"Check It Out"

A Place Near the Shore

Berlin, Md is just a few miles before you get to Ocean City, Maryland on Rt 50. Nestled just off the highway, it's more laid back, then Ocean City. In recent years this area became more and more attractive to retiree's who like the idea of growing old close to the Ocean.

Historic Berlin has that old country charm and gets a good many of their own tourists passing through each year. Berlin's History is rich with many land marks, such as the historic Atlantic Hotel, which still functions as a Hotel, and The Globe which offers the best in fine dining and local entertainment this area can offer to tourists and locals a like.

The Atlantic Hotel sits in the middle of down town Berlin. At moments glance the Atlantic Hotel will memorize you with it's authentic Victorian charm. The moment you step on

the porch that's surrounds the hotel, you are whisked away to a time when life was much

simpler. You can easily imagine yourself drinking tea with white gloved hands, chatting merrily about the days events as you sit along side a white scarf table as a gentle ocean breeze blows.

Once you walk through the threshold of the Atlantic Hotel time has stood still. The

interior of this place is breath taking, full of early period style and flair. Every room in the

Atlantic Hotel, beautifully decorated with antiques and Victorian decor, I promise the

experience will stay with you long after you leave. Check out it for yourself at www.atlantichotel.com

Then just around the corner, The Globe. This fine dinning place is a special treat in it's

own right. This two story historic building also dates back to the early nineteen hundreds.

As your food is being prepared, you can walk around and check out some of the local artists

and see their work display through out The Globe. Then as you eat, you can be entertain by the local musicians. If your are lucky and visit on Thursday evenings you will be able to have your cards read by the local Psychic, Carol who visits twice a month. Check it out! www.globetheater.com

Between the finely prepared meal and the local award winning entertainment, you will visit the Globe again, and again. Bring family and friends, Berlin has some of the best Art Galleries and gift shops on the East Coast, All is welcome! Maybe a romantic getaway is in the future, the Atlantic Hotel is perfect. You won't be disappointed.

In Memory of Helene Bailey

Until Then

In Memory Helene Bailey

4/13/10

I received the news you had passed.

I am sorry to see you go.

I wish I could have been there,

So I want you to know.

I will miss our little phone calls.

I will miss that crazy laugh.

I will miss that redneck honesty.

Knowing you would make me laugh!

I know you're safe.

And I know you're OK..

I can feel you closer.....

You are only a step away.

Where I will join you,

When my days end.

You better have a beer for me,

A cigarette and you know what then?

We will share old stories.

We'll laugh until we are blue.

I'll tell how much I love you.

Take this.... I hold is true.

You will always have my heart Helene.

My life was better knowing you.

The kindness of your heart,

I saw this and more in you.

No matter where my path goes,

Or where my future will lead.

I know you will walk beside me.

This I hold close inside of me.

So I won't say Good-bye,

Nor bid you a farewell.

I will just say this my dear friend.

I will see you later,

So take care... Until Then!

A co-worker and special friend at Dollar General, Berlin, Md She will be missed!

Berlin, Md

A Dollar General in Berlin Md

Not far from the beach,

A few miles up the road.

There's a little tiny town,

Berlin it is known!

In this little town

A Dollar General store rests.

Between a Subway and Food Lion,

Serving the public and it's special guests.

There's some very special girls

I've known for a while.

There's Kelly, Helene, and Teresa,

They will greet you with a smile.

Kelly's country music playing over the air.

Be sure, this Dollar General is a family affair.

Though the Holidays are frightful.

We all have found fond memories to share.

Like when the momma duck

And her eleven baby chicks.

Waddle right through the store.....

This memory is fixed.

I had made a lot friends

During the time I work there.

Friendships that will carry me

And precious memories my heart bares

Though my life may take

A different path to wear.

I will always carry with me,

These cherished memories I'll share.

Through the years we cross paths with other souls either through work or play and you become very close. Then one day comes and things go a different way. With this poem, I want to honor the girls I worked with and my two years in Ocean City Maryland at that Dollar General Store in Berlin.

About a month after I move to Ocean City, Md my relationship with my boyfriend hit rock bottom and he went back to Hagerstown. I was so ready to move out of my cousin's home where I share a house with three men. This arrangement was not going to work. The very same day my boyfriend left, I went job hunting.

My first place, the Dollar General, in Ocean City, Md. Just a short mile up the road, in a small out door mall. I figure if I started here, somewhere in this maze of retail shops, I would find work. I did retail, off and on for years, so my hopes were high. Sure enough, I was hired on the spot and started my new job in less then a week with Dollar General as a Cashier/Clerk.

It wouldn't take long I would transfer to the Dollar General in Berlin, Md. I worked in Ocean City for several months and I was ready to take on a better position with more money and Kelly, the manager at the Dollar General offered me a job in Berlin, so I jumped on it. Besides it was a month or so into Spring and Ocean City was already opening up to tourists and I didn't want to be in the middle of all this summer craziness. Berlin was an ideal location for me.

