I first met Barclie when he was a puppy in the office of Shriver’s Saltwater Taffy about 17 years ago. His best friends and caretakers were Meryl Berwick, now Merlyl  Vangelov plus Meryl’s Mom Ginny Berwick and Hank Glaser, both co-owners of Shriver’s on the Boardwalk at the time. Barclie was an endearing, affectionate pet. Meryl told me he was a Labradoodle, a cross between a Lab and a poodle. She had rescued him from an unscrupulous dog peddler who had threatened to put the puppy down if someone didn’t buy him. She took one look at the puppy’s sad, little eyes. The rest is history. When I visited Shriver’s offices, Barclie was usually the first one to greet me. He would look me over, sniff a few times, remember that I... Read More

In 1985, the “Yankee Clipper,” also know as Joe DiMaggio, sailed into Ocean City to be grand marshal of our Baby Parade. I couldn’t believe our good luck. Roger Jacabowski, who had a business on the boardwalk, knew Tony Tarcasio, a casino executive, who was a personal friend of DiMaggio. Tarcasio extended the invitation and DiMaggio accepted. In those days his appearance fee was $5000. But he generously came to Ocean City for free. Again, I couldn’t believe our good luck. The event had special significance for me. Growing up, baseball was my favorite sport. I loved the feel of the bat hitting the ball- “on the good part of the wood,”- the smack of the ball into the thin fielder’s gloves we used in those days and I liked being outdoors during... Read More

Ocean City’s 59th Annual NIGHT IN VENICE will be held on Sat., July 20. The optional theme is “The Good Old Summer Time.” Speaking of time, the starting time will be announced soon. The colorful boat parade and decorated home celebration was initiated to commemorate the City’s Diamond Jubilee or 75th anniversary in 1954.  It was organized by former Public Relations Director, Art Watkins and Jack Jernee, the Captain of the Beach Patrol. Watkins, who was a boat tour director, prior to settling in Ocean City, witnessed a semi-religious celebration in Venice, Italy during which residents sailed to a nearby Island and had a sociable evening. Night In Venice has remained one of Ocean City’s most popular events. Local historian, Fred Miller, learned that there was a celebration held here in 1901 that was... Read More

Both of the City’s Art Centers are offering interesting free shows in February. The ART ON ASBURY Gallery, 608 Asbury Ave., will host “Anything Goes,” along with its annual Arc student Exhibition and Sale. Entry is free to both exhibits which will feature an array of work by the Art Center’s talented members and a themed show highlighting Dogs by Arc students. Arc is a private, non-profit agency that makes a positive difference in the lives of people with intellectual and development disabilities. You will find their work amazing and heartwarming.  Ocean City Fine Arts League (Art on Asbury) artists have been teaching Arc students for over nine years once a week for three hours. Artists Susan Rau, Jennifer Bird and Thelma Snyder spearhead the program and instruct students on how to paint... Read More

Ocean City has made a remarkable comeback from Hurricane Sandy. The Boardwalk and Downtown are in good shape and we were able to accommodate 8,000 visitors during our New Year’s Eve First Night Celebration. Thanks to the tireless work of OCNJCARE, our super volunteer organization, its community partners and the City, this basic recovery was made possible. These groups continue to provide assistance to those who need help and will do so until the job is completed. It is very important that we get the word out to our visitors that we are open and ready to accommodate them now and for the upcoming season. Our Tourism industry revenues help keep the City tax base in check and also contribute substantially to the State’s Treasury and tax base. We have already held a... Read More

Ocean City was the first community in Cape May County to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The celebration was initiated a few years after his death by the late Rozelia Cobb, a beloved teacher at the Ocean City Intermediate School. The tradition is carried forward today by former councilman, Rev. Gregory Johnson, who will present  an inspirational reading of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” during a ceremony set for 1 p.m., Sat., Jan. 19, at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing  Arts Center, Ocean City High School, 6th and Atlantic Ave. Mayor Jay Gillian will be keynote speaker and the Bubby Fan Gospel Group will perform. Carly Del Sorda will sing a solo. Sandy volunteers, including those from OCNJCARE, the group that continues to assist those affected by the... Read More

SONGS OF OUR CITY:  A Benefit Concert for OCNJ CARE will be held on Jan.12 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 10th and Central Ave. at 4 p.m. It will feature local and regional professional soloists including Nancy Fox, Debby and Jim Dalfanso and Bill Scheible, musical director of the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. It is produced by former Miss Cape May County, Debora Pruitt “to raise funds and raise the spirits of the Community". OCNJ CARE is the volunteer organization that has been helping Ocean City residents recover from Super Storm Sandy since the very beginning. Suggested donation is $10. For information, call (609) 390-0860. The Ocean City FINE ARTS League, 608 Asbury Ave. reopened recently, and is presenting its January Judges Show at this time. Featured artists include Marilyn Brent, Lance... Read More