Horizons Oceanfront, the beach-facing restaurant in the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel, is a special place. It’s so special, in fact, that Horizons’ Food and Beverage Director Richard Heubeck has been working there for almost 28 years.
For the uninitiated, Horizons leans on the upscale side of dining and nightlife without being overpriced and is an Ocean City staple all year long, thanks in part to their famous Prime Rib, Crab Legs and Seafood Buffet and world-class views of the ocean from their floor-to-ceiling windows.
Heubeck, who originally hails from Baltimore, can only sing Horizons’ praises. He was making a living as a teacher before he picked up a second job as a bartender and eventually pursued bartending full-time when he realized he really enjoyed the job, particularly getting to interact with all the clientele.
“One thing lead to another,” he said. “I did the bartending, I managed a restaurant in Harborplace, I did catering for awhile…then I thought, instead of moving from job to job, hotels have all of that in one building.”
“The owner [of the Clarion] Dr. Berger dines here almost every night, and the food is prepared for him the way it’s prepared for everyone else,” he said.
“If you are new to us, we try to make you feel like you’ve been here for a long time. We try to get to know everybody, and I think that gives you a comfortable feeling, that people care.”
A restaurant for all seasons, Horizons is always doing something special, whether it’s for the upcoming holidays–more on that below–or just a regular day in OC. Lunch specials are $8.95 throughout the year, happy hour is 4-7 p.m. every day, dinner entrees are 30% off from 5-7 p.m. in the off-season, steak is 30% off three days a week and there are always NFL food-and-drink specials, too. More menu information is available on their website.
All decked out for the holidays. Horizons is a fantastic place to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s, with a candlelight Christmas buffet on Christmas Eve and Christmas day serving up holiday favorites like turkey, ham and candied yams, and a ticketed black-tie party on New Year’s Eve. “A lot of your freestanding restaurants are closed for the holidays–hotels never close, so Horizons is always open,” Heubeck said. “No one wants to come down for the weekend and spend it in the kitchen cooking, so that would leave us for the place to go for the holidays.”What’s on the menu? Well, a little bit of everything. My family happened to be staying at the Clarion over the weekend and wanted to try the fare at Horizons, so I enjoyed a crabcake sandwich (left) while my parents split a Crab Imperial entree with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables (right). As for the rest of the menu, they’ve got just about everything from seafood to lasagna to baby back barbecued ribs (plus kids’ favorites like chicken tenders and fries have been added in the past few years, too).Speaking of dessert… Horizons is the kind of place where you’ll ask what’s for dessert and they’ll bring out an entire platter with all of their cake, cheesecake and pie options–like a delicious slice of lemon meringue and a rich chocolate-with-chocolate-chips cake slice pictured here.Prime rib, crab legs and seafood. “Everybody loves the crab legs and the raw bar,” Heubeck said. “If you’re not from the Eastern Shore, it’s good to pretend you’re from the Eastern Shore and enjoy it.” Photo courtesy of Horizons.Not a bad front yard. I wasn’t lucky enough to visit Horizons during the daytime to see the breathtaking beach view that they’re best known for, but I will say that the glimpse I caught as the sun went down is enough to get me coming back for another meal (plus, that lemon meringue pie was just really, really good). “What’s nice about the holidays is we start so early that you can really sit and enjoy the view,” Heubeck said. “Not a bad front yard, that’s what I always tell people.” Photo courtesy of Horizons.
Ocean City, MD – (December 5, 2017): For the second year, Mayor Rick Meehan and members of the Ocean City Council will treat residents and visitors to a free concert at the breathtaking Performing Arts Center. After a brief meet and greet with Ocean City elected officials and participating community partners, the 2018 New Year’s Day Concert will feature performances by Bryan Russo and Nadjah Nicole from NBC’s Emmy Award winning TV show The Voice.
“For 20 years, the Mayor’s Open House offered the opportunity for our citizens to meet with elected officials that serve our community,” commented Mayor Rick Meehan. “That tradition has evolved in a way that continues that custom, but also allows us to highlight our beautiful Performing Arts Center by providing residents with an opportunity to enjoy this amazing venue for free.”
This year’s concert features Delaware native, Nicole, from NBC’s Emmy Award winning TV show The Voice. She was recently introduced to 10 million viewers during her 10 week run on The Voice. She is a talented singer and songwriter who has amassed an impressive resume. Nicole has a soothing, soulful and melodic vocal style that compliments her soulful-pop music.
