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Home Inspections are Crucial to Buyers

Joanna Laslo
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Home Inspections are Crucial to Buyers

When purchasing your new home, remember the old adage in real estate: Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware)!

 Caution and investigation should be exercised long BEFORE a buyer sits down at the settlement table.

Some concerns may exist with land itself, rather than buildings. Still, most issues that exist with land are generally more noticeable. Within structures, the problems are often hidden from sight. Inspections provide a clear insight into the structural integrity of the buildings located on the property. The inspection process is relatively inexpensive (normally between $250 – $550 per inspection).

However, there are several types of inspections that you should be familiar with:

Home Inspection

Air quality inspection

Mold inspection

Environmental inspection

Termite inspection

Radon inspection

Performing each of these individual inspections will ultimately result in creating a feeling of security for you and your family when you finalize your purchase.

The majority of these inspections are self-explanatory. However, the basic home inspection provides protection against the widest range of possible issues that could be associated with a home or condo. Here is a list of items that are checked by the home inspector. 

Basic Home Inspection

The inspector will check:

All appliances to be sure they are in working order (including hot water heater)

For leaks under sinks, tubs and toilets

Air conditioning and heating systems

Exterior leaks

Windows and frames

Interior and exterior doors

Electrical system (switches, panel box, lights, GFI switches, etc.)

Ceiling fans

Roof, attic and insulation

Wall & ceiling finishes

Door handles

Decks, porches & railing

Smoke detectors

Foundation

Water supply distribution systems.

These reports are so detailed that the date, time and weather conditions are provided for the day the inspection was completed.

Of all the above mentioned inspections, the only one that seems to be in constant debate would be the radon inspection. Since radon is primarily generated from rock formations, most buyers (and agents) believe a radon inspection is unimportant on the Eastern Shore.

On the contrary, the CDC explains that radon can originate from gas appliances, as well as rock formations or fossils. 

Since radon can cause serious health issues, it is an important test for your new home.

Not only are these inspections important for the health of your family, they also provide a level of comfort and flexibility for buyers. A buyer may elect not to purchase a specific property based on the findings of the inspections.  Of course, a seller may offer to repair (or replace) any items at fault on the inspection reports.

A buyer may agree to allow the seller to perform required changes, or on the contrary, could decide to move on to another property. Either way, inspections play an important and necessary role in the home buying process.

This Month in Ocean City: January 2019

Kristin
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This Month in Ocean City: January 2019

Another year in Ocean City has come and gone. 2018 saw its share of sunshine, summer travelers, severe storms, sunburns (guilty…), and screams from the Looping Star Roller Coaster, and there’s sure to be plenty more of that coming in 2019 (who knew you could miss being sunburnt?). Here’s a virtual toast to all that the new year has in store. Hopefully, the summer of ’19 already has an umbrella in the sand with your name on it. Until then, we’ll keep keeping you updated with all things going on in OCMD.

A little while before the holidays, I took a brief hiatus from This Week in OC. Not because there’s nothing going on in the off-season — that’s a myth that I live to debunk! — but because most of what there is to do this time of year involves exploring and adventuring on your own, and not so much all the festivals and shows and expos that the summer is known for, and I don’t want to sound like a broken record. Also, it’s been cold (this week having been a glorious exception). I still haven’t gotten around to buying touchscreen gloves that’ll allow me to film on my phone without losing my fingers to frostbite.

Instead I’ll be doing monthly video updates until events and goings-on really start picking up in the spring, probably in early- to mid-April. In the meantime, these #ThisMonthinOC compilations of upcoming events will be updated throughout the months, if and when more events and fun things-to-do are announced.

Reflecting on 2018

Our annual Year In Review went up two weeks ago, but I’m still trying to wrap my brain around all that’s happened in the last never-ending year. Was your 2018 as busy as ours was?

Ocean City 2018 Year In Review – Looking back on one big year

Parades, festivals, car shows. Kites and planes flying high in the sky. Old buildings come down, new ones take their place. Parking meters, median fences, a new historic house tour, an entire Viking ship — the world’s largest — docked in our own backyard.

Looking forward to a phenomenal new year

Here’s what we know to be in store for 2019:

Looking forward to 2019 in Ocean City – OceanCity.com

Just as I did last year, here’s my annual end-of-year rundown of what you can expect in Ocean City this coming year. We’ll start with some of the major business developments that 2018 saw, then move on to all the new hotels, restaurants, programs, and big event dates you can expect to find in 2019.

#ThisMonthinOC

First Friday Opening Reception at the Art League (Jan. 4): Meet the artists, enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and see the new exhibits featuring a variety of local artists. Open to the public. Free Admission. 5 – 7 p.m.

2nd Friday Art Stroll in Berlin (Jan. 11): Take a stroll through downtown Berlin and check out the town’s featured artists in their local shops and restaurants. Each month is unique, but you’ll always find great art! 6 – 8 p.m.

East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s and Aquaculture Trade Expo (Jan. 18 – 20): This is the only Commercial Fishing Expo in the Mid-Atlantic Region.  Seminars, fishermen gear, equipment and more. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday.

Ocean Pines Children’s Theater Presents: Fiddler on the Roof Jr. (Jan. 18 – 19): The Ocean Pines Children’s Theater presents Fiddler on the Roof on Friday, January 18 at 7 p.m, and on Saturday, January 19th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Delmarva Art Expo (Jan. 19 – 20): Come to the Convention Center for Ocean City’s festival of art. Classes available! 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday.

Beach Blanket Blood Drive (Jan. 22 – 23): 20th anniversary of the Ocean City Blood Drive. This is the largest two-day blood drive in the Mid-Atlantic States. Commemorative long-sleeve t-shirt for all donors, raffle for a 42″ TV and other great prizes.

Looking forward to 2019 in Ocean City

Kristin
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Just as I did last year, here’s my annual end-of-year rundown of what you can expect in Ocean City this coming year. We’ll start with some of the major business developments that 2018 saw, then move on to all the new hotels, restaurants, programs, and big event dates you can expect to find in 2019. Here’s to a great new year!

Click here to read our 2018 Year in Review

From 2018…

The Hyatt Place on the Boardwalk at 16th Street opened in late September, and a Home2 Suites by Hilton just opened on 67th Street bayside. A Residence Inn by Marriott opened by the Route 90 bridge in the spring, and a Fairfield Inn & Suites opened its doors on 25th Street. A DoubleTree Hilton replaced the Quality Inn on 33rd Street, adding a Marlin Moon to OC’s restaurant lineup along with it. 

