May 2020 Ocean City Magazine by Ocean City Magazine

Ocean City

MAY 2020 The Premier Lifestyle Magazine for Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greatest Family Resort

Social Skills Let the team at Ocean City magazine help you maintain your social media accounts - and your sanity (we try!) You’re busy, we get it. So, give yourself one less thing to do and put your trust in the professionals instead. Let us relieve you of maintaining your and accounts - we’ve got some pretty great professionals on board who wield their words and cameras quite masterfully. And... this is all for a low weekly price. How awesome is that?

Contact Stef Godfrey today! editor@ocnjmagazine.com • 609-701-2712

Contents May 2020

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. - John F. Kennedy

IN THIS ISSUE 5 Letter from the Editor 6 In the Kitchen 10 Drinks with Aunt Dawn 12 Sunday Girl Eats 14 Dining Guide

Get Art - Give Back For every print purchased of our May cover - we are giving back $10 to OCNJ Care, a community organization dedicated to helping others. The May cover, inspired by hope and mother nature, and was designed and painted by the talented Stephanie Lindley. To purchase your 11 x 14 canvas print for $60 and help our community, click here.

15 The Interview 16 Color Your World 18 Snapshots 24 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History by Fred Miller 26 Let's Get Crafty 28 Meet the Maker 32 Must Haves May 34 Shop Guide

My Beach Sister

OCNJ CARE

Christine Giles shares her heartwarming story about OCNJ

Helping a community in need

36 Trends - House of Jerky 38 Shop Talk - Berger Realty 46 Book of the Month 47 Activities Guide 48 Spot It Quiz 49 Word Search 50 Eco-Friendly 51 Services Guide

Berger Realty

It's History

Celebrates 100 years in business

Fred Miller looks back on OC Mag's past ten years

52 Real Tour 56 Last Shot

From the Editor

HELLO FRIENDS How are you? I'm usually sitting behind a desk as I write this, imagining all you cool kids reading this issue out in the sun, on the beach, on a boat, a bench downtown, or on the Boards as you work on soaking in your Vitamin D, boosting your mood, and just worshiping the Ocean City sun. Today, though, things look different. We've all been inside, staying close to home, dreaming of the day we can get back out there to the island we all love so much. It's been quite a strange trip... But I know soon enough my toes will feel the warm sand, my skin will goosebump with that first dip in the ocean, and my tastebuds will soar with that first Kohr Bros orange swirl. When I assigned most of these stories you see on the pages, it was mid-February, about a month before stay-at-home orders. Though we may not yet be able to enjoy our favorite OC places in the same way we did last summer, we can enjoy them in a fresh way. Shop your favorite boutique online, grab curbside pick up or delivery from your favorite eatery, check out 7th Street and Heritage's surf cams... there are plenty of fresh ways to enjoy all things OCNJ. And we're asking that you enjoy Ocean City Magazine in a fresh way too, because this is the first month we are publishing online exclusively. We have a fresh website with a whole new look and three new columns debuting this year inside these flippable pages including Let's Get Crafty with the fabulous Caitlin Peck, who when I reached out to her on Instagram (@thelittlebungalow) was all in with enthusiasm. Caitlin will share a new beachy cool craft each week on ocnjmagazine.com and monthly in the magazine. Another new column is Drinks with Aunt Dawn... we all have that friend or family member who seemingly wiggles their nose and creates the most beautiful decor, most yummy food, or the most delish drinks. In Aunt Dawn's case, she does all three. For now, though, she is sharing her cocktail recipes with us each month. Cheers to May, new beginnings, and to all of us being in this together. - Stef Godfrey. Photo by Mark Thurber, www.soaringwhales.com.

Visit www.OCNJmagazine.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, bringing you fun, fresh ideas, features, games, fab photos, and more all about OCNJ. Facebook facebook.com/OceanCityMagazine â&#x20AC;˘ Instagram instagram.com/ocnjmagazine 5

Shore Eats

In the Kitchen

Augie’s Omelette and Waffle House Where breakfast classics and creativity meet

“We wanted to do something interesting” - Anna Augsberger Blueberry French Toast

EN YEARS have passed since Augie’s established itself on 9th and Atlantic, a location that's proven to be perfect spot for the omelette and waffle house. With the Boardwalk a stone’s throw away and the center of town a few blocks down, it lies on the sweet cusp of both main strips of the city. “To me it is the perfect spot,” said owner Anna Augsberger, the ‘Miss Augie’ of Augie’s. “If people are going to the Boardwalk, to me it

Breakfast Burrito 6 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

is one of the best locations in Ocean City. This spot popped open, and I came over and decided to lease this.” Being on the cusp of the two districts of town, Augie’s seems to take aspects from both sectors. Their menu encompasses the breakfast classics you can find in Ocean City eateries with the wackiness of the fun foods you can find on the Boardwalk. “My breakfast menu is extensive,” said Anna. “I want to be different than other breakfast places because there are so many in town. We

Banana Chocolate Chip Waffle

offer a lot of varieties of omelettes, and the mini combo. I don't think there's a place in town where you can get a combo with an omelette and a half waffle!” Omelettes at Augie’s are a treat. You can argue all you want about how pineapple does or does not belong on a pizza, but I can assure you that it does belong in an omelette. The Hawaiian omelette in the mini combo I ordered is an assembly of sautéed onions, ham, provolone cheese, and most importantly, the pineapple, and comes incredibly fluffy on the plate. Between sweet fruit and a nice fluffy, full egg, the omelette had me leaning back in my chair feeling good about what I just ate. The secret behind the fullness of the omelette is the salamander broiler oven they use. While the eggs are cooked on a standard stove top, cook Chris will throw the pan in the salamander overhead for a few seconds, the heat helping the ingredients rise. “The salamander cuts the omelette time down,” said Anna. “We take pride in our omelettes here,” said Chris, who keeps a close eye on the eggs. A moment too long in the salamander, even in the mere seconds they are in there, and the

EAT. DRINK. BE HAPPY.

eggs are overcooked. “We are consistent and our omelettes do not fall apart. We do not serve brown omelettes either.” The other half of the mini combo – the waffle – is the part of breakfast where Anna's creativity really shines. Who else would think of putting a carrot cake into a waffle? With a basic carrot cake recipe: carrots, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a homemade cream cheese frosting – cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar blended to a frosting-like consistency – this waffle, and all the rest – on menu and on special, is unique and will spoil your taste buds. “We have so many different kinds of omelettes, so we wanted to do the same thing with our waffles,” said Anna. “We were doing waffles 15 years ago. We didn't want your standard waffle with fruit on top. We wanted to do something interesting. We just started doing it and people liked it, so we went from there.” The icing on the cake, (or the final flourish on the waffle) is the hot syrup that accompanies it. I enjoy plenty of syrup on my waffles and pancakes, but to pour it on hot? Game changer. Eggs can sit for a bit and still stay hot, but if you let a waffle sit long enough it doesn't really translate well. The hot syrup changes all of that – not only did it keep my waffle warm and fresh throughout my conversation with Anna, but the dispenser was still warm to the touch at the end of my meal. “There'd be times where waffles would come back,” said Anna. “I'd walk it out to serve it and by the time customers would get their fork and butter ready, the waffle was cool. Waffles, french toast – it's all bread. It cools down really fast. The hot syrup instantly refreshes it.” If you're on the fence about pineapple in eggs, carrot cake in waffles... I'm here to say, don't knock it until you try it. Augie’s has won awards for their waffles. This is vacation food at its finest. Customers come in with food on their mind, but as they settle in they find themselves fascinated with the rest of the restaurant as they are seated. Customers remark about the hotel building Augie’s is connected to, or sit in silence as they intently stare down their tablemates while they play a tabletop peg board game. 8 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

“I saw the games 25years ago when I was at Friendly’s,” said Anna. “Cracker Barrel has their own also. The first weekend I had them here everyone came in and it was like silence. Everyone was playing the game!” The customer following at Augie’s is loyal – whether the games, the food, the smiling servers, Anna herself, or a mix of them is the secret ingredient, it seems everything at 9th and Ocean Avenue is the perfect crossroads for your next meal.

Grilled Cheese

- Text by Nick Matousch

Ed Note: This article was assigned and written prior to the state stay at home orders. Augie’s is open from 7am-2pm everyday and doing takeout curbside and delivery.

Omelette Combo

Fresh salad

Omelette Combo (Sausage & Red Pepper)

ÂŽ

Free delivery to anywhere on the island, plus expanded off-shore delivery for a limited time!

