Each year thousands pass hurriedly, almost unknowingly, by the entrance to this little known park site at the traffic light on their way across the Rt. 90 Bridge to Ocean City MD. This area, almost an island is bordered on the west by the St. Martin’s Neck River, the remainder surrounded by the Assawoman and Isle of Wight bays. Termed a salt marsh island it provides an important greenway and is owned by the state of Maryland and Worcester County. The state portion of the island is a wildlife management area used for recreational boating, fishing and shell fishing by visitors from neighboring areas. The park portion, under the auspicious of Worcester County provides the very essence of the natural seashore. Upon entering and immediately looking to the right one sees the salt marsh – home to a large variety of shore birds…this day a large white heron. In the distance the shoreline of the community of Ocean Pines is revealed. Also located on the west side is a small sandy beach. Looking southward, the waters of the inland bays are visible along with those nearly always-present bay breezes…making this an ideal place to visit on a warm summer day to enjoy the quiet space. Following the road to the left along the natural shoreline, one quickly comes upon an open area which offers an entrance to a long, sturdy pier jutting straight out into the Isle of Wight Bay. The pier is ideal for strolling and offers an impressive view of the exciting Ocean City skyline complete with its many identifiable buildings. Picnic tables are provided. Spend an hour, spend the day the Isle of Wight Nature Park will impress you! Admission is free! Please remember the natural environment is Worcester County’s most valuable resource!

For more information on this and our other area parks visit the website at www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/counties/worcester.html.

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Long known as that quiet little town located just off Rt. 50, 7 miles west of Ocean City MD, Berlin is rapidly becoming a partner destination here on the Shore. This past weekend along with SPRINGFEST 2008 in OC, Berlin offered a couple of quality attractions to fulfill anyone having a need to have fun and enjoy a weekend of season welcoming attractions. First up on Friday evening, there was annual Spring Arts Night…wherein local shops; galleries and restaurants within the downtown historic area offered displays of original works from local artists and artisans. Note that in the 5 years since Berlin became the holder of a Maryland State designation as an official Arts and Entertainment District, it has become hometown too more than just a few nationally known artists. Arts Night is fun, roaming the streets at dusk viewing some really fine art in shops housed within charming and landmark architecture, munching on tasty treats served throughout the town and being part of a relaxed crowd - who could ask for more?
The second event quickly followed on Saturday – the “first” annual Berlin Jazz/Blues Street Festival. Being a “first time” one could not be certain of the “depth” of this event despite efforts in planning by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce. It was with pleasant; even a bit awed, surprise that this viewer confirmed this joyous activity would no doubt become one of the special highlights on the annual Town calendar. Throughout the day, seven live and lively bands each offering their own unique styles of jazz and blues performed on alternate stages set at either end of the downtown district. Limited seating was available (bring your own next year!) However, few viewers were challenged, many finding curbs or leaning on tree trunks and buildings a comfortable spot from which to enjoy the sounds of some really terrific music played out of doors on a fine spring day.
For further information on these and other Berlin Town events visit the Chamber website at www.berlinmdcc.org

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Always eagerly anticipated however sometimes receiving rather rough treatment by Mother Nature, the stars seemed to be in perfect alignment this year for the annual Springfest 2008! Beginning Thursday, May 1st and lasting through Sunday, May 4th each day built upon the last with nearly ideal weather conditions in the Ocean City Maryland area. The warm sunshine and soft breezes at the Springfest inlet site required for most a quick trip to the closet for summertime gear – shorts, broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses! This fun festival features almost constant live entertainment (mostly free) on two stages, two huge arts and craft tents with over 184 vendors and filled with hand crafted creations, a food tent containing a variety of terrific Eastern Shore style food specialties (second to none in our opinion) and a country fair style midway lined by vendors offering more interesting stuff. Crowds were everywhere; along the boardwalk going to and from the fest…the line waiting for those famous salt and vinegar spiced fries from Thrashers was endless and nearly every bench seat was taken with folks just basking in the sunshine welcoming the wonderful summertime season which is now upon us. Today however will find the tents being carefully packed away waiting the even bigger festival…Sunfest 2008, running from September 18th through the 21st which marks the beginning of the fall beach season. For more information on these and other seasonal events visit the Ocean City Parks and Recreation website at www.ococean.com.