Mad Fish Bar & Grill in West Ocean City held its grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony in June, and Tailchasers on 122nd Street also opened at the beginning of the summer, adjacent to a brand new Starbucks on 123rd. A new craft brewery called Ironweed Ale Werks opened its doors this summer and replaced OC Brewing Company on 55th Street bayside. Albertino’s Brick Oven Eatery on 131st Street is also new this year, and Victoria’s Seafood & Crabs opened a second location on 15th Street. A new Denny’s replaced JR’s Ribs on 61st Street. Phillips Seafood in North Ocean City became a Mexican restaurant, Bayside Cantina, which promptly closed after its first season in business. The building is now vacant.

If you took a walk through Ripley’s Believe It or Not this year, you may have noticed that they’ve undergone extensive renovations and have introduced new exhibits this year, too. Jolly Roger also saw some changes this year, including a refurbished, revamped ferris wheel. Another recreational business of a completely different kind, Ocean City’s second medical marijuana facility Hi-Tide opened in March.

We’ve also covered all the new businesses and shopping plazas that opened in West Ocean City this year, including a second location for Tequila Mockingbird and an additional location for Park Place Jewelers.

Upcoming hotels

The Aloft Hotel in the 45th Street Village is slated to open this March (and so far it’s looking pretty cool, with a sizable common area that’s not seen in many Ocean City hotels). The Sea Bay Hotel on 60th Street bayside will be doing a top-to-bottom renovation in 2019, and the old site of Planet Maze (RIP) is to be replaced by a Hilton TRU. A Hampton Inn will be opening in West Ocean City.

A Cambria Suites just off the Route 50 bridge on 1st Street and the Bay is expected to remain under construction through 2019 and open in the spring of 2020. The Cambria is expected to have a noticable impact on Ocean City’s downtown and result in a significiant increase in tax base for Ocean City and Worcester County.

Upcoming restaurants

This year, a second Shotti’s Point restaurant is slated to open on the Boardwalk between 6th and 7th Streets. Additionally, The Treehouse Bar and Pub will be opening on the north side of Fat Daddy’s on S. Baltimore Avenue between Dorchester and Talbot Streets.

The new Bad Monkey in West Ocean City is still under construction and will be opening in 2019. The Big Easy on 60 was recently sold, but there’s no word yet on who will fill its place. Applebee’s in West Ocean City has also permanently closed. The Fun Cycles scooter store on 26th Street will soon become a restaurant called Omega Eats.

A shopping plaza will soon be under construction in the Hooper’s overflow parking lot in West Ocean City. It will be used for retail space, and there’s currently a permit in place for a Starbucks in the new shopping center. A new Candy Kitchen will also be opening in West Ocean City this year, as well as a Flagship Premium Cinemas movie theater in the White Marlin Mall, coming spring 2019. 

New developments and programs downtown

The site of the now-demolished Taylor House on the corner of S. Baltimore Avenue and Talbot Street will become home to a new mixed-use building designed with the same Queen Anne-style Victorian architectural qualities of the Taylor House. The building will include a first-floor commercial space under two floors of seasonal housing. This project will likely start after the summer of 2019.

The Town of Ocean City will be installing permanent safety barriers on the Boardwalk and at the Inlet. The Town will also begin construction this year on a new tram facility at St. Louis Avenue and 2nd Street. 

The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) will be expanding its alley light-up program along Washington Lane, adjacent to the Boardwalk, providing financial incentive for business owners to increase lighting levels by installing LED lights.

OCDC will continue assisting business and property owners in renovating their older buildings downtown. Facade Program funds will be available for exterior improvements, Green Building Program funds for increasing energy efficiency, and Business Assistance Program funds for fixed interior improvements. Contact OCDC for more information.

Big event dates in 2019

Mark your calendars and start planning your vacation to coincide with these landmark events happening in 2019.

January – 1: Penguin Swim, Mayor’s New Year’s Day Concert

February – 23: Shore Craft Beer Fest Love on Tap at Seacrets, 23 – 24: Reach the Beach begins

March – 8-10: Ocean City Film Festival, 16: St. Patrick’s Day Parade

April – 28-May 11: Spring Restaurant and Hotel Week

May – 2-5: Springfest, 11: White Marlin Festival/Crab Soup Cook-Off, 16-19: Cruisin’ Ocean City

June – 15-16: OC Air Show, 21-23:Jellyfish Festival

July – 4: 4th of July Concert and Fireworks

August – 5-9: White Marlin Open, 22-25: Jeep Week

September – 12-15: OC Bikefest, 19-22: Sunfest

October – 10-13: Endless Summer Cruisin’

November – 21-Dec. 31: Winterfest of Lights 2019

December – 7: OC Christmas Parade

This 2019 preview was organized with the help of OCDC, the Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association, and Worcester County Economic Development.

Santa’s Coming to Town: OC Fire Department Santa Ride Schedule

OceanCity.com
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Santa’s coming to town this week, thanks to the help of the Ocean City Fire Department. They’ll be bringing him down from the North Pole to ride through Ocean City on a fire truck on Thursday, Dec. 20 and in West Ocean City on Saturday, Dec. 22.

Please note all times are approximate.

Schedule for Thursday, Dec. 20

5:00 pm                Santa Claus will begin his journey on Dorchester Street traveling to St. Louis Avenue northward to 14th Street. He will proceed to Jacqueline Avenue over to Teal Drive before exiting north from 15th Street on Philadelphia Avenue;

5:30 pm                Santa will make a right turn from Coastal Highway on 118th Street to Assawoman Drive then going north to 130th Street and returning back to Coastal Highway northbound;

5:45 pm               This route will lead him to 142nd Street westbound over to Dukes Avenue. He will travel to N. Surf Road to Caine Stable Road around to Laurel Avenue to Seaweed Lane. He will proceed on to Tunnel Avenue to 141st Street;

6:15 pm                141st Street to Loop Road entering Sea Captain Road on to Twin Tree Road then looping on Sailing Road, Fiesta Road Barge Road, N. Ocean Road back to 136th Street. From here he will travel to 136th Street to Fountain Road over to 139th Street to Sinepuxent Avenue. The route will then take him to Peachtree Road over to Pine Tree Road to Atlantic Avenue down to South Ocean Drive;

6:45 pm                Santa will proceed west on South Ocean Drive to Harbour Road on to Gulf Stream Drive to Oyster Lane over to Beachcomber Lane and back to Coastal Highway at 130th Street;

7:15 pm                Santa will then travel down to Edward Taylor Road to North Heron Drive, South Heron Drive and back to Coastal Highway. He will proceed to Jamestown Road around Captain Quarters Rd back to Coastal Highway. He will then make a pass through Channel Buoy Road, Old Wharf Road, Winter Harbor Drive proceeding down to 94th Street;

7:45 pm                Santa Claus will travel down 94th Street to Rusty Anchor back out to Caribbean Drive to Bearing Road returning to Coastal Highway;

8:15 pm                Southbound to 32nd Street making a loop on the bayside, down to Robin Drive over to Bayshore Drive returning to Firehouse.