Berlin, Md is just a few miles before you get to Ocean City on Rt 50. Nestled just off the highway, it's where most of the year round locals choose to live. Historic Berlin has that old country feel and gets a good many of their own tourists passing through each year. Berlin's History is rich with many land marks, such as the historic Atlantic Hotel, which still functions as a Hotel, and The Globe which offers the best in fine dining and local entertainment.

The Atlantic Hotel sits in the middle of down town Berlin. You can't help be memorize by it's Victorian charm. The moment you step on

the porch that's surrounds the hotel, you are whisked away to a time when life was much

simpler. You can easily imagine yourself drinking tea with white gloved hands, chatting merrily

about the days events as you sit along side a white scarf table with a gentle ocean breeze

blowing.

Once you walk through the threshold of the Atlantic Hotel time has stood still. The

interior of this place is breath taking, full of early period style and flair. Every room in the

Atlantic Hotel, beautifully decorated with antiques and Victorian decor, I promise the

experience will stay with you long after you leave.

Check out it for yourself at www.atlantichotel.com

Then just around the corner, The Globe. This fine dinning place is a special treat in it's

own right. This two story historic building also dates back to the early nineteen hundreds.

As your food is being prepared, you can walk around and check out some of the local artists

and see their work display through out The Globe. Then as you eat, you can be entertain by the

local musicians. If your are lucky and visit on Thursday evenings you will be able to have your

cards read by the local Psychic, Carol who visits twice a month.

Yes, Berlin, Md is a very nice little town, I still have friends there I will carry with me the

rest of my life. Like the girls I worked with, Helene, Kelly, and Teresa at the Dollar General

in Berlin, Maryland.

Ocean City, Md

Ocean City, Maryland is a tourist area, and during the months between May through September

you can meet people from all walks of life. The area attracts a good many students from China,

Germany, Russia, and every where else. They come here to work and play. Many take jobs in the

fancy restaurants, fast foods and at the amusements parks that pepper this island strip during the

summer season. During the summer months this small area becomes so populated that traffic

backs up about everyday and the simplest of tasks like going to the supermarket is actually an

adventure into the unknown. What would be a ten minute ride could very easily take an hour.

I was amazed how many summer crazed people can be in one place. But if you ask the locals, the tourists over the last few years, because of gas prices, and the

high cost of living, has dropped by half and the other half staying for shorter periods of time.

Recently, the locals admitted they was seeing a lot more off season visitors then in the past.

When the season is over, many businesses will close for the winter. Staying open will only take

away any profit made during the season. The town literally goes in to hibernation. Only the

wealthiest stay open! Mostly local pubs and sports bars, that you can find in every nook and

cranny on the island. Life in Ocean City, Md. during the winter months is like night to day compared to summer.

Life is not easy for those who choose to called this area home. Year round work is non-existent

to strangers and the locals dislike the swarm of teenage foreigners that come in during the early

spring taking jobs that is desperately needed locally after a long winter.

Though with all the hardships this area has to deal with, Ocean City is a little place in

heaven. The Ocean gentle rolls on to soft sandy sea shell shore, with a rushing sound that

echo's deep in to your soul. The vastness of the sea before you envelopes your spirit and the

blue of bluest sky blankets the essence of your being. Then with a gentle steady breeze that

blows from origins unknown from some where in the middle, raises goose bumps even on the

warmest of days. As evening draws small twinkling bits of lights scatter the darking sky round a grayish

white moon. If you turn completely around you can watch the sun hover over the bluish gray

horizon as if time seems to cease and breathing stops ever so slightly. This is “Life” in it's

purest form, the way its been since the beginning. For a brief moment when no one is around

and it's just me sitting on the ocean dock watching the sea gulls take turns dipping their feet

in to the ocean. I feel connected to all that is around me. All that is part of me, my future, my

life today, even my past is part of all that brought me to that very moment on the dock.

I found a little piece of heaven in Ocean City, Md.

Ocean City, Maryland If you ever get a chance You must visit this town. It sits by the Ocean Visitors swarm from all around. You can walk the board walk And have some Thrashers Fries. Or you can play at the amusement park And ride on the wild rides. When you get hungry, The best food can be found. You must try the crab cakes, Ocean City is renowned. You can lay on the white sandy beach Soaking in the warmth of the sun. You can ride the rushing waves. This is just part of all the fun. The Bull on the Beach Is known all year round. Then there's Crab Alley, For the best crabs in town. Maybe a sweet tooth Is more your flair. Dozens of Candy Kitchens You'll find here and there. But the best part of all, Is the Ocean by far. The soft sandy beaches, The waves rolling on shore. So if you get a chance To visit this sea side town. Put your feet in the Ocean, Feel the feeling deep down. My first of many adventures to come.

The Easter Blessing

Easter is a time of Celebration.

Marking the end of winter,

Blessing us with a promise of Spring.

Easter is a time of Gratitude.

When winter nights grow shorter

And the warmth of the sun Bless our Spirit.

Easter is a time of New Life.

With the blooming of colorful flowers,

With a sweet fragrance that Bless our Senses.

Easter is a time of Renewal.

As life awakens from a long sleep.

We can feel the blessing of new beginnings.

Easter is a time of Promise.

When Faith guides our soul.

We look toward the future,

Bless for the better.

May we all be Bless this Easter.