George’s Bloody Mary On Regional Growth Plan

BERLIN — A brunch staple is the Bloody Mary, which is known to be a hangover cure and a preppy drink that gives people an excuse to drink during the day.  Many restaurants offer their own variations on the Bloody Mary theme, though most use some combination of the drink’s traditional ingredients: vodka, tomato juice, lemon or lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, horseradish, salt, pepper and a rib of celery for garnish.

The tangy vodka cocktail is infinitely customizable and it brings out the mad scientist in many bartenders. The secret to a good Mary is all about balance – and Greg David can testify to that. Two years ago, David spent three months creating a recipe for the best Bloody Mary mix on the shore. Months later, George’s Bloody Mary Mix was perfected, bottled and distributed. George’s Bloody Mary Mix can be found in bars, restaurants, liquor stores and shops across Maryland and Delaware.

David’s love for bloodies began while he was working as a bartender in Annapolis.

“Everyone always remarked about how great Greg’s bloody marys were. One day, I suggested he bottle it,” said Theda Bakis, David’s girlfriend.

It took some convincing from Theda and her twin sister, Alex Bakis, before Greg seriously considered bottling his mix. After Theda and Alex Bakis worked out the logistics of creating, running and managing a small business, David gave in.

He spent those three months mixing hot sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, celery salts and tomatoes together in his kitchen before determining the perfect measurements of each ingredient used in his adored bloody marys.

“George’s Mix is unique in the fact that you don’t really have to mix it. You just have to add your spirits and you’re set,” said David.

George’s Bloody Mary Mix pairs perfectly with smooth vodkas. Alternately, some individuals choose to pair the mix with gin. Tequila can be used to create a tangy Bloody Maria, too. If you like a little more kick, top the cocktail with plenty of green olives, a fresh stalk of celery, pickled green beans or lemon or lime wedge. Seafood lovers can add a shrimp to the rim, too. For a Virgin Mary, just leave out the alcohol – George’s Mix can stand all on its own when poured over ice.

The George’s crew stresses that their mix has multiple uses. Besides mixing with spirits, the mix can be incorporated into delicious snacks, appetizers and meals. George’s website features more than two dozen original recipes that incorporate the Bloody Mary mixture.

“There is so much flavor to the mix. It’s great to cook with,” said Alex Bakis before announcing her favorite things to make with the mix.

“Besides being used in drinks or in recipes, the mix can be used as a marinade, too. It’s delicious when used on venison or pork chops,” said Theda Bakis.

David moved to Berlin a few years ago. While bartending at The Globe, one of Berlin’s popular restaurants located on Broad Street, he met many supportive individuals who loved his spicy drink. Weeks later, he won the Seacrets and Irie Radio’s Bloody Mary Contest and gained the title “Best Bloody Mary in Ocean City”.  The word about David’s delicious tomato drinks spread.

“Everything started with the people we know and those who support us. We utilized all of our connections,” said Alex Bakis about starting the business. “Businesses and individuals in this area are really supportive of other small businesses. The feeling of being part of our community really helped us a lot.”

Currently, George’s Bloody Mary Mix is available in 125 locations across Maryland and Delaware. In October of last year, George’s Bloody Mary Mix was picked up by Reliable Churchill, a Baltimore-based company that is the leading distributor of fine wines and spirits in Maryland.

Locally, several bars serve only Bloody Marys made with George’s Mix, including Blu Crabhouse, Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon, Coconuts, Liquid Assets, Station 7 Bar & Grill, The Globe and the Shark on the Harbor.

“It’s prudent for bars to purchase a mix so their bloodies are all consistent,” said David.

By using George’s Mix, Bloody Marys at one establishment won’t vary from bartender to bartender or from shift to shift. Each bartender will be using the same mix instead of creating their own. This means that patrons to the bar will consistently be served a bloody that tastes the exact same each time the visit that establishment.

The name, George’s Mix, came about as a way to honor David’s late father, who had owned and operated several restaurants in Washington, DC and Prince George’s County. Naming his Bloody Mary concoction after his father was a tribute to his success in the restaurant business.

