Last year Chris Maxa found himself taking a jog along the Ocean City Boardwalk in the cool fall air, like many OC Locals enjoy doing after a long day at work. However this jog ended in more than just a few calories burned, an idea was born!
While jogging past the newly laid planks at the beginning of the Boardwalk, Chris noticed the seemingly endless piles of old boards from the Boardwalk. The wheels in his head started turning and ideas were flowing. He came up with a brilliant, one of a kind idea: “Boardwalked”. Chris asked permission from the city to take some of the old boardwalk planks, that were obviously of no use anymore. After several truckloads he began focusing in on his project. As he likes to describe it, ”Old boards, showing cool photos.” Simple, yet amazing!
The first few dozen he made were tested out on the family for Christmas presents. He cut the boardwalk planks into approximately the sizes of 5″x8″ and then somehow “magically” figured out a way to transpose a photo of his daughter onto the blocks of wood. We don’t want to give away his secrets, so they stay one of a kind!
The rest is history, because ever since that day he has made over 400 blocks of art! It takes a considerable amount of time to make each piece, but he gets better at the process with each piece created. He’s had a little help from family and friends along the way as well. It seems that everyone is excited to see his project Boardwalked succeed!
The Boardwalked souvenir comes with endless options. Some of your options include photographs of The Kite Loft, Trimpers Amusement Rides, The Pier, Ocean Gallery, Endless Summer Cruisin’, Ocean City Lifesaving Museum and the Ocean City Boardwalk at night, just to name a few. If you would prefer a more custom piece, he even has that covered for you as well. Chris has it set up on his website so that you can order a custom Boardwalked piece by sending him an email with your own personal photo!
The reaction to his project has been overwhelmingly positive and of course everyone says, “Why didn’t I think of that!” I asked Chris what kind of reactions he had gotten so far from his project and he said, “Everyone thinks that it is such a cool idea and a great way to preserve the memories and nostalgia of Ocean City. People really connect with their good memories, and the photos are a way to bring back smiles to people. The custom pieces that I have already done have been especially positive, I actually had one nice lady start to cry and give me a big hug when I did a board for her of her grandmother who passed away. It’s been really great!”
On the back of each of his Boardwalked pieces Chris transfers his logo and it signifies that the wood is “100% Authentic Ocean City Boardwalk Wood.” Chris explained that he “tries quite hard however to preserve the character of each board by leaving the screws, nails, or other markings in tact just to retain the genuine feel of the Boardwalk.” He is also working on acquiring a letter from The Town of Ocean City, MD to signify that the boards are indeed exactly what they say they are.
If you’re looking to purchase your own Boardwalked piece you can find it sold at The Kite Loft on 5th Street and the Boardwalk, Bungalow Love in Berlin, MD and on his Etsy Shop. He can also be found at Springfest this weekend May 3-6 at the Ocean City Inlet!!! He will be pairing up with his friend Jimmy who has created an idea for Adirondack chairs and benches out of the old Boardwalk wood.
Thanks to Chris for a great idea to help preserve great Ocean City, MD memories!
Each and every summer day in Ocean City, Maryland memories are created and stored in the brains of thousands of our out-of-town visitors. Once those visitors all trickle back to their own respective homes and get settled back into their normal life routines, they sometimes stop and wish they could relive that OC memory created a few weeks ago - or even a few years ago! Sometimes it's the smell of apple cider vinegar that triggers your senses into thinking you're about to eat a ...read more
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How much of an important element is Scott Cooper to Rum Pointe golf course? More importantly, is Rum Pointe made of rum? Unfortunately, it is not; however, Cooper is one of the more important factors to the course itself. The general manger, of six years, is not only one of the most knowledgeable managers of his course, but one of the friendliest guys you will ever meet.
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Terry McGean, the City Engineer for the Town of Ocean City, gives us the inside scoop on the first phase of the Ocean City boardwalk project that finished up this week. Just in time for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure!
The project finished 2 weeks ahead of schedule and under budget, which is always nice! The new boardwalk is a huge improvement. For updates check the Town on Ocean City’s Boardwalk Reconstruction Page.
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Take those hard earned tax dollars and reward yourself with something that everyone can enjoy- a vacay!
Even if you are only getting a few dollars back, don't you think you deserve a little motivation to get through the next series of fiscal quarters? Don't you feel entitled to some off the cusp luxuries?! I do! I think a long weekend is in order!
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I'd like to introduce you to Marianne. She stakes her claim in life as a “wife, mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, cousin, teacher, friend, student, OC Insider, photographer, and artist.” Wait, did you catch that? Yep, you sure did! OC INSIDER, stuck right in the mix with wife, mother and friend. Every day I am amazed at the influence Ocean City Md has on a persons heart and soul!
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Calling all baby sitters, we have a job for you! Five “OC Mammas” are going to be dusting off their running shoes to join together in participation of the FIRST ever 2012 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Ocean City, MD. Together these local Mom's are looking to raise $2,000 for their team goal! Decked out in their matching team shirts they will be walking in honor of many special people.
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You don't have to wait till September to show your pride for the Baltimore Ravens. From May 31 - June 3, Ocean City with be overflowing with purple for the first ever Ravens Beach Bash. In the past this has been primarily a Ravens Roost convention but this year will be open to the public and will include a ton of special events including a bonfire on the beach, beach games, parties all over town, a parade and more.
See the ...read more
When planning your trip to Ocean City, MD it seems that everyone and their brother has an opinion about which event is best to check out, what hotel you should rest your head in, or where you should grab your Happy Hour drink. However, one thing many of you may not have heard about is an amazing group of individuals who can say without a doubt that they are the experts on Ocean City, MD. Who is this group you may ask?! None other than our own OC Insiders!
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Delicious food, live music and an exciting variety of family fun. When the Springfest tents go up on Ocean City’s beaches, summer isn't far behind!
The third Saturday of every month at the Art League of Ocean City. The programming's almost always local and consists of short film blocks, feature films, reels, and more!
The Art League of Ocean City presents their third annual film festival, featuring 100 films by local and international filmmakers of every background and genre.
Enjoy a night of family fun and laughter with a free movie on the beach!
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