December 28, 2008

Thursday, January 3 - Route 50 Bridge Closure Starts Jan. 17

OCEAN CITY - The State Highway Administration (SHA) remains hopeful that the Route 50 Bridge will be open in time for Presidents Day Weekend, assuring officials the closure will not go beyond the scheduled 35 days. With the Route 50 Bridge closure approaching, SHA came before the Mayor and Council this week to update them on the progress of the bridgework and to discuss the possibility of completion before the busy President's Day Weekend. SHA District Engineer Donnie Drewer reported that...READ MORE

Wednesday, January 2 - Winter Events Planned In OC

Winter in the Ocean City area represents a significant slowdown for life at the beach, but there's still plenty of events worthy of dotting the calendars of residents and visitors. The following is a look at some of the upcoming events on tap. Jan. 19-20: Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival and North American Craft Show, Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay: Nautical & wildlife fine art will be presented under one roof with painters, artists and sculptors from 15 states on hand. Craft show...READ MORE

Top Ten Sports Stories of 2007

BERLIN- With 2007 becoming 2008 next week, it's a good time to look back and reflect on some of the top sports stories of the year on the local front. As usual, the outstanding accomplishments of the local scholar-athletes dominated the sports pages of The Dispatch week in and week out, both as teams and individuals. It was another record-breaking year on the local fishing scene, golf continued to flourish and the local youth sports programs continued to grow and succeed. There were so many...READ MORE

Top 10 Stories Of 2007

 No. 1 Christy Freeman Case In late July, the owner of a local cab company was charged with murder after police discovered the remains of her recently stillborn fetus wrapped in a towel under the bathroom sink in her Ocean City home, touching off a wild few days during which three more fetuses were found stored in and around her residence. The incident touched off a major national media blitz in the resort at the height of the tourist season as cadaver dogs and FBI prosecutors working with...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

No matter what rag you pick up these days, from the national glossy magazines to any of our local competitors, there's some sort of inevitable year-in-review coverage, most of which is the result of a combination of short weeks to give employees off for the holidays and the fact governments maintain light schedules the last week of most years. This publication is no exception with its year-in-review, but it's our hope to do it in a way that does not bore you to tears like so many others do....READ MORE

An Application Worthy Of Consideration

Beginning next week, Maryland property owners are in for a little surprise with their latest assessment notices. It's an application for the Homestead Tax Credit. For most people, this probably won't be a big deal. They need only fill it out and mail it back to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, and fortunately they have four years to do so. But for those who aren't particularly sophisticated about monitoring such paperwork, the consequences of neglect could be severe - a...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Resolve To Remove Hazard From Bay Editor: Last spring a piling was driven into the sand in the bay about 50 yards off of our bulkhead. It is a mystery how it got there or why. However, I speculate that the firm that was erecting a bulkhead up the shore from us put it there. My guess is that they tied their barge to it or used it as a 'come along' to pull the barge into deeper water. The water is very shallow here since we are close to the wetlands. In fact, after a storm, when the winds change...READ MORE

Another Arrest For Teen

OCEAN PINES - An Ocean Pines man with a long string of run-ins with the police in the last year or so got in trouble again last week when he was arrested for malicious destruction of property. On Dec. 17, Mitchell Harris Boyer, 18, of Ocean Pines, was arrested for malicious destruction of property under $500 after Ocean Pines Police identified him as the suspect in the breaking of a car window in the community. A citizen reported the window to his car was broken out and the Ocean Pines Police...READ MORE

Birders Converge On Area For Annual Ocean City Count

OCEAN CITY - Expect to see bird watchers armed with their binoculars this Friday, as dozens of volunteers travel to the area to participate in the annual Ocean City Christmas Bird Count. Each year, from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, volunteers across North America, gather to count avian life in an effort to record data and research trends. The national count began in 1900, when ornithologist and early Audubon Society officer Frank Chapman recommended that a 'Christmas Census' be taken of local birds in...READ MORE

