OCEAN CITY, Md. (Aug. 20, 2018) — The Town of Ocean City will soon have a new source for around 20% of its annual energy use: Constellation, an Exelon company, is breaking ground on a 10 megawatt (DC) solar energy project at the intersection of Routes 50 and 90, 10 miles west of downtown Ocean City.
The installation of solar panels will provide energy for several of the town’s major buildings, including City Hall, the Convention Center and the water plant.
“This solar array is a leading project of its kind and a true example of the Town of Ocean City’s commitment to renewable energy and a sustainable future for our resort community,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “Thanks to our continued collaboration with Constellation, in the first year, the Town of Ocean City will receive nearly 6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from this solar generation project, and a lower energy rate than conventional renewable electricity supply, saving Ocean City taxpayers an expected $120,000 per year.”
The system is expected to produce more than 5.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity for the Town of Ocean City and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 4,200 metric tons in the first year, the greenhouse gas equivalent of 899 passenger vehicles driven, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.
Once complete, the solar project will add 10 megawatts of solar generation to Delmarva Power’s Maryland service area, satisfying a key commitment of Exelon’s 2016 merger with Pepco Holdings.
“We are proud to help the Town of Ocean City support the continued adoption of renewable energy in the state of Maryland,” said Brendon Quinlivan, Executive Director of Distributed Energy Origination for Constellation. “This type of project offers our customers a clean energy solution that blends onsite renewables and contracted offsite renewables, as well as the more traditional power and gas supply contracts provided by Constellation throughout the U.S.”
In addition to Ocean City, Eastman Chemical Company will procure a portion of the solar project’s production to power its manufacturing facility in Chestertown, Md. In total, the solar project consists of more than 30,000 photovoltaic panels on 113 acres of land.
United Renewable Energy will provide day-to-day oversight and coordination throughout the construction process. The project is slated to be completed before the end of 2018.
Ocean City, Maryland – (August 20, 2018): As Ocean City’s seasonal employees begin to head home, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is reminding beachgoers that the number of surf rescue technicians, AKA lifeguards, who work on the beach day-to-day will also decrease. There will be no unguarded areas of the beach, but the number of occupied lifeguard towers will change the location and distance between stands, sometimes on a daily basis.
While weekday coverage will be reduced, the OCBP will have returning surf rescue technicians to allow increased stands on weekends, and will increase the number of mobile rescue units patrolling the beach to assist with coverage. This annual reduced coverage structure begins the third week in August and is largely due to the start of college classes, as well as the return of the Ocean City Beach Patrol’s (O
The Ocean City Beach Patrol will be on duty daily between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 23. As weekly coverage reduces, the Beach Patrol suggests taking extra precaution and making sure to walk the short distance to swim near a lifeguard. In addition, OCBP encourages all beach patrons to restrict any beach or water-related activities to times when beach patrol personnel are on duty.
Remember… Keep Your Feet In the Sand Until a Lifeguard’s In the Stand!
On Friday, the indoor area of Trimper Rides was the site of celebration for the amusement park and the fourth- and fifth-generation family members that keep the rides operating. Governor Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and other dignitaries were in attendance, speaking about the impact that Trimper’s has had on Ocean City and the state of Maryland over the years and presenting the Trimper family with citations recognizing the fun that Trimper’s has brought families for now 125 years.
“The year was 1893,” said Trimper’s Vice President Stephanie Trimper Lewis. “Grover Cleveland was being sworn in as our 24th president. Thomas Edison was finishing another invention and constructing the first motion picture studio. The new invention at the World’s Fair was the first ferris wheel ride — that’s appropriate. And down here in Ocean City, my great grandparents Dan and Margaret Trimper opened up two hotels along the beach.”
Her great grandparents had visited Ocean City several years prior to their move, Stephanie continued. When they went home to Baltimore, they ended their catering business and sold their bar. They opened up two hotels on the Boardwalk, The Eastern Shore and The Sea Bright, but Daniel Trimper wasn’t content just being a hotelier, Stephanie said. His passion was for entertainment and amusements.