To learn more about the mix and its origin, visit www.GeorgesMixes.com. Have a recipe you’ve created that included George’s Bloody Mary Mix? Send it to Greg@GeorgesMixes.com and George’s Mix will feature it on their website.

(The writer is the executive editor of ShoreBread.com.)

Four Arrested In Worcester Now Headed To Federal Court

BERLIN — Four men arrested and charged initially with drug distribution and weapons charges in Worcester County last year, including a Berlin man, had their cases forwarded to U.S. District Court this month.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office last Wednesday announced four suspects arrested on drug and gun charges in Worcester last year have had federal criminal charges filed against them, essentially moving their cases from Worcester County Circuit Court to U.S. District Court. The first criminal complaint involving a local case was filed this week against Tony Lamont Mills, 32, of Berlin, who has now been charged in federal court with possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm by a felon.

In July, the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team began a heroin distribution investigation and identified Tony Lamont Mills, 32, of Berlin, as a suspect. The investigation revealed Mills was distributing heroin throughout northern Worcester County. As the investigation progressed, an undercover officer was able to conduct hand-to-hand purchases directly from Mills on two separate occasions, including one transaction during which Mills was holding an infant on his chest.

Detectives obtained a search and seizure warrant for Mills’ residence on Elizabeth Street in Berlin. The Criminal Enforcement Team, with assistance from the Berlin Police Department SWAT team executed the search warrant on the Berlin residence earlier this month.

Mills was subsequently apprehended while attempting to hide in a closet. A search revealed 6.8 grams of marijuana and an additional six bags or heroin along with a loaded .32 caliber handgun. The handgun was discovered in the same closet in which Mills attempted to hide. In addition, a total of 28 bags of heroin were found totaling 2.8 grams.

The second criminal complaint filed this week in federal court involving a Worcester County case charges Ramon Diamos, 47, and Arlon Macatangay, 51, both of Jersey City, N.J., and Ricky Ibanga, 38, of Bayonne, N.J., with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

According to the statement of facts filed in support of the federal charges against Diamos, Macatangay and Ibanga, the three suspects were pulled over by Maryland State Police in the south end of Worcester for a routine traffic stop. The MSP trooper learned Diamos was wanted on a New Jersey warrant and he was arrested. During the arrest, a small glass pipe and a small amount of crystal meth was discovered in Diamos’ pants pocket.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the MSP trooper discovered a manila envelope containing 240 grams of crystal meth and a receipt in Macatangay’s name. As a result, Macatangay and Ibanga were arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines. The three suspects face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Meanwhile, Mills faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for possession with intent to distribute heroin and up to life in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

 “I applaud the combined efforts of Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, the Ocean City Police Department, the Berlin Police Department, ATF and HSI for their investigations in these cases,” Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby said last week.

Drainage Work Underway Near River Run Course

OCEAN PINES — Worcester County officials this week broke ground on an ambitious drainage project along the Beauchamp Rd. corridor near the River Run Golf Course after a generous easement donation by the property owner.

On Tuesday afternoon, a handful of Worcester County Commissioners and staff along with private-sector partners broke ground on a project aimed at relieving a chronic drainage project along the Beauchamp Rd. corridor.

The project includes the installation of a 24-inch stormwater pipe at a length of 156 linear feet along the roadway on property donated by River Run owner Lew Melzer.

The pipe will run along Beauchamp Rd. in the area of the 16th hole tee box on River Run in a northwesterly direction to a stormwater pond on the property. The project was made possible by the easement donation from Melzer and was planned by the Beauchamp Rd. Drainage Work Group.

The group’s representatives, along with County Commissioners Judy Boggs and Jimmy Bunting, county staffers, River Run representatives and the contractors officially broke ground on the project in the pouring rain at the site on Tuesday afternoon. The work was scheduled to begin late this week with a target completion date of Feb. 28.

Worcester County Public Works Director John Tustin praised the efforts of the work group and the easement donation from River Run.