Call 609-399-2548 Visit www.mancospizza.com Offering curbside pick up & delivery

The Derby might be postponed But who says the mint juleps need to wait?! Grab your fancy hat, your Bib & Tucker bourbon, and your mint... itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cocktail time with Aunt Dawn! To make this cocktail extra, AD added mint to her simple syrup and used crushed ice (see next page for why). Though mint juleps are traditionally served in a silver or pewter cup, any fancy glass will do. Cheers! -recipe and photos by Dawn Yorke

DRINKS WITH

Aunt Dawn 10 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Mint Julep 2 oz Kentucky Bourbon 1/2 mint simple syrup 3-4 mint leaves (spearmint is best) Soda water Muddle together bourbon, mint and simple syrup. Pour over crushed ice in a fancy glass and garnish with a mint sprig.

Mint Simple Syrup 1 cup sugar 1 cup water Bring to a boil and add 10-15 mint leaves. Simmer for 3 minutes. Let cool then strain into a vessel.

Crushed ice is important to help the ingredients meld. At home hack: Just use a meat tenderizer to crush cubes in a ziplock bag covered with a towel.

Top with additional s na sliced bana of or a dash cinnamon

Espresso Chocolate Ganache Banana Pie With indulgent and bold flavors, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dessert made to impress

INGREDIENTS 1 Blue Diamond Walnut Pie Crust 6 oz espresso chocolate chips 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 pint heavy cream 2 large bananas, sliced 2 tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla 1-2 tsps cinnamon

Follow Sunday Girl on Instagram @sundaygirleats and www. sundaygirleats.wordpress.com.

12 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

DIRECTIONS Layer the banana slices in the pie crust. Set aside. Place espresso chips and semi-sweet chips in a medium heat proof bowl. Heat 1 cup heavy cream over medium heat till it just simmers. Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate. Let the cream and chocolate sit for a minute. Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and then stir until smooth and glossy. Pour the chocolate mixture over the bananas. Refrigerate till the ganache is set. Once pie is chilled, add remaining cup of heavy cream to a chilled metal or glass bowl. Add sugar, vanilla and 1 tsp cinnamon. Beat with an electric mixer over medium speed until the cream forms medium peaks. Spoon the heavy cream onto the ganache and smooth with a spatula. Top with additional sliced bananas or sprinkle with more cinnamon. This dessert will delight and impress your dinner guests. Enjoy!

SUNDAY

Girl

EATS 13

Shore Eats The Dining Guide BREAKFAST I LUNCH I SWEETS Aunt Betty’s Ice Cream Shack Seriously fresh ice cream. Even treats for your doggies. 2100 Asbury; 40th & West. 3984001; 398-4005. Barefoot Market Scones, bread, coffee, artisan lunches. 214 West, 399-0221. Christine's Italian Pastry Shoppe Custom cakes, delish pastry, gluten free options. 314 Tilton, 646-5666. Fractured Prune Hot made to order doughnuts. 1225 Asbury, 609-399-0482. Johnny B Goode Waffles, ice cream, family entertainment. 14th & Asbury, 525-0646 & 34th & West, next to Hoy’s, 525-0648. Johnson’s Popcorn One whiff of this corn a cookin, and you'll be hooked. 1368 Boardwalk, (800) 842-2676. Open year round. Mallon’s Sticky Buns Fresh, gooey buns. 1340 Bay Avenue, 399-5531, 410 55th Street, 399-7220.

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House Legendary breakfasts, lunches. 2112 Asbury, 40th & West, 398-7393. Open year round. PIZZA I BURGERS l FRIES l CHEESESTEAKS Del’s Oceanside Grill Menu is timetested and sure to please adults and kiddies alike. 934 Boardwalk, 399-3931. Flippers Grill Outside at Port-O-Call Hotel. Burgers, etc. 1510 Boardwalk, 399-8812. Jilly’s Ice cream and fries... best day ever! Ice cream, 1172 Boardwalk. Fries, 1034 Boardwalk. 6th Street Pizza Salads, apps, pizza, sandwiches. Credit cards accepted. 600 Boardwalk, next to Gillian's, 609-525-0022. Bennie’s Bread and Italian Market Fresh bread, pastries, brick oven pizzas, sandwiches, and tomato pie. 1159 Asbury, 398-9450. New location at 4th & Ocean. Kirk’s Pizza Amazing steak sandwiches. 44 Route 9, Marmora. 390-1845.

Nauti Donuts Try the Salty Dog... maple icing, porkroll, salted caramel drizzle. 2133 Asbury, 609-938-2253.

Manco & Manco Pizza Three locations on the Boards. 7th, 9th, and 12th Streets. 399-2548.

Ocean City Coffee Company The perfect cup of coffee. 9th & Boardwalk, & 1066 Boardwalk, 917 Asbury, 399-5533. Open year round.

GLOBAL CUISINE I SEAFOOD

Positively Fourth Street Breakfast and lunch. Dinner in season. Innovative dishes. 400 Atlantic, 814-1886. Wards Pastry Butter cookies, sticky buns, scrapple pie. 730 Asbury, 399-1260. Open year round. Yoasis Beach Bowls Fro yo, acai bowls, pitaya bowls, smoothies. 1242 Boardwalk, 938-0898. Starbucks 1061 Asbury, 938-6905.

14 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Adelene Serving breakfast and lunch daily. New Burger Bar. Gorgeous beachfront space. 1510 Boardwalk, 800334-4546. Cousin’s Varied and sophisticated menu. Outside dining, catering too. 104 Asbury, 399-9462. Crab Trap Seafood, prime rib, steak and pasta dishes. 2 Broadway, Somers Point, 927-7377. Emily’s Ocean Room Cafe High tea all summer, breakfast and lunch year round. 11th & Boardwalk, 398-5700. Open year round.

Please call each establishment to find out their new procedures. Many are open and doing curbside/no contact delivery.

Hula Restaurant and Sauce Company Tasty Hawaiian cuisine. We love the Firecracker Shrimp. 940 Boardwalk, 399-2400. Jay’s Crabshack 737 Asbury, 399-4022. Open year round. Jon & Patty’s Healthy, creative bistro fare. New second floor seating. 637 Asbury Avenue, 399-3377. Open year round. Mildred's Strathmere Restaurant Italian specialties, seafood. 901 Ocean Drive, Strathmere 263-8203. Ocean City Restaurant Association Member restaurants all over the island. Eatinocnj.com. Oves Restaurant Fresh seafood dinners, homemade apple cider donuts. 4th & Boardwalk, 398-3172. Red’s Jersey-Mex Superior Mexi/ Southwest food. Gluten-free menu. 11th & Haven, 399-2272. Sandwich Bar Made to order sandwiches including lobster rolls and salads. Old Bay fries, too. 3255 Asbury, 609-741-9888. Spadafora's Restaurant & Clam Bar Famous dockside fresh local flavor. 843 Atlantic, 398-6154. Spadafora's Seafood Market Large, fresh selection of takeout fish and shellfish. 932 Haven, 398-6703. Tomatoes High-end fare and sushi. 9300 Amherst, Margate. 822-7535. Tuckahoe Inn Back Bay Cafe with live music, Boat Bar. 1 Harbor Road & Route 9, Beesley’s Point, 390-3322. Open year round. Voltaco’s Everything Italian. Sandwiches, dinners, sauces. 957 West, 399-0753.

The Interview Nick Matousch interviews Impala Inn owner Chris Glancey Why is hospitality management so important? Cape May County is tourism. The economy of this county is tourism. People own these businesses – these are not big companies, these are mom and pop stores on the Boardwalk. Every job on this island – without tourism, the economy would not survive. It is important to keep investing in tourism.

HRIS Glancey is a man who puts things together. With experience in realty and development, he has the vision and the means needed to raise up the North Island Inn, set to open up this spring in Ocean City (Ed. Note: This article was written prior to the state shut-down. Please contact the hotel for an updated open date.) His goals go beyond bringing about a new vacation establishment to the city. Having a love for the nostalgia of family vacations and an understanding of the economy of the shore towns, he wants to bring back accommodations that combine modern home ownership and the renting of yesteryear. How did you get involved with the North Island Inn construction project? I've built houses in Ocean City. During the construction boom of the 2000s, so many businesses were being knocked down and houses were taking their places. Realtor Eric Booth brought this project to me, and we worked on it for at least a year or so. What are your hopes for the North Island Inn? I hope people have a great experience with their families and keep coming. We all have our memories of vacations here when we were kids. That hotel is going to be a place parents will bring their kids. Those kids will have memories of that, and in 20 years bring their own kids. That building will be a part of a great time people had at the beach, and that is awesome to be a part of. Do you have kids of your own? I have two step children, a boy and a girl, 14 and 12. What's your favorite aspect about being in Ocean City? I've been coming to the Boardwalk in Ocean City since I was a teenager. It's almost indescribable. When you are a teenager and younger, and you're on the Boardwalk in summer, it is just magic. There is just something special about it. The entire concept of Ocean City and “America’s Greatest Family Resort” is terrific.

