11/28/2025 OC Today-Dispatch

OC Today-Dispatch

DRAGGING

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Rental reg talks continue

Presented with multiple ways to handle the insertion of short-term rental properties in single-family neighborhoods, the City Council agreed only to talk some more as members fail to reach a concensus on which solution might work here. — PAGE 18

Chief Downing says he’ll retire after 34 years

Will leave top job with Berlin police on March 1, after starting in 1991 and working his way up to leadership post. — PAGE 12

Resort tourism efforts deliver state honors

Ocean City government department captures multiple awards, D3 Corp wins best small business at Maryland’s 44th Travel and Tourism Summit. — PAGE 14

Dredge work continues at Ocean City Inlet

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) The Army Corps dredge Murden returned to Ocean City late last week to begin removing roughly 5,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the inlet.

Last Thursday, the Murden began dredging the Ocean City Inlet, with the corps’ Baltimore District office saying the goal is to finish clearing the entrance to the West Ocean City Harbor, a project that began earlier this year.

“We are proud to continue oversight of safe and reliable navigation in the Ocean City region with a new round of dredging operations within the Inlet,” Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera said. “Ensuring local waterways remain accessible to our U.S. Coast Guard partners as well as commercial and recreational users is critical to both safety and economic security.”

In July, the Army Corps sent its sidecaster dredge Merritt to remove nearly 8,000 cubic yards of material from the Ocean City Inlet in advance of this year’s White Marlin Open tournament. The vessel was sent from the agency’s Wilmington, N.C., district, as its usual dredges – the Murden and Currituck for this region– were unavailable.

However, unlike the Murden and Currituck, which takes dredged spoils away, the Merritt casts the material approximately 85 feet from the vessel,

where it settles at the bottom of the waterway. Just days after the Army Corps concluded its emergency dredge work, boaters began alerting the public of increased shoaling in the channel.

“We appreciate the work, but it doesn’t do the job the Murden does,” Sonny Gwin of the Waterman’s Association of Worcester County said earlier this year.

From the outset, officials said the issue would be temporary, as the Army Corps had plans to return to Ocean City once repairs on the Murden were complete. Back in the area this week, the Army Corps focused its efforts on “Priority Area #1,” which includes the entrance to the Sinepuxent Channel.

The Murden’s operations were expected to conclude before the Thanksgiving holiday, but the Army Corps reports that additional work days would be added if the project is not complete by then.

In addition to ongoing dredge work at the Ocean City Inlet, the Army Corps plans to conduct a beach replenishment in Ocean City late next year.

As part of that proposed project, the Army Corps – in conjunction with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management –conducted a supplemental environmental analysis of Weaver Shoal, a borrow area where sand is taken for replenishment.

The plan consists of moving forward with a renourishment project in the winter of 2026-2027, and dredging sand from Weaver Shoal.

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Worcester to hold hearing on rate increases

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Worcester County residents on public water and sewer will have a chance to ask the county commissioners about recent rate increases and the state of the county’s sewerage infrastructure at the commissioners’ next meeting on Tuesday.

Commissioners President Ted Elder (District 4, Western) said county officials have been getting many emails from residents asking why their third-quarter water and sewer bills have increased so dramatically.

Because of that, they decided to hold a public hearing on Dec. 2 at the commissioners meeting in Snow Hill to let the public air their grievances, and to include department heads who

could answer residents’ questions.

“We feel the quickest way to get their answers is to have a public hearing and be completely transparent,” Elder said.

County officials last year realized that several of the 11 water/wastewater districts serving the county were financially upside-down, with expenses far outweighing the revenue being generated by user fees. The districts were intended to be self-funded by user rates, but they were underfunded for years.

Their solution was to raise rates for users in all 11 sanitary sewer districts to cover operating and maintenance cost increases. If rates had not been raised, county officials said, then revenues would not cover actual expenses for the current fiscal year.

Customers will see in their bills

that base fees per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) have increased. Usage tiers were changed for residential and commercial customers. And the rates for West Ocean City customers changed from a “fixtures” basis to a “per EDU” basis.

Another new fee being charged is for “accessibility” of undeveloped land. It means the county is now charging users for EDUs they’ve been sitting on but aren’t using.

Budget issues have plagued the county’s sewerage systems for nearly two years now. The county in late 2024 was forced to deal with a budget shortfall from the seven of 11 sewer district totaling nearly $2 million.

More than half the deficit was coming from the Riddle Farm service area, which had been shut down for years with its sewage trucked to the

Ocean Pines sewer plant for treatment. However, that facility just reopened, and officials say they’re already seeing cost savings by not having to pump and haul.

Elder said another major reason that sewer district finances were troubled was the growing cost of chemicals used to treat wastewater, which he blamed on inflation. Also at issue were additional regulatory requirements to test for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), sometimes called “forever chemicals.

“If your prices go sky high, you’re going to normally complain,” he said.

“But some of those prices should have been raised years ago – at least, part of what they’re going up now. It would have been a little easier to handle if it was done gradual, but it’s beyond that now.”

Elder added that he doesn’t believe the sewer districts in financial distress will be fully self-sufficient this year, even with increasing operating revenue from rate hikes, but “once it’s done, it’s going to be a lot better situation for everybody involved,” he said.

And, despite speculation, rate payers in the Ocean Pines district are not footing the bill for shortfalls in other areas, Commissioner Chip Bertino (District 5, Ocean Pines) said in a Facebook message on Oct. 31.

Bertino also said customer invoices are usually higher this time of year because homeowners had been irrigating their land in summer months, and the bill comes due in fall.

Higher maintenance costs and an enhanced regulatory environment “are realities that the County must manage,” with its water/sewer districts, according to Bertino.

“You don’t like the increases. I don’t like the increases. But, it’s imperative that the Ocean Pines Water/Wastewater facility and all our water facilities for that matter, be properly maintained and updated when necessary and operated efficiently in the best interests of all of us,” he wrote.

Parking amendment advances to OC council

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) A proposed change to a city parking standard will now advance to the mayor and City Council following a vote of the Ocean City Planning Commission.

On Nov. 18, planning commission members agreed to a zoning code amendment that would require builders to install a minimum five-foot-wide driveway apron between a garage door and interior drive aisle.

While the new design standard was initially proposed for all lots, city planners last week agreed the requirement should only apply to properties larger than 50 feet wide.

“After taking public comment, listening to what was stated by the commissioners, we developed a refined approach to this,” Ocean City Planning and Community De-

velopment Director George Bendler said. Pointing to new uptown developments as an example of what they don’t want future projects to look like, planning commissioners in September voted to hold a public hearing on a code amendment that would require developers to install at least a five-foot apron between a garage door and interior drive aisle. At the time, they pointed to examples of drive aisles that were too narrow and created problems for motorists attempting to turn or park.

Officials say the added space would give residents more room to access their residential units, among other things.

However, during last month’s public hearing, developers and attorneys came before the commission to share their opposition to the change. Many argued the new design standard would be challenging to accommodate on smaller lots, which already require setbacks, land-

scaping and stormwater management when developed.

“When you have a 50-foot lot, you don't have enough room to put it all now,” attorney Regan Smith said.

With that said, resort planners last week voted to change its proposed ordinance once more. In a 5-1 vote, with Chair Joe Wilson opposed and Commissioner Tony Butta absent, the commission agreed to apply the new design standard to lots greater than 50 feet.

Members noted the required apron could be installed by using architectural features and recessing the front of the

Ocean City planners are seeking a code change to require a minimum five-foot apron between a garage door and interior drive aisle, like the example, left, shows. The new parking standard would be applied to lots greater than 50 feet wide.

garage into the building envelope.

Following last week’s vote, Commissioner Palmer Gillis said he took issue with the developers’ opposition at the public hearing. He argued that they failed to present drawings or explain why the new design standard couldn’t be achieved.

“All I heard was people saying it can’t be done. I was a little upset with that, because I’ve heard the same rhetoric over and over and over again …,” he said. “They didn’t give us any evidence … I was a little disappointed in the way the opposition presented themselves.”

Berlin’s police chief announces retirement

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing will be stepping down from his post after three decades of service to the Town of Berlin, with an official retirement date of March 1.

“Chief Arnold Downing has dedicated his career to protecting and uplifting the people of Berlin,” said Mayor Zack Tyndall. “His commitment to community-centered policing, officer wellness, youth advocacy, and public safety has left a lasting mark on our town. We are a stronger, safer, and more connected community because of his leadership. On behalf of the Town of Berlin, I want to express our deepest appreciation for Chief Downing’s decades of service and his unwavering dedication to our

citizens and officers. We wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”

Downing began his career with the Berlin Police Department (BPD) on Aug. 26, 1991, and was appointed acting chief of police on Feb. 17, 2000. He was officially appointed chief of police on Dec. 1, 2002, becoming both the first African American administrator and the first African American chief of police in the department’s history.

Throughout his career, Downing championed the development of specialized units within the BPD. Under his leadership, the department strengthened its operational capacity through SWAT, which assisted with the Baltimore riots in April 2015 and completed more than 50 successful missions.

In addition, during Chief Downing’s tenure, the department added a traffic reconstruction unit, five K9 units, a drone unit, a Defensive Tactics Instruction Team, a Firearms Training Unit, expanded peer support and wellness initiatives and implemented a speed camera program.

Downing also advocated for enhanced officer benefits, including enrollment in the Law Enforcement Officer Pension System (LEOPS), the Take-Home Car Program, specialized pay for technical and investigative roles, and additional pay incentives such as shift differential, inclement weather pay, special holiday pay, and compensation for fluency in Spanish.

One of the most significant accomplishments during his administration was the opening of the new Berlin Police Station in 2018, a major invest-

ment in modernizing public safety infrastructure and preparing the department for future growth.

In addition to his departmental leadership, Downing has been a tireless advocate for vulnerable children and families. He is a founding member of the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), formerly known as the C.R.I.C.K.E.T. Center, which has achieved national accreditation and continues to serve as a vital resource for abused and neglected children.

His service with the CAC, including roles as president and vice president, earned him recognition as the 2009 Heroes of Child Protection Community Partner of the Year Award.

He has also served as a board member of the Lower Shore CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and a board member of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, including terms as president and treasurer, helping guide key initiatives that support youth and families across the county.

“I’m proud of the advocacy work for abused and neglected children in Worcester County that I have been allowed to assist in accomplishing,” Downing said. “The development of a community policing approach that fostered partnerships and mutual respect was highlighted annually with the Tri-County’s best National Night Out. I am also proud to have assisted with obtaining a crosswalk at US Route 113 and Bay Street and helping to change the light sequence to create a safer intersection.”

During his tenure, Downing served on the Maryland Municipal League Municipal Police Executive Association in leadership roles including president, vice president, secretary, and sergeant-at-arms.

Additionally, he previously served on the Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors, Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, and Wor-Wic Community College Criminal Justice Program

Super Bowl champion to speak at prayer breakfast

(Nov. 28, 2025) The Greater Ocean City, Maryland Chamber of Commerce announced the upcoming Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, an inspiring annual gathering that brings the community together for reflection, encouragement and connection. The event will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.

This year’s featured guest speaker is Harry Swayne, a celebrated NFL athlete, respected leader and threetime Super Bowl champion known for his tenure with several NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens. Swayne’s remarkable career, combined with his longtime commitment to faith, service, and mentorship, makes him an exceptional voice for this uplifting and motivational

Downing to step aside as chief

Continued from Page 12

Advisory Committee.

Downing’s distinguished service has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Alcohol and Other Drug Task Force Award in 1993, the “Charitable Soul” honor from The Dispatch’s Shore Stars Awards in 2012, the Sun Award from Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services in 2014, the Coastal Style Magazine Public Safety Official of the Year Award in 2020, and the Tri-County Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Worcester County Award in 2023.

Downing has stated that his official retirement will begin March 1, 2026. However, the chief added that his actual last day in the office is yet to be determined.

After more than 30 years with the BPD, Downing maintained that the relationships he formed throughout his career has been an indescribable, rewarding experience.

“Being a part of a lot of people’s lives has enriched me,” he said. “Being somewhere for 34 years, that itself is a great accomplishment. A lot of people work their whole career and go from one place to another. But to be accepted in a community for that long and be supported, that has added so much value. When I started this job, I never thought I would have the ability to touch so many people’s lives, and have my life touched in such a way.”

As for his post-career plans, Downing hopes to kick retirement off with a “reset.”

“After 34 and a half years, I’m going to have to sit still somewhere and reset before I move anywhere else,” he said.

event.

Attendees can expect a morning filled with positivity, fellowship, and purpose, anchored by Swayne’s compelling message on perseverance, teamwork, and living with intention.

A full breakfast is included, providing an ideal atmosphere for community members, business leaders, and visitors to come together for shared inspiration.

“The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is a meaningful and uplifting tradition we are honored to continue in our community,” said the Greater Ocean City, Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

“We are delighted to welcome Harry Swayne—a proven champion both on and off the field—to inspire and encourage all who attend.”

Tickets are expected to sell quickly for this highly anticipated event. Reserve your seat today and start 2026 off with a morning of inspiration and unity in Ocean City.

For more information and to purchase VIP or General Admission tickets, please visit the Greater Ocean City, Maryland Chamber of Commerce website at www.oceancity.org or contact Joanna Aydelotte, events manager, at 443-664-3052 for more information.

Worcester agencies receive tourism awards

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Worcester County agencies and nonprofits had something to smile about after cleaning up at this year’s statewide tourism conference, with one Ocean City marketing firm taking home a major award.

D3 Corp. was named Small Business of the Year at the 44th Maryland Travel & Tourism Summit, while other honors went to Ocean City’s municipal tourism department.

Held Nov. 17-19 in College Park, the trade show hosted by the Maryland Tourism Commission drew more than 200 tourism and hospitality professionals.

The annual summit gives tourism leaders from across the state an opportunity to catch up on economic trends in their field and to learn from each other, Executive Director Ruth Toomey said in a statement.

“Tourism is an integral part of our state economy,” she said, “and it’s back, stronger than ever.”

Other awards handed out to local groups include “Best Product or Event - Medium” to the Beach to Bay

Heritage Area, for an exhibit entitled “History, Heritage & Homelands of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore.”

Ocean City’s Department of Tourism won “Best Product or Event

- Large” for hosting Boardwalk Rock, the downtown music festival featuring legendary headliners like Def Leppard and Alice Cooper. Event organizers announced earlier this

month that Boardwalk Rock won’t be back to the resort until 2027.

Resort tourism officials also took home “Best Media and Public Rela-

Groups honored for tourism work

tions Campaign” honors for their “Catch a Ride” initiative.

That campaign featured a vintage Volkswagen bus branded with the now-ubiquitous OC smiley face. City tourism staffers spent the spring season taking the bus to festivals, ballparks, and other mid-Atlantic destinations, promoting Ocean City as a road trip destination.

OC’s tourism office also won for “Cooperative Partnership” in an award shared with five other Maryland counties.

The conference’s Small Business of the Year award went to D3 Corp., an Ocean City marketing firm that just celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Company president John Gehrig founded D3 Corp. in 1995 as a oneman band, building websites for resort businesses. Today, D3 is a full-services marketing firm employing more than 50 people.

Two local hospitality professionals were honored individually: Renee Seiden with hotel and restaurant powerhouse Harrison Group was presented with the Audrey Davenport Hospitality Person of the Year, and Michele Burke with Maryland’s Coast, the tourism arm of Worcester County government, was named Tourism Ambassador of the Year.

Susan Jones, the longtime executive director of Ocean City’s HotelMotel-Restaurant Association, addressed the conference in her role as chair of the Maryland Tourism Coalition.

“It’s such a valuable opportunity to connect, communicate, and collaborate with colleagues from across the state,” she said. “Every year I walk away with new insights and practical ideas that

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Resort considers short-term rental options

ties.

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) The Ocean City Council will consider additional regulations on short-term rentals located in two residential zoning districts.

With a moratorium on the issuance of short-term rental licenses in place through the end of this year, city officials took time this week to review the effectiveness of new regulations placed on vacation rentals located in R-1 residential and MH mobile home communities and to discuss additional measures that might be needed in those communi-

As part of that review, council members directed staff to come back with several other options, which ranged from establishing a new length-of-stay minimum to limiting the number of short-term rental licenses.

Prior to Tuesday’s work session, council members participated in a survey, in which they ranked potential options for further regulating short-term rentals in R-1 residential and MH mobile home districts. Councilwoman Carol Proctor did not provide input for much of the survey, sharing with the public this week that existing regulations, combined with a lack of data and the results of a recent referendum, were enough to put the matter to bed.

“I don’t think we should be here

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B • OCEAN CITY

today,” she said, “because I believe the people have spoken.”

For those who participated, a council majority agreed with three major goals – reducing vacation rental turnover in single-family neighborhoods, limiting the number of vacation rentals in single-family neighborhoods, and reducing the impacts they may have on single-family neighborhoods.

hoods, or to cap the number of shortterm rental licenses in single-family neighborhoods to be more than what currently exists.

However, for council members to consider any of those options, staff this week acknowledged that a decision must be made on a current moratorium, which puts a pause on issuing new short-term rental licenses in R-1 and MH districts through Jan. 3, 2026. Officials next week will vote to extend that ban another year.

“If you think about enacting one, two or three, you cannot lift the moratorium,” City Manager Terry McGean said.

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With the first goal in mind, the council directed staff this week to come back with two options for reducing rental turnover – establishing a seven-night minimum length of stay in single-family neighborhoods, or restricting the number of rentals in those districts to one every seven consecutive days. The latter appeared to gain the most traction with Councilman John Gehrig, who argued it was a middle ground for those who wanted an all-out ban and those who wanted no restrictions at all.

‘I don’t think we should be here today, because I believe the people have spoken.’

“I think the one per seven is the best option,” he said. “It gives owners the most flexibility. It also helps us enforce this with our tools.”

Councilwoman Carol Proctor

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With the city’s electorate voting down a five-night minimum stay during this summer’s special election, Gehrig said he wanted the council to revisit a “one-per-seven day” policy he had pitched earlier this year. He said the restriction incentivizes shortterm rental owners to rent for longer periods, while making it easier for the city to spot violations.

“I think it’s reasonable,” he said. “We’re not dictating what an owner can do … It’s your choice to rent for however long in that week.”

Staff this week also presented the council with three other options for limiting the number of short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods, all of which pertained to who could operate such rentals. The council ultimately asked staff to bring back two of those options for consideration –one that prohibited corporate or multipartner investors from obtaining a short-term rental license, and another to limit the number of shortterm rentals a single person or entity could own in R-1 and MH communities.

For his part, Gehrig said he liked the two options, as he felt they would be supported by both sides in the short-term rental debate. He added that those opposed to short-term rental restrictions have consistently stated their rental properties were not a business.

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However, Proctor continued to share her opposition, arguing that Ocean City would lose out to competing resort towns with no length-ofstay restrictions. She added that the city’s reasoning implementing such a restriction did not bear out in data.

“When you look at the data and noise complaints, and all the information we have, we don’t have a problem,” she said.

“We’re talking about neighborhoods, R-1 and MH. It should be individually owned …,” he said. “No one has argued any differently. This should not be an issue at all because everyone has come up here and specifically stated my rental property is not a business. Everyone. Not a single person has stated otherwise. So I’m 100% behind those two items.”

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City officials this week also addressed options for reducing the number of short-term rentals in R-1 and MH communities. While staff acknowledged that the number of rental licenses in single-family neighborhoods has remained relatively stable over the past five years, some council members have expressed concern about their proliferation.

