No advance seating allowed
Berlin says seat placement for parades needs to wait until town closes streets
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Berlin parade spectators will have to wait until two hours before an event begins to se-
cure their spots with chairs and blankets, the town announced last week.
The policy will be strictly enforced by Berlin staff to ensure safety and accessibility don’t falter, even on the days of the town’s more lively celebrations.
Each year, residents and visitors flock to the downtown for events such as the Bathtub Races and the Christ-
mas Parade, and many of these individuals bring beach or lawn chairs to secure their spots along the sidewalks.
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said that for the more popular festivals, like the annual Christmas Parade, it’s not unusual to see dozens of blankets
OPA clears confusion over ARC’s role, county
Now it’s first stop when planning to undertake property modifications
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) The order in which Ocean Pines homeowners obtain permits for building changes has been modified, a decision that officials say will prevent confusion and expensive construction errors for community members.
At a special board meeting on Oct. 29, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to change the process for residents to obtain approval for home modifications, such as adding fencing or a new shed.
Under the new policy, homeowners must now procure authorization from Ocean Pines before applying for Worcester County’s official permission. Previously, property owners typically sought county permits first and then went to Ocean Pines for consent — a sequence that the board said often led to problems, due to the county and OPA’s differing setback and design regulations.
Residents must still secure written approval from any secondary homeowners association within OPA, if applicable, before applying for Ocean Pines or county permits.
The modification was proposed by the OPA’s Architectural Review
ARC Page 8
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Boat slips proposed for Ocean Pines course
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Transient boat slips could make their way to Ocean Pines’ Clubhouse Bar and Grille, offering residents an alternative entrance, via the canal, into the community’s golf course and refreshment establishment.
A press release issued by the Ocean Pines Association on Monday, Nov. 3, stated that a possible four-slip project has been proposed and is in the early planning stages. The slips would be installed near the 10th tee of the Ocean Pines Golf Course, allowing boat access to the property’s Clubhouse Bar and Grille.
Transient boat slips are temporary docking spaces, not intended for long-term storage, unlike a traditional marina. A project like this in Ocean Pines would create an avenue for residents to drive their watercraft right up to the neighborhood restaurant to enjoy a meal and an afternoon on the golf course.
The announcement added that “a pathway will lead from the slips to the side of the driving range to the Clubhouse.” These potential transient boat slips should yield minimal, if any, interference to course play.
Community officials note that the size of the entryway to the guest dock is more than sufficient for safe ma-
neuvering.
“Slip access will be through the Clubhouse canal from the St. Martin River,” the press release reads. “The canal width of 94.4 [feet] is wide enough to navigate in both directions.”
A resident who lives on Clubhouse Drive was notified of the slips and shared his reservations during the public comments segment of OPA’s Board of Directors meeting on Oct. 25. Brian Higgins expressed what he believed to be issues that could manifest with the implementation of the boat slips, one of which is the declining health of the waterway.
“We don’t know if there has been an environmental study,” he said.
“The health of the canal’s an issue, and it’s just coming back to life. We do see fish and crabs there now.”
However, the OPA press release claims that the slips are unlikely to have any adverse environmental impacts.
“As these are transient slips and only to be used for a limited time, it is not like a marina where the boats are stored overnight,” the announcement said.
Higgins also argued that waterway traffic could become an issue with the boat slips, particularly due to a blind spot created by a nearby bridge. That
problem could be exacerbated by the number of kids who use the channel to kayak and paddleboard. Still, Ocean Pines addressed the concern on Monday, writing that because the proposed slips will be flush against the community-owned bulkhead, they should not cause any navigational risks.
Furthermore, the idea behind the dock is that boat drivers will have easy access to the Clubhouse Bar and Grille, which Higgins added could cause liability issues, particularly if a motorist uses his visit to consume alcohol immediately before gearing up to steer his vessel through the waterway.
“Drinking and driving is not anything we want to promote here, especially in our canals,” the concerned resident said.
Still, the community assured that the project will be an overall “enhancement to the customer experience” at the Clubhouse.
The OPA-issued press release adds that all neighboring properties have been notified of the project. The closest dock is 60 feet away, reducing any possible impacts on nearby boat owners. Additionally, the slips should not yield surplus noise pollution.
Once the transient slips are installed, golf course personnel will take over with monitoring efforts. OPA will be responsible for any necessary repairs, and a security camera will be stationed to scan for potential vandalism.
The initiative is still in the early planning stage. Any updates will be provided to the community as they become available.
Sidewalks must be accessible
and seats lined up before sunrise, placed by citizens who want to guarantee a front-row viewing position even though the event doesn’t kick off until about 7 p.m.
Now, per the new rules, spectators can’t reserve their spaces by plopping down chairs and blankets on the sidewalks until the roads are officially closed by the Town of Berlin. Wells said that for parades, this is usually about two hours before the start time. For the Christmas show, scheduled for Dec. 4 this year, this means that seating is not permitted along any pedestrian paths before 5 p.m.
The decision to enforce such a policy did not arise from a single incident, but was the result of a pattern town staff members had noticed over the years.
“People love the parade and want to get a good viewing spot early, but that’s led to chairs and blankets being placed out on the sidewalks as early as 6 a.m.,” Wells said. “Over time, it’s created some real safety and accessibility issues, especially for folks using wheelchairs, strollers, or walkers who suddenly can’t get by. The number of complaints kept our phones ringing all day last year.”
The economic and community development director added that the chair placement rule has always ex-
isted, but that it was never enforced.
The town’s official regulation reads, “It shall be unlawful except with the permission of the mayor and council for the owner or occupant of any premises within the corporate limits of the town to place, erect or store, or to cause or permit to be placed, erected or stored on the sidewalk abutting his premises any articles, chattels, tables and chairs or merchandise of any type…
“The mayor and council shall not permit any articles, chattels, tables, and chairs, or merchandise of any type to be placed on a sidewalk unless said obstructing items comply with and meet the minimum sidewalk accessibility standards contained in the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Accessibility Policy and Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities Along State Highways.”
From here on out, that code will be properly enforced, officials say. The policy comes just in time, with the annual Christmas Parade on the horizon, one of Berlin’s most attended festivities
“When chairs are placed too early, they sometimes blow or get knocked into the street, people trip over them and vehicles have to stop in the middle of Main Street to move them,” Wells said. “It makes it impossible for people with mobility devices or parents with
strollers to safely use the sidewalks, they end up walking in the street, which isn’t safe. It’s really about safety and accessibility for everyone. We know our community loves this parade, and we just want to make sure they’re enjoyable and safe for all.”
Not everyone is embracing the change. Under a Facebook post on the page We Heart Berlin, user Terry Bezold Ferguson wrote, “Ridiculous to penalize those who bother themselves to get there early.”
Some argue that the guideline could be a detriment to the parade’s older attendees.
“This is gonna be interesting,” MaryAnn Cropper-Hickman said, under the same We Heart Berlin posting. “We put our chairs out early
just to get a spot for my handicapped mom, so we didn’t have to go uptown as early with her.”
