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September 2026

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Sculpting Faith on the Beach in OC There’s a saying Ocean City locals like to tell newcomers – once you get sand in your shoes, you aren’t leaving. You’ll make your home here. Artist Randy Hofman was a young man when he first got sand in his shoes. ~ Page 17

A JOURNAL OF NEWS & LIFESTYLES FOR NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY

Commissioners Halt Route 589 Rezonings By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer he Worcester County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of imposing a year-long moratorium focused on new rezoning applications along Route 589 at the Sept. meeting held in Snow Hill. Commissioners unanimously agreed to freeze rezoning applications along Route 589, also known as Racetrack Road, for 12 months, or until they vote to rescind the resolution. The decision has no effect on development starting or continuing within areas that have established zoning classifications. The decision was made over a month after an applicant withdrew their request to rezone 14.72 acres of R2 suburban residential land into R3 multi-family residential land along the state route in mid-July. The applicants also proposed building a townhouse community, raising the property’s maximum density

Jeff Heavner has taken the helm of the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors for the coming year after fellow directors elected him as OPA president during a special organizational meeting following the 2026 election.

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Heavner Takes Helm of OPA Board

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Group Proposes Pollinator Garden A Pollinator Garden near the North Gate Pond is being proposed by an Ocean Pines Grant Task Force. The goal of the task force is to explore grant opportunities that could support environmental stewardship and beautification efforts within Ocean Pines. ~ Page 7

Progress Staff Photo

A property for sale along Route 589.

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from 59 homes to 88 homes. Those plans were met with concerns from local residents producing a petition containing hundreds of signatures. The moratorium boundary was proposed to encompass all of Ocean Pines according to the map provided with the county meeting materials. This extends as far west as Route 113, and spans as far east as St. Martin River and Turville Creek. The area within the boundary also contains a mix of agricultural, commercial and residential plots. Commissioner Jim Bunting, who currently represents District 6 and part of Ocean Pines, first proposed a rezoning moratorium at the Aug. 4 meeting, citing worsening traffic conditions as his reasoning. County officials have also discussed a plan for evaluating traffic patterns and assessing the impacts of zoning classifications during the proposed moratorium period. The moratorium proposal was originally scheduled for discussion at the Aug. 18 commissioners meeting, but was rescheduled because Commissioners Caryn Abbott, Eric Fiori and Theodore Elder were all absent from the meeting.

Commissioner Chip Bertino, who currently represents the all-Ocean Pines District 5, was first to make a motion at the Sept. 1 meeting and supported the resolution permitting the continuance of two active rezoning applications submitted in May. The county had paused processing rezoning cases within the moratorium boundaries until a decision was reached by the commissioners, according to city officials. “Well, I don’t think it’s fair that someone who’s already moved down that path would be denied to be able to move forward,” Bertino said at the county meeting. “So I make a motion to [allow the applications.]” Commissioner Joseph Mitrecic seconded the motion, with the council deciding the resolution will have no effect on the two ongoing rezoning cases. These cases include All Seasons RV and Boat Storage LLC seeking 14 acres of agricultural, suburban residential and commercial land outside the north entrance of Ocean Pines, and Turville Creek Farms LLC’s request to rezone 101 acres of land across TidalHealth from agricultural to suburban residential use. The application of the latter project expects primarily single-family lots.

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Sunset at the Ocean Pines South Gate pond.

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Heavner Takes the Helm as OPA President Cites focus on ﬁnancial position, long-term investments and strategic plan By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer eff Heavner has taken the helm of the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors for the coming year after fellow directors elected him president during a special meeting following the 2026 Board election. Heavner, who is entering the final year of his first full three-year term, said he plans to focus on maintaining the association’s strong financial position, supporting long-term investments and keeping the Board aligned with its strategic plan. Outgoing President John Latham nominated Heavner to take over the role in a special meeting on Aug. 11. Director Rick Farr will also remain serving as vice president this year after being nominated by Director Patrick Lehnerd. Monica Rakowski who is entering her fifth year as treasurer, nominated Latham to serve as secretary. The Board officers are expected to hold these positions until August 2027.

Heavner expressed how grateful he was to assume his new role, and shared where his focus is for the upcoming year. He Jeff Heavner hopes to use his leadership to stick to the association’s current strategic plan, he said. “I’m honored the Board trusts me enough to elect me as president this year,” Heavner said. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure every director is heard while, at the same time, making decisions for the well-being of Ocean Pines.” Heavner, who is entering the final year of his first full three-year term, said Ocean Pines is in the “best financial position [it’s] ever been in,” and he said his goal is to maintain

that. He praised General Manager John Viola’s focus on refurbishing properties, and predicts the year ahead will be successful since other members of the Board also support long-term strategies. “I think this Board works extremely well together. We’re all about teamwork…,” Heavner said. “That’s not to say we need to agree with every little thing, but we understand the long game. It’s got to be 5, 10, 15 years out.” Heavner has previously served alongside every Board member except for Amy Peck, who is returning as a director. Heavner referenced the approved Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department south side station and the ongoing replacement of the golf course irrigation systems as examples of long-term investment projects already presented to current Board members. Heavner also recognized the “good range of candidates” and the community for their part in this year’s

election. He emphasized the biggest goal was to increase voter turnout, and to “ensure everyone deserving of a ballot received one.” Latham, Lehnerd and Peck were voted to serve on the OPA Board of Directors, following the conclusion of the 2026 Board of Directors election in August. Latham, who served as the OPA Board President for the 2025 year, led the vote with 1,503 votes to solidify his second three-year term. Lehnerd earned 30 fewer votes than Latham for a final total of 1,473 and Peck received 1,421 votes, staying within 100 votes of the ballot leader. Lehnerd is expected to serve his first full three-year term while Peck will serve for two years– assuming the last two years of former director Steve Jacobs’ term since his resignation in March. Lehnerd had previously been appointed to fill the vacancy until this election. The directors join fellow Heavner, Dr. Stuart Lakernick, Rakowski and Farr on the 2027 OPA Board.

