more than $200,000 per year – to Ron Barcus and concealed the transactions as payments to other companies.
Resort Homes alleges Ron Barcus had then endorsed the falsified checks and deposited them into the couple’s bank accounts.
After discovering accounting discrepancies last fall, the company notified Maryland State Police, which began an investigation. The lawsuit also reports Tammy Barcus had confessed to the fraudulent activity, which was recorded by a state trooper.
In February, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge halted proceedings in the civil suit after it was learned federal prosecutors were considering criminal charges. The Barcus family’s attorney, Steve Rakow, says
Ron Barcus was not the target of any criminal investigation and that Tammy Barcus had taken full responsibility for her actions against Resort Homes.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Barcus admitted to embezzling at least $1.79 million and concealing the embezzlement from both her employer and the Internal Revenue Service.
In her guilty plea, Barcus acknowledged that she worked for the home builder “as a trusted employee with substantial control over business records and financial accounts.” As part of her daily job duties, Barcus had access to payment systems and accounting records that belonged to the home builder and “worked with a high degree of independence.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also reports Barcus also made false edits and entries to the company’s internal accounting records to cover up the fraudulent activity.
“From 2016 through 2024, Barcus used her position of trust to embezzle money by issuing more than 500 fraudulently authorized checks from
the home builder’s business bank account,” the news release reads. “Barcus forged the signature of one of the owners on the face of the business checks and then deposited the checks into bank accounts she controlled. She then used the money for her personal enrichment.”
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington D.C. Field Office.
Hayes commended IRS-CI for its work in the investigation. She also recognized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Murphy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry Gruber, who are prosecuting the federal case, and Paralegal Specialists Joanna B.N. Huber and Shelbe Mascaro, for their assistance.
With the criminal case now concluding, the parties in the civil suit will consider a settlement, according to Rakow. A status hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 21 in Worcester County Circuit Court.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) Officials and supporters this week unveiled a new mural celebrating the Henry Hotel, its owners and its history.
On Tuesday, representatives with the Henry Hotel Foundation and Beach to Bay Heritage Area, alongside officials with various nonprofits and government agencies, cut the ribbon on a new mural, located next to the historic Henry Hotel in downtown Ocean City.
Funded by the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, the installation not only celebrates the building’s legacy, but pays tribute to all African Americans who worked in Ocean City and helped make the resort town a successful tourist destination.
“It’s a wonderful addition to what we are trying to do here in Ocean City …,” Henry Hotel Foundation President Nancy Howard said this week. “My motto is that the Henry Hotel is here because it wants to be here, it wants to tell its story, it needs to tell its story … Everybody here has played a part in helping us so far in getting the story out, and we’re not done yet.”
The Henry Hotel is one of a few 19th century structures remaining in Ocean
City. Located on the corner of South Division Street and South Baltimore Avenue, the building was purchased in 1926 by Charles T. Henry, a Black businessman from Berlin. It opened the following year as “Henry’s Colored Hotel.”
Following Henry’s death in 1942, his widow continued to operate the hotel until it was sold in the 1950s. Its last owner, Pearl Bonner, operated the hotel until the 1990s. Upon her death in 2003, the property passed to her children.
However, those with the Henry Hotel Foundation are now looking to restore the building and establish a museum and learning center that honors the life of Bonner and reflects on the history of African Americans in Ocean City.
As part of that effort to educate the community, officials this week celebrated the unveiling of an art installation to the south of the Henry Hotel. The mural features images of Bonner and those who worked in Ocean City.
“We’re celebrating our 150th year anniversary this year, so this is particularly important and, I think, appropriate for this occasion,” Mayor Rick Meehan said during Tuesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony. “I think those of us
who live in Ocean City are proud of our history. We’re also very curious about our past and how we got to where we are today. And I think the Henry Hotel plays a role in that history … I think this mural will inspire people to learn a little bit more about where we were in Ocean City, where we are today, and really where we’re headed in the future.”
Worcester County Commissioner
Diana Purnell and Maryland Sen. Mary Beth Carozza also took time Tuesday to recognize the history of the Henry Hotel and the partnerships that allowed the mural to be constructed. Artist Jay Coleman said the mural is “about more than servitude but about resilience and hope and tenacity.”
“I hope this [mural] can be a beacon, for all of us to dig deeper into our own histories, into Maryland history, and of course into the history of the Henry Hotel,” he told the crowd this week.
The mural in Ocean City is one of four created to highlight African American heritage on the Lower Shore. Other installations are the Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley mural in Berlin, the Frederick Douglass mural in Salisbury and a mural in Crisfield honoring 17 locals who made lasting contributions to their community.
“This project is about more than preserving history — it’s about recognizing the stories, people, and places that have shaped who we are today,” said Lisa Challenger, executive director for Beach to Bay Heritage Area. “We could not have done it without the Henry Hotel Foundation and the support from Home Depot and Delmarva Veteran Builders for the construction of the mural wall”.
Beyond the mural installation, efforts are underway to raise funding for the restoration of the Henry Hotel. In addition to state grants, the foundation is seeking community donations for both exterior and interior improvements.