“Nadjah exudes positivity and an almost effortless elegance that I noticed the first time we played a small club together, and it was truly exciting to watch millions of people experience that during her run on Team Blake on the Voice,” commented singer, songwriter Bryan Russo, who will also perform at the New Year’s Day event. “If you are looking for soul music with a pop twist, with the sounds of Erykah Badu, Esperanza Spalding, Corrine Bailey Rae, Jill Scott, Beyonce, then you won’t want to miss this show.”
Scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year’s Day, residents and visitors are invited to meet the Mayor and City Council members from 1 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. After the meet and greet, the Performing Arts Center doors will open for seating and the concert will start promptly at 1:45 p.m. with Russo opening the show. Tickets will not be issued, as seating will be first come first serve. For more information, please contact Jessica Waters at 410.289.8967.
Shopping for Christmas can be done at the last minute, but New Year’s Eve requires planning for several reasons. The most important is that you don’t want to get locked our of the deal of your choice. The second, but equally as important one, is you don’t want to suffer from too many choices but not enough tie to decide. That’s why it’s critical to start planning your celebration now.
Book a Hotel Package: If you’re planning to come to town for the weekend, check out our New Year’s Eve Package roundup of the best deals available. Some of these deals are limited, so make sure you can get what you want when you want it.
Visit our Party Central page: We’ve collected all of the information on the premiere parties in town New Year’s Eve so that you don’t have to do too much looking around.
Enjoy the Fireworks at Northside Park: Elaborate fireworks displays are synonymous with the Ocean City experience, so it only makes sense that the year’s first big celebrations be accompanied by colorful bursts high above. As the nationally acclaimed Winterfest of Lights extravaganza draws to a close, Northside Park on 125th Street will send it off with a bang. Literally. Enjoy extended hours at Winterfest before turning your attention to the sky above for a fireworks display for the ages.
Watch the Ball Drop in Berlin: Each New Year’s Eve, Maryland’s Coolest Small Town transforms into a miniature version of Time’s Square. But don’t let size fool you, this celebration brings in the new year in a big way. The festivities begin at 10 p.m. at the intersection of Main and Broad streets, including live performances, great food from local eateries, adult and kid friendly refreshments, music, dancing, romantic horse and carriage rides of holiday decorated downtown, giveaways, and more as the entire town counts down to midnight. As the climactic moment of midnight approaches, Berlin’s New Year’s ball takes center stage as it dangles high above the town with residents eagerly awaiting its dramatic drop. Make your plans now to spend New Year’s Eve in Berlin to experience big city fun with small town charm.
Plan to participate in the Penguin Swim: Each New Year’s Day, hundreds conquer their hangovers and gather on the 91st Street beach, in front of Princess Royale, for the most thrilling, and chilling, event of the entire year. Since 1994 the Penguin Swim to benefit the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation gives you the chance to “get wet for a good cause.” The Penguin Swim has evolved into a favorite event of Ocean City locals as teams representing businesses and community organizations compete to raise the most money for AGH. Get your new year off to a great start; take the pledge to take the plunge at this year’s Penguin Swim.
Take in some local culture at the Ocean City Mayor’s New Year’s Day Concert: The Ocean City Performing Arts Center has been extravagantly decorated for the holidays and the mayor and other town officials will be in attendance to greet visitors. After a brief meet and greet with Ocean City elected officials and participating community partners, the 2018 New Year’s Day Concert will feature performances by Bryan Russo and Nadjah Nicole from NBC’s Emmy Award winning TV show The Voice.
Gold Coast Mall started the tradition 35 years ago, and the Ocean City Christmas Parade is still going strong in 2017. From Old Landing Road to 120th street, marching bands, jeeps and classic cars, firetrucks and floats paraded down Coastal Highway on Dec. 2, an unseasonably warm day that drew hoards of people to line the streets and enjoy the show.
Here are just a few pictures from the 35th Ocean City Christmas Parade to get you excited for the holidays and maybe even thinking about coming down to enjoy the parade next year (the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March is always a good time, too!).
Sherman the Shorebird led the way while representing the Delmarva Shorebirds baseball team.One especially elaborate float featured kids–angels–literally flying down the street (nevermind the ropes and harnesses). Season’s Greetings from the Harrison Group. Even the library came out to march with their book carts!Kids from Worcester Prep sang songs while dressed as characters from The Polar Express. The Seacrets Distilling truck with Santa and his reindeer riding on the barrels.Looking North as the OC Jeep Club passes through. (Kindly volunteers would stand by the horse poop while marching bands and other people on foot marched by. That’s what the Christmas spirit is all about.)This guy played acoustic Christmas songs while representing the Bearded Men’s Society of Ocean City.Recognize anything on this float? That’s Trimper’s Rides parading down the street!Santa appeared to have lost a few pounds this year, so be sure to leave out plenty of cookies on Christmas Eve.