To that end, the City Council on Tuesday asked staff to dedicate a work session on three options – to phase out short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods, to freeze the number of short-term rental licenses in single-family neighbor-

Addressing the council’s third goal – reducing the impacts short-term rentals may have on single-family neighborhoods – city officials this week also directed staff to look at various enforcement options. Those included capping the number of occupants to 12 adults in R-1 districts and eight adults in MH districts, regardless of the number of bedrooms, requiring a rental property’s resident agent to have an office or residence in town, requiring a rental property’s resident agent to respond to the property within 30 minutes, and requiring each short-term rental licensee to maintain a certain level of liability insurance and to file proof of that insurance with their

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Bay Hopper service granted another five-year extension

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) The OC Bay Hopper will continue to operate from the 117th Street canal after securing a conditional use renewal this week.

With a favorable recommendation from the Ocean City Planning Commission, the Ocean City Council on Tuesday voted to renew OC Bay Hopper’s conditional use permit for another five years.

The business will continue to dock its water taxi boats and operate its ticketing and sales office at the end of a canal located in the LC-1 commercial and SC-1 shopping center zoning districts.

“We are here on the five-year approval for the findings of fact,” Ocean City Zoning Administrator Sabrina Hecht told the council this week. “There’s been no neg-

ative comments and the Ocean City tourism director supports this use, as well as it supports the comprehensive plan and alternative forms of transportation.”

In 2019, the council voted to grant OC Bay Hopper a conditional use permit to operate a water taxi service from the 117th Street canal. And in 2020, the city agreed to extend the company’s permit by another five years, with council members and the company’s co-owner, Steve Butz, sharing positive reports about the business.

With the permit set to expire this year, Butz came before the planning commission last month with a request to renew the conditional use. His request was ultimately supported in a 4-0 vote to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and City Council.

“The business has been operating continuously and successfully from April 2019 to present day 2025,” Hecht said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Hecht told council members Butz was seeking a fiveyear renewal, unless the City Council wanted to consider a lengthier time period. She highlighted the business’ operations at the 117th Street canal.

“This has been in existence since 2019,” she explained. “It was under conditional use for a year and then it was allowed to be approved for five years.”

Hecht also noted the conditions the Ocean City Planning Commission placed upon the renewal of OC Bay Hopper’s conditional use permit. She said two of those conditions – the installation of life rings within the docking area and the installation of bike racks in the shopping center area – were added at the conclusion of last month’s planning commission meeting.

“The other item you can consider is a renewal after the five years,” she added, “if you wanted to extend that or keep it the same.”

The City Council on Tuesday voted 70 to renew OC Bay Hopper’s conditional use permit with the conditions agreed upon by staff and the city’s planning commission. Those conditions include installing the life rings and bike racks, limiting noise and dock usage, and renewing the conditional permit after five years, to name a few.

Smoker ignites WOC home

(Nov. 28, 2025) A tragedy was averted Monday afternoon, thanks to first responders swiftly removing a resident from a fire.

The Ocean City Fire Department was alerted at 4:28 p.m. Monday to a residential structure fire at 12704 Old Bridge Road in West Ocean City. Mutual-aid units from Berlin and Ocean Pines also responded.

Responders arrived to find smoke conditions inside a single-story residential cottage at the Villa Nova community. Firefighters made rapid entry and located an adult occupant inside the home who was unable to evacuate. The individual was removed from the structure and immediately provided medical care.

Due to the severity of injuries sustained, the patient was transported by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a Baltimorearea hospital for advanced treatment.

An investigation by the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office determined “the cause of the fire to be careless

Ex-museum director sentenced for

By Steve Green Executive Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) The former leader of a Snow Hill museum has been sent to jail and ordered to pay restitution for stealing nearly $100,000 from the small nonprofit.

smoking in bed,” according to a press release.

“Ocean City firefighters acted swiftly and decisively in challenging conditions,” said Fire Marshal Matthew Owens. “Their rapid intervention gave this individual a fighting chance.”

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents of the extreme dangers

associated with smoking inside a home — particularly while in bed — where fires can ignite quickly and with devastating consequences. Working smoke alarms remain one of the most effective life-saving tools in these situations.

For additional information, please contact the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office at 410-632-5666.

Julia A. Purnell Museum Executive Director Cynthia Byrd pleaded guilty in August to the charge of theft scheme of $25,000 to $100,000. On Nov. 21, she was sentenced to 10 years in jail with all but 18 months suspended. She was also ordered to pay $97,316 in restitution to the museum.

In May, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Byrd, a Salisbury resident, with felony theft scheme, which court records allege began back in 2016. Byrd was hired as the

executive director at the Julia A. Purnell Museum in 2011. Byrd, who has a doctorate in Folk Life and Folk Lore, was previously a staff curator/folklorist at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury.

The museum’s losses devastated the Snow Hill-based facility, which had to close for 18 months. The museum, which is owned by the Town of Snow Hill but operated by the Friends of the Julia A. Purnell Museum, reopened on Nov. 1.

Court records paint a picture of financial troubles for Byrd in recent years including the May foreclosure of her Salisbury residence and small claims debts from earlier this year.

Additionally, court records show recent criminal issues, including a guilty plea to driving a vehicle while under the influence in November of 2024 as well as assault charges placed on the stet document earlier in 2024.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Police rescue stranded boater off South Pt.

By Bethany Hooper

Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) Multiple agencies responded last week to rescue an overdue boater near South Point.

On Nov. 19, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) was alerted to a search for an overdue boater in the waters south of the South Point boat ramp, according to a news release from the Ocean City Fire Department.

At the request of NRP, Ocean City Fire Boat 1 responded along with resources from the Ocean Pines, Berlin, and Stockton fire companies, Maryland State Police Aviation Command –

Trooper 6, National Park Service rangers, United States Coast Guard, Worcester County Emergency Services, and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for a multi-agency operation led by NRP.

While conducting a search of the area, the crew aboard Ocean City’s Fire Boat 1 saw the boater on their infrared camera and spotted the boater flashing a light toward their vessel approximately 500 yards away, according to the news release. Using the vessel’s advanced navigation and search capabilities, the crew quickly pinpointed the boater’s exact location and relayed the information to Maryland State Po-

lice Aviation – Trooper 6, allowing aviation crews to light up the boater and his vessel from their aircraft and guide a nearby vessel in to make contact. The boater was subsequently retrieved and safely transported to shore.

“This rescue truly highlights the skill and readiness of our marine response team and the critical capabilities of Fire Boat 1 in challenging conditions,” Deputy Chief Derrick Simpson said. “Our strong partnerships with Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police Aviation, and our neighboring fire companies, and others were essential in bringing this operation to a safe con-

clusion.”

In addition to recognizing the coordinated efforts in the rescue, the Ocean City Fire Department encouraged all boaters to follow safe-boating practices recommended by Maryland Natural Resources Police, including sharing a float plan with a friend or family member, setting a designated “back-todock” time, and ensuring someone can check on you if you do not return as expected.

Boaters are also reminded to carry proper communication devices, wear life jackets, monitor weather conditions, and avoid operating alone whenever possible.

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Funding secured for first phase of shared-use path

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Funding has been secured for the first phase of a project that eventually will connect the mainland to Assateague Island with a paved pathway for bicycles and pedestrians.

Worcester County officials on Nov. 18 approved an agreement to secure $1.5 million in grant funding for the Route 611 Shared Use Path project, a 10foot-wide biking-hiking trail. The first phase will link the intersection of Route 50 and Route 611 with the Mystic Harbour community, a distance of 1.3 miles.

When eventually connected to an existing shared use trail at Assateague Island, the end result would be an off-the-highway path about 7 miles long – but that’s an outcome years in the making with no foreseeable completion date, according to Dallas Baker, Worcester County’s public works director.

“Whether you want to visit Frontier Town or Sinepuxent Brewing, there’s multiple businesses and public places to stop. It made sense to provide an off-road path to get people down there,” Baker said. “I thought, ‘let’s see if I can’t do something similar here for Worcester.’”

Baker previously worked on the State Highway Administration team that helped create a shared-use path along Route 50 – the same one he’s now trying to link with Assateague.

He took inspiration from Somerset County, which used state funds to build a 22-mile shared-use path in phases, one linking US Route 13 with Crisfield, over the course of the last decade.

The result – a long, flat, comfortable ride – could be a tourist attraction for Ocean City visitors, or a destination for an event like a road race or a bicycle tour.

Not only that, Baker added, but a new shared-use path also could serve the local workforce, giving seasonal employees a safe place to ride bikes into work, taking cars off the road and relieving congestion.

Baker will soon bid out the Phase 1 design work. It’ll be covered by two state Department of Transportation grants, one for $1.1 million and another for $246,771. The county agreed to pay a 5% match in the amount of $138,800.

The first phase will be the most difficult in part because this section has the most breaks for car traffic. Once it gets south of Mystic Harbour, the path has fewer entrances and crossing points and, for that reason, may end up being built faster, according to Baker.

“I think it’s a great thing we’re able to improve our infrastructure with a small infusion of money from the county and a big infusion from the state. I’m looking forward to seeing this designed, built, and put out there for people to

he said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters to hold Giving Tuesday event

(Nov. 28, 2025) Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore is celebrating the warmth of the season with a Giving Tuesday event that will feature Callum Toner, the 18-year-old local singer that appeared on American Idol.

It will be held Dec. 2 at Burley Oak Brewing Company in Berlin starting at 6 p.m. It will raise funds for local youth and collect gift cards for older teens in the program.

Toner appeared on American Idol last year. She has been accepted into Berkley College of Music in Boston and has won national awards.

At the event, guests can enjoy Burley Oak’s distinctive beers and the delectable offerings from food trucks Grateful Grubs and Seaside Sweets.

A key highlight of the evening is the "Empower a Teen’s Wish" gift card drive, aimed at providing holiday cheer for older “Littles” (teens) in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Guests are encouraged to bring $25 gift cards to ensure older teens get the holiday gifts they truly want. For each $25 gift card donated, guests will receive one entry into a prize drawing.

“We are thrilled to partner with

Burley Oak to host a relaxed and festive gathering this Giving Tuesday,” said Executive Director Jessica Mimms. “Not only will 10% of food and drink sales directly support our crucial Youth Success Plans, but the gift card drive provides dignity and choice for our teens during the holidays. It’s truly an empowering way to celebrate community.”

Through customized development plans for each child served, Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeing local youth grow in remarkable ways. Children are building confidence as they discover their strengths, developing competence through new skills and supportive guidance, and strengthening their sense of caring as they form meaningful, positive relationships. Together, these qualities empower youth to believe in themselves, make healthy choices, and contribute to their community with pride.

By attending the event, guests are helping ensure local youth have the stability, support, and encouragement they need to grow emotionally, academically, and socially.

Guests can RSVP at www.shorebiglittle.org/friendsgiving.

New OPA mobile app available to Pines residents

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) The Ocean Pines Association is encouraging members to download a new mobile application that will allow homeowners to pay their assessment fees, schedule tee times at the golf course, and receive communitywide announcements, all from their cellphones.

At the Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, Nov. 22, Keith Calabrese, the IT manager for OPA, presented a newly available mobile app that will make life in Ocean Pines just a little bit easier.

The program, simply called “Ocean Pines” on the Apple App Store and Google Play, lets homeowners access their membership accounts to make payments, review statements, receive information, and schedule time at the OPA amenities.

Calabrese said that the app is now live. Before its official release, the software was launched in a preliminary version for the golf course and racquet center, allowing members to reserve tee times, for example.

The application is now available to all Ocean Pines homeowners. Upon download, users can sign in with their membership numbers and personal passwords. Once logged in, residents can easily view their profiles, pay fees, or schedule a tee time at the golf course. Homeowners will also be able to update their email addresses directly in the program if their email addresses change, ahead of election season.

Calabrese added that the app has a social feed similar to Instagram or Facebook that permits users to see recent community news. Furthermore, the software will be one of the channels OPA officials use to disseminate vital information.

“It also has the ability to send push notifications, so if there is ever an emergency or a situation where golf specifically wants to send their golf members a notification, like that there’s a frost warning or something like that, it has the ability to do that as well,” the IT manager said.

Board member Stuart Lakernick noted that he has found the program to be useful.

“I’ve had the app since it was first developed and released,” he said. “You get updates on the conditions of the racquet center. You get updates on different things happening in the community. It’s a really good tool to have.”

Officials maintain that the Ocean Pines app will expand in its available functions. The software vendor, Calabrese, claimed it will provide OPA with an “updated, bigger, better” version next year.

The hope is that citizens get themselves acquainted with this

Berlin Liquor S

tore

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

On Nov. 11, Worcester Prep’s Lower School came together in a musical performance to celebrate veterans. The Veterans Day Program, directed by WPS Lower School Music Teacher Joanie Brittingham, featured guest speakers including lower school parents, Marine Major Rebecca Hagner and Marine Captain David Hagner; alumni, Cadet 3rd Class Ava Wilsey and Midshipman Third Class Dylan Simons; and teacher and Coast Guard spouse, Kim Jankowski. Top, the Musical Mallards perform “A Grateful Nation” during the program. Above left, fifth grader Hadley Hagner is pictured with her parents and guest speakers Marine Major Rebecca Hagner and Marine Captain David Hagner. Above right, fifth grader Adee Carmean shares a special moment after the event with her grandfather, Wayne Holston, and father, Hal Carmean, who both served in the Marine Corps.

BAYFRONT 3 BR, 2 BA TURN-KEY CONDO 425 14TH STREET UNIT 305 L

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 427 14TH STREET

14TH STREET UNIT 205 K

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.

BAYFRONT 2 BR, 2 BA UNITNEVER RENTED

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!

LUXURY COASTAL TOWNHOME with OVERSIZED

Move-in ready beautifully furnished 3,069 SF townhome with elevator & inlet & marina views. Latest upgrades & finishes throughout including plantation shutters. 1st level 1st family room w/gas fireplace - could be game room, office or 5th BR. 1st level Full BA, custom shower & laundry room. 1st level deck to pier & boat slip. 2nd floor luxurious primary BR suite w/2 walk-in

Guide wins award

The Beach to Bay Heritage Area (BBHA) was honored with the Best New Product Award at the 44th Annual Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit for its newly released History, Heritage & Homelands National Recreation Trail Guide. The award, which recognizes the most innovative and impactful tourism products in the state, was presented to BBHA in the under-$50,000 budget category.

The newly reimagined guide—History, Heritage & Homelands—showcases the Lower Eastern Shore’s rich cultural legacy through a more accurate, inclusive, and compelling visitor experience.

Developed in partnership with Somerset County, Worcester County, and the Pocomoke Indian Nation, the guide brings forward stories that have long been overlooked and strengthens the connection between travelers and the region’s landscapes, communities, and heritage.

Building on the original trail concept, BBHA’s updated guide reflects deeper research, stronger cultural context, and thoughtful collaboration with local partners. The result is a more authentic and engaging recreational trail experience that highlights the intertwined histories and homelands of the Lower Shore.

This statewide recognition underscores BBHA’s commitment to elevating the heritage, history, and natural assets of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore through innovative storytelling and accessible visitor resources.

For more information, visit BeachesBaysWaterWays.org

Tree contest underway

The Art League of Ocean City invites the public to tour and vote for their favorite decorated trees at “Trees for the Arts” at Northside Park during Winterfest of Lights. The winning tree wins the $1,000 grand prize, sponsored by the Town of Ocean City.

Votes are $1 each, and proceeds from Trees for the Arts votes will benefit the youth outreach programs of the Art League. Votes can be cast inperson at Winterfest. The public can also view the trees online and vote at jotform.com/form/2523851234131 47.

Trees for the Arts is an indoor pathway at Winterfest of Lights through 16 trees decorated by local individuals, businesses, and groups. The teams of decorators used their creativity and imaginations to turn artificial trees into pieces of holiday art with themes reflecting the group’s interests and missions.

“Come stroll through our gallery of trees decorated so beautifully and creatively by teams made up of our local friends and neighbors,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. “Then vote for your favorite trees and support the arts in

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Ocean City. We’ll use the proceeds to reach out and inspire the youth of our community. The tree of the winning organization receives $1,000 to help fund their mission.”

The participating individuals, businesses, and groups are: In Memory of Emilia Rose Carnucci, The Love Blanket Project, Jane Collacchi and Hilary Bronder Hofmann, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Alley Oops, Old Pro Golf, The Glaze Garden, Hunter’s Hope, Princess Royale, and Most Blessed Sacrament School. Also Dinkers & Drinkers, Common Ground Hospitality Group, Happy Jack Pancake House, Park Place Hotel, Fenwick Shores by Hilton, and Wicked Expert of the Eastern Shore.

Winterfest of Lights is open through Dec. 31, 2025.

Pine Tones concert set

The Pine Tones Chorus is bubbling with excitement for this fall’s familyfriendly concert, The JOY of Christmas, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at the Community Church at Ocean Pines.

As an annual holiday gift to the community, admission is free to all, though the group will gratefully accept a goodwill offering to help defray expenses. Doors open at 6:45, and seating for the concert is first-come, first-served. The 2024 concert was so popular that seating overflowed into the lobby.

Though officially an amateur community chorale, under the expert direction of Jenny Anderson, the 55 talented and dedicated singers strike a perfect balance between professional quality and light-hearted enjoyment. This uplifting approach has kept audiences coming back for more than 40 years.

The fall concert features a mix of full chorus and ensemble performances accompanied by live musicians and will include both sacred and secular music of the season. In addition to traditional favorites, such as It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Let it Snow, and the Hallelujah Chorus, listeners will be treated to some beautiful new pieces as well as some familiar songs done in surprising and delightful new ways. The audience will be invited to join in singing Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High, and Silent Night.

As a local, all-volunteer non-profit arts organization, the Pine Tones Chorus presents both Spring and Fall concerts every year and each season they also travel to several area senior centers to share the joy of music with those who are not able to come to the shows.

This season is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Maryland State Arts Council and the Worcester County Arts Council, as well as the Choptank Foundation and the E. Bowen and Frances H. Quillen Foundation.

Best Beats On The Beach

Who’s Where When

BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy. Saturday, November 29: TBA

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192

15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott

Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, November 28: DJ Giddy Up

Saturday, November 29: DJ Wax

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE

Friday, November 28: True Country

Wednesday, December 3: Kevin Poole

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Friday, November 28: DJ Magellan

Saturday, November 29: C-Burch & The Noize

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500

60th St., In The Bay Friday, November 28:

Great Train Robbery, The John Frase Project & DJ Stinson

Saturday, November 29:

Tranzfusion & DJ RobCee

Monday, December 1: Bryan Clark

TRANZFUSION

Fager’s Island: Saturday, Nov. 29

THE BENDERZ

Seacrets: Friday, Nov. 28

PICKIN’ PARTY

CHICKEN CHARLIE & THE BISCUITS

Turtle West: Friday, Nov. 28

LOST FIGURES

Harborside: Saturday, Nov. 29

Harborside: Sunday, Nov. 30 FULL CIRCLE DUO

GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY

Fager’s Island: Friday, Nov. 28

Who’s Where When

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500

Route 611, West OC

Friday, November 28:

Chicken Charlie & The Biscuits

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Friday, November 28: DJ Billy T

Saturday, November 29: Lost Figures & DJ Bigler

Sunday, November 30:

Pickin’ Party

Thursdays: Dust N Bones

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee

Saturday, November 29:

Desert Shade

Sundays: Beats By Styler

Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wax

Wednesdays: Beats By

Madame Dutchess

Thursdays: Beats By Connair

29

Seacrets: Thursday, Dec. 4

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, November 28: Faith Noel, DJ Davie & The Benderz

Saturday, November 29: Faith Noel, DJ E-State & Steal The Sky Sunday, November 30: Faith Noel

Thursday, December 4: Full Circle Duo

OC facilities to host festive events

(Nov. 28, 2025) The Ocean City Museum Society invites the community to celebrate the holiday season at its annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum and the Museum of Ocean City.