In the outdoor pavilion of the Sea Bright Hotel, the Trimpers began offering live theater, boxing matches, gambling, billiards, a bar, dancing, a shooting gallery, a roller rink, a live alligator exhibit, and the carousel that still goes round in the amusement park today.
“I can only imagine how delighted he would be 125 years later to see how his vision has grown,” she said.
A vintage look at a ferris wheel and adult fairy whip.
The oldest family-owned amusement park in the world*
Celebrating its 125th year, Trimper’s is verifiably the oldest operating family-owned amusement park in the United States, but many consider it the oldest family-owned park in the world. To some, Trimper’s ranks second to England’s Blackgang Chine, but according to amusement park historian Jim Futrell, Blackgang Chine wasn’t really an amusement park until after Trimper’s was established. An argument could certainly be made that Trimper’s is the oldest family-operated park in the world, and we like to think that it is, anyway.
Here’s a quick look back at that oldest amusement park’s long and storied history here in Ocean City. Images courtesy of trimpersrides.com.
1890: Daniel and Margaret Trimper, great-great grandparents of the park’s current owners, first arrive in Ocean City.
1893: Just three years later, the Trimpers now own several properties on the Boardwalk spanning South Division and South First Streets.
1900: One of their hotels, the Sea Bright, is destroyed by a storm. They rebuild, and model their new building after Great Britain’s Windsor Castle, calling it the Windsor Resort. It features a theater and an amusement park within its walls.
Flappers ride the carousel back in the ride’s early days.
1912: The famous Trimper carousel, made by the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY, is purchased. This is one of the oldest continually-operating carousels in the U.S. Trimper’s website describes the initial mechanics and cost to ride the merry-go-round:
The merry-go-round’s forty-five animals, three chariots and one rocking chair were driven by a steam engine; rides originally cost just a nickel. One-hundred years later, the ride (now electrified) costs you four tickets, or $2.00 – unless you buy the discounted package of 40 tickets for eighteen dollars, and then your ride only costs $1.80.
1950s: The park expands to include outdoor rides.
1983: The business expands even further, and The Inlet Village Shoppes at the very south end of the Boardwalk are built. Today the Inlet Village includes 14 retail shops and restaurants Harrison’s Harbor Watch and The Frog Bar.
The Rides
Many of the Trimper’s rides are fan favorites; the Himalaya, which first opened in 1976, is among them.
There’s currently upwards of 40 rides on the premises, some indoors and some outdoors, some new and many others dating back to the early 20th century. Here’s a list of the rides that are operating at Trimper’s as of this article’s publication.
Outdoor Rides
The Herschell-Spillman Carousel, circa 1912: The carousel was made a historic landmark in 2007.
The Haunted House: This dark ride was built in 1964 by Bill Tracy. We’ve writtena bitabout this cult classic, which was said to be Granville Trimper’s favorite.
Pirate’s Cove: A dark funhouse also built by Bill Tracy, this one in 1971.
The Tidal Wave (1986): An Ocean City landmark, this looping roller coaster is a staple of the OC skyline and visible from well across the bay.
The indoor area of Trimper’s is filled with antique kiddie rides, many of them manufactured by famed amusement manufacturer William F. Mangels. Mangels’ creations include the 1920s era kiddie ferris wheel, the boats that sail on a track past a fishing village mural, and the Fairy Whip, whippin’ kids around the track since the ’20s.
Other indoor rides include the smaller merry-go-round (1920s), the Flying Ace Airplanes, Big Dodgem and the smaller Kiddie Dodgem Bumper Cars, Fire Engines (1920s), Hampton I & II classic car rides and the Wild West Train.
For those who might be interested in looking at a much more thorough and detailed history of Trimper’s Rides, I recommend this fantastic Images of America book.
This article was originally posted on 9/16/17 and updated for the 2018 season –ed.
The air might be feeling cooler and the kids might be back in school, but it’s still summer. And that’s the mantra until September 22. And then on September 22, the first day of fall, the new mantra becomes “only 272 days until summer!”