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OCEAN PINES

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 7

Grant Task Force Exploring Funding for Pollinator Garden Group Appointed by Board to Explore Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Opportunity

Pollinator Garden near the North Gate Pond is being proposed by an Ocean Pines Grant Task Force. The goal of the task force is to explore grant opportunities that could support environmental stewardship and beautification efforts within Ocean Pines, building on a longstanding community commitment to maintaining attractive neighborhoods, protecting natural resources, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. The Task Force is actively exploring the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant Program as a potential funding opportunity for the pollinator garden. The nonprofit Chesapeake Bay Trust organization is dedicated to improving the region’s natural resources through conservation, restoration, and community engagement. Its Mini Grant Program supports a wide variety of projects such as tree plantings, rain gardens, trail

improvements, community cleanups, educational outreach, and other initiatives that improve local environments. Eligible Maryland communities may receive up to $5,000 per project. The objective of the Task Force is to pursue a Chesapeake Bay Trust environmental restoration grant through review of grant requirements and eligibility criteria, and identifying a community-focused project that enhances Ocean Pines’ natural resources and/or beautifies shared spaces. The Task Force will develop a project plan, budget, and timeline for review and approval by the executive sponsor, and submit the grant application upon approval from OPA. After identifying several potential community projects, the Task Force evaluated each using a rubric based on the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s grant application criteria. The pollinator garden emerged as the leading candidate because of

Submitted Photo

The proposed community pollinator garden location near the North Gate pond.

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Pollinator Garden From Page 8

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its potential for community engagement, environmental impact and alignment with the trust’s objectives. While the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors formed the Grant Task Force, any resulting grant applications and projects are intended to be community-led initiatives. Any community work must be reviewed, approved by the OPA and considered within the larger framework of initiatives and maintenance costs. The task force is currently working to confirm the garden location, finalize the planting list, and develop a project budget. They are also pursuing partnerships with local organizations that may be able to provide technical expertise, materials, or volunteer support, including the Ocean Pines Garden Club, Lower Shore Land Trust, Coastal Bays Program, and area nurseries. Task force members met with Ocean Pines staff at the proposed site on Tuesday, August 25, to begin mapping out the potential garden area. The grant application is expected to be submitted within the next month, with the approval process expected to take approximately six to eight weeks following submission. If funded, installation of the garden would begin in the spring of 2027. The task force hopes to make it a community project and engage civic and youth organizations in activities such as providing or building birdhouses. It is also exploring the possibility of adding memorial benches through Ocean Pines. The task force intends for the garden to become an educational destination for local schools, providing students with an opportunity to learn about native plants, pollinators, and sustainable gardening practices. This summer the Board issues a call for volunteers to serve on the Task Force to develop a grant application. The task force is made up of eight individuals, including Connie Corbett, Nate Douty, Cindy Hoffman, Steve Lind, Ryan Mello, Tim Peck, Don Wolski, and Board of Directors Liaison Pat Lehnerd. More information on the grant can be found here https://cbtrust. org/community-engagement/

OCEAN PINES

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 9

GM Annual Report Highlights Successes, Previews Year Ahead

eneral Manager John Viola and Senior Director of Administration Linda Martin highlighted another successful year in Ocean Pines during the 2026 Annual Meeting on Aug. 8. Viola began by taking a look at where Ocean Pines was back in 2015-2016. At that time, assessments were at an all-time high of $996, with an overall operating deficit of approximately $1.6 million. Drainage, bulkheads, roads, and mailboxes were not funded, and all amenities had operating losses. At the end of Fiscal Year 2025/26, OPA had an operating favorability of $3 million, with current and prior year assessments, $915 and $875 respectively, being lower than any year since 2013. OPA has also been controlling and reallocating expenses and increasing funding for safety. Robust drainage, bulkhead, and road programs have been added, and a 5-year DMA reserve study completed in December 2025 confirmed that OPA continues to be at minimum threshold levels. Over the next year, OPA is po-

John Viola

sitioned well going into major replacement/maintenance initiatives, including the South Firehouse construction, Beach Club renovations, Golf course irrigation Phase III, continued drainage work, and roads and mailboxes. In the Aquatics Department, several maintenance projects have been completed over the past year. The Sports Core patio was paved in the fall of 2025, with fence reinstallation completed in spring 2026. A concrete pad was installed at Mumford’s Landing back in the spring, and the Swim & Racquet bathroom

renovations were completed in the spring. Additionally, Saturday morning classes were added at the Sports Core Pool for those who are unable to attend during the week. Swim lessons are currently at capacity, and anyone interested in enrolling in fall and winter lessons are encouraged to call the Sports Core Pool at 410-641-5255. Several maintenance projects were completed through the spring and early summer months at the Beach Club, including the annual installation of palm trees and repairs to the decking. Major renovations are slated to begin in the fall and will take place in four stages. Stage 1 will include demolition to the interior and exterior and reinforcement to the floors. Stage 2 will involve replacement of the pilings as well as the deck and glass railing. During Stage 3, accordion doors leading out to the deck will be installed, windows and siding on the building will be replaced, and plumbing/electrical changes will be completed. The elevator will be installed during the fourth and

final stage. Phase II of the Irrigation Project was completed at the Golf Club this past year, including holes 4-8. An emergency phase was completed at holes 10 & 18. Phase III is scheduled to start in the fall and will include holes 11, 15, 16, and 17. The Golf Club parking lot was restriped in the fall of 2025. Tee renovations have begun as well, with the first renovations completed during the winter months. Bathrooms along the course were renovated in the spring. Cart path maintenance is slated to begin this month. The Yacht Club Marina was voted a “Maryland Clean Marina” for the fourth year in a row. Dock board maintenance is ongoing at both the Yacht Club and Swim and Racquet Marinas. Additionally, Marina Manager Tony Tedeschi has started a weekly “Nautical Notes” column included in “This Week in the Pines”. Several projects were completed at the Bocce Courts at the Yacht Club over the past year, including installation of pavers, bleachers and To Page 11

