Lifestyle

WORCESTER COUNTY —With the annual commemoration of gratitude for the caring and selflessness of biological mothers and grandmothers in recognition of Mother’s Day on May 12, a canvassing of local child service and faith organizations uncovered a small sampling of some pretty “great mom” surrogates in the area as well. Here we highlight three. Great foster parent: Robin Cook of Bishopville Terry Edwards, resource home worker for the Worcester County Department of Social Services, who said the term “foster parent” has been updated to “resource parent” to reflect the expanded roles they play in the lives of the young people they help, said all of the 19 resource parents in the program “Do such an outstanding job.” She commended Robin Cook for her ability to maintain biological connections between the children placed in the foster care system and their biological family members. “She is very good at helping the children ...

OCEAN PINES — The Delmarva Chorus of Sweet Adelines International will kick off its “Singing Messages” serenading services with Valentine’s Day performances in Berlin, Ocean City and Ocean Pines. The Sweet Adelines are a feminine take on the traditional male barbershop harmony, and are dedicated to teaching women how to sing a cappella (without musical accompaniment). It is an independent, nonprofit music education association for women singers that was founded by the wives and friends of male barbershop singers in Tulsa, Okla., and has 500 chapters worldwide, primarily in the U.S. Carol Ludwig, director of the 10-year-old Delmarva Chorus, said the Ocean Pines-based group has 28 members and will send members out in quartets to the location of the sender’s choice including homes, offices, restaurants or nursing homes. The $25 performance fee includes two personalized serenades and a picture of the recipient that can be e-mailed to the sender. She said o...

BERLIN – Victorian Christmas, a month-long series of downtown events sponsored by the town and businesses, begins this Friday, Nov. 23.   Town of Berlin Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, Nov. 23 The Atlantic Hotel 5 p.m. Free The annual Christmas tree lighting will kick things off at the Atlantic Hotel on North Main Street. Mayor Gee Williams and other guests will conduct the ceremony. The tree will remain lit throughout the season. Local musician Carol Ludwig and her Delmarva Chorus will provide musical entertainment. Festival of Trees Friday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Dec. 14 Downtown Berlin Holiday trees decorated by the owners of nearly every downtown shop will be displayed in their storefront for almost an entire month. All trees can be bid on through a silent auction. Anyone interested can go in while the tree is displayed and place his or her bid. Bidding will end at 8 p.m. on Dec. 14 and winners will be contacted the next day. &n...

BERLIN — For the first time in 15 years, local artist Jim Adcock has touched up the sign he painted that has long been rumored to be the inspiration for the naming of the fictional town of Hale, Md. in the Hollywood film, "Runaway Bride." The 1999 film that starred Julia Robers and Richard Gere is one of two Hollywood films filmed in historic downtown Berlin. The other full-length feature, Tuck Everlasting, was filmed in the town in 2002. "When Reggie Mariner built the building, he wanted it to look old, so he installed rusty roofing and I distressed the paint," Adcock said. Although the building — now Go Organic Grocer in the large parking lot off North Main Street — was fairly new 15 years ago, the structure looked as if it was decades old, especially after Adcock used skills such as chipping paint off.  "There actually was a Hale Harrison peach," said Adcock, in explaining his inspiration for the design. The Harrison family h...

BERLIN/OCEAN PINES — As chilly, winter-like weather has hit the area, several local businesses are preparing specialty foods and drinks for families eager to get into the holiday mood. Many good eateries are in the area and most have space to sit down while also offering a take-out service. Si'culi on North Main Street in Berlin always has a rotating daily special and winter-related entrees will be served all winter. Main Street Deli on South Main Street in Berlin will create combination meat and cheese trays, featuring items from national distributor Dietz & Watson. Any sort of meats and cheeses can be incorporated, and varieties offered include roast beef, pastrami, New York sharp cheddar cheese and American cheese. Several pies can also be purchased, such as sweet potato pie, apple pie, apple crump and pumpkin pie. In December, Enchanted Tea Room on South Main Street in Berlin will serve Victorian-era desserts: plum pudding made with a combination of five se...