The Town of Ocean City feels your pain. That’s why Ocean City and its neighboring communities always have a few end-of-September festivals up their sleeve to ease the transition from summer to fall and let you kick back and enjoy some of the last warm, stress-free vacation days of the year. Sometimes, as seen in this year’s festival lineup, a few drinks are understandably involved. Still, all of the following events that summer 2018 has in store are family friendly and just waiting for you to come have a good time and take your mind off the future and “real life” for a night or two.
We’ve been talking about ArtX a lot lately, but only because it’s so, so cool, and this year marks the first one ever. If you’ve ever been to Arts Alive, ArtX is similar — at least, it’s in the same location, Northside Park — but with much more. Artists will be working and selling their arts and crafts while films from the Ocean City Film Fest are screened, live bands perform (including the Original Wailers!), art workshops are held and fun games and activities go on all day long. Food, craft beer and wine will be for sale, and there will be tons of fun to be had by art lovers of all ages.
This one might be a bit obvious, but if you’re looking to celebrate the last week of summer in Ocean City, you’re going to want to do it at Sunfest. Not only are there tons of things to do at the over 40-year-old annual festival (music, food, vendors, arts ‘n crafts, etc., etc., etc.) but wandering the Inlet during the festival is totally free, and the weather is almost always perfect–still warm, but with a comfortable breeze welcoming in autumn.
Just hop on a tram and make your way down to the Inlet for a weekend of fun in the sun. (Clara Vaughn | Ocean City Today)
If you’ve ever passed by the Kite Loft on 5th street and looked on longingly at the kites flying high outside of the store, Kite Fest is your opportunity to get in on the action. Coinciding with Sunfest each year, hundreds of kites of every shape, color and design take to the skies during Kite Fest to “wow!” onlookers with the beauty of the spectacle. Even if you can’t fly a kite without getting tangled in the line, the display is worth a look at the sky.
Some kites seem less like traditional kites and more like giant inflatable sand ornaments, but if it flies, it flies! (Photo courtesy of The Kite Loft)
This year marks historic Berlin, MD’s 26th Fiddlers Convention. Fiddlers and string bands from all over the U.S. gather in Berlin to play bluegrass, Americana, folk and country music and to compete in the fiddlin’ competition. The convention is a time-honored tradition in Berlin and while it might sound niche, the Fiddlers Convention has always proved to be a great time for families and musical connoisseurs alike.
Tim and Savannah Finch with the Eastman String Band will be one of the convention’s headlining acts.
The end of summer and beginning of fall also marks beer festival season on the Shore. On the second Saturday of September, Ocean City’s oldest beer fest Brews on the Beach will celebrate its 10th year. That particular festival, hosted by Fin City and Shore Craft Beer, is all about celebrating the “art of craft” and is the best party on the beach complete with live music, games, vendors and food from Hooper’s available for sale. OCtoberfest is a super seasonal beer festival at Sunset Park with food trucks, music and always a handful of dogs wearing their spookiest (and cutest) Halloween costumes. Both festivals boast tons of local craft beer and beautiful views of Ocean City and its waterways.
No pictures from MARSH Fest since it’s never happened before, but if it’s anything like last week’s 9th Shore Craft Beer Brews on the Beach, it’s sure to be a great time.
Maybe beer’s not your thing. That’s okay–wine is an option, too. Wine Fest (and OCtoberfest, for that matter) technically takes place in the fall season, but since you’re drinking on the beach, you’ll probably be able to pretend it’s still summer, anyway. This year’s 23rd annual festival will feature Maryland wineries and will also include a selection of craft beer, food, arts and crafts and live music.
(Annapolis, Md, 8/16/18): Governor Larry Hogan announced today that he has authorized the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), in conjunction with the Town of Ocean City, to move forward with the final phase of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center addition and renovation.
The $34 million project will be funded via $20 million from the state of Maryland through the MSA, and Ocean City’s contribution of $14 million.
