BERLIN—The Berlin Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner and Installation of Officers was held at Waterman’s Seafood Company on Feb. 20. Receiving awards at the chamber’s awards ceremony year were Ruth Koontz, of Main St Deli, who received the New Business Award; Donna Compher of Sisters, who received the Philanthropist Award; and Jan Quick of… Read more »

MARYLAND–The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore is accepting applications for the 2014 Hazel Minority Teacher’s Scholarship Award. The application deadline is May 2. Scholarship amounts of up to $2,000 will be awarded. Eligible minority residents in Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties who are interested in pursuing a teaching career, have demonstrated financial need, community… Read more »

MARYLAND—Delegate Norm Conway (D-38B) and Berlin Town Councilmember Lisa Hall testified before the General Assembly’s Environmental Matters Committee on Feb. 21 to bring the matter of pedestrian safety to a statewide level of awareness. Conway testified at the committee’s first reading of HB 873, a bill he has sponsored to update the maximum speed limit… Read more »

OCEAN PINES–Ocean Pines is offering a pickleball clinic on Sundays from 2-3 p.m; beginning Sunday, March 2, and running for four weeks. This clinic is a family-friendly beginner’s course.  All equipment is provided at no additional charge. This increasingly popular sport is a cross between ping pong, badminton and tennis. The cost is $15 per… Read more »

BERLIN—The Lions Club is seeking nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year Award, The deadline for nominations is March 14. The award is intended to recognize a citizen who has provided a significant service to the community. Nomination forms can be picked up at the Berlin Chamber of Commerce at 14 South Main St.,… Read more »

BERLIN–The Mayor and Council of Berlin are pleased to announce the consolidation of the Public Works and Water Resources Departments  under  the leadership of current Water Resources  Director Jane Kreiter. This move follows the resignation of Public Works Director Mike Gibbons, who is leaving Berlin to pursue an opportunity in Fruitland. Kreiter joined the Town… Read more »

OCEAN PINES—A public meeting to discuss Ocean Pines Association General Manager Bob Thompson’s proposed 2014-2015 budget was a sparsely attended affair on Feb. 15, but  did not lessen the significance of what was being discussed—the first assessment reduction in in recent years. An obviously pleased OPA President Tom Terry, said later he was “Absolutely thrilled… Read more »

MARYLAND—The Environmental Protection Agency is updating its emission standards for wood-burning stoves with stricter manufacturing guidelines, which industry representatives say are too aggressive and  with un-vetted testing methods they said could result in an unnecessary decrease in products. On Jan. 3 EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy, signed a proposal to update air emissions standards for wood-burning… Read more »

BERLIN—The Pedestrian Safety Committee, working with State Highway Administration officials, has secured in record time commitments for new projects to improve safety along U.S. Route 113, between Old Ocean City Boulevard and Germantown Road, according to a presentation by Patricia Dufendach to the Mayor and Town Council on Feb. 10. Dufendach, a committee member, served… Read more »

BERLIN–It’s time to get down to business. The Town of Berlin is just percentage points ahead of second place Cazenovia, N.Y. as it heads into the final days of Budget Travel Magazine’s “America’s Coolest Small Town of 2014” contest. Voters can go to  www.coolberlin.org to cast votes. Voters can cast one vote each day until… Read more »