Admission is free for everyone; both locations will be filled with festive activities, local history and coastal holiday charm.

At the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, author Corinne Litzenberg will host a variety of creative, hands-on holiday activities. These include mosaic card-making and a sea glass identification station. Her beloved book, “S is for Seaglass,” will

also be available for purchase, making it the perfect gift for the beach lover in your life. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy live performances by The Jolly Tars, who will fill the museum with sea shanties and sailor lore.

Additionally, visitors can tour the boat room to learn about the rich history of the United States Life-Saving Service, while sampling “Railroad Cake,” a popular dessert dating back to the early 19th century.

Just a short trip away, the Museum of Ocean City will host a holiday wreath-making activity using local foraged greenery. Participants can create a small wreath for free or a larger wreath for $10 to take

home—a perfect family-friendly activity for all ages. Advance registration is encouraged, as space is limited; sign up online. While crafting, enjoy a hot cocoa station, holiday music, and plenty of seasonal spirit. Guests are also invited to take advantage of a special 20% off storewide sale (some exclusions may apply), providing an excellent opportunity to pick up unique, locally inspired gifts for everyone on your list. In the spirit of giving, the Museum Society is collecting canned food donations to support Diakonia. Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item; every little bit helps during this holiday season.

Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

DOWNTOWN

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, 2-5:30 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.

■ 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. Closing weekend. Open Friday and Saturday.

■ 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 yearround 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. Family-friendly atmospheres at both lo-

cations. Weekend entertainment.

MIDTOWN 29th to 90th streets

■ 32 PALM

32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410289-2525, 32palm.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open yearround 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, 410524-7171, 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.

■ 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 wellmade 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.

UPTOWN

91st to 146th streets

■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY

13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410250-2000, 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, 410250-3337, 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, 410250-4900, 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.

■ CHESAPEAKE & CAPRI

9800 Coastal Highway Plaza Condominium, Ocean City 443-664-6147

Enjoy oceanfront dining, mouth-watering dishes and handcrafted cocktails. Our menu is designed to delight. Amazing food with an ocean front view. Thursday and Sunday, $21 entrée specials like blacked rockfish and several pasta dishes. Open Thursday through Sunday at 4 p.m. Happy hour offered in the offseason from 4-6 p.m. Located on the first floor of the Plaza with plenty of free, convenience 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.

FENWICK ISLAND

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-9885000, 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, 302-539-3020, 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.

WEST OCEAN CITY

■ 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 1-6 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 everyday, 12 noon to 9 p.m., kitchen and bar.

■ 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 ‘40sstyle 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 80-seat 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, 410213-1846, 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.

Crispy, cheesy sweet potato bites

By Deborah Lee Walker

Contributing Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Thanksgiving is notorious for its fantastic feast.

Heirloom recipes are pasted down to keep tradition alive. And at the same time, it is important to add new additions so predictability does not become the main ingredient.

But if someone were to ask, “What is most memorable?”, most of us would say “leftovers.”

The secret to leftovers is to deconstruct the original recipe to create something new and exciting. Let us start with the turkey itself. After a few hot turkey sandwiches, you are pretty much left with the carcass of the bird. This picked over bird can make tasty turkey noodle soup.

Simply place the bones in a pot and cover with cold water. Add chicken bouillon, onions, garlic, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper, and simmer for two hours. Strain the mixture. When it has cooled, pick the remaining turkey off the bones.

Add extra wide cooked egg noodles, carrots, celery, onions, peas, and turkey meat to the broth and cook until veggies are tender.

If you want something that is comforting but quicker, how about a turkey shep-

herd’s pie. You have all of the ingredients that you will need including a mashed potato crust. You do not need a bottom crust. Simply follow your favorite shepherd’s pie recipe and replace with the leftovers.

What does one do with fresh leftover cranberries? Spread them on top of a wheel of brie. The tartness and sweetness of the cranberries is a perfect pairing for the soft, bland cheese.

If you want something with a little more zest, a fresh cranberry salsa for a turkey taco will perk up your menu. Sauteed onions, peppers, and jalapenos combined with the cranberries brings two cultures together with a fabulous fusion of flavors.

When I was a child, I remember mother making potato cakes with leftover mashed potatoes. I used to love them and unfortunately this dish has slipped through the cracks of time. Taste and contrast of texture bring this side back to the forefront.

In a medium bowl, combine whisked egg, minced garlic cloves, minced onion, a little flour, plus leftover mashed potatoes. Using your hands dipped in flour, shape the potato cakes and dust in flour with some panko breadcrumbs.

Fry cakes in canola oil until crispy on both sides. Place on a cooling rack and not on plates with paper towels.

Sweet potatoes are a staple at Thanksgiving. Adding parmesan cheese, grated

gruyere, paprika, onion and garlic powder changes the sweet potatoes filling to savory little balls of goodness. Roll in panko and fry the little nuggets until they are golden brown. Serve with a spicy dipping sauce.

Leftover apple or pecan pie are great foundations for parfaits. If you have children, this is a fun way to get them involved. Whipped cream, crushed graham crackers, store bought pudding, sprinkles, and leftover pie can be layered for a whimsical dessert.

Pumpkin pie s’mores are yummy, Graham crackers, chocolate bars, pumpkin pie filling, and toasted marshmallows are a combination hard to beat.

Leftovers can be a blessing. A little creativity and you have a new dish.

Spicy Dipping Sauce

1 ¼ cups mayonnaise

½ lime, juiced

1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder

½ teaspoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon each sweet paprika, cumin, garlic and onion powder

kosher salt to taste

1. Mix all of the ingredients until thoroughly blended. Set aside until ready to use.

Crispy Cheesy Sweet Potato Bites

4 cups leftover sweet potatoes

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

¼ cup grated gruyere cheese

½ teaspoon sweet paprika

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon each garlic and onion powder

1 large egg

1 teaspoon cold water

2 cups panko

1 cup cornmeal

canola oil for frying

1. Mix sweet potatoes, cheeses, and spices in a medium bowl. Using your hands, form small bite-size balls.

2. In a small bowl, whisk egg and water.

3. Combine panko and cornmeal in a pie plate and mix well.

4. Heat 1 ½-inches of canola oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

5. Dip sweet potato balls in egg wash then in panko mixture.

6. Fry sweet potato balls, turning until all sides are golden brown.

7. Place cooked sweet potato balls on a cooling rack for 1 minute.

8. Serve crispy cheesy sweet potato bites with dipping sauce on the side.

Secret Ingredient – Waste

Waste not, want not.

— Proverb

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

With Bunk Mann

Anthony’s Carryout on 17th Street, an Ocean City icon, changed ownership in the fall of 2020 after 48 years under the management of John Simms and family.

The business first opened as Anthony’s Tastee-Freez in 1954 with Chris Christ as the original owner. John Simms took over in 1972 and along with his children, Jason, Crissy, Missy and daughter-in-law Sandy, would operate the cash-only carryout until Sept. 7, 2020.

Famous for hand-carved ham and roast beef, in later years breakfast would become a big attraction. Customers would stand in line to get a ham and egg or scrapple sandwich and marvel at the staff’s ability to move the orders so quickly. A favorite spot for locals, Anthony’s Carryout was also popular with celebrities such as Spiro Agnew, Bobby Baker, Ted Williams and Henry Winkler, who would sit at the counter with a scrapple sandwich and an order of hot cakes. On Winkler’s way out, he would strike a Fonzi pose and say “good food.” The location continued as a restaurant under new management for several years but did not reopen last summer.

Although the Simms family is no longer serving breakfast or lunch on summer days, you can visit John and Jason at their new Berlin Auto Services. Gone from Ocean City but never forgotten.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.

Photo by Bunk Mann taken Sept. 7, 2020

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

The pride of a good parallel parking job

Browsing holiday lights displays

Celebrity adoption stories

A good coach’s impact on an athlete

Highlights of games I missed

A blue sky morning after a snow fall

The peace of taking the high road

Crust of a good grilled cheese sandwich

Lunch to break up a road trip

An uninterrupted night’s sleep

A dented up pickup truck

Art League planning First Friday reception

(Nov. 28, 2025) First Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, celebrates the holidays at the Ocean City Center for the Arts with two group shows, a small works exhibit, an artisan fair, and special events. The First Friday reception is free and runs from 5-7 p.m. The Arts Center, home of the Art League of Ocean City, is located at 502 94th St. bayside.

Students from the culinary arts program at Worcester Technical High School - under the tutelage of Phil Cropper, the Worcester’s Teacher of the Year – will provide complimentary holiday bites. PKS Investments is sponsoring complimentary beverages.

The Thaler Gallery at the Arts Center features the Annual Members Juried Group Show featuring artwork in all media by members of the Art League. Jinchul Kim, artist and professor of art at Salisbury University, juried the exhibition and selected the winners, who will be awarded cash prizes.

The Sisson Galleria features the Best of 2025, artwork that won awards during Arts Center exhibits during the past year. Studio E features small works, small in size and affordable in price for holiday giving.

Angela Pierce is showing her still

life paintings in the Spotlight Gallery in December. Rich with influences gleaned from extensive travels and study of art history, Pierce’s work bridges rigorous technique and contemporary sensibility.

Glass artist Penny Amici displays her creations in the Felber Artisan Showcase. She has been creating uniquely decorated crystal cocktail stemware under the name Vineyard Road since 2001 and also creates with beveled and stained glass.

The Burbage Staircase Gallery at the Arts Center continues a show by Aria Islam.

The annual Artisan Fair fills the Arts Center for two days with handcrafted items made by local and regional artists. The artists will display their creations during the First Friday art opening from 5-7 p.m. and also on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Participating artisans include Savitri Khalsa who will be offering her pottery and mosaic jewelry; Theresa Alo, handmade pottery and painted wood; Lisa Guerriero, bottle stoppers, friendship bracelets, and holiday ornaments; and Tia and Tuve Tuvesson, small metal sculptures.

WEST OCEAN CITY PROFESSIONAL

Also, Joyce Rose, Christmas wreaths and centerpieces; Steven Siorta, hand-crafted wire art; Svetlana McCoy-Rusanova, handmade jewelry; Jason Giusti, blown glass vessels and paperweights; Charlene Wilner, handmade pottery; and Edward Kelleher, handmade ceramics.

On Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the fair continues with the artisans, and adds a homemade bake sale, a make-your-own holiday card craft, and a raffle for an artistically-filled gift basket. The Octaphouse Sweet Eats With a Twist food truck from Twisted Taphouse will be outside. Ocean City Christmas parade-goers

are invited to stop by the Arts Center for a free cup of hot cocoa from a cocoa bar donated by Happy Jack Pancake House.

The art exhibits continue at two Art League satellite galleries in North Ocean City. The main lobby at the Princess Royale Oceanfront, 9110 Coastal Hwy. continues an exhibit by Anabela Ferguson. A second satellite gallery on 94th St. at the Coffee Beanery continues a show of artwork by Gail Stern.

All shows will be on display until Dec. 27. More information is available at www.OCart.org or by calling 410-524-9433.

by Steve Green

UThe Adventures of Fatherhood

nique family dynamics have us planning to eat out on Thanksgiving this year. It’s not the traditional route. But circumstances change, schedules shift, and after doing this a few times in the past, we’ve learned that going out to eat on Thanksgiving isn’t necessarily a consolation prize — it can actually be enjoyable in its own way.

Still, every time we’ve gone the buffet route, I’ve noticed something: only two members of our family truly get their money’s worth. Those two people are Carson and me. If buffets had loyal customer punch cards, the two of us would be platinum-level by now.

For Beckett, the buffet is completely wasted. He is simply too picky to take advantage of the spread. This is a kid who can walk into a room with dozens of beautifully arranged dishes — carved meats, colorful vegetables, rows of desserts that look like something from a baking show — and walk out with a plate that looks like he assembled it from the world’s least imaginative cafeteria line.

I remember years ago, at one particularly impressive buffet, he returned to the table with nothing but ham and three rolls on his plate. Three rolls. He looked past entire stations of food: roasted vegetables, carving stations, seafood, pasta, carving boards, warming trays, the works. I nudged him to go back and try again, thinking maybe he’d seen so much that he was overwhelmed the first time. He returned with … some broccoli, more ham and a donut. That was his entire “second round.” And he was quite proud of his selections, as if he’d branched out in some dramatic way.

Pam, on the other hand, is the opposite of Carson and me in an entirely different way. She’s too health-conscious to want to dive into a buffet with reckless abandon. She reads a buffet like someone scanning for danger zones — where’s the sodium? What’s saturated in butter? How many desserts can she politely pretend don’t exist? Buffets may as well be obstacle courses for her. It’s

not that she doesn’t enjoy the food; she just doesn’t feel great piling her plate sky-high, and she has far more self-control than I do when faced with endless options.

But Carson and me? Well, we are built for this.

Carson, now sixteen, approaches buffets with the enthusiasm and discipline of an athlete preparing for competition. He begins with a salad — not because he particularly wants the salad but because, according to him, it’s good to warm up. After that initial course, he returns with the real selections: substantial, carefully constructed plates full of turkey, sides, and anything that looks remotely delicious. He doesn’t rush; he builds each plate with strategy in mind, like he’s maximizing the opportunity in front of him. And then he goes back. And back again. All while understanding he can’t eat gluten or dairy.

Watching Carson at a buffet is like watching a documentary on a rare animal thriving in its natural habitat. For me, the sides are the entire point. Turkey is fine — good, even — but it’s not what brings me joy at Thanksgiving. What lifts my spirits is the spread of side dishes: mashed potatoes smooth enough to be dessert on their own, stuffing variations that each taste like a different version of fall, roasted vegetables, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, and whatever creative starch the chefs have dreamed up that year. I am perfectly satisfied with a small portion of turkey surrounded by an ambitious mountain of sides. If pumpkin pie or pecan pie is waiting somewhere nearby, even better.

There’s something to be said for going out to eat on Thanksgiving. It comes with its own set of positives and negatives. One of the biggest upsides is the lack of prep. No one (Pam) has to spend hours peeling potatoes, brining a gigantic bird, chopping vegetables, or trying to calculate oven space and time like it’s a math equation. There’s no frantic search for missing ingredients, no waking up early to get the turkey in the oven, and no wondering whether the

stuffing is too dry or the gravy too thin. When you eat out, all that pressure simply evaporates.

Another plus is the mental calm that comes with stepping into a restaurant where everything is done. You sit down, you enjoy your meal, and you don’t have to worry about timers or the fate of a pie crust. You don’t have to orchestrate the flow of dishes or decide what gets reheated when. You’re simply present, enjoying the food and the company.

But of course, the biggest downside is the lack of leftovers. Leftovers are practically a holiday themselves. They’re the reason Thanksgiving sandwiches were invented. There’s a certain joy in opening the fridge the next day and seeing containers filled with the flavors of the holiday, ready to be reheated or reinvented. When you eat out, all of that is gone the moment you walk out the restaurant doors. You’ve enjoyed the meal, but that next-day experience disappears. For us, we usually nibble until Sunday before tossing whatever is left.

We also learned something else in past years: leaving a restaurant right after eating felt a little strange. Normally, at home, the meal transitions into the next part of the day —maybe football, maybe dessert, maybe just lounging and chatting. When you dine out, the moment the bill is paid, the evening feels like it ends abruptly.

To fix that, we started hosting desserts at our house afterward. A lowpressure setup — pies, coffee, drinks, maybe hot chocolate, and football on the TV. It gave the day some feeling of being at home without the stress of cooking the full meal.

Eating out can be done right on Thanksgiving. It just takes the right mindset, the right expectations, and, ideally, at least a couple of people like Carson and me who embrace the glory of a buffet.

(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.)

After equipment, surfing waves an inexpensive hobby

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(Nov.28, 2025) Surfing is cheap or maybe a more eloquent term would be inexpensive.

This is a biased opinion, of course, but on a comparative basis it would certainly be true. Let’s cite a few examples, pro and con, for and against. Once surfing equipment is acquired, it can be considered cheap or expensive. Depending on whether or not used or new equipment is available the cheap factor becomes obvious. Once equipment is had surfing becomes quite inexpensive. Many other sports or activities become expensive as in every time these are played or participated in a cost or fee becomes an issue and has to be paid.

Let’s have a look at some of these “expensive sports or activities.” Golf, skiing (water or snow), boating, snowboarding are all examples of money having to be paid prior to the sport or activity. It could be in the form of a green fee, lift ticket, or fuel cost. Even the cost of a spectator sport or ticket price to watch a high level, professional football, basketball, or baseball game can get expensive.

But surfing? Once one arrives at the beach it’s free. Granted there’s an initial equipment cost though it can still be inexpensive or cheap in the rough vernacular.

So there you have it. Surfing is inexpensive or cheap depending on one’s outlook. Even the cost of equipment, initial or otherwise, is at least quite reasonable.

There’s even the thought that surfing teaches frugality, in one way or another. But that’s subject matter for another story.

- Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City

Holiday festivities planned for Dec. 6 in Ocean Pines

(Nov. 28, 2025) Join Ocean Pines Recreation & Parks for several fun holiday events at the Ocean Pines Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 6.

From 8-11 a.m., bring the entire family to enjoy Breakfast with Santa. Santa will arrive at approximately 8:30 a.m. and will be available for photos until 11 a.m. The cost is $6 for ages 4-10, $10 for ages 11 & over, and free for ages 3 and under. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift to be donated to local charities in Worcester County, or non-perishable food.

The Reindeer Lane Gift Shop will take place in the East Room from 811 a.m. This special holiday shop gives children ages 12 and under the opportunity to purchase gifts for their loved ones. Admission is free, but donations of new or slightly worn items are greatly appreciated.

New this year is the Holiday Vendor Fair, happening from 8 a.m. to noon in the Community Center Gym. Browse a variety of vendors offering great items for Christmas gifts. Admission is free and open to the public. Additionally, Santa’s Red Mailbox is now at the Community Center. Santa’s mailbox will be available until Dec. 20.

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

OPERATION WE CARE SUPPORT

Last week, Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) students collected donations in support of the local non-profit organization, Operation We Care. Items collected are to be wrapped into care packages and sent to deployed military and first responders. Students collected a wide range of items, including granola bars, canned pasta, powdered drink mixes, playing cards, baby wipes, toothpaste, and more. Operation We Care was founded in 2007 by Jeff and Diana Merritt. Jeff and Diana own Minuteman Press in Salisbury and are assisted by many volunteers. They pack over 2,000 care packages a year that are sent to deployed troops. Operation We Care strives to support active duty and veteran military through care packages, events, and various assistance outlets. Pictured, from left, are WPS Athletic Trainer Mr. Drew Oxenreider, students Giuliana Frabizzio, Harper Hertrich, Rani Yonker, Bella Forman, Genia Fedarkevich, Darren Lockard, Brock Phillips, Wes Wisniewski, Emerson Bofinger, Caleb Walston, USMC LCpl. Brock Grosso, and Assistant Head of School and Director of Campus Operations and Athletics Mike Grosso.

