April 8, 2011

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): It isn't always easy for the rambunctious Aries to give a second thought to their often spur-of-the-moment choices. But aspects favor rechecking a decision before declaring it final. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Information emerges for the business-driven Bovine who feels ready to restart a stalled project. Be prepared to make adjustments as needed at any time during the process. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Part of you wants to complete plans for an upcoming event,...READ MORE

Leaving More Than Money

OCEAN CITY -- Eventually, most parents of even modestly substantial means end up thinking long and hard about their legacy. If you haven't already done so, you'll probably ask, How much money will we be able to leave to our children? What form should our legacy take? If you own a family business, there are also questions of succession to consider, as well as issues regarding how to treat your children fairly — whether they are involved in the business or not. As crucial as these...READ MORE

Things I Like

How a run clears my head A good April Fool’s prank Smell of the house after its vacuumed Reading outside under a tree Local art exhibit openings A passionate person Edie Falco as ‘Nurse Jackie’ Look of a good tire shine A big pork chop A glass of Macallan scotch and ice Sound of meat sizzling on the grill ...READ MORE

PRMC Donates To Art Club

Members of the James M. Bennett High School Art Club, standing in front of their street art creation “Healing Hearts,” returned to Peninsula Regional Medical Center last week with Director Casey Foltz to receive a $500 donation to their art club from PRMC Facilities Director Rick Sanders. Last fall the students created the unique street art on a switchgear box on the PRMC campus. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Another Donation To SDHS

A leadership gift of $5,000 has been made by Jill and Todd Ferrante, owners of Park Place Jewelers in Ocean City, to the capital campaign for the construction of a new athletic field house at Stephen Decatur High School’s Seahawk Stadium. Accepting the donation is Lou Taylor, SDHS Principal. The fund raising campaign is a project of the SDHS Alumni Association. For more information and online giving opportunities, visit www.sdhsalumni.com. ...READ MORE

The Ocean Liners Dance

The Ocean Pines Ocean Liners celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by line dancing for residents at the Gull Creek Senior Living Community in Berlin. Everyone enjoyed refreshments and social time afterwards. The Ocean Liners dance Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at the OP Dept. of Recreation Center at White Horse Park. They are directed by Carol Manzo, center. ...READ MORE

Sons Of Italy

At the March 3 Sons of Italy meeting in the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ocean City, the guest speaker was Don Longo, National 3rd vice president for the Sons of Italy.  Pictured, from left, are local officers Sal Castarina, vice president of Sons of Italy; Susan Palamara, Hostess; Longo; Armando Graziosi, President of Sons of Italy; and Barbara Graziosi, Secretary. ...READ MORE

Pennies For Peace

The fourth and fifth grade Sunday school class of Community Church of Ocean Pines inspired by the true story of Greg Mortenson, who gave up everything to help build schools in Central Asia, are collecting donations through “Pennies for Peace” to aid school supplies for underprivileged children. ...READ MORE

Designation Earned

OCEAN CITY -- Connor J. Braniff of Ocean Point, Ltd in Ocean City recently joined the skilled group of community association managers who have earned the Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation from Community Associations Institute (CAI). Braniff is now one of only 3,800 managers nationwide who have earned this level of professional recognition in the community association management field. Braniff, an Ocean City native and a 2004 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and a 2008...READ MORE

Spin Like A Hurricane

Stephen Decatur High School’s Jr. Red Cross Club recently held a Spin Like a Hurricane fundraiser at West Ocean City Fitness.  After raising sponsorship funds for local disaster relief, participants followed Bonnie Zemo, stationary bike facilitator, as she led them on a two-hour stationary bike and workout tour. Club members Brianna Carroll, Nikki Carpenter and Josh Kirstein were recognized for their fundraising efforts, all raising at least $100, tying for first place. Above, from...READ MORE