Practicing bike safety is important at all times of year, especially in a place like Ocean City where bicyclists, pedestrians, cars and buses abound on Coastal Highway even in the wintertime. Here are a few safety tips when biking the boards and the bike lanes of Coastal Highway, followed by a few additional places to bike when your more frequently-traveled (and sometimes very crowded) options are exhausted.
On the boardwalk
Bikes are allowed on the Boardwalk all times of year (bicycles, that is–motorcycles are only allowed one day of the year). However, hours can be limited, so check the schedule below to see when bicycles are permitted.
Saturday of Memorial Day – Labor Day: 2 a.m. – 11 a.m.
In the off-season–the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day, excepting Sunfest and Springfest weekends–bikes are allowed at any time.
To “bike smart” on the boardwalk, make sure you’re following the schedule above and, as always, keeping your eyes peeled for pedestrians (and errant fries, Seagulls and bumps-in-the-boards).
On the street
Bicycling is permissible on the streets of Ocean City, but bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as drivers and be very aware of their surroundings, as the streets can be quite busy with cars, buses and pedestrians depending on the time of year. Here are some of the Town’s bicyclist safety tips (and laws).
First, obey traffic laws. It’s the law that you stop at all red lights and stop signs and ride in the direction of traffic on the road (north on the northbound side, south on the southbound side).
Don’t ride on the sidewalk. It’s illegal.
Ride sober. Like driving a car, it’s illegal to ride your bike while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Avoid distractions. Both hands must be on the handlebars of your bike at all times, and wearing any kind of headset or earplugs that inhibit your hearing is not allowed.
One person per seat. And no one can ride on your handlebars.
Required equipment: a lamp is required on the front of a bicycle when people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 1,000 feet, and a red reflector is required on the back of the bicycle when people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 1,000 feet.
Ocean City Maryland Transportation While enjoying your stay in Ocean City, Maryland it is crucial that you take advantage of all forms of transportation the town has to offer. Whether you don’t feel like having to fight for a parking spot at the beach, you’re tired of walking the boardwalk, or you need a ride …
Other trails and pathways
Assateague Island: The ride down 611 to Assateague is pretty scenic itself and usually not too crowded by cars. It’s about seven miles one-way, and once you get to the park, you can bike down the loop road, keep your eyes open for wild ponies and refill your water at the Assateague Island Visitor Center.
St. Martin’s Neck Road: You’ll have to drive across the Route 90 bridge and park at the Isle of Wight, but a bike ride down St. Martin’s Neck Road around the Lighthouse Sound golf course in Bishopville provides stunning views of the bay and the Ocean City skyline (riding there around sunset will take your breath away).
Northside Park: If you’d rather not leave the town, Northside Park in North Ocean City is a beautiful place for a bike ride with paved paths, playgrounds and only other pedestrians to look out for.
Fenwick Island: Keep going north past Northside Park and eventually you’ll reach Fenwick Island, DE, where traffic tends to be lighter the farther north you travel. You’re still on Coastal Highway, there are abundant pit stops to be made at charming small businesses and you don’t have to cross a bridge to get there.
For the month of December the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum will be exhibiting The Fire of 1925 in our changing exhibit entitled “Archives and Artifacts.” This new exhibit began in September and showcases artifacts normally housed in our storage facility. Every month the exhibit will display a unique piece of Ocean City history.
This year marks the 92nd anniversary of the “Great Fire of 1925” which destroyed two blocks between Worcester and Somerset Streets, including Dolle’s Candyland, The Atlantic Hotel, and the original Pier building and Fishing Pier.
In 1925 the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company had only one fire engine which, subsequently had broken down the same day the Great Fire broke out. As a result, Ocean City had to call for help from the Berlin, Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Salisbury Fire Departments.
For the month of December the Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information please visit our website: www.ocmuseum.org or call: (410) 289-4991.
Photo Caption:
This photograph shows the Mack Pumper fire engine from Berlin, Maryland on the scene of the 1925 Fire in Ocean City. It is from Collection of George & Suzanne Hurley
It’s not quite the distance that’s listed on the sign.
The “Sacramento Ca 3073” sign that hangs over the Harry W. Kelley drawbridge was originally conceptualized by Ed Buck, a Maryland highway engineer in the ’70s and ’80s. The sign doesn’t have much practical use, but it does serve as a fun reminder that we’re over 3,000 miles from the opposite end of the country.
