AGH works to promote health literacy in Worcester Schools

OceanCity.com
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Atlantic General Hospital and Health System, along with its partners, the Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy at the University of Maryland College Park School of Public Health and Worcester County Public Schools, continue to make measurable improvements in the health literacy levels of elementary and middle school students in Worcester County.

Health literacy is measured by an individual’s ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. A high level of health literacy is crucial to achieving a healthy lifestyle and properly utilizing healthcare services.

Integrated Health Literacy Program (IHLP) standards help guide teachers in developing lesson plans for core area classrooms (math, reading language arts, science, and social studies) that include basic health literacy concepts and skills. The integrated lessons vary depending on grade level that the program is implemented.

Lesson topics include the role of heroin use in the criminal justice system in social studies class or how opioids affect the brain chemically during science class. During the 2016-2017 school year, seventh and eighth grade teachers at Stephen Decatur Middle School piloted the IHLP within their core area classrooms. The sixth grade curriculum was also expanded countywide, while teachers in grades one through five continued to implement the IHLP curriculum.

The IHLP completed its fourth year with pre-testing all sixth grade students in the county and seventh and eighth grade students at Stephen Decatur Middle School prior to implementation of the curriculum in the fall and then again post-curriculum implementation in the spring. The results for the 2016-2017 school year show demonstrate significant positive impact of the program.

In grades six, seven and eight, the average health literacy scores increased from pre-test to post-test. Other findings include:

  • More 6th grade students at post-test reported talking about Internet safety with friends and family.
  • There was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of students who moved into the highest health literacy score range. Sixth grade realized an increase of more than 15 percentage points. Seventh grade high health literacy scores increased by nearly 16 percentage points, and eighth grade by nearly eight points.
  • At post-test, 69.5 percent of eighth graders reported being extremely confident they could say “no” when a friend is pressuring them to try illicit drugs such as heroin, a statistically significant improvement over pre-test results.

“Individuals have to understand basic health principles before they can become active and effective partners in their own care. We’re pleased with the results.” said Michael Franklin, CEO of Atlantic General Hospital.
During the current 2017-2018 school year, the IHLP is being implemented in grades 1-8 county-wide, the first year of full implementation of the program. The program currently serves more than 3,800 students. To learn more about the health literacy program please visit www.atlanticgeneral.org/healthliteracy.

About Atlantic General Hospital
Atlantic General Hospital has been providing quality health care to the residents of Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset (Md.) and Sussex (Del.) counties since May 1993. Built by the commitment and generosity of a dedicated community, the hospital’s state-of-the-art facility in Berlin, Md., combines old-fashioned personal attention with the latest in technology and services. It provides quality specialty care such as weight loss surgery, orthopedics, outpatient infusion and chemotherapy for individuals with cancer or blood/autoimmune disorders, and a comprehensive women’s diagnostic center. Atlantic General Health System, its network of more than 40 primary care providers and specialists, care for residents and visitors throughout the region. For more information about Atlantic General Hospital, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org.

Nanticoke Physician Network receives Patient-Centered Medical Home award

OceanCity.com
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The Nanticoke Physician Network, a part of Nanticoke Health Services, is proud to announce it has again received the highest level of recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). All seven Nanticoke Primary Care offices, including the newest office in Delmar, have achieved Level 3 Recognition with offices scoring 96.5 out of 100 points or higher.
The goal of the Nanticoke Physician Network is to be a patient’s partner in health by serving as patients’ medical home; promoting wellness and providing preventive care, using evidence-based guidelines, supporting self-management; and coordinating a range of health care needs for patients across all settings. Being a part of a PCMH, a patient has better access to the help and support needed to take control of his or her health; to begin to move toward a goal of proactively managing health – not just reacting to an episodic health condition or health crisis.
The PCMH establishes a partnership between the patient, family, primary care providers, care coordinators, specialists and community service agencies. Working together, this team is able to better manage chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension; work together to reduce potential health problems; give attention to preventative medicine; and connect patients to resources, even those outside of the primary care practice, to reduce gaps in care. The PCMH concept provides higher quality care through strengthened physician-patient relationships. More proactive, coordinated care often results in more personalized, effective and efficient medicine, helps patients live healthier lives, and can help reduce the cost of care for patients.
“A key component of receiving Level 3 Recognition is the Electronic Medical Record (EMR),” said Dr. Harry Anthony, Medical Director for the Nanticoke Physician Network. “Nanticoke Physician Network has had an EMR system for several years now. We are currently working to connect the Network EMR system to the one at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital to make patient access to their health information even easier.” Using the EMR, health care providers working within the Network of employed physicians can seamlessly and transparently share information about a patient, providing better communication and easier collaboration. This has resulted in better care outcomes for patients. The EMR system also flags patients overdue for a screening or test, or might benefit from a preventative care measure. This information can be reviewed by the health care provider before a patient comes for a visit. Then, during the patient visit, staff can be more proactive in meeting a patient’s needs. It also provides patient access to routine test results, provides important education or recommendations from their provider, helps them track medication, and send secure messages to their Network office provider.
“As an organization, we are very proud of the Nanticoke Physician Network and the efforts made by all its team members to ensure our patients have access to quality health care,” said Thomas Brown, Senior Vice President of Nanticoke Health Services and President of the Nanticoke Physician Network. “The team works tirelessly to continuously improve coordination of care, remove barriers to care, and to move patients to the center of all we do.”
PCMH recognition is provided through the NCQA, a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Organizations using the NCQA symbol must pass a rigorous, comprehensive review, and must regularly report on performance. For consumers, this seal is a reliable indicator that an organization is well-managed and delivers high quality care and service.
To meet requirements for recognition as a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home, the NCQA has established twenty-seven elements and 178 factors grouped into standards of care including Patient-Centered Access, Team-Based Care, Population Health Management, Care Management and Support, Care Coordination and Care Transitions, and Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement. Level 3 Recognition is the highest level of recognition available through the NCQA.
“We are transforming patient care across our network and have seen tremendous progress in quality outcomes for our patients using the PCMH model. We are working diligently, pushing the envelope of care coordination to help ensure all our patients receive recommended screenings ultimately preventing cancer and detecting it earlier when it is more treatable,” said Lara Hudson, Director of Clinical Operations for the Nanticoke Physician Network. “We live this patient-centered model every day from the multi-specialties at the Nanticoke Health Pavilion Seaford to our newly now incorporated Behavioral Health.”
Nanticoke Health Services includes Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, the Nanticoke Physician Network and the Nanticoke Health Foundation. Nanticoke Memorial Hospital was the first hospital on Delmarva to receive a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is the only hospital in Delaware and Maryland to be nationally recognized by Healthgrades with both the Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ and the Patient Safety Excellence Award™. Nanticoke holds a Level III Trauma Center certification, is nationally certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center, and is a Gold Plus Award performer according to the American Heart/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® program. Nanticoke’s Cancer Care Services holds Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and is a member of the Association of Community Cancer Centers. Nanticoke’s medical staff includes over 160 health care providers practicing in 40 different specialties including the 55 providers employed within the Nanticoke Physician Network. For more information, visit www.nanticoke.org.