Additional information can be found on the foundation’s website, henryhotel.org.
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By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 2, 2025) Dan Schwartz says he’s just a “regular guy” from the Eastern Shore, but he’s betting that regular is exactly what Maryland’s First Congressional District needs right now.
The 36-year-old Democrat, married father of two, and career consumer watchdog says he thinks the once-safe Republican district is now winnable, and he’s building a coalition of “concerned conservatives” along with other Democrat and independent voters.
“I've never run for political office before, but I think there's never been a time when it's more important for regular people with experience and, you know, regular people problems to be in our government,” he said in an interview this week.
He has about 400 days to convince the electorate that he’s a better candidate for Congress than eight-term incumbent Republican Andy Harris, who he continues to criticize as an “extremist” and a “scammer.”
Schwartz is making it a point to visit all 11 counties in the district, attending county fairs, farm meetings, and civic clubs. He’s seizing upon issues that he believes broadly resonate, like cost of living, immi-
gration, and education. He wants to see tariffs reversed and funding maintained for food assistance programs like SNAP.
But Rep. Harris, 68, is as formidable a candidate as ever: he’s a high-profile Republican in Congress who wields major party influence, not only as the chair of the GOP’s Freedom Caucus, but as a staunch backer of President Donald Trump.
For those reasons, “I can make this a national race against him,” Schwartz said. “If we've ever had a chance to beat him, it's now, because of how he has tethered himself to the President. He appears to think that he works for the President, but he does not. He works for the people of the First Congressional district.”
Representatives from the Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment for this report.
Schwartz makes his home in the Talbot County hamlet of Bellevue, outside Easton. His professional background is in consumer protection, where he’s worked with state regulators to go after predatory behavior from institutions like banks, debt collectors, or payday lenders.
“I've been fighting scammers for my whole career and working to help regular people ensure that the environment that they're operating in when they're making these big financial decisions is a fair one,” he said.
One issue in particular that’s personal
to Schwartz is access to medical care in rural areas of the Eastern Shore. It’s something he witnessed firsthand when his young son, who’s now 5, couldn’t be treated in Easton for a seizure disorder because the hospital didn’t have the right trauma care, so the boy was rushed to a children’s hospital in Washington, D.C.
“People's only hope of survival out here is a helicopter ride across the Chesapeake Bay to Shock Trauma in Baltimore,” he said, “and you better hope that the weather is clear enough and that the helicopter's available, or you're just screwed.”
He’s also drawn inspiration from his wife, a family nurse practitioner who fights with insurance companies that deny coverage for critical, sometimes life-saving procedures.
Schwartz uses that anecdote to frame Harris, a medical doctor and anesthesiologist, as a proponent of cutting Medicaid when many district residents rely on it.
One of Schwartz’s biggest campaign pitches is that he’ll show up more than Harris, who has held few in-person, large-scale town hall meetings in recent years, and instead relying more on “telephone town hall” events.
“I understand if you're a member in California or Hawaii or Alaska, it can be difficult to be in your district and be present for your constituents,” he said.
“But that's not the case in a district like this where we get to commute to the United States Capitol and then come back home and be with our families and our neighbors at the end of the day.”
Schwartz has been a full-time candidate since April. Federal Elections Commission records show he’s raised nearly $102,000 with about $58,000 in cash on hand as of June 30, the end of the last quarterly reporting period. At the same time, Rep. Harris reportedly has about $1 million in cash on hand.
Other declared First District candidates are Randi White of Salisbury, Rev. Terrence Rogers of Prince Frederick, and George Walish Jr., of Earleville. None have reported raising any money through June 30, according to the FEC.
Two others are weighing a potential run after having formed exploratory committees: 35-year-old Berlin Mayor Zach Tyndall and state housing secretary Jake Day.
Day, 43, a former Salisbury mayor, reportedly planned to decide on his candidacy after a round of polling this summer. News reports also say Gov. Wes Moore backs him.
So far, though, Day has made no public comments, other than to say he’s flattered that people are asking him about a Congressional run. Day did not respond to requests for comment for this report.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 3, 2025) Excessive speeding can now land drivers in jail, one of dozens of new laws that took effect this week in the state of Maryland.
Oct. 1 was the effective date for more than 150 bills that the General Assembly passed into law during this year’s Legislative Session. Many happen to be driving-related, including new policies on speed cameras, license plates, and drivers licenses.
Speeding fines in effect are now on a sliding scale: the faster you go, the more the fine goes up (HB 182). At most, drivers caught going 40 mph or more above the posted speed limit are now subject to arrest and a fine of $500. That fine doubles to $1,000 if road workers are present.
Another law makes reckless driv-
ing an incarcerable offense and increases to $1,000 the maximum fines for negligent and aggressive driving. It also expands the list of traffic offenses that constitute aggressive driving, like ignoring stoplights and traffic signs, failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, and passing in a no-passing zone.