Sacramento returned the favor some years later with a sign marking the distance of Ocean City, MD, which is now listed just below Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, both in California and many miles closer to Sacramento than Ocean City is. John R. Cropper, who worked for the California Department of Transportation in the ’80s, thought there should be a sign to parallel the one in OC, and so the sign–which has had to be replaced several times after being stolen–was erected in California.
The original sign was for Ocean City alone, but the current sign includes Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. This sign was mistakenly made to say “Ocean City, MD 3,037” instead of “3,073,” which is the reason for the cover over the numbers. Although 3,037 would actually be closer to the real distance…
U.S. Route 50 is a major route of the U.S. highway system that passes through 12 states and stretches over 3,000 miles from the East Coast to the West.
From the East to the West, U.S. Route 50 cuts through coastal cities, mountains and desolate deserts–from Utah to Nevada it’s known as “The Loneliest Road in America.”
While Sacramento may have been about 3,073 miles from Ocean City in the 1980s, changes in the highway’s route through added bypasses over the decades have made the distance a good bit shorter: Wikipedia states Route 50 as being 3,017 miles long, while WTOP reported that, according to a Federal Highway Administration spokesperson, the distance should be about 3,008 miles.
It might not seem like a huge difference, but if you’re making the long journey from the East Coast to the West, those 65 fewer miles add up.
Now that these strange signs are getting local and national attention, they’ll both likely be updated after engineers with the Maryland State Highway Administration verify the exact distance of the highway.
As we are now coming to the end of this amazing year, 2017, it is time to look to the future and all the new and exciting trends that are predicted for 2018 in the world of weddings and events.
There are many predictions for 2018, but the one I would like to enchant you with today is the use of geometric shapes using copper/metals and even marble. I am in love with this idea, since I am a person who prefers to think “out of the box” so to speak. I think we all tend to get wrapped up in the expected, the standard, the easy way of doing things. So, let’s think GEOMETRIC and shake things up a bit.
Photo by Jana Dillon Photography
With the use of geometric shapes, I immediately start thinking about terrariums. There are an abundance of beautifully designed terrariums using the geometric trends, making for fun table tops and centerpieces. The texture mostly seen in the creation of these terrariums is metal. Copper, zinc and iron are just a few that are being used to create these unique vessels.
I love, for example, how copper presents a warmth and very inviting feel to any setting, but yet looks amazing with the cool, sophisticated appearance of marble. Two opposites united for the sake of creating a beautiful table top setting for any event!
I also believe that the geometric shapes will absolutely be presented and used in ceilings as backdrops and props for weddings and events this year. Our affair with the geometric shapes will not stop on the table top!
Until next time, stay excited for the new things to come and always stay happy.
Signing off, Angie Gillis-Unkart
Owner and Designer of Encore Events by Angie Gillis
James Dufendach, an editor at local comic book publisher PLB Comics, had often talked with his fellow editors about hosting a Comic Con in Ocean City. Now, thanks to their passion and dedication to the world of comics, anime and other “geeky goods,” Ocean City’s first-ever Comic Con is taking the town on Dec. 9.
Bringing the first event of its kind to OC
For those not so in-the-know, a Comic Con is generally a convention for comic books and comic book lovers, often with an emphasis on other things that might be considered “geek culture.” Anime, cosplay (dressing up as specific characters in pop culture), video games and movies and TV shows popular within the subculture also tend to be involved.
“This is a very underserved area for these kinds of events,” Dufendach, the convention’s coordinator, said. “I put the call out–who’d be interested? And would you come?–And got a resounding ‘yes.'”
Dufendach and his PLB crew have previously been involved with the Eastern Shore Fan Con, a similar convention in Princess Anne.
“The last time we hosted it we had 1,000 people down in Princess Anne,” he said. “To have 1,000 people in one spot, specifically for nerdy stuff– that show is a little more anime focused–we were very proud of that.”
Ocean City Comic Con will similarly involve anime, with screenings happening all day, but OCCC will also be heavily focused on cosplay, independent artists and vendors, and the panels that will be held throughout the day. Star Wars costuming club 501st Legion will be there, Dufendach said, as well as a replica of the Dr. Who TARDIS and special guest Greg LaRocque, a comic artist best known for his work on The Flash and Legion of Super-Heroes.
The inaugural event is locals-oriented, although anyone is welcome to come, and taking place during Ocean City’s off-season in order to provide an affordable admission fee and low hotel rates for visitors.
