07-2026 Ocean Pines Progress

ELECTION 2026

Meet the OPA Board of Directors Candidates Five Make Their Case in Race for Ocean Pines Board

By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer

Five candidates are competing for three seats on the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors in this summer’s election. As property owners prepare to elect three members to the Board, candidates have been sharing their views on key community issues and

outlined their priorities during a candidate forum and through additional statements.

Candidates, in ballot order determined at random with a series of playing cards, Amy Peck, John Latham, William “Bill” Pickett, Patrick Lehnerd and Elaine Brady are the five residents on the ballot for the 2026 Board of Directors election. The voting period ends Aug. 5 at noon, and ballots have already been mailed and e-mailed to residents on June 22.

A forum was hosted for the candidates on June 13 at the Ocean Pines Clubhouse to provide statements on their campaigns.

Amy Peck

Peck’s platform is centered around fiscal responsibility and providing “leadership that listens.” She’s concerned with some recent investments approved by the OPA Board of Directors and cited the tiki bar extension as an example. While she supports some investments, such as those made toward emergency responders, she claims Board members voted on this decision with little discussion or feedback with residents.

“We’re building a new fire station that was needed. That is money well spent. That’s certainly not a pet project,” Peck said. “ But recently, this board has spent some money without our input. We heard about the tiki bar kitchen. It was supposed to be $125,000. Without discussion. Certainly without discussion that we heard. It was approved unanimously by email vote.

“Was that an expense we actually

need? I don’t know. We didn’t really have a chance to have input on that.”

Peck said she intends to represent everyone in Ocean Pines and is advocating for public-hybrid comments to be integrated in future board meetings. Peck follows outside issues closely, she said, and is “disappointed” in the lack of town halls addressing matters that will affect the community.

“Whether it be the sports facility or the Globalinx public landing station– we certainly had trouble with wastewater,” Peck said. “All of these impact Ocean Pines. And I think the best way to get the message out is to get input.”

When asked how she would’ve voted on the decision to join the lawsuit against the offshore wind farm in Ocean City, she said she would’ve abstained. She clarified she was personally against the wind farm but would “abstain on any issue that membership doesn’t have a chance to weigh in.”

When asked by candidate Patrick Lehnerd how she would integrate herself onto the Board alongside established members, Peck said she would collaborate by making data-based decisions on all information available.

Her decisions will be focused on sustainability and benefiting homeowners, she said.

“With my vast knowledge of Ocean Pines and how closely I’ve been following the issue all these years, I think I would have a lot of meaningful conversations [and] meaningful information about what worked in the past and what didn’t work,” Peck said. “That institutional knowledge that is so important on

John Latham

Latham is one of three incumbent candidates and currently serves as the president of the Board of Directors.

Latham said his priorities are safety and security, responsible budgeting, infrastructure within Ocean Pines and preserving community

beautification and property value. When asked by the Elections Committee to identify a characteristic of his personality that would be detrimental to the Board, he acknowledged his tendency to make quick decisions. He recognized some residents disliked the Board’s decision-making process, but he argued it’s efficient for handling multiTo Page 5

Amy PeckJohn LathamWilliam “Bill” PickettPatrick Lehnerd Elaine Brady the Board.”

OPA Election

From Page 3 ple ongoing projects and planning ahead.

“The meetings that we have–there are conversations that occur oftentimes during the course of the week, or the months leading up to decisions. I kind of liken it to, ‘ you would never show up to your job unprepared for a meeting,’” Latham said. “So what this board is doing, and what I encourage as the president and past secretary of this Board of Directors, is to make sure that we are making decisions and kind of moving them along. Not leaving them just to sit.”

Latham mentioned investments approved by the board for the Yacht Club and the Beach Club as examples for servicing the community during his current three-year term.

When asked if he supports requiring new buyers and or builders to read and acknowledge existing tree removal policies, Latham said he does. He also acknowledged there’s been some “misinformation” in regards to how such permits are handled.

When asked if he supports the installation of solar-powered speed signs along Ocean Parkway where speed is an issue, Latham stated he was unfamiliar with such signage but would “certainly” evaluate it and “love to learn more.”

He currently serves on the Worcester County Veterans Memorial. He also shared his role as board member for the Maryland Legislative Action Committee for the Community Association Institute, which he explained governs law for the state of Maryland as it relates to HOAs.

Because of this, Latham typically has an early look at any legislation that would affect Ocean Pines, he said.

William “Bill” Pickett

Pickett’s biggest goals are strengthening communication within the community and reconstructing The Parke’s overall strategic plan as a framework for the future. He claimed many resident concerns, including service changes and maintenance, could be minimized if communication challenges were addressed.

“When information is not organized clearly, when decisions are not explained and when updates arrive too late, frustration grows,” Pickett said. “ But when communication is

timely, accessible and transparent, it builds trust that helps residents understand how decisions fit into the broader direction of the association.”

He mentioned the Ocean Pines website as an example of a tool in need of reorganization, saying he “saw a lot of patchy pieces of good things,” specifically in the strategic plan, mission statement and vision statement.

Pickett also prioritized responsible stewardship, citing the sudden halt to ditch services without an explanation for residents as a concern. In his closing statement, Pickett insisted keeping residents informed on changes to resource management maintains the community’s “smalltown feel” and sense of community.

“When changes occur without clear explanation, whether it’s ditch maintenance, facility access or service levels, residents understandably feel unserved,” he said. “We can do better. I will advocate for processes that are consistent, predictable, and align with long term planning so that decisions are not only made well, but communicated well.”

When asked if he would support funding for a designated bike and pedestrian lane along Ocean Parkway, Pickett said he’d have to consider it but would tend to be disinclined to it in favor of lowering speed limits.

He acknowledged the roads as a confined space when sharing both pedestrians and cars, but reasoned the homeowners along Ocean Parkway would lose space.

Pickett said he’s “developed a really strong personal connection to the place,” in his 20 years as a resident. He said he is running for the Board because he “felt the need to try to give a little more back.”

“My goal is simple: to ensure that Ocean Pines remains a well-managed forward-looking community that we are all proud to call home.”

Patrick Lehnerd

Lehnerd is one of three incumbent candidates on the ballot and was appointed to the Board to fill a vacancy in March after previously serving on the Elections Committee. His opening statement addressed the need for more effective communication, specifically responsible input from residents to Board members addressing issues, presenting opportunities and holding leaders accountable.

“We have never had as many com-

munication tools at our disposal,” Lehnerd said. “We just need to make use of them and do so responsibly.”

When asked later if he thinks homeowner input is necessary and how he plans to receive such feedback, he reiterated the community needs a voice and reaffirmed his belief in the efficiency of the available resources.

He also said the Board “should look for other ways [to communicate] that might be more effective or as effective.” Lehnerd responded to the concern that board members dismiss input presented during the public comment portion of Board meetings, saying he takes all feedback seriously and typically takes notes when hearing issues.

“In the few Board meetings I’ve attended, I enjoy having those folks here and pointing out things that maybe are in my blind spot or represent gaps,” Lehnerd said. “ So while we don’t have discussion there in real time, those are inputs that– at least from my perspective– are taken seriously. And I usually write notes and will, at the appropriate time, carry this forward.”

In his closing statement, Lehnerd voiced his support for the “results of the investments in infrastructure that [OPA directors] made over the past several years.

When asked by Pickett how the Board will handle organizational changes to residential services, while referencing previous ditch maintenance and leaf removal, Lehnerd stated these services aren’t a part of the bylaws.

He asserted homeowners are responsible for their own property upkeep, and past services were a courtesy.

“It takes resources away from other beautification and maintenance activities,” Lehnerd said. “ As far as leaf removal, my understanding is we had a leaf vacuum truck at one point and used it and thought it would be helpful to the community. And perhaps it was, but again, it’s a lot of resources, maybe not spent properly.”

Lehnerd is active in the platform tennis association, Kiwanis and the Pine Tones Chorus, and said he derives satisfaction from team successes rather than personal achievements.

Elaine Brady

Brady was unable to attend the OPA candidate forum due to a prior scheduling conflict. She shared

the following information directly to Ocean Pines Progress.

Brady is one of three incumbent candidates vying for a second term on the board. Brady, a former publisher, said she first decided to run for the Board three years ago shortly after selling her newspaper. She also said her efforts with the publication made her knowledgeable about how the community has grown and how it operates.

“I think you need someone who is focused on issues, because that’s what matters,” she said. “I had just retired and I thought I could be an asset.”

She voiced her support for recent long-term investments made to amenities. It’s a necessary part of protecting the park’s assets, she said, and added it must be handled responsibly. She also claimed such investments help to maintain property value and preserve “a good-looking community.” Brady referenced investments made to the Beach Club, and argued renovations were necessary since the building has been the same for almost 60 years.

“[Ocean Pines is] aging, just as we are as people, and there was not a lot of upkeep happening,” she said. “You can’t be afraid to spend the money wisely.”