What are some fun parts of your job? The coolest part of my whole job is seeing a project come to life from paper to completion. To be able to drive around and see a building, and know that building is there because [my partners and I] came up with the concept, and that they will be there when I am gone. It's a great feeling to know we are having a positive impact by building these buildings. What's the hardest part of your job? Building these buildings. They are large structures. We are building so close to the ocean, and have stringent building codes because of the nature of storms. We also have seasonal constraints. How often do you interact with the guests at the Impala? I usually stop by the pool and talk to people. I don't really tell them who I am, I just listen. You learn a lot from people. You can learn so much just listening to people's experiences as they are about the town. You can learn what they want and what they like. What is your favorite eatery in Ocean City? I am a pizza guy so I do love my Manco & Manco. I love sitting on the Boardwalk and having a slice of their pizza. Do you travel a lot? I do. I love travel... it's one of my favorite things. I've climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and I've been to Africa on safaris. Two years ago I went to Nepal and was climbing in the Himalayas. I love to get out and explore. See more of The Interview at www.ocnjmagazine.com. 15

color your world

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get creative Coloring books have been all the rage for kids and adults alike â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so we thought weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d get in the game with these colorable versions of our past covers. Grab your crayons, markers, or colored pencils, save the images, print them out and get your color on!

S H O W U S YO U R C R E AT I O N ! Send in your completed pages to editor@ocnjmagazine.com to be featured on our social media and website.

Color is a power which directly influences the soul. ~Wassily Kandinsky

Click each photo to print a full size version for coloring.

Snapshots

Dan Myers - Mount Joy, PA 18 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Snapshots

Kerri J Photography Click to see more of Kerri's photographs

20 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Snapshots

John Loreaux Photography Click to see more of John's photographs

22 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Local Ocean

LET’S GET

Crafty Cruise into town in these DIY VW buses! We’ve been saving all of our boxes from our online shopping orders along with every other recycled piece of cardboard to have on hand when we need to get crafty. These might be our favorite craft along with our cardboard beach bungalows! So grab all the boxes you’ve got to get started on your hippie vans.

MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED. Cardboard boxes White paper (or white paint) Construction paper (or paint) Scissors

Text and photos by Caitlin Peck. Visit @thelittlebungalow for more fun projects to keep you inspired and busy! 24 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Glue Markers

BY THE WAY. We printed out some adorable Baby Bum characters from the Sunbum website - www.sunbum.com - which gave us the motivation to make these buses. Sunbum is offering free coloring pages so be sure to stop by their site and get some printed for your little ones. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re adorable!

VW BUS INSTRUCTIONS.

First take your cardboard box and remove all box tabs from the side in which you cut the box open. You should now have 5 full sides.

Next trace each side of the box onto your white paper. Leaving you with 5 sized pieces of white paper that should fit each side and top of your box. Glue the right pieces to the matching box side. Let dry. You can also just paint the box white with a few coats of paint if that is easier!

After you have all of your white paper glued down you can now pick the color of your bus. Measure each side of your bus again and you will be covering all 4 sides about halfway with your color of choice. Cut out your construction paper to fit and glue. You can also paint this part as well once your white paint has dried if you chose the painting method.

While your bus is drying use black construction paper or black paint to make its wheels.

This next part is optional, but it can really make your bus look a bit more seamless if you used construction paper. We cut strips of white paper and colored paper, folded them and glued them all around the edges to blend everything together a bit better.

Once your glue or paint is dry you can now start drawing on your windows and designing your own bus. Leave it plain, add waves, flower power, peace signs... endless possibilities.

We loved cutting out little characters to take for a ride. Once everything is dried and drawn you can now show off your little bus creations and start cruising with them on the living room floor or on a neighborhood walk.

Local Ocean It’s History

Ocean City MAG A Z INE

THE PAST 10 YEARS by Fred Miller On Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 7pm in the large lecture room at the Ocean City Library, Stef Godfrey and Fred Miller Fred Miller, contributor to the Ocean City magazine, was introduced to the readers in the first edition.

will be discussing the first 10 years of Ocean City magazine.

The original Chamber of Commerce’s logo was featured in the first “It’s History” article.

26 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

HE FIRST ISSUE of Ocean City magazine was released on May 1, 2010. Under the headline, “Welcome to Ocean City magazine, Editor Stef Godfrey wrote, “Welcome to the first ever issue of Ocean City magazine. It’s my best intention to put out there (and into your hands) a brilliant publication about all there is to do, see, learn and experience in and around Ocean City, N.J. “I LOVE Ocean City and, since you picked up this glossy and are reading, you must love it too. We are all indeed lucky to live, vacation, hang in these parts – on the edge of America. It’s cool out here, partly because of the sea breezes, partly because of people and places. Ocean City is America’s Greatest Family Resort. Why? Because it’s a down home small town that just happens to be a world-class island vacation destination. Read Fred Miller’s history column this month to learn just how long OC’s been using its ubiquitous slogan.” My bio and picture was below the introductory remarks. It was the

The premier issue of Ocean City magazine was out on May 1, 2010 with a picture of the lifeguards on the cover.

beginning of a long relationship. This is the 61st Ocean City magazine, and the 61st “It’s History” column. The first cover of the magazine featured Ocean City lifeguards training to make rescues. The picture was taken by Bill Godfrey and five more lifeguard pictures were inside with his article, “So you think you can lifeguard?” Over the years, the magazine’s covers have become collectors items. The first “It’s History” column told how the city came up with its ubiquitous slogan. An article in the March 18, 1920, Ocean City Sentinel reported, “The Ocean City Chamber of Commerce desires to have a slogan. Ocean City has had a slogan for some years – Ocean City the Greatest Family Resort in the World – but this is cumbersome. A snappy slogan is wanted – something that says much in little.” A committee was formed and on April 20, 1920 the Chamber of Commerce announced their decision: “'America’s Greatest Family Resort’ was the best slogan that could be adopted from the fact that Ocean City is

The cover of an early promotional pamphlet was in the first “It’s History” article.

a family resort, and it is without a doubt America’s greatest.” Since the May 2010 article there have been 60 more “It’s History” articles covering Ocean City history – Kelly family, baby parade, automobiles, trains, bridges, airport, First Night, beach tags, mayors, Flanders, hotels, motels, holidays, Sindia, post office, lifeguards, theatres, city hall, schools, Halloween parade, Stainton’s, OCHS football, and The Gardens. The articles included a total of 425 pictures. On Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 7pm in the large lecture room at the Ocean City Library, Stef Godfrey and Fred Miller will be discussing the first 10 years of Ocean City magazine.

Local Ocean

MEET THE MAKER/// EAST COAST JEWELS BY

Maddie Mahon

By Lauren Avellino Turton

28 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Meet Maddie Mahon. This 19-year-old Rowan University sophomore is fun, bright, full of spark, and determined to succeed both personally and professionally. In just a few short months, Maddie’s dazzled the local art scene with her whimsical, unique earring line, East Coast Jewels. “This past August, I was looking for something to do. I grabbed a pair of my plain silver hoop earrings, and started wrapping them with wire and a sparkly, iridescent and turquoise beads. They took me two days to finish, but came out so pretty. I thought, ‘How am I ever going to keep doing this if it takes two days per pair?’” she laughed. Maddie snapped a picture of her accomplishment, posted it to Instagram, and sent it to her friends, who quickly began putting their earring orders in. This happy accident took on a life of its own quite quickly – in her hometown of Wildwood Crest and far beyond. “I went back and forth about selling my pieces locally, worrying I’d step on toes,” she said. “In my town, there are so many other amazing jewelry artists, but then I realized what I was doing was so different from their work. My Godmother, Carla or ‘Lala’ as we call her, encouraged me to share my art with everyone.” Maddie said Lala taught her how to wire wrap six years ago after taking a jewelry-making class, and they’d enjoy creating bracelets together. Her Godmother also helped her name and brand the business “East Coast Jewels.” Then, a good friend of Maddie’s envisioned and designed the company logo for her, incorporating a flowing mermaid.