“I’m excited to see the faces of people who have never been to anything like this before and just be excited,” Dufendach said. “To see people excited about something that I’m so passionate about, it’s really uplifting and makes everything you do worth it.”
You might get another dollar off if you ride into the Grand donning a green mohawk on a mechanized White Marlin.
The details you need to know
The convention will take place at the Grand Hotel & Spa on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On hosting the premiere convention of its kind in Ocean City, the Grand Hotel’s Director of Sales Kimberly Wootteon said, “why not? It was a great opportunity to bring something new to Ocean City and even though it’d never been hosted before, it was worth the risk on our end to be part of something new.”
Admission to the convention is $7 and kids nine and younger are free with a paying adult. Attendees can get $1 off their admission for showing up in costume, in addition to $1 off for bringing a non-perishable food item for Diakonia.
Artists, vendors and guests: Comic and toy vendors, local artists and cosplayers will be tabling and panel-ing all day. Sponsors include Corsets & Cogs, Delaware Anime Society, Phoenix Rising Games and Comics, Pizza Party Printing and Dufendach’s independent comic publisher PLB Comics.
Panels:Panels will be running all day, from 10:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Topics include “Introduction to Foam Cosplay Armor,” “Cosplay is for everyone!,” “Corsets & Cosplay,” award-winning horror web series “Or So the Story Goes,” “CSI Gotham City” and “Be Your Own Superhero.”
“Two that I think are really cool–we’re going to have cosplayer Kati Coe do a panel on foam cosplay armor for budding cosplayers and for people who don’t know costuming at all, that’s a very good panel to check out,” Dufendach said.
“On the opposite end, we’re doing one that’s called CSI Gotham City. That’s John French who’s an author and also a CSI for the Baltimore PD. He’s going to be doing a panel on why CSI in comics and comic books and movies are always wrong, breaking down the real vs. what you see in the media, which is a super cool panel.”
Anime: There will be anime screenings running all day in the Grand’s Sunrise Ballroom, provided by the Delaware Anime Society.
Cosplay: Anyone who arrives in costume will get $1 off their admission, as well as the chance to participate in a cosplay contest (one category for those 12 years old and under, another category for those 13+). Local veteran cosplayers Kati Coe, Kevin D, Jesse Jarvis, Toxic Girl Cosplay and Carter Cosplay will be in attendance either judging the cosplay contests, panel-ing, tabling or generally hanging around, having a good time.
More information about Ocean City Comic Con is available on their website.
Ocean City, MD, November 28th, 2017–The Commander Hotel & Suites, which is ranked #6 of 104 hotels in Ocean City by TripAdvisor, raised $5,000 for the United Way of Lower Eastern Shore as part of the Stay United initiative. Proceeds from the campaign, which included 12 hotels in the Ocean City area, will be used to help provide health, education, and financial stability for citizens in need who live in the region.
“We’re honored to be a part of Stay United, and we’re also proud to have delivered such great results for the United Way of Lower Eastern Shore,” says Michael Hayes, General Manager at The Commander Hotel & Suites. “Throughout our 87 year history, we’ve aimed to be a good corporate citizen by being an active member of the Ocean City community. Stay United offered us an excellent opportunity to deliver on that goal.”
The participating hotels in the Stay United campaign, which debuted this year, donated over $21,000 for the United Way of Lower Eastern Shore. Every dollar that was raised will fund local programs for residents of Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Dorchester Counties.
Along with its involvement in Stay United, The Commander Hotel & Suites will also sponsor the United Way of Lower Eastern Shore’s 2017 United Way Holiday Ball on December 2. The sponsorship was made possible through Blue Water Development Corporation, which is the Hotel’s ownership group.
“The staff at The Commander has been incredible,” says Olivia Mommé, Community Outreach Coordinator at United Way of Lower Eastern Shore. “We’ve enjoyed getting to know them, and we can’t thank them enough for all that they do for our neighbors in need.”
Each year we dig around for ways to help you keep busy when visiting, but spending Christmas in Ocean City is a thing unto itself. Here are some of our best takes on how to keep engaged while you’re relaxing at the beach off season.
1. There always is something “Christmasy” going on
Although Santa’s superhero status is debatable, he has a lot in common with one particular bat-like caped crusader: when the signal is lit, he goes where he’s needed. That’s exactly what seems to have happened now that the Winterfest lights are shining bright; they’re a beacon for all things Christmas, and the holiday has definitely taken Ocean City over.
2. There are plenty of great restaurants open all year
Christmas in a resort town can be lots of fun. After all, there’s no reason you have to stay in all the holiday long. Getting out and about on Christmas Eve is very Christmas Carol-y. See some friends make some new ones and while away those heavy hours waiting for Santa.