That bill (HB 744) came out of the Maryland House of Delegates and was named for Sgt. Patrick Kepp, a police officer in Montgomery County who was struck by a driver traveling more than 100 mph and was catastrophically injured.
It’s a regulation that Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli is taking very seriously. In a message posted to Facebook on Sept. 26, he reminded drivers how reckless driving will become an arrestable offense
under state law.
“Here in Worcester County, our deputies will be out aggressively patrolling, looking for egregious violators,” he said. “Slow down, get where you’re going safety, because safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s be responsible, especially out here on our roadways, because speed kills.”
Another law (HB 343) alters who can cite drivers for speed camera violations. Before, only sworn law enforcement officers could view and sign off on a speed camera violation. Now, a hired non-police officer, designated as a speed camera technician, may now authorize a citation when cameras catch a driver speeding.
Police also are now prohibited from using speed camera photos for anything else than appropriate traffic enforcement (HB 516) and must de-
stroy records of any vehicles captured on camera that didn’t violate traffic laws. The law also says those images must be removed from records after five years.
Drivers licenses were impacted by two new laws. One (HB 189) disqualifies commercial driver’s license holders who are convicted of driving under the influence from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year.
Another called Eric’s ID Law (HB 707) gives drivers the option to include on their driver’s license that they have a non-apparent disability.
Yet another car-related law (HB 470) outlaws the use of a license plate cover to obscure or block any numbers, or to distort or block the plate for traffic cameras in a manner than may prevent identification. The bill also established that police can only enforce this violation as a secondary action when a driver is detained for a primary reason.
Some laws ended roadway restrictions instead of tightening them. For truckers hauling milk, one new law (SB 203) creates an exception for vehicles carrying fluid milk products. They’re now allowed to drive on the interstate highway system, which was previously prohibited and had drawn the ire of dairy farmers.
By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer
Each year, October 1 marks the effective date of a host of Maryland laws, including those impacting real estate. Maryland REALTORS® issued an update of the following new laws for consumers, real estate licensees, and property managers that took effect October 1, 2025:
“Wholesaling” Disclosure: A
“wholesaler” must provide a disclosure to both the property seller and prospective buyer if a contract will be assigned. If the disclosure is not provided, the contract to purchase may be terminated without penalty prior to settlement.
Continuing Education Requirements: Continuing education requirements for licensees are adjusted as follows: Fair Housing hours are increased from 1.5 to 2.0; commercial practitioners are required to complete 2.0 hours of ADA compliance; and broker supervision is reduced to 1.5 hours.
Wrongful Detainer for Squatters: This creates an expedited wrongful detainer process to assist with fraudulent possession of residential properties by squatters.
Eviction Notice Procedures:
Landlords will provide notice to a tenant when a court has issued a warrant of restitution for a failure of a tenant to pay rent, a breach of lease, or a tenant holding over listing the initial date of eviction as set by the courts.
Pet Policy Disclosure: Landlords must provide the property's pet policy on the property's website and as part of an application form for a rental unit on the property.
Notice of Landlord Entry: A landlord must provide written notice to the tenant at least 24 hours prior to planned entry into the unit, unless an emergency exists. A landlord may only enter between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or as agreed to by the tenant.
Late Payment Calculations:
Landlords may charge a late penalty of 5% of the amount of the unpaid rent rather than of the total amount due.
Mortgage Loan Assumption: This bill requires banking institutions, credit unions, and mortgage lenders to include a provision in all conventional home mortgage loans that allows any of the existing borrowers to assume the mortgage in the event of a divorce. This applies to both new and existing mortgages.
Lauren Bunting is Broker of Record with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
In this week’s recap of the Oceans Calling music festival, a local businessman observed that this event down near the inlet has become a capstone of his restaurant’s business year. That prompted a look at Ocean City’s fall calendar followed by the realization that “fall,” as resort residents and long-time visitors once knew it, has been replaced by Special Event Season.
Time was, of course, veterans of the offseason understood it was time to start packing when “Polkamotion” wrapped up its two-day run at the convention center (it moved to Rehoboth Beach after 2004).
Obviously, things have changed considerably since then, with special events bringing in tens of thousands of visitors: Rock & Ride Bikefest in mid-September, Oceans Calling last week, Country Calling this week, Endless Summer Cruisin’ Ocean City next week and, in two weeks, Sunfest.
Although some residents say they miss those fall days when no one was here and they had the beach to themselves, the suspicion here is that’s more of a wistful observation than it is a real desire to give up this huge post-summer boost to Ocean City business. At least that’s true for anyone who makes a tourism-related living here.
This transformation, of course, did not happen by chance. It involved a great deal of work by the Town of Ocean City and its tourism department, by private promoters, business owners, operators and employees. And by Public Works, the Ocean City Police Department, and assisting law enforcement agencies such as the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police.
The fact is, Special Event Season in Ocean City has become an expensive, all-hands-on-deck enterprise of considerable proportions that’s destined to grow even more.
The question then, after weighing the cost, the effort and the commitment, is all this worth it?
We say it certainly is.