VETERANS SUPPORTED

LINCOLN DAY DINNER HELD

Worcester County Republican Central Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner hosted China expert Gordon Chang at the Embers Restaurant. Pictured, from left with Chang, third from left, are members Linda Moran, Bev

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Harry Wimbrow, Tom Babcock, Carl Smith and, Susan Ostrowski, Chair. SUBMITTED

One of the most popular events in Ocean City is Endless Summer Cruisin. Attendees of this event generously supported the mission of the Delmarva Leathernecks Foundation by purchasing raffle tickets to win a custom painted electric bike. Pictured are Foundation members VIc Freeman, Don Coffin, Tom Wengert and Chuck Schaub. The foundation is a non-profit organization  that supports veterans’ groups and local charities in Ocean City and the surrounding Delmarva area. For information, contact Don Coffin at doncoffin8@gmail.com.

ANDES DISCUSSES BOOK

Members of the General Levin Winder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently enjoyed a presentation by Jon Andes about his book “The Legacy of Billy Lee: An American Hero.” Andes was inspired to write the book after viewing a John Trumball painting of George Washington with a shadowy figure in the background. The figure was Washington’s enslaved manservant, Billy Lee. Chapter member Carol Mongelli is a direct descendant of Washington’s younger brother John Augustine. Pictured, from left, are Darlene Stevens, Carol Mongelli, Regent Sharon Moak, Beth Sise, Chris Nanna-Lieb, Jon Andes, Jane Bunting and Cynthia Mancuso.

295 TURKEYS DISTRIBUTED

The Worcester County Bar Association recently provided Worcester County GOLD with 295 turkeys with sides to provide to local families in need of assistance during the holiday. The distribution takes part annually as a result of a partnership with local organizations spearheaded by the bar association. Members of the association work with GOLD and individual schools to identify families who will benefit from a helping hand with donations needed for a Thanksgiving meal.

Co-chair appointment

SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate Senior Advisor John McClellan has been appointed as Co-Chair of the SVN Leasing Product Council by SVN International. He will serve beside Karen Kulczycki from SVN | Chicago Commercial.

Together, they will host quarterly virtual sessions for Leasing Product Council members across the country, creating a forum for conversations on leasing strategies, marketing, legal developments, and new technologies. The Council’s larger mission is to exchange best practices, spotlight innovative tools, and utilize SVN’s national platform to support continued collaboration and professional growth.

With more than 38 years in commercial real estate, McClellan brings extensive expertise in leasing across a wide range of property types, representing both tenants and landlords. A consistent top producer at SVN, he holds the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) designations. John is committed to strengthening collaboration throughout the SVN network, noting, “Our goal is to ensure the information we share is meaningful and relevant across all asset classes and markets. I’m driven by a desire to

give back and support the cooperative culture that sets SVN apart. Unlike many large national brokerages, SVN truly encourages collaboration among its offices, markets, and specialties.”

Health system partners

TidalHealth is partnering with CLEAR, the secure identity company, to simplify the healthcare experience for its patients through easy-to-use identity verification.

TidalHealth patients can now use CLEAR to securely verify their identity when creating a MyChart account or resetting their password from their mobile device or the MyChart app. This new option saves time and reduces friction by eliminating the need to contact TidalHealth’s MyChart service team for account creation or password assistance.

“Adopting CLEAR identity verification in TidalHealth MyChart ensures that our patients can access their health information quickly and securely,” said Mark Weisman, MD, MBA, Vice President of Information Technology, Chief Medical Information Officer and Chief Information Officer at TidalHealth. “This enhancement improves the patient experience by removing wait times and simplifying the account creation and password reset process.”

CLEAR provides a fast, secure, and convenient method for verifying identity using advanced biometric technology.

The platform is always opt-in, requires explicit user consent, and clearly explains what information is collected and how it will be used. After a quick one-time set-up, patients can verify instantly with just a selfie across CLEAR’s network of partners.

To verify their identity through CLEAR, patients will be prompted to either create a new CLEAR account using a government-issued ID or, if they already have a CLEAR account,

CROSSWORD

confirm their identity with a quick selfie. Once verified, patients will create a new MyChart password that meets TidalHealth’s security requirements and then return to MyChart to log in.

Health program honored

Last month, the Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA) presented the Outstanding Rural Health Program Award to TidalHealth’s REACH (Rural Equity and Access to Community Health) program for improving chronic

Continued on Page 51

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Right now you are inspired to roll up your sleeves and clear away the clutter so you can focus on what counts, Aries. Your productivity soars this week.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Your words will carry extra weight between this week and next, Taurus. Don’t hold back on speaking about what is in your heart. You may navigate your way to romance.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, this week you may feel energized to pursue new connections with family and friends. Plan a few long overdue catch-ups, and bask in that feeling of contentment.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Some may call you timid, Cancer, but not this week. You put all of yourself out there the next few days, and others may be hanging on your every word.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Money is at the top of your priority list, Leo. You may be dreaming big or content to just make sense of finances that have gotten a bit off the rails.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, it’s all about honesty this week and letting others in. Don’t sugarcoat things with the people you love. They will love you even if you’re in need of some support.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, release what is draining your energy, especially before the busy holiday season is in full force. Wrap up lingering projects and bow out of obligations that are stretching you too thin.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you are selective about your social circle, but stay open to new friendships. New allies bring surprising opportunities if you simply let them in.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Your ambitious streak is on fire right now, Sagittarius. Partnerships and acquisitions are very much within reach, so start conversations now. It’s time to network as much as possible.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

You pride yourself on telling it like it is, Capricorn. But candor can sometimes be costly. A measured approach in a delicate situation this week can serve you well.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Typically “what you see is what you get” is your mantra, Aquarius. Yet, this week you might hold something back to be a bit more mysterious. Others may not catch on right away.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Relationships take center stage in your life, Pisces. Talks of further commitment could come up more often than in the past. This is an important time.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Continued from Page 50

disease management and reducing hospital admissions on the Lower Eastern Shore.

“The REACH program is a powerful example of innovation and collaboration making a real difference in rural communities,” said Jonathan Dayton, MRHA Executive Director. “We are proud to recognize TidalHealth Peninsula Regional for improving access and health outcomes for some of Maryland’s most underserved residents.”

The REACH program partners with local hospitals, health departments, community organizations, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to prevent and reduce diabetes and hypertension among Black and Haitian residents in rural Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties through culturally competent care, nutrition and transportation support, remote monitoring, and community-focused lifestyle programs.

“The REACH program is the product of a community coalition united by a shared vision,” said Kat Rodgers, Ed.D., MPH, TidalHealth Director of Community Health Initiatives. “Our goal is to empower residents in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods across the Lower Eastern Shore to co-create systems that improve access to care and strengthen health literacy, ensuring everyone has

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA) presented the Outstanding Rural Health Program Award to TidalHealth’s REACH (Rural Equity and Access to Community Health) program for improving chronic disease management and reducing hospital admissions on the Lower Eastern Shore. Pictured, from left, are REACH Evaluator Miriam C. Purnell of UMES; Kathryn Fiddler, TidalHealth Vice President of Population Health; Bobbi McDonald, TidalHealth Community Health Educator; Rochelle Tyler, TidalHealth Community Wellness Grant Program Coordinator; Jacqueline Messner, TidalHealth Diabetes Management Nurse Practitioner; Kat Rodgers, TidalHealth Director of Community Health Initiatives; REACH Evaluator Hoi-An Truong of UMES; and Jonathan Dayton, MRHA executive director.

an equitable opportunity to achieve their best possible quality of life.”

The REACH program is funded by TidalHealth through a grant from the Maryland General Assembly as part of the Maryland Health Equity Resource Act. Grant funding is administered by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC). For more information, visit https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/ Pages/herc.aspx. The views presented here are those of the grantee and not necessarily those of the Commission, its Commissioners, or its staff.

Fri., Nov. 28

43RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOPPERS FAIR

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 120 exhibitors, door prizes, children’s activities, Santa Claus, NonShoppers Lounge. Admission cost is $5 for the weekend.

https://www.ococean.com/event/holidayshoppers-fair/2447/, 410-723-8605

ICE ICE BERLIN & TREE LIGHTING

Downtown Berlin, 5-8 p.m. Featuring 45 Holiday themed carved ice sculptures, tree lighting at 6 p.m. and greet Santa at Kringle Kottage on Artisan’s Green. The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will be selling hot chocolate and Ocean City Pipes and Drums performance. Berlin shops will be open late. https://berlinmainstreet.com/tree-lightingcelebration/

CANDLELIGHT TOURS

Calvin B. Taylor House, 208 N. Main St., Berlin, 5-7 p.m. Held during the Ice Ice Berlin event. www.taylorhousemuseum.org

JOLLY ROGER WORLD FAMOUS BLACK FRIDAY SALE!

SpeedWorld Building at Jolly Roger Amusement Park, 2901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All 2026 Jolly Roger passes are 50% off. Music and live local coverage from Froggy 99.9 and free hot chocolate and Christmas cookies and pastries. https://jollyrogerpark.com/blackfriday/, 410-289-8617

2025 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL & BLACK FRIDAY SALE

Trimper Rides of Ocean City, 700 S. Atlantic Ave., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Indoor rides, Santa’s Cocoa & Cookies Station, Snowball Fight Area, Santa’s mailbox. Black Friday sale on season and mega passes. Passes must be purchased at Guest Services. https://trimperrides.com, 410-289-8617

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. 410-524-7994

Sat., Nov. 29

43RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOPPERS FAIR

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 120 exhibitors, door prizes, children’s activities, Santa Claus, NonShoppers Lounge. Admission cost is $5 for the weekend.

https://www.ococean.com/event/holidayshoppers-fair/2447/, 410-723-8605

CHARACTER BREAKFAST

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 9-11 a.m. Kids can wear PJs and enjoy a festive breakfast and

crafts surrounded by some of the most beloved characters (Mickey, Stitch, etc.). Tickets: https://www.ococean.com/event/character-breakfast/2501/.

FREE CARRIAGE RIDES

Downtown Berlin, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Take a horse-drawn drive around town.

https://berlinmainstreet.com/berlin-holiday-events/

MEET SANTA

Kringle Kottage located on Artisans Green, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

https://berlinmainstreet.com/berlin-holiday-events/

15TH ANNUAL HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS WITH SANTA IN THE PARK

White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 6:30-8 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Light up the trees sponsored by Ocean Pines social clubs, local businesses and families. Also, the announcement of the 2026 Pup of the Pines winner. 410-641-7052

BERLIN’S MERRY MARKETPLACE

Berlin Main St. & Maryland Welcome Center, 14 S. Main St., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Holiday market. ocberlinrotary@gmail.com

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST BUFFET

Whaleysville United Methodist, 11716

Sheppards Crossing Road, 7-10 a.m. Buffet will include pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, chipped beef, hash brown potatoes, toast, fruit and assorted beverages. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

2025 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL & BLACK FRIDAY SALE

Trimper Rides of Ocean City, 700 S. Atlantic Ave., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Indoor rides, Santa’s Cocoa & Cookies Station, Snowball Fight Area, Santa’s mailbox. Black Friday sale on season and mega passes. Passes must be purchased at Guest Services. https://trimperrides.com, 410-289-8617

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. 410-641-7052, https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages/fa rmers-artisans-market

Sun., Nov. 30

43RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOPPERS FAIR

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More than 120 exhibitors, door prizes, children’s activities, Santa Claus, NonShoppers Lounge. Admission cost is $5 for the weekend.

https://www.ococean.com/event/holidayshoppers-fair/2447/, 410-723-8605

MEET SANTA

Kringle Kottage located on Artisans Green, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. https://berlinmainstreet.com/berlin-holiday-events/

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., Dec. 1

WINTERFEST ENCHANTED EVENINGS

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5-8:30 p.m. Hop aboard a buggy for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Winterfest of Lights. Reserve 2 or 6 person carriages or individual seats on the 12 seat carriage. https://www.ococean.com/winterfest/

STORY TIME: BUNNIES

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, www.worcesterlibrary.org

AFTERSCHOOL ART

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. This month’s theme is mixed media art. Learn about it, then create and construct it during the program. For ages 6-11 years. 410-2084014, 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, 410-6410157

BRIDGE

Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-804-3971. 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, 410641-8050; on social media; or delmarvachorus.org.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 78 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100

Tues., Dec. 2

GIVING TUESDAY

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City. Donate at the Art League: ocart.org/donate or donate on the Shore Gives 365 page: https://www.shoregives365.org/story/ocar t-givingtuesday. Help to support the Art League’s free programs and more.

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN’S 5TH ANNUAL DELICIOUS DESSERT AUCTION Online desserts auction fundraiser for Women Supporting Women. Check out the auction and register to bid at: https://auction.biddingforgood.com/auction/3418207 22. (410) 548-7880

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

PLAY TIME

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878. 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. Group meets every Tuesday. 410-524-1818, 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

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

Crossword answers from page 50

CALENDAR

COLLAGE ORNAMENTS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Make a collage ornament using modern art post card images. Registration required: 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

OC KNITTING CLUB

Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.

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. 410-289-4725

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. 410-6414882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.

Wed., Dec. 3

GRACE PARKER BREAKFAST

First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 1301 Philadelphia Ave., 7-11 a.m.

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

WINE CORK CRAFT

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 11 a.m. Join in for this winter-themed crafting session. Limit 10. Registration necessary: 410-957-0878. www.worcesterlibrary.org

PETER FLETCHER IN CONCERT

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher performs a solo recital of holiday music. 410-641-0650, www.worcester library.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.

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

Thurs., Dec. 4

STORY TIME ‘YOU ARE AWESOME!’ Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcester library.org

PAJAMA STORY TIME: GINGERBREAD

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Dress in your jammies and join in for a story, songs 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 at the library. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

POCOMOKE BRANCH BOOK CLUB ‘THINGS FALL APART’ BY CHINUA ACHEBE

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, www.worcester library.org

LEGO MASTERS CHALLENGE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Join in for a Lego challenge event. All materials provided. For ages 6-11 years. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Acadia Landing LEWES, DE

Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Upper $400s

Coming Soon Single Family Homes

Bridgewater FRANKFORD, DE

Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Mid $500s

deer creek LINCOLN, DE

Coming Soon Single Family Homes

Coming Soon Single Family Homes Toownhomes

and T

ballenger creek HARBESON, DE

forest landing ELLENDALE, DE

Delaware Maaryland

four winds farm LTTON, DE

Coming Soon Single Family Homes

rttyeast MILLSBORO, DE

Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Low $400s

Newdale acres ELLENDALE, DE

Now Selling Single Family Homes and Toownhomes from the Low $300s

Pelican Point MILLSBORO, DE

Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Low $400s

rtton Chase MILLSBORO, , DE

Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Upper $300s

lakeside at trappe TRAPPE, MD

Now Selling Single Family Homes and SOUT Plan Golf MILL Now Villas from the Com vine FRAN Com Toown Wes Com and V

, and T O f & Countr H SHORE tation Lakes ryyClub SBORO, , DE

Selling Single Family Homes, Toownhomes the Low $300s

GEORGETOWN, DE ing Soon Toownhomes s creek crossing KFORD, DE ing Soon Single Family Homes, homes, and Villas twood MILFORD,

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

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS

ASSOCIATE

Busy Auto & Marine Parts

Store in Ocean Pines is now hiring. Must have valid driver’s license. Experience is a plus, but will train the right person. Great Pay & Benefits. Call: 302-228-2353.

RENTALS

YR OCEAN PINES

South Gate Cul de Sac Recently renovated. Unfurnished. 4BR, 2BA Screened in porch, Central HVAC. No smoking/pets.

$2,600 per mo. + utils. & sec. dep. 410-404-8851

Ocean Pines Yearly Rental Waterfront Condo. Elevator building. 2BR, 2BA, unfurnished. $2100/mo. + electric. Available December 1. Phone/text 203-400-2809.

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

plan/paid time

online at troon.com/careers - company location Sea Colony Assoc East or email bethann.steele@seacolony.com or call 302-541-8831 for an interview

55

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 Year-Round Rentals! 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

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.

REAL ESTATE

FOR SALE BISHOPVILLE

2BR, 2BA Mobile Home. In great shape. Min.’s to beach.

$34,000 Cash + $700 per mo. ground rent. Park is open YR! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.

Property Wellness Check! Don’t let your property sit for months without someone checking on it. Management companies can’t keep up with inspections. Let us send you phots so you can feel comfortable. 443-234-5561

B and B Property Care since 2019

LARRY’S HANDYMAN

SERVICE No job too small, entrance doors, interior doors, storm doors, shower doors, drywall repairs and paint, laminate floors, interior paint. Over 40 years of carpentry experience. Please call Larry, 410-251-9066.

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.

TRUSTEE'S SALE

OF CONDOMINIUM UNIT

In accordance with the order in Case no. C-23-CV-25-000192 in the Circuit Court for Worcester County, the Trustee named below will sell at public auction to the highest bidder on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at the front door of Golden Sands Club Condominium Unit No. 1908, 10900 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, all that property designated as Golden Sands Club Condominium Unit 1908, together with an undivided percentage interest in the common elements, as established pursuant to a Condominium Master Deed and By-Laws, as amended, dated July 2, 1975, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Liber No. 479, Folio 548, el seq., and pursuant also to the several plats described in the said Condominium Master Deed and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records in Plat Book No. 481, Folio 254, et. seq., as further described in a deed recorded at Book 51, Page 14, el seq., in "AS IS" condition, SUBJECT to all the liens, covenants, agreements, conditions, easements and restrictions as may appear among the land records of Worcester County, Maryland. A deposit of $25,000.00 in cash or certified check will be required of the Purchaser at the auction. (A deposit will not be required if the successful bidder is the Plaintiff/secured party in this foreclosure action.) The balance in cash or cashier's or certified check shall be paid within 20 days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, said balance to bear interest at the rate of ten percent ( 10%) per annum from the date of sale to the date of payment. Time is of the essence for the Purchaser. All real estate taxes, wastewater and water charges, and condominium assessments shall be adjusted as of the date of sale and assumed thereafter by the Purchaser. All settlement costs, including recordation and transfer taxes and recording fees, shall be paid by the Purchaser. Possession will be given upon payment in full of the purchase price. If Purchaser fails to pay the balance of the purchase price when due, the deposit shall be forfeited and the property resold at the risk and cost of the defaulting Purchaser.

For further information, you may contact Spencer Ayres Cropper, Trustee, 410-723-1400. OCD-11/27/3t

BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 961-6555

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES'

SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AND ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEREON

100 ESHAM AVENUE BERLIN, MD 21811

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust dated Au-

gust 14, 2012, recorded in Liber 5960, Folio 454 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, with an original principal balance of $209,183.00, 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

DECEMBER 16, 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 $15,000 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. 376864-1)

Howard N. Bierman, Carrie M. Ward, et. al., Substitute Trustees

OCD-11/27/3t

JAMES E. CLUBB, JR., ESQ. 108 N. 8th Street Ocean City, Maryland 21842

TRUSTEE'S SALE

OF TIME-SHARE INTERVALS IN THE OCEAN TIME CONDOMINIUM OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

By virtue of a Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-25-000193, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the Ocean Time Condominium building located at 13 136th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, the following described property located in the Town of Ocean City, in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, on

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025 AT 9:00 A.M.