One of her biggest accomplishments during her current three-year tenure is her efforts in removing unnecessary signage along Ocean Parkway, she said. Brady claimed it detracted from the beautification of the park and argued the parkway is a residential area other than where the admin building is located.

“We just had a mish-mosh of stuff along the parkway, so they’re working on it now and I’m really proud,” she said. “It was something I felt strongly on.”

She clarified the Communications Committee advocated for the electronic signage that was recently installed along the parkway but said she acted as a liaison for their efforts when proposing it to the Board.

She is choosing to run again partly because she believes there is good communication between the Board and General Manager John Viola. She added the current Board is efficient in listening to residential opinions on issues and reaching a consensus.

Brady has been a member of the community for 25 years and spends her free time playing bocce and assisting local historical preservation.

ELECTION 2026

Candidates argue merits of committees or work groups

By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer

The future of resident involvement in Ocean Pines remains a contentious issue as candidates for the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors continue to debate last year’s decision to replace most advisory committees with a work group model.

All five candidates running for the three available positions on the OPA Board shared their stances on the sitting Board’s decision to disband advisory committees not required by the bylaws in Fall 2025.

The current Board is now integrating a “work group” model in its place, which entails the recruitment of residents when necessary for short-term tasks in which they specialize.

While some candidates believe this model will yield more efficient results, others argue the committee system is more beneficial to the community. The topic was mentioned multiple times at the OPA Candidate Forum held June 13 by candidates, and by questions from the community and Elections Committee.

Candidates and their arguments are presented in ballot order: Amy Peck

COMMITTEES: Peck’s platform is centered around listening to residents, and claimed committees were a tool, likening them to town halls and public discussion at meetings, that allowed direct input to the board. She argued the Board won’t be able to listen to homeowners if the tools aren’t present.

She used her lone question at the forum to ask fellow candidate and current OPA Board President John Latham how the elimination of committees has made Ocean Pines a better place. She also spoke against the disbandment of committees alongside residents and committee members at September’s Board meeting when the decision was made.

“The proposed work group model limits participation,” she said then. “It means fewer voices filtered through fewer people.”

John Latham

WORK GROUP: Latham, one of the two candidates currently on the

Board that voted to disband advisory committees, argued it’s more efficient for residents to be given a task with start and end dates rather than exhausting themselves within an organized sector.

Latham also claimed the committee model was established at a time when “there weren’t leaders and experts in these areas of business that [Ocean Pines has] today.” He praised General Manager John Viola for building “awesome leadership” throughout every area of Ocean Pines and insists leaders within the community will help as needed.

He recognized two work groups focused on strategic and annual budget planning as examples of department leaders bringing “meaningful conversation” to the Board.

William “Bill” Pickett

COMMITTEES: Pickett voiced his support for the committee system when asked by the community. He believes smaller committees providing information would relieve the concerns of residents feeling unheard. He also thinks the Board’s access to different areas of expertise would strengthen communication, and referenced his own career in Information Technology.

“I’m really good at IT. I’m not really good at something else. So, if somebody wants to tell me about construction, I think I need to hear that from somebody else other than me,” Pickett said.

Pickett also maintained committees can help the Board achieve its governance responsibilities in certain areas, specifically mentioning mission and vision statements and strategic plans.

Patrick Lehnerd

WORK GROUP: Lehnerd referenced his past experiences with work groups and echoed Latham’s claims that a team with a specific goal is more efficient than “spinning your wheels trying to find things to do.” He also has seen personal frustrations with the previous model.

“I live with someone who was on one of those committees, and I experienced some of her frustrations with that process. I’m not sure that those committees were the best way to organize our community to make things happen.”

The incumbent candidate didn’t vote on the matter in September, as he was appointed to the Board in March, but still recognized it as a tough issue. He also added that as work groups become more common, the Board can study their effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments to the model.

Elaine Brady

WORK GROUP: Brady believes the work group model will not only improve communication between volunteers and the Board but will also help to organize the focus of operations.

Brady voted to disband committees last year and reasoned the pre-

vious model’s restraint of needing to attend monthly meetings as inefficient and discouraging to some residents.

“It isn’t that we don’t want feedback, it’s so easy to email folks now if they have the info or the idea,” Brady said. “It’s much easier than waiting every month.”

She also insists the Board members value all the volunteers and their work within the committee system.

She shared her appreciation for all committee efforts, but said the model was designed at a time the community was growing and now has sufficient management in each area.

OPA Encourages Residents to Vote in Election

By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor

Director Jeff Heavner provided an update on this summer’s Ocean Pines Association election during the Board of Directors meeting on June 29, telling residents the process has gotten off to a smooth start and encouraging everyone to cast a ballot.

Heavner, who serves as liaison to the Election Committee, said the association has again contracted with MK Elections to administer this year’s election and praised the company’s handling of both electronic and paper voting.

“If you haven’t noticed, it is election season in Ocean Pines,” Heavner said. “We have selected MK Elections to run our elections for us, and so far it has been smooth as ice.”

According to Heavner, electronic ballots were delivered as scheduled on June 22, arriving in voters’ email inboxes early that morning. Although paper ballots were expected to arrive about a week later, many homeowners began receiving them just a few days afterward.

Residents who have not received either an electronic or paper ballot should contact the association’s Elections Office at elections@ oceanpines.org.

“We want everybody to have the opportunity to vote,” Heavner said. He encouraged homeowners to consider voting electronically,

describing the online system as simple and secure.

“The electronic voting is so easy,” he said. “They made it really foolproof.”

For those choosing to vote by mail, Heavner reviewed the paper ballot process. Each ballot packet includes a ballot, candidate biographies, a secrecy envelope, and a prepaid return envelope addressed to MK Elections.

He explained that voters should place their completed ballot inside the secrecy envelope before placing it in the prepaid mailing envelope. The two-envelope system protects voter privacy by separating identifying information from the ballot before it is counted.

Heavner also cautioned residents to carefully follow the instructions.

“Please do not make any marks on any of these envelopes,” he said. “Do not make any marks on the ballot except for the candidates that you choose, or it will be discounted.”

Five candidates are seeking three seats on the Ocean Pines Board of Directors. In ballot order, they are Amy Peck, John Latham, Bill Pickett, Pat Lehnerd and Elaine Brady.

Ballots must be returned and received by noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Ballots will be counted and vote totals announced on Friday, Aug. 7. The OPA’s Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 8.

May 2026 monthly financial report.

Viola says rainy holiday weekend contributed to early budget shortfall

By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor

Arainy Memorial Day weekend contributed to a modest budget shortfall for the Ocean Pines Association during the first month of its new fiscal year, but General Manager John Viola said key revenue sources are already rebounding as summer weather improves.

Viola reviewed the association’s May financial report during the June 29 Board of Directors meeting, noting that May marks the beginning of the fiscal year.

For the month, the association finished approximately $9,000 below budget.

“So what happened?” Viola said. “Obviously Memorial Day weekend, we’re weather dependent, especially this time of the year. It was a tough weekend for weather, and I’m sure for everybody else.”

He said the poor holiday weather affected several of the association’s amenities and delayed membership sales, particularly Beach Club parking permits.

Viola said membership sales were increasing in June. Every time the weather’s nice, people come in and buy Beach parking.”

Viola said golf revenues have remained steady and are tracking closely with both last year’s performance and budget projections. Aquatics is performing above last year’s levels and is also meeting budget expectations.

The marina has also seen business improve as weather conditions have become more favorable.

“We’re getting good weather. I guess that pent-up demand is coming in,” Viola said. “We’re certainly looking good there.”

Viola also noted that racquet sports continue to perform well, despite concerns raised last year about participation.

“The interesting thing here is we heard about people from the outside” not coming to play in Ocean Pines, he said. “The associate memberships from people that don’t live in Ocean Pines is actually up a little.”

He added that public works expenses are currently favorable to budget, although some of those savings are being offset by the use of outside contractors.

Looking ahead, Viola said he expects the association’s financial performance to improve as membership sales continue through the summer.

“I do believe some of this is going to be timing where we’ll see the memberships and everything coming in over the next month,” he said. “We seem to be tracking with last year in budget.”

Viola said management will also be watching tourism trends after the Independence Day holiday, using activity in Ocean City and the surrounding area as a benchmark for the remainder of the summer season.

Progress Staff photo

Kim Murray of Ocean Pines out on the water in the canal at Pintail Park on the Fourth of July.

Ocean Pines Officials Explain Tree Removal Rules

Following Resident Concerns

By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor

Ocean Pines Association officials are working to address resident concerns over what some have described as “clear cutting” on residential construction sites. Senior Director of Administration Linda Martin emphasized that many tree removal decisions may ultimately be governed by Worcester County regulations rather than the OPA.

During the June 29 Board of Directors meeting, Martin explained that the association has received complaints from residents about the extent of tree removal on some building lots.

“I know we had a concern brought up that we’re not being strict enough,” Martin said.