NEWS
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I don’t know why eating peacocks is illegal, but it is. At least it appears to be in Florida, which isn’t that surprising when you consider the explosive growth there in the number of people who are ... unusual.
By Stewart Dobson
We can only speculate on why that is, although I suspect a link between the state’s balmy weather and its expanding population of balmy people, some of whom object to eating peacocks.
I find that strange, since the state does allow the consumption of all kind of animals, including alligators, which will eat a peacock in a minute, legal restrictions be damned.
Of course, an alligator also will eat your pet cocker spaniel, which may be why cocker cookery is not allowed either, give or take the occasional secret ceremony involving loin-cloth-wearing dancers out in the swamp.
Nevertheless, according to the New York Times, a Hudson, Florida man was charged last week with aggravated peacock pan-frying after he told a neighbor he had killed and eaten two of his pet birds because she refused to stop feeding them despite his request that she stop.
The neighbor, apparently, ratted out the peacock cooker to the police, who cited him under, I guess, one of the many peacock protection provisions in Florida law.
My question, of course, is why?
I have always believed that what goes on between a man and his peacock is nobody’s business.
Furthermore, if I understand this correctly, the man’s real crime was a poor choice of cooking methods. Pan-frying a peacock is just wrong. Good home cooks everywhere know that slow roasting is best.
You think I’m kidding? I am not.
“...Brush the bird with melted butter and tie thin slices of salt pork over the breasts. Roast the bird in a moderate oven (350º F.) for 20 minutes per pound ...” Gourmet magazine peacock recipe 1961.
Obviously, the once-enjoyed pea fowl has since fallen out of favor, possibly because of an intense lobbying effort mounted by Marie Calendar and Col. Sanders, who observed as he contemplated various fried fowl fast food many years ago, “‘Kentucky Fried Peacock’ just don’t get it, y’all.”
Meanwhile, down in Florida, we must assume that the accused only got into trouble because his peacocks were pets.
See, it’s cruel to eat your pets, or someone else’s pets, for that matter, as much as you might want that one little helping of Chicken Chesapeake (Retriever), or kitty canapes at your next bridge party luncheon.
So be advised, the next time you go out for a peacock dinner, be sure to keep it legal by asking, “would that be domestic or wild caught?
Incidentally, I don’t want to hear a bunch of guff from pet owners who are shocked — Shocked, I tell you! — at some of my recipe references.
I was just kidding ... although Spitz on a Ritz does sound interesting. Oodles of Poodles Noodles anyone?
By Steve Green
Having attended all three days of last weekend’s Oceans Calling and each event beforehand, here are some observations from a general admission guest.
• Significant improvements were made this year within the footprint. The post-festival survey sent to all attendees was clearly reviewed. The most significant enhancements were more entrances and exits in the downtown area; more restroom locations and better accessibility and quality; improved cell service; some more places to sit; the hard surface path created along the oceanside running under the Pier was a major addition; and smaller restricted areas for blankets and towels.
• As has been the case each year, it’s the nature of the festival attendees that makes the event so special. These are just quality people by and large. We met an Ohio couple who were in Ocean City for the first time staying at an Airbnb within walking distance. They said they would be back in the summer. A Florida couple flew to the event largely for headliners Green Day and Fall Out Boy from Fort Myers, Fla. to Norfolk, Va. They rented a car and stay at the Aloft in Ocean City. Both couples had never been to Ocean City and knew little about it.
• There were reports of major gouging of concert-goers at Boardwalk merchants. This has been a common social media complaint with some merchants, but not everyone. Festival pricing is expected to be high, but it’s a shame if gross overcharging does happen. My wife and I paid $8 each for two slices of pizza on our way out one night. The pizza was delicious but I consider that a rip-off. Commerce management says the right price is what the market will bear. The line of people confirms the pricing was not too much to dissuade.
• From a music perspective, Lenny Kravitz’s performance Friday night was arguably my favorite in the festival’s three-year run in Ocean City. The page one photo was a special treat to capture from the front row. Kravitz’s rapport with the audience and warm way made it special. Like so many other musicians, he seemed genuinely happy to be performing in such a beautiful setting with an enthusiastic crowd. He also hit a chord with me when he briefly shared a personal opinion, saying, “Everyday on the television – left, right, left, right, there is only the center. And in the center is where love lives. So, get the f—off the left, get the f—off the right, and let’s get in the center, and that’s how I feel about that. It’s simple.” Maybe a bit of living in the clouds, but why not embrace it in the moment.
***
Dislcaimer: No offense intended to the Frederick County elementary teacher who won the state’s teacher of the year award last week. The decision makers at the state level lost a golden opportunity to celebrate “generation trade” in passing over Worcester County Teacher of the Year Phil Cropper for the grand prize. Going into last Friday’s event, I really thought Cropper had a realistic chance to win the statewide honor because of what’s happening currently with many students.
For many students, the trades, such as culinary, are more popular than ever when being weighed against today’s college expenses. Cropper is living this with The Pines Café he created at TidalHealth’s Ocean Pines campus. Students get real-life experience under a trained chef who has experience in restaurants including operating his own.