Even with some negative feedback, many acknowledge that the town’s choice to delay chair placement will increase safety at Berlin events.
“I’ll miss this…always thought it was cool to be able to do it, but I get it. Safety first,” Amy Field, a resident, commented on Facebook.
Chairs placed along the sidewalk before the road is closed will be removed by town staff and secured in a designated location, the policy announcement said. Owners may pick up their seats the day after the event. These individuals should contact the Berlin Police Department’s non-emergency line or the town at 410-641-2770.
Attendees to the Berlin Christmas Parade are pictured along Main Street during a previous year’s parade. FILE PHOTO/ BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Cannabis grant decisions handed to local board
Commissioners vote 5-2 to let Local Management group distribute funding
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Control of more than $1 million in cannabis taxfunded community grants will shift from Worcester County’s elected officials to a local oversight board – a move that the County Commissioners voted to approve themselves.
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In a 5-2 decision, the commissioners voted Oct. 21 to give their Local Management Board, or LMB, authorize to distribute funds. Commissioners Caryn Abbott and Eric Fiori opposed the change, both arguing the commissioners should have more influence over which of the 23 applicants would be deemed qualified to receive grant money.
“Many of us, as individual commissioners, have talked to our community members and that’s where these applications came from,” said Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City). “I requested some of these applications to come in and thought they were good applications. I just don’t know if I’m quite ready to hand it over yet.”
Fiori, Abbott oppose decision
Abbott (District 1, Southern) asked whether small businesses could qualify for the grants. Legislative analyst Charlene Sharpe read from the state’s guidance, and noted the money is not intended for programs like afterschool activities, truancy and absentee intervention, transportation improvements, and more – but not private enterprise.
“Well, I personally would like to be more involved with the decision making than turning it over to the LMB and losing any control or say,” Abbott replied.
Since cannabis sales were legalized in Maryland in 2023, Worcester County has received tax revenue from the state’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, funded by a 12% tax on cannabis sales.
About 35% of that tax revenue by law is funneled into the state’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund. Worcester’s share of the fund is 1.219%, and has amounted to $1.17 million over two years: $635,001 in 2024 and $538,563 in 2025, according to county data.
When county staffers sought guidance on how to spend the money, word came down from the Office of Social Equity that the cash should benefit low-income communities and communities disproportionately impacted by drug enforcement.
The county opened its grant application process in June, receiving 23 applications. Nonprofits like We Heart Berlin, Diakonia, and Habitat for Humanity applied. Private businesses like Hardwire LLC, Pocomoke River Canoe Company, and Davis Strategic Development applied. All four municipalities in the county also applied for grants.
However, state policy changes narrowed the scope of eligibility: county officials are being told that cannabis funding should primarily benefit health-related causes instead of community groups. There are also new requirements to incorporate stakeholder input into the grant process and to host a public hearing, according to Sharpe.
Sharpe appeared before the com-
missioners on Oct. 21 asking for guidance: either make the grant program fit the new regulations or give the funding to the Local Management Board – an oversight committee for social services – as other jurisdictions have.
On a motion by Commissioner Chip Bertino, the commissioners opted for the latter.
County Administrator Weston Young explained the state’s “community-based initiatives” approach proved too broad, leading officials in Annapolis to tighten regulations on what they intended cannabis revenue to be used for.
Young said this policy change “pulled the rug out” from the grant program that county staff has already put together.
Grant management at the county level would be challenging, too, Young added. He said if every funding requests were granted, it would fall to the county’s budget office to manage and follow up with grantee agencies.
“We’ve struggled with some reimbursement-type grants with singular entities. If we add dozens, potentially, that’s lot of work on our end,” he said.
Each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City each have their own Local Management Board, which aims to provide communitybased services and coordinate community grants, with a priority given to children and at-risk families.
“They will be handling the money; they’re geared for these types of programs. But we would like to let them know the community-based initiatives we’ve received. For those who have submitted applications, we want to make sure they don’t go completely unheard. It’ll be for the LMB to decide how the funding gets spent,” Young said.
Notably, some confusion ensued when Commissioner Bertino, who made the motion, stepped out of the room during the vote. The remaining commissioners split the vote 3-3 before realizing Bertino’s absence. Bertino then resumed his seat, and the board took the vote again, yielding a 5-2 decision.
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Accepting New Patients
ARC first stop in permit process
Continued from Page 1
Committee (ARC) and presented to the board by Elaine Brady, a board member and liaison to the architectural team. A first reading of the permit order adjustment was held at the director group’s regular meeting on Oct. 25.
At that gathering, Brady explained the thought process behind the change.
“[OPA residents] would get the county permits, they would go ahead and get the work done, but the county doesn’t have the same types of restrictions that we have,” she said.
“Then later, a number of people were coming back to ARC because they were getting violations for doing things on their property, and then they were having to take things down
or trying to get a variance for something that Ocean Pines doesn’t allow.”
Brady continued, “Some people go directly out to the property line when building their homes, but then they want to build a fence. Well, they don’t have any room to put a fence. But they will get a permit from the county and just move ahead. In order to fix that part of the problem…what we want to do is turn that around. Get the Ocean Pines permits first, and then go to the county. The county will see then that we have certain permits. They will then not allow someone to do something beyond what Ocean Pines allows, so everything is consistent and not confusing.”
This vote followed several weeks of discussion about broader updates
to the ARC guidelines, which set standards for construction and home maintenance to ensure architectural consistency and protect property values.
A controversial change proposed by the architectural committee suggested requiring recent as-built surveys when modifying or selling a home.
After a debate between the governing body and the ARC team at a special board meeting on Oct. 22, the directors rejected the recommendation, arguing that it would create unnecessary burdens for property owners.
A town hall will be scheduled in the next few weeks to discuss other proposed changes, such as updated materials for fencing and exterior structures.
New development project begins, to bring road delays
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Drivers in Worcester County can expect delays at the intersection of Routes 50 and 589 until next spring as construction begins on a new commercial center and apartment complex for the West Ocean City corridor. This week, intersection improvements were planned to begin for the south side of Route 50 at Racetrack Road (Route 589), including widening and resurfacing of highway lanes, as well as adding a fourth leg to the intersection, according to the State Highway Administration.
Crews will also remove the traffic signal at Brader Lane, the short road that leads traffic to Samuel Bowen Boulevard and the existing Ocean Landings shopping center anchored by Pet Smart, Michaels, and Aldi.
Motorists also can expect 24-hour single-lane closures and flagging operations throughout the duration of the project, scheduled to continue through early 2026.
It’s all part of the opening phase of construction for the 120,500-squarefoot Coastal Square commercial development, a mixed-use project that will include a Giant supermarket, apartments, and other retail. Seven additional parcels bordering Route 50 will be set aside for future tenants.
Bill Krapf, the chief development officer from developer LC Management, said they have broken ground on the project and the Giant is expected to open its doors a year from now.
While a site plan for the apartments has yet to clear the approval process with Worcester County planning officials, the 168-unit complex on the property’s west side as presented would include seven buildings, three stories each, with eight units per floor.
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Eventually, the project will be anchored by a traffic roundabout, one that acts as an extension of Route 589 that cuts across Route 50 onto the development.