To improve coordination, Martin said the OPA began participating in pre-construction meetings with Worcester County about two years ago. Those meetings help determine what tree removal is necessary before construction begins.

In some cases, county requirements related to drainage infrastructure take precedence over OPA regulations regarding tree removal, she said.

Martin pointed to a recent construction project on Ocean Parkway that generated multiple complaints from residents who believed the lot had been clear cut. She explained that while trees were removed to accommodate a county-required drainage system, tree buffers along the sides and rear of the property remained intact.

The tree line was not touched on the back and on both sides, Martin said, noting that the area where trees were removed was required for drainage improvements.

She stressed that neither Worcester County nor the OPA will issue its final approval for a project without a landscaping plan and ensuring compliance with all applicable requirements.

Martin outlined the circumstances under which tree removal is typically permitted, including: trees located within the 15-foot bulkhead easement, trees within drainage easements, which are generally 20

feet wide, trees located within 10 feet of a proposed home foundation, trees within 3 feet of a proposed driveway, trees measuring less than 6 inches in diameter, and trees that are dead, dying, diseased or rotting.

Board Director Monica Rakowski added that many residents may not realize that portions of their properties are designated wetlands, placing them under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources rather than the OPA or even Worcester County.

“It’s important for residents to understand a lot of the property in front of our homes, those are wetlands,” Rakowski said. Those are controlled by DNR, not Ocean Pines or Worcester County, she said.

Rakowski said the association is not attempting to prevent residents from removing trees but wants homeowners to understand that environmental regulations governing wetlands are established by state agencies.

Martin encouraged residents with questions about tree removal on specific properties to contact the homeowners association for clarification.

“If anyone ever has any questions about clear cutting, by all means, email info@oceanpines.org,” she said. She said either she or someone else at the OPA can provide interested parties with a copy of the site plan and answer any questions.

Financial Report

From Page 9

The previous year’s year-end financial statements remain unaudited because the association has not yet received its audited financial statements for April.

Viola also reported that the association’s reserve funds total approximately $10 million, including about $6 million in general reserves. He said those balances remain consistent with the association’s reserve study and long-term capital planning.

“This is on track with the DMA study and on track with all our forecasts over the next 15 to 20 years,” Viola said.

Viola Highlights Progress on Fire Station, Seasonal Maintenance

By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor

Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola updated the Board of Directors on a wide range of projects during a June 29 meeting, reporting progress on the new south fire station, the recently opened tiki kitchen, police department recruitment efforts, community maintenance projects and improvements to the bocce courts.

Fire Station Construction

Construction of the new southside fire station remains on track despite delays caused by additional site preparation and revisions to the project’s architectural plans.

Viola said crews encountered unexpected soil compaction issues that required more extensive work than originally anticipated. To prepare a stable building site, contractors brought in more than 190 truckloads of fill to establish the proper elevation and compaction. He said all required testing has now been completed successfully.

The project also experienced de-

lays after a change in architects and revisions to the final plans. Those plans have now been received, and the next step is a meeting with the Worcester County Fire Department and the contractor to move the project into the permitting phase for foundation construction.

Although the schedule shifted early in the project, Viola said he believes construction remains on track, with the estimated 60-week timeline beginning once foundation work starts.

Tiki Kitchen Opens

The new Tiki Kitchen at the Yacht Club opened May 29 and is now serving guests on the patio, at the tiki bar and around the pool.

Viola said the satellite kitchen was designed to improve customer service by allowing food to be prepared closer to patrons, resulting in faster service and warmer meals than when food had to be delivered from the main kitchen.

The OPA funded construction of structure, while Touch of Italy invested an estimated $140,000 to

outfit the kitchen’s interior.

The Board previously approved a construction budget of approximately $316,500 for the structure, but the project was completed under budget at $261,149.60 by contractor Happy Jack.

Police Recruitment

Viola said the Ocean Pines Police Department continues to face staffing shortages and is increasing starting salaries in an effort to recruit additional officers.

He emphasized that the department is not fully staffed despite rumors suggesting otherwise.

Under the proposed salary adjustments, recruits entering the police academy would receive a starting salary of $72,000, up from approximately $63,600, while certified officers would start at $73,500. Viola said the increases can be absorbed within the department’s current budget because of existing vacancies.

One recruit is scheduled to attend the police academy in July, with the possibility of two additional re-

cruits attending in January. Viola also commended the department’s current officers and leadership for taking on additional responsibilities while vacancies remain open.

Bocce Leaderboard

A new leaderboard has been installed at the Ocean Pines bocce courts following the successful fundraising efforts of the bocce volunteer group.

Installed June 5 at a cost of approximately $3,200, the custom-built scoreboard is designed to display sponsorship signs. Viola said the original signs are being remade after volunteers were dissatisfied with their appearance.

He credited the bocce group for generating sponsorship revenue to support the program.

Maintenance Crews Catching Up Viola said maintenance crews have been working to complete seasonal projects after weather delays slowed preparations earlier this spring.

At the Swim and Racquet Club,

To Page 14

GM Report

From Page 13

crews have mowed grass, treated weeds, trimmed shrubs, removed dead landscaping and replaced or repainted deck boards as needed. New landscaping is planned for the fall.

At the Racquet Center, maintenance staff completed grass cutting, weed treatment, installation of a new shade structure and lighting repairs.

Viola also addressed concerns about debris on Ocean Pines’ trail system, saying maintenance crews will begin clearing fallen trees and branches after the Fourth of July. Because of the scope of the work, the association is also considering hiring outside contractors to assist with trail cleanup.

Public Works Yard

The Ocean Pines Public Works yard will remain closed for the rest of the summer as cleanup continues following storm debris removal and other maintenance projects, Senior Director of Administration Linda Martin told the Board of Directors on June 29.

Martin said the yard remains unsafe for residents because of ongoing work, including the removal of a large soil stockpile from the new fire station construction site.

Recent progress includes grinding and hauling away mulch created from storm cleanup with assistance from Worcester County. Still to be completed are removal of the soil stockpile, separating debris from dirt collected during community cleanup, disposing of dredge material, hauling chipped debris to the landfill and dismantling and removing an old floating dock from the marina.

While the yard is closed, Public Works continues to offer curbside pickup of paper-bagged yard debris with no limit on the number of bags. Residents can schedule pickup by calling 410-641-7425.

Not Mowing Easements

The OPA is reminding property owners that maintaining drainage easements and roadside ditches is the responsibility of individual homeowners.

During the June 29 Board of Directors meeting, Martin said the association is not mowing easements, despite questions from residents

To Page 15

GM Report

From Page 14 Martin.

about when crews would return.

Martin said easements and rights-of-way are dedicated for public utilities but are required to be maintained by adjacent property owners. That includes mowing, clearing debris and maintaining drainage ditches.

She also noted that Ocean Pines no longer provides leaf pickup in those areas.

Funding previously used for that service has been redirected to other association services. Martin said the association has received relatively few violations related to easement maintenance.

Concerts in Park Continue

Ocean Pines’ popular Concerts in the Park series is continuing as scheduled despite rumors suggesting otherwise, Martin said.

Martin said the weekly concerts at White Horse Park remain well attended, with approximately 100 people attending the most recent performance. Additional concerts are planned this summer.

She also addressed rumors that the Kiwanis Club had been forced out of the event by Touch of Italy, calling those claims false.

Swim and Racquet Sign

Installation of a new sign at the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Club was expected around July 4 after a production delay, according to

Beach Club repairs made as Pines plans future major renovations

By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor

While Ocean Pines Association members will see routine maintenance and repairs at the Beach Club this summer, they can expect a dramatically different facility next year, including a fully renovated second floor with expanded dining, an upper-level deck overlooking the ocean and improved accessibility.

General Manager John Viola outlined the Beach Club’s immediate repairs and long-term renovation plans during the OPA Board of Directors meeting on June 29, stressing that misinformation circulating in the community has created confusion about the project.

gin after the summer season.

“We are going to replace much of it as part of the replacement study,” he said.

The work will be divided into several construction projects, beginning with demolition of portions of both the interior and exterior. Existing decks will be removed and replaced with a two-tier design.

Current plans call for a lower deck extending toward the boardwalk and a new upper deck connected to the renovated second floor. The upper level will feature accordion-style glass doors, new windows and an outdoor deck extending approximately 16 feet.

Speaking at the June 29 Board of Directors meeting, Martin said the custom sign had been expected in early July following a six- to eight-week production process that included carving, painting and finishing.

She said Public Works has already begun preparing the site for installation and was checking with the manufacturer to confirm delivery. If the sign did not arrive as anticipated, installation would take place the following week.

Strategic Plan Updated

The OPA has removed an outdated version of its strategic plan from the association website to eliminate confusion, Martin said.

Martin said the current strategic plan, last updated in December 2025, was developed by General Manager John Viola and staff and is now the only version available on the website under the General Manager section.

The plan focuses on maintaining a strong financial position, improving infrastructure and community amenities, enhancing public safety, fostering an engaged community and supporting leadership development.