Your favorite things to do in the winter

Kristin
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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). But most of those hundreds of things-to-do we’ve written about over the years are from the perspective of us locals. To shake things up a bit, here are some favorite winter activities as told by Ocean City visitors who shared their secrets on our past and present forum threads.

Here are some of the things we like to do. 

1. Walk the Boardwalk – Even when it’s cold, there’s no better place to be. And, as long as it’s not raining, there’s still plenty of places open during the day. 

2. Ripley’s – If the chill coming off the water is too much, we’ll go in here. Since it’s a little less crowded than the summer months, you can look around more. 

3. Explore Coastal Highway – We stay in West OC, so in the summer months, it can at times be a pain in the neck to venture too far north on Coastal. But, in the winter, we’ll drive up that way and check out the OCBC, BJs, Roses at the ruins of the Ocean Plaza Mall, and the Gold Coast Mall. 

4. Bowling – The Ocean Lanes around 71st street offers bowling for a decent price. Cheap beers are nice too. 

5. Take Ocean City at a much slower pace – In the summertime, we tend to move more swiftly to try to get a spot on the beach or by the pool, but the off-season tends to be a bit slower, more leisurely. 

6. Have a drink – There’s plenty of watering holes still open. Some of which still offer great views, such as the 45th St. Tap House. Plus, if it’s chilly, they have the heat on, so you can sit down and enjoy some friendly service and good libations at choices that include The Cork Bar, The Bearded Clam, Backshore (if it’s not too cold), Fager’s, the OCBC, etc.

7. Get some takeout and watch a movie. – Sure, you can do that at home. But, at home, you can’t spend a day on the Boardwalk looking at the Atlantic Ocean, having some Thrasher’s or Pollock Johnny’s for lunch, then grabbing some food from Lombardi’s, putting on comfy clothes, and enjoying a DVD. –Kds53098

Ripley's Shark
Even the Ripley’s shark dons his Santa hat. 

I am fortunate enough to have a condo that overlooks the ocean. We come down a lot and just enjoy the view. It is also the ONLY time of the year that I will venture down the boardwalk. Sometimes we will do outlet shopping for Christmas or visit friends at a bar that live in Ocean Pines year round. We always spend New Year’s Eve at Seacrets with adult family, and visit our favorite bartenders all off-season. It helps that we can just cross the street. Haven’t been to the Winterfest light show (just haven’t had an interest) but now that we have a granddaughter we will probably go this year. –DeMan

Dunes
Nothing beats a wintertime view of the beach. 

We love OC in the winter. Smaller crowds, but a fairly large number of restaurants open. Don’t usually do the bar scene.
The ocean and beach are always there, and the winter experience is interesting. We watch it from our deck, or if it’s too cold, from the window. 
Walks on the beach, or even the quiet streets, are nice.
Our daughter is in Berlin, so we can visit them.
And like anywhere else, you can turns to books, the internet or TV for entertainment. –tmginoc

Berlin is especially beautiful when it’s decked out around Christmastime. 

The Life Saving Station museum is always a treat. The old “Laughing Sally” is in there and she’s still just as funny as ever. The Art League on 94th St. is worth a trip to see. Beautiful artwork inside on display and some available to buy, plus you’ll often find area artists working on projects and they’ve always been happy to answer questions about their work. I have a piece I bought there still hanging above my bed. When you enter the Art’s Center, you’ll see a large glass installation suspended from the ceiling by Jeffrey Auxer. His studio is in nearby Berlin and it’s open to the public. You can even make an appointment and make your own glass blown ornament to hang on your holiday tree or in a window, plus he has a retail shop where you can buy something small like glass earrings, or as large as a massive vase or wall decor. You don’t need an appointment to visit the shop. And Berlin is a great place to spend the day.
Assateague is perfect on a warm winter day. Nobody around, lots of shells, and it’s so quiet. And on your way into the park, there’s a nature center on the right just before you go over the causeway that’s very interesting. Or even Bethany Beach has small shops and things to explore and parking is free now. 
And of course, it’s the perfect time to check out restaurants you’ve never been to because of summer crowds. Many have winter specials to entice you. 
And you can’t miss the Winterfest of Lights … it’s a must see. It’s at Northside Park on 125th St. And to top it off, there are usually horse drawn carriage rides available around the inlet end of the boardwalk, beautiful on a holiday winter night. –Z06RL

*Obligatory Winterfest photo.*

Nanticoke speeds up ECG process

Tony Russo
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For many years, the cardiology staff at Nanticoke Health Services — a 99-bed, nonprofit, community hospital in Seaford, Delaware — had to manually review and assign every electrocardiogram (ECG) to a cardiologist.
This caused delays, especially during the weekend, as cardiologists did not receive assignments until the following Monday.
Also, without the ability to manage queues, providers who were out of the office commonly had a stack of ECG orders sitting in their queues which staff could not easily reassign.
Delays in ECG reviews also delayed patient care, and cardiologists knew they needed a different approach.
Enter Cerner’s PowerChart ECG™, which Nanticoke, a Cerner ITWorks℠ client, implemented in its electronic health record (EHR) in July 2016.
“ECGs can now be read immediately within the EHR and are visible to other providers for viewing. That wasn’t the case with our previous ECG system,” said Peter Rosen, director of cardiology services, Nanticoke Health Services. “Now that most ECGs are automatically matched, I finally have time to spend toward ECG quality. Plus, I can now see orders sitting in the queue without an attached ECG.”
Reducing processing delays
By implementing PowerChart ECG in Nanticoke’s EHR, most ECGs are automatically matched.
“On the previous system, manually matching orders took me more than an hour a day,” Rosen said. “Now, it takes me a few minutes.”
Cerner consultants worked closely with Nanticoke’s Cerner ITWorks team to ensure the ECG solution met the needs of the entire organization. With the new solution, cardiologists now read ECGs performed over the weekend in near real-time instead of waiting for a cardiologist’s assignment the following Monday, which can further reduce delays in patient care.
A new normal
Shared queues are the new normal for cardiologists at Nanticoke. If a cardiologist is out of the office, a colleague can read the next ECG in the queue.
Additionally, cardiologists now access and read ECGs from any location on any computer device as soon as ECGs are ready. Previously, cardiologists had to wait until the next morning to view the ECGs, a process that usually involved faxing the ECG, which reduced image quality.
Along these lines, providers and nurses no longer must physically retrieve and scan the ECG strips, which can potentially delay a diagnosis. A quick phone call from a nurse lets the cardiologist know it is available for viewing in the PowerChart ECG solution.
“I am extremely pleased with how PowerChart ECG improved the operations of the cardiology department,” said Rosen. “It helped eliminate value-less processes, accelerated ECG processing and improved visibility of ECG clinical data across our organization.”
“I wish we implemented it sooner,” he said.
Nanticoke Health Services includes Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, the Nanticoke Physician Network and the Nanticoke Health Foundation. Nanticoke Memorial Hospital was the first hospital on Delmarva to receive a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is the only hospital in Delaware and Maryland to be nationally recognized by Healthgrades with both the Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ and the Patient Safety Excellence Award. Nanticoke holds a Level III Trauma Center certification, is nationally certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center, and is a Gold Plus Award performer according to the American Heart/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® program. Nanticoke’s Cancer Care Services holds Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and is a member of the Association of Community Cancer Centers. Nanticoke’s medical staff includes over 160 health care providers practicing in 40 different specialties including the 45 providers employed within the Nanticoke Physician Network.

