Ocean Pines holiday celebration breaks record for attendance By Greg Ellison (July 8, 2021) Following the sudden cancellation of Fourth of July firework displays in Ocean City on Sunday, corresponding crowd surge was seen at the Independence Day festivities in Ocean Pines. Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said the return of pyrotechnics at Veterans… Read more »
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Independence Day fireworks rebound across Worcester County
(July 1, 2021) Independence Day fireworks displays and other festivities take place from Friday through Sunday throughout Worcester County, as large-scale public gatherings are again permitted with statewide pandemic restrictions now lifted. Snow Hill The weekend of patriotic revelry kicks off Friday in Snow Hill with fireworks at Sturgis Park. The Independence Day Celebration, which… Read more »
Parker’s brick dedicated at Veterans Memorial in Pines
By Greg Ellison (July 1, 2021) Gene Parker, an Ocean City real estate legend and Air Force veteran, was honored by family and friends Monday during a brick-dedication ceremony at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines. Gene Parker, who passed away in December at the age of 81, was born in Selbyville, Delaware,… Read more »
Planning committee targets Pines’ weaknesses
Question whether election process can be improved By Greg Ellison (July 1, 2021) Reviewing big-picture assets and challenges and identifying community values dominated discussions during the Ocean Pines Strategic Planning Committee meeting last Thursday. Committee Co-Chairman Bernie McGorry presented a recap of planning techniques obtained from advisory committee chairpersons and Ocean Pines Association staff. Since this… Read more »
Hogan unveils $25M recovery plan
Project Restore will come to rescue of downtowns, Main Street programs By Greg Ellison (July 1, 2021) Gov. Larry Hogan made a stopover in Berlin on Monday to unveil Project Restore, a $25 Million economic recovery initiative to revitalize downtown districts and Main Street communities throughout Maryland. Hogan spoke in front of the Calvin B…. Read more »
Loan relief boosts bottom line
PPP forgiveness puts OPA $1.275 million ahead of budget as year closes By Greg Ellison (June 24, 2021) Ocean Pines got good news last week, when the association was informed that the $1.14 million it received last year in federal Payroll Protection Program money would not have to be repaid. With the elimination of the… Read more »
STEM and golf team up for Worcester kids
By Jack Chavez (June 24, 2021) Golf and the world of science, technology, engineering and math are making for an unlikely duo on Saturday at the Ocean City Golf and Country Club. After officials from NASA approached Dennis Naughton and Shawn Johnson, cofounders of the Snow Hill-based nonprofit Youth Care Center, the idea was formed… Read more »
OPA directors proceed with rental rules
Board votes 6-1 to take new regs to neighborhoods By Greg Ellison (June 24, 2021) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors wants to excercise oversight of short-term rentals, and voted voting 6-1 last week to bring the association’s declaration of restrictions in line with Worcester County licensing regulations. Director Frank Daly offered the motion… Read more »
Small percentage slated to learn virtually in 2021-22
By Mallory Panuska (June 24, 2021) Worcester County Public Schools officials believe the best place for students to learn is in-person, in the classrooms. But in some circumstances — as the covid-19 pandemic spotlighted — a virtual learning environment works better. That is why officials recently rolled out a digital program option for the 2021-22… Read more »
OP town hall on rental regs stays low key
Proponents say enforcing rules job of association By Greg Ellison (June 17, 2021) Going into its vote on short-term rental regulations Wednesday, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors gave the public the opportunity to join the discussion at a town hall meeting Saturday. Director Frank Daly, who has led the multi-year effort to establish… Read more »