Beautification Committee
LATEST HAPPENINGS:
FEBRUARY TIPS
by: Julie Golightly, CPH
Recreation & Parks Horticulturist/Landscape Crew Leader
Lawns
-
Over seed thin or bare areas in lawn from February through March. The freezing and thawing of the soil helps the seed get good soil contact. Snowfall over top of seed will not harm it
- Keep ice melting products off of lawn to prevent damage
-
Avoid walking on frozen grass. This damages the crown of the grass plants
-
Check the pH of lawn soil and adjust if needed
Woody Ornamentals
-
Trees and shrubs can still be pruned. Do not prune spring flowering ornamentals unless you need to reduce the number of blooms or size of the shrub
-
When buds swell on spring flowering shrubs, harvest a few branches for indoor forcing
-
January and February are the two most severe winter months for “winter burning” of evergreens. Protect by surrounding them with burlap windbreaks
-
Keep snow off of shrubs by gently sweeping in an upward motion
-
Winter burn is associated with dry soil. Expect some winter burning due to the dry summer and if plants were not properly watered during fall’s dry spells
Herbaceous Ornamental Plants
-
Prune out damaged leaves and inspect susceptible plants for scale problems. Scale can be controlled with a dormant oil spray as long as temperatures remain above freezing for 24 hours after spraying
-
Continue cutting back perennials to clean up garden beds and remove debris
Pond/Water Gardens
-
Use a deicer to prevent solid ice formation on the pond. This allows for good gas and oxygen exchange between the air and water so fish stay alive over the winter
-
Do not feed fish until water temperature is at least 50 degrees. Their metabolism shuts down in cooler temperatures and food will not digest resulting in illness or death
Soil, Mulch, and Compost
-
Now is still a good time to have soil tested and amended
-
Keep all ice melting products and materials away from landscape plants. Builder’s or all purpose sand is a good alternative to improve traction
-
If you have not mulched your garden, apply mulch now to protect plant crowns and shallow root systems from severe cold weather injury
- Compost pile microbes are greatly reduced, although still active. Continue to add to your compost pile. Keep large sticks, roots, and woody stems out since they take too long to breakdown and make turning difficult
Photos of our Recreation and Parks luncheon are available for viewing.
Reflections of Life special offer available
The Beautification Committee is bringing back a special offered last year over the holiday season that featured leaves at 50 percent off the normal price. From Veterans Day, November 11 through Christmas Day, you can order gold leaves for $250, instead of $500; silver leaves, regularly $350, are now $175 and bronze leaves, $250, are $125. The special offer also includes both small and large stepping stones at half price. Read more.
Gregory D. Purnell Sr. retired as Ocean City’s Town Arborist after 34 years of active service. He had a grand party with many friends and admirers attending. The Ocean City Beautification Committee had the honor to work with this man on many projects. We know he will continue to do good and will keep him in our lives.
 |
 |
 |
 |
2011 Beauty Spot Winners
Congratulations to everyone!
Above photo is the yard of a member of the OCBC. She does not wish to be named. As you can see, she has a green thumb and, therefore, is a valued member. As a member her yard cannot be nominated for a beauty award. Don't forget to nominate an Ocean City property that you like. Learn more on how you can nominate a site.
Above photo of Albright's yard on Surf Avenue in Downtown Ocean City. Jennifer Abright is a valued member of the Ocean City Beautification Committee, therefore she cannot be nominated for a Beauty Award. Her husband Jerry is the one with the green thumb and Jennifer likes to pick the flowers. Don't forget to nominate an Ocean City property that you like. Learn more on how you can nominate a site.
Susquehanna Bank, 94th St.
Once again this summer, the Ocean City Beautification Committee will continue our Partnerships in Bloom project. Again this year, we have a limited number of our big blue flower pots available for businesses in Ocean City. We will make arrangements to place a pot at your business, supply planting materials, flowers, watering can, and the labor. All you have to do is make sure the pots are well watered throughout the summer. If you own a business in the city and would like to participate in this program, please call Bonnie at 410-250-0539.