AGH welcomes new Board of Trustees chairperson

Tony Russo
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At its annual Corporation Meeting, Atlantic General Hospital’s Board of Trustees voted in a new Board Chairman, Hugh T. Cropper, IV, who is the former Treasurer of the Board.
Hugh T. Cropper, is a graduate of Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin, the College of William and Mary and the University of Maryland Law School. Hugh practices as an attorney, and he is a partner in the law firm of Booth, Booth, Cropper & Marriner, PC. Cropper has represented local clients in and around Worcester County for nearly 29 years, including numerous charitable and pro bono clients. Most recently, Cropper represented Diakonia in connection with their new facility in West Ocean City. Cropper is the chairman of the Board of Directors for Bank of Ocean City. He is the chairman of the Board of Directors for the Lower Shore Land Trust. He was formerly a member of the Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association, and he is a member of the Judicial Nominating Committee for the First Circuit. Hugh has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Atlantic General Hospital since 2007, and he is currently the chairman of the Quality Committee. He was formerly secretary of the Board of Trustees, and most recently served as treasurer. Cropper lives in the Berlin area with his wife, Jennifer, and his twins, Myra and Hugh Thomas. Cropper was born and raised in Worcester County and his grandfather, Hugh T. Cropper, was the former mayor of Ocean City. He is an active commercial fisherman, and he enjoys the outdoors, hunting, and fishing with his family. He is anxious to serve Atlantic General Hospital and the needs of the community. He will begin his term as board chair in November, 2017.
“We acknowledge Hugh’s dedication and hard work for Atlantic General,” commented Michael Franklin, FACHE, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital. “We are thrilled to welcome Hugh as the board chair. We are likewise especially grateful for the three years Lou Taylor served as our board chair, and the positive impact that he has made.”

Creature Feature: It’s almost seal season

Kristin
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Seal season in Ocean City is typically late December – May, so don’t be surprised if you’re walking along the beach and spot a seal chilling in the sand. 

You’ll likely see that the seal is surrounded by a U-shape of orange traffic cones and seal stewards, who volunteer with Maryland Coastal Bays to inform the public about the marine mammals and keep them from getting to close. In 2012, Maryland Coastal Bays partnered with the National Aquarium in Baltimore through a federal grant to promote the responsible viewing of marine life. Since then, they’ve been holding seal steward training sessions annually and recruiting area locals to volunteer when a seal decides to lay out on Ocean City’s beach. 

Sign from the Nov. 7 seal steward training session at Ocean City’s Volunteer Fire Company Station 5.

About the seals

There are four types of seals that you could find out on our beach: most common are the harbor seal and the grey seal, and you might occasionally see a harp seal or a hooded seal, too.

Seals prefer cold water, which is why they start appearing at more southern beaches in the wintertime, and they’ve also been traveling south in larger numbers in recent years due to environmental changes and their growing population. In Ocean City, the first seal sightings tends to occur between Christmas and New Year’s. 

While the ocean is the seal’s natural habitat, they “haul out,” or lay out on the land, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s to rest, to soak up the sun and dry off for a bit, to give birth, or to molt, which they do once a year. Other times, they might haul out because their health is at risk due to human interaction, wounds or injuries or natural illness. 

A harbor seal with its pup.

What to do when you see one

All marine mammals, including seals, are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, which means you must keep a distance of at least 150 ft (and, obviously, not harass them, even if from a distance). 

Usually, when you see a seal on Ocean City’s beach, Maryland Coastal Bays and their seal stewards will already be monitoring the area and asking the public to keep a safe distance away. Neon orange traffic cones will be set up in a U-shape with the open end facing the ocean. 

“You want the animal to have an unimpeded exit back into the water,” said Jennifer Dittmar, Director of Animal Rescue at the National Aquarium.

 

However, if you see a lone seal on the beach, you can call the Maryland Coastal Bays Program at 410-213-2297 (you can also report a sighting online). They’ll send people over to ensure that the seal is left comfortable and undisturbed during its haul out, and if it appears sick or injured, they’ll alert first responders from the National Aquarium.

Seeing a seal on land is exciting, especially if it’s your first time. Take all the pictures in the world for your Facebook and Instagram (as long as you take them from behind the orange cones!), but don’t share the location while the seal is still there. Having hundreds of people crowding around a seal makes it harder for stewards and Coastal Bays employees to ensure that the animal isn’t bombarded. 

“We had one year when there was a convention going on, and we had over 400 people [show up],” said Sandi Smith, Development and Marketing Coordinator at Maryland Coastal Bays. “It snowballs if you share the location.” 

A hauled-out grey seal. (Maybe he’s looking for a rose to kiss…?)

Take precaution 

There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t get too close to a hauled-out seal, and in all the excitement of seeing one for the first time, a lot of people can forget that seals on the beach are marine mammals outside of their natural environment. Every seal reacts differently to a human interaction–some growl, some try to bite, others freeze or run away–but the point is, they’re not really supposed to be interacting with humans at all. 

They also can carry a number of zoonotic diseases ranging from influenza to rabies and even a strain of herpes. You don’t want to get too close, and you don’t want your dog to get too close either, so be sure to keep pets on a leash (they should always be leashed on the beach, anyway). 

