Our 4th of July celebration is always one of my favorite times at Ocean Point and this year’s did not disappoint. We were finally able to celebrate together without masks and protocols which brought us back to traditional times. Everything seemed bigger; the parade, the band, the races and the softball game!

Thank you to our band members who year after year entertain the participants and the spectators with their lively patriotic music and they include: The Marden family, Bob, Eric, Holly Cruz, Hannah Johnson, Andy Hamblett, Hugh Rappaport and the Dawons, Jonathan, Al and Owen. The Mardens also brought along houseguests to join in the fun.

At the conclusion of the parade the participants were treated to prizes, ice cream and races. Unfortunately there are too many race participants to name; however, names will be posted on the Casino bulletin board. Thank you to all the volunteers for this event and especially to Dan Rodden for recording all of the names of those who competed.

Our chicken barbecue was delicious as always and very well attended. Thank you to our friends at the Ocean Point Inn who very generously donated the chicken and burgers, the salads, the beautiful flag cake as well as the butter and creamers. Of course, thank you to all who brought something to share and we can’t forget our professional pit crew: Matt Lindley, Jack Chambers, JD Hankinson, Kenny Schroeder, John Kenny and Jonathan Dawson. The kitchen crew did an amazing job of serving and they included: Will Bertrand, Connie Saindon, Donna Logan and Matt and Kate Lindley.

Team Bertrand defeated Team Yerrall in our first ball game of the season 10-2. Outstanding players were Kevin and Kyle Rush. Mike Anderson was the winning pitcher.

Thank you to Holly Cleary who ran the arts and crafts on Monday and Ginna Yerrall for the Kid’s Bingo on Tuesday.

I can’t begin to thank The Slayton Family enough for the remarkable pasta dinner! What a meal they prepared from antipasti to salad, garlic bread, pasta with meatballs and sausage and homemade desserts, it was simply a gastronomic delight.

What an amazing turnout for our first Bake Sale organized by Patty Gardiner and Donna Logan and was hugely successful. Once again thanks to all of the volunteers: Ginny Rush, Roseanne Bourassa, Sue Kern, Leslie Whitehouse, Dianne Eakin, Ann Hussey Hogaboom.

Saturday was an extremely busy day with the Memorial Golf Tournament organized by David Butterworth in conjunction with the Boothbay Country Club. I don’t have results of that event but will report on the results next week. I did hear everyone had a great time.

While the Tournament was being played the Ocean Point Fun Run and 5k was held.

Once again Stephanie Kaler and Kelly Robbins organized an amazing race with many participants as well as spectators. Stephanie and Kelly were assisted by: Susan Anderson Ashley Butler, Maureen Driscoll and Barb Klein on the registration desk and by these same individuals plus Alicia Raymond, Andy Smith and Boston Marathon official Peter Meagher at the finish line. Donna Logan handled the water station, as did David Houston. Also volunteering were Ben Kaler, Greg, Amy and Luke Arnpriester, Peter and Barb Newell, Moira Simonds, Robert Driscoll, Duke Wells, Kathy and Kate Lindley, Jeff Slayton, Maureen and Jay Bennett and Dave and Sue Kern. Thank you all for making the race a huge success! Race results are posted on the bulletin board and I will have more to report in the next column.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed our first Porch Party hosted by Link and Julie Brown, Cookie and Robert Dana and Leslie and Lanny Whitehouse. All enjoyed great food and conversation and to our surprise there was a champagne toast for our new beautiful facility.

Sunday softball saw Team Bertrand once again defeat Team Yerrall 11-7 with again outstanding plays by Kevin and Kyle Rush, third baseman Dr. Ryan and his father in law Steve at second. Jonathan Dawson was the winning pitcher for the team.

Don’t forget our upcoming Attic Treasures Sale on Friday, July 23 from 9 a.m. until noon. Treasures should be dropped off at Casino on Thursday. Volunteers for set up and day of sale are needed from either 8 to 11 or 1 to 4. Volunteers are needed the day of the sale beginning at 7:30 and also for clean up after sale. If you have a truck available that is needed too. Sign up is on the bulletin board. Contact Ann Hussey Hogaboom for any and all questions.

Congratulations to several Ocean Pointers who recently retired: Jeff Slayton, Donna Boyd, Kathy Ford, Roseanne Bourassa and Bruce Plummer; welcome to the retiree club and we wish you well as you begin a new chapter in your lives.

Lara Nordenson recently got engaged, Lara is the daughter of Mark Nordenson and Moira Simonds, congratulations to her. I don’t believe a date has been set for her nuptials.

Congratulations to Alex Johnson on her recent engagement. Ally is planning a September 2022 wedding here at Ocean Point. Ally is the daughter of Tim and Tracy Johnson and granddaughter of Sally and Allen Johnson.

Alex’s mom and dad had quite the experience biking 4,288 miles through the National Parks recently and will be leaving for Iceland to compete in a 200K bike race, all the best to them.

Kim Kruger certainly got our creative juices flowing with her fantastic Beach Glass Workshop last Monday. All participants created some wonderful pictures, thank you Kim. Kim has generously agreed to do another workshop in August; this one will be for adults only. Ginna Yerrall led a great time for the kids by organizing yard games this past Tuesday.

Don’t forget the Ice Cream Social on Thursday evening at 6 and the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, July 17 from 8:30 to 10. Later that evening is our first Cornhole Tournament at 5 p.m. BYO and your boards if you have them. Sign up sheet is at the Casino.

Rev.Erika Hewitt, Minister of Worship Arts, Unitarian Universalist Association, Bath, Maine will conduct Sunday Services on July 18. Services begin at 9:30. All are welcome.

The ballgame on Sunday, July 19 is dedicated to Jim Brown. Jim was a beloved Ocean Pointer who was instrumental in teaching many children the game of softball. Please come out to honor a wonderful man and stay for the grill immediately following. Bring a side dish to share. The dedication and grill will be held rain or shine.

As you can see there's lots going on and lots of news to report and I do apologize if I inadvertently missed anyone who volunteered these past twp weeks. It doesn’t happen without all of you and your support and we thank you. Have a great week!