Brown Box Theatre
Production Enjoyed
Editor:
I wanted to compliment everyone involved with bringing the Brown Box Theatre’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to Northside Park last Saturday.
We went not sure what to expect and our expectations were lowered when we saw the portable stage and informal setting. But we ended up having a delightful evening, the most fun I’ve ever had at a Shakespeare play.
The young cast was first rate, in particular at drawing the full slapstick out of a very funny play. They used the stage in a very clever way. The audience seemed entranced, from the 6 year old giggling next to me (we fed each other’s giggles) to the approving grandparents scattered around the lawn.
I salute the Brown Box Theatre’s philosophy of bringing quality drama to the people, in small towns and not just great cities. And kudos to the businesses, foundations and art councils as well as the town of Ocean City that made this memorable night possible.
Terry Grogan
Ocean City
Club Contributions Due
To Volunteer Members
Editor:
The Ocean Pines-Ocean City Kiwanis Club is fast approaching the end of the program year. As a service organization of our community, Kiwanis strives to make a difference in that community. The new year for Kiwanis begins Oct. 1, 2013 through Sept.. 30, 2014. Again this last year, 2012-2013, the club has contributed significantly to “Serving the Children of our Community.” Beginning with the $1,200 Priority One contribution to Worcester Gold’s Baby Pantry and ending with the $13,500 in scholarships to Stephen Decatur high school seniors heading off to college, the club has served our children well.
Support for the schools and the Kiwanis Youth Service clubs within the schools amounted to $6,850.
Additionally, the club contributed another $3,300 to community based youth programs, i.e. CASA, Cedar Chapel School, Ocean Pines camp, Ocean City summer camp, the Cub Scouts, OP Children’s Theater, and the McGuffey Reading Program. Perhaps more important than money, the club donated hundreds of volunteer hours to school art fairs, science fairs, It’s Academic, direct assistance to our sponsored school Kiwanis youth service clubs and our sponsored Cub Scouts.
The Kiwanis Club has also played a supporting role in the community, contributing $2,900 to Community Support organizations: the OPVFD, the OPA Concerts in the Park, Worcester County Interfaith Caregivers, Diakonia, Worcester Gold Holiday Families, Coastal Hospice, and the Appalachian Service Project; plus hundreds of volunteer hours towards Nursing Home bingo, dolls for patients, the Blood Drives, the senior chores program, our house number signs that assist our first responders on emergency calls day and night.
So, how does all this get done? Through members’ volunteer hours and hard work on all of the fund raisers. All of this is paid for by the members’ work on pancake breakfasts, hot dog sales, German/Italian dinners, Boardwalk raffles, annual Duck Race, the Fruit Sales, and the weekly donations from our members to Priority One. Of course, it’s not all hard work; there is the satisfaction of working together to get these results.
So here comes 2013-2014. The Kiwanis Club is committed to doing this again. But in addition to Kiwanis members, we need friends and neighbors to support, participate and/or join the Kiwanis team and help the club continue these services for the 2013-2014 program year.
Again, we thank our community for its continued support.
Barbara Peletier
(The writer is the president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City.)
Support Appreciated
Editor:
On behalf of the Ocean City Development Corporation we would like to thank the Town of Ocean City and the many local nonprofit organizations for partnering with us to make this year’s Sunset Park Party Nights music series a success.
We are especially grateful to Bill Paul and his volunteers with the Recreation Boosters who sold beverages at each music event to raise funds for youth programs at Northside Park. Also special thanks to Greg Shockley and Shenanigans Irish Pub and Grille for donating the beer sold by the Recreation Boosters.
We look forward to seeing all attendees for the 2014 music season at Sunset Park.
Bob Givarz
Glenn Irwin
(Givarz is the president of the OCDC, and Irwin serves as executive director.)
Thanks From Committee
Editor:
On behalf of the Ocean City Art League and its Sandcastle Cocktail party we would like to thank everyone who attended the beautiful “Evening on the Bay” last Wednesday hosted by the ever generous Jim and Jan Perdue and The Gateway Grand Residences.
The evening was absolutely perfect, the weather outstanding, the food by Watermans in Crisfield, Md., was delicious and our wonderful guests in attendance made this home tour cocktail party the best one yet.
So many volunteers worked hard to create this beautiful evening and a very big thank you goes to Zack McCarthy of Coastal Tented Events, Ami Reist of Little Miss Lovely Florists, Pepsi Bottling, Co., guitarist, Adam Bilenki, Baked Dessert Cafe, Encore Events, T.J. Carven, Mike Lawson, David Lewis, Aviad Sasi, Steffanie Riddle, Ainsley Ayers, Ed Galyon, Jeff Albright, Ann Hanson, Stasia Heubeck, Marsha Howarth, Chelsea Thaler, Katie Rosinski and Chase Shmelling.
Also, a huge shout-out to all the local businesses who contributed to our very successful “One Night Only” raffle. Ish Boutigue, Planet Maze, Candy Kitchen, Coffee Beanery, Liquid Assets, Galaxy 66, Malia’s Cafe, Lobster Shanty, The Hobbitt, Blu, The Embers, Fishers Popcorn, OC Wasabi, Grab and Go Taco, Fresco’s, Plak That, Princess Royal, Yoga Vibez, Simply Clean, Wockenfuss, Gillette Art Studio, Chloe McKenna, Farm Foodie, Jolly Rogers, and Full Moon, Dog Treats. And congrats to winner, Judy
Schoelkopf.
Thank you to the entire community for your support, we hope you will enjoy this week’s 9th Sandcastle Home Tour and continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary of the OC Art League.
2013 Home Owners Cocktail Party Committee members Jamie Albright, Rebecca Galyon, Nancy Rider, Jenny Carven, Christina Pohland, Judy Tremellen, Linda Kessinger and Jacquie Warden
9/11 Ceremonies Moving
Editor:
I attended a 9/11 ceremony at the Elks Lodge in Ocean City where they had guest speakers and a pertinent video of this tragic day and they also honored a local fireman and policeman of the year.
Afterwards, I attended another 9/11 event at the fireman’s statue on the Boardwalk that was sponsored by the Red Knights. It was an awesome event with a motorcycle parade, bag pipers, speeches by local dignitaries with the US flag flying proudly.
I am a retired New York City firefighter and I am always overcome with emotions on this day. I lost 343 of my firemen brothers on that fateful day and I am so thankful and appreciative to the Elks Club and the Red Knights for remembering.
I am so proud of all the firemen, policemen and EMS in our country for their dedication to their jobs. May their memories live on and may we never forget. Thank you.
Logan Doviken
Ocean City