WPS Studying Jane Goodall

Worcester Preparatory School students show two signed books about the life of conservation biologist Jane Goodall The books, signed with inspirational quotes about changing the world, were a donation to Worcester Preparatory School’s Guerrieri Library by Goodall and Diane and Donald Kendall of Houston, Texas. Pictured, from left, are Max Moore, Ayrton Pryor, Maya Natesan  and Grace Nichols. ...READ MORE

Comcast Scholarship Winner

Worcester Preparatory School student Carson Wigley was one of the seniors selected from the State of Maryland to receive a Comcast scholarship. The cable company this year awarded $106,000 in $1,000 scholarships to Maryland high school seniors for their leadership skills, academic achievement and commitment to community service. Above, Wigley, who will attend Wake Forest next fall, is congratulated by Maryland House of Delegates members Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, left, and Adelaide C. (Addie)...READ MORE

"Cobra Pose" At OCES

Students in Carol Chrysanthis' social group at Ocean City Elementary School enjoy "cobra pose" at the end of a speech session. Bringing yogic techniques into the speech room has a calming effect and can reinforce natural kinetic learning. Pictured, from left, are Serap Aksu, Joseph Meyers and Gavin Wilkins.  ...READ MORE

Reading Circle Time

Ocean City Elementary students from Christine Lieb's kindergarten class read books to each other every Friday during Reading Circle Time. Pictured are Cole Myers, Brittany Chase and Brooks Kendall. ...READ MORE

Uncovering Fossils At SES

Showell Elementary second graders Hagen Anderson and Giana Cauble carefully search for fossils planted by Salisbury University intern Josie Raine during a science lesson. Students were required to carefully dig and discover fossils hidden in the sand.   ...READ MORE

Snow Hill High Teacher Honored

BERLIN -- Amid a crowd of 319 educators, business representatives, and elected officials at the April 1 Teacher of the Year Banquet, Biology Teacher Jennifer Sills of Snow Hill High School learned that she had been selected as the 2011 Worcester County Teacher of the Year. Sills earned the top-teacher designation by receiving the highest point-totals from a panel of judges on two evaluated components: a comprehensive portfolio and an interview. As the 2011 Worcester County Teacher of the Year,...READ MORE

March Casino Numbers Released

BERLIN -- After three months of operation, business at the Casino at Ocean Downs has been remarkably consistent, according to revenue numbers for March released this week. The Casino at Ocean Downs grossed $3.25 million in March, up slightly from the $3.13 million generated in February. However, it’s important to note the facility was open 31 days in March compared to 28 in February. During its first month of operation in January, the casino grossed just over $3 million, but did not open...READ MORE

Council Sticks To Rules On Beer Truck Rotation

OCEAN CITY – An available opportunity in the rotation for nonprofit organizations to sell beer during the town’s annual Springfest and Sunfest events caused some havoc at this week’s Mayor and City Council meeting. According to the Town of Ocean City’s Policy and Procedure Manual, the Mayor and City Council allow non-profit organizations based in Ocean City to operate four concessions to sell beer at Springfest and four concessions to sell beer at Sunfest. The...READ MORE

Three-Option School Board Straw Poll Rejected

SALISBURY -- Public sentiments on both sides of the debate were expressed Tuesday when the possibility of converting Wicomico County’s Board of Education to an elected body was mentioned at a County Council meeting. The major question brought up during the discussion was whether the council would stand by its original decision to request a straw poll of citizens on the issue. The public comments were in response to a House Bill recently proposed by Delegate Norm Conway. The bill requested...READ MORE

Wicomico Eyes School Traffic Cameras, Too

SALISBURY -- Not long after the Salisbury City Council first began to move ahead with legislature that would result in traffic cameras in school zones, Wicomico County as a whole has decided to go in the same direction. During a County Council work session Tuesday, Sheriff Mike Lewis, along with representatives of Red Speed Camera, was on hand to answer questions about the impact of traffic cameras in school zones. While all of the council members expressed interest in the public safety...READ MORE