***
A social media post from the Delaware Restaurant Association was spread by restaurateurs this week including many in Maryland. The post was shared nearly 400 times with comments of support from operators. The statement was by DRA. President/CEO Carrie Leishman after the Iron Hill Brewery closed all 16 locations in Delaware and surrounding states. The statement touches on a major issue facing restaurants, which are dealing with rising costs and diminished profits. Consumers are facing the same challenges and many have simply cut down on eating out as a result of rising costs and new fees on credit card charges.
The statement read in part, “If a large, private-equity-backed company with decades of brand recognition cannot withstand today’s economic and regulatory pressures, imagine the strain on small, independent restaurants ... The stakes could not be higher. Restaurants in Delaware employ 1 in 10 of our residents — more than 53,000 people. They provide first jobs, second chances, and lifelong careers. When restaurants close, the impact ripples far beyond a favorite pub or gathering place. Families lose paychecks. Neighborhoods lose anchors. ... Our industry is built on razor-thin margins of less than 5%. Yet restaurants are asked to shoulder softened consumer spending, skyrocketing labor and food costs, and an evergrowing patchwork of regulations. The weight is becoming unbearable. … Delaware must act — and act boldly. We need bipartisan support and creative policy solutions to protect restaurants and the livelihoods they sustain. …." What can be done? Solutions and suggestions presumably are coming from the DRA following the statement.
Editor,
Last month our first amendment fundamentals were tested as the fed cracked down on dissent. On 9/17 Kimmel was taken off the air supposably after comments he made concerning the death of Charlie Kirk. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way” said FCC chair Brendan Carr, which started the ball rolling.
Here are some concerning facts about our media that perhaps you aren’t aware. In 1983, 50 companies controlled 90% of the media; today only 5 companies control 90% of the media market. Immediately after Steven Colbert’s Late Show cancelation was announced, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an $8 billion deal which merged Paramount Global (NBC owner) with Skydance Media. The agreement also placed government conditions on the network’s news division. Scary.
Now, concerning Kimmel, know that Disney (owns ABC) is awaiting approval from the FCC to merge with Nexstar. Another coincidence? Nexstar and Sinclair are two of the largest TV station groups and have wielded tremendous influence over ABC to cancel Kimmel. The New York Times reports that Nexstar is trying to acquire rival Tegna for $6.2 billion which would give them 80% of our TV markets. Very scary!
Our media companies are being targeted by our president. In addition to Colbert’s cancellation, Paramount agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle CBS’s 60 Minutes case. In addition to Kimmel’s shortlived cancelation, NBC is being sued
by Trump for a $15 million defamation case. Jeff Bezos has overhauled the opinion section of the Washington Post causing Jonathan Capehart (MSNBC and PBS commentator) to resign after 20 years as an opinion columnist and associate editor. Scary! Trump has filed massive suits against the Wall Street Journal and New York Times ($15 billion frivolous case was recently thrown out). Our President has also banned the Associated Press from White House press sessions. Public funding to support PBS and NPR has been eliminated. I fear we are on a scary slippery slope toward autocracy with the loss of free speech.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) states, “I think it is unbelievably dangerous for government to put itself in the position of saying we’re going to decide what speech we like and what we don’t, and we’re going to threaten to take you off air if we don’t like what you’re saying.” My daughter, Tara Wright, claims “Kimmel took shots at Trump, and Trump shut him down over it. And if this government is willing to abandon the first amendment over a guy making a joke at an old man's expense, what other rights and freedoms will they be happy to curtail?”
Public figures and folks like you and me spoke up and Disney heard. Kimmel came back on the air on our ABC station 9/23 and stated, “This show is not important, what is important is that we live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” His show was viewed by 6.3 million viewers that night and 26 million viewers online by Sept. 26 when Sinclair and Nexstar relented and put his show back on their stations. Continued on Page 86
Why did Disney reverse its decision? We spoke up and demanded it. Concerned citizens canceled subscriptions to Disney owned Hulu, Disney + and ESPN+. We called Disney to let CEO Bob Iger know we would not support Disney’s wimpish decision to cancel Kimmel. Why did Nexstar and Sinclair cave? Consumers went after advertisers to pull ads from stations owned by these conglomerates. Colbert and Kimmel are our canaries in a coal mine. Dissent works! The past two weeks have shown us that we still have power because of what we did together.
Indivisible is a non-partisan group or-
ganizing peaceful protests. Trump has threatened to bring RICO charges against Indivisible for its peaceful demonstrations. The No Kings Day event last June to counter the President’s birthday parade included 5 to 6 million people in 2,169 peaceful protests in 27 countries worldwide. I attended the demonstration held in Salisbury. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, is planning a protest to protect our First Amendment on October 18 and hopes this demonstration, with your support, will exceed the No Kings Day protest last June.
As Ezra Levin says “the best way to defend your rights is to exercise them.”
Our rally on 10/18 will take place on the Ocean City boardwalk at the inlet tram station at noon. Be there and stand up for our cherished freedom of speech.