“A lot of hard work went into this on the part of the committee,” he said. “Big thanks go out to Lew Melzer because without his generosity, we could be spending $3 million on this project instead of $33,000.

Decatur Seniors Chosen For Unique Business Internship

BERLIN — Stephen Decatur High School seniors Tyler Kalista and Kaitlyn Nibblett will be the first students to participate in a new internship opportunity with Delaware Business Systems (DBS), located in Bishopville.

A business that supports the hospitality industry, DBS has many clients in Ocean City as well as in Delaware beach communities.

The students were selected to participate in the internship through an application and interview process. Chad Hastings, DBS branch manager of the Bishopville office, and Jason Blusk, director of business development from the New Castle, Del. office, conducted the interviews.

“Our commitment to each student’s internship success is our priority,” said Blusk. “A strong pipeline of talented students who meet the requirement of being DBS interns is our goal. Each of them will be placed in various positions in our company and will work directly with our Bishopville branch manager. Our vision is to have students talk about their experiences with their teachers and peers and ultimately accept positions at DBS or other Worcester County businesses.”

DBS is responsible for representing hospitality point-of-sale network systems throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. DBS provides sales and support of various point-of-sale software technologies, computer networking design and architecture, credit card processing, training, security camera systems and a complete onsite support needs. The students will be learning all aspects of the company’s operations.

DBS has a partnership with William Penn High School in Wilmington, Del. to provide internships for their students. According to Blusk, the partnership has been so successful that they wanted to extend internship opportunities to Worcester County as well.

“Our goal is to provide students with opportunities to learn not only about local companies and careers, but to also learn about the skills needed to be successful in today’s workplace,” said Diane Stulz, Coordinator of Instruction for Worcester County Public Schools and liaison for student internship placements.

D3Corp Aims To Help Get Well Gabby Foundation

OCEAN CITY – D3Corp, an Ocean City-based web development, e-marketing and print firm, will take part in the Get Well Gabby Foundation’s Crazy Hat Day on Friday, Feb. 22.

Crazy Hat Day is an annual fundraiser that supports the Get Well Gabby Foundation, which was created locally to support children with cancer.

D3Corp employees have been encouraged to create and wear a crazy hat to work on Friday. Only employees who donate $1 to the Get Well Gabby Foundation will be permitted to wear a hat. The money collected from Hat Day participants will then be matched by D3Corp.

Additionally, D3Corp will post photos of their employees wearing crazy hats to their Facebook page on Friday morning. Facebook users will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite crazy hats by “liking” D3Corp employee photos on the D3Corp Facebook business page. All Facebook photo “likes” on Crazy Hat Day photos will raise money as well. One “like” is equal to $1 donation. D3Corp will monetarily match all “likes” and donate the proceeds (up to $2,000).

D3Corp encourages other local businesses to participate in Crazy Hat Day. The Get Well Gabby Foundation was created by an Ocean View, Del. family to honor their daughter, Gabby, who passed away from brain cancer in 2011. The Get Well Gabby Foundation raises both money and awareness for childhood cancer research and hopes to help find a cure for pediatric cancer.

To vote in D3Corp’s Crazy Hat Day contest and help raise money for the Get Well Gabby Foundation, visit the D3Corp Facebook page (www.facebook.com/d3corporation) and ‘like’ your favorite crazy hat on Friday, Feb. 22.

Commissioners Vote 5-2 Against Subdivision Change

SNOW HILL — In what some are calling smart environmental stewardship and others labeling an attack on the nation’s Constitution, the Worcester County Commissioners voted 5-2 not to change the county’s definition of a minor subdivision from five to seven lots.

Proponents of the change in definition, which would be covered by County Bill 12-6, asserted that the state and Worcester are strangling landowners who want to subdivide their land, especially farmers.

“How have we gotten to the point in our culture that a private property owner must come on bended knee, seeking permission from politicians to do with his or her land what he or she deems best?,” ?,” asked resident Carol Frasier.