3. You don’t have to take our word for it, ask your fellow readers
Over the years, we’ve accumulated a number of things-to-do-in-the-winter-/-‘off’-season-in-Ocean-City. Basically, if you’ve been following our site for awhile, you could probably list about 100 things there are to do here in the wintertime off the top of your head (the first being, of course, Winterfest).
4. Did we mention Winterfest? It’s an intergenerational delight
It was a cold night as we drove along the Route 90 into Ocean City. From the bridge, you could see the array of lights set along the coastline, illuminating the buildings all around town.
An Ocean City winter is what I spend all year looking forward to. Sure, summer is nice–there’s the beach, the sun and the knowledge that every business in town is open. But if you can take or leave the hot weather like I can, you might find that the town is actually more enjoyable and adventure-friendly in the wintertime.
Donate Life Rose Parade float inspires viewers to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and pays tribute to the generosity of donors and their families.
Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) joins The Living Legacy Foundation (The LLF) in dedicating roses for the Rose Parade Donate Life float to honor the generous patients and their families who have given the gifts of life and hope as organ, eye, or tissue donors or donors in spirit.
The rose dedicated by Steve Leonard, PRMC’s President/CEO Designate, is one of many roses dedicated by The LLF as part of the Donate Life float in the January 1st Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The float is the centerpiece of a national effort of more than 50 organizations to reach a broad audience with the simple, life-giving message that organ, eye, and tissue donation saves and heals lives.
“We have been partners with the Living Legacy Foundation for a number of years and every year become prouder of the life-saving efforts that have been achieved through our support of and commitment to organ and tissue donation,” said Leonard. “It’s an honor for our PRMC team to join them in bringing national attention to the benefits of donating life.”
This year’s float entry, The Gift of Time, reflects the parade’s theme of Making a Difference by celebrating the power of kindness and the generous acts of people throughout the world, who are making a positive difference in the lives of others. Perhaps no act is more emblematic of this than becoming an organ or tissue donor: a single organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and improve the lives of as many as 75 more by donating their corneas and tissue. Donors save the lives of grateful recipients and help families heal.
It is the community of generous donors, including our donors from PRMC, that save thousands of lives through transplantation each year. On the Gift of Time float, the monumental Aztec calendar draws the eye to the center of the float, where 44 donors are honored with floragraphs. This ancient calendar is a reminder of the enduring, life-saving power of the generosity of donors and families. Alongside the float, eight living donors and recipients will carry baskets of fruit and flowers in celebration of the renewed life they have shared with one another and the world. The beauty, richness, and potential of life is represented by the vivid flock of macaws perched over the lush floral canopies, ready to take flight.
As of November 22, in 2017 there have been 14 organ donors and 21 tissue and cornea donors that have occurred at PRMC. It is because of the continued partnership with The LLF and PRMC’s commitment to honoring donation that many lives over that last year have been saved and enhanced.
In Maryland, about 3,800 people are waiting for a life-saving transplant. Nationwide, that number is almost 120,000. Peninsula Regional Medical Center supports The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland in its mission to facilitate donation and transplantation and to educate the public about the life-saving power of donation and transplantation.
For more information about organ, eye, and tissue donation and to register as a donor, please visit www.donatelifemaryland.org or www.thellf.org.
About The Living Legacy Foundation: The Living Legacy Foundation (LLF) is a non-profit organization who saves and enhances lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. We are federally designated to serve the state of Maryland with the exception of Charles, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. The LLF offers family support, provides education to the public, and is passionate about our mission of saving and enhancing lives.
For most people the Ocean City boardwalk is a place they don’t see in winter, a cold and windy spot on the eastern end of the eastern shore. But for me, running on the coldest day so far this season, it was a breath of fresh air. The boardwalk seemed to come alive in ways that I don’t normally see when I run it during the summer season.
I start at the inlet, which in winter is where I always start because parking there is free and I can run the entire boardwalk with my son in the jogging stroller. The southern end of the boards is the part of Ocean City open all year ’round. Music sings from the arcade, Park Place Jewelers promotes a sale, and T-shirts sway in the breeze.
The boards are desolate on a cold winter day.
What’s missing is the usual bustle of people. No families on morning bicycle rentals, no young couples in bathing suits holding hands and hoping summer will stretch their romance another week. The beach is empty save for the fences put up to help prevent the blowing sand from piling up at the seawall. No one sits on the memorial benches decorated with wreaths and ribbons for the holidays. Musicians and artists aren’t battling over numbered spaces, and crowds aren’t gathered to watch them perform.