Seals are amazing, adorable creatures–they’re basically the puppies of the sea (baby seals are called pups, after all). We just need to be sure to appreciate them from a safe distance away and to practice common courtesy toward them, as we should toward all animals and humans on the beach.

A bit of seal humor from the National Aquarium’s Jennifer Dittmar on Tuesday night.

History day trips from Ocean City Md

Tony Russo
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Yes, there is a free world-class beach at Ocean City, and the town has some fantastic bars and restaurants. And yes the arcades are open all year, and there’s almost always something cool going down on the weekend. But beyond that, this is an area that is rich in history and even richer in long, winding roads. Heading out to explore Worcester County while you’re at the beach (or if you live here but for some reason still haven’t), is a great way to enjoy an afternoon.

Rackliffe House

Although it is easily accessible, since the Rackliffe House is off the beaten path it doesn’t get a ton of visitors, but it certainly is worth the trip over. Even when the house isn’t open to the public, the grounds are really worth exploring all on their own.

The Rackliffe House: Where history and nature meet – OceanCity.com

Even if you don’t know precisely what you’re looking for, it is easy enough to find the Rackliffe House as part of a larger exploration of the Assateague Island Visitor Center. The house once was part of a plantation tract that took up much of the surrounding area, but time and fortune weren’t particularly kind to the house, nor to the family that founded it.

Furnace Town

A remnant of the region’s distant metal production past, this living museum is a treat all year long.

Day-tripping from Ocean City to Snow Hill, Maryland’s Furnace Town

The Furnace Town Living Heritage Village in Snow Hill is one of my favorite spots for a day trip from Ocean City. The recreated 19th century town should be a mandatory stop for all history buffs, as this little piece of Eastern Shore history is a super engaging educational opportunity for adults and kids alike.

The Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke

The Discovery Center is a natural and cultural history museum that represents the last 500 or so hundred years of life on the peninsula and on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland pretty specifically. In addition to being interesting all on its own there often are special events that focus on one particular aspect of life on Delmarva. Also, there are otters.

Day-tripping from Ocean City to Pocomoke City, Maryland

Travel down Route 113 far enough, and you’ll find yourself on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. But don’t cross that state line right away–first, make sure you stop to experience all the beauty and charm that is Pocomoke City, Maryland. It’s possible you’ve only ever heard the town referred to as ‘Pocomoke,’ because that’s what most locals call it.

Life Saving Museum

This is one of those places you have to visit at least once when staying in Ocean City, but there always is something new that has been added. Making regular visits is the best way to ensure you haven’t missed anything.

Visiting the Life Saving Station Museum – OceanCity.com

Time is of the essence Richard Mance was fairly distracted as I questioned, Gabriel and Cristina Correa and Maria Eugenia Rosole who had come in from Ecuador to visit. The clock was ticking and there still was too much left for them to see, but they hadn’t even left the gift shop/reception area of the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum.

Finish off with shots at the oldest bar

The Harbor Inn is an attraction unto itself. Make sure you bring cash and come thirsty.

Bring cash and make certain your Lyft app is functioning.

Inside Ocean City’s oldest bar – Ocean City Maryland Bars

Harbor Inn is the very picture of a “hole-in-the-wall” bar. Located on the bayside of Somerset Street, it’s easy to miss if passed by on a night when jukebox tunes aren’t emanating from the inside, although that isn’t very often.

5 coffee shops you absolutely have to try

Boardwalk Birdie
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Coffee, the quintessential beverage for a wake-up, pick-me-up or a sip-and-chat sit down with friends or family. From cozy little cafes in Worcester County, to those whipping up a hot drink for a brisk walk on the Boardwalk, here’s a look at top five coffee shops at which you should stop, sip and shop while you’re here.

XO Beanery Bites, Pocomoke City

You’re going to have to look carefully for XO Beanery Bites, it’s hidden on the main street in Pocomoke City, but you won’t be disappointed when you find it. This place is the local watering hole for coffee addicts, and fans boast about their creamy, sugary concoctions. When I checked it out, I trusted my barista, who made me a Pumpkin Pie Latte – blended with two shots of espresso and an actual pumpkin pie slice. The crust is their secret weapon. Stop in and check out what crazy confections next time you’re in town – and while you’re at it check out their made-from-scratch baked goods and popular brunch menu.

Daily Brew, Snow Hill

Celebrating their one-year anniversary, Daily Brew is a hip, modern cafe in a quaint small town. Owner Lori McCallister’s coffee comes from Coffee AM, roasters that specialize in smooth coffee blends from Georgia. Occasionally, java fanatics can enjoy a cup of joe from local roasters. What makes this place stand out is how rapidly it’s becoming the heart of a small-town community. Lori and her staff seem to know everyone by face and drink order, and work hard to have something happening every other week, from open mic nights to board game nights. Come for the coffee, stay to see what Snow Hill’s all about, with a savory coffee in hand.

Ocean City Day Trips & Fun Things to Do

Day Trips Day Trips Navigation In Ocean City, especially during the summertime, it’s nearly impossible to be bored. But even though there’s always something going on here in OC, the best way to see your vacation reach its fullest potential is to explore the peninsula a little bit and discover the beauty of Ocean City’s surrounding regions.

On What Grounds, Berlin

Nestled between the Maryland Wine Bar and the thrift store is this charming coffee shop, where desserts almost outshine the coffee. There’s always a sweet treat on the shelves, made by co-owner and local chocolatier Denise Tolson. My favorite is the white-chocolate covered Oreos. Last I heard, the beans come from high-end roaster Intelligentsia Coffee, but come with fair prices. Denise and co-owner Dana Gottloeb also perfected “pour over” drinks, where beans are freshly ground and poured in a filter directly into a cup, slowly brewing the coffee, for an extra kick of caffeine. Come on a Wednesday, stick around to see some local talent perform at open mic.

Coastal Coffee Roastery, West Ocean City

This cafe has the pleasure of being the only roastery in Worcester County, and here you can get five-star blends from around the world. If you’re a coffee bean novice, owner Jamie Davis is knowledgeable to talk you through each one until you find the perfect blend for you. Coastal Coffee also boasts their own Boardwalk Blend, a combination of South and Central American beans. The hot coffee is clearly the star of this show, but there’s also infinite drink possibilities, from blueberry and peanut butter smoothies to cold brew coffee in mason jars. They also sell chocolate gift baskets, if you’re looking for last-minute treats for family and friends.