Approved in fall 2023 by Worcester County officials, the shopping center’s site plans have since been scrutinized by the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for possible environmental impacts.
The corps’ evaluation of possible impacts on wildlife found that the project could have a negative effect on the endangered tricolored bat and the threatened monarch butterfly.
The developer agreed to preserve wetlands, restore any disturbed wetlands restoration, or buy restoration credits from an approved mitigation bank.
An earlier site plan had the Giant planned for the east side of the 49-acre property, with nothing at the time proposed for the west side. Now, the apartments are planned for the west side.
Educators report on county’s effort to help readers
Intervention steps being taken to assist students
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Worcester County education officials are implementing new data-driven tools to help teachers identify struggling readers earlier, with a focus on first grade as the key turning point for long-term literacy success.
At a recent Worcester County Board of Education meeting, Tom Hamill, coordinator of research and student information, and Jennifer McDowell, local accountability coordinator, presented data initiatives and student intervention steps to ensure that every child in the county has the opportunity to achieve academic achievement.
“Part of our literacy initiative to have every child on grade level by grade three was having [Hamill] work to triangulate back to figure out who those kids are in first grade, because the truth of it is… the turning point for students is really in first grade,” said Worcester County Public Schools Superintendent Annette Wallace. “That’s where we need to make sure we’re getting our interventions in so that it’s not such a heavy lift in third grade.”
Hamill said that the purpose of the study, which Wallace tasked him to undertake in June, is to “discover the best metrics at each grade level to determine students in need of intervention as early as possible.”
He added that he and his team worked to “build a tool that would allow us to identify and then track these students as they progress through grade levels.”
They began in kindergarten with the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment, a pre-reading evaluation designed to provide educators with an understanding of how well kindergarten students can engage with basic reading skills.
Hamill looked at the school system’s current fifth-grade students, tracing their progress back to when they were in kindergarten, and working his way up to the present. DIBELS was looked at first, which is administered to WCPS’s youngest learners three times a year.
Hamil said that this data revealed that students who scored below benchmark at the end of the year DIBELS test had a 40% chance of passing the English Language Arts (ELA) Maryland State exam, known as the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), in the third grade.
Early reading intervention efforts outlined
Continued from Page 9
“This is the first red flag that if we have a student that is at or below, their probability of passing by the time they get to third grade is really low,” Hamill said.
Moving to first grade, Hamill said that iReady assessments provide crucial insight. The diagnostics are scored with designations like at level, above grade level, and then below grade level, one level below grade level, two levels below grade level, and so on. These exams are given to students three times a year.
“We found that students who were two or more grade levels below at the first administration, usually given in September, are at extreme risk of not passing MCAP ELA 3. Then, students who were one level below at the fall assessment were at about half and half probability of passing. And then students who were at or above grade level at the beginning of first grade, had a very high probability of passing the MCAP ELA 3 test.”
When the kids take the iReady exam in the winter, the second assessment in first grade, Hamill added that students who stayed at one grade level below have a 58% probability of passing the third-grade state assessment.
“This is actually a little better than
I would expect,” he said. “It does show that some of the efforts we are exerting in first grade are having a positive effect, because you would expect that a student at one grade level below is not going to have a high likelihood of passing the MCAP, and yet we saw that it was 58%. Not great, but higher than I would expect.”
He continued, “We also found that students who move from one grade level below to at or above grade level, so if they start a little bit below but manage to catch up by winter, those students have an 82% chance of passing the MCAP in third grade. We’re finding that first grade is a really important time for not only identifying when students are going to need additional help, but also in providing that help to them.”
Educators also measure literacy through the program, “Fundations,” which is intended to teach foundational reading skills. Hamill said that students take regular assessments throughout the year, at the conclusion of each unit. He said that students who average less than an 80%, at the end of the year, have a “high probability” of not passing the thirdgrade ELA MCAP.
“So, we're saying that even if our iReady is looking good, if our Fundations is showing an inherent weak-
ness, it's something we have to be aware of and concerned about,” Hamill maintained.
The WCPS staff member emphasized that while the presented data does show patterns and predictions for student success, it should not be taken as a prophecy. The statistics can be used by teachers to implement effective intervention plans, ensuring that each child is given the proper tools to catch up to their peers.
A key component in elevating each student to grade level is identifying those “bubble students,” specifically those who are within 10 points of passing the state assessment. Hamill said that this study revealed that 40% to 45% of WCPS test-takers fall in this category.
“Part of this program is an attempt to identify these kids so they’re not our next bubble kids, they’re our next passing kids,” he said.
To achieve this, the school system and its teachers must implement targeted intervention strategies to support children who may be falling behind.
For instance, McDowell said that she recently sat down with fourthgrade teachers to review their class’s most recent MCAP scores from third grade. These results are broken down into reading proficiency and writing proficiency. As such, teachers can determine in which content areas their
learners need the most help.
To ensure the younger kids are redirected, kindergarten teachers can dig deeper into DIBELS to identify weaknesses, such as letter naming. Intervention plans are tailored to each student, with varying lengths and goals.
“If kindergarten DIBELS, at the end of the year, is below average or below benchmark, we need to plan intensive support immediately,” Hamill said. “We need to plan on having that support in place for the next three years. The student may emerge, and we can exit them out, but the idea has to be that the student is starting at a position that is challenging to come back from, and they are going to need additional support.”
Wallace said that this kind of data is new to the school system and that they intend to use the study to “drill down” on areas where a student may need help, such as in reading or writing, and identify the topics within those subjects that they find most challenging.
“We haven't been able to get over the hurdle of asking everyone to make plans for success,” she said. “We just didn’t have all this information.”
Now, WCPS plans to use the measurements to achieve its goal of ensuring that each student is reading at grade level by the end of the third grade.
ROSALIE KRIDER TIMMONS Naples, Fla.
Rosalie Krider Timmons, 87, of Naples, Fla., and formerly of Wilmington, Del., passed away on October 26, 2025. Mrs. Timmons was a native of Baltimore and was a graduate of the former Eastern High School for girls.
Rosalie was employed in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney Office when she married Earl L. Timmons of Berlin in 1960. After his active-duty military service was completed, the couple moved from El Paso, Texas to Wilmington where they resided most of their married lives, except for several years in the 1980s in Houston, Texas until moving to Florida in 2004.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
To sign her guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Delaware funeral arrangements by McCrery & Harra.
JANICE M. SMITH
Showell
Janice M. Smith, age 85, of Showell, died Thursday, October 30, 2025, at home surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Selbyville, Del. and was the daughter of the late John Raymond McCabe and Florence (Carey) McCabe.
In Wilmington, Rosalie was active in the Junior Board of St. Francis Hospital, was a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, and in several other charitable endeavors. She was particularly active in the “Shoes That Fit” organization in Bonita Springs, Fla., chairing the group for two years. She cherished time with her family, spending many summers with her children and grandchildren in Ocean City. She was a member of the Wilmington Country Club, where she enjoyed nine-hole golf.