Tish Michel Ocean City
Dear Worcester County Citizens,
Per article in the OC Today - Dispatch, (page 10 of the Sept. 26 edition edition), the law clerk for a Worcester County Judge falsely claimed time sheets for working 40-hour weeks for a decade. This law clerk was paid $485,000. The results of this was each of them had to pay $10,000 and accepted a guilty disposition.
Also, you can see this information in The Daily Record.
Not a bad return for $485,000 worth of tax payer money, gotten for apparently not working.
Where is the justice in this? Why is this money not being paid back? What happened to restitution?
I would say it is safe to say, if I had stolen $485,000 I would be having to pay back more than $10,000.
We should be getting this money recouped to us - the taxpayers in Worcester County.
I am asking the Worcester County citizens to please demand we have
better accountability in the spending of our tax dollars in our county. Katherine Azbell Berlin
Editor,
Now that we are past all the hoopla of summer, I'd like to bring up a topic that's been bugging me for a few years: Christmas lights and decorations, or more precisely, the lack of them in Ocean City.
If you travel down Coastal Highway from Lewes southward, you'll ride through one town after another with bright and colorful public displays located on light posts and in some cases, center islands. All that changes once you hit Ocean City.
The town's holiday decorations and lights are few and far between. Those that are displayed appear to be decades old. Instead of visitors and residents feeling the holiday spirit, you have to wonder if Ocean City has fallen on hard times or just has a humbug spirit.
After the recent property tax hike, I've got to think the money is there. Can the mayor or someone on council lead the effort to upgrade the holiday lights and decorations? It would be money well spent on what for many of us is the most wonderful time of the year.
Tom Rapsas Ocean City
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) The Ocean City Council this week approved the lease terms for the installation of a transatlantic cable at the Ocean City Municipal Airport.
In a unanimous vote Tuesday, council members agreed to the terms of a 25year lease with Globalinx, which proposes to land a transatlantic fiberoptic data cable on airport property.
In return, the city will receive $800,000, to be paid out over the next two-and-a-half decades.
“All of these facilities are underground,” McGean said of the installation. “The only thing you would see is the manhole cover at the landing.”
McGean said the city was recently approached by two different companies about the possibility of a cable coming ashore at the airport. With the blessing of recreational and commercial fishermen, the city then issued a request for proposals for the landing site.
McGean said it was around this time that the two companies decided to work together. Following that merger, he said, the city received one proposal – from Globalinx.
“The initial entity that came to us was Amazon,” he explained. “And now Amazon is going to become a tenant of Globalinx.”
McGean said the lease will run for 25 years and include $800,000 in compensation for the first four cables that are installed. He said the city will receive $200,000 within 150 days of executing the agreement, $200,000 when the second cable is operational, and the remaining $400,000 over a 20-year period. The city will receive another $200,000 per cable for any additional cables that are installed.
“Globalinx is responsible for permits and insurance and indemnifying the town,” he added. “They also are required to post a bond to cover any of our expenses that are associated with permitting and comply with all rules and regulations, particularly FAA restrictions for their work at the airport.”
Mayor Rick Meehan noted that the cables were small in diameter – about the size of a pen, McGean said – and would cause no major disruptions. When asked if the city would receive any additional benefits, such as the use of the fiber, McGean said it would not.
“There will be better connectivity statewide,” he replied. “Other than that, there's nothing specifically that benefits the city.”
With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to approve the lease terms.
In July, Jeanene Gwin, vice president of the Waterman’s Association of Worcester County, confirmed her
group had been working alongside the Town of Ocean City and several sport and recreational fishing groups over the last six months to review the proposed project, which she said would involve running subsea cable from Ireland.
An application filed last year with Ireland’s Maritime Area Regulatory Authority shows the company sought a license for survey work “to investigate the feasibility of constructing a new transatlantic subsea telecoms cable system, linking the United States to Ireland, from a landfall on the East Coast of USA to a landfall at Castlefreke, County Cork on the southwest coast of Ireland,” although a landing point was not named at that time.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 3, 2025) A regional construction company will lead an $8.3 million taxiway project at the Ocean City Municipal Airport.
On Tuesday, the Ocean City Council voted to award a $8.3 million bid to David A. Bramble Inc. for a taxiway relocation and runway resurfacing project. Airport Manager Jaime Giandomenico said the company was the sole bidder when the City Council opened bids for the construction project back in June.
“The price tag of that project, which included a couple alternates, was $11 million and some change,” he said. “We de-selected alternate two and negotiated with them down to something that was closer to our original budget, which is a total project cost of $8,948,000.”
With funding in place, Giandomenico said staff recommended the City Council select David A. Bramble to complete the work. According to a staff report, the current taxiway does not meet FAA design standards for runway separation. It has also reached the end of its service life.
“FAA grant and state grant and local match for that is in place,” he said, “so we’re looking to make an
award to David A. Bramble for the total project cost.”
With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to award the construction bid of $8,338,449 to David A. Bramble.
The project will be covered in a funding split with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maryland Aviation Administration, with the FAA funding 95% of the project and the MAA funding 2.5%. The city will fund the remaining 2.5%.
