COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

Zoom Ribbon Cutting

The Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Berlin Chambers of Commerce welcomed Zoom Car Wash with a joint ribbon cutting at the grand opening April 10. Zoom features self-serve bays, touchless express service (both open 24/7) and the zoom tunnel, located on Route 50 in front of Home Depot.

Check Acceptance

Two members of the Worcester County Veteran's Memorial of Ocean Pines accepted a check on April 6 for $3,000 from the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club to support its youth program. Pictured, from left, are Susan Pantone, vice president of the Veteran's Memorial Committee; Marie Gilmore, committee president; and Bill Hickey, Optimist member.

New Office

The Ocean City and Ocean Pines chambers of commerce celebrated the new office of Movement Mortgage on 82nd Street with a joint ribbon cutting March 8. Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy Thompson, left, and Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kerrie Bunting, right, present plaques to Senior Loan Officer Pam Rocco, Market Leader Justin Kozera and Branch Manager Joe Brach.

Tournament Of Books

Fourth grade students in Heather Robins' class at Ocean City Elementary School participated in the second annual Tournament of Books, where they had to read 16 books from November to March. Every Friday in March they would vote to see which books moved forward in the competition. The class is pictured with the winning book, “Escaping the Giant Wave” by Peg Kehret.

Partnership Celebrated

Atlantic General Hospital Foundation representatives and Penguin Swim event co-chairs came together recently with OC Ravens Roost #44 members to celebrate their long-time partnership. OC Ravens Roost #44 hosts and participates in several fundraising activities throughout the year with proceeds raised going toward various local charities. Each year, the Roost registers a team for the New Year’s Day Penguin Swim and collects thousands of dollars in donations. At this year’s swim, the group took home the first-place prize in the “Community Group or Organization” category by raising $9,869. To date, OC Ravens Roost #44 has amassed a total of $162,000 for the hospital.

Academic Fun

Fourth grade students Yanely Torres and J'annah Harmon had some academic fun while practicing their fraction skills. They completed the Trail Mix Fraction Challenge in Faith Murray's math class at Ocean City Elementary School.

Autism Awareness

Worcester Preparatory School held Autism Awareness Day on April 26. In addition to wearing blue, the Upper School Surf Club collected donations to support the Surfers Healing Foundation, which exposing those living with autism to the experience of surfing. (Left) Pictured, standing, from left, are eighth graders Mario Dahr, Justin McGovern, Anthony Ziman, Dade Kappes and Maximilian Lev, and standing, Jack Adkins, Jacob Lev, Michael Hall, Gavin Mann and Ronen Poddar. (Right) Pictured

Swearing In

Bob Broderick of the First State Detachment, swears in Tom Wengert, commander of Ocean City American Legion Post 166, as an associate member, at the Detachment’s April membership meeting. Wengert served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Art League

The Art League of Ocean City held a special breakfast on April 25 to honor its corporate partners for their continued support of the arts. Pictured are Lorri Miller, left, and Lauri Reynolds of Hilton Garden Inn.

Celebrating Reading

Students at Ocean City Elementary School were excited to show off all the reading they did during Spring Break. Each flower added to the Blooming Readers flowerpot represents 15 minutes spent reading. As a reward, students will be treated to a pieeating contest between the school’s principal, assistant principal and guidance counselor at the end of the school year. Pictured are Wendi Eitel’s third grade class and Laura Black’s kindergarten class.

Donations

The Semper-Fi America’s Fund has thanked the First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League for donating more than $21,000 in 2022 to the national organization that provides care for critically ill and injured service members, veterans and military families from all branches of service. The First State Marines raised the money in two events, a golf tournament and the Semper-Fi Bike, Run, and Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Pictured are Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan,