Special Holiday Weekend Event Set For Berlin

BERLIN — The newly remodeled basketball courts at Henry Park will get a baptism by fire of sorts with the first annual Berlin Day in the Park, a three-day event over Memorial Day weekend that will include basketball tournaments and other festivities after the Mayor and Council approved the event this week.

Last fall, an ambitious program was undertaken to rehabilitate the dilapidated basketball courts and other amenities at Henry Park in Berlin along the east side of Route 113. That project is now nearing completion and the town has been seeking a signature event with which to christen the new facilities. The Mayor and Council got the event they were looking for this week with the approval of the first-ever Berlin Day in the Park event set for Memorial Day weekend.

Event organizer Terran Wright told the Council on Monday the three-day event would include a youth basketball tournament and an adult tournament for players in grade 10 and up, along with a free festival for kids and adults of all ages in conjunction with the Sonrise Church. In addition to the basketball tournaments, the Berlin Day in the Park event will include food and music, inflatable amusements for kids, horseshoes and several other events geared to all of the residents in the community.

“We were aiming for something for kids to look forward to and we came up with an idea for the basketball tournament,” said Wright. “That idea led to several others and we decided to try to make it a weekend-long event over Memorial Day. The long-term goal is to make this an annual event every Memorial Day.”

Wright said the event will afford kids in the community with wholesome activities and provide other entertainment for people of all ages in the community.

“I’ve been coaching youth football for a number of years and I’ve seen a lot of the problems with kids,” he said. “It’s nothing that can’t be fixed.”

Berlin officials embraced the idea for the Berlin Day in the Park and approved the three-day event.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Councilwoman Lisa Hall. “He’s done a lot of work on this and it sounds like a wonderful event.”

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said Berlin was looking for a special event to celebrate the renovation of Henry Park and Wright’s basketball tournaments and associated events fit the bill.

“We were hoping for somebody to step up and execute a basketball tournament to celebrate the opening of Henry Park,” she said.

Pedestrian Runs From Scene After Being Hit On Highway

OCEAN CITY — The first significant pedestrian-vehicle collision of the young tourism season occurred over the weekend when a Pennsylvania man darted across Coastal Highway at 49th Street and was struck by a vehicle, rolled over the windshield and fled the scene, only to be caught later.

Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of Coastal Highway and 49th Street for a reported motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Officers arrived on the scene and met with the driver, who, along with several witnesses, told police an unidentified male attempted to cross the highway from west to east when he was struck by the southbound vehicle.

The pedestrian, who was crossing against the traffic signal, rolled onto the windshield, causing damage to the vehicle, before getting up and fleeing the scene. Ocean City Police were unable to locate the pedestrian immediately. However, later the same morning, Ocean City Police and EMS responded to the Quality Inn on 54th Street for a report of an injured male, later identified as Samuel Louis Cribbs, 24, of Murraysville, Pa., who was bleeding. Once on the scene, Ocean City Police were able to determine Cribbs was allegedly the pedestrian struck while crossing Coastal Highway at 49th Street hours earlier.

Cribbs was transported to PRMC for treatment of undisclosed injuries. Based on the information provided by the driver and witnesses, Cribbs was charged as a pedestrian unsafely crossing the roadway. The driver, whose name has not been released, was determined to have been sober and was released at the scene.

Sunday morning’s pedestrian-vehicle collision was the first of the early season and came after a town of Ocean City and State Highway Administration (SHA) partnership to increase awareness and improve pedestrian safety on Coastal Highway, including the installation of markings at certain traditionally troublesome intersections including 49th Street.

Berlin Looks To Clarify Code On Sidewalk Concerns

BERLIN — After a couple weeks of saber-rattling and gnashing of teeth over perceived sidewalk clutter in the form of temporary signs and tables and chairs, the Berlin Mayor and Council on Monday agreed to amend the existing town code to clarify what is acceptable and where.

In front of a full house, including residents and downtown merchants on Monday, the Mayor and Council agreed to come up with an ordinance that will address the issue of temporary signs and restaurant tables and chairs in the public walkways throughout Berlin. The issue came to a head in April when the town’s Historic District Commission (HDC) heard several complaints about the proliferation of temporary structures along Berlin’s sidewalks and could find little clarity in the existing code to address the concerns. The Mayor and Council picked up the issue this week and promised to revisit the sections of the code regarding sidewalks and temporary signs and other structures.