Courthouse Goes High Tech With Flat Screens

SNOW HILL - The venerable old Worcester County Courthouse in Snow Hill nudged toward the 21st Century last week when several digital monitors displaying the daily dockets for the various courtrooms and other pertinent information were installed. The new flat-screen digital monitors resemble airport arrival and departure signs and now list each day's activities including case numbers, participants, courtroom numbers and times. Three of the big digital monitors are placed on a wall in the main...READ MORE

Friday, December 28 - New CD's Proceeds To Help Area Homeless Shelter

WEST OCEAN CITY - Although the traditional season of giving is past, people can continue to give back to the Diakonia homeless shelter with the purchase of a fundraising CD called 'Give Us Your Poor,' featuring homeless musical artists with national recording artists like Bruce Springsteen, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Michelle Shocked, Keb' Mo', and Bonnie Raitt. 'Sixty percent of the proceeds go directly to Diakonia,' said director Claudia Nagle. 'We would like to sell all our CDs. We currently...READ MORE

Friday, December 28 - State Lags Behind In Smoking Prevention Funding

BERLIN - A report released last week by several cooperating advocacy groups revealed billions of dollars earmarked for smoking prevention programs directed at kids received by the states in a big settlement with tobacco companies nearly a decade ago are not finding their way to the recommended sources, with Maryland among the top 20 offenders. The report, called 'A Broken Promise to Our Children: the 1998 State Tobacco Settlement Nine Years Later,' was released last week by the Campaign for...READ MORE

2007's Head-Scratching Crimes

BERLIN - Throughout the course of each year, hundreds of criminals are arrested and prosecuted in the resort area for a wide variety of offenses ranging from the gravely serious to the downright silly and 2007 was certainly no different. Crime is rarely funny and often tragic, but there are those occasions when perpetrators' actions are just so ridiculous they make for perfect 'Cops and Courts' section fodder and lively water cooler talk throughout the area. The following is a quick look at some...READ MORE

GOP's Slots Lawsuit Dealt A Setback

BERLIN - The lawsuit filed last week by Maryland's Republican leadership challenging several pieces of legislation approved during the recent special session, including the slots referendum and the tax increase package, was dealt a setback this week when the state's Court of Special Appeals ruled a key witness in the case would not be deposed yesterday as planned. The GOP leadership in the House and Senate this month filed suit in Carroll County Circuit Court seeking to invalidate several...READ MORE

Md. Smoking Regulations Announced

OCEAN CITY - The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) issued last week the final clean indoor air regulations, which will prohibit smoking in local bars and restaurants. DHMH outlined the regulations of the Clean Indoor Air Act that was passed in May 2007. The act will require certain areas to prohibit smoking in an effort to improve the health, comfort and environment of the people in Maryland. The regulations will go into affect on Feb. 1, 2008, pushing smokers outside and leaving...READ MORE

New Year's Day Penguin Swim To Benefit Hospital

BERLIN - The beachfront of the Princess Royale Hotel on 91st Street in Ocean City will be crowded once again with hundreds of Penguin Swim participants and spectators ready to cheer them on as the penguins plunge into the icy Atlantic on New Year's Day to raise money for their community hospital. Everyone is invited to join a team - or form a new one - and take part in Atlantic General Hospital's 14th Annual Penguin Swim on Jan. 1. And, each is imparted with the challenge of making the event...READ MORE

14 Accidents Reported In 113 Intersection's First Year

SNOW HILL - The controversial dualized intersection of Routes 12 and 113 has witnessed 14 accidents since opening a year ago, more than one a month, and further improvements lie far in the future. Four accidents in the first 17 days after the intersection was opened on Dec. 19, 2006, seemed to herald a dangerous intersection, living up to the warnings of some who worried that the median was too narrow for crossing and turning vehicles. The rate of accidents slowed down after that, but three...READ MORE

Developer Hopes To Work With Berlin On EDU Allocation

BERLIN - Despite the limited amount of Berlin sewer service available for development in the next several years, the Purnell Crossroads project on the town's borders will not pursue a separate wastewater plant, developer Troy Purnell said this week, choosing instead to wait for what he can get from the town. After the County Commissioners last week restricted Berlin to a single plant, Purnell said he was not sure exactly how he would proceed with the mixed-use project he intends for the former...READ MORE

DUI Stop In OC Yields Major Drug, Weapon Bust

OCEAN CITY - A routine drunk driving stop in Ocean City this week resulted in a significant bust on drug and weapons charges. During the early morning hours last Sunday, December 23, Ocean City Police Ofc. Shawn Beach stopped a suspected drunk driver at 30th Street and Coastal Highway. As a result of the on-scene investigation, the driver, identified as Jordan Holland Gilsdorf, 21, of Salisbury, was arrested for driving under the influence. While at the scene, Beach discovered Gilsdorf had a...READ MORE

Internet Tool's Success Touted By Teachers

OCEAN CITY - A presentation to the Board of Education last week revealed some interactive, Internet based alternatives to lesson activities that aim to enhance learning skills while utilizing web-based technology. Ocean City Elementary Principal Paula Jones and second grade teachers Ashley Fardone and Aaron Dale made a presentation to the Board of Education this week, highlighting their success with an interactive learning tool, WebQuest. According to webquest.org, WebQuest is 'an...READ MORE

Man Arrested Twice In 24 Hours For Marijuana Possession

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man was arrested on drug and paraphernalia possession charges last Saturday in Ocean City just hours after his arrest on the same charges the night before. Last Friday, Ocean City Police executed a search and seizure warrant on a residence on Robin Drive in Ocean City. During a search of the residence, a quantity of marijuana was seized along with items of drug paraphernalia. The occupant of the residence, identified as Jason Edgar Knaub, 33, of Ocean City, was...READ MORE

New Census To Report On State Of Md. Farming

BERLIN - Farmers are getting older and farms are getting bigger, predicted Wicomico extension agent Eddie Johnson ahead of the 2007 census of agriculture. The national census, taken every five years, will identify every farm in every county, the crop grown or livestock raised, the number of acres in production, income and expenditures, and the age of every farmer across the country, along with a host of other data. 'The number of farms is going down. Farm size is going up and the number of acres...READ MORE

Public Works Head Outlines Upcoming Transit Expenses

OCEAN CITY - A public hearing held as part of the town's annual transportation plan and paratransit application was held last week, outlining the grant application and the proposed FY 09 budget. Public Works Director Hal Adkins conducted the public hearing at the regular session of the Mayor and Council. The annual public hearing is a requirement of the Federal Transit Administration as well as the Maryland Transit Administration and must be held prior to the submission of the grant application....READ MORE

River's White Sludge Not Likely From Dumping

SNOW HILL - A mysterious white sludge found in a culvert near the Pocomoke River in the southern end of Worcester County was not dumped there, county staff concluded last week, but may have occurred naturally. The white material not only was not dumped at the site, it turns out that the sludge is not petroleum based, as first assumed. The substance has a biological origin, according to the investigating scientists, but beyond that, the stuff is still unidentified. State scientists compared the...READ MORE

School Project Bids Come In Under Estimate

OCEAN CITY - The bid awards for the construction of Pocomoke High School were presented last week, revealing that the project is $2.1 million below the original project estimate. Facilities Planner Joe Price came before the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools at last Tuesday's meeting to present officials with an update on the construction bids for the renovations and additions to Pocomoke High School. A project bid opening for the construction of the project began on Nov. 11....READ MORE

Shore Broadband Effort Year Away From Completion

BERLIN - By next December, Worcester County will be entirely wired for broadband Internet service, with lines laid along Routes 113 and 50 out to the community college. The shore-wide project will get another $3.6 million in federal funding in fiscal year 2008, to join the $4.2 million in state funding awarded for 2008. 'We're going to start down in Pocomoke, up 113, past Snow Hill, past Berlin up into Delaware and down on 50 and hook into Wor-Wic,' said County Commissioner Vigil Shockley, chair...READ MORE

Unveiling Of New Historical Displays Planned In OC

OCEAN CITY - Visitors to City Hall on New Year's Day will be able to view brand-new exhibits chronicling different historical aspects of the town when the Ocean City Mayor and City Council's 12th Annual Open House is held from 1-3 p.m. The Mayor and City Council's Open House has become a community tradition. Each year offers a different theme. This year's event will highlight "Ocean City's Elected Officials: Past and Present," to recognize the elected officials that have served the...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary

Maryann Moniodis' third grade class at Buckingham Elementary School just finished up a unit on family traditions. Each student created a quilt and an ornament. Above is a picture of Zion Handy and Victoria Moreau putting ornaments on a Christmas Tree. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary

Third graders at Ocean City Elementary School recently presented 'Winter Wonderland' in the school's annual holiday program. Above, Maddy Floyd is pictured with classmates ...READ MORE

Worcester Preparatory

Worcester Preparatory School recently performed its annual Christmas Candlelight Service. Mary, Joseph, and one of the shepherds were played by Jimmy Edmunds, Ocean City; Ali Wyatt, Ocean City; and Will Hastings, Berlin.   ...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate

Berlin Intermediate's Holiday Chorus Show attracted many visitors including "Old St. Nick" who joined in with the chorus. Above, front row, are Irene Kimball. Samantha Villamagna, Richard Jones (Santa); and, back, Kayla Jones, Zy'Aira Grant and Kayla Hooper. ...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary

Ocean City Elementary School honored the December Students of the Month with a luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 20. Students are chosen by their homeroom teacher because they make excellent choices by following school rules and being good citizens. Pictured, first row, are first graders Grace Beres, Collin Eitel, Miranda Hearne, Jillian Massey and Eve Watsky; second row, second graders Hattie Brous, Ismael Navarrete, Andrew Burke, Matthew Ford and Patrick Mumford; third row, third graders Carl Echols,...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur Middle School

Stephen Decatur Middle School recently congratulated Kelly Marx, winner of the Space Camp Essay Contest. She won a one-week scholarship with airfare to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., an official Space Camp flight suit and $100 in spending money. Hammond's attendance at the camp earned her school the scholarship to grant one student the same opportunity. She is the daughter of Jean and Kurt Marx of Berlin. ...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

Berlin Intermediate School's sixth grade band students performed for students and staff as part of the school-wide holiday celebration. Sixth graders showed off their musical skills by performing a variety of traditional holiday songs. Pictured above is the brass section comprised of Demond Henry, Kyle Joseph, LJ Johnson, Socrates Sanchez-Rojas, Greg Tyndell, Jacob Hickman, Patrick Schirmer and Andrew Bradshaw. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep

Gary Frick, left, Bishopville, and Will Pedigo, Lewes, proceed with their candles during the opening of Worcester Prep's recent Christmas Candlelight Service. Lower schoo music teacher Alana Parker directed the program. ...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Marina Rios Chaconas BERLIN - Marina Rios Chaconas, age 80, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007 at her home in Ocean City. Born in Baltimore, she was the only child of the late Peter Efstratios and Voula Arniotis Rois. She is survived by a son, Aristides Evan Chaconas and his wife Christina Marie and their children Elizabeth Ann and Peter Rois Chaconas of North Carolina, and a daughter, Angel Chaconas and her husband James Gallagher of Ocean Pines. Chaconas was a graduate of Eastern High School in...READ MORE

Live Bands And DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Blue Ox & Babe's Lounge: 410-250-6440, 127th St. Coastal Hwy.; Monday, Dec. 31: New Year's Eve with Kevin Poole & Joe Mama, 9:30 p.m. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Dec. 28 & Monday, Dec. 31: DJ BK Castaway's: 410-524-9090, 64th St. Bayfront; Friday, Dec. 28: Can't Hang; Saturday, Dec. 29: The Blue Method; Sunday, Dec. 30: Chorduroy; Monday, Dec....READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY Royal Hawaiin 142nd Street Sat 12-3 Oceanfront Living Mary Lou Hearn Long and Foster 410-726-8280 OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 9-5 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bay 1 Fri-Sun 10-4 3/4BR, 3+ BA Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Mon-Fri 11-3 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Berlin - Fenwick Island - Ocean Pines