“This facility has long been an important economic driver for Ocean City, bringing in thousands of visitors for conferences and events like MACo and allowing local businesses to stay open and continue to hire year-round,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank Mayor Meehan, as well as the team at the Maryland Stadium Authority, for working with us to make today’s announcement possible. With their partnership, we are able to speed up this important project, which is expected to have an economic impact of as much as $67 million and continue creating jobs right here on the Eastern Shore.”
Governor Hogan made the announcement in Ocean City at the Convention Center during the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) 2018 Summer Conference. He was joined by joined by Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan, Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Tom Kelso and Executive Director Michael Frenz, and Ocean City Convention Center Executive Director Larry Noccolino.
Legislation will be submitted for the 2019 session of the Maryland General Assembly to allow MSA the needed capacity to finance the project
The Convention Center brings visitors to Ocean City year-round and allows local businesses to stay open even during the off-season, in addition to providing full-time emloyment for Marylanders. Currently, the convention center has existing clients whose events have outgrown the facility and may seek out-of-state alternatives.
“The expansion of the Convention Center is important to Ocean City and the State of Maryland. Not only does the Convention Center generate revenue locally but has a positive economic impact on the State,” said Mayor Meehan. “We are thankful for the support of Governor Hogan and the partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority.”
Market research suggests that the expansion will allow the convention center to better accommodate existing users, as well as attract new business in niches that are well-suited to Ocean City’s strengths, including state and regional organizations, trade shows, and sports competitions that attract overnight attendees who look for affordable family-friendly destinations. The expansion is expected to create between 470 and 670 new jobs.
“The Maryland Stadium Authority values our successful partnership with the Town of Ocean City and is pleased to partner once again on a project that provides enjoyment and a positive return on investment for Marylanders,” said Chairman Kelso.
MSA previously partnered with the Town of Ocean City on two additional expansions of the Ocean City Convention Center since the original expansion in 1996.
The Roland E. Powell Ocean City Convention Center currently offers approximately 60,000 square feet of exhibit space, 19,126 square feet of ballroom space, 23,295 square feet of meeting space, a 1,200 seat Performing Arts Center and 1,320 parking spaces. The conceptual design documents suggest that the existing site is capable of accommodating an expansion of the exhibit hall space by 30,000 square feet, and will address the resulting parking needs of the facility. The Town of Ocean City will again request that MSA manage design and construction.
Sometimes, you just gotta get away from it all… While still seeking out some thrills, beating the summer heat and keeping the little ones happy, too.
It sounds like a lot, but it can truly all be accomplished at Jolly Roger Splash Mountain Water Park. Surely you’ve seen the Jolly Roger Ferris Wheel as you drive past 30th Street on Coastal Highway, but look a little further towards the bay and you’ll also see slides that tower hundreds of feet into the sky, and hear the screamin’ sounds of kids having fun.
I recently spent the day at Splash Mountain, and even though I’m a giant kid and thoroughly enjoyed almost all of the slides (only chickening out of one!), I found that there’s a good amount of fun for adults, too, thanks to the wave pool, the lazy river and the general sunbathing. There were plenty of food and drinks available for purchase, but what’s nice about the park is that you’re allowed to reenter and bring outside food and coolers in, too. On certain days you’ll find the Splash Mountain Mermaids lounging around the kiddie pool, and on every day you’ll find lots of fun and excitement of every thrill level.
You’ve got the ocean to the east and the bay to the west, but sometimes the only water you want is careening down a fiberglass slide at 1,000 miles a minute.