Ready to roll out her up-and-coming business, Maddie began making a name for herself in the local market. “My first show was at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School in Wildwood,” she recalled. “It was their holiday bazaar. I wasn’t sure how I’d do because of the audience, the young kids. It turned out to be great, and I met many people with the same interests.” One of the vendors Maddie met at the event was also a jewelry-maker, and invited her to a pop-up shop at Willow Creek Winery in West Cape May. She liked it so much, Maddie returned over her holiday break. “It really hit the spot at Willow Creek for their two-day event in November,” she said. “It went so well, and I was so overwhelmed. After the first day, I left with just five pairs, and panicked a little about the next day. So, I stayed up all night making new inventory. I did well on day two also. I just didn’t expect it and was so happy.” As Maddie began growing her business network, she met Leah Kelleher, a co-owner of Thread & Root Clothing Co. The family-owned and operated clothing and accessory boutique recently opened its doors in Cape May Court House. “Leah knew me from high school, and saw me at Willow Creek. She approached me, and told me to stop by her new store. I was shocked and excited,” she said. “After I had enough inventory, I brought eight pairs of different styles to Thread & Root and Leah loved them all. For my first time selling in retail, the family was so nice and helpful. I got a call from them three hours later that three pairs had already sold, and they told me customers love my stuff.”

www.eastcoastjewels.art Instagram: eastcoastjewels_ Facebook: EastCoastJewelspage 30 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

When Maddie creates her jewelry, she said she tries to make different styles that will suit different personalities and needs. “I tend to go for bo ho, summery, and carefree themes,” she said. This self-proclaimed beach girl also loves the bling. “Anything that sparkles is right up my alley,” she said. “I use Swarovski crystals, they’re just beautiful crystals. I especially love the iridescent beads, and like to use freshwater pearls too.” Maddie said she looks for inspiration all around her. “The butterfly pieces symbolize so many people in my life. For one, I had a really good friend who passed away. Every time I see a butterfly, I think of her, and want those memories to be reflected in my work,” she explained. Maddie also created a special pair for her cousin, Amy Mahon. She, too, is a very talented artist based at the Jersey Shore. Her “Beachgirl Acrylics” business was featured in the November 2018 Ocean City Magazine issue. Amy said she couldn’t be more proud of Maddie. “A custom pair she made for me features the crescent moon. That was our Nana’s favorite moon, so it was really sweet that she thought to make a pair that ties to that memory,” said Amy. “Her creativity and talent has even inspired me with my own art, as I look to expand my cards and prints, and revamp my own brand. I’m beyond proud to call her my cousin, and can’t wait to see where her entrepreneurial journey takes her!” Part of the journey includes looking for style ideas

everywhere, especially online. “Sometimes I just kind of play around, but I also look for ideas on Pinterest. There will be nights I sit at my desk and boom, boom, boom I come up with new styles,” she laughed. “Then there’s those times I sit there for hours and can’t seem to come up with a clear design. I think to myself ‘I’ve lost my talent. What should I do?’ But, when I do see an idea that I like, I try to add my own personal style, and make it mine.” As far as her favorite pair of earrings goes, she said it’s that very first pair she made on that random day last August. “I was so pleased with how they turned out, and now I have several renditions using all different colors and finishes,” she said. On a mission to showcase her beautiful work online, Maddie invested in a brand new, high-quality camera the day after Christmas. “I bought it to promote my brand,” she explained. “I take the photographs myself because I’d like to be in charge of everything, including the photos, my website, and social media. I want to pat myself on the back and think ‘I did all of this’ and be proud of my work.” And proud she should be. Maddie said the future certainly looks bright. “This summer, my friend is going to make a professional promotional video for me so I’m excited about that. I’m going to create new styles and try to participate in more vendor shows,” she said. “I’m going to keep going, keep doing what I love so much.”

almost summer MAY MUST HAVES

5 3

7 6 1. Lord Jones CBD candies

The Road To Living Well

5. New Balance Sneaker

The Sneaker Shop 32 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

2. Floral Hat

7th Street Surf Shop

3. Plaque

We Make it Personal

4. Summer Knit Sweater Birdcage

6. Lifeguard Toddler Outfit Jillyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

7. Jersey Girl Soap LEH Soap

8. Pineapple Float Island Beach Gear

Click the pics to make them yours!

M AY M U S T H AV E S 1. Kind Lips LEH Soap

2. Thieves Essential Oil Village Pharmacy

3. Day after Day Short

4. Signal Flag Glassware

Heritage Surf Shop

Spotted Whale

5. Tiki Toss Desktop Edition Island Beach Gear

2 4

Shopping OC Store Guide DOWNTOWN Shop Ocean City! OC’s Downtown is ready for you! Shop. Dine. Relax. 6th14th streets on Asbury Avenue. APPAREL l SHOES

Alyse’s Shoes 951 Asbury, 391-8859. B&B 827 Asbury, 391-0046.

Bohemian Mama 741 Asbury, 9386466.

Bowfish Kids 956 Asbury, 938-1901. Flying Carp Clothing Gallery 745 Asbury, 391-1546. Could Be Yours 716 Asbury, 7034457. Colette 900 Asbury, 525-0911.

Donna Gay Dillon 725 Asbury, 3990082. Hearth & Sole 636 Asbury & 918 Asbury, 545-8562.

Pappagallo 744 Asbury, 398-4009.

Sunseekers 751 Asbury, 399-1640.

Ta Dah Nine and Ten block of Asbury, 398-6771. 7th Street Surf Shop Clothing, sunglasses, surfboards. 720 Asbury, 398-7070. Sea Oats 710 Asbury, 398-8399.

Seagrass Boutique 752 Asbury, 9382398

Stainton’s A gallery of shops featuring gifts, clothes, jewelry and more. 810 Asbury, 545-8681. ART GALLERIES

Fine Arts League Local art available for purchase. 711 Asbury, 814-0308. BEAUTY

FLORIST

SWEETS AND TREATS

HOME GOODS l JEWELRY

Jilly's Candy Factory 1040 Boardwalk, 385-1234.

Spinning Wheel 858 Asbury, 3981157. August Heart 715 Asbury, 399-1565.

Blind Express 916 Asbury, 399-9940.

Butterfly Boutique 1125 Asbury, 3910812. Cricket Box 810 Asbury, 391-0055.

Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy Taffy, fudge, candy. 9th and Boardwalk, 399-0100. Shriver’s Gelato Only gelato on Boards. 9th and Boardwalk, 399-0100.

Spotted Whale 943 Asbury, 840-6667.

VARIETY/BEACH ITEMS

P. Francis 846 Asbury, 399-5570. PET SHOP

Animal House Everything for your pet including Made-in-the-USA products. 705 Asbury, 398-3771.

Jilly’s $1 Store One dollar! 1044 Boardwalk, 399-1234.

BAY/WEST AVENUE & SIDE STREETS

SPORTS l ATHLETIC WEAR

RENTALS

Sneaker Shop Janet and Maureen know their stuff. Sneakers and apparel. 704 Asbury, 391-5223.

HOME GOODS l JEWELRY Flying Carp Gift Gallery 813 Asbury.

Harbor Outfitters 625 Asbury, 9380175.

SWEETS/GOURMET FOODS

Relax Concierge Rent linens, and more online and at 232 West, 6015077.

Rauhauser’s 721 Asbury, 399-1465.

ON THE WAY TO OC

VARIETY l BEACH ITEMS

TackleDirect The finest in fishing tackle and value. 6825 Tilton, EHT, 788-3819.

The Beachin' Bakery 1046 Asbury. Hoy’s 5 & 10 7th & Asbury, 398Hoys.

Island Beach Gear Stop by on your way to the beach! 9th & Bay, 7883836.

BOARDWALK APPAREL

Jilly’s T-Shirt Factory Get your Phillies at Jilly’s and lots more. 762, 936 and 1048 Boardwalk, 385-1234. BEAUTY

Artisan Body Products 920 Asbury, 398-5661.

LEH Soap Handmade soaps and body products. 1312 Boardwalk. 937 Asbury, open year round.

BOOKS l CDS l OFFICE

HOME GOODS l JEWELRY

34 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Mallon's Sticky buns, donuts, and more! 1340 Bay, 399-5531.

Glazed Over 704 Asbury, 398-8880.

Lindsy James Salon 945 Asbury, 5259900.

Sun Rose Words & Music Books 756 Asbury, 399-9190.

Fudge Kitchen Candy that melts in your mouth. 800 Boardwalk, 398-7457.

Henry’s OCs Landmark Jeweler OC hook bracelet, Alex & Ani, more. 1236 Boardwalk, 800-214-4435.

SPORTS

APPAREL

Yes She Can Bras, swimsuits, workout clothing. Bra fittings too. 30 Tuckahoe Road, 478-3266.

