OCEAN PINES– Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in America, is also enjoying a boom at the beach. The sport recently became an official amenity at the Ocean Pines Community Center, offering indoor drop-in play three days a week, as well as unlimited play on six outdoor courts. Invented in Washington state in 1965 by… Read more »

BERLIN– The chances are good you haven’t heard about the next big event in America’s coolest small town – and that’s exactly the way organizers want it. Specifics are scarce, but on a secret date in June at an undisclosed location a major alternative arts and music festival will be staged. Matt Dove, former professional… Read more »

BERLIN–Rackliffe House, a beautifully restored 1740s merchant-planter’s Georgian home overlooking Assateague Island and Sinepuxent Bay, outside of Berlin, is recruiting volunteers to serve as docents. Docent training will be conducted at Rackliffe House on Thursday, June 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The training session will help docents interpret life on the 18th-century coastal… Read more »

BERLIN–The sixth grade Dolphin team at Berlin Intermediate School held a penny race and raised $901.22 for Maryland Coastal Bays to save the terrapins, who are getting trapped in crab pots and drowning. This has been an on-going problem in the brackish water bays and creeks of the Atlantic. Maryland Coastal Bays will use the… Read more »

BERLIN– Two key upgrades in storm water systems could be coming in the next year in an attempt to drastically reduce the flooding problems that have plagued the town for decades. The Hudson Branch Storm Water Project includes upgrades on Williams and Flower streets. West Street received a similar upgrade last year. “I’ve been here… Read more »

OCEAN PINES–Friday’s opening of the Yacht Club got two thumbs up from Ocean Pines officials and others. The first Ocean Pines Yacht Club opened the same weekend in 1975. It was demolished in September 2013 following the successful referendum in 2012 for a new facility. The new Yacht Club is larger, has a bridal suite… Read more »

BERLIN– The town will hold its first public utility day on Saturday, May 31. “Touch a Truck Day” features trucks and interactive demonstrations from employees of Berlin’s electric, water resources, police, fire and public works departments. The family friendly event will be held in Stephen Decatur Park on Tripoli Street from 10 a.m. to 2… Read more »

SNOW HILL– Snow Hill’s answer to Pork in the Park returns this weekend for its second year. The Pig & a Jig BBQ Festival will be held May 30-31 on Rt. 113 just north of Snow Hill. The KCBS sanctioned competition includes live music, carnival rides by Shaw Amusement Rides, craft vendors, beer and wine… Read more »

BERLIN– A packed house and a full plate highlighted the most active Mayor and Council meeting in several weeks. A public hearing on stormwater projects, a new festival, a potential new business, pedestrian safety updates and the fiscal year 2015 budget were discussed during the Monday meeting. Mayor Gee Williams began by honoring 10-year-old resident… Read more »

OCEAN PINES– A crowded field and a disaffected voting populace could lead to a fiery campaign, as seven candidates compete for two Board of Directors seats. The Ocean Pines Association candidates were announced in a May 12 press release. Incumbents Jeff Knepper and Terri Mohr will face challenges from Lawrence Lee, Dan Moul, Patrick Renaud,… Read more »