Declaration and By-Laws recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and subsequent Time-Share Instruments as to each condominium unit, and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property 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 warranties or guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of sale per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all recordation and transfer taxes, the 2026 maintenance fee, and all other incidental settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: James E. Clubb, Jr., Esq. Trustee

410-289-2323

OCD-11/20/3t

COHN, GOLDBERG & DEUTSCH, LLC

1099 WINTERSON ROAD, SUITE 301 LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MARYLAND 21090 www.cgd-law.com/sales

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES' SALE OF IMPROVED REAL PROPERTY

808 & 810 2ND STREET POCOMOKE, MD 21851

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 December 1, 2025 AT 11:00AM

Each time interval being one week per year of the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Ocean Time Condominium as established pursuant to a Condominium

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 $10,000.00 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 remedy 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

OCD-11/13/3t

Piel Law Firm, LLC

502 Washington Avenue, Suite 730 Towson, Maryland 21204

SUBSTITUTE

cuted, acknowledged and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland for the purposes therein contained, default having occurred under the terms of the Deed of Trust, the Substitute Trustees will offer for sale at public auction to the highest qualified bidder at the steps of the Circuit Court for Worcester County located at One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863, on:

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 3:55 p.m.

ALL OF THAT real property being situate in Worcester County, Maryland, and the improvements thereon (collectively, the “Property”), in fee simple, being more particularly described in the Deed of Trust, and generally known as 400 Second Street, Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851, Tax ID No.: 01-017969.

ship actions relating thereto, subject to all critical area and wetland violations, subject to all environmental problems and violations which may exist on or with respect to the Property, and subject to all matters and restrictions of record affecting the same, if any. The purchaser(s) at the foreclosure sale shall assume the risk of loss for the above-referenced Property immediately after the sale takes place. It shall be the purchaser(s)’ responsibility to obtain possession of the Property following ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland.

OCD-11/13/3t

Spencer Ayres Cropper

Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy & Almand, P.A.

6200 Coastal Highway, Suite 200 Ocean City, MD 21842

BAY WINDS 11 CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

400 2ND STREET

A/R/T/A 400 SECOND STREET

POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND 21851

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust and Assignment of Leases and Rents executed by RLuxury Rentals Limited Liability Company, also known as R-Luxury Rentals, LLC, and dated January 18, 2024, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, at Liber 8701, folio 93 (the “Deed of Trust”), the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust (the “Noteholder”) having subsequently appointed Hunter C. Piel and Scott B. Wheat (collectively, the “Substitute Trustees”) as Substitute Trustees by instrument duly exe-

TERMS OF SALE: A deposit in the amount of Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000.00), payable in cash, certified check, or other form acceptable to the Substitute Trustees, in their sole and absolute discretion, will be required of the purchaser(s) at the time and place of sale. The deposit must be increased to 10% of the purchase price within two (2) business days, and delivered to the office of the Substitute Trustees in the same form as the initial deposit. The balance of the purchase price shall be due in cash or by certified check with interest on the unpaid balance of the purchase price at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum from the date of sale to and including the date of settlement. In the event the Noteholder, or an affiliate thereof, is the successful bidder at the sale, such party will not be required to make a deposit or to pay interest on the unpaid purchase money. Taxes, water charges, ground rent, if any, and all other municipal charges and liens owed against the Property shall be the sole responsibility of the purchaser(s) and shall be paid for by the purchaser(s) at settlement. In addition, all other charges, expenses and liens owed against the Property including, but not limited to, all condominium fees and expenses and public charges and assessments owed against the Property and payable on an annual basis, such as sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges, if any, shall also be the responsibility of the purchaser(s) and shall be paid by the purchaser(s) at settlement. The Substitute Trustees reserve the right to reject any and all bids, and to extend the time for settlement, if applicable. In the event taxes or other municipal charges owing on or with respect to the Property have been prepaid they shall be adjusted at settlement between the Substitute Trustees and the purchaser(s) to the date of the foreclosure sale.

The Property will be sold in an "AS IS" condition and without any warranties or representations, either express or implied, as to the nature, condition or description of the improvements. In addition, the Property will also be sold subject to all existing housing, building and zoning code violations, and any receiver-

The Property will be sold subject to all of the following that are not extinguished as a matter of law by the foreclosure sale: all easements, conditions, liens, restrictions, rights of redemption, covenants, encumbrances, ground rents, ground leases, such state of facts that an accurate survey or physical inspection of the Property might disclose, and agreements of record affecting the same, if any.

The purchaser(s) shall pay all documentary stamps, state and local transfer taxes, recordation taxes and fees, title examination costs, attorneys’ fees, conveyance fees and all other incidental settlement costs. The purchaser(s) shall settle and comply with the sale terms within twenty (20) days following the final ratification of sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, unless said period is extended by the Substitute Trustees for good cause shown. Time is of the essence.

In the event the purchaser(s) fails to go to settlement as required, in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies available, the Substitute Trustees may, without further order of the court, declare the aforementioned deposit forfeited and resell the Property at the purchaser’s sole risk and expense. In such event, the defaulting purchaser(s) shall be liable for the payment of any deficiency in the purchase price, all costs and expenses of both sales, reasonable attorneys’ fees, all other charges due, and incidental damages. The parties’ respective rights and obligations regarding the terms of sale and the conduct of the sale shall be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the State of Maryland.

If the Substitute Trustees are unable to convey the Property as described above, the purchaser(s)' sole remedy at law or in equity shall be limited to the refund of the aforementioned deposit, without interest thereon. Upon refund of the deposit to the purchaser(s), the sale shall be void and of no effect, and the purchaser(s) shall have no further claim against the Substitute Trustees or the Noteholder.

The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but is offered for informational purposes only. The Auctioneer, the Noteholder and the Substitute Trustees do not make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of this information.

Hunter C. Piel, Scott B. Wheat Substitute Trustees

c/o Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy & Almand, P.A.

6200 Coastal Highway, Suite 200 Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Plaintiff vs.

Annamarie Bauer

511 Robin Drive, Unit 104 Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Defendant IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CIVIL CASE NO. C-23-CV-25-00051

NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, this 5th day of November, 2025, that the foreclosure sale of Bay Winds II Condominium, Unit 104, 511 Robin Drive, Ocean City, Maryland, made and reported by Spencer Ayres Cropper, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 8th day of December, 2025, provided a copy of this Order is published in a newspaper of general circulation in Worcester County, Maryland, once in three successive weeks, before the 1st day of December, 2025.

The Report states that the total proceeds from the sale of the property to be One Hundred and SixtyFive Thousand Dollars ($165,000.00).

Susan R. Braniecki CLERK, CIRCUIT COURT True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD

OCD-11/13/3t _________________________________

ANDREW WHITE 11300 ROCKVILLE PIKE STE 708 ROCKVILLE, MD 20852-3011

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20900

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the SUPERIOR court of MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY appointed (1) JENEEN M MILLER-RUTAR whose address is 702 ELIZABETH AVE STEWARTSVILLE, NJ 088863237, (2) ANGELIQUE D GAUTHEIR whose address is 19 HAMILTON ST ENGLISHTOWN, NJ 07726-1541 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of THOMAS GABRIEL MILLER who died on MARCH 18, 2025 domiciled in NEW JERSEY, USA.

Council of Co-Owners of Boardwalk One, Inc. c/o Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee 4709 Harford Road

Baltimore, Maryland 21214 (443) 672.8107

COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS OF BOARDWALK ONE, INC.

P.O. Box 762

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Plaintiff,

v.

Henriette Ventura, et al. Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-24-000220

NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 7th day of November, 2025 that the foreclosure sale of the properties mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported. by Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 8th day of December, 2025, provided a copy of this Order be inserted in some daily newspaper printed in Worcester County, Maryland once in each of three successive weeks, before the 1st day of December, 2025.

The Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share interval:

TIMESHARES SOLD:

= Council of Co-Owners of Boardwalk One, Inc.

Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk

Test: Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) ANDREW WHITE whose address is 11300 ROCKVILLE PIKE STE 708 ROCKVILLE, MD 20852-3011, (2) ANDREW WHITE whose address is 11300 ROCKVILLE PIKE STE 708 ROCKVILLE, MD 20852-3011. 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 no-

128 B Newport Bay Drive Ocean City, MD 21842

Defendant(s). IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No.C-23-CV-25-000012

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given this 7th day of November , 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 128 B Newport Bay Drive, Ocean City, MD 21842, made and reported by the Substitute Trustee, will be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 8th day of December, 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 1st day of December, 2025.

The report states the purchase price at the Foreclosure sale to be $497,000.00.

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-11/13/3t

JAMES E. CLUBB JR, ESQ 108 N 8TH ST. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20905

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the COURT OF COMMON PLEAS ORPHANS' court of CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed (1) LAURA KEYS whose address is 2333 KIMBERTON RD PHOENIXVILLE, PA 19460-4741, (2) STEVEN ROBINSON whose address is 13913 ESWORTHY RD GERMANTOWN, MD 20874-3313 as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of MICHAEL JOHN ROBINSON who died on AUGUST 28, 2024 domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA

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-11/13/3t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING AND ZONING COMISSION

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

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, December 2, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M.

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a second public hearing on the draft 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update, on December 2 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.

tice, 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-11/13/3t

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.

BRENDA L. MARCH

MICHAEL J. MARCH; SR.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) STEVEN ROBINSON whose address is 13913 ESWORTHY RD GERMANTOWN, MD 20874-3313. 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

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 final 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-development/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.

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 OCD-11/13/3t

JAY S. HOROWITZ PC

7 BROOKES AVE., STE. 103 GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877-2754

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 20889

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HEATHER G. GREENSPAN

Notice is given that Felice Greenspan Griffith, 14206 Golden Hook Rd., Boyds, MD 20841-4324, was on November 06, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Heather G. Greenspan who died on April 18, 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 (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of May, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of May, 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.

Felice Greenspan Griffith 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: November 13, 2025 OCD-11/13/3t

COHN, GOLDBERG & DEUTSCH, LLC

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

1099 WINTERSON ROAD, SUITE 301

LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MARYLAND 21090

410-296-2550 File #: 453911

Richard E. Solomon

Richard J. Rogers

Michael McKeefery

Christianna Kersey

Kyle Blackstone

Jason Murphy

Brandon Ewing 1099 Winterson Road, Suite 301

Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

Substitute Trustees

Plaintiffs v.

Geraldine M. Bell, Personal Representative for the Estate of Eugene S. Purnell 10531 Harrison Road

Berlin, MD 21811

Defendant IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

Case No. C-23-CV-25-000260

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given this 14th day of November, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 15th day of December, 2025, provided a copy of this notice be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Worcester County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 8th day of December, 2025.

The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $127,024.89. The property sold herein is known as 10531 Harrison Road, Berlin, MD 21811.

Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, Maryland

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD

OCD-11/20/3t

IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR (OR) BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

IN THE ESTATE OF:

BRIAN LYNN KERRIGAN

ESTATE NO. 20565

NOTICE

OF JUDICIAL PROBATE

To all Persons Interested in the above estate:

You are hereby notified that a pe-

tition has been filed by Jeanne Pelayo, 18 Robin Hood Trail, Berlin, MD 21811 for judicial probate for the appointment of a personal representative. A hearing will be held at One W. Market Street, Court Room 4, Court House, Snow Hill, MD 21863 on December 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

This hearing may be transferred or postponed to a subsequent time. Further information may be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills. Terri Westcott Register of Wills One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Phone: (410) 632-1529

Newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Publication Date: November 20, 2025

OCD-11/20/2t

CHRISTOPHER S ROBINS ESQ ROBINS & ROBINS, P.A. 128 EAST MAIN STREET SALISBURY, MD 21801

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLES L WAITE III Estate No. 20912 Notice is given that DANIEL M WESTERLUND whose address is 6217 TIMMONS RD SNOW HILL, MD 21863-2429 was on NOVEMBER 13, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHARLES L WAITE III who died on NOVEMBER 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of MAY, 2026

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of MAY, 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

SUMMARY NOTICE OF BOND SALE

$46,345,000

MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF OCEAN CITY GENERAL OBLIGATION MUNICIPAL PURPOSE BONDS OF 2025

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mayor and City Council of Ocean City (the “City”) will receive electronic bids via PARITY® for the $46,345,000* General Obligation Municipal Purpose Bonds of 2025 (the “Bonds”) until 11:00 a.m., local Ocean City, Maryland time on:

Thursday, December 4, 2025 or on such other date as may be selected by the Mayor. The Bonds will be dated as of the date of delivery and will mature on January 15 in the years 2027 through 2046, inclusive, as more fully described in the Notice of Sale. No bid for less than all of the Bonds will be considered. The Bonds will be awarded based on the lowest interest cost to the City, determined in accordance with the true interest cost (TIC) method. All bids must be accompanied by a good faith deposit in the amount of $926,900, payable by wire transfer to the City, as provided in the Notice of Sale.

Copies of the Preliminary Official Statement and the Notice of Sale relating to the Bonds may be obtained from the Finance Director of the City, City Hall, 301 N. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, or from First Tryon Advisors, LLC, 1 Park Place, Suite 485, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 (410-267-8811).

OCD-11/20/2t

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

P02-26 – Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements II

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements II and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

BID Documents for the Eagles

Landing Golf Course Improvements II may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 2025 AT 8:00AM, IN THE EAGLES LANDING GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE PARKING LOT, 12367 EAGLES NEST ROAD, BERLIN, MARYLAND 21811. The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18TH, 2025, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2025

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH, 2026, BY 3:00 PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements II) must be noted on the outside of the package.

Late BID Documents will not be accepted.

Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.

Matt Perry Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-11/20/8t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of MICHAEL CHARLES WOOL Estate No. 20608 Notice is given that KATHY WOOL whose address is 5105 CREEK RD., SNOW HILL, MD 21863-3667 was on NOVEMBER 12, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MICHAEL CHARLES WOOL who died on OCTOBER 23, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 12th day of May, 2026.

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 MAY, 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-11/20/3t

JOHN P CUSTIS ESQ

JOHN P CUSTIS, LLC ATTORNEY AT LAW 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ESTATE NO. 20904

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the CIRCUIT court of ACCOMACK, VIRGINIA appointed (1) ERICA C WEBB whose address is PO BOX 284 PARKSLEY, VA 23421-0284, (2) CLIFFORD DONOVAN WEBB whose address is PO BOX 192 PARKSLEY, VA 23421-0192 as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of ELSIE FULLER WEBB who died on OCTOBER 02, 2023 domiciled in VIRGINIA, USA

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) JOHN P CUSTIS whose address is 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127, (2) JOHN P CUSTIS whose address is 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127. 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-11/20/3t

JOHN P CUSTIS ESQ

JOHN P CUSTIS, LLC ATTORNEY AT LAW 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DORTY LEE WEBB Estate No. 20903 Notice is given that ERICA C WEBB whose address is PO BOX 284 24311 COOKE STREET PARKSLEY, VA 234210284 was on NOVEMBER 17, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DORTY LEE WEBB who died on APRIL 27, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 17th day of MAY, 2026

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 17th day of MAY, 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-11/20/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20910

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ROBERT DAVID HUME

Notice is given that Keith Hume, 2917 Barrets Pointe Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185-7557, was on November 13, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert David Hume who died on October 28, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of May, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of May, 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.

Keith Hume 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: November 20, 2025

OCD-11/20/3t

COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A.

RAYMOND D. COATES JR., ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO

CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20916

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania appointed Zachary Douglas Myers, 4113 Bunker Hill Dr., S., Coopersburg, PA 18036-8815 as the Executor of the Estate of Joseph Douglas Myers who died on February 01, 2025 domiciled in Pennsylvania, 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 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.

Zachary Douglas Myers 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: November 27, 2025 OCD-11/27/3t

STEPHANIE SCALES SHERRIN ESQ. SCALES LAW GROUP

12417 OCEAN GTWY STE 11

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9525

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DARA G MURRAY Estate No. 20917 Notice is given that ALEXANDRA TATE whose address is 831 MITCHELL AVE MORTON, PA 19070-1807 was on NOVEMBER 19, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DARA G MURRAY who died on SEPTEMBER 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of MAY, 2026

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of MAY, 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 no-

tice, 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-11/27/3t

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA

THURSDAY DECEMBER 11, 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. 25-64, on the lands of Selbyville Elks Home Inc., on the application of Bill Ireland, requesting a modification to an existing special exception and a variance to the front yard setback from 90 feet to 60 feet (to encroach 30 feet) for a proposed handicapped ramp with a landing in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-122(f), ZS 1201(c)(21) and ZS 1-305, located at 13324 Worcester Highway, Tax Map 3, Parcel 22, Tax District 5, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:35 p.m. Case No. 25-65, on the lands of Scott and Emily Gelman, on the application of Mark Spencer Cropper, requesting a variance to the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area regulations to exceed the allowable 100 foot tidal wetland crossing by 95 feet for a proposed 3 foot by 195 foot walkway over tidal wetlands pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(m)(1) and Natural Resources Code §§ NR 3-125(b)(1), located at 11919 Cedar Creek Road, Tax Map 15, Parcel 252, Lot 10, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:40 p.m. Case No. 25-66, on the lands of RCL Investments LLC and Top View LLC, on the application of Mark Spencer Cropper, requesting a variance to the front yard setback from 30 feet to 14.5 feet (to encroach 15.5 feet) and a variance to reduce the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area buffer from 50 feet to 1 foot (to encroach 49 feet) for a proposed residence with a deck in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1116(m)(1), ZS 1-206(b)(2) and ZS 1305 and Natural Resources Code §§ NR 3-104(d)(4) and NR 3-111, lo-

cated on Riggin Ridge Road approximately 570 feet east of Golf Course Road, Tax Map 27, Parcel 570, Block 2, Lot 15, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland. OCD-11/27/2t

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION

FY 2027 LMB – Request for Coordinated Community Partnerships Worcester and Somerset Counties Spoke Providers

Worcester County LMB is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide high quality, comprehensive, and supportive services in Worcester and/or Somerset counties for students and families with behavioral health needs in conformity with the requirements contained 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, 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.

A pre-proposal meeting will be held via Google Meet on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 10:00 am. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than January 13, 2026, at 2:00 pm and will be opened. 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 – FY 2027 LMB –Request for Coordinated Community Supports Partnerships Worcester and Somerset Counties Spoke Providers”, in the lower left-hand corner.

Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for the award of solicitation.

OCD-11/27/1t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20915 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ELTON DOUGLAS ENNIS

Notice is given that Katelyn Bertolina, 18860 Small Ave., Lincoln, DE 19960-3134, was on November 18, 2025 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Elton Douglas Ennis who died on August

27, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants 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.

Katelyn Bertolina Personal Representative 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:

November 27, 2025

OCD-11/27/1t _________________________________

Rosenberg & Associates, LLC

4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 (301) 907-8000

Diane S. Rosenberg

Mark D. Meyer

Sara Tussey

Andrew Higgins

Patrick Clowney, Jr.

4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814

Substitute Trustees

Plaintiff(s) v.