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Large lumps of really fresh, sweet crab meat bound together with little but imagination make up the very special crab cakes for which this fine eatery has long been known! Got your attention? The HOBBIT is back! Now located at the end, bay side, at 81st Street and Coastal Highway beneath the new Rivendell condominium project, this new incarnation is nothing if not fabulous. Stopping by early one evening recently we were overwhelmed first with the attractive décor…brown and tan tones combined with crisp white napery and sparkling crystal set the backdrop for the magnificent 12’ tall windows overlooking the inland bay…where the surrounding views are really spectacular – especially at sunset. The other nearly overwhelming feature is the food – the freshness and quality of the ingredients and the careful preparation. Tender Bibb lettuce with roasted beets and creamy feta along with a plate of excellent Clams Casino made up our first course. Then came the second course - The Veal Pistachio – an old favorite rendition of tender scallops of veal, Madeira wine, mushrooms, and fresh cream with fresh-shelled pistachios sprinkled about is again presented on the new menu and is delicious. My companion’s crab cakes, described above, were outstanding – he was willing to share a bite but not too much! And, this companion, being a life long java maven commented that the coffee was the best he’s had in a long, long time, in fact, exceptional. From the list of accompanying vegetables – a la carte, we selected the squash – which was tender, lightly seasoned and good. Alas, due to the generous size of our entrée’s we were ‘forced’ to share a dessert and what a dessert it was! Homemade Strawberry Shortcake – a towering confection made in-house with FRESH strawberries, real whipped cream and the most light and flavorful of ‘cake’, surely a triumph of the season appropriately celebrating the return of the Hobbit to Ocean City Maryland. We cannot forget to mention the really fine service we received – from the greeting upon arrival until our departure the friendly and efficient Hobbit staff (many from the old restaurant) helped make our visit just perfect!!!
The restaurant opens at 5 pm and we suggest reservations – the telephone number is 410-524-8100.

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One exciting portion of the list of seemingly endless events offered during the increasingly popular Delmarva Birding Weekend occurs here in our own backyard – the Shore Bird Explorer Cruise. Check-in and boarding one of the two very full, yet still comfortable pontoon boats on a mild and sunny afternoon at the Talbot Street pier here in Ocean City MD was easy. Easier yet was the almost immediate “spotting” of the birds. Our tour boats – appropriately named the Assateague Explorer(s) headed north under the Rt. 50 bridge for a glimpse of the wildfowl resting (we’re right smack dab on the Atlantic Flyway) and nesting on Skimmer Island…that little but growing spit of sand viewed just north of the bridge. All manner of waterfowl and shore birds live in our area including some rarely ever seen species once believed to be gone from the Maryland coastal region. We turned and continued our journey southward along the inlet down alongside the north shore of Assateague Island. While underway all it took was a shout from one of the guides and all eighty pairs of binoculars turned toward the marsh… and in one quick second those fortunate enough to possess what looked to be a small camera with a 20” lens began clicking away… Our guide identified the mating pair – in a most reverent tone - of a species currently unknown to Maryland waters. Other names of birds, once unfamiliar began to resound - oystercatchers, cormorants (double crested), black-backed gulls, loons, ospreys, rails and royal terns – even the elusive piping plover. Throughout the too short, 2 hour trip excitement reigned! Upon returning to the dock everyone was invited to a little reception – a time to compare notes – at the Angler Restaurant. All attendees had fun, some by adding to his or her “life list” – others just enjoying anew what we who live in the area daily take for granted – enjoying this very special region in which we live, our own backyard!
For further information about all area “birding” related activities year round visit the website at www.delmarvabirdingweekend.org.

Note: To enlarge any photo, just “click”. My apologies for not using one of those ‘oh so cool’ cameras with the l o n g telephoto lens. Maybe next year!

For many, this truly international competition held annually (in it’s 38th year) at the Ocean City Maryland Convention Center is the single most anticipated Eastern Shore area event. Each spring the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, located in Salisbury MD sponsors this live, 3-day festival where carvers from around the world gather to compete for braggin’ rights to the sometimes elusive blue ribbon by carving a bird! The carving of a rough hunting decoy, once a utilitarian pastime to help put food on the table, has now become an unparalleled fine art form. When entering the large “competition hall - A” one is confronted with a near maze of tables dressed in white with hundreds of finely detailed entries sitting atop – the judges are everywhere discussing each one in turn. A section placard marks the type of carving – waterfowl and marsh birds, working decoys, songbirds, etc. Exhibits also include contemporary art forms. Daily schedules list times for demonstrations, seminars and clinics presented by some world famous carvers to develop further interest in the art. Around the perimeter of the competition hall is where one may find the “already” crowned – those men and women who create and now sell their wildfowl carving and painting for a living. Each and every one at this show seems happy to take the time to answer the many and varied questions from viewers. On Saturday a live auction is held allowing a fortunate few to take home one of these masterpieces. Across the building, in “hall – B” are the vendors, the suppliers of the wood, paint and fine knives and other tools used in origination – from clunky block of balsa wood to fine art with everything needed along the way. A crafters’ paradise for sure!
For more information on this not to be missed event you may check out the website at www.wardmuseum.org. NOTE: To enlarge any photo, just “click”.