When I run the boards in summer I am distracted by all the people, by the goings on of visitors and tourists alike who come to this little slice of heaven. Which is why winter is such a fascinating time in Ocean City for me, because the town comes alive in ways it doesn’t in the summer. I notice things I don’t usually look at. Like the former Seascape Hotel being torn apart one wall at a time with the aid of a yellow Caterpillar excavator.
How many memories were made in that little room?
Five construction workers stand in the biting wind on the boardwalk watching the dismantling of the hotel. They stop me as I pass and I see one room still there, the door open, the curtain on the window swaying a little in the breeze. I can almost see a young boy there at the open door staring out at the ocean, begging his mother to let him go out to the beach, to jump in the ocean just one more time before they depart. His sister reads a book while his father helps his mother pack up their clothes. The week is over and now it’s time to go home, he tells his son. The boy sighs and already begins to look forward to next year.
There will be no more summers in that room.
Here’s something else I never noticed when running the boards in summer: a giant gorilla sits atop the Safari Motel on 12th Street staring out at the ocean like he’s dreaming of dipping his feet in the cool winter water. Maybe like so many others who visit the boards in winter he came in the summer but stayed because the beach was too beautiful to bid farewell.
Smoothing the beaches.
Ocean City Public Works tractors plow the beach at the north end of the boards. Their diesel engines drown out the gently rocking surf. Up here there are no fences and winter storms pile dunes next to the blue sea wall. In order to keep Ocean City beaches smooth for summer visitors crews work all winter redistributing the sand.
Touch the yellow spot when you run the boards.
At the end of the boards I hit the yellow dot on the sign that as a writer always annoys me. It’s either missing a preposition (with) or using the wrong contraction (you’ve). I touch the spot anyway and turn back. My running companion cheers from his stroller. The sun is in his face and from here we can see the beach and the ocean and winter’s quiet in Ocean City. A place that feels, on a cold day like this, to have been built just for us.
Governor Larry Hogan, Baltimore District Commander Col. Edward Chamberlayne of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Mark Belton, among other public officials, met for a press conference on the 94th street dunes crossing Monday to highlight an ongoing beach renourishment program that’s been impacting Ocean City since the early ’90s.
“Most people are aware of how great the beach is here,” Hogan said. “But what most visitors don’t realize is that Ocean City’s prime attraction, its legendary beach, is also a very important part of a massive project to protect Ocean City and our coastal shoreline from powerful coastal storms and hurricanes.”
Beach renourishment at work.
What does beach renourishment do?
Before and after beach renourishment on Florida’s shoreline.
Beach renourishment (also referred to as beach or sand replenishment) widens the expanse of a beach to make up for the sand that’s annually lost to erosion (when the sand is moved by water or wind) and longshore drift (water moving the sand parallel to the coastline).
The process is sometimes referred to as a “soft armoring” technique for its use of “soft” or natural materials to protect the shoreline rather than a “hard armoring” technique like, say, constructing a seawall to protect the beach from erosion and rising sea levels.
Hard armoring techniques–from walls to permanent docks to artificial sand beaches–can, in the long run, do more harm than good and lead to structural damage, destruction of the shoreline’s ecosystem and more erosion over time. While beach renourishment is only a short-term fix, it helps maintain the expanse of sand, the buffer between the Town and the sea, without doing too much harm to the ecosystem and ultimately working to preserve it.
How does it work in Ocean City?
Speakers at the press conference reflected on how successful the renourishment project has been in Ocean City since it began over 20 years ago.
“This is an absolute success story,” Chamberlayne said. “If you came here to hear bad news, you’re in the wrong place. This is a great news story about a great partnership between our federal partners, our state and local partners.
We had a problem here in about January 2016 when we had horrible damage here to the beaches here in Ocean City, a real threat to the public infrastructure. Now here, a little bit less than a year and a half later, we have great success here to celebrate.”
In 1994, the State of Maryland, Worcester County and Ocean City accepted responsibility for operation and maintenance of the completed Atlantic Coast of Maryland Storm Protection Project. The project consists of the Beach Renourishment program, dunes, dune crossovers, dune planting and fencing along with the seawall along the boardwalk.
The State of Maryland, Worcester County, and Ocean City have a long term (50 year) written partnership agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to perform periodic beach renourishment as needed to maintain adequate storm protection. Per this agreement, the Army Corps of Engineers designs and manages the needed renourishment dredging operations and pays for 53% of the cost of renourishment.