ART R ON O ASBURY S SB SBU SBUR A GALLERY of local Artists featuring fine art in all mediums Monthly Exhibits - Classes Kids Create - Thursdays 10am-noon

711AsburyAve.OceanCity,NJ609-814-0308 www.oceancityfineartsleague.org

Open Daily

Family Beach Sessions | Sunrise or Sunset | Your Favorite Location Mention this Ad & Save 10% Off the Session Fee 609-493-7100

www.memoriesbymariaphotography.com

NEW! Alumacarts NOW IN-STOCK

Top Name Brands - Huge Selection • Telescope • LaFuma • Rio • Wheeleez • Fish-N-Mate

• Frankford Umbrellas • Dig-git • Havaianas • Sperry

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• Beach Road • Sunnylife • Big Mouth • Bagguu • Sun Bum

Telescope Casual

www.IslandBeachGear.com • 2 West 9th St., Ocean City, NJ 08226 • 609.788.3836

Ng p ri ku fe iC M of p 5p w de i 9No bsi - fr r N Cu Mo

CARTS • CHAIRS • BEACH ACCESSORIES • GAMES

Shopping OC SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

Text and photos by Bill Barlow

Python jerky, beef, camel, kangaroo, shark and even some vegan options await at House of Jerky, located at 1358 Boardwalk.

TRENDS

HOUSE OF JERKY Multiple varieties, from the familiar to the exotic at the House of Jerky

HOSE who say Boardwalk snacks are all the same have obviously not stopped in the House of Jerky at 1358 Boardwalk, where Tim and Angela Wharton offer an astonishing variety of options, from familiar fare like beef, venison and turkey to more exotic sources including kangaroo, camel or python. They even offer dried scorpion and cheddar-flavored crickets. This will be the second summer for the store in Ocean City. The couple got their start in the business with a Cape May location and they also have stores in Smithville and in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island. So far, the Boardwalk has been a great location, Tim said in a recent interview at the store. (Ed. Note: This article was assigned and written prior to stay-at-home orders.) The ability to offer samples has made a big difference, he said, drawing many passers-by in from the Boardwalk as one of the kids just has to try alligator jerky or a parent is drawn to a nibble of whiskey rabbit, one of the most popular options. “The samples really do help us, because once people taste this product, they buy it,” Tim said. The store stocks a number of game meats, like elk, buffalo and duck, and several sorts of fish, including salmon in teriyaki and peppered varieties, 36 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

swordfish and trout. There’s also a wide range of spice levels, from the accessible chipotle bourbon beef or Cajun spices to the punishing varieties with either ghost peppers or the Carolina Reaper beef jerky. That’s the hottest option they sell, Tim said, recommending preparing to try it with plenty of water ready. “A lot of people buy that,” he said. “It’s amazing. Even some little kids want it. I tell their parents, that’s going to be pretty hot. They get it anyway.” As any hunter can tell you, the elk and venison are very lean, Tim said. He said he finds the elk a little sweeter than beef. Kangaroo and alligator are good sellers for the exotic meats, he said, but the top seller in that category is the whiskey rabbit. “The rabbit starts out sweet. It’s a little softer. Then it finishes with a little spice at the end,” Tim said. “I think because it seems a little safer of an exotic, people are more apt to try it. But you still get people who want to try python.” “And the Mako shark is super popular during Discovery’s Channel’s Shark Week,” added Angela. “We have to order more. We go through a ton of it.” She said she loves seeing people’s faces when they see the packages of camel or kangaroo jerky. With so many exotic options, there is one that routinely

draws shock from customers, although it is misplaced. They sell beef and turkey jerky for dogs, but some folks see the image of a happy looking dog on the package and don’t stop to read the ingredients. “They freak,” said Angela. It usually does not take too long to reassure the customers that the image is of the intended market, not the source of the meat. Tim and Angela are both from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and now live in Germansville in the Lehigh Valley. They own a restaurant, the Bagel Bunch, in the mountain town of Jim Thorpe, Pa. They opened the restaurant while Tim still worked for Verizon. He left that company two years ago after working there 30 years. “This is kind of our retirement plan,” Angela said. That retirement entails extensive driving, especially in the summer when traffic is at its toughest and the beach town stores are at their busiest. They said they have a good crew at the restaurant and they rent a second home on Asbury Avenue, so they have a base of operations at the beach. “We’ve always wanted to have any business on the Boardwalk. We’ve been coming here for years for family vacations,” Tim said. “We always thought, man, wouldn’t it be so cool to have a spot up on the Boardwalk.” A friend of theirs owns the House of Jerky in Jim Thorpe. He introduced them to the business, which only sells meat from the House of Jerky company in Evansville, Ind. Tim said the company is great to work with, and described the business as a lot of fun. Angela said the businesses are not franchises. They own the business and buy from House of Jerky, which provides a business plan and other support. According to Tim, the owners are very hands-on, visiting the New Jersey stores even while the organization grew to have jerky in brickand-mortar stores around the country. He said the stores are much easier than running a restaurant. They have a great team at the bagel place, he said, but the stores only need one employee on site and the product lasts through the summer. That longevity was why meats were first dried, as a way to preserve food long before the invention of refrigerators. Many boaters like the product, Angela said, which lets them keep a few bags on board for easy snacking, while Tim praised the design of the resealable bags. The various protein-intensive diets that have grown in popularity have drawn new customers to jerky, and some are interested in an option with few ingredients. Long-distance cyclists like the portable protein boost, Angela said. The House of Jerky has varieties without added sugar and with low salt. The meat is not processed or mixed, Tim said, and there are no artificial preservatives. So far, we haven’t mentioned the pigs. They also stock bacon and pork jerky. Tim and Angela offer some non-jerky items, including local products like the beloved Hank Sauces and other local favorites. They offer local honey and have jars of pickles and jellies as well as trail mixes. Then there are the insects. Angela pulled out a container of white cheddar roasted crickets meant for snacking. At the bagel place, Tim said, a cricket protein powder to add to smoothies has become a popular option. They’ll have a large display at the store come summer. So, have they tried a taste? “She has. I’m chicken,” Tim said. Angela likes the scorpions. “They’re very nutty tasting,” she said. “In Smithville, we sold out of

the cotton candy crickets, believe it or not.” She said a farm in Pennsylvania now just grows crickets for human consumption, rather than as food for pet snakes or lizards. Eating insects may seem extreme, but some cultures have savored insect recipes for millennia and they are a growing part of the Western diet, offering environmentally sustainable protein. For the vegetarians and vegans, in the off chance any have read this far, don’t despair. Tim and Angela stock mushroom jerky and a jerky made from dried pineapple, and they have plans to bring in a vegan jerky that more closely mimics the meat style from Louisville Vegan Jerky. “I’m going to put a sign right here, and say ‘hey, vegans, we’ve got you covered. We have something in here for you,’” Tim said, pointing to the front of the store. Visit House of Jerky online at www.capemayshouseofjerky.com. - Bill Barlow

Shopping OC x Visit Berger Realty office, located at 3160 Asbury Ave.

shop talk

B E R G E R R E A LT Y

C E L E B RAT I N G A C E N T U RY , B E RG E R S T I L L LO O KS F O R WA R D

EON Grisbaum seems perfectly at ease as he strolls into the Berger Realty office at 3160 Asbury. on an early spring morning. He’s checking the market on his smart phone before joking with an agent who could be his grandson. This year, Berger Realty celebrates a century in operation, and amazingly enough, Leon has been a central part of it for most of those years. Edgar and Estelle Berger founded the firm in 1920. “Mr. Grisbaum worked for them, and after Mr. Berger passed away, he worked for Mrs. Berger,” said Frank Shoemaker, the broker of record for the firm and the general manager. “He comes in daily. He is still very engaged in the business. There is not a decision that is made without him being a part of it.” When Leon started with the business, few houses had yet been built in the south end of the island. “Everybody used to rent for the season. It was a big deal when they rented for a half season. Right now, they’re pretty much weekly,” Frank said. The interview starts in an upstairs conference room at the office. On the wall above a long conference table hangs three color photos, one of the Bergers in front of the building, another of Leon and his wife, and a third of the late Chip Collins, a well-known figure in Ocean City real estate and Berger’s general manager before his death in 2011. Things shift gears when Leon arrives. “Let’s try to catch him,” said Frank. After an introduction, 38 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

the interview continues in Leon’s office, where his desk is piled with reports and paperwork and the walls and shelves decorated with family photos, historic photos of Ocean City and multiple images of planes, including a painting of Leon’s beloved twin-engine Beechcraft Barron. Flying has long been a passion for Leon, who said he would often fly his family to Florida for a weekend or surprise clients by delivering a sales contract to New York or Pennsylvania within hours of reaching an agreement by phone. One of his staff members is working on getting his pilot’s license now, but things are far different than when Leon started. It’s a longer and more expensive process now. He enjoyed the freedom of flying in the days before pilots were obliged to file flight plans and stick to prescribed routes. “When I started, you could fly anywhere you wanted. Just fly,” he said. Leon seemed happy to talk about the old days, how he got started in Ocean City real estate and the history of a centuryold company. But he also keeps looking forward, leading a company that once ran on carbon paper and filing cabinets into the digital age. Berger has a full-time IT manager, he said, who also helps Leon keep up to date, including on his smart phone. “I was better five years ago than I believe I am now. They keep on changing things,” he said. “He’s better than most of us, to be honest with you,” Frank added. Leon grew up in Upper Darby. He was still in his teens

when his father moved the family to Ocean City. “My father was a dentist and in 1949, that was after the Second World War, he decided he didn’t want to be a dentist anymore,” he said. “He had the foresight to think that real estate was the thing to be in.” When his father moved him to the sleepy seaside community, Leon was not immediately sold on a town that all but shut down after Labor Day each year. “I hated it. Hated it,” he said. “I was a teenager. There wasn’t anybody here. I was used to cars and whistles and bells, fire engines and people.” But his father was right. Real estate started booming in Ocean City in the post-war years. Leon was drafted into the army during the Korean war, doing his service in Florida and the Bahamas. When he came back, he started going to college in Philadelphia and helping Edgar Berger out on weekends. “I was going to Temple,” Leon said. “Mr. Berger wasn’t feeling well. He wanted somebody to come in and help his wife. So I started working weekends. But I was selling so many houses I couldn’t afford to go to Temple.” That wasn’t because he wasn’t making enough money, but rather because he was making too much money to take the time off to go to classes. That was the start of a long, long climb in property values through the island. In the late 1950s, he could sell a new house on a 40-foot lot for $5,000. Many of those places are now worth $500,000 to $700,000. Real estate values far outstripped the rate of inflation. At that time, he said, he bought a brand-new Ford for $1,000. A

shore house could be had for a year’s salary for many. “If you made $5,000 a year, that wasn’t a bad pay. If you made $10,000 a year, that’s $200 a week, you were doing pretty damned good,” he said. Values continued to climb and the business continued to grow. “After they put gambling in (Atlantic City), the whole thing changed. Then it was wonderful,” he said. The new industry meant a jump in property values and development in the region. Leon sees values continuing to climb at the shore, but does not expect the soaring increases of years past. Instead, he expects the future values to keep up with future inflation. Much of Berger’s business continues to be summer rentals. Leon took the unusual step of buying property near the main office to use as parking. He showed photos of a summer weekend with long lines and Realtors checking in renters on the sidewalk outside to move the crowds quickly. Berger Realty has four locations – at 1670 Boardwalk, 109 55th Street and 1330 Bay Ave. in addition to the original office on Asbury – and about 130 employees. Leon said he knows most by name. He touted the longevity of his crew, saying it is not unusual for staff to stay on for decades. Working there for 25 or 40 years is no big deal, he said. “We’re more like a big family,” Leon said. After a few photos in his office, it’s time for the next appointment, breakfast at Ready’s Coffee Shop downtown, where Leon eats about five times a week. But he’s still chatting as he heads out the door, into the parking lot and gets into his car. - Text and photos by Bill Barlow

At Reich Asset Management, we are committed to serving the families of Cape May and Atlantic counties by educating and empowering them to reach their financial and life goals. For many families, two of life’s financial hurdles center around college planning and planning for retirement. We often hear, “Can I afford to send my children to college?” or “When can I retire and live the life I want to live?” Reich Asset Management can help you answer these questions and assist you in reaching an Enjoyable Retirement. With the flexibility and independence to choose the best investments for each family, we are passionate about finding the unique solution for each of our clients.

110 Roosevelt Blvd, Ste 2W • Marmora, NJ 08223 • 609-486-5073 www.ReichAssetManagement.com Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS.

MY BEACH SISTER. by Christine Gillies

40 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

N THE EARLY SUMMER OF 1976, so many exciting things were happening in my world. The city of Philadelphia was getting ready for its bicentennial birthday bash. We were learning a lot about that in school and Elton John’s blockbuster song “Philadelphia Freedom” was all over the radio air ways. The Flyers hockey team had recently won the Stanley Cup for a second time, and in my own little world, I had turned 10 that past April and was finally permitted to have my ears pierced and had two tiny gold posts in my earlobes to show for it. But the best news by far that year, was learning that my cousins owned a rental house in Ocean City, NJ and that my parents rented one of the third-floor apartments for an entire month. My Dad would be driving us down, staying the weekend to help get us set up and then returning home, to work during the week. He would be joining us only on the weekends, which suited him just fine since he was not a fan of the beach. We left at 10pm on a Friday night, the weekend after school let out for the summer. We left that late in order to avoid the shore traffic. Getting into the car and driving down the freeway into the night, at a time when we were normally going to bed was very exciting. The drive was a little over two hours and we didn’t stop once. My dad's elevator music played on the radio. My little brother and I had our pillows and blankets in the back seat so we could sleep on the way down, but there would be no sleeping at a time like this for me. The first leg of the journey was just an ordinary ride, but once we reached the Atlantic City expressway, I noticed other cars jammed packed with luggage, beach paraphernalia, half asleep kids and bikes tied the backs of the cars, wheels spinning in the wind. Other travelers of the shore point midnight express! There is nothing more exciting than when you begin to see signs for shore points and each time we stopped at a toll booth, that familiar ocean scent would become stronger. When I saw the sign for the Great Egg Harbor, I knew we were almost there. Harbors are where boats are docked, so it just made sense. Finally, a little after midnight, we crossed a large bridge over the bay and entered Ocean City, it was all lit up. We drove a few blocks and pulled into the sandy lot of our home for the next 30 days. 3113 Central Avenue was a pale yellow, three story, six-unit rental building. It was just one street away from the beach, and although we couldn’t see the beach right then, we could

