By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Spreading holiday cheer and brightening the day of the community’s most vulnerable residents is the mission behind a social hour planned for this weekend at an assisted living facility tucked inside Ocean Pines. Esther Diller, a former member of the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors, founded a group a… Read more »
News
Berlin outlines New Year’s Eve plans
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer For area residents and visitors who want to ring in 2026 a few hours early, the Town of Berlin is once again hosting its New Year’s Eve ball drop at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31. On New Year’s Eve, Berlin will continue its tradition of dropping a disco ball in… Read more »
Hawaii trip hits right notes for students; Decatur band represents Maryland at Pearl Harbor Day parade
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer After months of preparation and securing more than $125,000 in donations, the Stephen Decatur High School marching band has returned from a successful trip to Hawaii, where they performed at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu on Dec. 7. On Thursday, Dec. 4, all 37 members of the high… Read more »
Fowler’s latest book explores ‘68 jail break; Book signing set for Saturday in Berlin
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Local author Stephanie L. Fowler will be at The Greyhound Bookstore in Berlin this weekend, chatting with readers and signing copies of her new book on the 1960s double homicide in the Salisbury jail. On Saturday, Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fowler, a true crime author and… Read more »
Stephen Edwin Humphreys
Stephen Edwin Humphreys Berlin Steve was born on June 16,1941 to Pauline Harrington Humphreys and William Wendell Humphreys. He passed peacefully with his family by his side on November 23, 2025. Steve leaves behind his wife Joan Hawke Humphreys of almost 63 years. His daughter Ashley Humphreys, her spouse Paul, his son Joshua Humphreys, wife… Read more »
Nancy Spies Cummins
Nancy Spies Cummins Berlin Nancy Spies Cummins, age 102, died peacefully on December 6, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Henry Spies, Sr. (pronounced “Spees”) and Mary Macklem Spies. She was, in her words, “born and reared” at Square Farm, near Easton. The oldest daughter of a family of eight farm kids, she… Read more »
12/18/2025 Bayside Editorial: Coastal generosity remains impressive
Coastal generosity remains impressive Once again, residents, businesses and organizations in the coastal area have demonstrated their seemingly endless generosity by chipping in to cover the substantial cost of sending the Stephen Decatur High School Marching Band to Hawaii for a Pearl Harbor day ceremony. It was 84 years ago last week, on Dec. 7,… Read more »
Annual fire convention pursues Berlin for its parade
Traditional part of annual state convention sees loss of participation in resort as mid-week happening By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Maryland State Firefighters’ Association wants to relocate its annual June parade from Ocean City to Berlin; and intends to make a formal presentation to the mayor and Town Council in January. Mayor Zack Tyndall… Read more »
Historic committee says yes to Town Hall facade updates
Cornice work, new signage, and an upgraded canopy possible if funding allows By Tara Fischer Staff Writer As part of Berlin’s upcoming Town Hall renovations, the municipality’s Historic District Commission last week approved facade improvements to the structure, including a new double entry door, cornice work, enhanced signage, and an elongated, updated canopy. Berlin Mayor… Read more »
Retiring chief attends final Mayor, Council meeting; Interim chief named during search
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Berlin’s elected officials Monday night honored Police Chief Arnold Downing as he prepares to retire after more than three decades of service to the town. The mayor and council also announced that current department member Lt. Robert Fisher will serve as interim chief. At the Town Council meeting on Monday,… Read more »