The town of Ocean City uses mostly soft armoring techniques like widening the expanse of the beach and utilizing a vegetative dune system, though there’s also a protective seawall built into the boardwalk near the Inlet.
“These elements work in concert to reduce the impact of inundation, storm surge, wave action and reducing the risk to the community and public infrastructure from coastal storms both big and small,” Chamberlayne said.
Every four years or so, approximately 900,000 cubic yards of sand dredged offshore are placed on Ocean City’s beach in order to protect the town. The cost-shared renourishment process costs the Town about $3 million, and while that sounds like a lot of money, Hogan has said that the replenishment overall has helped prevent over $900 million in damage to Ocean City infrastructure since the project’s beginning.
“This is an important partnership, and it’s going to help preserve an icon for our state, for the East Coast and it is also saving taxpayers of Maryland and the nation by preventing an estimated $927 million dollars in damages since the 90s,” he said.
The process is scheduled to happen every four years so the shoreline can continue protecting the town and providing miles of sand for beachgoers. However, because of the intensity and impact of storms that have occurred since the last beach renourishment, the project was moved up a year in order to prevent further damage to the beach and, eventually, the town.
The next beach renourishment project is scheduled for 2021, though Monday’s speakers all related their hope for federal and local partners to continue providing this project in Ocean City for decades to come.
Sen. Jim Mathias was present to voice his support of the project. “I can tell you that this deal is about half over, and we’re on the countdown on the other side now,” he said. “I’m asking all of us here that are assembled today, our federal friends, state friends, county friends and local friends, it’s time to get back to the table to make sure this continues.”
After ten weeks of educational sessions and various practical lessons, the Ocean City Police Department proudly graduated eight members from the 2017 Citizen’s Police Academy on Wednesday, November 15. Since September, the students met at Ocean City’s Public Safety Building on Tuesday nights to learn the inner workings of the resort police department.
The Citizens Police Academy, which was created over 15 years ago, has enabled citizens to learn more about the Ocean City Police Department, while also building relationships between the police and the community. During this course, students met a variety of officers to learn about criminal law, traffic enforcement, evidence collection, firearms, arrest procedures, narcotics enforcement and many other topics. Students also participated in practical scenarios, which afforded citizens a hands-on opportunity to understand various law enforcement applications.
“Educating citizens about their police department and building closer relationships with our residents and visitors is the best crime prevention tool that we have,” said Chief Ross Buzzuro. “Citizens Police Academy not only benefits our community but also benefits the officers of the Ocean City Police Department.”
For more information about the Citizens Police Academy or to receive an application for the 2018 class, please visit http://oceancitymd.gov.
Christmas in a resort town can be lots of fun. After all, there’s no reason you have to stay in all the holiday long. Getting out and about on Christmas Eve is very Christmas Carol-y. See some friends make some new ones and while away those heavy hours waiting for Santa. Similarly, a nice family Christmas dinner can be had at any of the Ocean City Restaurants open for Christmas. Whether you’re an empty nester or young couple looking to shake things up from the old traditions, or you’re part of a large family looking to establish new traditions, we’ve prepared a list of the 10 Best Ocean City restaurants open for Christmas beginning with the eight that also are open and serving on Christmas Eve. Follow the links for more details.
For a casual, relaxed atmosphere, try Breakers Pub. For a super overstuffed sandwich, salad or for refreshment, the action starts at the Breakers Pub. Located on the Terrace Level overlooking the ocean. Happy Hour specials served from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Lite Fare Served from 11:30am to 11:00pm daily
The Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel welcomes you to indulge in their award-winning, oceanfront restaurant, Horizons. Situated on the terrace level of the hotel, Horizons boasts stunning views of the beach and the ocean. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Horizons offers a wide-range of dining options for your vacation in Ocean City, Maryland.
The Greene Turtle is more than a sports bar and grille. We believe in being a community hangout for all ages that serves great food & drinks in a fun, casual atmosphere built on the excitement & unity of sports.
The Captain’s Table Restaurant, a legendary seafood restaurant in Ocean City Maryland, is open in a new location at the Courtyard by Marriott in OC MD. Serving breakfasts, lunch and dinner, enjoy homemade specialties in an elegant setting. Great steaks, crabcakes and fresh fish.
Welcome to The Victorian Room at Dunes Manor! We are located at 2800 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD, 21842. Our phone number is 410-289-1100. We look forward to seeing you soon!
er their hangovers and gather on the 91st Street beach, in front of Princess Royale, for the most thrilling, and chilling, event of the entire year. Since 1994 the 