Schedule for Saturday, Dec. 22 in West Ocean City

5:00 pm                Santa Claus will depart Ocean City Fire Station 5 On Keyser Point Road traveling on Creek Drive to Bonita Drive over to Blue Marlin Drive returning to Keyser Point Road;

5:15 pm                Santa’s journey will take him for a loop down Nature Park Drive on to West Torquay Road over to Sussex Road on to Kent Road to Windsor Road and back to Keyser Point Road;

5:30 pm                Santa will turn on West Torquay Road over to Balte Road and back to Keyser Point Road;

5:45 pm                A left into Whisper Trace Drive traveling a loop around to Broken Sound Blvd making a left going to Center Drive turning right;

6:05 pm                A right turn off Center Drive on Thoroughfare Farms Road around Queens Circle and back to Center Drive;

6:25 pm                North Road to Motter Road over to Golf Course Road proceeding to Center Drive, over to Riggin Ridge Road and back to Golf Course Road;

6:45 pm                Horn Island Drive to North Avenue over to Charles Street and back to Golf Course Road;

7:00 pm                Travel through the Tanger Outlets;

7:20 pm                Out Tanger Outlets on Golf Course Road south to Swordfish Drive to Harbor Road proceeding to Sunset Avenue over to Stephen Decatur Highway;

7:30 pm                Stephen Decatur Highway to Mystic Harbour Blvd, on to Anchor Way Drive around to Mystic Harbour Blvd back out to Stephen Decatur Highway;

7:45 pm                Airport Road to Deer Point Circle on to Ocean Reef Drive to the end going to Harbor Lights Drive to Lake View Drive and back to Airport Road;

8:15 pm                Left on Whispering Woods Drive from Stephen Decatur to Winding Trail Drive and back to Stephen Decatur Highway;

8:30 pm               Left on Old Bridge Road to Village Lane making a loop and proceeding to Route 50 westbound at Keyser Point Road;

8:45 pm                Right on Waterview Drive to Pine Rest Drive back to Route 50 returning to Keyser Point Firehouse.

Town of Ocean City Celebrates Holidays and the New Year

OceanCity.com
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Ocean City, Maryland – (December 19, 2018): With the holidays now fast approaching, the Town of Ocean City is reminding residents that the town administrative offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. There will be no trash collection on Tuesday, Dec. 25. Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday, Dec. 26. In addition, the City Clerk’s office will not be processing passport applications from Dec. 20 through Dec. 28.

Beginning on Dec. 26, the Town will once again be providing a free Christmas tree drop-off site at the 100th Street municipal parking lot. Trees can be placed in the northeast corner of the 100th Street lot Dec. 26 through Jan. 15. Please remove all tinsel, ornaments and non-wooden items from the tree. Trees collected at the site are taken to the county landfill where they are recycled. Click here for the full list of Christmas tree drop-off sites in Worcester County.

Residents are also reminded that Town of Ocean City administrative offices will additionally be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. No trash collection will be offered on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Tuesday’s trash will be collected on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

The Town of Ocean City’s Transportation Department will offer FREE bus service from 6 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 1.  On Dec. 31, bus services will run every 20 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every 10 minutes from 6 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1.  Buses on New Year’s Day will also run every 20 minutes from 4 a.m. until 7 a.m., at which time they will resume a normal winter service schedule of every 40 minutes.

Along with free bus services, the Town of Ocean City will be hosting a FREE fireworks show on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the beginning of 2019 and the conclusion of the 26th Annual Winterfest of Lights. The show will begin promptly at midnight and will be accompanied by musical entertainment, warm hot chocolate (for a small fee) and the opportunity to ride the Winterfest of Lights prior to midnight. Hours for Winterfest will be extended until 12 a.m. to allow visitors to travel through the winter paradise of lights.

The New Year’s Eve festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. inside the Winterfest Pavilion, with the celebration continuing on until midnight at Northside Park. 

Last but not least, the festivities will continue on New Year’s Day as Mayor Rick Meehan and members of the Ocean City council 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 2019 New Year’s Day Concert will feature performances by Bryan Russo and the viral sensation Cardinal Shehan School Choir from Baltimore. 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.  


Ocean City 2018 Year In Review

Kristin
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Parades, festivals, car shows. Kites and planes flying high in the sky. Old buildings come down, new ones take their place. Parking meters, median fences, a new historic house tour, an entire Viking ship — the world’s largest — docked in our own backyard. An 83-pound fish worth millions of dollars and a curious cat who’s learning to surf. It’s all par for the course in Ocean City. 

We couldn’t welcome in the new year before we looked back on the old one, and of course, with all that goes on in this town, this review only scratches the surface of Ocean City in 2018. Feel free to add your own favorite moments and memories in the comments, as well as what you’re looking forward to most in 2019. Now let’s take a journey back to around this time last year…

January: Grayson takes the town by storm

Snowy beach sunset
Photos from Winter Storm Grayson, 1/8/18.

Without fail, our first big snowstorm of the season almost always arrives in January, and the winter of 2018 was no exception. Blizzard conditions on the night of Wednesday, Jan. 3, transformed the Ocean City beach and Boardwalk into a scene out of a snowglobe. They called it a “bombogenesis,” an apocalyptic-sounding word for “midlatitude cyclone that gets really, really intense,” but at least the calm ocean and pretty pink sunset after the storm made for some ultra-picturesque winter wonderland shots. 

February: FeBREWary is celebrated by hundreds at Seacrets

Love on Tap Evo
Celebrating the end of FeBREWary at Seacrets, 2/27/18.

It’s always one of the quieter months of the year, and probably the best time to see if you can make the oft-bragged about but rarely seen journey from North OC down to the Inlet without hitting a single red light along the way (that’s how us locals are left to entertain ourselves in the lonely winter months).

It’s not until the end of the month that the party really starts: Shore Craft Beer Fest: Love on Tap at Seacrets is all about celebrating the season of love, with the help of lots of local craft beer on tap and live music hyping up the crow of lovebirds in Morley Hall. A sold-out festival in recent years, Love on Tap 2018 saw about 850 attendees, all beer lovers ready to close out Maryland’s craft beer-centric month of FeBREWary with drinking, dancing, and the company of family and friends.

March: St. Patrick’s Day traditions march onward

St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Ocean City Experience: St. Patrick’s Day, 3/19/18.

It wasn’t necessarily the best day for a parade — the sky was overcast and February’s biting cold lingered longer than we would have liked — but there isn’t any kind of weather that can stop Ocean City’s St. Patrick’s Day crowd from dancing Irish jigs and getting into all kinds of shenanigans, all day (and night, and week) long. 