 BERLIN – Mentalist Dan Cain will present his “Experiments of the Mind” show this weekend at the Whimsical Cottage of Berlin to prove to audience members that there is no such thing as a random happening. "I know this dispels the notion of free will, but everything’s pretty much meant to be," Cain said. "I like to show connections between people." These connections, according to Cain, are not connections such as discovering a long-lost relative, but rather seemingly random associations between people in unconventional ways. As one example of what could be seen in his show on Friday, No. 9, Cain said he will have two random people come up on stage, one with his or her ticket to the show and another who has a $1 bill. Cain will then have the person with the ticket scratch off a section on its backside to reveal a series of letters and numbers. He will then compare that series of characters to a sequence on the other audience m...

OCEAN PINES – Forty local artisans and businesses will be selling their original works at the 3rd annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft Fair at the Ocean Pines Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 3. "It gives people in the area an opportunity to attend a fair where everything is handmade," said Carol Quinto, co-chairperson of the event and a member of the Pine'eer Arts & Crafts Club, which is sponsoring the fair. Between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public can stroll the Community Center, which will be filled with vendors selling original, holiday crafts such as wreaths, photographs, handmade soap, jewelry and stained glass. There will be no charge for admission. Most vendors are private artists, but some area businesses will participate as well. Before being accepted to sell their crafts at the fair, vendors’ applications are reviewed to ensure what is being sold meets appropriate guidelines to provide a wide array of items for attendees. "We have ...

BERLIN — With Halloween approaching, local artist Kenny Bliss of Create Early Bliss has been busy constructing his custom-made pumpkins for businesses and private homes alike. “I have always kept that motto in my art and work,” Bliss said of his company’s name, which that is meant to conjure thoughts of euphoria and peacefulness. “Those kind of feelings can also come from my art.” While Bliss is a multi-medium artist, he has spent a lot of time recently working on his pumpkin products that take a little more effort and skill to design than the typical, run of the mill Jack-o-lanterns. When a design is submitted to Bliss, he photocopies it and enlarges the layout to an appropriate size. A straight blade is then used to cut through the pumpkin, but not to create holes. The lines make indents into the pumpkin, and gives the image a unique texture. When all indents are made, Bliss lets the pumpkin dry overnight. The next day, he uses a variety of co...

 BERLIN – The Worcester County Arts Council's latest resident artist, Ron Michaels, prides himself on his photos that capture scenes in their purest form, while adding an extra element to the image. That is, as long as his viewers look beyond the actual subject of the picture. "It's amazing what you can see when you look closely," said Michaels, who began taking photography seriously when he moved down to the area five years ago from Pennsylvania with his wife, Priscilla. Most of his photos display scenes of nature or local architecture, and each picture is meant to emphasize an extra, yet subtle, feature. Looking at a piece Michaels calls "Morning Angel," he described how an Assateague Island pony grazing in the picture is illuminated by the sunlight, thus giving the photo a heavenly feel. One of his favorite works, "Therapy," features a similar pony that happened to look at the camera at the exact moment it was being taken, and even seemin...

BERLIN -- In support of breast cancer awareness, Ayers Creek Adventures off Grey Fox Lane will hold its third annual Pink Paddle fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 29. "I use the event as an opportunity to remind all women, and men, to practice preventative measures by leading a healthy lifestyle and to ensure they are regularly screened," said Suzy Taylor, who owns Ayers Creek Adventures with her husband, Steven. Those who wish to participate in a day of creek paddling, games and music must make a donation. All proceeds will be split between nonprofit breast cancer organizations Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Women Supporting Women. For a single kayak, a $50 donation is required. Two-person kayaks and canoes are each available through an $80 donation. Supporters of breast cancer awareness who already have their own kayak or canoe are allowed to bring their vessel, but must pay a $40 donation. All kayaks and canoes being used on that day have to be registered with Ayers Cre...