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker BERLIN Purnell Crossing Tues-Sun 11-6 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 FENWICK ISLAND Bayside Rt. 54 Models Open Daily Classic Beach Resort Town Carl M. Freeman 877-436-9998 OCEAN PINES Canvasback Road Sat 11-3 3BR/3.5BA 3000+sqft Della Wilson Remax Premier Properties 443-235-4719 ...READ MORE

What Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): It's a good time for reunions with those very special people from your past. You could be pleasantly surprised by what comes to light during one of these get-togethers. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The new year gets off to an encouraging start for the Bold Bovine who takes that demanding workplace challenge by the horns and steers it in the right direction. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): The clever Gemini will be quick to spot the telltale signs of workplace changes...READ MORE

Thing I Like

The writers at Hallmark  Getting holiday cards in the mail Taylor Pork Roll and egg sandwiches Family gatherings ending with Smith Island cakes Fager's Island's prime rib (one side blackened) Listening to XM on a long road trip Trashcans with wheels Getting in a warm car on a cold morning The first email check of the day Sound of skateboard wheels on a road Lunch on the Boardwalk on a winter weekend ...READ MORE

Things We Like

My son stopping by to say •€˜hey' Grilled cheese sandwiches and cream of tomato soup The above while watching Sherlock Holmes Above the above, with my favorite blankie and book Patrick Henry and his works of art The Atlantic Hotel, when it was Victorian Charm in Berlin, for keeping it just that A house full of friends for dinner Knowing that the above are truly friends Staying home when I, oh so, need it Clean windows and not having to do them myself -- Judy Ashton ...READ MORE

Winterfest Gala Committee

The Winterfest Gala Committee recently presented Ocean City Special Events Director John Sullivan with a check for $14,0000, which were used for a new light fixture involving Bears Decorating the Tree as well as the entertainment that was inside the Winterfest Village. Pictured, from left, are Committee members Debi Curd, Nancy Dofflemyer and Veronica Donaldson with Sullivan. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Charitable Fund A Worthy Year-End Option For Donors

 BERLIN - For a growing number of Americans, the idea of philanthropy goes much further than simply writing a check. They desire a degree of control over how charitable organizations use their donations. At the same time, they aren't necessarily in a position to make the financial and time commitment required for a family foundation. One solution for those in this position may be the Merrill Lynch Community Charitable Fund program (MLCCF), a collaborative donor-advised fund solution...READ MORE

Atlantic General Hospital Foundation

Arby's of Salisbury recently donated $1,000 to the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation as an Iceberg Sponsor of the 2008 Penguin Swim. The event will be held on New Year's Day at the Princess Royale Hotel on 91st Street. Pictured, from left, are Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital, and Todd Hershey, president of Arby's of Salisbury and chairman of the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. ...READ MORE

The Worcester County Developmental Center

The Worcester County Developmental Center presented appreciation plaques to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) and to Royal Plus, Inc., at a reception to celebrate the opening of the new temporary training facilities that will serve developmentally disabled clients in place of the building that was destroyed by fire in September. Pictured, from left, are Michael Megary, President of the Developmental Center's Board; Spicer Bell, CFES President; June Walker, Developmental Center...READ MORE

My Thoughts

What will you be doing on New Year's Eve? The old guy will be doing the same thing he has done for the last few years. Since he no longer drinks or does drugs, the only way he knows to celebrate is to eat. So he will have his big carton of Vanilla bean Breyer's ice cream and some Hershey's syrup and watch the Times Square ball drop. He will stay up at least one hour after he has finished off his ice cream so his tummy does not ache all night. That usually means he will be up past 2 a.m. thinking...READ MORE