hear the waves in the dark. still remember hearing my dad saying hello and then the operator’s Each of us grabbed our bags out of the trunk and began walking voice, explaining who was calling him and asking would he accept up three flights of sandy steps. The stairs were steep with one small the charges before we could finally speak. landing at the second-floor level and the railings were covered in Across the street from the drug store was the 34th Street playground ocean mist and were slippery. and next to that, tennis courts and various restaurants. Dad unlocked the screen door and we entered a small living room On Monday morning, Ocean City had a summer recreation with a scratchy, rust-colored sofa, a chair, coffee and end tables and an program for kids. It was under the pavilion at the park on 34th Street old Formica kitchen table set. A small kitchen was off to the right. and my brother and I walked down. For a couple of dollars, we As you left the kitchen area, there was a long narrow hallway which would make a craft. Two very tan teenagers stood at the head of the led to the bathroom, a bedroom with two twin beds, which my large wooden picnic tables and showed about 15 vacationing kids brother and I shared and another bedroom with a full bed which my how to make the bean bag animals with, two layers of thin felt like parents took. It was late, so after a quick look around, we got into our material cut into the shape of sea creatures, some sand, a little white pajamas and hit the sack. glue. I made a purple turtle and my brother made a blue fish. So far, In the morning, the first thing we did, as strange as it was to do so, this vacation was awesome. was unpack our clothes and put them into the chest of drawers in Later that morning, I rode my bike back to the tennis courts alone the room. I brought my diary, a tennis racket, a new tube of Spalding to practice my swing, thinking how cool it was that I was able to tennis balls and my cute stationery, so that I could write to my friends ride here on my own, in a new town. I parked my bike, found the while I was gone and tell them the news of my 10-year-old life at the practice wall and began hitting balls against it. I noticed a blonde girl beach. about my height nearby doing the same and she kept moving closer My brother and I then went out onto the deck and saw the view of to me. Soon we were next to each other. A woman walking by asked, the ocean. We were amazed “Are you girls twins?” at how close we were to the We looked at her and then beach. Many times, during each other and giggled. “No, The sounds of the ocean and seagulls our stay, my parents just sat “we both said in unison, and became a constant in the background on the deck and we played on then giggled again. She was the beach, waving up at them right, we did look alike. The and there were days when I was alone occasionally. lady laughed and was surprised on the beach and I would get lost in We went back inside to have that we weren’t sisters either, breakfast, which for us was a because we sure looked like we myself, even forgetting that I was a bowl of cereal since we needed were. separate entity from it all. to food shop and stock the It wasn’t long before this little kitchen for our stay. girl and I were talking as we hit I asked why there were our tennis balls against the wall mismatched glasses and dishes in this kitchen, and old aluminum and eventually, we both stopped and just talked. Her name was Katie pots and pans. My mom explained that people sometimes take and she lived here all summer in a house nearby with her mother and things from rental properties, so many owners didn’t usually invest older sister. Her Dad also only came down on weekends. too much as far as dishes went. Most people went out for meals It was time for us both to check in at home, so we walked my bike on vacation and using mismatched bowls for simple things like back to my house first and along the way, I learned that she lived in cereal didn’t make much of a difference. The décor was more rustic the town next to mine back home, even in the same school district! seashore and not at all like most of the fancy updated rentals you She was in the grade above mine. She was almost 11. might see these days. After she met my family, we walked a couple blocks over to her The grocery store was located downtown, and that was one of the house, where I met her mom. Katie's mom was equally excited about first things we needed to do before beach time. As we pulled into the us living so close, here at the shore and at home in PA. Acme parking lot, it just amazed my 10-year-old brain that things The houses on Katie’s street looked like a normal neighborhood at really were the same everywhere. All the things we had at home could home and not like the multilevel rentals where I was staying. be found here too… which was a good thing, because I had forgotten All these things were new ideas for me. It never occurred to me that to pack my sneakers and now, we had to go to the department store families could transplant themselves at the beach for a few months. I and get a new pair. I chose a pair of girl’s white canvas KEDS. There wished my family could do this now that I was aware of it. was no way I could have gone a month wearing only the flip flops I Katie showed me her bedroom. It was decorated so cool, everything wore down in the car. coordinating, with American flag curtains and bedspreads. She shared After shopping and carrying the groceries up to the third floor, we the room with her older sister. Her sister worked as a waitress on the did a little exploring on foot and we found the local drug store on boardwalk during the summer. 34th Street. Two pay phone booths were located just outside. All From then on, from morning till night when at all possible, Katie calls home would be made from one of these booths for the next and I were together exploring Ocean City. She knew the city better month. Most rental properties didn’t have phones back then. This than I and introduced me the delicatessen near her house where we was where I learned to reverse the charges or make a collect call. I can could buy the kid necessities. Candy, chips and ice cream cones, Mad

42 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

magazine, Archie comic books, and postcards depicting Ocean City. She also showed us Seaport, an arcade decorated like a submarine, where we played air hockey and skee ball with my little brother until we ran out of quarters. Katie loved to dance and sing like me, so we spent a lot of time working on a little dance routine to the Aviance® perfume commercial jingle. The routine included leaps, struts and poses, and our costumes consisted of our bathing suits and damp beach towels either wrapped around our waists sarong style or wrapped on top of our heads. (You’d be surprised what you can do with a beach towel). There was a very large building right off the beach, a rest home for retired clergy called The Ocean Rest, at 31st Street and Central. It had a long, wrap around cement sitting area for the residents. We never saw anyone on this porch so went there often to practice our routine because it was like a stage. The weeks flew by, and during that time we hid in the sand dunes people watching, despite the signs that read, “Keep of the Dunes.” We dug for sand crabs by the ocean's edge, built sandcastles and dug small pools in the sand, which the ocean filled with water when the tide came in. We fed the seagulls left over bread. We perfected our handstands, round-offs and cartwheels, in our almost matching flowered bikini bathing suits. We swam, chased and jumped the waves and rode our rafts in the surf back to shore. We laid out on our warm towels in the sun to dry off, always trying to find a spot near someone with a radio so we could listen to, “The Sounds of the Shore,” on the local radio station. Frankie Valli’s hit “Swearin' to God,” Michael Murphy’s “Wildfire” and Starbuck’s “Moonlight Feels Right” I recall hearing multiple times a day. Katie and I discussed Henry Gross’s song “Shannon,” a song about the dog drifting out to sea, never to be seen again. We preferred to think that the dog found that island with its shady trees like the one in the singer’s back yard. When the beach emptied and the sun began to set in the evening, we often returned to the beach and climbed up into the lifeguard chairs and sat staring out at the sea. I shared with her the story my cousin told me about a local Ocean City realtor, who almost drowned when his boat capsized during a fishing trip. He was rescued after six hours of treading water out in the ocean. It was quite a story, and it was true I told her. Well… I thought it was. We wondered what it was like to be one of the cute lifeguards that we chatted with during the day as they sat up there in these chairs and if they could see a person that far out treading water. One sunny morning, we rode our bikes ten blocks further down than usual and discovered the beginning of the boardwalk. We rode up the ramp with all the other morning bikers and biked all the way to the other end where the boards became just a small path, eventually ending in a dead end with blinking lights. Then we turned around and rode back again. It was just so cool going wherever we wanted. We loved to alter our route back home to pass by the Campbell's Seafood Kitchen where the smell of seafood wafting out from the screen door was heavenly and sometimes we would stop and hover outside the door inhaling the cooking seafood. I bought postcards at the drug store and sent them to my friends and family back home and finally having a reason to correspond by mail, I wrote a few letters too. It was fun writing letters like we

had learned in school, making sure to include the return address, indenting where I should, dating it at the top and finally taking them to the post office to buy stamps to mail them. It was even better receiving letters back! While we were away, we had to do our laundry. We did not have a washing machine or dryer on the premises and had to use the laundromat. The laundromat was a novelty for me, having never been to one before this trip and when Katie couldn’t play one day, I asked if I could take the laundry to the laundromat with my little brother. We loaded up the washing machines, bought detergent and fabric softener in tiny bottles from dispensers on the wall and did three loads at one time! You couldn’t do that back home with only one machine. We brought our comic books with us to pass the time and tried to spot things we recognized spinning in the dryer through the glass. We called home once a week to talk to my dad but towards the end of our time in Ocean City, while watching the Philadelphia news at 11pm, we saw that our town was on the news and that there was a riot going on revolving around a local gas station! We couldn’t believe what we were seeing and hearing! We walked down to the phone booth in our PJs to call home and find out firsthand what was going on. Luckily it was all over by the time we got home and didn’t affect our neighborhood at all. As the weeks past, my hair became lighter, my skin more tan and my nose more freckled from the daily exposure to the sun and surf, and I began to feel more and more like a local rather than a visitor. The sounds of the ocean and seagulls became a constant in the background and there were days when I was alone on the beach and I would get lost in myself, even forgetting that I was a separate entity from it all. I fell in love with the beach at Ocean City that summer. I seemed to mesh with it as soon as I laid eyes on it. I loved everything about it. and I’ve been to other shore towns, but nothing compares to it. That month has stayed with me all these years and I have relived memories from it often. The music of that time was perfect, meeting my beach twin and all the new things I did and learned while there, was a wonderful experience. To be a child and yet still be able to roam freely through a small city was so liberating. I wish every kid could have a vacation experience like this just once.

Christine Gillies is a 1986 graduate of Hussian College of Art in Philadelphia, where she focused on illustration. A member of the Lehigh Valley Writers’ group in Easton, Pennsylvania, she is currently working on a memoir, along with many other short stories. She resides in Bucks County with her husband of 32 years.

44 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

OCNJ CARE O

CEAN CITY is truly “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” and it’s ever-apparent during these trying times. Residents, businesses, and organizations are coming together offering care and compassion each and every day. OCNJ CARE is one group at the forefront of the effort. The non-profit organization was formed following the devastating Superstorm Sandy in 2012 to assist families who were displaced and in need of nutritious meals. With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the mandatory restrictions are creating similar difficulties, and the local community is banding together to help people in need. “We are Ocean City, and we’re always looking to set the example to come up with innovative ways we can impact our community,” says Jennifer Bowan, co-chair of OCNJ CARE. “We received a lot of emails on our site for people seeking help, and we are matching their needs.” With the help of the VFW, OCNJ CARE is cooking up hot meals for families, which are delivered by Ocean City City Council members and a host of generous volunteers. “The food piece is in place, but during these times, the bigger issue is more about the mental impact and social isolation,” said Jennifer. She’s leading the charge in bringing smiles and joy to residents celebrating special milestones. “We’re orchestrating drive-by parades, decorating cars, and wishing our friends happy birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Our goal is to deliver happiness,” she said. What better way to say “Happy Birthday” than with a lawn decorated as a birthday cake! “I have a ton of pool noodles which I made into birthday candles, so early in the morning we set them up on people’s lawns, surprising them with a special birthday greeting,” she explained. “It’s the most exciting thing we’re doing during this time in a safe manner, and delighting kids in the area. It means the world to them.” Next up, OCNJ CARE will have special surprises for the students graduating from Ocean City High School and the kids moving up from 8th grade. “We’re a creative town. We care about them so much, and they need to know it,” she said. - by Lauren Avellino Turton

On the Beach beach reads

SOME evenings, Charlotte found herself standing in front of the family portrait. It hung in her Savannah, Georgia condominium, above the gas fireplace she rarely turned on. In the painting, her hair was a marvel of burnt umber and gold, falling in loose waves around her jawline.

first lines

I AM going to tell you a story you already know. But listen carefully, because within it is one you have never heard before.

thriller

first lines

young adult

fun escape

selections MAY

first lines

THE cold crept inside the body's outermost parts first. It turned aqueous cells into something solid, worked its way in millimeter by millimeter.