The council on Tuesday also accepted bids for landscape improvements at the Ocean City convention center. Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo said the project would include changes to the perimeter and island landscaping areas.
“So, they will remove all of that and replace,” he explained, “as well as change out the existing mulched areas to stone.”
In response to the bid solicitation, the city received four bids – a $77,948 bid from Marshall Professional Property Management, a $99,789 bid from Chesapeake Landscaping, a $119,500 bid from Bridges Land Management, and a $125,000 bid from E&F Landscaping. The project is budgeted at $125,000.
By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer
Today, 80 eighty years ago, the Hungarian Nemzetvezet was returned to Hungarian custody by American soldiers. The Americans had captured the former Nemzetvezet on May 7, 1945, in the small Austrian town of Mattsee, near the German border.
“Nemzetvezet ” is the Hungarian word for “Leader” or “National Leader.” All of the European dictators, or pseudo-dictators, of the era, took that title. Italy was the first, with its “Duce.” Germany followed with “der Führer.”
These first two were aped by the Spanish “Caudillo,” the Romanian “Conduc tor,” the Slovakian “Vodca,” the Croatian “Poglavnik,” the Norwegian “Fører” and the Turkish “Milli ef.” This “disease” even bled into Asia, where the Japanese-installed ruler of Burma styled himself, “Naingandaw Adipadi.”
But Ferenc Szálasi, the Hungarian Nemzetvezet , was way late to the game. He only assumed “power” when the Germans deposed the Hungarian regent, Adm. Vitéz Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya, on Oct. 16, 1944, and forced him (they were
holding his son) to name Szálasi as his successor.
The new Nemzetvezet was taking command of a rapidly sinking ship. In August, the neighboring Kingdom of Romania had switched sides and declared war on Germany and Hungary and sent two of its armies against its former allies.
In September, Bulgaria followed suit, and added one of its armies to the Soviet-Romanian effort. By October, Soviet, Romanian and Bulgarian armies were well within Hungarian borders. Hungary’s second-largest city, 900-year-old Debrecen, which had a prewar population of 124,000, was threatened with capture, and would fall to the Romanians days after the Nemzetvezet took office. And the Americans and British were bombing Budapest.
The future Nemzetvezet was born in the Hungarian city of Kassa — now the Slovakian city Košice — in 1897. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Austro-Hungarian army in 1915.
After the victorious Allies separated Austria from Hungary, and Croatia and Slovakia from Hungary following WWI in the Treaty of Trianon, Szálasi continued serving in the
Hungarian Army. In 1935, he left the Army to pursue a career in politics and later formed the Arrow Cross Party, which was modeled on Germany’s Nazi Party. After the party gained 15% of the vote, and 29 seats in the parliamentary vote of 1939, Adm. Horthy banned it.
In March 1944, der Führer became “disenchanted” with the Hungarian government, primarily because of its not so “secret” efforts to seek peace with the Allies. While he was meeting with Adm. Horthy at the Klessheim Palace, in Salzburg, Austria, on March 12, 1944, der Führer gave the order to implement Operation Margarethe.
This was the name given to the
Continued on Page 90
surreptitious occupation of Budapest by the Wehrmacht. When the admiral returned to his capital, he was greeted by German soldiers and told that Prime Minister Miklós Kállay must be removed from office.
On March 25, Adm. Horthy appointed Gen. Döme Sztójay Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. General Sztójay had served for a decade as Hungary’s ambassador to Germany, so was acceptable.
The new prime minister quickly legalized the Arrow Cross Party. He also gave the green light to Adolf Eichmann to begin deportations of Hungarian Jews.
Gen. Sztójay was forced out of office by Adm. Horthy in August of 1944 — after half of Hungary’s Jews had been deported — and replaced by Gen. Vitéz Géza Lakatos, who stopped the deportations.
However, when he and the admiral negotiated a peace treaty with the U.S.S.R., and the admiral announced it on the radio, on Oct. 15, the Germans moved, transporting both the general and the admiral to Germany, and installing Szálasi as the Nemzetvezet .
Now, the Arrow Cross thugs were given the “green light.” In the little time, and space, remaining to them, they were able to kill another 38,000 Hungarian citizens.
With the Soviet, Romanian and Bulgarian armies about to surround Budapest, the Nemzetvezet fled the Hungarian capital, on Dec. 9, 1944, and relocated to Szombathely, the oldest city in the country.
It is located six miles from the Austrian border and currently has a population of 79,000. On Dec. 29, he and his “government” set up shop in the Stirling Villa, in the village of
Velem, on the western edge of Hungary. Today, the village has a population of 343.
The Szálasi “government” continued to meet in the villa until March 19, 1945. Ultimately, the Nemzetvezet and his “government” were reduced to meeting at an inn in Mattsee, Austria, until the “government” was dissolved on May 7, 1945, when the Nemzetvezet was taken into custody by American soldiers.
Upon Szálasi’s return to Hungary, he was housed in a specially constructed cell in the basement of the building which had housed the Arrow Cross. His trial was held in the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy, before a “People’s Court,” in Budapest.