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been an Ocean City tradition since 1980. Bundled-up crowds line the sidewalks of Coastal Highway catching green beaded necklaces and collecting gold foil-covered chocolates for hours while floats, marching bands, and tricked-out cars slowly make their way to the 45th Street judging stands.

Also in March, movie lovers traveled from New York, Alabama, and even Great Britain to attend the 2nd annual Ocean City Film Festival. Back on the south end of town, Ocean City announced that new pay-by-plate parking meters would be installed by summer of 2018, garnering mixed reactions on social media.

April: OC prepares for another summer of fun

Commander beach chair
The Commander’s got more than a giant beach chair (but they’ve got that, too), 4/24/18.

Easter fell on April 1, and after the early holiday weekend, it was all hands on deck to get Ocean City ready for the upcoming onslaught of summer visitors. The Commander broke out their giant beach chair, and it wasn’t long until the first signs of summer started appearing all up and down the Ocean City Boardwalk. We could hardly wait.

May: Visitors start Cruisin’ in

Cruisin’ Ocean City is a great way to kick off the summer, 5/1/18.

You know what May means: Spring weather starts breaking through the cracks in the ice after a winter that always feels longer than the last, and like newborn bunnies or shadowless groundhogs, or senior-weekers ready to wreak havoc upon the town after four unrelenting years of high school, Cruisers herald the start of the season in Ocean City. Thousands arrived to town in late May for Cruisin’ Ocean City, to drive their vintage vehicles down the Boardwalk or just sit back and enjoy the spectacle, before Ocean City’s real crowds arrived in the months to come.

Also in May, a two-mile median fence was installed, not without criticism, to prevent jaywalking on the highway from Convention Center Drive up to 62nd Street. As for relatively uncontroversial events, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds took to the sky and provided an early Air Show featurette, drawing excitement for the main show coming the next month.

June: Another Air Show weekend in the books

Photo Friday: Air Show Photos and Other Fun Things, 6/22/18.

For the 11th year, all eyes were on the skies when the USAF Thunderbirds returned to town June 16 – 17. The Thunderbirds, along with Skytypers, Search and Rescue teams, a Joint Strike Fighter, Para-Commandos and more, awed onlookers down on the beach and Boardwalk during one of the busiest weekends of the year. 

Also in June, Mad Fish Bar & Grill opened its doors in West Ocean City, a local bartender was celebrated after retiring from four years of service at the Original Greene Turtle, and the highly-coveted first white marlin of the season was reeled in. The crew of the “Stalker” took home a total of $15,000 for the summer’s first white marlin catch-and-release.

July: White Marlin winner takes home $2.5 million

Fish tale
Creature Feature: Ocean City, White Marlin Capital of the World, 7/27/18.

But the excitement surrounding the first white marlin of the season was small potatoes compared to the biggest white marlin of the season. In the 45th annual White Marlin Open, the largest billfish tournament in the world, international angler Pascual Jimenez won $2.58 million for his 83-pound catch. Gregory Giron, an angler who also reeled in an 83-pounder in the annual billfish tourney, brought home $130,000, the difference in prize money reflecting the different methods used to catch the fish (Giron’s was “gaffed,” stabbed and lifted into the boat). 

Also in July, the Ocean City Beach Patrol kept beachgoers safe as ever thanks to their diligence and the thorough training of OCBP guards. Assateague’s shoreline remained protected and healthy thanks to a coastal resiliency project, and another successful 4th of July came and went.

August: The Draken docks and Vikings take OC

Inside the Draken Harald Hårfagre Viking Ship, 8/28/18.

People were really enamored with the Draken Harald Hårfagre, the largest Viking ship model in the world, which sailed from Norway to the East Coast of the U.S. over the summer and spent eight August days docked in Ocean City. Not only did the Draken see thousands of visitors during its visit, but the press release announcing the ship’s arrival was the most-shared post ever on OceanCity.com. We were pretty amazed by the reponse, which was overwhelmingly positive and excited. 

Also in August, Ocean City remembered Roland “Fish” Powell, the former Ocean City Mayor and City Council President, and the Convention Center’s namesake, who passed away on Aug. 29. An outbreak of sea lice had beachgoers temporarily afraid to go in the water, but there were ultimately no casualties. Trimper’s Amusements, the oldest operating family-owned amusement park in the world, celebrated its 125th anniversary. And the first-ever Art X festival brought handmade art, craft beer, and live music from The Original Wailers to Northside Park. 

September: The sun really shines at Sunfest

Ocean City’s 44th annual Sunfest celebrates the end of summer, 9/14/18. Photo from the adjoining annual Kite Fest.

If you’ve ever been to Sunfest, at least in recent years, you know that the sun rarely actually makes an appearance. It’s a sort of curse, and a joke amongst frequent festivalgoers — “Yeah, I’m going to Sunfest, better be sure to pack my umbrella.” Well, the sun did shine at 2018’s 45th annual Sunfest, if only for a few hours. Kites flew high over the beach, craft vendors bartered their jewelry, art, and other handmade goods, street fare was sold out of food trucks, and the sounds of live music filled the air all weekend long.

Also in September, Hurricane Florence threatened real devastation to the mid-Atlantic coast, but Maryland was ultimately safe, save a little light flooding. Ironweed Ale Werks made its debut among the Ocean City craft brewery lineup, and H2oi-ers predictably rolled into Ocean City despite the event’s official relocation to New Jersey.

October: The first historic house tour hits downtown

Ocean City History: Photos from the First Historic House Tour, 8/16/18.

Local history buffs rejoiced when the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum hosted the first-ever Historic House Tour in downtown OC. Some of the oldest churches, homes, and Bed & Breakfasts in town opened their doors to visitors while guides at each location provided abridged versions of each building’s history, with each stop on the tour as educational as their homes are beautiful.

Also in October, O.C.toberfest festivities — the beach maze, the pet parade, the Shore Craft Beer Fest in Sunset Park — hit the town for another spooky season. We were sad to say one last goodbye to Planet Maze, the iconic outerspace-themed mini golf course and laser tag arena on 33rd Street. And at the end of the month, Maryland’s National Guard teamed up with local first responders to conduct “Operation Tourist Boom,” a routine emergency training exerercise, this one taking place at the Ocean City Inlet.

November: Farewell, Taylor House

Saying goodbye to century-old landmark “Taylor House,” 11/30/18.

Nothing lasts forever, and even stately examples of 19th Century Victorian architecture fall prey to the elements sometimes. Citing major structural deficiencies in the old building that once sat on the corner of Talbot Street and Baltimore Avenue, the one-time hotel was demolished by the end of the month. 