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shade tents, and a leaderboard. Regular maintenance, including mulching, was completed at the Dog Park. The HVAC unit was replaced at the Community Center, along with the kitchen floor. This year’s Fourth of July celebration was another success with the morning 5K race and afternoon/ evening carnival and fireworks. Ocean Pines Food & Beverage facilities had a great year, ending the year “in the black,” covering depreciation and expenses. Money will be reinvested to address the needs of our food and beverage venues. Several “Chef’s Table” events were held over the past year, including a Steak Dinner, Bourbon Dinner, Wine Dinner, and Prime Rib Dinner. There also a wine event planned for March 2027. Renovations to the Yacht Club Main Bar were completed during the winter of 2026, and the Tiki Kitchen was completed in the spring. Viola also emphasized that Ocean Pines has a partnership with Touch of Italy. “I always use the word hybrid, it’s a hybrid contract we have with Touch of Italy,” said Viola. “We use independent contractors where we don’t have the expertise, such as food and beverage.” The new South Fire Station referendum passed, and the contract was signed with The Whayland Company this past year. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in March. Progress was slowed a bit due to the need for better compaction after tearing down the old firehouse, as well as a change in architects. Currently, the plans associated with the new architect are in the hands of the county, with shovels in the ground hopefully over the coming weeks. The project is still estimated to take 55-60 weeks to complete. The Ocean Pines Police Department currently sits at a total of 8 officers. One officer is currently in the academy, with another two possibly going into the academy in January, and another additional officer “in the works.” Salaries are also being increased across the board. The cell tower is still scheduled to be installed near the golf maintenance building, with work estimated to begin this fall. Milestone Towers is still working on permitting. 2025/2026 Bulkhead Replace-

ment included 49-91 Clubhouse Drive (odd numbered homes), coming in at a total cost of $675,000. 1,500 linear feet are scheduled to be completed each year. Additionally, the 18th fairway was completed at a total cost of $141,375. 2026/2027 Bulkhead Replacement is underway, including Borderlinks and Clubhouse Road, also at a total of $675,000. Dredging was completed at 17 properties during the fall of 2025. In terms of drainage, the association will continue to outsource

cleaning of main ditches by outside contractors. The “Bag It We Will Grab It” campaign also continues, especially as the Public Works Yard remains closed due to unsafe conditions. CIPP Liners are scheduled to be completed on major pipes this fall. Road repairs have continued throughout the year as needed. An emergency sinkhole repair was completed on Ocean Parkway in May, and another one is scheduled on Westfield Circle this month. Walking trails were also cleared by Public Works.

Landscaping was added throughout Ocean Pines to enhance the beautification of the area. Displays were also increased during the holidays. Electronic sign installations were completed in the fall, while new directional signs for the Sports Core and Veterans Memorial area as well as for the Swim and Racquet were completed in the late spring and early summer. Audited financial results showed Ocean Pines ending the 2025/2026 Fiscal Year with a favorability of $456,000 to budget.

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Pines legal matters remain relatively quiet, counsel reports By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor egal matters involving the Ocean Pines Association remained relatively quiet over the past year, according to attorney Bruce Bright, who told association members at the OPA annual meeting Aug. 8 that his firm had handled a range of enforcement and collection matters without significant litigation reaching the end of the judicial process. Bright, of the Ocean City law firm Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy & Almand, has represented the Ocean Pines Association since 2023. He said the firm handles legal matters like covenant, property and improvement enforcement, commonly referred to as Compliance,

OPVFD Golf Tournament Registration is open for the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department’s 2nd annual Golf Tournament, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1. Registration kicks off at 8 a.m. for a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Registration is $150 per player and includes greens fees, cart, breakfast and lunch. A Mulligan package is available. Singles or doubles are welcome. Checks should be made payable to OPVFD and can be mailed with registration or dropped off to the North Fire Station at 249 Ocean Parkway. Registration forms are also available at the Ocean Pines Golf Club. Call 410-641-8272 or log on to opvfd.com/golf, or contact Tracy Jones, OPVFD fundraiser coordinator, at 215-990-1537.

Anglers Club Speaker The Ocean Pines Anglers Club will meet on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the Ocean Pines Library. The speaker will be Morgan [Mike] Mericle, an avid Ocean City Bridge and Jetty fisherman who has been chasing bridge monsters for years. His fish catching stories are amazing and highly informative about tackle and tactics. The Flounder Derby awards will be presented as well. All are welcome.

Pink Lady Tournament The Ocean Pines Ladies Golf Association will host their annual Pink Lady “Courage & Unity” Golf Tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Permits, and Inspections enforcement, as well as collection actions involving unpaid assessments. “It’s been kind of a quiet year legally speaking,” Bruce Bright Bright told members. Bright said most CPI enforcement cases are resolved before they reach a final judgment. Typically, a homeowner complies with the association’s requirements after the matter is addressed by the association or after the firm files

suit. In many cases, he said, the homeowner and OPA reach a settlement agreement, with the case then dismissed without prejudice once the homeowner complies with the terms of the agreement. “Most of the time it’s the filing of the suit that prompts compliance,” Bright said. While some cases ultimately require the firm to obtain a judgment through the courts, Bright said that is relatively uncommon. Bright also reported on the firm’s work collecting unpaid association assessments. From August 2025 through Aug. 5, 2026, the firm collected approximately $126,000 in unpaid assessments on behalf of OPA.

COMMUNITY NOTES This year’s tournament begins with a shotgun start for 18-holes at 9 a.m. and 9-holes at 11 a.m. The registration fee is $125 for 18 holes and $95 for 9 holes. Registration covers green fees, cart fees, range balls, grab and go breakfast, luncheon, mulligan, two drink tickets, music with Sunny Dawn, awards for men/ladies/mixed teams, and closest to the pin on the par 3’s and straightest drive on #4. There will

also be door prizes, 50/50 drawing, and silent auction items. Register at the Ocean Pines Pro Shop or https://www.oceanpinesgolf. org/images/FINAL_FillableDoc_ Lady_2026_Website.pdf

Vet Memorial Tourney The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation is seeking sponsors for the 19th annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament,

He said those collection services come at no cost to the association, with the homeowner ultimately responsible for the legal fees associated with the collection action. Bright said his firm has increasingly become a “one-stop shop” for the association’s legal needs. In the past, he said, OPA used several law firms for different types of legal work. The firm began representing Ocean Pines in 2023 and now handles a variety of matters for the association, Bright said. Despite the breadth of those responsibilities, Bright’s report to members was brief, reflecting what he characterized as a relatively uneventful year from a legal standpoint. scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Ocean Pines Golf Club. The tournament is a Captain’s Choice and Scramble format, with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. for a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Registration is $150 per player and includes greens fees with car and range balls, a grab and go breakfast, door prize entry, lunch buffet, and awards and prizes. Contact Marie Gilmore at 410726-2881 or opmarie@aol.com, or Don McMullen at 443-388-2941 or dmcmullen1@aol.com.