BEAUTY SPOT NOMINATIONS
Enter your nomination for 2011 now.
Call Donna Greenwood 410-251-5824.
Past Beauty Spot Award Celebration 
142nd Street Avenue of Cherries
The Avenue of Cherries was an idea whose concept was originated in the Caine Woods Association to remove several Black Pine trees on the median that were thought to be unsightly. Through the organizing of Pat Moran, OCBC member and also a member of the CWCA the beautification Committee under the auspices of the TREEmendous Dedication Program decided to replace the Pines with colorful Yoshino Cherry trees. The Yoshino Cherry, native to China and the Orient is the same tree planted in Washington, DC and is famous for the Festival of Cherries each year in that city. It is also noted that there are several pockets of Yoshinos planted around the Ocean City area. It usually blooms around the beginning to mid-April and is a delight to behold. The white with pinkish cast single blossoms provide a beautiful scene when viewed in full bloom and wherever several are planted together. Anyone who takes a ride down the 142nd Street corridor is bound to be impressed by the display these trees put on every year.
Soon, the cousin of the Yoshino, the Kwanzan Cherry will began its regal appearance in the Town and with its Hot Pink "double" blossoms, it can be considered also a great addition to the beautiful of trees in our Town's landscape.
Submitted by Gregory D. Purnell, Sr., Town Arborist
Ocean City Beautification Committee offers special opportunity to participate in Reflections of Life project
The Ocean City Beautification Committee is presenting a special offer to the public for the committee’s Reflections of Life project. The project provides a distinctive means of recording important events and interests in the lives of businesses and individuals and their loved ones by placing a gift of a bronze, silver or gold leaf or stepping stone on the impressive “Reflections of Life” bronze tree sculpture mounted inside the lobby entrance of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
Last year during the holidays, the leaves were offered at 50 percent off. This was so successful, the Beautification Committee is extending the same special for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. From April 18 through June 21, you can order gold leaves for $250, instead of $500; silver leaves regularly $350, are now $175 and bronze leaves $250, are $125. The special offer also includes both small and large stepping stones at half price.
Tax deductible donation forms are available at two locations in the convention center, at the project site near the main entrance and in the visitor center, along with Northside Park, 125th Street bayside. Forms and more information about beautifying Ocean City can also be found on the town’s web site at www.oceancitymd.gov. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Ocean City.
The Ocean City Beautification Committee has organized the project to raise funds for the purchase, installation and landscaping of a custom water feature to be installed at the convention center.
For more information about the Reflections of Life project, call Toni Wagner, project coordinator, at 410-250-0892.
Spring has arrived at Bob and Rita Chapman's home.
Seal seen at 131st beach by Michael Curcio on April 7th.
This photo was taken by Annette Colantuoni
on the 131st Street beach on March 11, 2011.
OCBC March 2011 Meeting - Members: L. to R. Joyce S. Melocik, Toni Wagner, Linda Herzberg, Donna Greenwood, Nancy M. Smith, Jennifer Albright, Eleanor Curcio and Bonnie Mitrecic.
As seen in March 4, 2011 issue of Dispatch:
OC Beautification Committee members Mike and Eleanor Curcio and Jerry and Jennifer Albright made it out to the Captains Table for the
February Downtown Association After Dark.
Beautification Committee Luncheon February 2011
Clockwise: Roger Baskerville, Donna Abbott, Julie Golightly, Donna Greenwood, Eleanor Curcio, Greg Purnell, Steve Genoa, Nancy Smith, Bonnie Mitrecic, Jennifer Albright, Toni Wagner, Joyce Melocik, Bill Funkhouser. |
Every year the Beautification Committee hosts a luncheon for the workers at Northside Park to thank them for all they do all year. Linda makes the soup and Bonnie makes the desserts. This year Hubba's on 123rd and Coastal helped us this year with Happy Salad, Ham sandwiches and Tuna salad sandwiches.
Soup's on
Sandwiches and chips
Dessert
Enjoying Food
Second table