Also in November, Winterfest begins! Marking the beginning of the holiday season and, by its last weekend run, the end of another year, the 26th annual Winterfest of Lights proved to be bigger and brighter than ever. We also remembered Billy Thompson this month, the original owner of Billy’s Sub Shop, who passed away on Oct. 27. 

December: Comic Con sees a successful second year

Nerding out at Ocean City Comic Con 2018, 12/10/18.

The fairly new Ocean City Comic Con celebrated its second year, this time in the Convention Center, in order to hold all the large crowds, the many vendors, and the ample excitement that the now-annual culture convention brings. 

Also in December, the historic Lankford Hotel was marked for sale, and a popular Ocean City restaurant, Liquid Assets, still stands in North OC thanks to fire sprinklers and quick-thinking employees.

In our office, we were happy to celebrate the near-end of 2018 with a visit from Pip the Beach Cat, the tiny boogie-boarding kitten who’s taken Ocean City by storm. We’ve also been doing our own fair share of reflecting on the busy year that’s now almost behind us, as we start to relax just a little bit and take in all the beauty that surrounds us, but also prepare for the upcoming year that’ll surely be just as happily filled with events and festivals, new businesses, and old tried-and-true traditions as 2018 was. (I’m already putting together my annual ‘Looking Forward to the Next Year in Ocean City’ report and personally getting very excited for what’s to come.)

Our company was proud to take home the 2018 Small Business Award from the Maryland Tourism Coalition’s yearly Travel Summit, and on another personal level, I’m so grateful that I get to live and work in such a wonderful big-small town and share all my Ocean City adventures and discoveries with you. I’ve been in this job for a full year now and I feel like I’m still always finding something new to love (and share!) about OCMD. Thanks for following along with us. Here’s a virtual toast to 2019!

Spending the holidays in Ocean City? Here’s what’s open on Christmas

Kristin
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Did someone give you the gift of an Ocean City vacation as an early Christmas present? Or are you a local who’d much rather dine out than make a ginormous meal for all the grandparents, siblings, nieces, nephews, an cousins three-times-removed who are visiting this year? Either way, bring the family to one of the many fine dining establishments that remain open on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and you’ll probably get to hold onto the title of ‘best mom/Uncle/great-Aunt/grandpa/etc.’ for all of 2019. Who wouldn’t love a bushel of crabs or a juicy prime rib for Christmas dinner?

28th Street Pit & Pub

Open at 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve, call for hours on Christmas day. Get your fresh smoked meats and homemade barbecue for carryout, or enjoy your Christmas meal inside the restaurant. 

Breaker’s Pub and Horizons

The Clarion is a lovely place to spend the holidays. Enjoy a pint at Breaker’s Pub from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve or 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Christmas day, as well as a candlelight buffet from 5 – 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve or 1 – 8 p.m. Christmas day. Reservations are recommended at Horizons. 

Captain’s Table

Open for breakfast 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, lunch from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and dinner 2 – 7 p.m. Christmas day. Dine with the captain inside the Courtyard by Marriott this holiday season; reservations are recommended on Christmas day.

Fager’s Island

Open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. Christmas day. Celebrate with family and friends while enjoying one of the most picturesque bayside views in town. Light fare will be available on Christmas Eve at Fager’s Island, while the bar will be open on Christmas day (no food).

Harpoon Hanna’s

Open at 11 a.m. Christmas Eve, 1 – 9 p.m. Christmas day. Make your way down to coastal Delaware and enjoy all the local seafood and signature drinks that Harpoon Hanna’s has to offer. 

Ropewalk

Open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Enjoy freshly made seafood or land fare in a family-friendly setting, all while watching the sun set and the handcrafted specialty drinks pour at Ocean City’s Ropewalk. 

The Original Greene Turtle

Open at 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve, 12 p.m. – midnight Christmas day. Their Christmas lights are some of the best in town, so of course you’ve got to spend your holiday with a juicy burger and a cold draft beer at Ocean City’s own Original Greene Turtle.

The Victorian Room

Spend the holidays with fresh seafood and panoramic views of the beach in Dunes Manor’s Victorian Room, all while enjoying the old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere that the Dunes has to offer. The Victorian Room is open for breakfast from 7 – 11:30 a.m. and dinner 4 – 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, breakfast 7 – 11 a.m. and a dinner buffet 12 – 6 p.m. Christmas day. Reservations are recommended on Christmas.

More restaurants open on Christmas Eve: 32 Palm (7 a.m. – 11 p.m.), Bayside Skillet (7 a.m. – 2 p.m.), The Big Easy on 60 (breakfast 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.), Coffee Beanery (7 a.m. – 12 p.m.), Denny’s (open 24/7), Domino’s (10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.) Dough Roller on 41st and 69th Streets (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.), Fat Daddy’s (open at 11 a.m.), Hemingway’s at the Coral Reef (6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.), Nick’s House of Ribs (11 a.m. – midnight), Pizza Tugos (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.), Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.), Touch of Italy (7 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

More restaurants open on Christmas day: 32 Palm (7 a.m. – 11 p.m.), Denny’s (open 24/7), Hemingway’s at the Coral Reef (6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.), Touch of Italy (7 – 10 a.m. breakfast, 5 – 8 p.m. dinner).

County honors service of retiring Emergency Services Director Fred Webster

OceanCity.com
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Worcester County Emergency Services (WCES) Director Fred Webster will retire effective December 30, 2018, after 17 years of public service to the community. Webster joined WCES as the assistant director in 2002, and in 2013, the Commissioners promoted him to direct the department.

In his role as WCES director, Webster leads the 911 Communications Center and directs all aspects of emergency management operations, including disaster planning, response, and recovery. Webster could also be found in the field as a member of the Worcester County Special Hazards Response Team (Hazmat). He also oversaw the Information Technology Division until it became a stand-alone department in July 2018. During severe weather events, Webster often served as the face and voice on many local television and radio stations, providing storm updates and information on how residents should prepare for storms.

In addition to his duties in Worcester County, Webster was a Maryland Emergency Management Association (MEMA) Conference Planning Committee member, serving briefly as treasurer and then as secretary from 2006 – 2015. He also chaired the Delmarva Emergency Task Force, a committee of emergency managers from across the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. Prior to 2015, he served as co-chair of the Exercise & Training Committee of the Task Force. He currently serves as secretary of the Maryland Association of Counties Emergency Managers.

During his career, Webster was instrumental in instructing the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch Basic Telecommunicator classes and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Emergency Response Team program in Worcester County. He also oversaw the renovation of the 911 Center and Emergency Operations Center in Snow Hill, and upgrading of the 911 phone system in both the County’s primary 911 Center and the purchase of new 911 Center equipment in Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Berlin, Pocomoke, and the Maryland State Police Barrack in Berlin, with funding provided by the State of Maryland. 

