This past Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer featured a story about our upcoming Mr. Mature America Pageant on the front page of the South Jersey section that was continued on Page B-6. It’s a fine story by Jacqueline Urgo except for one quote in the second paragraph: “People sort of yawned” when they heard about it.  On the contrary, folks I have talked to have remarked “What a great idea!” “It ‘s about time,” or “you’ve got to be kidding.” I consider “You’ve got to be kidding” positive. These people are just overwhelmed at the thought of having such an original event, the only one in the United States, in Ocean City. I can assure those who come to our Pageant that they won’t be bored but pleasantly surprised at the gumption of... Read More

Yes, Ms. Senior America likes Mr. Mature America. Sound like a message on Facebook? Maybe something that should be tweeted? Or Whatevered? Well it’s a fact. We received a phone call recently from Joanne Santori. She’s the Executive Director of the Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant, whose slogan is “An Age of Elegance.” She wants her Pageant to be involved with our upcoming Mr. Mature America Pageant, whose slogan is “Old Guys Rule.” She is so persuasive we could not resist the offer. She actually brought the talented vocalist and very attractive Vanessa Shaw, Ms. New Jersey Senior America 2013 and the first runner up in the national pageant, to our cluttered Public Relations Office on the second floor of City Hall. We decluttered it as best we could for this special... Read More

Eddie Shiffler is back. This talented singer, songwriter, band leader’s return to Ocean City means more quality entertainment and interesting programs for the Community. Before leaving Ocean City to tour with his bands, Eddie worked for the Ocean City Fine Arts League where he helped establish the Art Center with the late Jim Penland and others. For five years he lived in New York where he established his new band, Dogz of Zeus and worked for the New York Mets. Eddie is not only a talented musician but also a fluent writer knowledgeable about many subjects. Your first opportunity to enjoy his talents will be on Wed., Feb. 26 when he presents a free talk on the “History of Money” at the Ocean City Library, 1735 Simpson Ave., from 7 to 8:50... Read More

(Feb 15) Being as this will be Valentine’s Weekend why not treat your special someone to a sweet time at the Music Pier on Saturday? You’ll both enjoy a melodic and tasty program. The Ocean City Theatre Company will present a splendid mix of love songs and Valentine Sweets for your entertainment and consumption. Yep all those classic Broadway love songs performed so that you can actually hear the words and enjoy the beautiful melodies and dance routines. Plus prior to the show, there will be four sumptuous Valentine dessert stations to put you in the mood for the great entertainment to follow. Doors open for dessert and show tickets at 7:15 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, available by calling (609) 525-9300 or visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice. UPDATE: In conjunction with... Read More

As Ocean City prepares to present the first pageant in America honoring men over 60, the film Nebraska is released. It is the story about 80 plus year old Woody Grant, a Korean War Veteran, who believes he has won a million dollar prize in a magazine subscription contest. The movie stars Bruce Dern, who in 1981 visited Ocean City to film scenes for the movie, “Tattoo.” in which he starred as a deranged tattoo artist. The segments were filmed at a beachfront home in the south end of the City. Nebraska celebrates the rugged determination of Woody to get from his home in Billings Montana to Lincoln Nebraska to claim his prize. The film is a sympathetic portrait of a man who over comes the ravages of age and alcoholism to... Read More

Ocean City is a perfect place to celebrate Valentines Weekend. How can you tell that special someone you love them in O.C.? Let Me Count the Ways. l. Treat them to an evening of enchanting love songs and sumptuous desserts. The Ocean City Theatre Company makes it easy. Michael Hartman and Company will provide a program covering both sweets and musical treats on Sat., Feb. 15 at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. They have been doing this for several years with select professional performers from the Theatre's Broadway series. The upcoming program will feature new songs, new choreography and more staging. Doors will open for desserts and show tickets at 7:15 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 if purchased by 4 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 11th... Read More

Mr. Mature America Update: A new song for the upcoming March 22nd Pageant has just been completed. It will be sung when the first Mr. Mature America is crowned and strides down the Runway at the Music Pier to greet his admirers. Mr. Mature America is a pageant that will celebrate the talents and contributions of men 60 years of age and over. There is no Pageant currently like it in the United States. So Ocean City has stepped in to fill the void. Critics who have already studied the song and especially its lyrics declare it is of the same superior and endearing quality as “Here It Comes Miss Crustacean” sung at the City’s Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant and “Some Enchanted Morning,” sung when Martin Z. Mollusk ventures on to the... Read More

The weekend of April 12th is Doo Dah Weekend! The Doo Dah Parade, on the 12th,  will feature the Basset Hound Waddle with over 500 of the floppy eared doggies, many sporting decorations; comical brigades, clowns, costumed characters and the Pie Asco, a massive pie in the face event in front of the Music Pier when the Parade ends. On Saturday night there will be a tribute to Abbott and Costello at the Library with impersonators introducing a classic movie. And lest we forget, the Tri State County Basset Hound Rescue League will hold its popular Olympics on Friday at noon on the Tabernacle Grounds. The endearing doggies will jump over hurdles (or walk around them), run through tunnels, attempt a 20-yard sprint, and then flop on the grass for a... Read More

Since 1999 Michael Hartman has made major contributions to the quality of life of this community. He has, in effect, brought “Broadway to the Beach.” The high energy, entertaining shows he has produced in conjunction with the Ocean City Pops continue to be highlights of the summer season. These include Annie, Cinderella, Singing in the Rain, Oklahoma, Music Man, Crazy for You, Peter Pan, the list goes on and on. He has brought major entertainment to our First Night New Year’s Eve celebration. This past First Night his company presented Rapunzel for youngsters and the popular Broadway standard Smokey Joe’s Café. In addition to his success with the Pops, the talented producer-choreographer has founded the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company that has presented an array of professional shows at the Music Pier, Moorlyn... Read More