“We need to codify all of this and make sure we’re all on the same page,” said Mayor Gee Williams. “We need to set the record straight on this before everything gets more wild.”

Williams said there have been sections in the code addressing temporary structures, but the downtown area has changed dramatically in recent years with the proliferation of new businesses and some of those sections might have to be revisited as a result.

“There has been an ordinance on the books for years,” he said. “It covers scales, newspaper boxes, even stone flower pots. Most of the things are there for aesthetic purposes and they’ve added to the town.”

Councilwoman Lisa Hall said during the HDC meeting in April sidewalk obstructions in the form of signs, tables and chairs had become an issue of public safety. She welcomed the concept of revising the code.

“I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “We need to let everybody know exactly what the policy is for sidewalks.”

Town Attorney Dave Gaskill said the code had specific language relating to the placement of temporary signs, but the rules for restaurant tables and chairs were somewhat vague. Gaskill confirmed temporary signs had to be just that.

“The ordinance provides that they have to be moved after the close of business,” said Gaskill. “Tables and chairs are not covered in the code.”

Williams said there would likely be some changes to the code regarding the placement of temporary signs, but those with existing signs might not be affected.

“Basically, signs already approved are fine,” he said. “If you’re getting a new sign, there might be some new requirements. They would have to be taken down at the close of business, for example.”

The mayor suggested downtown merchants exercise common sense when placing temporary signs until the code changes are in place.

“The one thing I would never advise is putting them right in the middle of the sidewalk. I don’t think there is any intention to block mobility, especially for those with disabilities,” he said.

Williams said the intent of the proposed changes was to add some consistency to the vague code.

“We need to have an open discussion and let people know what is acceptable,” he said. “We need one set of requirements for movable things, and they should probably be slightly more lenient than those for more permanent things.”

In terms of the restaurant tables and chairs issue, Williams said the town’s elected officials will likely continue to hold the authority on permission.

“If you wish to put out tables and chairs, you’re going to have to come before the Mayor and Council and make sure they don’t infringe on Maryland accessibility requirements,” he said.

Council Throws Support Behind Trail Initiative

BERLIN — The ongoing effort to create a network of hiking and biking trails in and around Berlin inched closer to fruition this week when the Mayor and Council approved the Walkable-Bikable Berlin master plan on Tuesday.

In 2011, the Lower Shore Land Trust, along with residents, town agencies and other stakeholders first floated the idea of creating a more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly Berlin and connecting the town to a network of existing and future trails and other hiking and biking infrastructure in the area. In the months since, the cooperating agencies and individuals have been working on a master plan for a Walkable-Bikable Berlin, and the Mayor and Council on Monday approved the document, which could accelerate the program.

While the plan is largely conceptual at this point, the long-term goal is to create a network of safe hiking and biking areas throughout the town, allowing residents and visitors to safely access shopping, restaurants, galleries and town services without getting in their cars and searching for parking. The benefits are at least two-fold in that it will encourage healthy alternatives for travel in and around Berlin while reducing emissions and improving the overall environment.

The plan calls for the creation of a “green belt” of sorts around the town’s perimeter to allow hiking and biking residents to easily access the downtown areas and other destinations. The plan also calls for connecting to existing and future local, state and federal trail systems, creating a larger transportation network.

For example, one of the first legs of the plan calls for connecting Berlin to Assateague Island along Route 611 to Route 346 and ultimately into the town. Mayor Gee Williams said the plan has enormous potential but the problem will likely always be how to get across Route 113. In the meantime, the plan calls for creating sidewalks or bike lanes when possible to fill in the gaps for safe biking and hiking.

“We’ve discussed this for well over a year, and I haven’t heard anybody against this idea,” he said. “This seems to have universal appeal.”

Williams said there are plenty examples of successful hiking and biking trails, most notably in Europe where bicycles are a primary mode of transportation.

“I hope we’re all around long enough to see this because this has the potential to be a huge benefit for Berlin,” he said. “We have an obligation to make that happen here.”

Worcester Prep Raises Funds With A Wet Twist

BERLIN — For the second consecutive year, Worcester Prep School (WPS) held its Race for Excellence fundraiser last Friday with money raised going toward the renovation of the school’s multipurpose room. After several years in the pipeline, construction on the new multipurpose room is slated to begin this summer so that it will be ready for use when students return in the fall.