Webster will pass the torch of leadership in WCES to incoming Director Billy Birch.

“Worcester County is incredibly fortunate to have such a highly qualified leadership team,” Commission President Diana Purnell said. “Webster has played a major role in that team, and I look forward to working with Birch in this new capacity.”

In this article’s cover image, Fred Webster is seen discussing the after effects of Hurricane Sandy with FEMA internal governmental affairs specialist Doug Austin in 2012. 


Ocean City Real Estate: How investment properties gain and lose value

Joanna Laslo
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Investments with possible high returns, such as stocks and bonds, fluctuate. Real estate, as an investment, can be just as risky.

To provide just a few examples, an investment property could gain value IF:

For a single home:

A library is being built next door.
Your neighbor builds a luxurious and stately home across the street.
High-speed cable is brought into your area.
Surrounding homes start selling at higher prices.
A park is planned in your neighborhood.
Trees are planted along the roadway of your street.

For a condo:

The insurance and expenses on the building are reduced, lowering condo fees. 
Abundant reserves.
Increased appraisal.
A new clubhouse with amenities is added.
Neighboring units start selling at higher prices.
There are strong relationships between owners and board members.

…Or lose value, if:

For a single home:

Your neighbor allows old cars to be stowed in the yard.
Loud teenagers roam the neighborhood at night.
A landfill is proposed a mile away.
A couple nearby has loud nightly disagreements.
The crime rate increases.
A highway is slated to come through near your property.

For a condo:

Neighboring units rent to loud, uncontrolled groups.
Businesses nearby that play loud music or produces extreme noise.
Condo fees are increased for lack of reserves (poor management). 
Special assessments are required for sudden repairs.
Neighboring units have a distress sale at reduced prices.

All these risks (and attributes) are out of the control of the investor.  

However, by being familiar with your surrounding area, you can stay a step ahead of issues that may affect your investment.

Here are some proactive tips to protecting your investment:

An architectural engineer can ascertain the condition of a structure. This will allow an insight into any possible upcoming required expenditures.
READ your HOA (Home Owners Association) or condominium documents (supplied prior to settlement).
Call Planning and Zoning. They can provide information on imminent road work, or large building projects in your area.
By contacting the local law enforcement, you can learn whether a neighborhood shows signs of criminal activity and the frequency of which crime has occurred. 
You can find a list of sex offenders, as well as data and make up of an area, by visiting www.city-data.com.

Simply being aware of the area surrounding your investment will keep you ahead of the game. Just observing the subject property at different times of the day, as well as speaking with the neighbors, will allow you to have a clear idea of the location.

By observing negative changes, you may decide not to buy. If you currently own, you may want to sell the property and put that investment money into a more stable property. This may be accomplished without being immediately taxed by way of a 1031 tax-deferred exchange. (Please consult your CPA for details.)

I would advise you not to rely upon third party sites for value estimates of property. These sites do not take factors (such as those mentioned above) into consideration and are most frequently (and grossly) incorrect.

For further information on property values, please contact your local REALTOR.

Ocean City’s beautiful winter beach from the sky

Kristin
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Not many words needed here. Just photos of our beautiful, peaceful beach on a quiet December today. Come visit this winter and be the only one for miles plopped down in a beach chair… It’s not too cold yet. 

If you already plan on coming for Christmas, New Year’s, or Winterfest, then we’ll see you soon! And if not… summer’s getting closer by the day, and before you know it, there will be actual people populating our pictures. Not just seagulls. 

Looking north without a cloud in sight.
Let’s go down to the ocean.
A lone seagull wonders where all the people and fries went, and when they’re coming back.
Watching the waves roll in.
And zooming over the ocean.
Waves crash on the jetty.
Zooming back out… Recognize the Dunes from this distance?
Zipping over to Seacrets for a quick drink, then back to the beach!
No light left on the buildings as the sun starts to set.
Looking south. 

Berlin partners with Maryland Coastal Bays, receives $75,000 stormwater grant

OceanCity.com
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December 14, 2018 — The Town of Berlin, Md. has received a $75,000 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to construct a submerged gravel wetland on Graham Avenue, announced Mayor Gee Williams.

The Town partnered with Maryland Coastal Bays (MCB) to put the grant application together. MCB will take the lead on the public outreach component of the project.

“Partnerships continue to keep us cool,” said Mayor Gee Williams. “We look forward to working with Maryland Coastal Bays to address flooding around Graham Avenue and Grice Street.”

The grant provides funding for the construction of a submerged gravel wetland to be located between Graham Avenue and Old ocean City Boulevard, in addition to providing public outreach and community engagement around stormwater issues.

“Berlin is known as a leader in local government stormwater management in Maryland,” said Town Administrator Laura Allen. “We were unsuccessful with the first round of grants we submitted earlier this year. It just goes to show how persistence and partnerships pay off.”

The project is expected to be completed by September 1, 2019.

A gift guide for the Ocean City lovers in your life

Kristin
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There’s always that one person — a distant cousin, or a sibling who’s personal taste refuses to be summed up by a sweater or scented candle — who’s really hard to shop for.

That’s where the Ocean City Gift Guide comes in!

There’s a surprisingly large variety of unique gifts that are from/related to Ocean City, Maryland, and they not only make thoughtful stocking stuffers, but they also serve as a reminder that summer vacation isn’t too far off now. After all, once New Year’s comes and goes, it’s smooth sailing through winter’s short remaining days to the onset of spring. Before you know it, it’s time to load up the car and cross the Bay Bridge to America’s favorite mid-Atlantic beach town once again. 

For the reader: So many books

Lots of books have been written about Ocean City, especially in recent years, which means you can take your pick from a regional library of sorts and find one that’s best suited to each member of the family. 

For example, for someone who’s really into local history (or someone who’s most often found at family gatherings glued to a recliner reminiscing about the good ol‘ days), Bunk Mann’s Vanishing Ocean City is an almost-exhaustive history of an Ocean City lost to time: People and events of note, restaurants and hotels that once lined Coastal Highway, vintage postcards from days gone by. It’ll look good on the coffee table but it won’t gather dust, because it’s also just a fascinating read. 

Anyone who loves going to Trimper’s and finds the antique amusements to be one of the coolest parts of the Boardwalk will love flipping through the pages of Trimper’s Rides, an Images of America book filled with old photos that are hard to come by anywhere else. The book tells the story of how the park, one of the oldest in America, came to be, and how it “rebuilt after storms, endured wartime challenges, and experienced periods of rapid growth and prosperity” over the years. Brandon Seidl (who, in the name of transparency, also writes our enthralling Ocean City Oddities column) and Monica Thrash are excellent storytellers. You can almost hear the sounds of kids screaming down the Tidal Wave coaster and the music of the merry-go-round as you thumb through the pages of the book.  