Both sides acknowledged that farmers are the most likely to benefit from Bill 12-6, which would allow them to split their land into a maximum of seven lots either to sell or to grant to family. Frasier claimed that by limiting landowners to only five lots on a minor subdivision, especially with the state’s new Septic Bill expected to add further restrictions should it be implemented, the county risks alienating the 5th Amendment.

Resident Curtis Andrews agreed and referenced the 4th Amendment for good measure.

“I hired you to protect my rights,” he told the commission. “Property rights are the basis of this great experiment we call America.”

Opponents of the bill were equally adamant in their position, however. Assateague Coastkeeper Kathy Phillips penned a letter to the commissioners on behalf of Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) pointing out the environmental concerns in changing the minor subdivision definition, which has stood since 1967.

“The greatest concern to ACT and its members is the change to seven lots, and the accompanying increase in septic systems, will make it nearly impossible for the county to meet its water quality TMDL goals for the Coastal Bays and Chesapeake Bay,” she wrote. “Along with agriculture, clean bays and beaches that are ‘swimmable’ and ‘fishable’ are the lifeblood of the county’s tourism economy.”

Instead of a broad strokes bill that would change the definition of all minor subdivisions, Phillips recommended that the Board of Zoning Appeals accept requests from private individuals and judge those on a case-by-case basis. More allowable lots on minor subdivision would lead to the installation of more septic systems and general development sprawl, said Phillips.

Resident Steve Taylor warned the commission about the effects such sprawl could have beyond environmental impact, including increased taxes and expenses for a county.

“If you think development doesn’t have infrastructure costs, you’re wrong,” he said. “I’ve seen it, I’ve witnessed it, and I’ve been involved in it.”

There was disagreement on that point. Resident Kellee Kennett, chair of the Worcester County Tea Party, asserted that sprawl is a “red herring,” especially in regards to harm to the coastal bays. Instead, she recommended the commission look to “other sources of waste” such as flawed wastewater processing across the bridge and the effects of Conowingo Dam.

The verbal fencing continued from there, with Dave Wilson, executive director for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), arguing that Conowingo Dam doesn’t impact Maryland’s coastal bays, while runoff from septic systems in the watershed very much does.

“We’re talking about nutrient issues,” he said.
In an opinion piece published locally, Wilson reiterated his opposition.

“… an increase in development by 40 percent would render it impossible to reach our water quality goals for the bays which are the foundation of our tourism and agricultural economy. Septic system pollution is a much bigger problem per acre than nutrient inputs from agriculture,” Wilson wrote. “Over the past five years, Worcester County has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars every year to get existing septic systems off line. It would be counterproductive to indiscriminately allow an estimated 2,000 more septic systems to pump hundreds of thousands of additional pounds of nutrients from human excrement into the bays behind Ocean City and Assateague.”

A lot of doubt remained among supporters of the bill that septic regulations are as crucial as they are being painted out to be to the watershed as opposed to the other so-called sources of waste. By tightening the leash with those regulations, some residents worried that farming as an industry is on the way out.

“The biggest threat to farming and forestry is regulation,” said resident Frank Gebhart.
Laura Dover, a member of the county Tea Party, had similar concerns.
“We need to treat farmers as an endangered species,” she said.

County Commissioner Virgil Shockley, a farmer himself, acknowledged that it sometimes seems like the industry is fading. Much of it, he continued, is because children born into farming families are not staying in the field and seeking a more stable source of income.

“If you’re going to save farming, you’ve got to have kids on the farm,” said Shockley.

One way to encourage that is to allow more lots on a minor subdivision, meaning a farmer can split his land between more children or even grandchildren, noted Shockley. Because if people are not born into farming, he contested that it is rare for them to choose the life. If farming does fade out, Shockley predicted that Worcester’s economy will crash.

“The economy of Worcester County is based on tourism and agriculture. I’ve said that a hundred times sitting up here,” he said. “Tourism and agriculture they go together. If we don’t protect our farmers by giving that shot for those kids to stay on that farm, you’re going to lose not just the farmers, you’re going to lose your economy.”

In contrast to Shockley’s passionate appeal, Commission President Bud Church suggested that everyone weigh the bill with no attachment or bias.