She is survived by her husband and two children, Lori A. Wray (Dale), and Earl L. Timmons, Jr. Grandchildren who survive her are Jamie Lynn McHugh (Ian), Scott J. Ingman, A. Maxwell Timmons (Katie), Broderick K. Timmons, Nicholas K. Timmons, Lauren Wray (Austin), and Caroline Wray (Trip). Three greatgrandsons survive, Carson Andrew McHugh, Dylan Daniel McHugh, and Rowan Marshall Timmons. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Emily Krider, two brothers, Ross and Paul Krider, and a grandson, Andrew Ross Timmons.
Services will be private. If you wish, donations may be made to the
Janice was a devoted homemaker, farmer, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of the Showell United Methodist Church. She dedicated her life to her family and touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Janice is survived by her children, Charlese Smith, Dean O. Smith and wife Robin, Brian Smith and wife Sheri all of Bishopville; eight grandchildren, Tyler Smith (Katie), Olivia Tyndall (Matt), Erin Kim (Brett) Adam Smith, Sarah Smith, Emily Smith, Chris Boston, Brandon Boston; three great-grandchildren, Garner Smith, Fletcher Smith, and Addie Tyndall; brother, J. Robert McCabe.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, J. Oliver Smith and seven brothers and sisters.
A funeral service was held Tuesday Nov. 4, 2025 at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, 19 S. Main Street, Selbyville, Del. A visitation will be held one hour before the service. Interment will be private.
Donations in her memory may be made to Showell Vol. Fire Dept., 11620 Worcester Hwy., Showell, Md. 21862 or Curtis United Methodist Church, 11808 Campbelltown Road, Bishopville, MD 21813.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com
Rosalie Timmons
Janice M. Smith
Snow Hill, Pocomoke schools earn five stars
(Nov. 7, 2025) The Maryland State Department of Education released its annual update to the Maryland Report Card website Tuesday, containing performance data for every school in the State, including 11 schools in Worcester County.
In Worcester County, all eligible schools earned a four- or five-star rating, placing it as the only school system in the state to earn that distinction. Particular standouts in this year’s release are the performance of comprehensive high schools: all three high schools topped the Eastern Shore while Pocomoke and Snow Hill high schools were the 12th and 14th ranked high schools in the State, respectively.
Also notable is Pocomoke Middle School, which increased its star rating from three to four over last year by increasing its total earned percent by over five percentage points. Pocomoke Elementary School also saw significant progress over last year’s report with an increase of 4.2 percentage points. The gain marks progress in both academic markers as well as performance for multilingual learners.
While Ocean City Elementary (OCES) slipped just under the threshold for five stars in this year’s report, an important contributing factor to
the school’s score is chronic absenteeism. Over twenty-six percent of OCES students who were chronically absent (missed 18 days or more) during the 2024-2025 school year included at least one vacation. In response, the school system will reinforce its messaging to families on the importance of regular school attendance.
The full breakdown of the 11 schools eligible to receive star ratings in Worcester County ratings is below.
Berlin Intermediate, 64.5 points earned out of 100, 64.5%, four stars.
Buckingham Elementary, 49.1 points earned out of 73, 67.2%, four stars.
Ocean City Elementary, 53.6 points earned out of 73, 73.4%, four stars.
Pocomoke Elementary, 32 points earned out of 48, 66.7%, four stars.
Pocomoke High, 69.7 points earned out of 90, 77.5%, five stars.
Pocomoke Middle, 108.2 out of 180 points, 60.1%, four stars.
Showell Elementary, 41.9 out of 63 points, 66.5%, four stars.
Snow Hill High, 69.2 out of 90 points, 76.9%, five stars.
Snow Hill Middle, 115.8 out of 180 points, 64.3%, four stars.
Stephen Decatur High, 70.6 out of 100 points, 70.6%, four stars.
Stephen Decatur Middle, 63.3 out of 90 points, 69.1%, four stars.
To receive a star rating, a school must have 45 or more possible points. Some schools may not have possible points for every measure or indicator. In Worcester County, Snow Hill Elementary School did not reach this possible point threshold, which is why the school was not issued a star rating.
Additionally, Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special Schools do not meet the qualifications for a star rating.
These scores reflect school performance on multiple components. For elementary and middle schools, the system includes academic achievement, academic progress, progress in achieving English language proficiency, and measures of school quality and student success. For high schools, the system includes academic achievement, graduation rate, progress in English language proficiency, readiness for postsecondary success, and measures of school quality and student success. All schools’ calculations incorporate school composite scores on a statewide School Survey, which is based on input related to safety, community, environment, and relationships.
“I am incredibly proud of our schools for earning four- and five-star ratings across the board,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Annette Wallace. “These results reflect the unwavering commitment to excellence by our educators, staff, students, and families. Worcester County continues to be an educational leader in Maryland, and today’s report card release is yet another reminder of how our community’s investment in public education is transforming lives.”
Wallace added, “While data tells part of the story, what inspires me most is how our schools are helping students rise above barriers every single day. Research may suggest that poverty predicts performance, but in Worcester County, we are proving that when every child is known by name, strength, and need, potential— not circumstance—defines success.”
Maryland introduced School Report Cards in 2018 for students, parents, educators and community members to better understand how their schools are performing, just as report cards help parents understand how their kids are doing. The goal of the School Report Card is to bring together school data in an easy-to-understand and usable format to help us ask questions, find answers, make de-
See ANNUAL Page 14
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Wine dinner announced, tix currently available online
(Nov. 6, 2025) The Ocean Pines Yacht Club will host A Taste of the Amalfi Coast Wine Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The dinner is a journey through the flavors, stories, and spirit of the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy.
Tickets are $150 per person and include five courses:
• First Course – “From the Fisherman’s Net”: Fried bluefish with tomato and garlic toast points, paired with Lava Falanghina, a mineral driven sparkling wine born from the volcanic slopes near Mount Vesuvius
• Second Course – “The Lemon Road”: Gli Scialatielli All’Amalfitana, paired with Ischia Bianco, a white blend of Biancolella and Forastera grapes from the island of Ischia
• Third Course – “The Hunter’s Path”: Pollo alla Cacciatora paired with Lava Aglianico, a softly sparkling red with a deep ruby hue and notes of black cherry, violet, and spice, born near Naples
• Fourth Course – “The Monk and the Sea”: Paccheri con la Rana Pescatrice paired with Mille Anni Piedirosso from casa d'ambra vs la pietra red blend from de concilis. An ancient grape cultivated on the volcanic slopes of Campania, Piedirosso
offers ripe red fruit, smoky undertones, and a smooth, velvety finish.
• Fifth Course – “Scorza del Limone” (Zest of the Lemon): Tiramisu al Limone paired with Limoncello Giarola, lemon peel, sweet cream, and subtle herbal warmth
To purchase tickets, go to www.opyachtclub.com/events/a-taste-of-theamalfi-coast-wine-dinner.
Annual report card on schools
Continued from Page 13
cisions, and act.
The School Report Cards can be found on the Maryland Report Card website, MdReportCard.org, as well as more information and data about schools and districts. An update on the latest release of the Maryland School Report Card was made to the State Board of Education on Nov. 4. The presentation materials for the meeting, which provide statewide context to Worcester County’s performance, can be found at https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Pages/Meetings-2025.aspx.