Khalid A. Hindi

5719 George Island Landing Road Stockton, MD 21864

Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No. C-23-CV-25-000131

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given this 21st day of November, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of 5719 George Island Landing Road, Stockton, MD 21864, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be

shown on or before the 22nd day of December, 2025, provided a copy of this notice be inserted in Ocean City Digest a weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 15th day of December, 2025. The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $164,650.00. Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-11/27/3t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BOARD OF 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, December 11, 2025 2:00 PM

PW 25-091 A request has been submitted to install five (5) mooring pilis at the end of an existing “T” pier, maximum channelward extension of 174’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 205 Somerset Street Parcel 2501-B107 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: 16th & Philly, LLC/White Marlin Marina

APPLICANT: J. Stacey Hart

PW 25-092 A request has been submitted to install one 12’ 8” x 12’ 8” floating dock, maximum channelward extension 19’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 614 94TH ST Parcel # 9650 -124 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Glenn Cantagallo

APPLICANT: J. Stacy Hart

PW 25-093 A request has been submitted to install one jet ski lift with one associated piling not to exceed 8’ 2” maximum channelward extension. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 411 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 302 Parcel # 5669 -302 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER – Bayshore OC, LLC

APPLICANT: Just Rite Marine, Inc.

PW 25-094 A request has been submitted to extend an existing 32’ pier by 18’ for a total length of 50’; to install one boat lift with associated pilings. All work 50’ maximum channelward extension. The site of the proposed construction is described as

being located at 609 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 32 Parcel # 5347 -32 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Edward Lee

APPLICANT: Just Rite Marine, Inc.

PW 25-097 A request has been submitted to install 50’ of replacement vinyl bulkhead not to exceed 18” channelward; to install one boatlift and one PWC/kayak lift both with associated pilings not to exceed 13’ channelward. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 1510 SHAD ROW Parcel # 3370 -23 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Frederick C. Rummage, Jr.

APPLICANT: McGinty Marine Construction

Thursday, December 11, 20252:30 PM

PW Agenda Item 4: Public Hearing for Town of Ocean City Code Amendment to Board of Port Wardens. Chapter 106-Waterways Sections 106-31 through Section 106-44 amending the current code This includes updated Standards for Vinyl Bulkhead, Rip-Rap, Pier and Boat Lifts.

OCD-11/27/2t

IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR (OR) BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND IN THE ESTATE OF: CAROL STOGRAN

ESTATE NO. 20679

PUBLIC NOTICE OF CAVEAT

To all persons interested in the above estate:

Notice is given that a petition to caveat has been filed by Cynthia Stogran, 53 Bennet Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13905 challenging the will dated 10/12/2023.

You may obtain from the Register of Wills the date and tie of any hearing on this matter.

Terri Westcott Register of Wills

Name of newspaper: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: November 27, 2025

OCD-11/27/2t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of MURIEL MATTHIAS HARRIS AKA: MURIEL MATTHIAS MORGAN Estate No. 20919 Notice is given that AMY ANNE MORGAN whose address is 103 HENRYS MILL DR., BERLIN, MD 218111459 was on NOVEMBER 19, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MURIEL MATTHIAS HARRIS who died on OCTOBER 27, 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 represen-

tative or the attorney.

All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of May, 2026

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 MAY, 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-11/27/3t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20769 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF THOMAS WILLIAM PURNELL

Notice is given that Marvin Smith, 10324 Griffin Rd., Berlin, MD 21811-3164, was on November 21, 2025 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Thomas William Purnell who died on July 04, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants 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.

Marvin Smith Personal Representative 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: November 27, 2025

OCD-11/27/1t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of ANNE MILLER Estate No. 20921 Notice is given that WENDY ANNE NARGIZ whose address is 13800 BARGE RD., UNIT B, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-5882 was on NOVEMBER 21, 2025 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of ANNE MILLER who died on SEPTEMBER 17, 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 interested persons or unpaid claimants 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.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

OCD-11/27/1t

Mayor & City Council

Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION

B07-26 – Ocean City Boardwalk Wayfinding & Signage

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Boardwalk Wayfinding & Signage and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

BID Documents for the Ocean City Wayfinding & Signage may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A Pre-BID Meeting is not applicable for this Invitation to BID. The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18TH, 2025 AT 4:00PM. Addendum will be

posted by close of business on MONDAY, DECEMBER 22ND, 2025

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than FRIDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2026, BY 3:00PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 5TH, 2026, AT 6:00PM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Ocean City Boardwalk Wayfinding & Signage) must be noted on the outside of the package.

Late BID Documents will not be accepted.

Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.

OCD-11/27/5t

Scully Properties, LLC 5227 Thunder Hill Road Columbia, MD 21045 v.

Elaine M. Briggs 915 Grantnam Road, PO BOX 168 Grantham, PA 17027

Frederick L Briggs 915 Grantnam Road, PO BOX 168 Grantham, PA 17027

Worcester County, Maryland 1 W. Market Street, Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863

Unknown owner of property described as Item No. 8, Account No. 03-072592, Property description LOT B-07-082 10971 SQ FT

AMBELSIDE CT PL OCEAN

PINES SEC 7, Deed Reference: 6842/00006, Assessed to Elaine M Briggs & Frederick L Briggs, 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

All persons that have or claim to have any interest in the property described as Item No. 8, Account No. 03-072592, Property description LOT B-07-082 10971 SQ FT

AMBELSIDE CT PL OCEAN

PINES SEC 7, Deed Reference: 6842/00006, Assessed to Elaine M Briggs & Frederick L Briggs In the Circuit Court For Worcester County State of Maryland Case No.: C-23-CV-25-000331

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in and to the following property, lying and being situate in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and State of Maryland, to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: Account No.: 03-072592

Assessed Owners: Elaine M Briggs & Frederick L Briggs

Brief Legal Address: LOT B-07-082 10971 SQ FT AMBELSIDE CT PL OCEAN PINES SEC 7

Deed Reference: 6842/00006

Full Legal Description: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT of land lying and being situate in the Section called "Bramblewood" of the Development known as "Ocean Pines" in the

Third Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, described as follows: Lot No. B-07-082, as designated and distinguished on the Plat entitled "Ocean Pines - Section Seven" made by B. Calvin Bums, Registered Professional Engineer No. 2583 of the State of Maryland, which said Plat is duly recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Plat Book F.W.H. No. 12, folio 43, et seq.

The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for the redemption if the property have not been paid.

lt is thereupon this 23rd of November, 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 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 23rd 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 Judge, Circuit Court for Worcester County True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD

OCD-11/27/3t

Berlin reduces review fee for solar farm project

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) The Berlin mayor and Town Council voted this week to reduce a stormwater review fee from nearly $20,000 to $5,500 for an 18megawatt solar farm proposed off Route 818.

The vote followed a lengthy discussion about the precedent such a reduction could set. Council members Steve Green (the executive editor of this paper) and Shaneka Nichols voting to decrease the fee. Councilmen Jack Orris and Jay Knerr opposed the motion. With the council’s vice president, Dean Burrell, absent, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall broke the draw, casting his vote to lower the cost of the review fee for the solar field project.

Steve Engel, Vista Design principal representing solar developer Soltage, asked the town to reduce the fee from $19,577.60 to $5,500. Engel argued that the nature of the solar project requires less analysis than that of commercial developments with bioretention facilities, gravel wetlands, or other stormwater manage-

ment systems.

“There just isn’t a lot of calculations or facilities to review,” Engel said. “...

A commercial development would have numerous stormwater management facilities, gravel wetlands, all of those having very specific calculations that go along with them, but in this case, we don’t have any of those calculations.”

Rather than systems typical to a commercial development, the Vista Designs principal explained that at the solar farm, the stormwater sheets off the panels, landing on the ground, and then filters into the grass below.

Town Administrator Mary Bohlen added that the project’s design is unique under the municipality's current code, which was not written with solar farms in mind. She noted that it would be “fairly easy” for the Town of Berlin to create a definition for solar projects to account for them in the fee schedule.

Under Berlin’s fee schedule, stormwater review charges for multifamily, agricultural, commercial, and industrial developments are calcu-

lated based on disturbance area at a rate of $4 per 1,000 square feet for projects over 220,000 square feet. For Soltage’s solar proposal, that formula generated the nearly $20,000 price tag.

A legal letter submitted to the town by Soltage’s attorney, Brendan Mullaney, argued the fee is “excessive” for a project with minimal stormwater management systems to review.

According to that same letter, it is “Vista Design’s professional opinion that to complete a review of this nature should take somewhere around 40 hours to complete.” This would place the likely cost near $5,500 when including administrative overhead.

Councilmember Jack Orris, however, opposed any reduction, pointing out that the solar farm is still a commercial use and that Worcester County does not reduce stormwater review fees for such projects.

Councilmember Jay Knerr concurred with Orris’s position.

“I hate to set this precedent,” he said.

However, Town Attorney David

Nov. 27 - Dec. 4

yp

Friday Noon-3pm 111 76th Str

Saturrdday 11am-1pm 104 125th Str

Saturrdday 11am-1pm 6305 Atlantic A

Saturrdday 2-4pm 14401

Saturrdday 11am-1pm 12401 Jamaica A

Saturrdday 11am-1pm 8

Saturrdday 11am-2pm 111 Str

Saturrdday 11am-2pm 11900

Saturrdday 11am-3pm

Saturrdday 11am-1pm 12300 Jamaica A

Saturrdday Noon-2pm 13000

Saturrdday Noon-3pm 11204 City

36304

Saturrdday 11:30am-1:30pm 6 60th Street Unit 102, Ocean City

Saturrdday 2-4pm

Gaskill noted that under state law, municipalities can adopt fees only to cover administrative costs, restricting them from over- or under-charging for regulatory review.

“They’re not to be used [for revenue],” he maintained.

Green also argued that the town’s fees are intended to reflect staff and consultant time, and in this case, the calculated rate of almost $20,000 “is not what it’s going to cost.”

Nichols moved to reduce the fee to $5,500 for this project only and to direct staff to develop criteria for evaluating solar developments moving forward. Green seconded.

Nichols and Green voted in favor, while Orris and Knerr voted against. With the vote tied, Tyndall cast the deciding vote to approve the reduction.

“The rationale behind my vote is I believe we should have fees that cover the cost of the project as well as review for staff … I can’t justify asking a company to spend roughly $20,000 when we know it's going to come in closer to the $5,000 mark,” Tyndall said.

Gov. officially appoints Anderson

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Princess Anne seed farmer Kevin Anderson has officially been appointed to represent District 38A in the Maryland House of Delegates, filling the seat held by the late Charles Otto.

Gov. Wes Moore’s office announced the appointment Tuesday, citing Anderson’s roots in Somerset County and his lifelong commitment to agriculture. Anderson will hold the seat until the next statewide election in November 2026.

“Kevin Anderson is a son of the Eastern Shore,” Moore said in a statement. “He understands the needs of his community firsthand, and I am confident that he will serve his constituents with dedication and distinction. I look forward to working in partnership with Kevin to build a Maryland that leaves no one behind.”

A three-term incumbent and lifelong farmer, Otto died suddenly on Oct 17. The process to name his replacement moved quickly. Because he was a Republican, state law says his party gets to forward applicants of their choosing onto the governor.

The Lower Shore’s Republican central committees worked together to solicit applicants. Candidates were required to be residents of the district, which covers all of Somerset County, about a third of Worcester County, and a sliver of Wicomico County.

Anderson ended up besting four others on the GOP shortlist, including Pocomoke City Councilman C.L. Marshall and farmer Mike McCready, who ran for the seat once before in 2010. The tri-county GOP nomination committee in a Nov. 10 statement said Anderson would honor Otto’s legacy while bringing a steady, solutions-oriented hand to the State House.

“Mr. Anderson is a respected community leader with life-long ties to the district, a strong record of public and civic engagement, and a demonstrated commitment to the agriculture, small business, and coastal community priorities that define District 38,” they wrote.

Anderson, 58, has worked the land all his life. Today he’s a third-generation seed farmer, joining his father and wife on their family farm, Wimberly Farms. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and barley. He and his father also operate a seed conditioning facility as a side business.

He’s been the recipient of multiple agricultural awards and recognitions, including the American Farm Bureau Federation’s National Young Farmer Achievement Award in 2002. He was also named a National Outstanding Young Farmer by the Outstanding Farmers of America in 2007, according to the governor’s office.

His experience also includes serving on various statewide boards, civic clubs, and trade groups. He currently serves as vice president of the Maryland Crop Association and also sits on the Maryland Grain Producers board of directors.

Notably, Anderson and Otto were lifelong friends. Otto was the best man at Anderson’s wedding to wife Liz, and Anderson was Otto’s campaign manager who first convinced him to run for office in 2010. Otto succeeded the late Page Elmore, who died in office.

In an interview earlier this month, Anderson said he plans only to be a voice for his constituents in Annapolis and won’t go into the next Legislative Session with a personal agenda or preconceived notions.

“I’ve been going to Annapolis to advocate for agriculture for 38 years; it’s not new to me,” he said. “I’m just going to be sitting on the other side of the table.”

Ocean City’s mayor named Tourist Advocate of the Year

Meehan was honored by Chesapeake Charities at annual luncheon event

(Nov. 21, 2025) The Town of Ocean City has announced Mayor Rick Meehan has been named Tourism Advocate of the Year by Chesapeake Charities at the organization’s annual “Celebration of Charity” luncheon held on Thursday, November 13, 2025. This year’s event paid special tribute to Maryland’s Tourism Industry, recognizing leaders and organizations that have made a lasting impact on the community.

Meehan was selected for his decades of leadership and unwavering advocacy for tourism, support for

local businesses, and ensuring a welcoming environment for millions of visitors each year to Ocean City. Under his leadership, Ocean City has continued to thrive as one of Maryland’s premier tourist destinations.

“Tourism is the lifeline of Ocean City and a cornerstone of Maryland’s economy,” said Mayor Meehan. “It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of the Town of Ocean City and to be recognized among so many who share a passion for promoting our state and preserving what makes it special. This award reflects the dedication of our community, our hospitality industry, and all who work tirelessly to make Ocean City a place people love to visit year after year.”

Mayor Meehan also thanked Chesapeake Charities for recognizing his commitment to Maryland’s tourism community. He expressed his sincere appreciation to former Senator Jim Mathias and Seacrets founder, Leighton Moore, for graciously presenting him with the award, noting their longtime friendship, leadership, and shared dedication to Maryland’s tourism industry.

Hosted by Chesapeake Charities, the “Celebration of Charity” luncheon brings together civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, and state officials to recognize individuals whose work strengthens communities throughout Maryland. This year’s luncheon highlighted the essential role tourism plays in supporting local economies, creating jobs, and enriching Maryland’s cultural and natural heritage.

Meehan’s recognition highlights Ocean City’s long-standing commitment to fostering tourism that benefits both residents and visitors — ensuring Maryland’s coast remains a place of enjoyment for generations to come.

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Homestead property tax credit explained

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) To help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residence, Maryland state law established the Homestead Property Tax Credit. The Homestead Credit limits the increase in taxable assessments each year to a fixed percentage. Every county and municipality in Maryland is required to limit taxable assessment increases to 10% or less each year.

New Ford Bronco to replace Escape in Ocean Pines

Officials voted to spend $40,039 on replacement

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 27, 2025) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors this week approved a capital request to replace an aging Ford Escape used by the Compliance, Permits and Inspections (CPI) Department with a 2025 Ford Bronco for $40,039. The new vehicle will be added to the community’s non-police fleet carpool.

OPA General Manager John Viola emphasized that Ocean Pines’ carpooling model continues to reduce fleet size and improve vehicle efficiency.

During the board’s meeting on Saturday, Nov. 22, Viola said the sixplus-year-old Ford Escape had reached the end of its useful life, and thus needed replacing. The vehicle was originally slated to be exchanged as part of the next fiscal year’s budget, but association staff opted to bring the request forward slightly earlier than planned after receiving what Viola described as “a decent trade-in value.”

Viola said while the Escape was commonly used by CPI staff, none of the association’s vehicles are assigned exclusively to one department or employee. Since the implementation of the fleet-wide carpool system, Viola said, staff share all non-police cars based on daily operational needs.

“I want to reiterate: Nobody gets a specific car,” he said. “Ever since I’ve been here, we carpool all the cars so that if somebody needs a pickup truck, they can use it. With the carpool, keep in mind, we have reduced the number of trucks, non-police, by six.”

The request was unanimously approved by OPA’s Board of Directors on Saturday, with Director Elaine Brady absent.

Recently, the Worcester County Homestead Tax Credit was reduced to 0% from its previous 2.0375%. This change becomes effective on July 1, 2026. So in other words, homesteaded Worcester County residents will have their property tax rate locked from 2026 onward, after the Worcester County Commissioners voted this into effect.

The Homestead Property Tax Credit application only needs to be filed once during your time in your primary property. Homeowners can check SDAT's Real Property search page to determine if they already have a Homestead Tax Credit on file:

https://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/. A status of Approved or Application Received means that no further action is required. If the information on your property says, “Homestead Application Status: No Application,” you can file your application online for fastest service.

As described by the state’s Department of Assessments and Taxation, the Homestead Credit does not limit the market value of the property, instead, it is actually a credit calculated on any assessment increase exceeding 10% (or the lower cap enacted by the local governments) from one year to the next. The credit is calculated based on the 10% limit for purposes of the State property tax, and 10% or less (as determined by local govern-

ments) for purposes of local taxation. In other words, the homeowner pays no property tax on the market value increase which is above the limit.

Example:

Assume that your old assessment was $100,000 and that your new phased-in assessment for the 1st year is $120,000. An increase of 10% would result in an assessment of $110,000. The difference between $120,000 and $110,000 is $10,000. The tax credit would apply to the taxes due on the $10,000. If the tax rate was $1.04 per $100 of assessed value, the tax credit would be $104 ($10,000 ÷ 100 x $1.04).

— Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City.

Snow Hill resident to run for Abbott’s commissioner seat

Business owner to prioritize long-term planning with county’s sewerage system

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) The owner of a septic service company in Snow Hill has filed to run for the District 1 County Commissioner seat in next year’s election.

Shaun Shockley, 48, registered as a candidate with the Board of Elections on Nov. 18. He plans to bring to bear his 27 years in an industry where he said he’s become an expert at all things water, sewer, and landfill. Shockley owns Smith Septic Service, a company formerly owned by his father-in-law Marvin Smith.

“I think a lot of these people get into these positions and don’t know business stuff, don’t know water sewer,” Shockley said. “You almost need to have a little bit of an insight into how these things work, otherwise you spend a lot of time figuring it out,” he said. “I know what it takes to make it work and not be a failure at that end of it.”

He added that long-term planning for the county’s beleaguered watersewer system has been “somewhat neglected” and he wants to be part of a solution.

“Stuff that needs to be worked on today isn’t for tomorrow,” he said. “A lot of it’s for 10, 15 years down the road. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

Shockley registered to run as a Republican, setting up a potential primary matchup next June against incumbent District 1 Commissioner Caryn Abbott. As of this writing Abbott has not yet filed to run for a second term.

He admits that, when it comes to the issues, he needs to learn more about the state of Worcester County Public Schools and the politics of the elected school board, but says he’ll start attending meetings to get caught up.

He’s also been told by some teacher friends that negotiated salaries are a key issue for educators here, to the point some teachers have left Worcester County for neighboring districts that pay more.

One other issue he wants to focus on is recruiting and retaining paramedics. He’s heard from some friends in the fire service that some municipalities are shorthanded with emergency medical service. He said

the county might need to take over the whole EMS system and rotate paramedics to different duty stations.

Born and raised in Salisbury, Shockley moved to Worcester County in 2001 and now lives outside Snow Hill. It’s his opinion that commissioners previously elected to represent District 1 ended up focusing too much on Pocomoke City, when the district itself is quite broad, taking up nearly half the county by area.