14 Ocean Pines PROGRESS September 2026

OCEAN PINES

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 15

Ribbon cutting held for new Bottle Shop at Ocean Pines Yacht Club

he Worcester County Chamber of Commerce in Ocean Pines held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 28 to celebrate the opening of the new Bottle Shop at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. The new Bottle Shop offers a variety of liquors, wines and spirits, including a featured Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that was hand-selected by Touch of Italy. “We spent a month hand-picking the Buffalo Trace whiskey, and we’re proud to offer it in the new Bottle Shop,” Bob Ciprietti, Touch of Italy owner and Ocean Pines Yacht Club manager, said. Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola also commended Touch of Italy for the hard work that went into opening the new bottle shop. “The Bottle Shop is a great addition to Ocean Pines, and I’m excited to see this new venture take off,” Viola said.

Latzo named 2026 Sam Wilkinson Volunteer of Year

t Saturday’s Annual Meeting, Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue recognized this year’s Sam Wilkinson Volunteer Award recipient, Jeanette Latzo was recognized with Sam Wilkinson Volunteer Award at the Ocean Pines Association’s Annual Meeting on Aug. 8. Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said Latzo has spent countless hours volunteering with the department’s many programs, including the Easter and Christmas breakfasts. She also regularly helps out with concessions at Concerts in the Park, PEP Club, and more. Additionally, she has been a member of the Delmarva Chorus for 23 years. The Sam Wilkinson Volunteer Award was established in memory of Sam Wilkinson, and the Wilkinson family’s dedication to the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department, while recognizing outstanding individuals who dedicate their time and talents to helping others.

Submitted Photo

A ribbon cutting was recently held for the Bottle Shop at the Yacht Club.

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Sand, Faith and 50 Years of Art on the Ocean City Boardwalk By PROGRESS STAFF here’s a saying Ocean City locals like to tell newcomers – once you get sand in your shoes, you aren’t leaving. You’ll make your home here. Artist Randy Hofman was a young man when he first got sand in his shoes – and on his knees and hands and elbows and probably a few grains in his mouth – as he started transforming mounds of sand into sculptures representing his Christian faith. For just about half a century now, visitors and locals have paused between First and Second street at the boardwalk to meditate for a few moments, read the Bible verses written on signs in the sand and take pictures as they admire details of each sculpture -- Jesus on the cross, the last supper, a head of Jesus, Noah’s ark and other scenes carved in the sand and sprayed with a mixture of Elmer’s Glue and water to preserve them. Hofman, a soft-spoken 74-year-

Progress Staff Photo

Randy Hofman has been sharing his message in the sand of Ocean City for half a century.

old with striking white hair and a quick smile, who remains humble about his talent, recalled coming to Ocean City as a young man and noticing chalk drawings of religious scenes on a cement slab on the boardwalk, drawn by artist Marc Altamar, as well as sculptures in the sand. “I saw his work and I was charmed. In 1974 I came down to Ocean City the first summer from where I lived, between Washington and Baltimore, the countryside, as a landscape painter. I knew I wanted to get involved. He was doing it and the next season he didn’t come until mid-summer so I did some for about 12 weeks, then he came back. “I wanted to do a boardwalk ministry. There was like a boardwalk ministry spirit in me. There was a concrete slab in front of a house on Fifth Street and I did three large chalk drawings. From 1975 to ’82 I did chalk drawings every night, 10-foot-by-10-foot up to the boardTo Page 19

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September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 19

LIFESTYLES Randy Hofman From Page 19

walk, on this big slab abutting up to the boardwalk. “Marc would go to Florida in the winter then come back the following summer and do a couple months of sand sculptures. In 1981 was his last summer coming back up. When he didn’t come up in 1982 I wanted to continue it. I have been doing sand sculptures every year since 1982. I’m still doing it,” he said, adding that particular week he was working on four, in a row in the sand in front of the Plim Plaza, between First and Second streets, facing the boardwalk. “From north to south they are Three Wise Men with baby Jesus in the manger and the words “Wise men still seek him,” a large head of Jesus that Hofman described “as big as a refrigerator and which is very simple and easy for me to make but people like it a lot and I like it a lot,” Jesus on cross with a crowd of people below and the words “Thank you, Jesus,” and the resurrection of Jesus. “I’ll build a new one every couple weeks, maybe a month. I don’t do as many now in my career. Once we learned to water them down with

Elmer’s Glue they can withstand the wind and rain, although if it rains a lot I have to rebuild them,” he said, adding he will keeping sculpting throughout October. It can be hard work. Hofman has pulled tendons in both hands, so instead of always digging the huge holes necessary for the sculptures, he commissions “younger folks to help me out so I don’t exhaust myself,” such as members of youth groups active in Sun’Spot Ministries in the resort. “The beach in Ocean City has very pure sand. Our sand is like salt so it doesn’t stick together. The first six inches of it is dry and you can’t sculpt that dry sand but then six inches down there is nice moisture content. “If you go down a foot or more there is good sand to sculpt. It is hard work digging up the sand and then when I’m sculpting I am on my knees so it can be hard on you. The Wise Men Still Seek Him sculpture takes 10 hours. “My technique is, if I am digging down into the sand, I dig one day and that uses a lot of energy. Then I reason myself, ‘Go home and get some rest’ and then I am back at 6 To Page 21

Progress Staff Photo

Randy Hofman with one of his sand sculptures on the beach in Ocean City.