Martin said many of the plan’s priorities were shaped by feedback gathered through community surveys, noting that homeowner input played a significant role in establishing the association’s long-term goals.

There was information out there that is misleading, Viola said. He encouraged people to email questions to info@oceanpines.org. “That’s where you’re going to get the real deal.”

Viola said the annual maintenance work at the Beach Club was completed later than usual after the contractor that traditionally prepares the facility for the season retired, requiring staff to secure another company.

The completed work included replacing and repainting deck boards, stabilizing and securing banisters, repairing raised boards and exposed nails, shaving down buckled areas of the deck, trimming dead palm fronds, replacing handrails and repainting the handicap chair storage container.

Viola also addressed rumors that the palm trees had not been maintained.

“One of the things we heard was that those were the palm trees from last year. They were not the palm trees from last year,” he said, explaining that the trees are replaced annually and that some branches died because of cold weather and a dry spell before being removed.

Although the maintenance work has addressed immediate safety and appearance concerns, Viola emphasized that much of what was repaired this year will ultimately be replaced as part of a comprehensive renovation project scheduled to be-

Additional improvements are expected to include replacement of exterior pilings, new flooring, upgraded windows and doors, and electrical and plumbing improvements.

Viola said Touch of Italy will invest in a new commercial kitchen and renovated bathrooms as part of its restaurant operations at the Beach Club. The association will install a new elevator to provide access to the second floor.

Director Rick Farr reminded residents that the elevator is required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“I just want to remind the residents that this is an ADA requirement that we have to have,” Farr said. He said that invested is because it is a mandated ADA requirement to ensure that the OPA provides access for those who need it.

The renovation will transform a second floor that has been largely unused for years into a new dining destination with ocean views.

“I think that upstairs is going to be pretty amazing,” OPA President John Latham said. “I don’t know when the last time it’s actually been used other than a storage shed. If you go upstairs there, it’s an unbelievable view. So it will be very, very nice.”

Viola said that will be enhanced with the top deck, the accordion doors and bar.

Viola said staff expects to receive final CAD drawings and additional construction plans in the coming weeks.

Submitted photo Repairs being made to the Ocean Pines Beach Club deck and boardwalk.

Worcester County 2026 Primary Election Results

New Faces to Assume Commissioner District 5 & 6 Seats

By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer

Ocean Pines voters helped reshape Worcester County’s leadership in the 2026 primary election, ousting longtime District 5 Commissioner Chip Bertino while electing longtime educator and former Worcester County Public Schools Superintendent Lou Taylor to represent District 6. The results mark a significant shift in the commissioners representing the Ocean Pines community.

Joe Schanno, who defeated Bertino in the primary election, will face a Democratic challenger in the November December election to finalize the District 5 seat.

In a neck-and-neck race, incumbent Commissioner Chip Bertino is expected to lose his seat representing District 5 to Joe Schanno if reported results, while still labeled unofficial by the Maryland State Board of Elections website, remain unchanged.

Schanno received 33 more votes than incumbent candidate Anthony “Chip” Bertino as of July 1 and led by 65 votes after election day. With these results he is expected to compete against Democrat candidate Vicky Wallace in the upcoming general election, which will also be the sole commissioner race on the ballot in the county in November.

Commissioner Jim Bunting did not seek reelection, resulting Taylor taking the District 6 seat after winning 70 percent of the votes. After besting candidate Sherrie Clifford, Taylor is the only commissioner confirmed so far to be representing Ocean Pines in November.

“I was very humbled and honored to receive the votes I received,” Taylor expressed. “I’m excited to get started representing not only district 6, but the entire county.”

Incumbent candidates Theodore “Ted” Elder and Diana Purnell , representing Districts 2 and 4 respectively, have lost their seats as well. Elder ran against two contenders and received 30 percent of the votes. However, challenger Steve Green won the seat with 50 percent.

Roxie Dennis competed directly with Purnell and won the primary race 58 percent to 42 percent.

Neither Dennis nor Green face

a challenge in the general election and are immediately set to represent their districts. Dennis is also the only confirmed Democratic commissioner for Worcester County so far.

Incumbent Commissioners Caryn Abbot and Eric Fiori won their elections to Districts 1 and 3 respec-

tively, as did District 7 Ocean City Commissioner Joseph Mitrecic, who ran uncontested. Abbot earned 54 percent of the vote against Laura Gladding Morrison and Shaun W. Shockley in District 1, while Fiori defeated Tim VanVonno 59 percent to 41 percent in District 3.

In other local races, Sheriff Matt

Crisafulli also won his election against challenger Jeffrey Buhrt in an 86 percent to 14 percent of the vote, and will be returning for a third term.

Mary Burgess, John Simms III and Cheryl Jacobs led the vote over Lisa Mitchell, who was 108 votes To Page 18

Election Results

From Page 17

short of Jacobs, in a highly-contested Republican primary for Judge of the Orphans’ Court. Democrat Martin Radinsky, who ran unopposed, will join them on the ballot in November. Voters will have the ability to elect three candidates in this election.

Judge of the Circuit Court Kristina Watkowski, Clerk of the Circuit Court Susan Richardson Braniecki, State’s Attorney Kris Heiser and Register of Wills Terri Delaney Westcott all ran unopposed and have no challengers in the general election.

In addition to the county races, incumbent Senator Mary Beth Carozza, after running unopposed in the primary, will face Democratic challenger Lino Cressotti for the District 38 seat in the general election.

Incumbent Delegate Wayne Hartman and Democrat candidate Laurie Anne Brittingham both ran unopposed in the primary and will compete in November to represent District 38C.

Democrat Shelley Johnson will face Republican C.L. Marshall III, who prevailed over Timothy H. Howlett in a 70 percent to 30 percent vote in the primary election, for the delegate role of District 38A. Current Delegate Kevin Anderson chose not to seek reelection.

For governor, Republican Dan Cox won both the Worcester County and state vote against eight other contenders in his primary election. Cox, alongside his running mate for Lieutenant Governor Rob Krop, will now face the returning incumbents Democrats Wes Moore and Aruna Miller, respectively.

To represent Maryland District 1, Congressional incumbent Andy Harris reportedly received 80 percent of the votes against Chris Brunell in both Worcester County and the state in the Republican primary. He will now face challenger Democrat Dan Schwartz, who received 46 percent of votes statewide in a four-way race.

Republican James B. Rutledge III and incumbent Democrat Anthony G. Brown both ran unopposed in their primary races, and will compete for Attorney General of Maryland in the general election.

For comptroller, Democrat Brooke Elizabeth Lierman and Republican Sonya Dunn will face-off in the general election after both running unopposed in the primary.

Celebrating America’s 250th: Ocean Pines Turns Up the Spirit Despite the Heat

By PROGRESS STAFF

Blue plastic spoon in hand, a cheery customer in a United States flag T-shirt held up a cup of root beer flavored shaved ice and, making a toast, called, “Happy 250th birthday, America” as customers at the crowded Snowball Stand cheered.

Even overheated, sleepy children and adults remained good humored the afternoon and evening of the Fourth of July, both at The Snowball Stand and across the street at Memorial Park in Ocean Pines, where the high heat advisory didn’t dampen the fun at the festival that began at 4 p.m. and continued until fireworks lit the dark sky.

Due to the heat, the Pines’ Concerts in the Park scheduled for July 2 was canceled but other events continued as planned.

Thirteen-year-old Paisley Goetzinger was volunteering at the festival with her mother, Ocean Pines Recreation Supervisor Katie Goetzinger, who wore a comical

white T-shirt with, in red, the words “It’s a bad day to be a hot dog.” The two greeted visitors, including those who hadn’t seen Paisely in years and were pleased to hear she’s excelling in art.

Anthony Sessa, owner of the Tastee Twister ice cream truck, was in the driver’s seat as his brother served cones and sundaes replete with chocolate sprinkles to parents and little ones standing in a long line in the grass at the park. Families sat on blankets and children played carnival games and climbed aboard rides as music filled the air in a festive atmosphere.

The Ocean Pines Kiwanis Club and other vendors sold hot dogs, pretzels with cheese, cookies, Air Heads and traditional Fourth of July lemonade.

Kylie Shrieves, 3, comfortable in a stroller with a lollipop in her mouth, and wearing a dress with a red and blue ice cream bar design and string of white pearls around her neck, held a bubble blower shaped like

a princess dressed in blue, as her grandmother, Kaycee Allen of Ocean Pines, kept an eye on her and her brother, 6-year-old Jaxon Shrieves.

“We come to this festival every year, but it’s super hot this year,” Allen said.

Plastic containers of sand in various colors and empty Coke and other bottles lined the Sand Art table, ready to be filled as colorful keepsakes.

At Ray’s Wraps Hairwraps, Shannon Findlay of Berlin was getting a braid wrapped in yellow, blue and fuchsia. Findlay said she wanted “something fresh for summer” as Ray assured her it would last the entire season. He learned the skill in Australia while he was playing professional golf, he said.