“I like to try to take the emotions out of it,” he said.

Church revealed that he was against the bill for a few reasons. Besides the environmental aspect, he pointed out that there does not appear to be much of a demand for splitting land into seven lots at the moment. The majority of the commission agreed, with Commissioner Merrill Lockfaw suggesting that more studies be done on the subject so a new minor subdivision definition can be considered the next time the county reviews its Comprehensive Plan.

Commissioner Jim Bunting was the only member of the body to side with Shockley in redefining minor subdivisions. He pointed out that no matter what the county does it remains “at the mercy of the state.”

“So we’d still need permission from the state. The comprehensive plan is not the answer,” Bunting said.

Bunting added that 16 counties have changed their definition of a minor subdivision to seven lots to get ahead of the state’s controversial Septics Bill. Because Worcester missed the Dec. 31 deadline to be included in that group, there’s no guarantee that even passing Bill 12-6 would have the desired impact. However, Bunting told the commission that he at least felt the need to try.

The majority of commissioners disagreed and Bill 12-6 was defeated 5-2 with Shockley and Bunting in favor and the rest opposed.  

Beer, Bean Can Assault Suspect In Hot Water Again

OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City woman, arrested twice within a few hours two weeks ago on assault charges after first hitting her fiancé with a can of beer and later attacking him with a can of beans, was up to her old tricks this week after repeatedly slapping the victim for taking the last can of cold beer before jumping off a second-floor balcony to elude police.

On Feb. 5, Kathleen Theresa Machen, 47, was arrested on second-degree assault charges after allegedly attacking her fiancé by hitting him in the head with a can of beer. Ocean City police responded to a residence on Philadelphia Ave. near 12th Street and placed Machen under arrest on a second-degree assault charge.

After the arrest for second-degree assault, Machen was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was released on her own recognizance with the specific stipulation she was not to return to the residence nor have any contact with the victim. Apparently, she did not heed that warning and returned to the residence to allegedly assault the victim again.

Around 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 6, police responded to the residence on Philadelphia Ave. for a reported assault. Officer arrived and met with the victim, who was bleeding from the head. The victim told police he had been attacked while sleeping in his room by his fiancé, identified as Machen.

The victim told police he had been sleeping in his room alone when Machen came in and attacked him with a metal can of beans, striking him repeatedly in the head and causing several bleeding head wounds. The victim told police he was able to get Machen off of him and get out of the room before fleeing to a friend’s room, where he called the police.

Police located Machen a short time later and attempted to place her under arrest for the second time in a matter of hours. During the arrest attempt, Machen allegedly resisted police, but was eventually subdued and taken into custody. As a result of the second alleged attack, Machen was charged with first- and second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property and resisting arrest. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner again and was released with the stipulation she was not to return to the residence or have any contact with the victim.

On Monday, two weeks after the first two assault arrests, an OCPD officer was conducting a business check at the Americana Hotel on 9th Street on the second floor in the area of room 214. The officer reported he clearly heard an unidentified woman yelling and screaming profanities about someone in the room opening the last cold beer. The officer continued to listen but the argument subsided.

The officer then continued to walk through the hotel and heard the same woman yelling and screaming profanities at an unidentified male in the area of room 114. According to his report, the officer then realized the original argument was coming from room 114 and not 214 as he suspected and that the argument was so loud he could hear it from the second floor. The officer continued to listen to the female screaming at the male about the beer.

The officer then heard “the distinct sound of a smack,” and it was clear the sound was from a person making contact with another person. After hearing repeated smacks, the officer heard the male victim say “get the [expletive deleted] off me.” The officer reported hearing at least three more smacks allegedly from the female suspect, later identified as Machen. The officer then pounded on the door and announced he was a police officer.

The victim eventually opened the door and the officer asked him to come out in the hallway to speak with him. The victim told police Machen had smacked him in the face several times and when asked what caused the altercation, the victim told police it was over “something stupid,” and that Machen was blaming him for things that had happened in the past. The victim told police he and Machen had been staying in the hotel since her arrests two weeks earlier.

