OCTOBER 9, 2025
FREE
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Janet Stephenson’s skills on display.
Halloween face-off for charity SUBMITTED PHOTO/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Too much? Members of the Historic District Commission indicate that may be the case with Evan Fitzgerald’s proposed mural, which incorporates a touch of whimsy.
Pines woman seeks votes in fundraising competition
Commission cool on mural art
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Oct. 9, 2025) An Ocean Pines resident is seeking votes to advance to the next round in a spooky, Halloweenthemed contest that raises funds for hospitalized children, offers $13,000 in prize money, and provides the opportunity to meet Hollywood icon Jamie Lee Curtis. Local Janet Stephenson has advanced through a series of six rounds of the fundraising competition Face of Halloween, showcasing her expertise in frightening special effects makeup and costuming. Stephenson continues to secure enough votes to advance to the subsequent stage each week. There are three elimination cycles left, with See LOCAL Page 11
Historic District Com. asks if Evan Fitzgerald’s flights of fancy go too far afield By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Oct. 9, 2025) The Berlin Historic District Commission opted to delay a vote on a mural proposed for a building in town, citing concerns about its historical character and unique design elements. At a meeting last week, Berlin’s Historic District Commission reviewed a mural, to be painted by local artist Evan Fitzgerald, planned for the exterior side of
the Poole Building at 10 South Main Street. The wall decoration would conceal the structure’s unattractive cinder block and further the town’s mission to highlight native talent and prioritize artistry, creating a colorful and attractive place to live and visit. Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director, was present at the meeting, requesting permission from the historic body for the mural’s placement on behalf of the municipality’s Arts and Entertainment Advisory Board. The mural would be funded through a grant. The presented work showcases a
marshy area familiar to the Eastern Shore, featuring wildlife such as a crab, a peculiar-looking fox, and a blue heron, alongside a visual of a young girl in a headdress strumming a guitar. Wells highlighted Berlin’s commitment to local artistry ahead of the commission’s critiques of the mural. “When we hire local artists, like [Fitzgerald], we’re not only showcasing authentic Eastern Shore talent, we’re also investing right back into our community,” she said. Wells added that engaging pieces of creative work not only elevate the aesSee HISTORIC Page 10
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