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FITNESS WALK
Fourth-grade students at Ocean City Elementary School have been reading “The Circulatory Story” by Mary K. Corcoran and learning about what it means to have a great literal heart. During the school's monthly ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) 30-minute fitness walk, fourthgrade students and their teachers stopped to show off their heart shirts and books.
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CLUB MEETING
The Republican Women of Worcester County held their October General Meeting and Luncheon on Thursday, October 23, at the Worcester County Technical High School, Newark. The audience was delighted to hear from two exciting guest speakers, Nicole Harris, Chair of MDGOP, and Colin McEvers, President of Salisbury University College Republicans and Chairman of Maryland College GOP. Pictured are RWWC President Jean Delcher, Harris and McEvers.
LEGION JR AUX MEMBERS OF YEAR
The American Legion Auxiliary Sinepuxent Unit 166 recently presented the Synpeuxent Unit 166 Junior Auxiliary Members of the Year 2024-2025 award to Alyssa and Alexis Frantz. Pictured, from left are Rich, Alexis and Alyssa Frantz, Jessie Wolfe-Parsons, junior advisor; and Nicole Frantz.
SHERIFF MEETS WITH LIONESS
Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli spoke to the Ocean City Lioness Lions Club at the last meeting about scams and frauds. He said never to hesitate to call his office if you have doubts or concerns about someone soliciting you for funds. Pictured are Treasurer Susan McHenry, Crisafulli, his mother, Susan Crisafulli and President Donna Greenwood.
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Decatur’s ‘grow your own’ effort eyes future educators
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Students at Stephen Decatur High School looked into the possibility of college life this week as part of a program designed to encourage the next generation to consider a career in education.
The effort is part of Worcester County Public Schools’ “grow your own” initiative to respond to teacher shortages and to foster academic talent in the county.
According to Kristina Cosgrove, an educator at SDHS and Salisbury University, Worcester Technical High School offers a Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program to high school juniors and seniors that, according to its website “aligns with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and the Maryland Essential Dimensions of Teaching (EdoTs).
“The program prepares students for further education and careers in the education profession.”
Cosgrove said she began teaching a similar dual enrollment course last year at Decatur, called EDFN 210: School in a Diverse Society, to recruit more students to enroll in the tech school’s TAM program.
The class at SDHS also allows students to earn three SU credits through
hands-on classroom experience and exposure to the craft of teaching.
“In addition to completing syllabus assignments, the high school students complete a 30-hour field experience where each is paired with a mentor teacher from [Berlin Intermediate School] and [Buckingham Elementary School],” Cosgrove added. “The high school students spend three class periods a week co-teaching, working with kids in small groups, one-on-one and other tasks as assigned by their mentors.”
The young learners have an opportunity to obtain an extra fourth credit if they complete an additional 15 hours of fieldwork.
Cosgrove also teaches a literacy course at SU on Monday nights, which has enabled her to foster collaboration between her high school and college students. On Monday, Nov. 3, the high schoolers had the opportunity to audit the undergraduate course and work as partners with college students on a project.
The project paired college and high school students to create a lesson plan, detailed on a poster, for writing in a specific content area. The undergraduates came into the endeavor as “experts” in writing instruction. The high schoolers were “experts” in educational philoso-
See PROGRAM Page 19
Opinion
County hands off cannabis tax grants
When the Worcester County Commissioners last week elected to have a Local Management Board manage the distribution of proceeds from the county’s share of the cannabis tax, it wasn’t as if they had other options that made sense.
Although some applicants for a share of that new source of revenue had hoped the commissioners would retain grantmaking authority, the commissioners wisely decided they would be better off without it.
Clearly, some applicants felt their chances of success would have been better with the commissioners — people they know or with whom they already had a working relationship — instead of having to introduce themselves and their proposals to an entirely new body.
After all, serving on the local management board might just be anyone, including those who could be unfamiliar with the nature of the services provided by the applicant.
Understandably, the ability to pick the winners from the pool of applicants for a share of the cannabis money has a certain amount of appeal for any office holder. But as County Administrator Weston Young pointed out, there’s more to this grant-issuing business than deciding who gets what.
Per the state’s enabling legislation, these grants can’t just be made to any worthwhile nonprofit organization, they need to be used to help areas that fall within the guidelines set by the Office of Social Equity. According to its website, that means “community-based initiatives that benefit low-income communities and those disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis laws.”
As broad as that description is, it’s easy to see how the award of these grants will need to be preceded by detailed evaluations of each proposal to ensure that these decisions reflect the Office of Social Equity’s intentions, whatever they may be.
Given the absence of hard and fast rules, the commissioners are right to stay out of it and leave the business of issuing cannabis tax grants up to a special panel designated to oversee it.
EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson
EXECUTIVE EDITOR ................................ Steve Green
ASSOCIATE EDITOR .......................... Bethany Hooper
STAFF WRITERS Tara Fischer, Brian Shane
ACCOUNT MANAGERS ........ Mary Cooper, Renée Kelly, ..................................................................Terri French
CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS ........................ Pamela Green
ART DIRECTOR ...................................... Cole Gibson
SENIOR PAGE DESIGNER ........................ Susan Parks
SENIOR AD DESIGNER .............................. Kelly Brown
PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts
Please send all letters and other editorial submissions to editor@baysidegazette.com by 5 p.m. Monday.
Offshore wind cannot fix state energy crisis
Editor,
Affordable, environmentally friendly, sustainable, reliable energy, lower electric bills, and aesthetically pleasing structures on our horizon… hardly!
Maryland is experiencing a self-inflicted energy crisis. The start-up cost prohibitive, inefficient, unreliable, high generation cost and environmentally intrusive U.S. Wind offshore wind project cannot pretend to provide relief for the significant electricity deficit Maryland lawmakers have created.
Inflexible and irrational government regulations forced power generators to idle a substantial number of base-loaded (the constant and minimum amount of electricity needed) power generation plants and Annapolis has no plan for equal replacement as they chase a zero-emission fantasy.
The U.S. has the world’s largest natural gas reserves and has become the leader in natural gas production with the development of unconventional drilling methods of oil shale fields from 2006 to 2019. It was also during this time that the Obama Administration embarked upon climate change initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal power generation plants.
This resulted in power generators idling coal-fired (heat from burning coal is used to change water into high pressure steam to turn a steam turbine electric generator) assets and replacing them by building
hundreds of natural gas-fired (heat from burning natural gas is used to pressurize hot air to turn a gas turbine electric generator) generation plants.
Maryland was no exception. Excessive state regulations forced electric generators to shutter a significant amount of capacity, and the state did embrace a replacement plan utilizing lower emission alternatives.
Three natural gas plants (Rock Springs Generating Facility in Rising Sun, MD=684MW, CPV St. Charles Energy Center in Waldorf, MD=745MW and Panda Power Plant in Brandywine, MD=230MW) were constructed and commissioned and a couple other existing steam generation plants converted from coal to natural gas. However, this replacement strategy abruptly stopped after the re-election of Gov. Hogan.
