This year’s Rib Fest featured 11 competing chefs and teams, each serving up their own take on the best ribs in Roaming Shores. Dinner guests received six tasting tickets and had the difficult task of sampling their favorites before casting their ballots for the People’s Choice Award.

A big thank you goes to all of this year’s competitors:

1. Dave Hughes
2. Howard Tuttle
3. Dave Page – Relay’s Ribs
4. Justin Gingerich & Dillon Wachob
5. Mr. & Mrs. Paul Oboczky
6. Ken Drummond – Mission Imporkable
7. Tyler Starcher
8. Linda Greybar – Bad to the Bone
9. Kurt Gabram & John Thome – K & J’s Bourbon & BBQ
10. Kevin George
11. Roger Gingerich – Juicy Bonez

2026 Rib Fest Chefs

After the ballots were counted, Dave Hughes (Chef #1) and Justin Gingerich & Dillon Wachob (Chef Team #4) tied for 3rd Place. Tyler Starcher (Chef #7) took 2nd Place, and the 2026 Rib Fest 1st Place People’s Choice Award went to Howard Tuttle (Chef #2)!

Howard is no stranger to the top spot, he was also voted the People’s Choice winner at the STARS Club’s last rib competition in 2024. Congratulations, Howard, on defending your title!

There was plenty happening beyond the rib competition, too. Throughout the evening, guests supported the STARS Club through a basket raffle, 50/50 drawing, and Half Pig Raffle, with proceeds helping fund our community fireworks.

A special thank you goes to our 50/50 winner, who graciously donated the entire prize back to the STARS Club. The winner of the Half Pig Raffle was Butch Foit. Congratulations, Butch!

Rib Fest was made possible through the hard work of the STARS Club members: Barb Buckley, Bree Hughes, Jim & Arleen Kovats, Kathy & Dale Naismith, John & Mary Lou Watt, Leeann Moses, and Jen Addair. From planning and preparation to setup, serving, raffles, and everything in between, it took a team effort to bring Rib Fest together.

The STARS Club would also like to thank our chefs for the time and effort they put into competing, everyone who donated raffle items and supplies, and, of course, everyone who purchased a dinner or raffle ticket and joined us for the evening.

Thank you for making Rib Fest a success and for continuing to support the STARS Club and the Roaming Shores fireworks. We hope everyone had as much fun tasting the ribs as our chefs had making them!

The STARS Club

We are looking for someone who will support the modernization of member access, services, and organizational processes. Review the attached job description and send your resume to wendy@roamingshores.org. 

The Roaming Shores Fishing Club invites all bass anglers to participate in the Al Rubosky Bass Tournament #1 on Saturday, August 22. This tournament honors longtime Fishing Club leader Al Rubosky, whose dedication to the club and the Roaming Shores community left a lasting impact.

The tournament is open to Fishing Club members (family membership is just $25). Entry is $40 per boat, with no limit on the number of anglers per boat. Anglers may also enter the optional Big Bass competition for an additional $10 per boat.

The tournament will feature a best five fish limit (largemouth and smallmouth bass). Registration and livewell checks begin at 6:30 AM at the Marina, followed by a 7:00 AM launch. Weigh-in will be held at 1:00 PM at the Marina.

Whether you’re competing for bragging rights or simply looking to enjoy a day on the water, come join the friendly competition!

Questions? Contact Mike Chevalier at 440-567-2076.

After continued observation of current lake conditions, we have decided to postpone the scheduled lake treatment at this time.

Conditions within the lake continue to evolve, and we believe it is prudent to gather additional information before proceeding. Additional testing and monitoring will be conducted to ensure that any treatment decisions are based on the most current data and are both effective and environmentally responsible.

We understand this postponement may be disappointing or frustrating for some members, but our priority is to make informed, science-based decisions that protect the long-term health of Lake Roaming Rock.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to monitor lake conditions. We will keep members informed as additional information becomes available and will communicate any future treatment plans if they are determined to be necessary.

Conditions on the lake have resulted in a decision to schedule an algaecide treatment on the southern half of the lake for Wednesday, July 22nd. This includes a line from about Sugar Creek south. The northern half of the lake will not be treated at this time. Therefore, those in the untreated areas, please stay vigilant and avoid any signs of algal blooms.

*Please note that these plans can change due to weather conditions, so please be alert to any updates.

 
1) The lake level will be lowered if necessary to comply with the Ohio EPA requirements for this application.  Please adjust your boat tie downs to accommodate the water level change. 
 
2) Please turn off all fountains or other devices that agitate the lake water in the application area on Wednesday AM.  They may be turned back on Friday morning.

3) The application will be applied during the day of July 22nd.

 
4) Please refrain from any activities on the lake, including boating, jet skis, etc., starting Wednesday, July 22nd to allow the treatment to be effective and to spread in a predictable manner. Boat traffic may resume on Friday morning, July 24th. The boat ramp will be closed from Wednesday AM until Friday AM.

5) While the lake is deemed safe following the application, we are closing the beaches Wednesday, July 22nd, and reopening them on Friday, July 24th.   While unlikely, if you observe any undisposed product (a white powder with a bluish tint) after Friday morning, avoid direct contact and let the office know where it is observed.