BEFORE: The Jolly Roger pirate sits innocently at the top of the Rainforest Play Area. It’s one of the first things you see when you walk into the park, and you’ll want to walk around it, not under, when staking out your lounge chairs, because…AFTER! It soaks everyone in its path (if a rambunctious park-goer didn’t already get you with one of the many water guns).Flowers are in bloom all around the park. Here, they frame the 6-Person Speed Slide, but don’t let this view fool you…It’s called a Speed Slide for a reason! Going down on just a tiny raft, you almost feel like you’re flying as you race down. (By the time you get to the bottom, your heart’s racing too fast to even care who won).Charlotte and Yasemin goofing off near the Splash Pad.Tops of the Eye of the Hurricane and the Aqualoop. For those thrill-chasers wondering what the most treacherous slide in Ocean City might be, I will direct you to the Aqualoop. The ground literally is pulled from beneath your feet, sending you speeding down 480 feet and through a 360-degree loop before you hit the bottom. (This is the one that I did not try!)Here’s the top from another angle… As soon as a person is sent down via the trap door, the transparent slide allows you to see their shadow flying through. (Again, no, I did not participate!)This one is called Stealth. The vertical ramp is kind of shaped like a half-pipe, so it feels just like skateboarding, only much more terrifying.Here’s another look at the Hurricane and the Aqualoop, and the wave pool just below them, a much more relaxing attraction.The Jolly Roger ferris wheel through the gate bars of Splash Mountain. Once it gets dark and Splash Mountain shuts down, it’s time to head to the dry rides.
Ocean City, MD – (August 10, 2018): Although a fine art event is not new to the portfolio of special events in Ocean City, a cultural exhibition with a wide array of offerings is different for our coastal community. ArtX, which focuses on artistic expression as the fundamental theme, will celebrate its inaugural year August 25-26 at Northside Park. Allowing it to grow beyond the boundaries of the 17-year-old Art’s Alive event, ArtX will host fine artisan exhibits, musical performances, activities, short films and paid workshops by the Art League of Ocean City.
Most long-time Ocean City visitors and residents are familiar with ‘Arts Alive,’ the weekend-long fine arts show in Northside Park each summer where artists showcase their work and families walk around enjoying food, drinks and live music.
ArtX will feature art categories including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, mixed media and fine wood. Visitors can take in artisan demonstrations, participate in children’s activities and go one step further by joining an Art League of Ocean City workshop on site to polish their own ARTistic Xpression.
At the end of the first day, guests can stay for a special concert by The Original Wailers – produced and sponsored by T.E.A.M. Productions. This special free concert will take place at 8 p.m. on ArtX’s West Lagoon Field of Northside Park. Bring your own chairs or blankets for seating.
ArtX will feature additional music from up and coming artists on the outdoor stage, including Robert Paul Canfield, Pressing Strings, Rivers and Rhodes, Cecilia Grace Taylor Knox and The Breakers. Paige Glass – a 13-year-old singer and songwriter, and BITSUNE – an up and coming electronic music duo out of Spain, round out the list of talent to appear on stage at ArtX.
For the film enthusiasts, ArtX offers the best of the best from Art League of Ocean City’s Film Festival. Short films and documentaries are scheduled both days with opportunities to interact with the producers. Saturday brings in films from Ocean City locals and films about Ocean City. Sunday focuses on youth films in the morning and documentaries in the early afternoon.
“Ocean City is a wonderful destination for all ages and ArtX is designed to be a valuable experience for that wide demographic as well,” said Frank Miller, Director of Special Events for the Town of Ocean City. “You can bring your chair, find your plot of grass and enjoy a day of unique music; shop for true artwork and creative additions for the house; then take part in activities and workshops. It’s not all outside either; so you can get out of the sun and into air conditioning for the films, workshops and some of the activities.”
Food and beverages are also available on site including a selection of beer, wine and craft beer benefiting the Art League of Ocean City with special thanks to ShoreCraftBeer.com. Event hours are Saturday, August 25 from noon to 8 p.m.and Sunday, August 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The event is quickly followed by Sundaes in the Park at Northside Park, which includes live music by Ragdoll (a Frankie Valli Tribute Band) and fireworks.
Just kidding. But because we received a wide variety of submissions this week, I decided to not pigeonhole them into any specific theme and just arrange them from sunrise to sunset. In between you’ll find beach, Boardwalk, birds, and lots of kids having fun, which is exactly what Ocean City is all about.
