By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Dec. 6, 2018) As members of the Ocean Pines Golf Advisory Committee worried further budget cuts could harm golf operations, they received some assurances from leadership on Tuesday that money would be available next fiscal year to maintain the course. Committee Chairman Larry Davies said about $40,000 was cut from the… Read more »
News
Gazette Editorial: OPA Board’s turnover makes it hard to govern
It’s tough to manage the affairs of a community when the governing board is effective for only about six months of the year. But that’s how it is in Ocean Pines, where annual elections deprive the board of directors of long-term effectiveness. Director Ted Moroney touched on that during last week’s discussion of whether to… Read more »
Berlin resident recalls meeting Pres. Bush
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Dec. 6, 2018) Berlin resident Mike Wiley last week marked the passing of 41st U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush on Nov. 30 by sharing a story and photos of the time they met. Wiley was a shift lieutenant at Anne Arundel County Fire Station 23 when Bush was vice president… Read more »
Historic Merry Sherwood reopens in Berlin
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Dec. 6, 2018) The Merry Sherwood Plantation in Berlin recently reopened for event bookings under the direction of Ruth and Jim Arty, a couple who came to the Eastern Shore after retiring from the Baltimore area. Built in 1859, the massive home was something of a wedding gift from wealthy Philadelphian… Read more »
Giving Tuesday event breaks records for local donations
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (Dec. 6, 2018) A record-breaking $172,000 was donated during the one-day Giving Tuesday event, held Nov. 27, and was distributed to 98 charities and organizations in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. More than 1,500 contributions were made by 1,000 donors during the 24-hour Shore Gives More Giving Tuesday campaign, which is… Read more »
Board sets 45-day window on finance software decision
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Dec. 6, 2018) When it comes to updating financial management systems in Ocean Pines, the association appears to have just two options: buying Northstar Club Management Software and running the operation in house, or contracting with Legum & Norman of Falls Church, Virginia, to do the job. How quickly the decision… Read more »
Editorial cartoon: holiday books
First look at FY’19 suggests big turnaround
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Dec. 6, 2018) Early reports from fiscal year 2019 suggest Ocean Pines finances are headed toward a significant turnaround. While fiscal year 2018 budget numbers finished in the red to the tune of more than $1 million, the first six months of fiscal 2019 reportedly finished more than $100,000 in the… Read more »
‘Artists Giving Back’ build bridges
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Dec. 6, 2018) Organizers of the third annual “Artists Giving Back” last Tuesday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Berlin said the event was about more than filling a few hundred empty stomachs with free meals. The larger impact, organizers said, was breaking down barriers – both social and geographic… Read more »
Berlin Christmas Parade returns to downtown
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Dec. 6, 2018) More than 80 floats will compete for awards in 10 categories during the annual Berlin Christmas Parade, today, Thursday, beginning at 7 p.m. Participants will travel north on Main Street, through the downtown area and end at the Berlin Fire Company. New this year are trophies in each… Read more »