The trial began in February. With no heat in the academy, the participants wore overcoats. By March 1, the expected verdict — “Guilty” — and sentence had been obtained, with
death by hanging. Execution was scheduled for March 12, 1946. Unfortunately, for the Nemzetvezet , hanging in Hungary differed significantly from hanging in the U.S. and U.K.
The Anglo-American method was relatively humane — if performed properly by an experienced hangman. A noose, at the end of a rope whose length was determined by the condemned’s weight, was placed around the condemned’s neck, who stood on a trap door.
Above the noose was a large heavy knot. When the trap door was sprung, the condemned fell to the length of the rope, which slammed the big knot against the side of the head, rendering the condemned unconscious, while the neck was broken, painlessly, by the noose. At least, it was supposed to work that way!
However, the Hungarian method
Continued on Page 91
VIRGINIA PEACH MIX
Ocean City
Virginia P. Mix, 89, of Baltimore, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, at the Pickersgill Retirement Community in Towson.
Born on January 24, 1936, Virginia led a vibrant and purposeful life devoted to making meaningful memories with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, G. Warren Mix (May 2012), her parents Francis T. Peach (February 1988) and Virginia Dorsey Peach (March 2003), and her siblings Francis T. Peach, Jr. (June 2011) and Marie Louise Alascio (February 2015).
Virginia and Warren shared a wonderful life together, full of laughter, love, and family. Now reunited, “Grandee” and “Moose” are survived by their four children: G.W. Mix (Mary Mix), Suzanne Mix Rich (Hunter Rich), Gregory Nelson Mix (Sara Mix), and Rebecca Mix Taylor (Brad Taylor). “Grandee” was a deeply devoted grandmother to ten grandchildren: Ryan Mix (Sophie Mix), Hunter Rich Jr., Austin Rich, Casey Mix, Wyatt Rich, Megan Mix, Garrett Mix, Kyle Mix, Caroline Taylor, and Catherine Taylor, and two great-grandchildren, Felix Mix and Arthur Mix.
A proud graduate of Mount St. Agnes High School (1950–1954), Virginia excelled in field hockey, basketball, and volleyball, and gave back to her school and community through
Continued from Page 90
is far different. The “drop” is mere inches. There is no knot to render the condemned unconscious and the neck is not broken. Essentially, the condemned are strangled to death.
On March 12, a calm Szálasi was taken from his cell and led into the cold Courtyard of the Markó Utca prison. There he was prepared for his execution by hanging.
The day after his execution, his appeal for mercy was considered by the National Council of People’s Tribunals. It recommended that Justice Minister István Ries deny the appeal, which he did. The court’s sentence was then affirmed by the President, Zoltán Tildy, on March 15, 1946 — three days after his execution!
Next week: The Execution of Pierre Laval
Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own.
He can be contacted at wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.
various clubs and charitable activities. Her classmates fondly remembered her as “popular and tons of fun.” She earned her degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in 1958 and began her career as a public school teacher after a memorable graduation trip to Ocean City.
As an educator and a mother, she was steadfast in her commitment to nurturing educational opportunities and experiences for her children.
Ocean City, Maryland, played a central role in Virginia’s life. What began as a cherished summer tradition with her family—raising their children on the beach at 14th Street—eventually became her year-round home. Sons
G.W. and Greg served on the Beach Patrol, and her children took on summer jobs in the community. Following Warren’s passing in 2012, Virginia made the beach her permanent residence, later relocating to Pickersgill in
2024. She embraced beach life wholeheartedly and was an active member of the Ocean City Downtown Association, the Ocean City Golf Club, and the Ocean City Marlin Club.
Virginia was the ultimate hostess. Her legendary holiday gatherings— especially her Thanksgiving Dessert Party—brought together family and friends from near and far for laughter, connection, and the occasional lively moment.
She loved playing golf alongside Warren, her children, and close friends, frequenting the courses at Baltimore Country Club, Ocean City Golf Club, and Hilton Head. No round was complete without lively post-game conversation at the nineteenth hole or a local restaurant— where the true purpose of golf, for Virginia, revealed itself: camaraderie and connection.
A passionate traveler, Virginia ex-
plored Europe several times, adventured along both coasts of the U.S., spent Christmases in Hawai’i, and treasured her late-summer getaways to Maine with Warren and close friends. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren across Baltimore, Chicago, Newport Beach (CA), and Ocean City.
Virginia’s warmth, wit, generous spirit, and enduring love will be missed deeply by all who were fortunate to be part of her wide and wonderful circle.
The family has planned a private service, and there are no current plans for a public commemoration.
We ask friends who wish to honor Virginia to consider donating to: The Pickersgill Benevolent Care Fund, Pickersgill Retirement Community, Attn: The Business Office, 615 Chestnut Avenue, Towson, Md. 21204.
The crew of the private boat Instigator, above left, had another awesome overnight trip that ended with 17 yellowfin tuna and 54
nice red drum from the Assateague surf between 48” and 51”.
Above
and