20 Ocean Pines PROGRESS September 2026

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LIFESTYLES

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 21

Devine Named as September Crafter of the Month

Randy Hofman From Page 19

the next morning to sculpt. The big head of Jesus is large scale so I can do it in an hour or so. “I didn’t sculpt a Last Supper this year but I do it most years. It is such a standard piece of sculpture. I gave it a break this year. A couple times when I did the Last Supper I gave one span my attention one day then I came back and did the arches over the top and the central figures the next day,” he said. When he started painting signs years ago he never thought he’d still be creating art in Ocean City 50 years later. “When I was painting signs, I was scratching out a living downtown. I did a lot of hand lettering then I would put art work on it. There used to be a lot more opportunity downtown. “Even then I barely made a living. Sign making was something to do and I learned more from that than anything. Then I got into carpentry, making wooden frames, then I got into oil painting, pictures. I made 85 altar pieces, like icons. I sculpted them. I used wood left over from the sign making and make replicas of Italian altar pieces, religious pieces and sold the majority of them,” he said. Pictures of them are available on his website at www.randyhofman. net The website also has pictures of a young, bearded, dark-haired Hofman concentrating as he drew on the sidewalk; pictures of the many sand sculptures under colored lights, some with tourists stopping to photograph them; icons he has sculpted from wood; sand sculptures he has created for special occasions such as wedding, proms and anniversaries. In December, Hofman will be 75 but has no interest in retiring because, he said with a laugh, “I never worked.” “I was always playing with art. I have been pretty active but I am slowing down,” the Ocean Pines resident said. In his early 30s, he recalled, a news reporter interviewed him and asked how long he expected to be sculpting. “I said, ‘I don’t know. Maybe until I’m 40 or something. I might be burned out by then.’ “But making art is something you can do through your retirement years.”

he Pine’eer Craft Club has named Terry Devine as the September Crafter of the Month. Devine retired early and discovered a passion for painting and creating mixed-media pieces embellished with glass and resin. Her work often features the same chunky glass used in decorative gas fireplaces. She also repurposes colorful vases found in thrift stores, carefully cutting and breaking the glass to incorporate into her art-

work. Recently, she began decoupaging, making coasters, desk sitters, and other decorative items. Devine divides her time between Ocean Pines and her hometown of Philadelphia. She joined the Pine’eer Craft Club in 2021 and says she values the camaraderie and support among its members and appreciates the wide range of talents they bring to the group. “I am particularly proud of the club’s annual contributions to organizations that serve the Ocean

Pines community,” she added. Devine’s handmade items are available at the Pine’eer Craft Club Artisan Gift Shop, located in White Horse Park in Ocean Pines. The shop is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Founded more than 50 years ago, the Pine’eer Craft Club has donated over $201,000 to the Ocean Pines community. The club welcomes new members and meets on the third Thursday of each month.

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22 Ocean Pines PROGRESS September 2026

LIFESTYLES

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 23

Cross Named Food Access & Wellness Coordinator for Farmer’s Market

he Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market is pleased to announce that Carol Cross of Cross Farms of Berlin has been named Food Access & Community Wellness Coordinator for the Market. In this volunteer leadership role, Cross will oversee the market’s special food access programs, including SNAP/EBT, WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), Senior FMNP, and special dietary and nutrition programs offered in partnership with the state and local health departments. The position was created to make fresh, healthy, local food more accessible to all families in Ocean Pines and surrounding communities, and to ensure shoppers who use nutrition benefits have a welcoming, knowledgeable point of contact at the market. Cross is well known to market customers as part of Cross Farms in Berlin and brings years of experience as a local farmer, a farmers market merchant, and advocate for local food access. “I believe everyone in our community should have access to fresh, healthy food grown right here,” Cross said. “I’m honored to help our neighbors use their benefits at the market and to build stronger connections between our farms, our health partners, and our community.” Market Manager, David Bean said the new role will help expand community outreach and strengthen partnerships with health departments and other community wellness organizations. Shoppers who use SNAP, WIC, or Senior benefits are encouraged to visit the market to learn how to access and use their benefits for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other eligible foods. The Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market is a year-round community market, open to the public, featuring local farmers, growers, producers, and artisans from across the Eastern Shore and beyond. The market is committed to supporting local agriculture, small business, and equitable access to healthy food.

Submitted Photo

Glen Odor (left), COO of Big Fish Daily, spoke at the August meeting of the Ocean Pines Anglers Club about the new daily America’s Virtual Fishing Tournament for both freshwater and saltwater anglers, www.BigFishDaily. com. Odor was greeted by Moderator Frank Fiori Sr. (right).

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September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 25

Nanticoke Indian Powwow Celebrates Culture, Tradition By PROGRESS STAFF here will be traditional fry bread, spread with butter and sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon, at the 48th annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow, as well as succotash, Indian tacos and other selections associated with the Nanticoke people, who are welcoming the community to join them for the annual event. Car enthusiasts can admire rows of vehicles on display at the powwow, on Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, at Hudson Fields, 30045 Eaglecrest Road in Milton, Del., and everyone can shop for blankets, clothing, toys, items made of leather and jewelry, all on display and for sale. Children can have their faces painted and make crafts. Avery Johnson, appointed Chief of the Nanticoke Indian Association in 2023, stated in a news release that everyone is “welcome to join us in experiencing the music, dancing, artistry and hospitality that make this event so special” and added the powwow “celebrates our culture, honoring our traditions and strengthening the connections that bring us together.” “It’s a time to celebrate,” Johnson said about the event, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days and expected to attract about 25,000 people. The cost of admission is $10 for adults 18 and older, $5 for children 11 to 17 years old and free for those 10 and younger and everyone is asked to take their own lawn chairs. Smoking, alcoholic beverages and drugs are not allowed. During the grand entry, at noon both days, there will be a procession of native American dancers, children and adults, wearing full traditional regalia, and dignitaries. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer has been invited, as have Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. Representative Sarah McBride, Sen. Gerald Hocker, Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, Sen. Russ Huxtable, Representative Jeff Hilovsky, Representative Valerie Jones Giltner and Representative Claire Snyder-Hall. At 9 a.m. Sunday, a church service will blend the Christian faith with Native American culture. Adrienne Harmon and Louis Campbell will be head dancers, Chief Urie Ridgeway will be are-