Steep Price Tag For Natural Gas Effort On Shore

SNOW HILL -- A switch from propane to natural gas will likely be taking place across parts of Worcester within the next five years. However, a representative of Eastern Shore Gas Co. (ESG) warned the County Commissioners that the change would be both expensive and complex. “This is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project,” said Steve Ashcraft, the Vice President and General Manager of ESG. Ashcraft explained that recent interest in natural gas and the fact that the resource is...READ MORE

Mystic Harbor Plant Replacement Project Ahead

SNOW HILL -- After years of being in the works, Mystic Harbour will soon be getting a much needed new Wastewater Treatment Plant. According to Public Works Director John Tustin, replacing the Mystic Harbour plant has been the “number one priority project” for several years. The plant was first built in 1975 and became a full county entity in 2004. Since then, many issues have arisen to the point where the plant is considered a risk to both public health and the...READ MORE

Street Performers Ready To Fight Council Restrictions

OCEAN CITY – Street performers are uniting to fight the city on an ordinance restricting their performances on the Boardwalk, calling it “unconstitutional.” The ordinance states “The Mayor and City Council finds that the existence of street performers, artists, and others may provide a public amenity that may enhance the character of Ocean City and therefore it does not seek to discourage such performers and activities to the extent that they do not interfere with the...READ MORE

Negligent Homicide Plea In Vehicle Death

SNOW HILL -- A Pocomoke man arrested last September on homicide by motor vehicle and other serious charges, after dragging another man attempting to stop him to his death, plead guilty this week in Circuit Court to negligent homicide while impaired and awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. Around 9:15 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2010, Pocomoke Police responded to the parking lot of a tractor supply business for a report of a victim thrown from a moving motor vehicle. Police...READ MORE

Best Bites

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open seven days a week between Sun-sations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where And When

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 8: Aaron Howell 5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 9: Bryan Russo, 9:30 p.m. Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, April 8: Chris Button & Joe Mama, 9 p.m. Saturday, April 9: Electric Velvet’s Anthony Carmen & Mike Curry, 8 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, April 8 & Saturday, April 9: First Class De...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Oleksa “Alex” Ilczuk SALISBURY -- Oleksa “Alex” Ilczuk, of Salisbury, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. He was 77 years old. He was born in the small village of Kluky, Ukraine, the only child of Ivan and Anna Ilczuk on May 2, 1933. World War II brought major changes to the Ukraine and, to avoid a forced repatriation to the USSR, Alex (age 12) and his family walked to U.S. occupied West Germany to seek freedom. His father requested...READ MORE

Things To Do

April 8: Lenten ‘Souper’ Parish Hall, 1705 Philadelphia Ave., O.C. Sponsored by St. Mary of the Sea/Holy Savior Parish. Dinner will consist of your choice of soup, sandwich and salad. Cost: $9, adults; $5, children. All are welcome.   April 8: Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show Friday: Noon-7 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Convention Center. Sponsored by Treasures of the Earth. Fine jewelry, crystals, minerals, beads and fossils. Daily door prizes. Cost:...READ MORE

Wicomico School Board Discourse Sounds Familiar

What’s happening in Wicomico today regarding an elected school board mirrors what happened years ago in Worcester. If we have learned anything in Worcester, it’s that it really doesn’t matter whether the school board is comprised of elected or appointed officials. That’s difficult for us to admit because we supported the transition to an elected school board in 2002. We believed, and still do, that the community that’s impacted by the school board’s decisions...READ MORE

Say No To Operation

Editor: My wife and I own a condo in Heron Harbor. It is on a canal. We have boat slips along this narrow canal. During the summer months, it can get quite busy with boating traffic heading out to the bay. I received a letter yesterday from the Town of Ocean City informing me about a request from an individual who wants to start a Para-sail business at the head of our narrow canal. This cannot happen, because for these operations to prosper, rapid turnover of customers is essential,...READ MORE

Between The Lines

If all plays out as warned by an organized group of street performers this week, Ocean City could be headed this summer toward a true mess, one that could get extremely expensive. It may just be a warning at this point, but several street performers seem to be planning to illegally take their acts to the Boardwalk this summer, leaving Ocean City in a unique position of having to respond with police action. This is a potential nightmare for Ocean City. No matter how you feel about the street...READ MORE

