By Greg Ellison

(Sept 23, 2021) In addition to tossing out ideas for future video projects last week, the Ocean Pines Communications Committee discussed the residents survey and a “History Panel,” event slated for next month.

Committee members reviewed details for a “History Panel” live discussion being held at the Ocean Pines Community Center on Sunday, Oct. 10 from 2-4 p.m.

Speakers will include long-time residents Sue Adkins, Jack Barnes, Sharyn O’Hare, Gloria Richards, Alta Weiss, and Ed Moran.

Communications Committee member Jenny Cropper Rines will moderate the panel discussion, which is part of the larger Worcester County History Week celebration between Oct. 10-16.

The panel event looks to build upon the recently released video, “Early History of Ocean Pines, with Marlene Ott and John Talbott.”

Marketing Coordinator Julie Malinowski said the online piece by Ott and Talbott provides a look back from two Pines veterans.

“Doing that video was a good segue to this event,” she said.

Ott and Talbott have roots in the local real estate market tracing back to the late 1960s when Ocean Pines was established.

Ott, who also serves on the Communications Committee, said numerous neighbors expressed enthusiasm after watching the online video.

Marketing and Public Relations Director Josh Davis said the “Early History,” segment has been the most popular installment on the Ocean Pines Academy at 173 views, which was far exceeded by 800 Facebook views.

“It got a lot of traction on Facebook,” he said.

Committee Chairwoman Cheryl Jacobs asked about promotional efforts for the online Ocean Pines Academy.

“It’s a wonderful resource for people wanting to know how we operate in Ocean Pines,” she said.

In April, the Ocean Pines Academy went online featuring 20 video segments about community operations, amenities and other topics.

The virtual academy serves as an educational tool about the Ocean Pines Association and includes links to community-related websites and governing documents.

Malinowski said the assorted video content was featured in weekly e-blasts sent to members starting in the spring.

“We kind of cycled through those,” she said.

Jacobs recommended the online academy should be highlighted during the panel discussion in October.

Ott suggested including a flyer highlighting the Ocean Pines Academy in the welcome packets given to new residents.

In terms of developing further content for the online academy, in addition to filming the history panel in October, Ott proposed a Halloween segment about two relatively obscure graveyards in Ocean Pines.

Although previously unaware of their existence, Jacobs concurred with the concept.

“I had no idea there were graveyards,” she said.

Ott said a largely unknown graveyard exists on Admiral Avenue in south Ocean Pines.

“The one on Admiral Ave where the mailboxes are there’s seven or eight gravestones,” she said.

The second site is located on Easton Avenue in the Parke.

“They are very quiet neighbors,” Ott said.

Jacobs concurred with the assessment.

“They’re the best kind, aren’t they?” she said.

Committee members also reviewed the upcoming release date for a property owners’ survey that was developed by the Ocean Pines Strategic Planning Committee.

Davis said the Board of Directors approved the survey during its meeting one day earlier.

“The go-live date is Sept. 27,” he said.

Last conducted in 2018, the property owners’ survey seeks comments from residents on the development of long-range planning and association priorities.

In addition to a press release, marketing efforts for the survey include reminder cards and a hyperlinked banner planned on the association website.

Also, business cards containing a phone-scan QR code will be distributed.

“It will be mostly electronic, but people can also request it by mail, phone or email,” he said.

Dais said a limited supply of surveys would be available at the association administration office the CPI office and the Parke.

“Sounds like were hitting it on all cylinders,” Jacobs said.

The next virtual Communications Committee meeting is Oct. 21 at 10 a.m.

To learn more about Ocean Pines Academy, visit oceanpines.org/ web/pages/ocean-pines-academy.

For details about the slate of events for Worcester County History Week, visit facebook.com/WorcesterCountyHistoryWeek.