na director and host drums will be by Red Blanket of New Jersey and Stoney Creek of North Carolina. As he has been for many years, Keith Colston will be emcee. Each year he describes traditions, talks about the honor of being an American Indian and thanks veterans for their service. Nanticoke Ragghi Rain often offers the opening prayer. She co-authored a book about the Nanticoke language titled “Once It Has Been Spoken … It Cannot Be Unspoken: Kutiikiitowaakanun, Our Nanticoke Language,” written to “bring back words spoken by Nanticoke ancestors over two centuries ago.” Available on Amazon and also co-authored by Keith Cunningham and Karelle Hall, with illustrations by Paige McNatt, the description of the book explains, “The Nanticoke ancestors’ speech allowed for more variety.” “Just as we have unique personalities, our ways of speaking differ in subtle ways that reflect our individuality,” the description states. The Nanticoke Indians are the native people of lower Delaware. Today there are approximately 700 members of the Nanticoke Indian Association and more than 2,000 people who can trace their heritage back to the tribe.

Progress Staff Photo

Nanticoke Indian Powwow coming up Sept. 12 and 13.

26 Ocean Pines PROGRESS September 2026

LIFESTYLES

TidalHealth Atlantic Expands Surgical Care With Da Vinci Robot, $4.4M Sterile Processing Upgrade By PROGRESS STAFF ecent upgrades at TidalHealth Atlantic Hospital in Berlin are impressive – and all for the patients, the director of surgical services said. “Our intangible asset is our patient care. We are patient-centered. You, the patient, are at the center of what we do here at Atlantic. It is the culture of how we take care of our patients,” Amy Holloway said. New at TidalHealth Atlantic is a Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, allowing more precise surgery, and an enlarged and upgraded Sterile Processing Department, where surgical equipment is cleaned and sterilized and so critical that without it, “You would close your doors,” Holloway said. “The Da Vinci robot is an addition to our robotics program. We offer the Stryker Mako and Smith and Nephew Cori for total joint replacements. Adding the Da Vinci robot demonstrates Atlantic’s commitment to providing advanced technology that

helps improve patient care. The system allows surgeons to make highly precise movements and gives them a clear 3D view during surgery, offering greater accuracy and depth perception than traditional open or laparoscopic procedures. This technology allows patients in our community to access advanced surgical care close to home,” she said. The first robotic surgery was performed at TidalHealth Atlantic on Tuesday, July 28, a pelvic reconstruction surgery done by Dr. Peter O’Hare, who practices urogynecology. “It’s significant – it’s huge -- that TidalHealth Atlantic now has a Da Vinci. The world is at our feet with this technology. It is cutting edge as far as small hospitals having it. That is one of our missions and visions, to provide the most up-to-date technology for our patients for better outcomes. Robotic surgeries improve patient outcomes. There are smaller incisions, reduced post-op pain. A lot of times there is a shorter length of

stay. Traditionally, doctors have to make a large incision and with the robotic surgery there are now very small incisions. We can do a lot with this in this area now,” she said. The Da Vinci – named for 15th Century Italian polymath and realism artist Leonardo da Vinci, who

also studied human and animal anatomy – “can go from minor surgeries like removing a gall bladder or appendix all the way up to doing thoracic surgeries,” Holloway said. “This is how surgeons are being trained now. It gives us the capabil-

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Submitted Photo

The new Da Vinci robot at TidalHealth Atlantic.

To Page 27

OCEAN PINES LIFESTYLES

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 27

TidalHealth Atlantic From Page 26

ity to have more talented surgeons and to recruit a wider range of doctors to this area. This acquisition, this partnership, with TidalHealth in Salisbury, allows us to have the capacity and the resources to bring this Da Vinci robot here. Nanticoke and Peninsula Regional have had the Da Vinci for several years. “Doctors have to be specially trained to use the Da Vinci. Intuitive is the company that makes our Da Vinci. Doctors have to go to be trained, then they come back and have a proctor that works with them before they are on their own. And we have a hub so that, say we needed someone from TidalHealth in Salisbury to help remotely, if the doctor is having a problem, they can be sitting in Salisbury and looking at what is going on here in Berlin using a shared screen,” Holloway explained. Da Vinci benefits the hospital “because we can offer patient care that we didn’t have before. Patients would have had to go to a larger hospital to have this technology but now we have a Da Vinci here,” Hol-

loway said. A Da Vinci surgical robot can cost from $800,000 to $2.5 million, depending on the model. Generally, the robot, about 8 feet high and weighing up to 3,000 pounds, has three components -- a patient cart, surgeon’s console and vision cart, according to www.intuitive.com that explains the system is designed to support gentle surgery and help the surgeon perform procedures with confidence, using a magnified 3D view, instruments that bend and rotate in tight spaces and steadiness “that filters out natural hand tremors, giving the surgeon more control.” Da Vinci is nothing new for TidalHealth. The Da Vinci S High Definition Surgical System Robot was installed at the Salisbury hospital in 2007 and TidalHealth Nanticoke hospital in Seaford got its first Da Vinci in June 2021, according to information provided by Jessica Perry, who handles public relations for the hospital. The Berlin hospital’s now larger Sterile Processing Department is “completely brand new, as far as our equipment goes,” Holloway said. “This department is incredibly important. With sterile processing,

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if you have a mistake, you have a big problem. That department is crucial to the hospital and to patient care. Without this department, you would close your doors. In our Sterile Processing Department, we have people who take so much pride in what they do and how much they care about patient safety. They have more space to work now. Everything is compartmentalized, as it should be. They have room to move around. We had to make it bigger because we have so many more cases and because of the types of cases. We have more orthopedic cases now and more intricate parts our equipment, as well. We made sure each area has what it needs – magnifying glasses, lighting, all the necessary equipment,” she said. The department was enlarged from 1,500 to 2,400 square feet at a cost of $4.4 million and “strengthens patient safety, improves operational efficiency and supports the ongoing growth of our surgical services,” she said. The upgrade “provides the capacity to incorporate the Da Vinci system into our robotics program while accommodating future expansion,” she said.