Boys climbed the rock wall, children chose the perfect horse to ride on the merry-go-round and dog owners romped with their pets.

“What’s that you say? You’re hot?” Tom Bristol, visiting from western Pennsylvania, said to his 4-year-

old twin sons, Russell and Max, as he poured bottles of water, warmed from the sun, over their heads and watched them laugh and shake off the excess water, then beg him to do it again.

“This is the best way to stay cool, but these guys will be dragging me to the ice cream truck soon,” Bristol said.

Back at The Snowball Stand, where every parking space was filled, visitors pulled lawn chairs out of their trunks to watch the fireworks without getting into festival traffic and ordered Bomb Pop Specials – vanilla ice cream, red and blue ices, sprinkles around the brim, whipped cream, patriotic paper flag and umbrella and a red, white and blue Bomb Pop popsicle pushed down into the cup.

“It looks so pretty. I have to take a picture of it before I take a bite” one woman said.

At a nearby table, Sabrina Saldieran of Augusta, W. Va, delivTo Page 21

Fourth of July

From Page 19 ered cups of flavored ice to her eager children, Jensen, Karsyn and Aiden.

Fireworks lit the sky in Ocean Pines, and were visible not only to those at Memorial Park but those camped at surrounding businesses and plazas, some tailgating under the stars, unwrapping sandwiches and biting into fried chicken from nearby Royal Farms.

A few miles away, the town of Ocean City celebrated the country’s 250th with fireworks in two locations, on North Division Street and Northside Park. Fish Tales Bar and Grill had a hot dog eating contest with $1,000 prize. Festivities started at 6 p.m. on North Division Street along the beach and boardwalk with performances. Increased police patrols were expected including K9 bomb teams from local and state agencies.

The evening ended with a gust of wind that blew over outdoor furniture at, at least one, Ocean Pines pool and stirred the water for boaters who reported a few minutes of unexpected rough sailing. A Teal Circle resident posted on Facebook that strong wind knocked over flower pots and statues and blew the

screen door open.

Due to the heat, Ocean City officials established cooling centers at the Ocean City Convention Center and Northside Park, as did St. Luke’s Catholic Church. Cooling stations were also opened in nearby Sussex County, Del.

Bethany Beach officials in Delaware had concerts on Friday and Saturday nights at the bandstand on the boardwalk and fireworks Saturday evening, but canceled the annual parade set for Friday. The South Bethany, Del., homeowners association canceled the boat parade and bonfire, all because of a high heat advisory and all rescheduled for Labor Day weekend. About 60 Bethany residents objected to not having the parade and met at noon on July 4 for their own procession.

Organizer Sean Belanger said it was a tradition they weren’t going to miss, adding he felt most of the town council members don’t even live in town and predicted the Labor Day version of the parade “will be a total flop.”

But Mayor Ron Calef corrected him, saying he, and about half the council members, do live in the downtown area and defending the decision to cancel the parade.

443-437-1700

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Progress Staff photo Anthony Sessa, owner of Tastee Twister ice cream truck, laughs with customers from the driver’s seat of the truck during Fourth of July festivities.

Clockwise from top left: Fireworks display at Ocean Pines Fourth of July celebration; Jensen, 5, visiting Ocean Pines with siblings Karsyn and Aiden and mother Sabrina Saldieran of Augusta, W. Va., digs into a Bomb Pop at The Snowball Stand; rock climbing was among the many activities at the Fourth of July Festival; and a 250th Celebration banner at the festival.

Progress Staff photos

from top left: Fireworks display at Ocean Pines Fourth of July celebration; festival goers enjoyed food, games, rides, and more; Kylie Shrieves, 3, of Ocean Pines has fun with a princess bubble blower at the festival. She was there with grandmother Kaycee Allen and brother Jaxon Shrieves, 6; and Shannon Findlay of Berlin gets her hair wrapped by Ray’s Wraps Hairwraps of Ocean City at the festival.

Progress Staff photos

Clockwise

A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

How Worcester County’s 1776 Election Dispute Unfolded

By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer

All historical information was gathered from the Maryland State Archives.

(Annapolis, Sep. 4, 1776)

Following a brief election conflict, Worcester County representatives have returned to Annapolis to continue efforts in “forming a new government” within the colony.

Worcester County’s Peter Chaille, Samuel Handy, Smith Bishop and Josiah Mitchell have been elected to serve as the county’s delegates. Chaille, Handy and Bishop were all reelected by local voters, while Mitchell was elected to fill a prior vacancy.

On Aug. 15, Bishop, Handy and Chaille, alongside John Purnell Robins, were forced to exit from the convention and discharged from further attendance just one day after the convention had assembled.

A remonstrance, written by Worcester County Election Judges, was acknowledged claiming the election conducted in Worcester to appoint these delegates on Aug. 1 was held “contrary to the resolves

of the last Convention,” according to convention proceedings. Worcester Judges Benton Harris, John Selby and Thomas Martin, who were all appointed by members of the previous convention on July 3, claimed local voter qualifications were not “ascertained” and the procedure failed to support the voting standards established throughout the colony in July. The Worcester delegates had also recognized the issue.

Members of the convention declared the election held on Aug. 1 void, and re-

quested another election be held in the county courthouse located in the town of Snow Hill on Aug. 27.

This second election almost yielded the same results as all delegates were reelected except for Robins, who was now replaced by Mitchell. Upon their return all delegates were inspected and approved by members of the assembly’s Committee of Elections.

Worcester County wasn’t the only area to experience election disputes, as the assembly had also declared the votes held

in the counties of Queen Anne’s, Prince George’s and the lower district of Frederick void.

The Committee of Elections, which consisted of several delegates within the assembly, determined the judges in these counties had failed to act on conducting the election. The citizens in these counties appointed their own judges instead, but the elections were dismissed by the convention on Aug. 15 as they weren’t carried out by the judges specifically chosen by the assembly in July.

Members on the Committee of Elections also approved the returning delegates in those counties. As the Worcester delegates were the last to return, Robins was ultimately one of two candidates in the assembly that failed to get reelected.

On Aug. 17, when the Worcester County representatives were absent from the assembly, the delegates in attendance considered “the resolution of congress declaring the united colonies free and independent states.” The members concluded they would “maintain the freedom and independency of the United States.”

The vote was unanimous.

The Eastern Shore’s Unique Revolutionary War Role

The “Breadbasket” in the Heart of the Colonies

By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer

At the height of the Revolutionary War, the Lower Eastern Shore found itself in a unique position. Geographically, the Delmarva peninsula was in the middle of the 13 colonies, but despite the battles fought throughout the United States, it remained relatively free from bloodshed.

When British General Lord Charles Cornwallis first arrived in Staten Island in 1776 to assist Sir William Howe in battle, he was able to lead a march of British troops that pushed General Washington and his army out of New York, and beyond New Jersey.

He assisted in the capture of Philadelphia a year later and would lead a campaign in the southern colonies in the final years of the war, moving north through the Carolinas until reaching Yorktown, Virginia. Naval skirmishes would occur along the peninsula’s coast and in the Chesapeake Bay, but Worcester County soil remained free of any major land battles.

So, what did the residents of the Eastern Shore do during the war?

Food and Agrarian Powerhouses

They supplied the Continental Army with food. So much food that historians have called Maryland, primarily the Eastern Shore, the “Breadbasket of the Revolution.”

Long before war broke out in Maryland, the agrarian sector on the Eastern Shore had been prosperous.

The soil on the Eastern Shore has proven to be productive in growing a wide variety of crops, specifically light soils efficient for growing vegetables with heavier soils suited for grains and vegetables in the north, according to a Maryland Agriculture booklet titled ‘Breadbasket of the Revolution” available on the Maryland State Archives. However the area’s initial cash crop was tobacco, which is native to the state.

Maryland and Virginia were exporting millions of pounds of tobacco annually just prior to the war breaking out, but the conflict of the war and the inaccessibility to foreign trading that it caused resulted in a pivot toward edible crops.

Wheat would replace tobacco as the state’s critical crop at the time, although it would only take a num-

ber of years until that was surpassed by the corn and the fruit industry. The Baltimore Salt Company would also capitalize on the shifting economy by opening a salt works on the Sinepuxent Bay, which would evaporate water from the bay leaving only salt behind, according to Worcester County’s MDGenweb page. The salt provided helped serve the army’s need of provisions.

The Difference Maker

When General Washington approached Cornwallis’ troops in Yorktown by traveling south through the Chesapeake Bay, he had the abundance of resources in Worcester and Somerset counties in mind– specifically cattle.

According to information on the Maryland State Archives, it wasn’t until shortly after the war that enhanced breeds of cattle were imported to Maryland, helping build a foundation for Maryland’s dairy industry to thrive in the nineteenth century. But the quality of cattle did

not stop the Continental Army from relying on the Eastern Shore livestock to survive.