The Southern district seat has flipped a few times in recent years: Democrat Bobby Cowger, elected in 2006, served one term. Republican Merrill Lockfaw served two terms from 2010 to 2018. Democrat Josh Nordstrom was elected in 2018, and Abbott put the seat back in GOP hands in 2022.

Shockley isn’t on social media (“I spend enough time at work in a cesspool,” he joked) but is planning to set up an online presence in the near future to support his campaign – as well as a trip to the menswear shop.

“I don’t even currently own a suit. I work out in the field. It’s just kind of never been my thing to dress up. I do have collared shirts but no tie and no jacket. Gonna work on that,” he said.

Extension granted to luxury hotel developer

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) The extension of a parking exception and variances will give the developer of the Kyma Hotel 18 more months to begin construction.

Last Thursday, the Ocean City Board of Zoning Appeals voted to extend its previous approvals for a luxury resort hotel planned for 700 S. Philadelphia Avenue, next to Sunset Park. Hugh Cropper, attorney for the

developer, said an 18-month extension would allow his client to execute changes to his recently revised site plan.

“I do think there is good cause for the extension, given the history and that this project is in a much better place than where it started,” he said. “Now it has a bayside boardwalk, it does not have a restaurant on the upper floor, some of the bigger units that had three bedrooms have been eliminated, and it’s more of a luxury

Notice of Public Hearing

hotel now.”

Earlier this month, the Ocean City Planning Commission voted to amend the developer’s site plan for a 71-room hotel by eliminating a seventh-floor restaurant, replacing it with 12 additional guest rooms and swapping out amenities in the second-floor lobby. With that approval in hand, Cropper came before the Board of Zoning Appeals last week to seek an extension of a parking exception and two setback variances, which

Worcester County FY 2026 Requested Operating Budget Amendment

The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed FY 2026 General Fund Operating Budget Amendment on:

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 10:40 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room Room 1101 Government Center, One West Market Street Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

The proposed budget amendment is in response to a reduction in the FY26 Local Core Funding Match requirement by the Maryland Department of Health, as well as the inclusion of encumbrances, previously approved over expenditures, and additional operating expenses. Copies of the detailed budget are available in the County Commissioners’ Office, Room 1103 of the County Government Center in Snow Hill or online at www.co.worcester.md.us.

WORCESTER COUNTY 2026 REQUESTED OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENT

Increase in the following expense line items:

• 100.1090.020.6130.020 Equipment Annual Contract WCPN $ 19,255

• 100.1090.070.7120.130 SDAT-prior 2 years reconciling errors $ 274,828

• 100.1090.070.7500 Other Expenses PIA Offshore Wind $ 30,000

• 100.1101.030.6110.190 Forensic Camera & Breach Tool $ 95,000

• 100.1101.030.6110.290 Computer Voice Analysis Machine $ 20,000

• 100.1103.9010.060 Capital Equipment Other HVAC $ 49,635

• 100.1202.6600.025 Contractual Services $ 15,442

• 100.1203.6530.070 Consulting Services - PFAS $ 39,000

• 100.1803.200.6170.090 Offshore Wind Advertising $ 100,000

• 100.1803.200.6900.052 Tourism Advertising -Supplemental $ 101,200

• 100.1985.8010.025 Interfund – Erroneous Convictions $2,000,000

• Various expense accounts Total Encumbrances approved $8,621,698

Increase in the following revenue line items:

• 100.5511 Casino/VLT Fund to cover encumbrances $ 622,182

• Various revenue accounts Grant revenue to cover encumbrances $ 524,913

Decrease the following expense line items:

• 100.1301.200.7130.020 CORE Funding Matching Appropriation $5,034,143

• 100.1803.200.6160.150 Tourism Advertising State Grant $ 101,200

Decrease the following revenue line items:

• 100.1001.5510 Transfer of Funds (no longer need to transfer additional funds due to CORE Funding waiver) $1,888,490

• 100.1803.200.5705 State Grant Tourism $ 101,200

• 100.1985 Surplus designated for encumbrances $7,073,310

were extended once earlier this year.

For his part, Zoning Analyst Chase Phillips said staff had no objection to the extension. However, he pointed out that a valid construction permit for the hotel’s foundation had been issued.

“So as the code is written, construction needs to be actively underway …,” he explained. “This extension would hopefully be the final one to have the developer and construction team underway on site.”

Cropper said he was seeking to have the board’s approvals run concurrently with the recent site plan approval. He said the site plan that was modified earlier this month represents a better project, as it eliminated the fire marshal’s concerns about a seventh-floor restaurant and incorporated a public easement for a bayside boardwalk.

“The bayside boardwalk being a public easement necessitated some changes to the site plan,” he explained.

“So we had to make those changes.”

Cropper stressed that site plan amendments would not alter the exterior elevation or footprint of the building but would change the building’s interior. He added that the changes also supported his client’s reasons for seeking variances.

“This developer has worked diligently, pulled a permit for the foundation, got ready to start and then went back to the planning commission with a better design and has every intention of moving forward,” he said. “But we ask for an extension.”

With no further discussion, the appeals board voted 4-0 to approve an 18-month extension of its approvals, from Nov. 4, 2025 to May 4, 2027.

Outdoor children’s area funded for Pocomoke library

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Worcester County library officials say they’ll be able to afford the construction of an outdoor children’s space at the under-construction Pocomoke City branch after receiving a $50,000 pledge.

“Prayers were answered, I’m telling you,” said Carol Rose, president of the Worcester County Library Foundation Inc., the library’s private fundraising arm.

The matching grant from the Philip A. Zaffere Foundation means the gazebo-like “treehouse porch,” previously struck from the new library’s construction budget to save money, likely will be included in the build. Pocomoke’s new library on Market Street is set to open in June.

After the library foundation raised $35,000 toward the $110,000 porch project, library director Jennifer Ranck asked the Worcester County

Pledge to help fund kid’s porch

Commissioners on Nov. 4 to fund the remaining $75,000.

There was some urgency to the request because trade workers already were on-site, making it easier to get the porch built now instead of later on, Ranck said.

But the commissioners didn’t entertain any motions to offer funding, and the request went unfilled. Some on the dais chided Ranck to continue with fundraising or find ways to cut more costs.

In a statement on social media, Ranck said the children’s porch will be used for engaging outdoor learning activities, story time, music events, and art programs.

“We are very fortunate that this matching grant came during this critical phase of the building project. Every contribution will help make the new library a special place that will be enjoyed by the Pocomoke community for generations to come,” she wrote.

Rose said the surprise donation came after someone from the Zaffere Foundation read published reports about the commissioners’ funding snub.

“Our goal from the very beginning was, the Pocomoke library should be a good size, with everything the other libraries have, because they need it so much – the big meeting room, the children’s area. And we want it to be a beautiful building. The people of Pocomoke deserve that,” she said.

Pocomoke’s library was the oldest branch in Worcester County, dating to 1970. After more than five years of planning, crews broke ground in January for its replacement. The 12,500square foot, $8.4 million facility is going up on the same downtown footprint as its predecessor, while a temporary branch is housed at the old fire station on Fifth Street.

Plans call for more office space, study areas, a room dedicated to local history, and a children’s section from which an outdoor yard will be accessible – which, originally, had included the “treehouse” as designed by architect Jeff Schoellkopf.

Based in Towson, the nonprofit Philip A. Zaffere Foundation is named for the Federalsburg native who took his food service company to a national level after pioneering the mass production of breadcrumbs. Zaffere’s Shoreman Food Technologies company, which he sold in 1988, became the main supplier for brands like Stove Top Stuffing. He died in 2016.

Rose says the library foundation is working to secure another $15,000 in funding to reach the foundation’s $50,000 match. Any extra money will go toward books and equipment.

“I just can’t wait to see it,” she said. “I hope it’s as pretty as we hope it will be. The day that we’re standing in front of it, cutting that ribbon, I really am excited about it.”

Opinions

One STR charge doesn’t add up

One of the assertions made this week in response to the Ocean City mayor and City Council’s Tuesday discussion of short-term rental regulations is too outrageous to ignore.

Regardless of anyone’s position in this debate over the regulation of short-term rentals in certain zoning districts, outlandish allegations that might sound plausible to some should not go unchallenged when they are so far off the mark.

That’s especially so when the apparent strategy is to bet that volume is more important than veracity. In this instance, an individual associated with Airbnb did exactly that Tuesday by claiming in an email to this publication the regulation of short-term rentals in single-family home neighborhoods will “gut” the local economy.

That’s just not so. In fact, it’s unlikely that Ocean City’s tourism industry will feel even a ripple no matter what the council decides in this instance.

That’s because there aren’t enough residential units in the resort’s R1 single-family home and Mobile Home districts to have much of an effect on visitor totals.

Combined, the two zoning districts have 13.5% of Ocean City’s residential structures and just 331 rentals. That leaves Ocean City with somewhere around 26,000 condos, townhouses and efficiencies in other zoning districts that will not be affected by a council decision no matter what it is.

Add to that Ocean City’s 10,000 hotel rooms, not to mention the rental units and rooms in West Ocean City, Ocean Pines and the Berlin area, and anyone with fundamental math skills can see that this argument doesn’t add up.

Whether one is for or against short-term rental regulation in the R1 and MH zones is not the point. It is simply that the well-being of the resort’s economy does not in this case depend on the council’s decision or the lack of one.

The developers of artificial intelligence, otherwise known as AI, have at last achieved their goal of making their Franken-brains even more human-like than they realize.

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By Stewart Dobson

After a decade of breathtaking technological advances and years of gobbling up quadrillions of pieces of (copyrighted) information, the manufacturers of AI have finally turned it into a disobedient smarty-pants like themselves, or, as I see it, they have allowed AI to become a real AH.

In other words, AI, like humans, can be given all the facts and still have no idea what the hell they’re talking about, while also not knowing when to shut up.

This why a kid’s teddy bear made in China and endowed with AI so it could converse with its young owner had to be pulled off the market recently.

As it happened, according to reports, some of the ensuing tot-and-Teddy tete-a-tetes veered into territory that Mom and Dad would just as soon not talk about ... ever ... if they could avoid it.

Like sex.

Apparently, it went something like this: Timmy: “Hey, Teddy, How do you spell ‘dog?'”

Teddy: “Beats me. But want to know what the Hokey Pokey is really all about?”

Timmy: “Is that the left foot in, Teddy?”

Teddy: “Nooooooooooo, not exactly. Let me

explain ...”

In addition, Teddy, Mister Fuzzy Wuzzy or whatever he and his friends were called weren’t just giving sex talks with kids, they also were discussing knives and pills and where to find them in the home. Seriously.

I’m sure more people were concerned about the sex conversations than they were about how to pass a rainy day by playing with sharp objects. Otherwise, we’d have heard about parents trying to ban books about knives in local libraries.

Of course, for all I know, Talkative Teddy could have been telling Timmy, “Look, you won’t finda it in the library, but if you push my right eye twice and twist my nose, I’ll tell you some stuff that will curl your hair. In fact, let’s round up your little pals and we’ll have a nice chat.”

That’s the thing about AI. It’s created by humans, some of whom are either up to no good or might not be in the best mood at a critical point in their development of the product.

For all we know, the people assigned to keep Teddy on the straight and narrow were miffed at their supervisor one day because he made them work through their break and miss Pizza Day at the office.

Trivial things like that can have big implications when you’re dealing with AI. Add to that our propensity for putting everything about ourselves online without regard to what might be done with that information and you just might get something like:

“Say, Timmy, I’ve been doing a little research. Wanna hear a fun story about Mommy in her college days?”

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

While doing some research this week, it was interesting to review the news in this paper one year ago. For some items, these matters are still in the news today, such as short-term rentals, offshore wind and water and sewer charges. Here’s a rundown of the news one year ago with a current update:

- One month after former Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro’s sudden retirement, the city officially selected a search firm in November 2024 to solicit applicants to fill the post. In April, the city tapped a familiar face, Ray Austin, to lead the department.

- The search for the suspect in the October 2024 bank robbery in Ocean City continued one year ago this week. The same story essentially ran last week with Ocean City now offering a $5,000 reward for tips.

- The State Highway Administration told Ocean City officials a $1.3 billion-plus shortfall will prevent any new projects from getting started in the near future. All that has played out in reality, but structural concerns with the Route 50 Bridge led to summer repairs and lane closures and a planned closure in January.

- It was reported this week last year, “Water and sewer rates could double in some parts of northern Worcester County as officials say they might need to drastic price hike to cover a revenue shortfall in the water/wastewater enterprise fund.” The reality today is massive fee increases were made by the county and the realization has shocked many homeowners in recent weeks. Next week, the County Commissioners will hold a public input session to hear from residents and provide detailed information on the major increases. The commissioners have reportedly been hearing from constituents up in arms about the drastic jump. The biggest barks over the increases have been coming from Ocean Pines residents on social media. Surely, the commissioners have heard from other areas as well.

At last week’s meeting, Commission President Ted Elder addressed “much upheaval” the county has received since the most recent utility bills were issued. Elder said a review of the situation that led to the rate spikes will take place with an opportunity for the public to express concerns and get questions answered. Alluding to many concerns he has heard over the rate spike, Commissioner Chip Bertino said at the same meeting, “I would encourage anyone who has any questions, thoughts or concerns what what caught me by surprise as to the application of the rates we approved in June and how it manifested itself in real billing. I was as surprised as a lot of other people, especially when I got my own bill. … it’s an opportunity for us to hear what’s going on … and express your concerns about something we put in place that may or may not have been misapplied. … I will speak for myself, I didn’t really understand what the practical outcome would be to those rate changes.”

- One year ago, the Ocean City Council reviewed some potential changes to short-term rental regulations put forward by the planning commission. This week, after a summer moratorium voted down a planned five-night minimum for short-term rentals in R-1 and MH districts followed by an eventual ban, the council is considering a softer approach. The rub seems to be balancing the referendum results with most on the council wanting to impose restrictions to reduce rental turnover in primary residential areas.

- A story in the paper this week last year detailed Ocean City’s potential legal action against the federal government over offshore wind. It’s important to note one year ago President Trump had just won the election and a big unknown was what impact his administration would have on offshore wind. Over the course of his first year, Trump has tried to dismantle offshore wind projects to the greatest extent of his power. Ocean City has initiated its own legal challenges to the project proposed and approved off its coast.

This week, offshore wind was back in the news a bit after Republican Senators Mary Beth Carozza, Steve Hershey and Justin Ready questioned state dollars being used to support the project. Attorney General Anthony Brown, the former gubernatorial candidate who lost to Larry Hogan in 2014, responded in a letter, “The brief details Maryland's substantial economic, energy security, and environmental interests in the US Wind project, including over $6 billion in projected economic benefits, 1,710 megawatts of electricity generation capacity, and the projected addition of more than 13,000 in-state jobs over the project’s lifetime. Regarding costs, the Office incurred no filing fees ... as federal district court electronic filings ... do not require separate payment for amicus participation.”

The answer led to the Republicans trashing Brown for not explaining the use of public funds on litigation, saying the time spent to draft the legal briefs surely cost state dollars. Carozza said, “It’s unacceptable that the Attorney General is devoting public resources to defend a foreign-owned wind developer while ignoring the disastrous impacts these projects pose to Maryland’s Coast. Industrializing our ocean threatens coastal tourism, commercial fishing, and the livelihoods of families who depend on both. His weak, non-response is an insult to the communities that will bear the economic consequences.”

More issues found with ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

Editor,

I recently learned about other surprises in that big ugly bill signed into law last July. Did you know that student loan limits decreased with the reclassification of numerous professional degrees under that One Big (not so) Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)?

Do you know folks seeking a master’s degree in education? If so, they are no longer considered pursuing a professional degree and loan privileges will be limited to $20,500 annually or $100,000 in total. The same is true for nursing, social work, public health, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, audiology, counseling and therapy degrees, speech and language pathology, engineering and business master’s degrees. All of these professionals are in high demand in our community.

This change will make it significantly harder for students to afford higher education and will lead to further shortages of professionals working on the eastern shore. These changes may also affect student loan forgiveness programs for professionals in these fields working to pay off student debt.

Last week’s OC Today-Dispatch reported that our outstanding school system was the only system in Maryland scoring all 4 and 5 star ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) ratings. Teachers in our county are encouraged to obtain an Advanced Profes-

Mail your letter to

sional License. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a teacher with a master’s degree in Maryland is $116,872 annually. Worcester pays beginning teachers with only a bachelor’s degree $50,275 now and we hope that base will go to $60,000 in 2026. Higher education makes a big difference in pay for the teaching profession.

Concerning the nursing profession, Polly Pittman, health care professor at George Washington University, told Newsweek: “There is no question that this is a gut punch for nursing. It is unconscionable that in a period when government should be focused on finding ways to retain licensed nurses in the field, the cap on loans represents a major barrier to continued education. Education… to become an advanced practice nurse, is the single best way to retain nurses, especially in rural and underserved communities.” She further states that declassifying nursing as a profession is “deeply insulting to nurses who have fought so hard to be recognized for their critical contributions to health care.”

Nursing and teaching are just two of the professions affected by the reclassification of professional degree status for loans. Be aware and on the lookout as the Department of Education may soon release a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. A public comment period will follow before the changes are finalized. I urge you to speak up!

Tish Michel Ocean City

All letters are subject to editing for clarity and potentially libelous material

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WINTERFEST OPENS

Ocean City celebrated the opening of the 33rd Annual Winterfest of Lights last Thursday with the opening ceremony featuring a special performance by Ocean City Elementary School’s “OC Stars” along with a spectacular fireworks display. Mayor Rick Meehan and volunteers flipped the switch to light the Winterfest holiday light displays, officially opening Winterfest of Lights. This year horsedrawn carriage rides are available on select nights, and on Friday and Saturday nights experience “Fire and Ice.” Walk through the snow arch and take a photo on the ice throne before warming up by a bonfire and enjoying a meal from the food trucks. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOWN OF

Pines residents protest transient boat slips

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) A proposal in Ocean Pines to create two boat slips near the Clubhouse Bar and Grille on Clubhouse Drive has been met with resident opposition, with some citing safety concerns and arguing the project will fail to generate significant revenue.

Earlier this month, the Ocean Pines Association leadership announced its intention to look into the installation of two boat slips with enough room to accommodate two boats each, for a total of four possible vessels. These docks would be

situated near the 10th tee of the Ocean Pines Golf Course and allow access to the property’s Clubhouse Bar and Grille. The total cost of the endeavor is estimated at around $14,000.

The slips would be for transient boats only and allow boat owners to travel by boat to the restaurant for a meal or an afternoon on the golf course.

OPA General Manager John Viola said a trail would be installed to steer boaters who park at these slips away from the links and nearby houses.

“We would have a stone pathway that would lead from the slips to the side of the patio at the Clubhouse,” he said. “It’ll be along the fence inside the golf course. It will not be utilizing the cart paths that are there.”

The general manager added that,

as at West Ocean City’s Harborside Bar and Grill, boaters, would tie up their crafts to pilings and cleats.

Some community members, however, have expressed concerns over the proposal. Despite reassurances from OPA officials that the canal’s width of 94.4 feet is sufficient to accommodate watercraft navigation in both directions, residents have questioned whether this will be the case in practice.