The governor appeared to appease the radical no emission fanatics to win his second term at the future expense of Marylanders and the creation of our energy crisis. Gov. Moore continues to promote an unreasonable green energy policy.
Maryland scheduled the shutdown of the two-remaining coal-fired power plants, Brandon Shores Generating Station in Pasadena, MD=1,370MW and the Herbert A. Wagner Generating Station in Pasadena, MD=702MW in 2025 without plans for replacement. Maryland imports ~40% of our electricity demand from more expensive out-of-state sources.
The location of one of the
largest oil and natural gas producing shale formations provides advantages to the Mid-Atlantic and Maryland. The Marcellus field extends from western New York through Pennsylvania, western Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Maryland has ready access to sustainable, low emission, safe, unobtrusive, proven, and low-cost sources of energy with natural gas. Maryland lawmakers should tend to their self-inflicted energy wounds and allow power generators to invest in base-loaded electric plants and greenlighting projects in Maryland including:
• More natural gas combined cycle plants (meaningful emission reductions and higher efficiency).
• Expanding nuclear capacity at the Calvert Cliff Clean Energy Center in Lusby, MD=1,790MW.
• Expanding waste-to-energy using household trash.
• Waste-to-energy using poultry litter.
Offshore wind has proven to be problematic around the world. Start-up costs are unrealistic. The harsh environment requires complex maintenance and drives up operating costs. Structural integrity has led to fatigue, component failure, and pollution disasters.
Please wake up and stop dreaming about a disastrous offshore wind nightmare. I have 31 years of experience delivering energy solutions for one of the largest global oil and gas companies.
(Nov. 6, 2025) Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks has announced that collection for the annual “Be a Santa to a Senior” began Nov. 3.
The tree and collection box are located in the lobby of the Ocean Pines Community Center. Those interested in helping have the option of selecting an item from Home Instead’s Be a Santa to a Sen-
ior wishlist at https://www.amazon.com/hz /wishlist/ls/3MY69PI4AX6V 1?ref_=wl_share. Donors can also purchase a gift card or any of the items on the Christmas Wish List, which includes body wash and gift sets/personal hygiene items Large print crossword or word search puzzle books; toiletry items; cozy throw
blankets; socks; slippers with hard bottoms; sweaters; hats, scarves and gloves; and canvases and art supply sets. Gifts should be dropped off to the Community Center no later than Dec. 10. Gifts do not need to be wrapped. For more information, contact the Ocean Pines Community Center at 410-6417052 or rec@oceanpines.org.
Jeff Heavner Ocean Pines
Program offers college credits
phies, a recent unit they had learned.
To further the collaborative efforts, the writing activity poster required identifying an educational philosophy — perennialism, progressivism, social constructionism, existentialism, or essentialism — that fit best. Additionally, the students pondered how they would modify the lesson for students who require extra support, such as English language learners, and for gifted students who would benefit from a challenge.
This project was a “capstone,” Cosgrove said, to a semester-long partnership where the high school students were assigned a “big sister/big brother” college student mentor.
“The project was an authentic, collaborative activity where the students got to see the textbook come to life,” Cosgrove said. “They have to think about real-life teaching activities and have them come to fruition. The strength of the activity was that not only did they come up with the activity, but then they had to think about, ‘Who am I serving? What students aren’t being served?,’ because of different needs, strengths, and weaknesses.”
Cosgrove added that for the high school kids, Monday night’s visit to Salisbury University gave them a taste of college life and college
courses. For the college students, the project provided insight into how a high schooler thinks, preparing them for when they enter the real world, where they will be the teachers in charge of a high school classroom.
In addition to the SDHS students enrolled in the EDFN 210 class, Cosgrove invited a few leaders of Educators Rising, a club she co-advises.
“Ultimately, the hope is to encourage my [high school] students to continue in this journey by going through the TAM program at the tech school where they will earn more college credits and enter college already ahead of the game,” Cosgrove said.
Cosgrove’s high school course is a recruitment effort to encourage more students to enroll in the TAM program at WTHS, which is part of a years-long effort to inspire kids to pursue a profession in education. The hope is that students graduating from WCPS will go on to obtain a degree and then return to this community to teach.
Cosgrove believes that WCPS’s “grow your own” initiative has been successful.
“I have a student who I taught in the class last year who is currently in the TAM program and had a conversation with me recently about wanting to teach at SDHS one day,” she said.
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Students are pictured working on a “capstone” project that involved
tional philosophy they identified with in the course.
Merry Marketplace returns to Berlin starting Nov. 29
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Homemade goodies will be the focus of Berlin’s multi-day Christmas shopping event that will place on the four Saturdays after Thanksgiving.
The annual Merry Marketplace, as promotion is known, is slated for downtown Berlin from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20.
The shopping Saturdays will feature a variety of items, including homemade soaps, flower arrangements, baked goods, and hot chocolate. For the second year in a row, the markets are being hosted by the Ocean City/ Berlin Rotary Club.
The group’s co-president, Margaret Mudron, said that the organization uses the marketeplace as a fundraiser for charitable causes, such as its annual scholarship program, which provides funds for college expenses to Stephen Decatur High School students. The Berlin marketplace has replaced what used to be the Rotary Club’s most profitable campaign, selling Christmas trees.
According to Mudron, the Rotary Club’s Christmas tree supplier halted its replanting at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving a gap in the amount of money they were able to secure. The club sought another opportunity to raise the funds necessary to continue its initiatives, and when they had the chance to take over the Merry Marketplace, which had been operating in Berlin for a few years, they jumped at the offer.
Shoppers this year can expect appearances from two local authors, coffee and roasted chestnuts from Cast 26 Coffee (formerly known as Iron Skillet Coffee), floral arrangements from Little Miss Lovely, homemade soaps from Beehouse Soaps, Lyon Rum, and a few returners from the Berlin Farmers Market. Mudron added that she will have a tent with jams, jellies, and biscuits.
In addition, the Rotary Club will be selling hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.
Event organizers have a few vendor spots left, either for one day of the market or all four. Items must be homemade. Any sellers who want to get in on the holiday action can email ocberlinrotary@gmail.com for more information.
Meanwhile, the Rotary Club is looking to make a few adjustments to this year’s schedule. Mudron said that they hope to have some type of entertainment in the middle of the events, like band and/ or choir performances. They will also have festive characters, such as Olaf from the Disney movie “Frozen,” walking around the fair spreading holiday cheer.
“This is the second year that the club is doing [the marketplace], and we’re learning to improve as we go,” Mudron said.
The Rotary Club will use the event’s
proceeds to fund its scholarship program for high school seniors in the area. Additionally, Mudron said that the organization has adopted pre-K classrooms at Ocean City Elementary School, Showell Elementary School, and Buckingham Elementary School.
The service team supplies these teachers and students with materials like books and healthy snacks as often as possible. This year, the club aims to help out six pre-k groups throughout the north end of Worcester County. Organizers hope that residents and visitors of Berlin and the surrounding areas use the fair as a way to stock up on Christmas and Hanukkah presents.