Maryland farmers were taking risks by continuing to supply the Continental Army, as there was still no national currency or credit system established. Not only were they forced to accept government-issued paper notes called ‘Continentals,’ but hessian flies– a pest to cereal crops– had started invading the ecosystem and harming wheat crops for years to come.

The farmers of the Eastern Shore still provided their resources, with MDGenWeb.org claiming the army received 1200 heads of cattle from Worcester and Somerset on the way to the conclusive battle in Yorktown.

The Continental Army was in need of every resource they could get fighting against an established empire, and the farmers of Somerset and Worcester helped.

Even if the battle never reached the residents, the Eastern Shore made much of a difference.

Submitted photo Harry Burkett (left), branch manager of the Worcester County Library in Ocean Pines, holds a signed copy of “Ocean City Chronicles.” Local historian and author Hunter “Bunk” Mann (right) donated his book following a recent Delmarva Authors panel recently held at the library.

Ocean Pines Garden Club Marks 50 Years of Growing Community

By PROGRESS STAFF

Among gardeners, it’s an understatement to say the soil in Ocean Pines is uncooperative. Still, they dig and plant, water and fertilize, ever striving because having a garden is important.

“We live in the woods and there are lots of animals and birds and insects that we need to cohabitate with and being aware of that you can choose plantings to be native plants and flowers and-or fruit or berry bearing to feed those critters,” Ocean Pines Garden Club member Barbara Miller said.

“When you put in native plants, they aren’t as much work. It’s easier to take care of them because they understand our soil, our droughts,” said Miller who, with about 100 members, is celebrating the garden club’s 50th anniversary this year.

Members don’t just grow plants and vegetables, but also benefit the community. They recently presented Worcester Technical High School with a $500 check for its beehive endeavors after Sarah Ruggiero, the agriculture science instructor who researched and built beehives with her students, spoke at a garden club meeting.

At the July meeting, they were expected to present a check to master gardener Carol Cross of Cross Farms “because of all the work she does with kids,” Miller said.

“She has kids who go on field trips to her farm and she goes into the schools with vegetables and teaches them where their food comes from and how to cook it and they get to eat it. She is doing amazing work with kids,” she said about the owner of the farm, located on Pitts Road, about three miles from Ocean Pines’ north gate. It is described on the website, https:// marylandsbest.maryland.gov, as having naturally grown fruits, vegetables and free-range eggs “from spoiled chickens.”

“The fact that our garden club has been around for 50 years shows you it has some staying power. Our members are generally not limited to Ocean Pines but within a 30-mile radius of Ocean Pines. Many of our members are master gardeners and many are not. I am not. We have some novices, some experienced gardeners. When we have speakers. We usually choose them to

be educational,” she said.

At the Thursday, July 9, meeting, at 10 a.m. in the Ocean Pines Golf Clubhouse, Carla Hackley will present “Shedding Light on Shade Gardens.” In August, the speaker will discuss bonsai gardening. Guests are welcome at meetings and the garden club is accepting new members.

The September meeting is for members only, but in October they will visit Windmill Creek Winery & Farm Kitchen.

“The owners of the winery will be speakers and we will tour the house on that property and talk about what they have tried to do with the winery. They gave up on vines. They won’t grow there. They will talk about their agricultural journey and where they get grapes now,” Miller said.

In November, members will be making ornaments for Ocean Pines’ annual festival of trees and in December they will end the 50th year with a cocktail party.

“Our 50th year celebration started in January. It was a lovely luncheon at the Atlantic Hotel in Berlin. Last year we installed three pollinator garden beds in the median. They are going strong and they have never been watered. By now the roots are deep. We planted them last spring. They weren’t watered last year either but we had a wet spring and summer. They got so well-established they were like, ‘We’re good.’ This year, and every year, we plant a tree at Pintail Park in memory of those who passed away the year before. We do that every April. We have trees going back to 2009 and for every tree there is a rock with the year on it. Our Arbor Day ceremony is a lovely ceremony. We usually have dignitaries attending that ceremony, someone from the board, someone from the board of county commissioners. They present proclamations. Either the Pine Tones or the Delmarva Chorus sings for us. It’s on the second Thursday in April,” she said.

The Garden Club maintains the little garden in front of the gazebo at Pintail Park, as well.

“Every year we give a gift to Ocean Pines. We are still discussing what we will give this year. Sometimes it’s a bench. In the past we gave the anchor

Submitted photos

Barbara Miller, Ocean Pines Garden Club member.

Garden Club

From Page 29

that is in front of the Yacht Club,” Miller added.

Decorative greenery on section signs throughout Ocean Pines is a Garden Club endeavor, but the decorative greenery placed on each street sign at Christmastime is done by Ocean Pines employees.

Garden club members “teach each other tricks and we visit each other’s yards and give each other plants. We learn that native plants are the best to plant. One of my favorites is the hardy geranium. Not every geranium is native. You have to get the native ones. They winter well and have the cutest flowers on them. I also have native iris. It’s very short and it spreads like crazy. When they all bloom at once you have a whole sea of purple. The native iris just go nuts but you have to ask for them when you go to buy them,” Miller said, suggesting, as a resource, the University of Maryland Extension.

Master gardeners are also available in the lobby at the Ocean Pines Library on Tuesdays to answer questions, she said.

Miller said she had never been much of a gardener, but joined the club for information “and because this whole place was a mystery to me.”

“I’m like, what? There are roots. There is sand. There is clay. I joined the Garden Club to learn and I made a lot of friends,” she said.

While many of the members are avid gardeners, some don’t join because of roots and soil but because of the friendships that are made.

“It’s about a network and just knowing more people in the community,” Miller said. “Gardeners are all nice people.”

Submitted photo

More than 45 youths plus parents and grandparents attended the Ocean Pines Anglers Club

Teach A Kid To Fish day at the South Pond in Ocean Pines. Young aspiring anglers were introduced to tackle, bait selection, regulations, casting and safe environmental practices. Many young anglers tried out their newly acquired skills and were rewarded with several nice catches. A free drawing was held for 2 Rod & Reels. Rod & Reel winners were Roman Enderle (left) and Miriam Keeley. Many of the young anglers are looking forward to the OPAC Youth Fishing Contest held on the third Saturday in July.

COMMUNITY NOTES

Swanson to Speak at Anglers Club Meeting

The Ocean Pines Anglers Club will meet on Saturday, July 11, at 9:30 a.m. in the Ocean Pines Library.

The speaker is Taylor Swanson, executive director, Assateague Coastkeeper, Assateague Coastal Trust. Swanson will be speaking about prevalence and problems caused by the invasive species (snakeheads and blue catfish) in local waters. There will also be fishing reports, regulation updates and all things fishing. All are welcome.

Delmarva Chorus Chorus Show Slated

The Delmarva Chorus, a chapter of Sing United International (Sweet Adelines) and directed by Carol Ludwig, will be holding their annual chorus show on Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m. in the Ocean Pines Community Center. The theme this year will be “Coffee, Tea & Travelin’ Harmony.”

Come for a great show with familiar tunes, audience participation, free coffee, tea, beverages and tables full of homemade desserts, door prizes, a 50/50, raffles, raffle baskets and more. Tickets are $15. For more information, call Barb at 814-421-3437 or Elaine at 410-7031262. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Anglers Club Holds Fishing Contest

The Ocean Pines Anglers Club will host the annual Art Hansen Memorial Youth Fishing Contest on Saturday, July 18 at the South Gate Pond at Veterans Park in Ocean Pines. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and the contest will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m.. Youths should

bring their own rod and reel. Bait and water will be provided. There will be three age groups: ages 4-7, 8-11, and 12-16.

A trophy will be awarded for the biggest fish in each age group with special awards for the top three. A Grand Prize drawing will be held for a Burtson Custom Rod and Reel. Children younger than age 4 can fish but will not be eligible for a trophy. This is a free event. All registrants will receive a prize compliments of the Anglers Club. For more information contact Lee Phillips at 410-208-1575 or Frank Tortella at 443-542-3500.

Claret Jug Classic at the OP Golf Club

The Ocean Pines Golf Club will host the Claret Jug Classic on Saturday, July 19, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

The tournament will feature 18 holes with two-player teams. Each player will utilize a spinning wheel to select one Open Championship professional before play begins, with the team score being combined with

the scores of the selected professionals. The team with the lowest combined total wins.

A brunch buffet and Open Championship Watch Party will follow play. Prizes include Pro Shop gift cards, Touch of Italy gift cards, and engraved Claret Jug Classic beer mugs for the winning team.

Registration is $45 per player for golf members and $95 per player for non-members. Spots are limited, so players are encouraged to register early. Call the Pro Shop at 410-6416057.

Junior Pickleball Camps at Racquet Center

The Ocean Pines Racquet Center is inviting young pickleball players to a three-day Junior Pickleball Camp next month.

Both sessions will be held July 13-15. Beginners ages 8-14 are invited to the 4:30-6 p.m. session. The cost is $75 per player.

