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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Surge of coronavirus in area leads to virtual tree-lighting

By Greg Ellison

(Nov. 26, 2020) After assessing the state of the spread of coronavirus in this area, Ocean Pines officials have decided to stage the annual Ocean Pines Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting in White Horse Park virtually without participants this Saturday. In the meantime, the inaugural Thanksgiving “Family Gobble Wobble” stroll around the South Gate Pond remains on tap for Thursday at 8 a.m.

The Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting, which was scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m. will now be held virtually after health safety concerns caused the in-person aspect to be abandoned.

Recreation Supervisor Katie Goetzinger said community members could still witness the tree lighting, albeit virtually, which will be broadcast live on the Ocean Pines Association Facebook page starting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.

Visit www.facebook.com/OceanPinesAssociation in real time or view the tree lighting on demand after the affair is posted to the Association webpage and YouTube channel that night.

“We cancelled the [in-person] event,” she said.

Goetzinger said the bulk of more than three-dozen holiday trees had been sponsored by residents, businesses and social organizations prior to the change of plans.

“They were almost all gone when we made the decision not to have it,” she said.

The adjusted Hometown Christmas virtual tree lighting ceremony will also include a tour of the more than three dozen fir trees sponsored by community members and area businesses or civic groups.

To maintain some degree of normalcy, regardless of any other changes Santa Claus is still slated to arrive from the North Pole to assist with lighting the official Ocean Pines Christmas tree.

Goetzinger said the tree display in White Horse Park would be on display through the end of December, which would provide families ample opportunities to view the holiday scene on their own schedule.

Now in its 10th year, an anniversary celebration for the Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting had been abandoned due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

By contrast, the inaugural Thanksgiving “Family Gobble Wobble” stroll around the South Gate Pond is still on target for Thursday beginning at 8 a.m.

The event is being organized through the Facebook group, Local Help For You Worcester County, which is asking participants to consider bringing along toy donations for children or pet supplies for furry friends.

Teaming up to arrange the free walk, which is intended to solicit support for the Worcester County Humane Society and local Christmas toy collections, are Colby Phillips, Kathy McDaniel and D.J. Donnie Berkey.

Phillips said music kicks off at 8 a.m. and the outdoor event would be conducted in accordance with coronavirus health safety mandates currently in place.

“We ask everyone to come with their masks and social distance with their families,” she said. “We’re asking if people can bring an unwrapped toy and or something for the Humane Society for the dogs and cats.”

Participants at the “gobble wobble” can walk whatever number of laps around the South Gate Pond they elect, with each totaling about three quarters of a mile.

Phillips said unwrapped toys and gifts will be distributed to area children who might otherwise get skipped by Santa, while dog and cat food donations will aid animals being cared for by the Worcester County Humane Society.

Phillips said in the event of rain the walk would be cancelled but charitable donations are still welcome.

“If we can’t host the walk, people can still drop off toy donations, as well as donations for the Humane Society, to the Sports Core Pool,” she said.

For more information on Recreation and Parks activities, call 410-641-7052 or visit oceanpines.org/web/pages/recreation-parks or facebook.com/OPRecandParks.

For questions about the Family Gobble Wobble email localhelp4youwc@gmail.com.