According to WPS Assistant Director of Development Betsy Hornung, the multipurpose room has become cramped as the school’s population has grown. The renovations will serve to make the area larger and more inclusive and more modern.

“So we’re raising money to kind of push it out and expand it. We’ve got more kids now and it’s getting crowded so we’re going to add some features to it, and this is the final push to finish the fundraising for it,” she said. “We’re at the point where the construction for it is going to start this summer so it’s going to be completed in time for the kids to come back in September.”

Dedicated fundraising for the renovations began with the first Race for Excellence last year, though WPS has had other events and programs contribute money to the project. This year’s Race for Excellence has raised more than $30,000 alone, according to WPS Director of Development Marion Connolly.

This year’s event included the added bonus of a friendly rivalry between the lower and middle schools.

“So we had a friendly competition between the lower school and the middle school just based on participation,” said Hornung. “It really doesn’t have to do with the money raised.”

Because there was greater participation from the middle school at WPS, Celeste Bunting, lower school head, had to wash the car of Mike Grosso, the middle school head, in front of students and faculty. Bunting, who had never washed a car before, received a hand when WPS Headmaster Dr. Barry Tull volunteered to share the duty. The long-awaited renovations for the multipurpose room, said Tull, were worth the work.

“It’s very necessary and our multipurpose room, which serves mainly as our dining hall, has been overcrowded for several years, and this new addition will enable us to put in professional grade serving areas, expand the table space, additional spaces for lockers, things that I think will really improve the life of our students on a day-by-day basis,” he said.

After the public car washing on Friday morning, the actual “race” portion of Race for Excellence was held in the early afternoon on the WPS campus. Both the lower and middle school participated with an added competitive factor for older students. The three students in middle school to complete the most laps during the event were recognized and awarded trophies. But just like the car washing, Hornung said that any rivalry was all in good fun with everyone’s main objective was the completion of the new project.

Community support both years has been fantastic, noted Tull, with parents, alumni and others involved with WPS understanding how important it is for the school’s infrastructure to grow with its students.

“Everyone recognizes the need in our school community and has stepped forward,” he said. “It’s been a very successful project and this Race for Excellence has just been icing on the cake.”

Besides the primary goal of raising funds for renovations, Hornung also commented on how Race for Excellence is a “multidimensional fundraiser” since it encourages students to play an active role not just running during the event in the afternoon but also having a hand in community outreach and teamwork while raising donations.

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli Opens In Ocean City, Looks To Fill A Void

OCEAN CITY – With an eye on keeping traditions and big appetites alive, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen has brought in authentic eats Ocean City has not seen in over 15 years.

Founder and largest shareholder Warren Rosenfeld is a retired lawyer, real estate developer and corporate CEO from the Washington D.C. area. He and his wife moved to their vacation home in Ocean Pines when he was still a CEO for a technology company in northern New Jersey.

“I moved here with my wife five years ago when we became empty nesters,” he said. “We had vacationed here our whole lives, even as kids.”

Last May, after commuting to his work for two years, Rosenfeld retired at the age of 57.

“I had a half way decent couple of months walking in the morning, working out in the afternoon, but I don’t play golf, I don’t play cards and I don’t fish. What I have done my whole life is create and grow businesses, and that’s what I really enjoy,” he said.

Rosenfeld’s grandparents and father immigrated from Germany in 1940, and his grandfather immediately opened a bakery in the Eastern Market of Washington D.C that he co-owned with his brother. In 1986, his father and mother purchased a diner two blocks from the White House and operated it for 18 years and Rosenfeld and his siblings helped at the restaurant in their spare time.

“Even when I became a lawyer at 25, I still went in to help,” he said. “That kind of stuff gets in your blood, as a family we have wonderful memories of the diner.”

Having vacationed in Ocean City his entire life, Rosenfeld always noticed the absence of a traditional Jewish deli and upon retirement he decided it was time to make it happen.

After studying the menus of several well-known Jewish delis across the country, by Sept. 1, 2012, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen’s extensive menu was complete, and Rosenfeld focused on finding the perfect location. Eventually, his brother recommended looking into hiring a local restaurant consultant, and with a quick research Rosenfeld quickly came across SoDel Concepts, which under Matt Haley operates nine successful restaurants in the resort area.

“SoDel Concepts and I set out to find a space … and then the old Sunshine House location here opened up in the middle of November and I immediately hopped on it,” Rosenfeld said.

The location on 63rd Street and Coastal Highway is Rosenfeld’s dream location with a front wrap-around porch that seats 50, plus a small amount of inside seating and an uncovered picnic area.

“I didn’t want a carry-out business, I wanted a sit-down business, and from the beginning I wanted to build a large porch in the front and on the side … I also realized that sooner rather than later I wanted the porch enclosed so it could be a year-round destination,” Rosenfeld said.

Starting today, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen will be open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., and beginning Saturday, June 15, it will be open all week until 9 p.m.

“The whole goal here is to be a full service restaurant — breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Rosenfeld said.

Rosenfeld’s will offer sit-down wait staff service, take out service, platters, catering, deliveries and a grocery-like menu of bagels, whole challah and rye bread loaves, and lox, sliced meats, cheeses, smoked fish, and deli salads sold by the pound for enjoyment at home.  All bagels will be baked on the premises, and the pickle barrels, smoked fish, knishes and bagel dough are brought in from New York. All of the deli meats are supplied by Saval Foods of Baltimore.

“We cook our own corn beef and brisket on premises,” Rosenfeld said. “We try to make whatever we can on site ourselves, so we make our own Matzo ball, we make our own noodle kugel, we make our own chopped liver, which is a big deal, and we make all of our own salads.”

The delicatessen will be as authentic as possible, although it will not be strictly kosher. Traditional Jewish fare along with popular diner meals will be served. Bagels, lox, challah, matzo brei, whitefish, herring, knishes, latkes, blintzes, chopped liver, a full array of deli meats and cheeses, chicken in the pot, matzo ball soup, and many over-the-top desserts will be served, among other choices. Large portions and huge deli sandwiches will be the delicatessen’s trademark.

A huge variety of desserts are commissioned from four different bakeries from Salisbury to New York. The signature drink is, of course, the New York Chocolate Egg Cream and is made with one type of chocolate syrup, U-Bet Syrup. Also, six different varieties of Dr. Brown soda are chilled in a 1948 G&E refrigerator on the front porch ready to be served.

“I get fantastic pleasure out of bringing this type of food to the Maryland-Delaware resorts,” Rosenfeld said. “We have received tremendous feedback…people I don’t even know hugging and kissing me as they leave, thanking me…”

OC Hosts Amateur Surf Contest

OCEAN CITY — The Eastern Surfing Association held its 2013 Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championships in Ocean City last weekend, showcasing the best amateur surfing in the region.
“It was an exciting contest,” said ESA Executive Director Michelle Sommers. “We had great weather and consistent surf throughout the entire event. The competitors, some of whom drove more than nine hours to compete, put on a fantastic display of progressive surfing. Our local business and surf community really came out to support the ESA, and the response from our visitors was that Ocean City is a top-notch town for fun and most will definitely be back.”

Competitors qualified for this event through their local ESA districts over the past year and were competing for a coveted slot at the ESA’s premier event, the 46th Annual Eastern Surfing Association Championships (Easterns), scheduled for Sept. 15-21 at Nags Head, N.C. The ESA’s three regional events are also qualifiers for the Surfing America Prime Series and the Surfing America USA Championships.

There was a live webcast by UnScene Productions during all four days of competition on the ESA website (www.surfesa.org).

“It was wonderful to be able to allow people who couldn’t attend the event in person to view it live online while it was happening,” said Sommers.

Ocean City’s local ESA Delmarva District’s members surfed well. Ocean City’s own, and ESA All-Star Team member, Simon Hetrick won the Junior Iron Man Award for competing in multiple divisions and had the highest placings in those divisions during the event. Hetrick also placed first in Menehune Bodyboard, third in Open Bodyboard, fourth in Menehune Longboard and fifth in Boys.

Local Tyler Clazey placed fourth in the Under Armour Junior Men’s division, while his father, Delmarva District co-director Dave Clazey placed sixth in the Masters Longboard.

Teddy Smith took first in the Masters division while Delmarva District co-director Chris Makibbin placed second in Masters. Makibbin also took second in Mens Longboard and second in Open Bodyboard. Travis Knight came in second for the Mens division and Danton Boulanger took sixth in Boys.

Longtime OC surfers Bill Helmuth, who placed fifth in the Legends division, and Dave Hartman, who won first place in Grand Legends, also competed well. The only Delmarva female competitor, Laurel Harrington, swept the Womens division to win first place.

A complete list of all the results can be found at www.surfesa.org.