Players ages 12-15 with prior instruction through camps or lessons, or who play pickleball four to six times per month, are invited to the Intermediate session from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $100 per player.

Call the Pro Shop at 410-6417728.

POOL PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

Christmas in July Supports Worcester County Children

By PROGRESS STAFF

What better way to cool off during a record-setting heat wave than to celebrate the Yuletide five months early?

That’s the idea of Christmas in July in Ocean City, planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, at Residence Inn by Marriott, at 300 Seabay Lane.

The event, which has continued annually for more than 10 years, is organized by Young Professionals of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit that collects funds for the Christmas Spirit Campaign, to be sure underprivileged children throughout Worcester County receive holiday gifts.

Last year, scores of delighted children had presents to open “and we are hoping to make an even bigger impact this year,” Events & Community Outreach Chairwoman Tatjana Petrenko said.

Tickets for the event – promoted with a colorful photograph of a barefoot Santa, in red shorts, a white shirt and his traditional stocking cap jumping into the pool -- cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Children younger than 10 will be admitted free. See https://oceancity.org/ ocmdyp/ or Eventbrite.

“It a pool party and it’s a lot of fun,” Petrenko said.

“Santa Claus will be there in a red summer outfit and there will be music, live music by the band Free State Duo, and raffles. Guests can buy tickets to win raffle items. There will be free food and a cash bar. Crawl Street Tavern is donating finger foods. It’s a great place for networking and for families and kids of all ages,” she said,

There is no rain date but there is an indoor option.

“It’s different from a normal pool day because there is Santa, free food. There are raffles and you are donating for a good cause, for Worcester County needy children,” she said about the event that usually attracts 70 or more guests who can have their photographs taken with the jolly elf.

“Christmas in July has become one of our favorite annual community events, bringing together local residents, business leaders, families and supporters for an afternoon of

“It’s so rewarding to see their faces. That’s the whole reason we do it,” - Tatjana Petrenko

fun while raising funds for a meaningful cause.

“The Christmas Spirit Campaign takes place each holiday season then, typically, on the second Saturday in December, volunteer elves from the Young Professionals gather at the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce to distribute gifts to the local children and families who have been identified as being in need. Children are invited to pick up their gifts in a festive holiday atmosphere with Santa Claus, photos, candy and holiday cheer. It is a heartwarming event that allows our volunteers and community partners to see firsthand the impact of their generosity and ensures local children experience the joy of Christmas,” Petrenko said.

A Young Professionals of Ocean City, Md., Facebook page post states the organization needs “local businesses and community partners to help us make this year’s holiday season special for children in Worcester County and surrounding communities.”

“For every $100 raised, one local underprivileged child receives gifts and necessities during the holidays Last year, our community came together in a big way and we’re hoping to help even more families this year,” the post states.

“It’s so rewarding to be able to help kids. We talk with school counselors and they decide which child gets which gifts. We have a list of questions: What is your favorite color? Your favorite thing to do? Do you like coloring? Do you like puzzles? Do you like football? And we pick out gifts they would like.

“We decorate the Chamber for Christmas and the kids get candy and their gifts. Last year we had 122 kids. Each one of our volunteers gets $100 to go shopping. Every year I go shopping. It’s so rewarding to see their faces. That’s the whole reason we do it,” Petrenko said.

Facebook photo Christmas in July helps ensure underprivileged children throughout Worcester County receive holiday gifts.

MORE THAN SNOWBALLS

Ocean Pines Stand Serves Up Sweet Treats, Family Fun

By PROGRESS STAFF

There were red, white and blue sundaes to celebrate the Fourth of July at The Snowball Stand in Ocean Pines, enjoyed with dozens of other flavors of snowballs as an enthusiastic crowd watched the fireworks from the parking lot of the Cathell Road business.

“Everyone is always welcome to come and watch the fireworks with us. You can park, tailgate, bring your chairs. You can see the fireworks from our parking lot while you enjoy a sweet treat. I try to make our place feel special and a place where you want to hang out,” owner Danielle Pohland told the Progress.

And it does, with a wide variety of flavors mixed with shaved ice, plus sundaes and other menu items topped with whipped cream, cute paper umbrellas, fresh fruit, even sour spray that’s a favorite among children. New is a Bomb Pop popsicle pushed up through the cup of flavored ice that Pohland described as “fun and very fancy.” It was available for the holiday weekend, along with other desserts including cotton candy, sundaes and jars of lemonade and iced tea.

The Snowball Stand offers 75 flavors and this year Pohland added key lime pie and lemon meringue.

Also new on the menu is strawberry pretzel salad sundaes.

“I like to branch out and add new things. The pretzel salad sundae, I make it like pretzel salad but it’s a broken apart pretzel salad with vanilla ice cream. It’s usually made with strawberry Jell-O but I use strawberry sauce with a pretzel bottom, brown sugar and butter and cream cheese. It’s a pretzel salad sundae, made from the typical, traditional pretzel salad everybody has had at cook outs. It will be limited, with pop-ups of it. We had it and we ran out,” said Pohland, whose favorite flavor of snow cone is chocolate marshmallow.

She and her husband, Dakota Sands, have two sons, 8-year-old Kaden and 1-year-old Sal, and were expecting a third child, a daughter any day. Sal likes strawberry ice cream and Kaden is fond of Polar Punch with sour spray. Sands usually chooses watermelon ice with vanilla ice cream.

Progress Staff photo

Top: The Bomb Pop special.

Submitted Photo

Bottom: Danielle Pohland and Dakota Sands, owners of The Snowball Stand.

Egg custard is the most popular among customers, and on very hot days they often order iced tea snowballs with fresh lemon and root beer snowballs with ice cream.

Other flavors, neatly printed in colorful letters on a black board behind plexiglass, include coconut, banana, birthday cake, cheesecake, cherry, grape, green apple, fuzzy navel, fireball, mango, dreamsicle, cotton candy, cola, coffee and mudslide.

“I still eat them. I’m always going to be a big snowball fan,” she said.

The Snowball Stand will host Christmas in July on the 25th “with some cool specials,” Pohland said.

The business sells plants during the summer, including towering palm trees and potted tropical varieties. In the fall there are rows of bright pumpkins and at Christmas there are trees and a little gift shop.

“We have sold a lot of plants this summer. Our stock is starting to dwindle down so when we sell out of all the plants we have some fun coming, like corn hole boards set up and giant Tic Tac Toe, so it’s a fun place where you can come and have a game of corn hole or have a family game night,” Pohland said.

An upbeat woman with a quick laugh and armload of ideas, she said there will be a Chill Out Area “where people can come, grab a sweet treat and play games, also Jenga.”

“Pumpkin season will start in September, then we will start with Christmas trees toward Thanksgiving. For Christmas we will have a pop-up gift shop. We might have a giveaway of a Christmas tree. I’m working on some ideas like, you buy a snowball and you can enter to win a Christmas tree. On the menu we will have some cool specials but I haven’t gotten that far yet, since we are having our new little one but I have a lot of ideas. We will be open every day until we sell out of Christmas trees, usually around Dec. 20, then the Snowball Stand will close and reopen in February. We will have bundles of roses for Valentine’s Day.

“We want to be a place where you can shop, get a treat, do fun things. We like to do a little bit of everything and be a one-stop shop. You

The Snowball Stand

From Page 35

can bring your kids. They can eat a sweet treat while you shop because what kid wants to go to a garden center? Or, you can make it a family outing,” said Pohland, who started working for the Snowball Stand before she reached her teenage years.

When she was 12, her parents bought it for her.

“The gentleman who owned it was selling it. I begged my parents to buy it. I was in business with a friend but she is a nurse now. I decided I wanted the Snowball Stand. I thought it would pay for a car or something. I took it over when I was 17. Since then, I have had a few customers who have tried every flavor. We also make Snow Pops, so you can come to the stand and grab them pre-bundled. You can pre-order Snow Pops. They aren’t made from shaved ice but they are in plastic sleeves, like the kind you had when you were a kid,” she said.

She also has a Snowball Truck, but it has been converted into a Crab Truck, selling live and steamed crabs.

Considering her ideas and the way snowballs are decorated and topped with whipped cream, cherries and marshmallow cream perfectly centered over the arc of the snowball, it’s surprising Pohland never studied art. She credited the influence of her mother, Teresa Marsula of Ocean View, for sharing her artistic ability.

“My mother and I love to have fun and be creative and design things,” said Pohland, 32, of Whaleyville, who added her father, Craig Pohland of Ocean City, who has been in the construction business for years, is her Snowball Stand maintenance man.

“People love to go to snowball stands. It reminds you of a piece of your childhood and it’s fun for all ages. It makes you feel like you’re a kid again. We love our Snowball Stand. We will never close it. We’ll always be here.”

Submitted photos

The Snowball Stand offers more than summer treats. In the fall , seasonal items like pumpkins can be found there too.

