Volume 31, Issue 5 | May 2023

2023 Board of Directors                        Derrick Elzey Chair Derrick Elzey State Farm Insurance Donna Frankowski Vice Chair ERA Martin/Shamrock Division                           Tylor Lennox Treasurer Coastal Wealth Management                               Ashley Haldeman Secretary Lakeside Assisted Living Allen Duncan GSB Media Nancie Corbett Bluebird Farms Rich Cropper Cropper Services, LLC Tina Simmons Atlantic General Hospital Don Robertson Seafloor Carpets, Hardwood, and More Amy Hedger Coastal Home Care Stephanie Gamm Wor-Wic Community College Diana Dovel Lakeside Title Don Boger Home Instead Nicole Zeien OC Tax Service Celeste Rayne Past Chair Farmers Bank of Willards

May 5-7 Springfest 6 - MD Coast Bike Festival 7 - Bay Day 11 - Chamber Connections Meeting 11 - Business After Hours at Bluebird Farms 16 - Ambassadors Meeting 19 - Board of Directors Meeting 25 - Chamber Connections Meeting 30 - Joint Mixer with Bethany Fenwick Stay up to date on all our doin's. You can add your events too! Community Calendar

THIS MONTH'S FEATURED PARTNERS: Born Good Dog Training Odyssea Jet and Prop Shop National Travel and Tourism Week Info Eastern Shore Investigations

President's Corner

What Is the Meaning of May? May comes from the Latin Maius, probably referring to the goddess Maia. She embodied the concept of growth, both in nature and in business. Well, how perfect is that?? Venture forth into May and GROW! As for us, this year's edition of our Business Directory is at the printers and will be distributed the last week of May. Those that are not delivered directly to OP residents will be at our office, the OPA Admin Building, OP Library, the Ocean City Visitors Center (at the Convention Center and the OC Chamber office), and high-traffic eateries, banks, and realtor offices. Make sure to get yours. The clickable pdf version will be available on our website as well. May 30 we will be mingling with members of the Bethany/Fenwick Chamber at the Freeman Stage. Please join us. We look forward to seeing all of the changes at Freeman and also meeting new friends and potential collaborators. Then, June 20, the Salisbury Area Chamber is gathering all Lower Shore Chambers together at Bordeleau Vineyards in Eden. A bit of a drive but well worth the trip! The ultimate networking event with beautiful scenery and libations. Then we steer head-on toward our 16th annual Flounder Tournament on August 5. Sponsorships, auction items, anglers. We need them all! Be on the lookout for those opportunities. Be well, people.

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Corporate Sponsors

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My name is Carly Whittington & I am the sole owner and operator of Born Good Dog Training, LLC! I am a professionally licensed, certified, and insured dog trainer in the OCMD area. As a balanced dog trainer, I look at each dog individually before deciding what method and techniques will best benefit your family and your dog. Training isn’t a “one size fits all,” so my goal is to strengthen you & your dog’s bond in the best, safest, and most fun way possible. The field of dog training can be overwhelming, confusing, and even intimidating for some! I work closely with all of my clients to ensure you understand not only how I train, but also why. I strive to create the freedom for you to communicate with your dog in a way that you BOTH understand! Fill out the brief intake form to get in touch about starting your training journey today… Your pup will thank you!

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Why are there logos and ads in the newsletter? The first week of each month (if I'm on the ball), over 2,000 businesses, media outlets, community leaders, and residents receive this newsletter. Do you want those eyes to see your logo or ad? Call us! 410-641-5306

That Time of Year... Odyssea Jet and Prop Shop is a family-owned and operated watercraft service shop based in Ocean Pines, Maryland. The shop provides a comprehensive range of services for all models of jet skis, boats, and trailers. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, the Odyssea Jet and Prop shop has established itself as a reliable and trusted name in the watercraft industry. At Odyssea Jet and Prop shop, we take great pride in providing our customers with top-notch service. Our experienced technicians are equipped with the latest tools and technologies to ensure your watercraft is in top condition. We offer routine maintenance, repairs, seasonal services, Maryland Trailer Inspections, Canvas Fabrication, and many storage options including winter and summer storage for boats, jet skis, and trailers. Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual customer, ensuring that your watercraft is running smoothly and efficiently. At the heart of the Odyssea Jet and Prop shop is our commitment to customer satisfaction. We understand that your watercraft is an important investment, and we are dedicated to ensuring that it is always running at its best. Whether you need routine maintenance, repairs, or storage services, we are here to help. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to providing you with the highest level of service and support, so you can enjoy your time on the water with confidence. As a family-owned and operated business, we understand the importance of building lasting relationships with our customers. We take pride in our work and strive to exceed your expectations with every service we provide. We believe that our commitment to customer satisfaction is what sets us apart from other watercraft service shops, and we are proud to be a trusted name in the industry. We look forward to serving the local boating community and building a long-term relationship with you. Contact us today and let us help you keep your watercraft running smoothly all season.  11206 Five L Drive Ocean Pines

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R&A Insurance Inc. T.C. Studios LLC Libelle Homestead Rescue Heating & Air Conditioning LLC

Benefit for Unstoppable Joy

Happy National Travel & Tourism Week!

The Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC) is inviting Marylanders and visitors to our wonderful state to participate. The Scavenger Hunt will take place May 7-20 and winners will be announced May 25th. Those participating will need to find at least 6 of the 10 icons and take a selfie. Once completed, they will need to post their entries to Facebook and/or Instagram and use the hashtags #TourismWorks4MD and #NTTW23MTC. Please share the scavenger hunt with your guests. A printable copy is available to print or share. Place them in your lobby, visitor center, or checkout.

One of last year's winning posts Participants must post their entries to Facebook and/or Instagram and use the hashtags #TourismWorks4MD and #NTTW23MTC

Printable Scavenger Hunt

What is National Travel & Tourism Week

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual industry tradition celebrating the value travel holds for our economy, businesses, personal well-being, and more.  May 7-13, 2023, marks the 40th anniversary of NTTW. We are demonstrating how integral travel is to every industry and nearly everything we do. Our recovery is the nation’s recovery, and travel is essential to a future of growth and innovation.  Join us as we keep moving #TravelForward.

US Travel Assoc Travel Kit

MD Tourism Coalition Website

Chamber Partnership Exclusive Offer

Next Young Professional Gathering May 10 Tall Tales

The Young Professionals of the Pines (YPP) aims to unite the next generation of professionals. YPP creates opportunities for emerging business leaders to build relationships, expand their leadership skills, and develop their careers while paving the way for the future success of the Ocean Pines community. The group is designed for professionals between the ages of 21 and 35.  If you can’t make it to our meeting in person, the option to join us via Zoom is also available. Keep an eye on our Facebook page (Ocean Pines Chamber YPP) as well as our LinkedIn Group for more information on upcoming events!

YPP Facebook Page

YPP LinkedIn Page

Have you looked at your utility bill lately?

Learn About Saving on your Energy Costs with CQI

Join the Chamber Energy Purchasing Cooperative The war and the economy continue to escalate utility prices to historic levels. Join The Chamber Energy Co-Op today! The Chamber of Commerce has partnered with nationally recognized energy management experts and consultants, CQI Associates, to run the cooperative. The Chamber Energy Co-Op program provides competitive electric and natural gas rates for your business and your home. CQI’s 25-plus years of experience provides the best option for stabilizing your utility expenses. There is no better time for members to enroll in the Chamber Energy Purchasing Cooperative Program and gain price stability, budget control and peace-of-mind. Since 2004 cooperative participants have consistently realized electricity and natural gas rates below both market rates and the weighted annual utility standard offer service rates. JOIN THE FIGHT! TAKE CONTROL To learn more about the purchasing cooperative simply watch this short video.

Maryland passed the Climate Solutions Now Act requiring a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2031. Any business with a 35,000 sq. ft. or more facility, schools, and municipalities that do not comply will be assessed a penalty of $51 or more per ton. Penalties could start as early as 2024. This could cost a small facility, school or municipality thousands of dollars. Watch this video to learn more.

Welcome to the Ambassador Corner!  Next Ambassador's Meeting is May 16

Want more exposure for your business while advocating for the community and chamber? Become an Ambassador! We welcome all new partners to the chamber and ensure that they get the most out of their partnership. We meet every third Tuesday of the month at 1:30am at the chamber office. Stop by!

 Our partners renew their support on their anniversary months. The below list are those who renewed since the last edition of the Chamber Chatter. Thank you for your continued trust and support!

1 - 4 years Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore Williamson Termite & Pest Care Patrol Talkie Communications The CRICKET Center Eastern Title and Settlement Travelista Travels - Kacie Walls TMC Accounting 5 - 10 years My Backyard Atlantic United Methodist Shore United Bank Diakonia Shaffer Law Office PKS & Company PA

11 - 19 years Nock Insurance Coastal Wealth Management Worcester County G.O.L.D. American Granite and Tile

Who Ya Gonna Call? Owner, Steve Hannon, is a licensed Private Investigator located in Ocean Pines with over 35 years of experience in investigations. With my business, I can provide the best affordable service to other businesses, Attorneys, and citizens from Ocean City to the Bay Bridge. If you have a business that has hired an employee with integrity issues or is looking to hire an employee, I have multiple databases available to me and a very low cost for background checks. Some of the services I offer are Infidelity Investigations, Private Process Services, and Criminal and Civil Investigations. If you're interested, please call 410-977-5938.

Copy and paste the below png and add it to your email signature and website. Let everyone know you are a proud Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce partner!