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“The technology was updated and it is now state-of-the-art. Our old decontamination equipment had 45-minute cycles and now they have 20-minute cycles. They are bigger and more efficient. There is a lot of ergonomic equipment -- sinks, tables -- for prep that are ergonomic now, meaning there is not as much bending over. It is set up specifically for that person who works at that station. “There is more standardization. You have less chance for mistakes. There is now a separate decontamination area so nobody can get to it except the people working in it,” Holloway said Break rooms and lounges at the hospital were rearranged to make space for the larger Sterile Processing Department and the old department was demolished. “We do 390 surgeries a month and every one goes through Sterile Processing. We had a 10 per cent increase from FY25 to FY26,” she said, adding a 23-percent increase in surgeries is expected “due to the growth and partnership with TidalHealth in Salisbury.” “We expect more surgeries and more volume,” Holloway said.

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28 Ocean Pines PROGRESS September 2026

LIFESTYLES

Serpone’s Pizzeria Builds a Local Following With a Taste of Home By PROGRESS STAFF f you’re walking past Serpone’s Pizzeria in the Pines’ Pennington Commons Plaza, you might see one or two of the employees tossing dough in the air before placing it on a baking pan and arranging toppings, but it won’t be the owner. Francesco Serpico takes a more practical approach to preparing menu items and it’s been successful. Since opening five years ago, the little restaurant has gotten popular with locals and visitors who crave not only the pizza but other menu items including cheesesteak, subs, garlic knots, and mozzarella sticks. Opening Aug. 9, 2021, the restaurant is named after Serpico’s nickname as a boy growing up in Naples, Italy. “There’s a little story behind the name. In Italy, when you put ‘one’ at the end of a word it means something is bigger. I was a bigger kid growing up, a little overweight, and it was my nickname, so I rolled with it,” he said with a laugh. Serpico will observe his 20th anniversary in the pizza business on Nov. 6. “I’m not sure what I will do to celebrate. When the time comes we will see -- if I have the time or the opportunity to anything. Even if I take a day off, I am always here in the morning to make dough and make sure everybody is good, then I head out, but I don’t take many days off,” he said. Serpico, whose family is in the restaurant business, came to the United States as a young man “wanting to experience the American dream kind of thing,” he said during a recent conversation with the Progress. “I decided to take a trip to America and see how it goes and if I liked it. I started in New Jersey. I came over and I started working in a small pizza shop. I didn’t know much English. They kind of threw me to work the counter where I had to figure it out. It was OK, though. It helped me grow pretty fast. It was good. It was a good start. I was there three years, in Brick, N.J., close to the beach,” he said. He came to America alone, with-

Progress Staff Photo

Francesco Serpico shows some of the pizza available by the slice.

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out his parents or two brothers, because he had met someone in Italy who owned a pizza shop. “He wanted to open another one at the time and he was looking for help. I said, ‘I’ll come over.’ I was 21 at the time. It was a little bit scary, yes. My mother didn’t want me to go but she knew the food industry and she knew it requires a lot of sacrifice. We pretty much grew up me in this type of business, my brothers and I. I wanted to experience it somewhere else. I was in New Jersey three years then I had a better job up in Pennsylvania and I was there for nine years, in Strasburg, Pa. That is where I met my wife. “I met her at a Halloween party and we hit off right away. I wasn’t wearing a costume and I can’t remember what she was dressed up as but it was fun. We had a good time up there. We were there until our son was born, then we decided to move here, closer to the beach, to an area with good schools. We had two kids and we were thinking about them growing up,” Serpico said. He and his wife, Angela, have a 10-year-old daughter, Tosca -- meaning “from Tuscany” and the name of the opera of passion by Giacomo Puccini -- and a son, Noah, 8. When he isn’t working, Serpico enjoys time with his family. “We just try to hang out and do stuff together, even simple things like sitting at home. After we put the kids to bed it’s my wife’s and my time. We sit in the living room and hang out. We like to go to the boardwalk. The kids like the arcades,” he said. Serpico used to play soccer “up until probably the day I left to come over here and then when I was going back to visit my family and friends I would always try to play a couple soccer games. I like to follow soccer. I love soccer. I follow the Naples team. They are a pretty good team,” he said. Before opening Serpone’s, he worked at Mione’s s Pizza in the White Marlin Mall for three years. “They were good to me at Mione’s. Good family. The family sold the business to Jerry Milite. He is a good To Page 29

LIFESTYLES

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 29

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guy. I worked with Jerry for quite some time and we still have a good relationship. When I left I told them, ‘I’m not copying any of your recipes. This will be something totally different, my own dough recipe, my own sauce recipe.’ It was one of those things where, some stuff was taught to me by my dad then over time you try and always better yourself and the recipes and better my dough. I always try to use healthier ingredients. The flour I use is unbleached flour. There is no sugar in my dough. There is extra virgin olive oil, water, yeast and salt, four ingredients and I make sure the dough is at least proofing two days. It rises a little bit then I add that to my flour and mix it again. It’s a whole process. I like to mess around with things and I try to deliver something that is different. I think if you deliver the right product, your customers will keep coming back. “We use imported tomatoes for our sauce, canned tomatoes from Naples, like a plum tomato. They are a little more expensive but I know what I am giving people. It’s close to home. I try to use as much imported products as I can. People do try to eat healthy so I use just a few ingredients,” he said. Serpone’s -- open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. – is known for deep-dish Sicilian pizza, margarita pizza with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil and cheesesteaks, but also for its friendly staff. “We try to greet people when they walk through the door,” Serpico said. “When I first opened, we didn’t even have tables in here for them to sit down while they were waiting. I have a good local following. We have tourists coming back every year. It has been quite a journey.”