“[The markets] are a great place to do your holiday shopping,” Mudron said.
County to expand landfill as current cell nears capacity
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 6, 2025) Worcester County’s public works team is proceeding with plans to expand the county landfill before its current dumping ground fills up.
The county commissioners at their Oct. 21 meeting approved Public Works Director Dallas Baker’s request to build out two additional containment areas, or cells, at the central landfill.
The landfill’s current destination for detritus, known as Cell 5, is on pace to fill between December 2027 and March 2028. It means the landfill will need to have a new Cell 6 ready to go before Cell 5 reaches the end of its useful life.
The commissioners unanimously approved Baker’s request to spend $899,404 in reserve funds to contract for design, permitting, construction, and inspection services with the firm EA Engineering, Science & Technology. The Solid Waste reserve fund has a balance of more than $12 million, according to Baker.
The engineering firm already conducted the study that estimated Cell 5’s expiration date.
Baker wrote in a memo to county officials that the time frame to create a cell is tight, but doable if work begins in 2025.
Planning for Cell 6 and Cell 7 was included in the county’s approved five-year Capital Improvement Plan but wasn’t
part of fiscal year 2026 budget requests because costs were not yet nailed down.
Located along Route 113 in Newark, the landfill property covers about 700 acres, leaving room for future expansion. Cells 1 through 5 are about 25 acres each, and completed cells have been covered in dirt and stabilized with grass seed.
Creating landfill cells isn’t overly complicated but does represent a massive earthworks job for construction crews.
The ground is first excavated and surrounded by berms. Crews will add a liner and layers of clay to prevent leachate, or garbage liquid, from seeping into groundwater. They’ll also have to install pump stations, a leachate collector, monitoring wells, and new surrounding roads around each new cell, according to Baker.
All this gets designed by EA Engineering and submitted to the Maryland Department of Environment for review. Once the state approves and permits are secured it gets bid out for construction.
The county would be required to sample monitoring wells and collect background data for 12 months ahead of new cell construction. Existing monitoring wells already get sampled quarterly.
“There’s just a lot of work that goes into making sure everything’s contained on-site to prevent any type of contamination from entering the environment,” Baker said. “It’s a long process.”
Saturrdday 10:30am-12:30pm Str
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Saturrdday 11am-1pm 38277 Ocean V
Elaine Davidson/ReMax/Ad Ocean Vista Drive #1180, Selbyville, DE3BR/3.5BA
Saturrdday 11am-1pm 9500 12F
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$689,950Mechelle Nichols/BHHS P 9500 Coastal Hwy 12FF, , Ocean City 1BR/1.5BA
Saturrdday Noon-2pm 745 202, City
Mooring Road Unit 202, Ocean City2BR/2BA
Landon/Coldwell B 602 Crreestview Ln, Salisbury 3BR/2BA
04 Coastal Hwy #3C HPS, Ocean City2
Saturday 1-3pm Str
Saturday 2-4pm
Sunday 10:30am-12:30pm 204 S Her
Power of 2 T Teeam/Hileman
Calendar
Thurs., Nov. 6
VIRTUAL CAREGIVER ACADEMY
Free and open to the public. Offering 5.5 Continuing Education Credits for physicians, nurses, and social workers, 8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m., 410-742-8732, Ext. 682
ZOOTOPIA PARTY
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Create crafts and celebrate the premiere of Zootopia 2 in theaters. For families. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
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
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
POCOMOKE BOOK CLUB ‘THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE’ BY ALAN BRADLEY
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 2 p.m. Join in for a lively discussion each month. Stop by the Pocomoke branch to pick up a copy in advance. 410-957-0878
DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: ‘THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION’
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Documentary titled “The American Revolution” examines how America’s founding turned the world upside down. Courtesy WETA. 410-208-4014
WSW 3RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY BINGO
Willards Lions Community Center, Hearn Street, 4:30-9 p.m. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., games begin at 6 p.m. Cash games and more. Advance tickets cost $35 or $40 at the door. Tickets: 410548-7880. https://womensupportingwomen.harnessgiving.org/events/3273
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
Fri., Nov. 7
YOGA BASICS FOR BEGINNERS
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 6 p.m. Build confi-
dence and familiarity with foundational yoga poses. Bring your own mat. 410957-0878
SOLAR POWERED PAPER HOUSES
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3:30 p.m. Craft a simple solar-powered paper house with a solar cell and LED and discover how sunlight turns into electricity. For ages 6-18 years. 410-641-0650
CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK CELEBRATION
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Celebrate your favorite books and characters with crafts and games. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014
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
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 of elementary and middle school students, but all are welcome. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FIRST FRIDAY OPENING RECEPTION
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 5-7 p.m. The Art League of Ocean City unveils its new exhibits. Come out for food, drinks, and to meet the artists! https://artleagueofoceancity.org
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
Sat., Nov. 8
15TH ANNUAL AUTUMN HOME SHOW WITH ART & CRAFT FAIR
Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Home Show features the newest products and services for your home and helpful advice from the pros. Art & Craft Fair features a wide variety of creative and unique gifts. https://oceanpromotions.info, 410-213-8090
PRAYING 4 THE NATIONS & VETERAN’S DAY EQUESTRIAN BEACH RIDE
Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The event begins at Cape Henlopen State Park and travels to Bethany Beach, Ocean City, and the Chincoteague Inlet.
Please send calendar items to editor@baysidegazette.com by 5 p.m. Monday. All community-related activities will be published at no charge.
Josie Whale, josiewhale777@gmail.com
11TH ANNUAL STORM WARRIORS 5K WALK/RUN
S. End of the Ocean City Boardwalk, 813 S. Boardwalk, 9-11 a.m. Registration kicks off at 8 a.m. Top competitors will receive awards. Cost is $30. Register: https://www.ocmuseum.org/5k-walkrun. Benefiting the OC Life-Saving Station Museum. 410-289-4991
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
OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB MEETING
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m. Captain Tom Ottenwaelder will be discussing al things boating from winterization, inspections ad marine regulation changes. All welcome. Jack Barnes, 410641-7662
TOWN HALL
Tyree AME Church, 10049 Germantown Rd, Berlin, 10 a.m. MD State Democratic Chair, Steuart Pittman will hold a Town Hall immediately following the Worcester County Democratic Central Committee meeting at 9 a.m. All are welcome. Dr. Roxie Dennis, 410-726-4381
47TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Atlantic United Methodist Church, 4th Street, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Featuring Mr. and Mrs. Clause and elves, Christmas Home Place, vintage and new jewelry, bakery delights and gifts, silent auction and Friar Gary’s Fries. BBQ Chicken lunch available. 410-289-7430
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
Sun., Nov. 9
15TH ANNUAL AUTUMN HOME SHOW WITH ART & CRAFT FAIR
Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4001 Coastal Highway, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Home Show features the newest products and services for your home and helpful advice from the pros. Art & Craft Fair features a wide variety of creative
and unique gifts. https://oceanpromotions.info, 410-213-8090
MOVIES AT THE MUSEUM
Calvin B. Taylor House, 208 N. Main St., Berlin. Intro at 6:30 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m. Featuring “Night at the Museum.”