Garden Club Gives Check to WCTS

The Ocean Pines Garden Club hosted Sarah Ruggiero and four of her students from Worcester County Technical School at the meeting held on June 11. Since last fall, these students have been immersed in an innovative beekeeping program, and they shared their latest insights and success stories with the club.

To support the next generation of agricultural leaders, OPGC Co-President Ann Shockley presented the group with a $500 donation to further their beekeeping initiatives.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, join OPGC for its next meeting regarding plants that thrive in shade, featuring Garden Designer Carla Hackley. This event will take place on July 9 at 10 a.m. at the Ocean Pines Golf Clubhouse. Guests are always welcome, and for more information or to join, visit bit. ly/OceanPinesGardenClub

Pines Library Holds Annual Book Sale

Friends of the Ocean Pines Library will host its annual book sale beginning on July 26.

The sale will be on Friday, July 26, from 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Monday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thousands of books, all that were donated and are in good condition, will be for sale in many categories and include children’s books, hardbacks and paperbacks.

Most of them cost $2 or less and on Monday, all books will be marked down to half price. Only cash or checks will be accepted.

Proceeds will be used to buy more books and for new equipment and services at the Ocean Pines branch.

BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

Served on Bagel, Roll or Bread (White, Wheat or Rye Croissant or a Wrap

Egg & Cheese ..................................…

$7.55

Meat, Egg & Cheese …............................ $8.95

Your choice of Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Turkey Sausage,Ham, Taylor Ham or Morning Star Vegetarian Sausage

PLATTERS & OMELETS

Two Eggs Any Way with Meat ............. $7.80

Your choice of Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Turkey Sausage,Ham, Taylor Ham or Morning Star Vegetarian Sausage

Cheese Omelet .................................. $8.75

Veggie Omelet …................................... $9.50

(green peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, celery)

Quiche ................................................... $6.25

BAGELS WITH ...

Bagel with Butter ...….......................... $2.90

Bagel with Cream Cheese ….............. $4.50

Bagel with Cream Cheese and Jelly ..... $4.50

Bagel with Peanut Butter and Jelly ..... $5.25

Cinnamon Crunch Bagel

With Butter $3.40 With Cream Cheese $5.00

Bagel with Nova Cream Cheese ......…... $7.55

Bagel with Sliced Nova or Lox Salmon … $11.50

LUNCH SPECIALTIES

Homemade Soup Small ........................ $4.00

Chicken Pot Pie ..................................… $6.25

Pizza Bagel ~ Plain $6.75 - Pepperoni $7.50

Bagel Dog ............................................. $6.25

LUNCH SANDWICHES

Served on Bagel, Roll, Sliced Bread, Croissant or a Wrap Includes a Side of Macaroni Salad Ham …………............................….……. $9.45

Turkey ………...................................….. $9.95

Roast Beef …..................................…… $10.45

Cappicola …….................................….. $9.45

Genoa Salami …................................… $9.45

Italian Combo …...........................…… $10.45

(Roast Beef, Cappicola, Salami and Provolone)

Roast Beef & Turkey Combo ..............….. $10.45

Liverwurst …...............................……… $7.95

Bologna ................................................. $7.95

Chicken Salad ...................................... $10.50

Egg Salad ….............................………… $8.45

Tuna Salad ………..........................…... $10.25

Whitefish Salad ….................………… $10.50

Grilled Cheese ……........................……. $7.25

Add to any sandwich

Cheese $1.50 • Avacado $.80

FRESH PASTRIES

Scone (blueberry, cranberry or raisin) ..$4.25

Lemon/Pecan Bar …….....................…… $3.00

Muffin …….........................……………. $4.25

Brownie ….................................……….. $3.00

Submitted photo

At the June 11 meeting, Ocean Pines Garden Club presented a $500 check to Worcester County Technical School for their continued work with beekeeping. From left: Jayden Garton, Brooke Warren, OPGC Co-President Ann Shockley, WCTS Instructor Sarah Ruggiero, Jayla Mitchell, and Andy Maynard.

Marilyn Ann Canfora

Marilyn Ann Canfora, known to her immediate family as MaryAnn, joyfully brightened this sometimes lackluster world until her death from renal failure and other complications on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

The daughter of Philip C. and Concetta “Tina” Vendemia Canfora, she died while in hospice care, enriched by the love of her closest friend, Melinda, and her only sister, who, at her bedside, held her hand and reminded her of their hilarious childhood antics.

Born Feb. 27, 1948, in New Castle, Pa., she spent her early years asking Mommy and Daddy for a baby sister. Nearly 10 years later, her sister Susan was born, and Marilyn took great delight in bestowing an armload of nicknames, including Mick, which lasted a lifetime. She cared for the baby, taking her to her elementary school in a stroller to show her classmates and accompanying her on Halloween night when Susan was just learning to walk and her big sister was 11 or 12. Suddenly, a boy in a realistic Frankenstein costume appeared.

He scared Marilyn and her friend Julie and the two ran, leaving the toddler alone at the top of the hill where they lived, arriving home to panicked parents who, together, ran out the door and up that hill to discover the little one calmly counting the Snickers bars in her plastic pumpkin.

As they matured, the sisters often went shopping -- Marilyn for lipstick, makeup, glittery sweaters and strappy sandals and Susan for books, journals, fountain pens and loafers with tassels. Regardless of having different tastes, they ended every spree at the nearest pizza shop, comparing purchases and talking late into the evening. Marilyn graduated from New

PASSINGS

Castle High School in 1966, then studied early childhood art education at Youngstown State College, now Youngstown State University, in Ohio. She was a talented artist with a gift for drawing and painting, had perfect penmanship and was a born comedian who, like her father, was the master of jokes, silly accents and exaggerated faces.

She excelled at dancing and from early childhood studied ballet, advanced ballet, tap dancing and classical toe ballet, continuing well into her 20s, teaching dance to young proteges, often performing in recitals and, with friends, doing The Swim, The Monkey and The Frug to hits of the 1960s, including “The Bristol Stomp,” “Blue Moon” and “Johnny Angel.”

She took much care with her appearance, was proud of her Italian heritage and fond of Sunday family dinners, especially her mother’s side dish, Green Bean and Potato Salad.

An avid reader and traveler, she enjoyed books about fashion designers and the royal family and was interested in old TV programs and movies, especially those starring Shirley Temple and her idol, Elizabeth Taylor, who shared her Feb. 27 birthday.

She often talked about her many trips, including to San Francisco, Las Vegas, The Kentucky Derby, The Super Bowl and Italy, where she was blessed by Pope Paul VI and where, because there was no central heat, she returned home with a head cold.

She was employed in the retail shoe and photography businesses and had a longer career as an ophthalmology assistant.

An animal lover, she had several cats in her lifetime, including a cantankerous Siamese named Sulin, who she nicknamed Loopie Chaswick; gentle, well-behaved Andrew; and Jameson Katz, who patiently

allowed her to dress him in tiny polo shirts and kiss his furry cheeks as she photographed him from every angle.

She is survived by her sister, Susan Canfora of Ocean Pines, Md.; her closest friend, Melinda Watson of New Jersey, her husband and children, who bestowed the title of Emily Post on Marilyn, because of her penchant for being proper; many more friends who loved being in her company; aunts and uncles; 17 first cousins on the Canfora side of the family; four cousins on the Vendemia side of the family; and several second and third cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both of New Castle, who later relocated to Ocean City, Md.; paternal grandparents, Alessandro and Mary Bordonaro Canfora of New Castle; maternal grandparents, Stefano and Assunta “Susan” Granata Vendemia of New Castle; and several aunts and uncles.

Marilyn’s ashes will be scattered on the beach in Ocean City, where she enjoyed many summer vacations with her family.

Those who cherish her memory will gather for a celebration of life in future weeks.

Marilyn Ann Canfora

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Property Owners Encouraged to Vote

Editor:

Ocean Pines Election is open. Your vote Counts.

Some commentary has portrayed this election as a referendum on management. It is not. The leadership and planning demonstrated by the General Manager and his team are not in dispute.

But strong operations do not replace the need for strong governance.

The real issue is the Board’s lack of a governance framework and the absence of meaningful community input. Without Board adopted, community aligned organizational objectives, there is no coherent way for governance to occur.

There is also an argument for reelecting all three incumbents — including one appointed only three months ago — as though continuity alone ensures good governance.

But stability without direction is stagnation. A seven member board is built to include diverse perspectives.

What “risk” exists in adding one or two new members? A fresh viewpoint may be exactly what strengthens oversight and reduces group think.

This election is not about disrupting successful operations. It is about ensuring the Board delivers long range planning, transparency, and a structured process for soliciting and incorporating community input. Ocean Pines deserves both strong operations and strong governance. Please vote and make your voice heard in this election.

Bill Pickett

Ocean Pines

The Ocean Pines Progress is a journal of news and lifestyles published monthly throughout the year. It is distributed to every occupied home in Ocean Pines and at newsstands in the community and surrounding area.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Rota L. Knott pinesprogress@gmail.com 443-880-3953

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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