A Latte Enjoy

It looks more like a coffee stand on the Boardwalk, but make no mistake, this is one of the best cups of coffee in Ocean City. The downside is that it’s cash only, but everything is made to order and with the freshest ingredients. Customer favorites on hot days include the cupcake frappe, the Nutella frappe, and on cold Boardwalk mornings, treat yourself to a hot cup of coffee, beans roasted by Zeke’s in Washington D.C. Smoothies are also made with fresh fruit instead of concentrate. Underneath the Plim Plaza Hotel on Second Street, A Latte Enjoy is a hidden treasure in the resort!

The Commander Hotel: A view for the ages

Tony Russo
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When the Commander Hotel underwent its massive renovation in 2016, there was a lot of time to reflect on all the changes the hotel had seen. Strictly speaking it wasn’t anything like the original hotel, which opened nearly 90 years ago, but the feel and attitude remain the same. This essence was what they hoped to continue through the renovation as they launched the iconic Ocean City Hotel toward the beginning of its second century. 
In the redesign process they tries to honor the Commander’s past in ways both obvious and subtle. One of the former, a wall designed to act as a timeline, is called “Portholes in Time.” The mural made from old photos greets guests as they make their way to and from the beach. It stands outside of Grotto’s Pizza, which occupies the space that formerly was Skipjack’s. An iconic brand in its own right, Grotto’s contributed one of its retro signs from the 1960s to enhance the nostalgic ambience.

A tour of the new Commander

The lobby has been completely refreshed and has a clean, beachy feel right from the moment you enter. Bell staff is at the ready to assist you with finding your room and getting settled.

More than just salt water

Even though the Commander Hotel is only yards from the Atlantic Ocean, the designers understood that sometimes you just need an afternoon lounging by pool. The raised-deck pool provides both a sense of privacy as well as a view of the Ocean City Strip. Available changing rooms and a service bar do make it kind of tempting to spend the day there.

That view though

Since the hotel itself has something of a panoramic shape, the views from practically every room and public space are astounding. Below is the sun deck, onto which several rooms open, but all guests are welcome to sit and rock and watch the ocean and the boardwalk from an elevated view.

Also, there’s nothing wrong with sleeping in

The Commander has almost too many different room types to count, each with a particular view and most laid out in a particular style. All have balcony access and a view of the ocean. Some are efficiencies and others just have sitting areas, but all of them have coffee makers and some mornings you just want to loaf around with a cup of coffee and stare out at the sea. I guess most mornings we all would like to do that.

It’s never too late to start your Ocean City traditions

Kristin
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Your family has probably created their own traditions without even realizing it, but if you’re an OC newbie, it’s never too late–in the year, in life, or in general–to start making those special Ocean City memories. 

Once in a while I like to peruse our Ocean City forum, sometimes going back through years and years of old threads to find something interesting or something that’ll spark an idea for a story that would be relevant today. 

Of course, we’ve been in the so-called off-season for one or two months now (depending on how you define “off”). There’s less happening here, and sadly that means there’s also less to write about. But sometimes, when I’m deep into forum threads of yesteryear, I find stories by Ocean City lovers that have already been written. 

To keep that “Ocean City” part of your heart warm during these cold winter months, here are some OC-centered traditions, old and new, unique or relatively common, that were shared by forum users back in 2014. These are just a few of theirs. What are yours?

(Nothing says ‘nostalgia’ quite like a vintage OC, MD postcard.)

 Off to the (horse) races

When I was in my early teens, my dad used to take me over to Rosecroft Raceway (later named Delmarva Downs and now Ocean Downs). I started buying a race program early in the morning and studied the races. I used to have a blast having my dad bet on races for me. I think the most I ever won was $30, which was a big night for a 14 year old in the mid/late 80s. For the last two years, my family has started going back to the track. My 11 and 14 year old sons have had fun betting on the horses with me. Lately, that has been our tradition. –Britt4duke

Obligatory donut stop

…Now it’s just the wife and I and our youngest (he’s 10), so many of our “traditions” have slowly fallen by the by the wayside. One thing we’ve been able to salvage, though, is our tradition of making our last stop in town for Layton’s donuts! Generally we have about half of ’em eaten before we hit the MD/PA line, and finish the rest of ’em up after we unload the luggage. –DeanM

Decades of camping out

I nearly forgot about our longest tradition. Camping at Assateague. Something I did with my family all the way back to 1970. I was so glad when my wife put her foot down in 1999 and said no more family trips to the racetrack. We’ve been camping there as a family since 1999 and have built up so many great memories. –flaggerjohn

A night spent shopping

One somewhat odd tradition that my family and I used to have when I was growing up was taking an evening and hitting the malls uptown. This started in the summer of 1989 when I was eight and we stayed at a condo called Discovery off 94th St. We would go to the Ocean Plaza Mall and Gold Coast Mall. Each mall had good bookstores, baseball card shops and a Dollar Store. Sometimes my father and I would go to baseball card shows at the Ocean Plaza Mall. 

When we started staying in West OC in 1993, we still took a night to go uptown to the malls for an evening. This tradition lasted for all of my week long family trips, the last being in 2001. The Ocean Plaza Mall closed soon after. 

However, in the summer of 2007, my folks and I stopped by the Gold Coast Mall one night after having dinner at the Fenwick Crab House. It was in the high 90s at 9 p.m., and was actually too hot for the Boardwalk. —Kds53098

Takeout, rides and a trip to the museum

When we were just coming as visitors – at least one night was takeout from Phillips and another from English’s (now closed). The boardwalk at least a couple of times – Dad would go play bingo and Mom and I did the rides. Several nights we did dinner out – and always tried at least one new restaurant each visit. At least one time we would also stop at the Lifesaving Station Museum at the Inlet to check out the new exhibits. Dad moved back to OC for good in ’82 and I’m still in the area, but I lost both my parents last year – so now I’m getting ready to start someone else’s Ocean City memories & traditions as I get the condo ready to rent – I hope! –ML

Be sure to share your own unique (–or relatively-common-but-special-nonetheless) traditions with us! 

All about the turkey

Tony Russo
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Maybe you’re still looking for something to do this week, but the odds are you’ve got your eyes on the prize, which in this case is the weekend. Sure there are happy hours to be enjoyed this week. Also, there are movies you might want to catch. If we’re honest, though, many of you are like me, sitting in your office and trying to make certain Facebook is regularly updated with your plans for the coming weekend.
And the weekend is all about the turkey.
So whether you’re cooking at home or being cooked for, traveling or battening down the hatches for potential arriving guests or packing to be one of those guests, here are some of the possibilities for Thursday and beyond.
Let’s cut to the chase…

Thanksgiving Day

In case you missed this last week, here are some of our favorite places that are open for Thanksgiving. There are plenty…

Open for Thanksgiving in Ocean City – OceanCity.com

Whether you’re planning a destination Thanksgiving, are in visiting family or are locals who enjoy celebrating at a local restaurant, there are plenty of options for Thanksgiving in Ocean City and the surrounding area to kick off the holiday season.