Meanwhile, another officer arrived and the first officer went into the room to question Machen, but she was nowhere to be found. The officer noted in his report Machen could not have gotten past him, nor was the room connected to any other hotel room. He concluded the only way she could have gotten away was to have jumped from the balcony.

Machen was located a short time later in the area of 9th Street and placed under arrest. According to police reports, Machen bragged about police cars passing here while she hid in the bushes and that she wouldn’t have been caught if she didn’t flee her hiding place.

The only visible injury to Machen was her right toe, which appeared to be broken. Machen said at first the victim had caused the injury, but later conceded she broke it during the jump from the balcony. She was charged again with second-degree assault, which was her third assault arrest over the last month.

Annual Sportsmanship Ceremony Honors Volunteers, Youth Athletes

OCEAN CITY – Among those honored at the Ocean City Recreation & Parks Department’s 2nd Annual Sportsmanship Ceremony at Northside Park last week was Carolee Humphreys, who was selected as the Ocean City Recreation Boosters’ Volunteer of the Year for 2012.

Humphreys currently serves as vice president of the OC Recreation Boosters and has been a member for more than 10 years. During Humphreys’ time with the Boosters she has worked countless hours, in a variety of functions, and for numerous events, which includethe annual Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s St. Patrick’s Soccer Tournaments, Winterfest of Lights, Springfest, Sunfest and concerts at Sunset Park.

Humphreys was recognized for her quiet dedication and unmatched diligence and loyalty as a volunteer. In addition to her work with the OC Recreation Boosters, Humphreys’ is a member of the Quota Club of Ocean City, the Montego Bay Association and was a past Ocean City Chamber Ambassador. She is the mother of three children, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of three.

Also recognized were Ocean City Recremation and Parks Department’s winter programs youth participants who have exemplified good sportsmanship throughout the season.

The Boys Basketball League recognized Joseph Buxbaum, Alexander Jett, Lance Adams, Gabriel Elirari, Daniel Nunan, Chris Sichina, Michael Romano, Tristan Weinstein, Calvin Oates, Alexander Canakis, Devan Wallace, Hunter Lago, Ben McCabe, Joshua Kline, Gavin McVicker, Dawson Delaney, Zach Ciccio, Shane Ciccio, Cedric Pabich, Billy Wheatley, Devon Mewborn    , Sean Corcoran, Christian Windett, John Bauer, Eddie Hogan, Brian Jones, Montez Green, Cody Davis and Ricky Garrison.

The Girls Basketball League recognized Melis Unal, Molli Spicer, Morgan McGee, Brooklyn Pugner, CC Lizas, Grace Beres, Bridget Buxbaum, Carly Hoffman, Abby ko, Lexie Vankirk, Marina Wheeler, Maggie Bunting, Rachel Gillin and Logan Figgs.

Indoor Soccer League standout honorees were Jessica Beck, Carlie Gates, Claire Windrow, Kenneth Spock, Kayla Brady, Brooks Kendall, Jacob Hicks, Vance Jenkins, Tristan Dutton, Saige Figgs, Andrew Weir, Collin Fohner, Ryan Boyle, Emma Meyer, Anderson Rodas, Alexander Jett, Megan Kearns, Sofia Gordy, Deema Hammad, Roman Pabich, Tatsuki Brophy, Sam Tinkler, Gabrielle Izzett, Avery Congleton, Kyle Shelton, Jack Burbage, Jessica Wharton, Daniel Stepcic, Logan Gordy, McKenzie Waide, Christian Miller, Kealey Allison, Gabriella Kohr, Lane Landis, Sonny Landis, Brooke Beam and Michael Johnson.

The 2012 Mid-Atlantic Recreation and Parks’ Sports Alliance (MARPSA) “Good Sports” Award winners, who were announced last week in Annapolis, were recognized. Those winners include Sara Mitrecic, of Ocean City, who received the MARPSA Good Sports Award for athletes, and Stan Parker, of Ocean Pines, who received the same award for coaches.