O N E CARD Hours of Digital Resources Your library card allows you to stay connected, informed, and entertained during our temporary closure. Our digital resources are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week:

Free movies, TV shows, music, eBooks, Audiobooks, comics, newspapers, magazines and more

Visit OceanCityLibrary.org or use your Library app for free access. Visit our website for information on upcoming virtual book clubs, online lectures and more!

OCEAN CITY FREE PUBLIC

LIBRARY

www.oceancitylibrary.org 46 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

CHECK OUT OUR NEW APP OCEAN CITY FREE PUBLIC

LIBRARY

“The only true progress in any activity is to love it more and more.” ―- Marty Rubin

Activities Guide

OC Library

Jilly's Arcade

Pirate Voyages

ATILIS GYM

OC's largest gym

1214 West

545-8830

www.atilisgym.com

GILLIAN’S WONDERLAND PIER

New rides

6th and Boardwalk

399-7082

www.gillians.com

GREATE BAY GOLF CLUB

18-hole Championship course

901 Mays Landing Road, Somers Point

927-5071

www.greatebay.com

GREATE BAY RACQUET AND FITNESS

indoor squash and tennis, fitness classes

90 Mays Landing Road, Somers Point

925-9550

www.greatebay.com

JILLY’S ARCADE

Awesome arcade. Ten cent skeeball!

1172 Boardwalk

385-1234

www.jillysocnj.com

LEADING EDGE KITE SCHOOL

Beginner and advanced kite surfing lessons.

OC & St. Croix

215-498-5788.

www.leadingedgekiteschool.com

LOCAL GYM AND FITNESS

Ocean City's complete gym.

908 Asbury

545-8732

www.localgymandfitness.com

OC AQUATIC & FITNESS CENTER Salt water pool.

1735 Simpson

398-6900

www.ocnj.us

OCEAN CITY ARTS CENTER

Classes, shows, summer art camp.

1735 Simpson

399-7628

www.oceancityartscenter.org

OCEAN CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Check out OC’s past through postcards, photos and exhibits.

1735 Simpson

399-1801

www.ocnjmuseum.org

OCEAN CITY LIBRARY

Filled with DVDs, games, 1735 Simpson and books!

399-2434

www.oceancitylibrary.org

12 hole, par 3

26th and Bay

399-5762

www.ocnj.us

OCEAN CITY PARASAIL

Safe and fun

232 Bay

399-3559.

www.oceancityparasail.com

OC POPS

An Ocean City tradition.

525-9248

www.oceancitypops.org

OCEAN CITY TABERNACLE

Shows throughout the summer.

399-1915.

www.octabernacle.org

OC THEATRE COMPANY

Broadway style shows.

1501 West

We’re going on a trip on 232 Bay our favorite pirate ship

525-9300

oceancitytheatrecompany.com

PIRATE VOYAGES

398-7555

www.piratevoyages.com

PLAYLAND’S CASTAWAY COVE

Over 30 rides, two mini golf courses, and Go Karts

1020 Boardwalk

399-4751

www.oceancityfun.com

244 Bay

399-6527

www.wetandwildwaverunners. com

OC MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

WET N WILD WAVERUNNER RENTALS

Fun for the whole family

550 Wesley Avenue

1. Monihan Realty, 32nd & Central. 2. The Humane Society, Shelter Road. 3. Shriver's Gelato, 9th & Boardwalk. 4. George's Candies, 7th & Boardwalk. 5. The Skate Park, 550 Asbury. 6. Mia's Christmas Gallery, 755 Asbury.

48 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

Sit back, get comfy in your beach chair and see if you know where you can find these places around the island

Think You Know Ocean City? On the Beach Spot it

On the Beach Word Search S

>> WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR OCNJ CARE

LONG WALKS

FAMILY

HOTELS

DOCKS

SUNSHINE

MAY FLOWERS

FISHING PIER

WAVES

HYDRANGEA

THIRTY-ONE DAYS

DAWN PATROL

BOARDWALK

PROGNOSTICATING CRAB

BREEZES

SPRING

MEMORIAL DAY

NO SHOES

BEACH DAYS

BIKE RIDES

SANDCASTLES

Ed. Note: This article was assigned and written well before stay at home orders and any beach closings.In a sign of hope that things may open again soon, we included it in the May issue. Enjoy!

E C O - F R I E N D LY

EALTH and wellness are quickly becoming the focus for individuals looking to enhance quality of life both physically and mentally. Let’s explore some of the latest information on how nature can help us all achieve a balanced state of body and mind... It’s official, you can actually touch, taste and hear good health. That’s right, the feel of the sand between your toes, the sound of the waves washing ashore, the rustle of treetops, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and even the taste of salt air on your lips, they all add up to health and happiness according to research. Studies reveal that environments can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies. Being near, or even viewing scenes of beaches, forests and the ocean, reduce anger, fear, and stress and increase pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. If you’re reading this article, it’s very likely that you are here or are planning a visit to Ocean City for some R&R (when stay at home orders are relaxed). Great choice! You now have the opportunity to take advantage of all the health benefits nature has to offer. Your time at the shore could be associated with a positive mood, and psychological wellbeing, meaningfulness, and vitality. Additionally, you may fine your attention span increase as well as a quieting of the overactive mind. Along with physical and mental benefits associated with time in nature, a study by Kuo and Coley at the Human-Environment Research Lab, says time spent in nature connects us to each other and the world around us. Scientifically this is explained by studies that used fMRI to measure brain activity. When subjects viewed nature scenes, the parts of the brain associated with empathy and love lit up, but when they viewed urban scenes, the parts of the brain associated with fear and anxiety were activated. It appears as though nature inspires feelings that connect us to each other and our environment. Let’s look at the many opportunities, right here at the Jersey Shore to embrace this movement toward better physical and emotional balance. The most obvious for us living and vacationing here is the beautifully restored Boardwalk where folks of all ages and fitness levels can walk, run, bike or just sit on a bench and embrace the open space, sunshine and the smell of salty sea air. Ocean air has many health benefits. The negative ions in sea air accelerate your ability to absorb oxygen, and balance your serotonin levels, a body chemical linked with mood and stress. Which is why you feel more alert, relaxed and energized after a day by the seaside. Whether reading a book under an umbrella while massaging the sand through your toes or taking a long leisurely stroll collecting shells along the shore, your mind will relax while you work the muscles of your body on the shifting sands under your feet. 50 OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE MAY 2020

For those looking for some real calorie burning and muscles building on their visit to the shore there are many outdoor venues from which to choose. Bike riding along the beautiful bike path or the Boardwalk, yoga and fitness classes on the beach and bay, kayaking and paddle boarding, water aerobics and running the boards are just a few of the wonderful fitness possibilities. At the end of a wonderful day in nature one of the greatest benefits a person will experience is a wonderful night’s sleep. For those who struggle to get a good night's sleep, the beach is a definite recommendation. It’s because the beach helps relieve three key factors that inhibit sleep: high stress and anxiety levels, lack of physical fatigue, and hormonal imbalances. When we’re surrounded by nature and beauty we can feel at peace and release ourselves from the daily stresses and troubles in the modernized world. For hundreds of years the health benefits of nature have been known to calm and heal the body and soul. So, when you’ve had a particularly stressful day at work or school, or just feel the need for some spiritual realignment, take some time and hit the beach – it will cure what ails you! - Paula Popilock

OC Services

May 2020 Ocean City Magazine

Articles inside

Real Tour

Shop Guide

Eco-Friendly

Color Your World

Dining Guide

Drinks with Aunt Dawn

It’s History by Fred Miller

The Interview

Sunday Girl Eats

In the Kitchen with Augie's

Letter from the Editor