There’s something vaguely cynical about the term “Black Friday,” so I’m going with Thanksgiving Weekend. Friday is a major shopping day. Spending the early hours of you-know-what out in front of the Walmart is quickly falling out of fashion, and this year, the potential for frostbite is outweighed only by the notion of standing in line for hours. The theme of this year’s holiday season, and with any luck the foreseeable future, is “Less stuff, better stuff.”
There are opportunities to put that into practice all over the region.

Berlin Arts Night

Berlin, Maryland has been doing the “un-Black Friday” since before it was cool.

5 reasons why Berlin is still the coolest small town in America – OceanCity.com

It’s been two years since Budget Travel named Berlin the Coolest Small Town in America, but that doesn’t mean the town has lost its charm. In fact, Berlin now is cooler than ever (and I’m speaking to you as an expert on all things cool).

Treat yourself to a walk on the beach

Get our, stretch your legs and grab a little air. Maybe take some photos to make people who are not walking off their meal on the beach a little jealous.

A photoblog by Kandi Stuller – Ocean City Maryland

What follows is a photoblog by reader Kandi Stuller. She was in town for Thanksgiving and was kind enough to share some of the photos she took by the beach. Many of these are stunning. Every so often we publish a collection of photos from different reader’s submissions but this is the first time we’ve run so many of just one photographer.

Winterfest continues…

And of course, Winterfest continues nightly through the new year. Take the time to treat yourself again or for the first time.

 

Kyle Cribben this this is going on this weekend in OC.

Posted by DonielleLee Mauger Cribben on Thursday, November 19, 2015

10 Gifts to ease your Ocean City summer nostalgia

Tony Russo
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As we gear up for what could be a long, snowy winter, it is nice to think about summer vacation. This year, we’ve collected some of our favorite gift certificates and suggestions that will help the people on your list get through the winter as they plan all the cool things they’re going to do at the beach once the weather breaks.

1. Plan a day on the bay

Picture it. It’s a miserable day, sleeting, gray and cold. But the Person on your list can look at their calendar, see when they’re Ocean City Vacation begins and know that it will include a jet ski excursion with Odyssea Watersports. It might not take all the bite out of the bite out of winter, but it certainly will dull it.

$25 Gift Certificate to Odyssea Watersports – OceanCity.com

In Ocean City, there are watersport rental companies, and then there’s Odyssea Watersports. Family owned and operated for over 17 years and the winners of oceancity.coms “Best of” Jetski rentals three years and counting, offering jet ski, stand up paddle board, and pontoon boat rentals.

2. Have an exceptional meal at an iconic restaurant

The Captain’s Table is one of the staple restaurants in town. It’s one of those places you should visit as part of an authentic Ocean City experience. While it’s a good idea to book in advance during the summer, it also is a great place to just pop over to during the winter. Tables are easy to get and the food is still prepared by a staff that is invested in ensuring your good time.

$25 Gift Certificate to Captain’s Table – OceanCity.com

If you’re looking for the in best fine dining , from the land or the sea, why not put your faith in the folks who have been cranking out local and tourist favorites for over 50 years?

3. Plan an afternoon in Berlin

Increasingly people make a day trip to Berlin part of their Ocean City Vacation. The Globe is kind of the cultural hub, with live music and movies as well as an awesome menu and bar. A gift certificate for The Globe gives the people on your list a day trip to look forward to. Or better, an excuse to visit over the winter.

$25 Gift Card to The Globe Theater in Berlin Md. – OceanCity.com

Save $10 when you buy this $25 gift certificate to the Globe Theater in Downtown Berlin. The Globe Theater in historic Downtown Berlin, MD, is located just 5 miles from Ocean City, MD and offers fantastic food & drink in the dining room and at the Coppertop Bar, live music, local art and a wide …

4. Practice the height of gift-giving

Whenever we talk to someone who has parasailed for the first time, they always regret they waited as long as they did to try it out With a gift certificate to Paradise Watersports you can encourage the people on your list to step out of their comfort zones and into the air above Ocean City.

$25 Gift Certificate to Paradise Watersports – OceanCity.com

Ocean City’s beaches are free, clean, and offer stunning glimpses of natural beauty, and fit bodies in bathing suits. But sometimes, the best views come from hundreds of feet above or while whizzing across the wake along the shoreline.

5. Beer and the countryside. Daytrip!

This region increasingly has become known as a craft beer destination. Give the craft beer geek on your list the opportunity to tool around the Delmarva countryside, exploring the different little towns and finally stopping off at 3rd Wave, one of the finest breweries in the region.

$10 Gift Certificate to 3rd Wave Craft Brewing Co. – OceanCity.com

In the world of surfing, the term ‘3rd wave’ is synonymous with being best in a set of waves. In the world of craft beer, 3rd Wave is becoming synonymous with serving some of the best pints around.

6. Give them a little something to mull

As we mentioned, summer isn’t really complete without a trip to Berlin and after enjoying a meal at The Globe, there’s nothing like being able to pop over the the Maryland Wine Bar to sample some of the best wines the state has to offer and maybe even take a bottle or two home.

$10 Gift Card to Maryland Wine Bar in Berlin Md. – OceanCity.com

Save $3 when you buy this $10 gift certificate to Maryland Wine Bar on Main Street in Downtown Berlin. The Maryland Wine Bar is an intimate tasting room/winebar for Maryland wines & beer located in the heart of Historic Berlin, Maryland. There is an extensive choice of wines, along with local craft beer on tap.

7. Give a dealer’s choice

The Shrimp Boat now ships the best local seafood anywhere. If you’re planning on having something special from the sea this holiday season, you could do a lot worse.

$25 Gift Card to Shrimp Boat – OceanCity.com

Save $10 when you buy this $25 gift certificate to Shrimp Boat on Rt 611 in West Ocean City. Celebrating 28 years as the local’s favorite seafood market in Ocean City, The Shrimp Boat continues to offer fresh shrimp, blue crabs, and a wide array of other seasonal favorites straight from the boat.

8. A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work!

Bayside boat rentals provides visitors the opportunity to get out on the water with very lettle expense and even less boat maintenance. Take the family for a cruise or throw an unbaited line into the ocean and take a nap. Just the thought of a sunny day is what most people need come the deep winter.