Coastal living demands spending extended time outdoors - enjoying ocean or bay views, dining with friends or taking a snooze in the warm sunshine on the balcony of your condo, porch, patio or deck. Having the right furnishings is critical. Mother nature has given us the ideal material – rattan and it’s cousin wicker, meet all of the necessary criteria of being sturdy, flexible and above all lightweight – easy to move. And with the new man-made rattan these already weatherproof furnishings become even more durable. Two shops that stand out here in the Ocean City MD area offering extensive selections of great beach-style furnishings are Island Rattan and Sunshine Wicker. Island Rattan, located on Coastal Highway at Rt. 54, southbound, in Fenwick carries a huge selection of high style outdoor/indoor, easy care thus easy livin’ furniture. Fully coordinated room-settings help make your selection oh so easy. Also noted at Island Rattan – a resident muralist, Jean Mayr, can turn that plain wall into a ‘fun in the sun’ scene simulating the view from your sliding door. At Sunshine Wicker further south along Coastal Highway at 62nd Street, southbound, Kathy has the perfect pieces, mix or match, to sit beside your pool or fountain. And Sunshine Wicker offers a large selections of island life accessories, that really “fun stuff” to complete the setting! Both shops are open year round.

For more information visit the Island Rattan website at www.islandrattan.com and the Sunshine Wicker website at www.sunshinewicheroc.webs.com
Or better yet just stop by and begin now making your island lifestyle getaway come true! Note: To enlarge any photo, just “click”!

A short mile north of the Maryland-Delaware line here in Ocean City MD, along Coastal Highway on the southbound lane sits a large white building which houses another of the featured business that may be needed in your springtime efforts to get your house in order. This branch outlet of the multi-state wide United Electric Supply Company offers anything and everything you could possibly want in the way of lighting fixtures – indoor and outdoor, and accessories including shades, pulls and bulbs. The interior of this facility is divided into two areas – electrical parts department and an immense show room. The ceiling is covered with fans – the best solution proven over time, for good ventilation throughout a home. Displayed on the showroom walls are many examples of outdoor lighting fixtures along with some really creative, new examples of indoor wall sconces – the newest, old idea in decorating - creating a warm glow as opposed to glare! All manner of lamps, floor and table varieties, abound throughout this extensive showroom. United also offers several lines of unique lamp finials…a very charming final touch. There are shades galore and if you don’t see what you need – size and style, there are catalogs, lots and lots of catalogs for finding just the right item. Worth mentioning too are the lines of ventilation fans for the kitchen and bath. And, at United Electrical Supply it seems that if you don’t find what you need right away it only takes a second to have a willing salesperson at hand to answer your questions. Of particular note in this conservation aware economy – many of the products offered are “Energy Star” rated fixtures.

Hours are 7 am – 5 pm , Monday thru Friday and 8 am til noon on Saturday. For more information visit the website at www.unitedelectric.com or phone the toll free number at 1-800-765-4448. Note: to enlarge any photo, just “click”.

With the long awaited springtime finally having arrived here at the beach in Ocean City Maryland we’re all feeling the urge to do a little “do-it-yourself” easy “fix ‘em up” around the homestead. And with the most recent phone calls from Aunt Sally and Cousin John giving us their vacation arrival schedules – this urge becomes a need! That cracked oven knob held together with super glue (which is no longer so super) needs replacing and the duct tape closure on the dryer must be remedied immediately – gotta’ get a proper catch! Also, that old noisy ceiling fan in the guest room certainly will not do for our soon to arrive guests. It’s time to make a list and head our to our local household appliance rescue center – TRIBLE’S, conveniently located in the Montego Bay Shopping Center at 128th Street and Coastal Highway, southbound. It may be somewhat hidden away in the southern most corner of the strip center but it’s not hard to find with the big blue and white sign. Open daily M-F – 8:30 am to 5 pm, Sat. 9 am to noon, to the public as well as contractors and offering parts and accessories for dozens of brands of appliances this is always a busy place. And with the many Trible’s stores in the tri-state area it’s a given that your particular oven knob can always be speedily located.
For more information visit the website at www.tribles.com or phone 410.250.7040

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Precisely 4 miles north of the Maryland – Delaware border but still on the coastal strip we call the island of Ocean City sits a small but distinctive strip shopping center located along the southbound lane of Coastal Highway (Rt.1) named the York Beach Mall. Beneath the “tower” is the home of McCabe’s, a true gourmet market. Since 1986 this market has always been more than your average deli…the display cases are filled with goodies including fresh baked breads, rolls, cookies and treats, a case of decadent desserts, one of cheeses from around the world alongside domestic delights, another of quality deli meats sold by weight and one of really lovely homemade salads such as the specialty chicken walnut, shrimp, tuna and turkey tarragon along with many varieties of pasta including potato salads and slaws. The perimeter of the shop is packed with groceries…gourmet groceries – those hard to find items that seldom exist at your local store such as imported vinegars and sauces, mustards and crackers along with other tasty treats. Available too, are all of the items needed to make a party, pretty napkins and tableware and drink mixes. Even the generous display of ‘can’t be without’ house wares and gadgets has an area. The cheerful folks at McCabe’s are ever eager to make you a carryout or in sandwich specialty or a custom gift basket or a party tray of treats for your next business meeting…just ask! There is a convenient area to dine indoors or al fresco on the patio. And, we can’t forget to mention the great coffee made from fresh ground beans while you watch!
McCabe’s has a terrific website at www.mccabesgourmet.com or you may phone directly at 302.539.8550 with inquiries.

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