WORCESTER COUNTY—The Casino at Ocean Downs generated $5,826,335 in gross terminal revenues from its 800 video lottery terminals in July, according to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. Since the state requires that 5.5 percent of VLT proceeds are paid to communities in the local area that meant a payout of $320,448.42 in local… Read more »

One of the most important goals of investing should be maintaining financial independence in retirement. With that in mind, here are some key retirement planning tax traps to avoid. Neglecting taxable savings. Because earnings in qualified retirement plans and IRAs grow tax-deferred, it seems obvious that these plans should receive the maximum contribution allowable and… Read more »

OCEAN PINES—Diet procrastinators are losing “too far away” as an excuse for not attending meetings, because Weight Watchers is coming directly to the Ocean Pines Community Center. According to Leader Ruby Dillon, starting Sept. 4, the company will add another evening meeting time—5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays—to its repertoire. Currently meetings are held at the Community… Read more »

BERLIN—In late August, Atlantic General Hospital will begin conducting a two-week-long community needs assessment. The hospital has secured the assistance of RKM Research and Communications, Inc., a market research firm to conduct the research on the hospital’s behalf. The 25-minute telephone survey will be administered to randomly selected households in Worcester County  and portions of… Read more »

OCEAN PINES– During the weekly meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines – Ocean City on Aug. 14, the guest speaker was Mary Yenney, emergency outreach coordinator for the Community Church’s Emergency Outreach Program.   The Community Church has a well-known and supported thrift store known as "The Nook" from which some of the… Read more »

OCEAN PINES—The “Young Playwrights Class," sponsored by the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department, will present a reader’s theatre performance of their original scripts on Aug. 25 at 3 p.m., according to instructor Sandy Lanier. The performance, presented by young playwrights Marissa Wheaton, Danasia Wright, Kinsie Ruckle and Jackson Darlington and youth actor Emmanuel Aroh, will… Read more »

OCEAN PINES–The main purpose of the Shepherd’s Nook Thrift Shop at Community Church at Ocean Pines is outreach ministry.  It also provides great fellowship among the volunteers who work there. All the volunteers are working hard to improve the Nook, to make it a better place to shop and to volunteer. Currently the Flea Market area of the… Read more »

SALISBURY – Delmarva Power reminds home and business owners to practice safety when someone claiming to represent a business contacts them either in person or by telephone. Many companies, including Delmarva Power, will contact customers in person or via phone for various reasons. If someone claims to represent a company, whether the company is Delmarva… Read more »

BERLIN—Since December 2008, the Main Street district has gained 62 new businesses and lost 27 due to closures. The impact has resulted in bringing nearly 200 new jobs  — 191.5 full-time equivalent positions — to the business sector while losing less than 60 jobs —57.5 FTEs — to closed ventures over the five-year period, town… Read more »

Several factors may come into play that could undermine the financial security provided by the proceeds of a life insurance policy. Beyond estate taxes, there is the potential for probate, gift taxes, financial mismanagement, and misuse. Proper planning is necessary to help avoid these threats. Other than owning the insurance yourself, there are three practical… Read more »