$50 Gift Certificate to Bayside Boat Rentals – OceanCity.com

The family owned and operated Bayside Boat Rentals has been responsible for creating wild watersport memories since 1999. Whether you want to spend an afternoon jumping waves on a jetski, lounging with your friends on a pontoon boat, or rocketing around the bay on one of OCMD’s only jet boats, Bayside Boat Rentals has brand new equipment and a certified staff waiting to help you set sail on a wet and wild ride.

9. Give the gift of an exclusive Ocean City experience

There’s nothing like a kayak adventure in the backwaters and bays of Assateague Island. Getting a guided tour is a great way to get back to nature.

$25 Gift Certificate to Super Fun Eco Tours – OceanCity.com

Everyone knows Assateague is home to beautiful beaches and the famous wild ponies, but the National Seashore and State Park offer many more picturesque natural attractions that inhabit their less explored regions. Less explored unless of course you’ve taken advantage of SuperFun Eco Tour’s kayak, paddleboard, and bike rentals that give you access to every inch of the island and all the natural treasures.

10. Give the gift of a brand new skill

Island Watersports rents all sorts of boats but also gives wakeboarding lessons. Planing a day during your Ocean City Vacation to learn how to wakeboard and then actually learning it is as permanent a gift as a person can get. Add to that the great memories an adventure like this provides and you have yourself a knockout holiday present.

$25 Gift Certificate to Island Watersports – OceanCity.com

Island Watersports offer personalized water sports services, from rentals and gear to complete instruction. They are a locally owned business and started their business to offer their customers the best service along with the best equipment for their rentals. They have Pontoon Boats, Center Console Fishing Boats, and Jet Boats, as well as Banana Boats and Wakeboard lessons.

6 of the best Shore experience photos to share

Tony Russo
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In case you’ve missed it, we go live on Facebook nearly every day. Sometimes we talk to people on the beach, sometimes we just let people from out of town enjoy the view. We’d love to hear your opinions and maybe take some requests about things you would like to see on upcoming Facebook live broadcasts. Feel free to email, comment or, even better, tag us in your own Facebook live broadcast so we can stay in touch.

What did you do on your summer vacation?

We get throwback photos all year. Remember to post yours to our Facebook page and help share your summer with the rest of the community.

Ah, the beach selfie!

We get a lot of beach selfies on our Facebook page, but we hardly get enough. All throughout the season whenever people make it to Ocean City, and even in the winter, a beach selfie has become a kind of iconic representation of having your feet in the sand. It is even moreso when you’re among the only people there!

Halloween comes to Berlin

Halloween is a huge holiday in Berlin with many if not most of the downtown businesses remaining open and most of the community either trick-or-treating or handing out candy. What makes it such a special event is that it mostly is natural. Berlin is a really walkable town so it attracts young revelers. Plus, there are lots of great bars downtown for older revelers.

Get married on the beach

There’s something particularly special and even a little daring about tempting the weather gods with a beach wedding. Generally people are rewarded for their faith with a glorious day (or at least a spectacular story).

Beachfront panorama

These cameras that let you look around in the photo make the browsing experience so much more fun.

Dealing with Rip Currents in Ocean City

Tony Russo
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Beach Safety Navigation
The ocean can be a very safe place if you take the time to understand beach and water safety. Many misconceptions about the ocean exist and contribute to one of the biggest factors behind people getting into trouble. That factor is fear. If you understand how currents work and take proper precautions before jumping in, it’s easy to safely enjoy the ocean. When you don’t have a proper understanding of beach safety and water safety, fear and panic can take over and jeopardize your safety.

Rip currents and longshore currents aren’t an uncommon fear, but being afraid of the currents won’t help you practice effective water safety if you accidentally find yourself caught in one. One of the biggest misconceptions with these currents is that they pull you underwater, but this simply isn’t true. More often than not, fear, panic and unpreparedness are responsible for swimmers being pulled under by strong currents. In an emergency situation, understanding the currents and knowing how to swim out of them is your best bet for staying safe.


Beach Patrol

Tasked with keeping our beaches and ocean safe, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is one of the most integral entities in Ocean City. The Beach Patrol is comprised of young men and women who vigorously train under the tutelage of veteran leaders to ensure swimmers and beach goers stay safe at all times. The OCBP is broken up into 17 individual crews, each of which operates as a team to man the 5 or 6 lifeguard stands on its assigned beach, with the crew chief stand located in the center. Read more…


Educational Beach and Water Safety Videos

https://www.oceancity.com/videos?id=jg2Xk17UV44

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/RipA/2014/player.html

What are rip currents?

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves, whether it’s by the Atlantic Ocean or the Great Lakes.

Why do they form?

As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they will break near the shoreline. When waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulation cells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore.

When do they form?

Rip currents can be found on many surf beaches every day. Under most tide and sea conditions the speeds are relatively slow. However, under certain wave, tide and beach profile conditions, the speeds can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf. The strength and speed of a rip current will likely increase as wave height and wave period increase. They are most likely to be dangerous during high surf conditions as the wave height and wave period increase.

Where do they form?

Rip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Rip currents can be very narrow or extend in widths to hundreds of yards. The seaward pull of rip currents varies: sometimes the rip current ends just beyond the line of breaking waves, but sometimes rip currents continue to push hundreds of yards offshore.

Why are rip currents dangerous?

Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beach goers, and they’re particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second. However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured–faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

How to identify rip currents

Look for any of these clues:

  • a channel of churning, choppy water
  • an area having a notable difference in water color
  • a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving steadily seaward
  • a break in the incoming wave pattern

How to avoid rip currents (or survive if you get caught in one)

  • Never swim alone.
  • Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. When in doubt, don’t go out!
  • Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.
  • Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
  • If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
  • Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
  • If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms and yell for help.
  • If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.

Rip current myth – Contary to popular belief, rip currents do not pull people under the water–-they pull people away from shore. Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion or lack of swimming skills.

Longshore current – A current located in the surf zone, moving generally parallel to the shoreline, generated by waves breaking at an angle with the shoreline, also called the alongshore current. Water will drift with the direction of the wind. The best thing to understand with this current is that you will drift up or down the beach with the current, and you want to be aware of that fact. As you drift to a certain point, exit the water and walk back up the beach to your entry point. You always want to turn around once in a while and pay attention to your location in reference to where you entered the water. Strong winds can make the longshore current very strong and fast. Pick out a street number or landmark. Tip: Do not pick out the lifeguard chairs or umbrellas as there are hundreds up and down the beach.

