Letter from the Editor

ARE WE THERE YET?

The bird orchestra (as I like to call the morning birds singing outside my window) was in full blast as I peered through the panes and out to the sunny blue skies with thick fluffy white clouds. It looked as inviting as could be, so naturally I checked the weather, hopeful for some outside time.

The temperature was 46 degrees. Sigh. "April is the cruelest month," peeped my still sleepy husband Bill who clearly can quote T.S. Eliot before his morning coffee. #overachiever.

It got me thinking – for those of us who live at or near the beach, or who love visiting, the cruelest months are really March and April. As I chatted with friends and neighbors during this time, there was a reoccurring theme in almost every convo. We all can't wait to be back on the beach outside together for hours and hours in the warm salt air and sunshine. "When is it finally going to be nice enough to go to the beach?" is the Ocean City version of "Are we there yet?"

It's time people. We are there. May is here and summer is coming right up.

This issue highlights some awesome people, places, must haves, and more for you to experience this month. Read about the new fishing pier expansion, take a tour de OCNJ, and if you like to do lists (seriously, who doesn't?) you'll love ours. On that page spread, you'll also find tides and horoscopes (new additions to the mag). This year, like others, there are tons of OC businesses celebrating anniversaries, a proud achievement. We're highlighting them each month in our "Been a Long Time Coming" article series. Find the first one on page 54. If you like shopping, (seriously, who doesn't?), flip to page 36 for must haves inspired by a day at sea. We upgraded our guides this issue too, making them cleaner and hopefully more helpful while you're planning where to eat, shop, stay, and play in OCNJ. Speaking of, the Welcome to Ocean City guidebook 2021 comes out later this month. Order your copy at www.ocnjmagazine.com. See you on the beach (that's my son Finn and me smiling and squinting in OC)! Stef Godfrey

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