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30 Ocean Pines PROGRESS September 2026 Shocked by Comments on Tree Cutting Editor: I read with interest David Bohenick’s “Resident Challenges Tree ‘Clear Cutting’ “. As a long-time visitor and seven-year resident of Ocean Pines, I 100% agree with Tim Peck’s observations concerning the nowall-too-prevalent “clear cutting” of once-wooded Ocean Pine’s lots. Please add my signature to Tim’s 113. When we first moved into the Pines our next door neighbor observed that “It used to take an act of Congress to cut down a tree”. But, for some time recently, to my chagrin, a good way to tell a wooded lot had been sold was when it was immediately “clear cut”. I was really shocked and dismayed at Linda Martin’s comment that ‘No clear cutting is happening.” Dear Linda, who’s side are you on? Right Now, I can show you two Ocean Pine’s lots that have been recently clear cut...

OPINION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thank you Ocean Pines Progress for publishing David’s article, and, for “listening.” Ralph J. Ferrusi Ocean Pines Wooded lot resident

Route 589 Rezoning Moratorium Needed Editor: The Worcester County Commissioners’ unanimous ruling that, temporarily, they will not accept new applications for rezoning on Rte. 589 (Racetrack Road) is the right thing to do. As everyone knows, if the commissioners’ decision was put before voters, it would be supported overwhelmingly. The decision is based on two equally important things, facts and common sense. Both facts and common sense confirm that traffic on Route 589 has reached an intolerable limit and adding more to it would be hurtful to the community.

Traffic research has proven that increased traffic on roads like Route 589 which run next to and serve adjacent communities like Ocean Pines has a significant impact on people in the community. Such roads are called ‘arterials.’ In fact, it has been shown that the heavier traffic becomes on arterials like Rte. 589 the more miserable life becomes in the neighboring community. The same applies to the many other arterial/community setups throughout Worcester County, for example Route 611. Research has documented that people report that their sense of neighborhood and happiness – that is, quality of life – decreases in line with an increase in the amount of traffic on arterials. What this research shows is based not on some technical engineering calculation but on what real people living in real communities say…us folks. These research findings simply confirm plain old common sense. As far as any transportation stud-

ies put forward to support increased development, remember this important fact. The studies comply with the Maryland Department of Transportation Policy Manual that provides guidance to engineers. In the countless of pages of the Manual, nowhere are engineers instructed on how to include quality of life in evaluating traffic problems – nowhere! Oh yeah, they can calculate how many cars can be crammed in a new turn lane or how many cars pile up behind a new stop light, but quality of life? – sorry, that’s not their job! That is the important civic and legal duty of county commissioners! Politicians are becoming aware of a fact that traffic design experts have known for a while. The fact is that building new roads to address intolerable existing traffic loads often simply draws in more traffic. This reality is called “induced demand.” Developers who offer to add lanes don’t want citizens or commissioners to think about how that can make matters worse. Induced demand problems have been documented in Maryland. In To Page 31

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LIFESTYLES/OPINION

LETTERS From Page 30

fact, the General Assembly is drafting a law requiring MDOT to start including an analysis of induced demand in evaluating new projects – something that MDOT does not do. Until MDOT does, county commissioners need to consider that reality themselves. Don’t fall for that old ‘build your way out of it’ fallacy. One final fact, when commissioners approve rezoning along Racetrack Road, they invite attorney Hugh Cropper to slap them with more “change in character” rezonings. This is known in legal circles as a “slippery slope.” Nowadays, self-interested developers and their hired attorneys often have the attitude that individual property rights trump everyone else’s “general welfare” and “pursuit of happiness” constitutional rights. That is not legally (nor ethically)

September 2026 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 31 true and commissioners must stand on guard to protect the interests of the citizens of Worcester County. With their action on this matter, the Commissioners have shown that they will do just that. Working together, they are keeping us from becoming another Sussex County. Chris VanCantfort Ocean Pines

Route 589 Rezoning Moratorium Needed Editor: The Art League of Ocean City’s 21st Annual “Artists Paint OC” plein air festival and competition August 12-16 was a great coming together of art and community. Thank you to the 48 professional artists and 30 Quick Paint artists who spread out around the area for five days and created over 200 paintings of our iconic local landscapes. And thank

you to the 300 youth ages 6-17 who painted “en plein air” during the month to be part of our 4th Annual “Kids Paint OC” program. Our gratitude goes out to judge Kevin Fitzgerald, who awarded prizes to our winning artists and also donated a painting he created for an Art League fundraising raffle. Also, thank you to Evan Fitzgerald for judging the Quick Paint competition. And our heart goes out to our festival sponsors who provided over $10,000 in cash prizes for the artists and demonstrated their appreciation for the arts. We extend our deepest thanks to the Peter Glenville Foundation and PNC Bank for supporting us at our highest level as Ocean Sponsors. We truly appreciate the generosity of our sponsors for the 2026 Artists Paint OC Festival (August 12–16): Agriculture Families, Beach to Bay Heritage Area, Marian Bickerstaff, Ed & Emmy Challenger, Crystal Collins, Reese Cropper III, Linda Guerrieri, Laura Jenkins, Berta Maginniss, Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Nichols, OCMD Hospitality

Association, Ginny Outten, Shore United Bank, John Sisson, and Town of Ocean City. Thank you to our Quick Paint sponsor, Ocean City Development Corp., who has supported us for many years, and to John Sisson the sponsor of our Kids Paint OC competition. We also appreciate the support of the Island Creamery and Freeman Arts. Another big thank you to the art lovers and art collectors who came out to support the artists and purchase their work during the Wet Paint Sales. The best of the plein air paintings will be on display and available for purchase at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th St. bayside through September. The raffle for the painting continues until the drawing on Sept. 30. Laura Jenkins Co-Chair, Artists Paint OC Virginia Outten Co-Chair, Artists Paint OC Board Member Rina Thaler Executive Director

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.

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Send your community news releases, letters to the editor, and upcoming events information to us at: pinesprogress@gmail.com Submitted Photo

The Ocean Pines Police Department hosted another successful National Night Out at White Horse Park on Aug. 4. This year’s event featured numerous vendors and volunteers, as well as law enforcement and emergency services personnel from Ocean Pines, Worcester County, and the State of Maryland. The Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines/Ocean City provided food for the event, including hot dogs, chips, and cold drinks.

32 Ocean Pines PROGRESS September 2026

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