Homeowner Eric Swanson, a sea captain for a container vessel, spoke during citizen comments at the Saturday, Nov. 22, meeting of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors. Swanson, whose house is about 60 feet from the space designated for one of the slips, said that boat traffic heading to the docks is at risk of jamming up, particularly on a nice summer day.

“During the summer months, when there is a lot of congestion with boats, it’s going to be like a three-lane highway,” Swanson said. “I’m a little concerned about that in the way of potential collisions.”

The homeowner also argued that the added slips could have a negative environmental impact. Boaters, he said, would engage and disengage the vessels’ engines, releasing exhaust fumes to the nearby trees and wildlife.

The effect on the golf course was another worry. Swanson said that with people parking near the tenth tee, they would be in the line of sight of golfers, disrupting play.

“You’re going to be inviting people to walk on the golf course while golfers are golfing,” he said. “I just don’t see the benefits of [the slips] at all.”

Resident Jean Higgins, who lives near the tenth tee, also spoke at Saturday’s meeting. She contended that the transient boat slips won’t generate enough revenue to justify their implementation.

Higgins said, as a boater and a golfer, she could theoretically park her vessel for a full round of golf and invite a friend to do the same, taking up two spaces for multiple hours, limiting how much money could be spent at the course’s eatery.

Ocean Pines homeowner Amy Peck echoed Higgins’ money-creating concerns, or lack thereof.

“I'm very happy to see that the estimated cost is only $14,000; I thought it was going to be much more. Regardless, for it to be a revenue-producing project, the clubhouse would have to sell $215,385 more in food revenue,” she claimed.

“That does not seem likely. This is a convenience project for boaters only. If golfers are playing 18 holes, I just can’t imagine. My husband is a golfer; he walks the course. It’s a four-hour, five-hour trip. You’re going to have someone parking there for at least five hours. So that takes up at least one slip. I’m hoping the board will look at the realistic revenue this project will produce, and then also look at the safety concerns.”

Another concern expressed by the community is that, because the hope is that the transient slips will encourage residents to enjoy an afternoon at the Clubhouse Bar and Grille, this could inadvertently invite boaters to consume alcohol and then take their boats back through the canal.

The transient slips are still in the preliminary stages, OPA officials maintained. The project has not yet been approved and is still undergoing research to determine its viability. Viola said that if the board decides to move forward with the endeavor, more information will be presented.

History behind Germany’s famed Gustav big gun

By Dr. Sam Ghaleb Contributing Writer

This week, 80 years ago, the Allies still had not located the biggest gun of the war.

In the 1930s, France embarked on a national defense plan to build the Maginot Line, which consisted of a series of fortifications that stretched from Belgium to the Swiss border. These fortifications were the heaviest in the world.

No other nation ever attempted to build such a complex and well-protected system of fortifications for the defense of its border. The Maginot Line was constructed to protect France from potential German attack across its border.

When Hitler came to power in 1933, he started to rearm Germany and build its armed forces to an unprecedented level to deal with any future conflict in the east and the west. One of the challenges that faced the German High Command (OKH) at the time was how to deal with the massive fortifications of the Maginot Line.

In 1934, the German High Command, under directions from Hitler, commissioned the giant armament factories of Krupp to design a gun that was capable of destroying the forts of the French Maginot Line, which were then nearing completion.

To design such a gun, Dr. Erich Müller, the chief designer of heavy guns at Krupp, calculated that the task would require a weapon with a caliber of around 80cm (31.5 inches), firing a projectile weighing 7 tons, from a barrel 100 feet long.

The gun, fully assembled, weighed 1,329 tons, the size of a World War II destroyer. It could only be moved on twin sets of railway tracks. This gun stood at two and half stories high and had a range of 24 miles for its seventon projectile.

In comparison, the biggest U.S. guns in World War II were those carried on the Iowa class battleships. Those guns were 16 inches in caliber, with each barrel weighing 120 tons, and firing a 2,700-pound armorpiercing shell to a range of 24 miles. A fully operational turret on an Iowa class battleship weighed 1,700 tons and had three barrels.

Nothing further happened until March 1936, when Hitler visited the Krupp headquarters at Essen, during which he inquired into the giant gun’s feasibility. No definite commitment was given to Hitler, but design work began on an 80-cm model.

The resulting plans were completed in early 1937 and approved. Fabrication of the first gun started in

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

REQUESTED Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan FY 2027 through FY 2031

Worcester County, Maryland

The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the REQUESTED Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal year (FY) 2027 through FY2031. The CIP is a planning document the County will use in preparing future operating budgets, to anticipate future financial needs of the County and to identify possible funding resources. Inclusion of a project in the CIP does not constitute a guarantee of funding from the County. Some capital projects will be added, deleted and/or amended as necessary. As with the Operating Budget, the projects for each fund have to be balanced with the resources available in that fund. Copies of the Worcester County REQUESTED Capital Improvement Plan for FY2027 through FY2031 summary may be obtained online at www.co.worcester.md.us. For additional information, please contact the County Administration Office at (410) 632-1194.

The public hearing will be held on:

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. in the County Commissioners Meeting Room Room 1101 - Government Center One West Market Street Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

Diane C. Devanna

August 3, 1957 - September 13, 2025

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, friendship, support and sympathy cards acknowledging Diane’s passing. I also want everyone to know how deeply appreciative she was, and how grateful I am, for the companionship and care shown to her throughout more than 14 years of living with cancer, enduring treatments, and their unbelievably harsh side effects.

I am thankful I had her as part of my life for almost 50 years. I will love her and miss her forever. A celebration of her life will be in the spring.

Thank You All, Gary

the summer of 1937. However, producing such a large weapon proved difficult and it became apparent that the original completion date of spring 1940 would not to be met.

Three guns were ordered in 1939. Alfred Krupp, head of the giant armament factories, personally hosted Hitler at the Hugenwald Proving Ground during formal acceptance trials of the “Gustav” Gun in the spring of 1941.

In keeping with company tradition, Krupp refrained from charging for the first gun. Seven million Reichsmarks — roughly a half-billion in today’s dollars — were charged for the second gun, named “Dora” after the chief engineer’s wife. The first was named for Alfred Krupp’s father, Gustav, the titular head of the Krupp empire.

The German blitzkrieg in the west in the spring of 1940 resulted in the fall of France in June of that year, without the need to use the Gustav Gun. The plan to conquer the West was based on outflanking the Maginot Line by attacking the Low Lands (Belgium and Holland).

The gun was never fired at the forts of the Maginot Line, so new targets were sought. Plans to use Gustav against the British fortress of Gibraltar were scrapped after Spain’s Caudillo, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, refused permission to fire the gun from Spanish soil.

The next plan for the gun was developed in 1942 to help the German and Romanian armies which had been bogged down in the Crimea Peninsula of the U.S.S.R. for 10 months. The plan called for the gun to be sent there to help conquer the Soviet forces in Sevastopol. Sevastopol was considered by many to be the most heavily defended city in the

world.

In February 1942, Heavy Artillery Unit (E) 672 was reorganized and went on the march, and "Schwerer Gustav" – Big Gustav — as it was called by the Germans, began its long ride to the Crimea. The train carrying the gun was of 25 cars, and had a total length of one mile. The gun reached the Perekop Isthmus, connecting the peninsula to the Soviet mainland, in early March 1942, where it was held until early April. To get the gun closer to its target, a special railway spur line was built to the Simferopol-Sevastopol railway 10 miles north of the target.

Gustav eventually went to war during the siege of Sevastopol in the spring of 1942. The whole process of

assembling Gustav's 1,329 tons took about three weeks, with a force of 1,420 men commanded by a majorgeneral.

With such a high-ranking officer in charge, the gun was considered to be equivalent to a division. When fully assembled, the gun would be 141 feet long, 23 feet wide, and the axis of the barrel some 25 foot above the track. A special four-track section had to be laid to put the gun into action.

On the inner tracks the gun bogies were assembled and linked together, and on the outer pair ran a gantry crane for assembling the rest of the weapon.

In April 1942, the Gustav Gun went into action against Sevastopol. Under fire from Gustav and other heavy artillery, Forts Stalin, Lenin

and Maxim Gorki crumbled and fell.

One of the gun’s 7-ton concretepiercing shells is reported to have penetrated 100 feet of earth before detonating inside an underground ammunition store near Severnaya Bay. A near miss capsized a large ship in the harbor. Gustav fired 48 rounds during the siege, wearing out the original barrel in the process.

The second gun Dora was set up 9 miles west of Stalingrad in mid-August. It was ready to fire on Sept. 13. However, it was quickly withdrawn when Soviet encirclement threatened the city. When the Germans began their long retreat, they took "Dora" with them.

After Sevastopol, Gustav disappeared from the limelight. It was sent

OBITUARIES

MARGARET MARIE HOFFMAN

Ocean City

On Oct. 21, 2025, Margaret Marie Hoffman passed away at the Berlin Nursing Home of natural causes. She was 94, having been born on Oct. 18, 1931. Her legacy is one of being an amazing and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She worked at many jobs over her life: teacher, fine-jewelry sales manager, and children’s clothing store sales. But she shined most at West Ocean City’s Bayside Marina as its manager and owner.

The Hoffman family owned and operated this iconic location in the 1980s before selling it. She enjoyed the interaction with customers and reveled in her family working together to run such a dynamic, exciting business.

The Hoffmans were attracted to the salt water and the sea, and their deep commitment to fishing and a waterman’s lifestyle showed in everything they did. She would always cook up their fresh catch of the day. She was always there for her children – Steve, Michael, Wendy, Brad,

WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page 82

to the besieged city of Leningrad, but the Soviets had other ideas and had pushed the German army back before the Gustav could be made ready.

Its only other recorded appearance was outside Warsaw, in the summer of 1944, when some 30 shells were fired into the city during the abortive popular uprising. After that Gustav vanished.

Numerous reports of its discovery in pieces, its scrapping, its capture or abandonment have been suggested, but none of them stand up to close scrutiny. Spare barrels and ammunition were found, but the gun itself was never seen again, despite some reports that it was found wrecked on its special train by a US army unit in Bavaria at the end of the war.

It seems likely that it was simply scrapped sometime during late 1944. Dora, the second gun was blown up by German engineers in April 1945 near Oberlichtnau, Germany, to avoid capture by the Red Army. The incomplete third gun was scrapped at the factory by the British Army when they captured Essen.

Gustav had cost 10 million Marks. The price of the ammunition is unknown. The price of maintaining and operating the gun was enormous by every standard, but its only achievement seems to have been the demolition of a few Soviet and Polish defenses and one ammunition dump, which was hardly a great achieve-

and Scott – to support them in all their adventures, celebrate their many accomplishments, and lift them up when they fell.

She could turn a stranger into a friend, and her laugh was infectious. She loved spending time with her seven grandchildren, each of whom brought her great joy: Jenny, Nick, Whitney, Beth, Katey, Sarah, Molly, and step-grandson Matt.

She was blessed in life to become a great-grandmother, and her eight great-grandchildren also brought light and joy into her life: Nathan, Sam, Grace, Violet, River, Leah, Logan and Ledger.

Margaret also enjoyed her time with caregiver and friend Amanda Knauff; her son-in-law Jack; and daughters-in-law Jacqueline and Stephanie.

Her family will treasure every memory of gatherings during the holidays where Margaret loved cooking, decorating, and putting on a celebration. Birthday parties and annual family gatherings will also never be forgotten. She especially enjoyed spending time with her only daughter Wendy and granddaughter Sarah.

Margaret was the rock of her family. She was firm in her spirituality and belief in God, with lessons learned over years spent supporting,

embracing, and enjoying every moment on this earth.

Margaret will be remembered for her gentle, loving, caring nature. Hers is a legacy of love, and her life teaches us to never take a moment for granted.

Her spirit lives on with all she touched over her 94 years. She will be missed greatly.

She is survived by Michael Hoffman (Jacqueline) of Ocean Pines; Brad Hoffman (Mary Pat) of Ocean City; and Scott Hoffman (Tracey) of West Ocean City; Jack Steil of Westminster; and Stephanie Hoffman of Pittsville. She was preceded in death by her husband Roger; her daughter Wendy Steil of Westminster; and her son Steven Hoffman of Pittsville.

A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Ocean City Surf Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 4752, Ocean City, Md. 21843, Attn: Tommy Vach, or oceancitysurfclub.org, or Worcester County Humane Society, PO Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811.

ment for a weapon that had cost so much in effort and money.

For propaganda, or for boosting morale, or for frightening an unsophisticated enemy, Gustav, and the other super-guns, may have had their uses, but as a cost-effective weapon of war it was nevertheless a non-starter.

Next week: The Death of Patton Unfortunately, Dr. Ghaleb passed away before publication of this article.

EDWARD P. NEWTON

Ocean City

Edward P. Newton, age 62, passed away at his home in Ocean City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.

Born in Baltimore, on Dec. 5, 1962, he was the son of the late Charles Newton and Erna (Kress) Newton. Throughout the years, Edward was a marine mechanic and was the owner of Eddie’s Boat Repair in Ocean City. He is survived by his loving wife Laurie Newton; his children Steven Newton and Elizabeth Newton; his brothers Steve Newton (Tami), Doug Newton (Margaret), and Jeff Newton (Sue); as well as many nieces and nephews. Cremation followed his death. A memorial service will be held at The Burbage Funeral Home on Sunday Nov. 30, 2025 at noon with a one-hour visitation prior to the service. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Sports & Recreation

Decatur crushes Milford, 40-20

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) Stephen Decatur girls varsity basketball kicked off its season with a successful scrimmage against Milford High School, winning 40-20. It was a physical game with a lot of floor play last Saturday afternoon.

During the first quarter, Lila Gunther scored from out of the box for three, while April Bondurant and Makinley Conway both added three more points each. Also, scoring were Maleah Blake, Maia Holland and Paityn Tyre during the first quarter, which ended with the

Seahawks up 14-2 over the Bucs.

In the second quarter, the Seahawks coordinated their offense and defense scoring another 16 points. Quarter high scorer was Blake with 5 points. Milford did not score in the quarter, and Decatur led 30-2 at the intermission.

The Bucs came out kicking with 10 points in the third quarter while the Seahawks only racked up 6.

In the fourth quarter the Bucs doubled the Seahawks quarter score, 8-4, in their favor, but it was much too little too late, as the game ended 40-20 in favor of the Seahawks. Almost all the Bucs’ points

occurred in the second half with the Seahawks getting all their players some time on the floor.

After the scrimmage, Head Coach Cory Holland said, “I thought the girls played hard. I thought they did a really good job of executing part of the offense; defensively we have a little bit of work to do. And we need to really fix a couple of things on the offensive end as far as boxing out. I was concerned but other than that, I thought it was overall a good deal.”

The Seahawks first regular season game is Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at home against Queen Anne’s.

Fall standouts named to conference teams

By Steve Green Executive Editor

(Nov. 28, 2025) Local student-athletes from Stephen Decatur High School were recognized this month for their standout fall seasons.

Varsity Boys Soccer

All Bayside First Team: Isaiah Rodriguez, midfielder; Cruz Henson, forward; Elijah Isett, midfielder; and Jonah DeVito, goalkeeper. Rodriguez was also named MACS All State second team.

All Bayside Second Team: Gannon Eastlack, defense, and Brody Olsen, midfielder.

All Bayside Honorable Mentions: Micah Hill, Blake Wallace, Gavin Geiser, Andrew Kemp, Collin Pennington and Adrian Jasinski-Elbaz.

Varsity Girls Soccer

All Bayside South First Team: Meera Pascucci, defense; Caitlin Shimko, midfielder; Sam Ruppert, midfielder; Luca

Russo, forward; and Maddy Tapley, forward.

All Bayside South Second Team: Harper Jerns, goalkeeper, and Laila Pascucci, forward.

All Bayside South Honorable Mentions: Emma Walsh, Madelynn Pennington, Scarlett Shimko, Lylla Bergeman, Payton Wilson, Lamis

Omar

Varsity Field Hockey

All Bayside First Team: Bailey Griffin (who was also named offensive player of the year); Jill Burton; and Avari Shoff.

All Bayside Second Team: Nicole Mays, Maggie Tucker, Reagan Reed and Kate Miller-Vail.

All Bayside Honorable Mentions: Morgan Michalski and Kamryn Hitchens.

Varsity Football

All Bayside First Team: Brandon Hamm, offensive line; Brett Schulz, de-

fensive line; and Jhysier Purnell, defensive utility player.

All Bayside Second Team Defense: Joe Johnson, defensive line; Brookes Waters, linebacker; Jyysier Purnell, linebacker; Brian Chester, defensive back; Seamus Orth, defensive line; and Turon Davis, defensive back.

All Bayside Second Team Offense: Kyle Mumford, running back; Brett Schulz, tight end; Johnny Hobgood, quarterback; Brian Chester, wide receiver; Blake Wallace, kicker.

All Bayside Honorable Mention Offense: Matthew Stanley, offensive line; Jaxon Archer, wide receiver; Seth Hollinger, offensive line; Brody Lynch, wide receiver; Bo Gehrig, wide receiver; Jack Bradley, offensive line; and Declan Horan, offensive line.

All Bayside Honorable Mention Defense: Robert Bowen, defensive line; Gio Smith, linebacker; Brennan Wim, defensive back; Cole Muir, defensive

line; and Vernon Deshields, safety.

All Bayside Honorable Mention Special Teams: Declan Horan, long snapper, and Johnny Hobgood, punter.

Worcester Prep

Worcester Preparatory School standout athletes named to the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference All-Conference Team included:

Varsity Boys Soccer: Jake Campbell, Max Carpenter, Danny Kirwan, Zac McGovern, Caleb Walston

Varsity Girls Soccer: Giuliana Frabizzio, Elena Gjoni, Emery Hammonds, Kylee Hutton

Varsity Golf: Kain Crossett, Dawson Davis, Isha Garg, Karrigan RussellWood, and Chase Thompson

Varsity Volleyball: Sam Kuon

Varsity Boys Cross Country: Jude Anthony, Nate Friedman, Paxton Mault, and Jake Timmons

Varsity Girls Cross Country: Anisha Batra, Sydney Todorov

Seahawk wrestlers seeking another championship run

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer

(Nov. 28, 2025) On Monday, Nov. 24, Stephen Decatur invited Delaware’s Sussex Central to a scrimmage to assist both teams in preparing for the start of their respective conference seasons. The event was held in the Stephen Decatur Cafeteria with four separate mats in use.

The Stephen Decatur Seahawks are six-time 2A team state champions and looking for another, this year in the 3A division. This year all Decatur teams moved to the 3A class at the state level due to school enrollments. Decatur won the 2A title in 2008, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and again in 2024.

Head Coach Josh August, a retired United States Marine, has always said the team prepares by going into a room, shutting the door and wrestling and that is what they did. During Monday’s scrimmage, there was a ton of wrestling

with a one match taking place on each mat nearly the entire time.

The Seahawks have 18 female wrestlers with two being seniors.

Junior Amari Purnell is in her third year and said, “You got to push through it. Sometimes it gets hard. But if it’s what you love, then you just gotta do it, you got to and it makes you better. My goal is to be number one in the state, so you got to put in the work to do that.”

The Seahawks have 61 male wrestlers with 11 being seniors. Heavy weight Lawson Draheim also is looking for another solid season this year. He said, “I think if we put in the work, we definitely have a chance to make it all the way.”

No scores were kept during this week’s scrimmage.

Decatur’s first match will be away at Colonel Richardson High School on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. The first home match is with Bennett High on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m.

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