Ocean Pines Garden Club wins state award for Arbor Day ceremony

(April 22, 2020) The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee has recognized the Ocean Pines Association with the PLANT Bronze Award for the Ocean Pines Garden Club's annual Arbor Day ceremony.

The PLANT - People Loving and Nurturing Trees - Bronze Award is presented every year for a single project or activity that brings together a community and trees. This is the first time the Ocean Pines Garden Club has received the honor.

"I was looking at the Department of Natural Resources website when I saw the PLANT program. I decided that our Arbor Ceremony is a perfect representation of what they were looking for in the Bronze Award, so I applied in January," said Anita Roberts, Ocean Pines Garden Club and Arbor Day committee member.

The event, which has been held in Ocean Pines for the past 20 years, honors residents of Ocean Pines and family members who have passed away during the previous year with the planting of a tree in Pintail Park. Last year's ceremony was led by the efforts of event chair Ann Shockley and then President Linda Baker. Patti Lookner is the club's current president.

"I am thrilled that the Ocean Pines Garden Club has been recognized for this award," Roberts said. "Ann Shockley and her committee and the members of Ocean Pines Garden Club worked hard to make this a beautiful and meaningful ceremony."

A long-standing fixture in Ocean Pines, the club - with the help of its more than 60 members - sponsors a variety of community events, including a May Day decorating contest, a Mother's Day flower sale at the Ocean Pines Farmers and Artisans Market, and a garden tour. 

In addition to watering and weeding Pintail Park, the group also purchases and plants flowers at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines, and decks Ocean Pines signs and buildings with floral wreaths and swags during the holidays.

Roberts said that their many projects are done with the aid of Ocean Pines Public Works and Kellie Romanowski, in particular.

The Ocean Pines Garden Club's mission is to stimulate interest in gardening, share gardening experiences, promote horticultural enrichment programs to enhance gardens while preserving the natural beauty of the community, and to preserve and protect natural resources and the environment.

It meets the second Thursday of every month at the Ocean Pines Community Center. Meetings feature guest speakers, demonstrations and sharing ideas about gardening. All are welcome to attend.

The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee is a volunteer group of citizens, professionals and government officials. It serves under the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards in a mission to protect and enhance the state's forest ecosystems.