Adventures in Fatherhood

Beckett made his first Facebook status update last month. That’s right, he’s quite technologically savvy for a kid a month shy of his third birthday. When we received our iPad around Christmas, neither Pam nor I could have imagined how much Beckett would love it. Of course, it wasn’t a huge surprise that he would want to play with it, but we were surprised to observe how proficient he immediately was it and how quickly he mastered it. It’s to the point now that if he...READ MORE

Water Sample Dispute Surfaces In Farm Lawsuit

BERLIN -- Legal sparring continued this week in the ongoing lawsuit between an environmental group and a Berlin poultry farm owner over alleged pollution violations with the plaintiff in the case demanding water sampling data and the defendants in the case refusing to turn them over. The Waterkeeper Alliance, along with the Assateague Coastkeeper and the Assateague Coastal Trust, filed suit in U.S. District Court last March against Perdue and Hudson Farm, a contract Perdue factory farm operation...READ MORE

Proposed North OC Parasail Business Bothers Residents

OCEAN CITY – A proposed parasailing operation’s potential economic benefit and the concerns of residents fighting it were weighed this week by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Joshua Farr, a certified United States Coast Guard (USCG) captain, approached the commission during a public hearing on Tuesday night in hopes of operating a parasailing business out of the lagoon located in Ocean City Square on 117th Street bayside, owned by Peddler Square Inc. Farr would run a parasailing...READ MORE

New Retiree Pension Policy Moves To Second Reading

OCEAN CITY – After months of deliberation, the City Council has decided to switch its city employee retirement plan to a defined contribution for new hires. According to the ordinance, the retirement plan available to employees hired after the effective date shall be an internal service qualified defined contribution plan with the level of contribution as employee mandatory contribution 5 percent of annual straight time pay with employer match and the employee may contribute up to an...READ MORE

Bogus Bomb Threat Evacuates School

SHOWELL -- Hundreds of Showell Elementary students were evacuated from the school building for a couple of hours yesterday as authorities investigated a potential bomb threat. Around 8:40 a.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police officers responded to Showell Elementary to investigate a reported bomb threat on the school made during an apparent domestic dispute Wednesday night. According to a source close to the situation, an unidentified man was involved in a domestic dispute with his estranged...READ MORE

County Denies Licensees’ Request For Quick LCB Takeover

OCEAN CITY -- With legislation disbanding the Worcester County Liquor Control Board (LCB) essentially down to a mere formality and another summer season rapidly approaching, the Worcester County Licensed Beverage Association (WCLBA) this week asked the County Commissioners to expedite its takeover, but the county’s elected officials are not in a hurry to speed up the transition. House and Senate bills abolishing the existing LCB and replacing it with a similar operation run by the county...READ MORE

Receivership Program Debated In Salisbury

SALISBURY -- Salisbury continued its efforts to find solutions to an excess of vacant properties by further examining a proposed “receivership” program at Monday’s work session. “This is an effort to provide neighborhood services with one more tool in their toolbox to deal with vacant properties,” said City Attorney Paul Wilbur of the program. If passed, the policy would allow court-appointed “receivers” to be put in charge of abandoned or otherwise...READ MORE

Council Approves Restaurant’s Request For Paid Parking

OCEAN CITY – More paid parking will be added downtown this summer season. De Lazy Lizard, located on 1st Street bayside, recently wrote the Mayor and City Council a letter requesting additional paid parking in 1st Street west of St. Louis Avenue, which is the public street to the south of the restaurant. City Engineer Terry McGean recommended the paid parking be installed in the 19 head-in parking spaces directly across from De Lazy Lizard. As for the parallel spaces between St. Louis...READ MORE

OC Condo Association Seeks $1 Million In Civil Suit

SNOW HILL -- While no criminal charges have yet been filed against a resort area businessman amidst an investigation into alleged fraud and embezzlement, one of his clients this last week filed a civil suit in Worcester County Circuit Court, seeking over $1 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Earlier this year, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) began probing alleged “account improprieties” carried out by William W. Scott and Scott and Co., Inc., a full...READ MORE

Mayor Unable To Sway Majority On Retiree Health Plan

OCEAN CITY – The City Council settled this week on health benefits for new town employees on first reading, including a retirement health plan. Starting July 1, Ocean City will offer new hires an HMO at a 90/10 cost share and a PPO at an 85/15 cost share but either one includes a retirement health fund. If a new employee plans on accumulating a retirement health fund, the town has added a Health Savings Account (HSA) option. According to the ordinance, Ocean City will contribute an amount,...READ MORE

Beach Soccer Tourney Okayed Despite Concerns

OCEAN CITY –The 16th Annual Sand Duels Soccer Challenge of 2011 was approved this week by the Mayor and City Council and was called the “catalyst” to bringing such events like the Dew Tour to Ocean City. ASG Sports Director of Fun Scott Westcoat said the event has grown so large Ocean City has agreed to expand the designated space on the beach for the soccer challenge to accommodate the amount of teams participating. “The event has grown from just a few teams to about 360...READ MORE

Seahawks Rout Warriors, 23-1

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team responded to a sloppy 14-9 loss to Colonel Richardson last week with a 23-1 pasting of visiting Mardela on Wednesday. Decatur already led 16-0 after two before piling it on the hapless Warriors in the shortened contest. Just about every Seahawk in the line-up got in on the action at the plate. Already ahead 17-0 in the third, Tyree Kee got a bases-loaded single to make it 20-0, and Mike Baglieri cleared the bases with a double to deep left to...READ MORE

WPS McGuire

Worcester Prep’s Ryan McGuire works the ball around the perimeter during the first half of the Mallards’ 16-0 rout of Delmarva Christian on Monday. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Decatur's Colgan

Decatur’s Katie Colgan takes a big cut in the bottom of the fourth of the Seahawks’ 6-3 over Mardela on Wednesday. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Decatur Girls Edge Clippers, 9-8

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team survived a scare on Wednesday after relinquishing a big lead in the second half at home against James M. Bennett before rallying to beat the Clippers, 9-8, in the final minutes. The Clippers scored first with a goal just two minutes into the contest to take an early 1-0 lead before the Seahawks went to work on offense. Decatur’s Leigh Ann Flounlacker tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty shot with just over 20 minutes left in...READ MORE

Black Homer Leads Seahawks over Mardela

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity softball team on Wednesday beat visiting Mardela, 6-3, after a late three-run homer by freshman Taylor Black. The Seahawks jumped out to an early 3-1 lead and doubled the advantage with a three-run homer by Black in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mardela came right back, however, with a lead-off single and triple to start the top of the sixth to cut the lead to 6-2. After a Warrior reached on an apparent ground-out when the Decatur first basemen’s...READ MORE

WCS Lacrosse

Since a 12-11 double overtime loss to Saints Peter and Paul last Tuesday, Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team has reeled off three straight big wins including a 16-0 shellacking of visiting Delmarva Christian on Monday. Pictured above, Mallard Erica Martin fires a shot past the Royals keeper during the first half on Monday. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Decatur's O'Neill

Decatur pitcher Mike O’Neill was throwing goose eggs while his teammates were running up a 23-1 lead during the Seahawks’ rout of visiting Mardela on Wednesday. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Proposed North OC Parasail Business Bothers Residents

OCEAN CITY – A proposed parasailing operation’s potential economic benefit and the concerns of residents fighting it were weighed this week by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Joshua Farr, a certified United States Coast Guard (USCG) captain, approached the commission during a public hearing on Tuesday night in hopes of operating a parasailing business out of the lagoon located in Ocean City Square on 117th Street bayside, owned by Peddler Square Inc. Farr would run a parasailing...READ MORE