Letter from the Editor

BOGGLE OUR MINDS

Remember that word game Boggle? Players take turns shaking up lettered cubes, then once they land, make as many new words out of them as they can. 2020 is like playing Life Boggle.

Everything got shook up and we’re all trying to make sense of how things landed until the turn starts over again. In OC, restaurants switched to takeout only, curbside pickup, and/or outdoor dining. Retail shifted to private appointments and virtual shopping. Meetings were Zoomed, playgrounds stood empty... These temporary fixes were put in place on the fly, showing a determination by business owners and citizens that deserves a double high five. And even though there was a heavy cloud of uncertainty, so many of you came to our shores, soaked in the sun, shopped, dined, played, boated, jetskiid – safely – and the retail, restaurants, recreation and services gradually opened with guidelines.

As a small business owner, I thank you for reading this magazine each month and visiting our website. Ocean City is our shared happy place. There are so many things that inspire me on this island, I feel lucky to share them.

Inspiration in November and December in America’s Greatest Family Resort comes at a quieter pace. These last two months of the year are special. They're slower, leaving more time to focus and indulge yourself, your family, your work, your hobbies, whatever the case may be. Though key events are uncertain, most things are solid. The ocean will wave to the shore, the Downtown will bustle with shoppers, the Boardwalk will smell sweet and salty, and the bay will come alive with water lovers.

Speaking of coming alive, this issue is filled with life, love, and happiness; starting with the cover. The beautiful painting by Stephanie Lindley is a nod to old man winter, the winds that move our air and make waves on our ocean.

Giving is a large part of the holiday season. See our finds from local shops in the annual Holiday Gift Guide on page 50. Also inside, you'll find the conclusion to the spooky short story The Door by Nick Matousch, recipes, history, games and articles on the people, places, and things to do that make Ocean City so special.

Cheers to the ups and downs, the salty and the sweet... and may we all score high in Boggle.

Til next year, Stef Godfrey

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