Another thing you should always be aware of is water depth. Many people are under the impression that there is deep water underneath waves breaking along the beach, but in reality, waves break as they travel into shallow(er) water. This means that when you’re playing in the ocean, there is not a lot of water under you. Why is this important? Just like we don’t want to dive into a shallow swimming pool, we don’t want to go head first into the sand. Simply understanding this before stepping into the water is a huge preventative measure.

Most of these may sound like common sense, but understanding and reinforcing them ensures safety in the ocean. Don’t be scared of the ocean, but instead understand it and know your limits, so you can enjoy it.

[social_warfare]

 

Thanksgiving beach views: A photoblog by Kandi Stuller – Ocean City Maryland

OceanCity.com
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What follows is a photoblog by reader Kandi Stuller. She was in town for Thanksgiving and was kind enough to share some of the photos she took by the beach. Many of these are stunning. Every so often we publish a collection of photos from different reader’s submissions but this is the first time we’ve run so many of just one photographer. There were a couple of reasons for this. First off, Kandi identified herself, Second, and equally as important, she added some descriptions. I did add some detail to her captions to fill out the page but the work you see is mostly hers. Remember, if you would like to submit a photo (or a bunch) you can do so here.

— Tony Russo

Things To See/Beach – Find a penny, pick it up … Seagulls peck at the incoming water. Photo by Kandi Stuller.
South Beach, 7th Street and Boardwalk during Thanksgiving Weekend, way back when sunrise was at 6:30 a.m. instead of 7. Photo by Kandi Stuller.

 

Inlet – Thanksgiving Weekend, 11/27, a gull passes over the beach on the way to the boards to look for something tasty.
Inlet – Thanksgiving Weekend, 11/27 A receding tide in the shadow of the inlet marker with the pier in the background. Photo by Kandi Stuller.
A lonely gull in the late morning on the Inlet beach, Thanksgiving weekend, 2016. Photo by Kandi Stuller.
The sun comes up on a Thanksgiving morning. If winter has an upside at the beach it is that you don’t have to get up early to be up by the crack of dawn. Photo by Kandi Stuller.
The horses of Assateague Island are out and about all year long, although their hair is a bit thicker and they don’t take as many dips in the ocean as the winter comes on. Photo by Kandi Stuller.

 

Sunset photos are so difficult to choose from, which is why we’re glad that Kandi sent along a bunch. They’re always welcome here. Photo by Kandi Stuller.
Different angles, from minute to minute give you different colors. More blues and pinks depending upon where you are and when you are there. Photo by Kandi Stuller.

4 reasons to eat, drink and be merry at Ocean City’s Restaurant Week

Kristin
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Historically, Ocean City has always been a vacation destination for food enthusiasts–if your idea of a good meal is limited to crabs, pizza and bar peanuts. Thankfully, the Ocean City restaurant scene has been expanding greatly in the last decade, and the town’s Restaurant Week has gotten bigger along with it.

Since 2007, Restaurant Week has been a bi-annual event that celebrates the growing array of food options in town that today includes upscale dining and multicultural cuisine like taquerias, sushi and kebabs.  The crabs and pizza are still delicious, of course, and make up a sizable portion of the participating restaurants–did you know you can get both of those smothered in Old Bay?! But now if you happen to be craving tacos n’ tequila or a fancy seafood platter, there’s a place for that, too. 

Ocean City’s 2017 fall Restaurant Week will take place November 5 – 19. 

An entire week (well, two) dedicated to eating good food usually isn’t a hard sell, but just in case you’re still on the fence, here’s four reasons why Restaurant Week is so awesome.

Get fresh fish from the Shrimp Boat all year – OceanCity.com

Summer has been winding down for months and as we approach November, Joe White still is keeping busy serving crowds at the Shrimp Boat. Traditionally there have been peaks and valleys in Ocean City, with insanely busy summers followed by deadish falls and winter doldrums, but that hasn’t been White’s experience in recent years.

You’ll expand your palette 

There’s always a wide variety of restaurants that participate in Restaurant Week and in the kinds of foods they offer. Participants range from Touch of Italy (serving Italian fare, of course), to The Crab Bag and other seafood joints (mmm, crabs), to Happy Jack’s Pancake House (pancakes for lunch, anyone?). This year, 18 restaurants are involved in total, which means you could eat dinner somewhere different every night for two weeks if you wanted to and still have restaurants left to hit. And remember, despite what the event’s name might tell you, Restaurant Week is actually two weeks long. Come for the entire two weeks or just take a few days off and spend a long weekend enjoying all the delicious grub that Ocean City has to offer. 
The full list of participating restaurants is available here.

You can satisfy your sweet tooth 

While you might have come with only the main course in mind, be sure to save room for dessert. Sometimes, you’ll even be treated to a seasonal dish; for example, Horizons Oceanfront Restaurant has offered a Pumpkin Lust cake from Desserts by Rita in the past, in addition to pumpkin soup made with sage and apples, an autumn salad with candied pecans and roasted sweet potatoes. Many restaurants offer deals that include a multi-course meal, so for what you’d normally pay for one dish, you can get an appetizer and dessert along with it.

Margaritas and other perfect things at the Longboard Cafe – OceanCity.com

Usually I go on my Happy Hour Adventures on a whim. I don’t scout these places out but rather pop in with my camera and ask if I can hang out and take some photos. The Longboard Cafe was the first place I made a conscious decision to visit.

You’re eating fine cuisine on the cheap 

No matter what your budget is or what your tastes are, you’ll be able to find something satisfying during Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants offer $10-$40 meal options. So with $10 you could get, for example, a gourmet breakfast or specialty burger, for $20 a two-course lunch or dinner, for $30 a three-course meal and for $40, four courses that emphasize upscale dining. 

Different restaurants have different specials, so what you get also depends on where you go. Horizons, for example, has offered a 20% wine discount during the entirety of Restaurant Week, while for $28.95 Touch of Italy has served a multi-course meal that included an appetizer, a pasta dish, a meat dish and a dessert. 

It’s an excuse to come back to Ocean City! 

Not that you really need an excuse–I think we’ve established by now that the off-season is never completely “off” in Ocean City. The town is beautiful in the autumn, and on the second-to-last day of Restaurant Week, the holiday season begins early with the Light Up Downtown Festival and a Turkey Trot Golf Open at OC’s award-winning Eagle’s Landing golf course. Winterfest of Lights will begin during the second half of Restaurant Week, too, so you can check out the beautiful light displays after eating a delicious, discounted hot meal. 

(If you need another reason to partake in Restaurant Week, here’s a bonus: this year, you can win a gift card just by eating at two participating RW restaurants and sending in your receipts. More information here.) 

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