6) Do not water your property with water from the lake during the application period.

7) If you live in the northern end of the lake, please avoid contact with any active blooms.  

While these steps may be inconvenient, they are necessary to ensure the best chance for a successful application.

Due to poor air quality from the wildfire smoke, the pools are closed today.

The STARS Club is interested in bringing back the Rib Cook-Off this year (tentatively August 29) with a new format that we hope will be even more enjoyable for both competitors and attendees. The goal is to reduce the number of slabs each team or cook needs to prepare while increasing the number of participating teams, giving attendees more variety and more cooks to sample.  

Before moving forward, we would like to gauge interest from potential cooking teams. If you would be interested in competing in this year’s Rib Cook-Off, please email Jen at IT@roamingshores.org.

We already have a few interested teams, but we need a few more to make the event happen! More details will be announced if there is sufficient interest to hold the event.

Before we dive into our recap, we wish to thank all of those who made it happen! The 60th Anniversary Celebration took a year to plan, coordinate, and execute. July 4th weekend was its exciting conclusion.

Thank you to all of the members and volunteers of the 60th Anniversary Committee, our amazing Clubs, the organizers of the Jason Scribben Volleyball Tournament, our sponsors, and, last but certainly not least, a big round of applause to our outstanding Safety Services: the Roaming Shores Police Department, Rome Fire Department, Morgan Hose Volunteer Fire Department, and SCAD. Your dedication and hard work helped make the weekend safe, successful, and memorable for everyone. Without you, none of this would be possible.

STARS Roaming Shores 5K and 1-Mile

What a great way to kick off Independence Day! On the morning of July 4th, the annual Roaming Shores 5K & 1-Mile Race welcomed 145 registered participants to the Clubhouse. It was a beautiful morning for a race, with 130 runners and walkers crossing the finish line after enjoying the scenic course around the community.

A special thank you goes out to the STARS Club for organizing another outstanding event, as well as our dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, race officials, and Safety Services for helping make this year’s race a success. Community events like this are only possible because of the many people and businesses that generously give their time and support.

Congratulations to all of our participants and award winners! Below you’ll find links to race photos, the official race results, and this year’s awards. We hope you enjoy reliving the morning’s festivities, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at the starting line next year!

• Race and Awards Album
• Stasny Finish Line Pics
• Results

Cardboard Boat Races

At exactly 12:00 on July 4th 2026, five fearless cardboard creations launched onto the waters of Lake Roaming Rock for what would become one of the most entertaining races in nautical history. The fleet, Cotton Candy Dream, Freedom, Blue Whale, The Monster, and Firework Splash set off with every crew convinced their masterpiece was built on engineering brilliance rather than equal parts duct tape, cardboard, and optimism.

The race remained neck-and-neck until Freedom suddenly decided it had experienced enough “freedom” and in spectacular fashion, the boat floundered and sank, leaving Captain Ruby and Crewman Sunday heroically clinging to the floating remains like shipwreck survivors auditioning for a pirate movie.

As if that weren’t enough excitement, Cotton Candy Dream reached the halfway point only to discover that having a sturdy bottom is, in fact, a fairly important feature for a boat. With impeccable comic timing, the floor gave way, and Captain Skylar vanished into the lake in one unforgettable splash.

Meanwhile, Captain Douglas had The Monster roaring around the halfway mark with a commanding lead, looking nearly impossible to catch. But Captain Mackenna and Crewman Delaney had other plans! Powering Firework Splash with surprising speed, they surged past the stunned Monster in the closing stretch to capture a dramatic come-from-behind victory.

Not to be overlooked, Captain Emaline and the Blue Whale endured enough navigational detours to justify a brand-new GPS. Despite the wandering course, she persevered and safely guided her vessel back to shore, claiming a well-earned third-place finish and proving that sometimes simply making it back in one piece is its own kind of championship.

When the cardboard settled and the splashing stopped, the results were clear:

1st Place: Firework Splash — Captain Mackenna & Crewman Delaney Lawson

2nd Place: The Monster — Captain Douglas Day

3rd Place: Blue Whale — Captain Emaline O’Hara

The rest of the fleet may not have finished quite as planned, but they certainly succeeded in providing the biggest laughs, the most memorable sinkings, and another unforgettable Fourth of July tradition at Lake Roaming Rock.

Cotton Candy Dream – Captain Skylar Day

Freedom – Captain Ruby & Crewman Sunday Zufall – MOST SPECTACULAR SINKING 2026

Firework Splash – Captain Mackenna & Crewman Delaney Lawson – MOST CREATIVE BOAT 2026

We would like to thank all of our racers and give special mention to family and friends who helped construct or supported the boats that raced on Saturday. We would also like to thank our volunteer judges, photographers and our fire/EMS service personnel who provided safety overwatch during the race.

In addition to the above, we would also like to thank NOPEC who awarded us a special community events grant which ultimately made this event and our Cardboard Boat Workshops possible. Last but not least, we would like to thank Todd and Rick of the Ashtabula Aarons who provided us with all of the construction cardboard utilized at our workshops.