I could probably go on for days about history books, coffee table reads, and bound photo-and-postcard collections of Ocean City (I have a not-so-modest collection myself), but I’ll stop myself and give you just a few more ideas: Mary Corddry’s City on the Sand is a comprehensive story of the town’s early days, beginning with the Atlantic Hotel’s opening in 1875. For those who love ghost stories and being just a little creeped out, Mindy Burgoyne’s Haunted Ocean City and Berlin is as ghostly as it gets. For kids, Good Night Maryland depicts characters saying goodnight to the Ocean City Boardwalk, and B is for Blue Crab also highlights some Eastern Shore traditions.

Most of these books can be found on Amazon (links provided), and the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum additionally features a wide selection of Ocean City books for sale in their gift shop.

Here’s another, because there’s just so many books and so little time.

For the beer connoisseur: Local brewery gift cards

If there’s someone in your life who loves beer as much as they love Ocean City — well, first of all, their pint glass collection is probably big enough already, so you can just skip that gift this year. Gift cards to local breweries are the best because they’re essentially the gift of an experience, plus maybe the opportunity to try out a new place, and of course, good beer. If you’re lucky, they might even bring you along with them (some of the best gifts are just a little bit selfish). 

The Shore Craft Beer store has discounted gift cards to a few breweries and craft beer-friendly bars, and you can also find gift cards on the sites of popular local breweries like Dogfish Head and Evo. 

One of Ocean City’s most popular annual beer festivals, Shore Craft Beer Fest: Love on Tap at Seacrets, is also coming up this FeBREWary, and it takes the idea of ‘giving an experience as a gift’ to another level entirely. This experience includes 3-4 hours of sampling local craft beer, live music, and all the fun times/beautiful bayside views you’ve come to expect from Seacrets (plus a few material goods too, including a t-shirt and that obligatory collectible pint glass). The only caveat here is that no one wants to go to a beer festival alone, so you’ll have to take one of the team and buy a ticket for yourself, too.

Gift cards galore in the SCB store.

For the collector: Chachkis (of the not-too-corny variety)

Many of us just really like collectibles — which is how some stores, not to be named here, have managed to stay in business for so long. But most of these stores, are now closed for the season, so in the spirit of the holidays, here are some items from online shops that don’t also sell dehydrated hermit crabs and puffer fish-turned-light switches a la The Spongebob Squarepants Movie. 

And none of them are more than $20!: Vintage Ocean City ornaments from Plak That (I’ve got one hanging from a ceiling fan). A collectible Ocean City spoon from the 1980s. A handmade map pendant. 24 dark chocolate Old Bay crabs. A sampler of four Maryland-themed soy candles. A Greetings from Ocean City mug, because it’s not Christmas until you get someone a coffee mug. A 90s Purple Moose Saloon sweatshirt that will bring up lots of fond old memories, or a lack thereof. 

For the friend who loves to moose around.

For the artiste: Handcrafted items by local artisans

Unique, handcrafted gifts can be hard to come by, but if you’re local or plan on visiting Ocean City before the holidays arrive, the Art League of Ocean City’s gift shop is a one-stop shop for handmade jewelry, prints and cards, pottery, wood and metal trinkets, self-published books, and fiber arts. The Center for the Arts also has two floors of galleries, and many of the original artworks on display are available for sale, too.

Buying from the Art League’s gift shop supports art in the community and the local artisans that make it all possible. Even if all your gift shopping is already done, they also feature a wide selection of handmade cards that are perfect to send to faraway loved ones during the holiday season.   

Inside the ALOC gift shop.

For the decorator: Framed prints to beautify any room

In some cases, this also requires a physical presence in Ocean City: The Art League has tons of art and photo prints for sale, as does — of course — Ocean Gallery. Like the Art League, Ocean Gallery is open during the off-season (on select dates and times, however, so it’s best to call ahead), and there you’ll find all kinds of artistic gifts, from condo-friendly beach scenes to college dorm room posters to beautiful photos of the Ocean City skyline that can be framed right there in the on-site frame shop. 

If you’re not able to be physically present in Ocean City this holiday season, there’s another way to go about getting picturesque prints to frame and hang: By supporting local photographers! A quick Google search will present to you a wide swath of those who sell prints in their online stores. Secrets of the Eastern Shore is one of many examples. 

It’s nearly impossible to not find something you like in Ocean Gallery.

For the adventurer: Gift certificates to new places

…Or old favorite places that you can enjoy with your favorite person when your long-awaited summer vacation rolls around. 

Like breweries, gift cards can be found on the websites of many of your favorite restaurants, hotels, mini golf courses, galleries, museums, watersports businesses, etc., but before you go searching for those, see if you can get a discounted gift card in our store first. There you’ll find certificates to restaurants like The Greene Turtle and Billy’s Sub Shop, and watersports rentals like Bayside Boats, Odyssea, and Ayers Creek Adventures. Excuse us if it looks a bit barren these days — we’ve been getting wiped out as the holidays approach, and when we do get new gift cards in, they don’t tend to last long!

Good luck with all the shopping this season entails. When it comes to navigating the crowded malls, long lines in superstores, and overstuffed parking lots, I think we could all use a little luck and a sizable injection of holiday cheer. At the time of this writing there’s about two weeks left until Christmas, which should give you plenty of time to order all your popcorn tins, coffee mugs, fuzzy socks, and the Ocean City memorabilia you know your friends and family will love. And then, with just a little more luck, summer won’t be too far off…

Openings available on 22 Worcester County boards and commissions

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OCEAN CITY, MD (Dec. 10, 2018) — Worcester County Government (WCG) is currently seeking interest from county residents to volunteer to fill open seats on 22 boards and commissions.

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of Worcester County,” Commission President Diana Purnell said. “In the event that we receive more individuals interested in volunteering for a particular committee than there are available seats, we will maintain an interest list to help us fill future vacancies.”

There are current vacancies on the following boards and commissions:

Adult Public Guardianship Board (3), Commission on Aging Board (3), Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board (2), Agricultural Reconciliation Board (3), Building Code Appeals Board (1), Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council (3), Economic Development Advisory Board (1), Board of Electrical Examiners (1), Ethics Board (1), Housing Review Board (1), Board of Library Trustees (1), Local Management Board/Initiative to Preserve Families Board (1), Local Development Council for the Ocean Downs Casino (2), Lower Shore Workforce Development Board (1), Social Services Advisory Board (2), Solid Waste Advisory Committee (3), Tourism Advisory Committee (1), Water and Sewer Advisory Council in Mystic Harbour (2), Commission for Women (4), and Youth Council (13). Members of these boards and commissions are appointed by the Worcester County Commissioners.