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., Nov. 10
WHAT COLONIAL RECORDS TELL US ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND HOMELANDS OF THE POCOMOKE INDIAN NATION
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m. From maps, treaties and court cases recorded by the pens of colonists and early Marylanders, we can learn much about a once thriving vibrant culture whose descendants continue to live in our region today. 410-632-3495
3-D PRINTING 101
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Learn about 3-D printing from a local high school student. Watch him as he creates his own 3-D sculptures. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014
WRITING FOR WELLNESS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m. Writing about stressful experiences like illness may boost health & psychological well-being. This group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410-2084014
STORY TIME: FARM ANIMALS
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169
Mondays - Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Continued on Page 24
Continued from Page 23
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
Tues., Nov. 11
BOOK CLUB @ TIDES AND VINE: ‘A RIFT IN THE EARTH’ BY JAMES RESTON JR.
Tides and Vine, 106 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 6 p.m. An evening of books and wine. Stop by the Snow Hill Library to pick up your book, then met for a great discussion. Must be at least 21 years of age. 410-632-3495
FILM SCREENING
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Join in for one of Jane Austen’s novels in movie form. 410-524-1818
STORY TIME @ THE DELMARVA DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market St, Pocomoke City, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and crafts that feature on eof the museum’s special animals. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878
STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. A 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
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
OC KNITTING CLUB
Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.
ATLANTIC COAST SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION MEETING
American Legion Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City, 7 p.m. Refreshments served after 6:15 p.m. Ben-
jamin Daringer will speak about the lates and great marine technology to increase your catch. All are welcome.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COMMUNITY SUPPER
Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City (behind St. Luke’s Church), 4:30-6:30 p.m. “Celebrate Veterans” and enjoy a wonderful Italian supper. Cost is $15 and $8 for Vets. 410524-7994
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. Group meets every Tuesday. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
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
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.
Wed., Nov. 12
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
LET’S GET COOKING
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Get Thanksgiving ready with pumpkin and homemade whipped cream. Make it and take it home to enjoy. For ages 1218 years. 410-208-4014
FAIRY MINI GOLF
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4:30 p.m.
Design, build and test your own tiny tabletop golf hole. Once you’ve finished, add it to part of the library fairy golf course and take a whirl. For families. 410-524-1818
JANE AUSTEN TRIVIA
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Test your knowledge about all things Jane Austen. 410-641-0650
MERRY MAKERS: SANDWICH BAG STARS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m.
White sandwich bags are tranformed into beautiful stars that can decorate your windows or wall just as we herald in the holiday season. Registration required: 410-208-4014.
BOOK CLUB @ 50PLUS CENTER: ‘JUST AS I AM’ BY CICELY TYSON
50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, Snow Hill, 11 a.m. Stop by the Snow Hill Library or the 50plus Center to pick up a book, then meet for a great discussion. 410-632-3495
PINE CONE FLOWERS
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 11 a.m. Learn. how to turn pine cones into flowers and crafts a small decorative item to take home. Register: 410-957-0878.
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
OC LIONS MEETING
Ocean City Lions Club, 12534 Airport Rd, Berlin. Social gathering begins at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner meeting at 7 p.m. Open to all who are interested in serving the Ocean City community. Reservations: 443-880-8729.
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
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.
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
ONGOING EVENTS
YOUNG HISTORIANS ESSAY CONTEST
Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St. Open to middle and high school students. All entries that meet requirements will earn one hour of service larning. Winners in each age group will receive an extra prize. Reach out to history@worcesterlibrary.org for any local history research assistance. Stop in or call for full details. 410-632-3495 Due by Nov. 15.
CARDBOARD CITY - 3-D MURAL Pocomoke library, 401 5th Street, throughout November. Materials are provided to design your own house or building to add to our cardboard city 3-D mural. For ages 6-18 years. 410-957-0878
HISTORY-TO-GO: CROSS STITCHING Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., throughout November. Includes info sheets, recommended activities, supplies and more. Pick up from the Snow Hill library. 410-632-3495
BUS TRIP TO NEW YORK
Bus departs on Dec. 20 at 6 a.m. from Chuckie Cheese in Salisbury. Cost is $97 and includes driver’s tip. Arrive at Macy’s in New York at 11 a.m. Bus will be leaving from Macy’s at 6 p.m. Pay by Dec. 15 by check, money order or use the church’s cash app ($calvarychurch6607, to: Calvary Church, for: New York Bus Trip) Make payments to Calvary United Methodist Church, 8607 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin. Info: Rosie Dennis, 443-614-7518.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Weekly virtual drawings on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Winner receives 60 percent of jackpot. www.opvfd.com/queen-ofhearts. Sponsored by the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department.
November 6, 2025 Bayside Gazette 25
Experienced
YR SOUS CHEF
Mancini’s Restaurant
907 Coastal Hwy Fenwick Isle, DE
302-537-4224
JOLLY ROGER
Small Engine Mechanic. Ride Maintenance. Year Round.
Wage starts at $15/hour & up based on experience. Benefits available. 410-289-4902
DENTAL HYGIENIST
Ocean City, MD
410-213-1032
HANDYMAN
OC WINTER RENTAL
Downtown
2BD/2BA, Apt., furnished. Central HVAC, W/D, WiFi, cable included. Occ. lmtd. to 2. No smoking/pets.
$800/mo. + utilities. 410-202-6353
YR APARTMENT 8th ST.
1 BR, Sleeps 6 Fully remodeled. 3rd Floor, No elevator
$1,850 per mo. Includes Cable, Elec. & Water 410-430-7675
Seeking YR & Seasonal Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
YEAR-ROUND RENTAL
3BR, 2BA
Beautiful Townhouse with garage. Unfurnished. Off Rt. 54 in Atlantic Lakes. $2,300 per mo. + util’s. Owner pays HOA. Community pool. No pets/smoking. Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555
YEARLY RENTAL
2BR, 1BA Unfurnished 319 Robin Drive
Available immediately Dog friendly, ground floor. Ideal 2 mature adults w/strong work history.
$2,000/mo + electric Call/text 703-819-7400
WINTER RENTAL
North OC
1BR, 1BA Condo
3rd Flr walk up, furnished, WD, Parking, Walking distance to restaurants
$1,100 per mo + sec. dep. Incl’s Util & WiFi 412-965-4079
ROOMMATES
ROOMMATE
North Ocean Pines Room for Rent. Furnished, Private Bath. $850/mo. + 1/2 Utilities. Text 410-726-2451.
REAL ESTATE 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.
$650,000
Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555
2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200
Commercial Space for Lease. ONLY 1 UNIT LEFT!
2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 1000 sq. ft. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885 for more information.
COMMERCIAL SPACE
Rt. 611, Stephen Decatur Business Center.
Large unit with 5 individual office spaces within. $2,400 per mo. 410-430-7675
Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.
Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be tax-deductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.
QUALITY FISHING REELS WANTED Professional buyer, pays fairly. Cash, easy friendly service. Text pictures to 856-426-4940.
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