Again, thank you for your participation and we truly look forward to seeing you again next year.

Roaming Shores Police Department.

• Cardboard Boat Race Album

Jason Scribben Memorial Volleyball Tournament

The annual Jason Scribben Memorial 3-on-3 Volleyball Tournament returned to Beach #1 on the Fourth of July, bringing together friends, families, and competitors to honor Jason Scribben’s memory through a day of friendly competition.

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

1st Place: Jack Hedden, Alex Hedden, and Blake Hedden
2nd Place: Kyle Puckett, Emily Styers, and Scott Styers
3rd Place: Gage Rogers, Ty Rogers, and Vance Rogers

A special congratulations goes to Emily Styers, who was named the recipient of the Joshua Scribben Youth MVP Award. Introduced this year in memory of Jason’s brother, Joshua Scribben, who passed away earlier this year, the award recognizes a young player who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship, effort, and love for the game.

Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and supported this year’s tournament. Your continued support helps preserve a tradition that has honored Jason’s legacy for more than 25 years. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Scribben family for continuing to share this meaningful tradition with the Roaming Shores community year after year.

DJ at Beach 1

Thank you to DJ Doctor D who kept us rocking and dancing into the evening!

Fireworks!

No Independence Day celebration is complete without fireworks! Thanks to the efforts of Mark Dougherty and Barb Buckley, we were able to secure a fireworks vendor in time for the big day.

A special thank-you to Mad Bomber Fireworks for putting on an outstanding fireworks display, and to all of our generous donors whose contributions help make this annual tradition possible. We would also like to recognize the STARS Club, whose fundraising events throughout the year help support the fireworks show and many other community activities. We truly appreciate everyone who helps make this tradition possible!

Sand Sculpture Contest

Despite a rainy start to the morning on July 5, three creative families braved the weather and gathered at Beach 1 for this year’s Sand Sculpture Contest. While Mother Nature may not have fully cooperated, the participants certainly didn’t let the rain dampen their imagination!

Each team put their artistic talents on display, creating impressive sculptures that made judging a difficult task. Thank you to all of the families who participated and helped make this year’s contest a fun addition to our Independence Day weekend celebration.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

1st Place: Clark Family – Team CJs with their impressive Octopus creation.

2nd Place: Kemmerline/Robinette Family – Team Cheetah with their beautiful Mermaid sculpture.

3rd Place: Madison Javorich – Team Super Girls with a wonderful Sand Castle creation.

Congratulations to all of our participants, and thank you for making the best of a rainy morning.

Cornhole Tournament

Unfortunately, the rain turned into storms, forcing the Cornhole Tournament to be postponed until July 11. Despite the change in date, we still enjoyed a day of great competition and friendly fun!

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

First Place (Gold): Eric & Topher Salek
Second Place (Silver): Josh Kovats & Brennan Davidson
Third Place (Bronze): Mac Wright & Owen Maruca

After battling their way through the loser’s bracket, Eric and Topher defeated Josh and Brennan twice in the championship rounds to capture this year’s Gold Championship. Congratulations to all of our competitors, and thank you to everyone who came out to make the tournament a success!

• Cornhole Tournament Album

Food Trucks & Vendors

A big thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who helped make our Independence Day weekend celebration even more enjoyable!

On Saturday, members and guests enjoyed delicious food from Cheesy Squeezy, Baba Saj, and Cotton Candy & Snow Cones.

On Sunday morning, Scribblers Coffee Truck and Mary’s Urban Kitchen kept everyone fueled with breakfast, while Tornado Potato Curls served lunch later in the day.

We’d also like to thank Brenda McDonald and Thee Sassy Shack for offering a great selection of apparel and merchandise throughout the weekend.

We appreciate each of our vendors for spending the holiday weekend with us and helping make Roaming Shores’ 60th Anniversary Independence Day celebration a memorable one!

Concerts are free for RRA Members and their guests only. Concerts are tentatively scheduled for 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM with food service beginning at 5:00 PM. Enjoy from Beach 1 or by boat.

Concert days are RRA Special Use days which means there will be no parties greater than 25 guests at Beach 1. Membership cards will be checked upon entry.

The Beach 1 area will be NO WAKE beginning at 5:00 PM on concert nights as boaters will be anchoring for the concert. Boaters, there will be an area to park your watercraft marked by buoys near Beach 1. Please park within the buoyed area.

Join us at the Kathy Crandall Entertainment Pavilion this Saturday, June 27th for our next Summer Concert. The band for the evening will be Swamp Rattlers with food service by Cove Creek BBQ!

Concerts are free for RRA Members and their guests only. Concerts are tentatively scheduled for 6:00pm to 9:30pm with food service beginning at 5:00pm. Enjoy from Beach 1 or by boat.

Concert days are RRA Special Use days which means there will be no parties greater than 25 guests at Beach 1. Membership cards will be checked upon entry.

The Beach 1 area will be NO WAKE beginning at 5:00pm on concert nights as boaters will be anchoring for the concert. Boaters, there will be an area to park your watercraft marked by buoys near Beach 1. Please park within the buoyed area.