There are currently two vacancies on the Worcester County Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board. Members are nominated by the County Commissioners, with final appointment by the Governor of Maryland.

While there are no open seats on the Planning Commission, Recreation Advisory Board, Water and Sewer Advisory Councils for Ocean Pines and West Ocean City, and Board of Zoning Appeals, WCG will also maintain a list of residents interested in filling future vacancies on these boards.

Please send a letter of interest, along with a resume or cover letter outlining any pertinent experience, to admin@co.worcester.md.us or Worcester County Administration at One West Market Street, Room 1103, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863. Visit www.co.worcester.md.us and under Important Links click on County Boards and Commissions to learn about the duties and responsibilities for each board.

Ocean City History: The 94-year-old Lankford Hotel is for sale

Kristin
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On Dec. 2, The Daily Times reported that the Lankford Hotel, a historic hotel that sits on the Boardwalk at 8th Street, was listed for sale by Coldwell Banker on Nov. 30 for $16 million. The sale includes the entire property, which is made up of the main hotel, the nine-apartment Ayresbuilt, the three-floor Sea Robin, the Lankford Lodge, and six commercial storefront properties on and below the Boardwalk. The Lankford is said to be one of the best-preserved old hotels in Ocean City.

Boards and debris in front of the Lankford after the storm of ’62.

Built in 1924, the Lankford hotel has remained in the same family for its near-century lifetime, through four generations of female owners. The original owner was Mary B. Quillen, who named the hotel in honor of an inheritance she received from her aunt, Amelia Coffin Lankford.

Quillen ran the hotel until 1964, when ownership was then transferred to her niece, Betty Frame, and Betty’s husband, Warren. The Frames took over just four days before the infamous storm of 1962, which “proved to be an omen of things to come” according to the Lankford’s website, though the hotel remained standing and weathered many storms that damaged the hotel’s basement and its lower-level stores.

In 2013 the hotel received its 15 minutes of fame on the Travel Channel show “Hotel Impossible.” Citing the recent economic downturn for the hotel’s low occupancy even in peak season, owner Mary David contacted the producers, and hotel management expert Anthony Melchiorri and his team soon arrived to transform the hotel and document their progress along the way.

While they’d previously only accepted in-person payment in the form of cash or check, Melchiorri had a reservation system installed that would accept credit cards and process online payments. He had their website updated, and designer Blanche Garcia remodeled the guest rooms for a more modern and beachy, rather than dated and ’70s-era, look. An update at the end of the episode said that the family had rented out three of their commercial spaces, where their own stores hadn’t been making much profit. It also appeared that by the end of the episode, communication within the family had improved. Many tears were shed on camera during the hotel’s overhaul, but the episode’s end suggested a promising future for the family business.  

Vintage postcard of the Lankford Hotel.

Reminder from the Town of Ocean City: Cold temps can lead to frozen pipes

OceanCity.com
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OCEAN CITY, MD — (December 15, 2018): Below freezing temperatures are in the forecast for this week and many winter weeks to come in Ocean City. The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) is hopeful that education and prevention will lead to a decrease in calls for frozen pipes in residential and commercial properties throughout town. Residents of Ocean City and beyond are reminded to follow simple maintenance tips to ensure their fire sprinklers and domestic pipes do not freeze or break due to the recent dip in temperatures. 

“Frozen pipes can cause thousands of dollars in water damage as well as rendering fire sprinkler systems inoperable,” said Ocean City Fire Marshal David Hartley. “Maintaining wet pipes above freezing are a key concern. Domestic water pipes can be insulated or wrapped with an approved UL listed heat tape. In the event that a unit is unoccupied for the winter season, domestic water pipes can also be drained.” 

Wet sprinkler systems, however, usually cannot be wrapped with a heat tape. All sprinklered areas of a building should be checked to make sure they are above freezing. Setting a unit thermostat to keep pipes around 50 degrees Fahrenheit will help prevent sprinkler and domestic pipes from freezing.  With regard to dry sprinkler systems, auxiliary condensate drains should be drained by a licensed sprinkler company or person knowledgeable about sprinkler systems. 

Finally, emergency contact numbers should be posted on the outside of the building, which can help the fire department contact responsible parties in the event of a pipe break.

Key lock boxes, which can be purchased from the fire department headquarters at 15th Street, can allow access into a building in the event of an emergency to allow firefighters to turn off water mains and minimize damage within units.   

To help protect residents and business owners from the expense and headache of dealing with frozen pipes, the OCFD has a few tips to help keep the bursts at bay:

·         Seal cracks: Caulk around door frames and windows to reduce incoming cold air. Winter winds whistling through overlooked openings can quickly freeze exposed water pipes.

·         Open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms: Water lines supplying these rooms are frequently on outside walls. Leaving the doors open when the temperature is below freezing allows them to get more heat.

·         Let faucets drip in below-freezing weather: This will help keep an even flow of water moving through your internal plumbing system and prevent freezing.

·         Protect outdoor pipes and faucets: In some homes, the outside faucet has its own shut-off in the basement in addition to the shut-off valve for the entire house. If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, close the valve, remove hoses and drain the faucet. If you don’t have a separate valve, wrap the outside faucets (hose bibs) in newspapers or rags covered with plastic.

·         Insulate indoor pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes in internal unheated areas such as the garage or crawl space under the house should be wrapped with insulated foam. Wrap the entire length of the exposed pipe and cover all valves and pipe fittings.

For more information on precautionary measures to take to prevent pipe breaks, contact the Ocean City Fire Department, Office of the Fire Marshal at 410-289-8780.

Fire sprinkler and employee training save Ocean City restaurant

OceanCity.com
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Ocean City, Maryland – (December 5, 2018): An early evening fire was quickly extinguished thanks to fire sprinklers and an employee using a fire extinguisher. Just before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, the Ocean City Fire Department was dispatched to a reported building fire at Liquid Assets Restaurant located on 94th Street. 

Firefighters arrived and found the single-story restaurant evacuated. Upon entry into the building, firefighters discovered one single fire sprinkler actively flowing water near the propane oven. In the kitchen area, crews found light smoke conditions and evidence of a fire that had been extinguished by the fire sprinkler system with the assistance of an employee using a Class K fire extinguisher. 

“The quick actions of the staff at Liquid Assets and the fire sprinkler system saved lives and property at Liquid Assets,” said Fire Marshal David W. Hartley.  “This is one example why the Office of The Fire Marshal maintains our Fire Protection Quality Assurance Program, to ensure all fire protection systems work as intended during an emergency.”

Thanks to the quick response of the fire sprinklers, the swift actions of the employees at Liquid Assets and the Ocean City Fire Department, the restaurant did not sustain serious damage. The on-scene investigation by the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office revealed that the fire started as the result of a propane appliance malfunction. The fire is classified as accidental.

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