This week we have two winners. Kathy, who submitted a super-cute photo of her grandson Brady feeding the seagulls (see below) is getting two passes to Jolly Roger, because she actually mailed her photo to our office, and it’s the first mail-in submission I ever received. And I love getting mail. So thanks, Kathy, and we’re happy to hear that Brady had a fun vacation! The second winner of the week, chosen at random, is Christy, who submitted a picture of her boogie-boardin’ daughter.
From the looks of the submissions we’ve received this summer, lots of families are having lots of fun here on vacation. Take advantage of these last few weeks before back-to-school season hits, and soak up all the sun you can!
Morning 8/1/2018. Photo taken 82nd street balcony.Sunrise over the ocean with lifeguard stand near 89th St. July 30th 2018 at 6:26am.My husband and I biking on the boardwalk at OC in 2016.My grandson, Brady Park 18 mos) had a great time feeding the birds.Grandson Haakon 15 mo old , Frontier town water park on 8/7/18My son enjoying a refreshing fruit punch bowl at Da Lazy Lizard in OcMD on June 19th 2018.All American fun in the sun!Katrina digging in the sand at 41st un july.Taken on 94th street beach. July 2018. This is my 6 year old daughter with her brand new boogie board from K-Coast.My mermaid boogie boarding on 139thI took this photo of my very fancy 6 year old daughter, Annabelle last Sunday on the beach at 83rd street, where we are lucky enough to spend the bulk of our summer. I love that my kids are able to spend so much time in a place like OC! I love that they are spending so much time outside enjoying such a beautiful place, away from tablets and the TV.This is one year old Hudson Alexander chilling out on 12th street beach in Ocean City.3 year old Sawyer Alexander jumping waves on 12th street. Pure joy. Ocean beauties!!Rainbow on the Boardwalk. 14th Street after a brief rainshower that chased everyone off the sand. This was taken in front of the Harrison Hall Hotel where we are staying at 4pm on August the 8th 2018. It was so beautiful to see!!Rainbow after storm on 134th street on 7/29/18Submission from Amy Smith on Facebook.Ocean City Beach Patrol walking a lost boy back to his momma taken on 72nd streetSunset on the bay- taken on July 26th. 2018 at mackeys in ocean city, Maryland.My Irish dancing daughter dancing on the beach at Sunset.Grace Bailey dancing on the beach in Ocean City during the 10pm light show! Saturday August 4th.Moonlight on 13th, Beach Plaza Hotel Bocon Apartments, July 30th, 2018.
En plein air means, simply, outdoors. Plein air painting is the act of painting outside. Ocean City, with its dunes and marshes and myriad other natural wonders, is a plein air destination. Every summer, 50 artists who hail from all across Maryland and beyond spend a week capturing Ocean City on their canvases with oil, watercolor and chalk pastels.
The Art League of Ocean City hosts the event, and after three days (and one Saturday morning) of painting, the artists return to the Art League with their finished works where paintings are juried and prizes are awarded. The week culminates with a Quick Draw competition on Sunday morning in downtown Ocean City, followed by a Wet Paint Sale where the general public can purchase the very work they just saw in the process of creation. The unsold paintings will then be on display in the Galleria of the Ocean City Center for the Arts from Aug. 12 – Sept. 4.
There’s nothing more magical than taking an early-morning sunrise walk, or sitting out at the docks watching fishermen sail in with the day’s catches, while an artist works beside you to recreate the entire scene on their canvas and depict a small but dazzling slice of life in Ocean City.
BL was working on a documentary about the annual plein air event, so I followed him around while he followed the artists around, and together we documented the painters in their most natural habitats. I also decided to work “learn to paint” and “become a plein air artist” into my 50-year plan for life (I’m a little busy now, so it might have to wait until I retire in 40 or so years). The photos and screenshots below are mostly by BL. They were taken on Wednesday, Aug. 8, the first day of the plein air event.
Barbara painting in Northside Park, taking the occasional break to chase cars away from parking in a spot that would block her view.
Barbara Stepura
White Plains, Maryland
I’ve been doing plein air for 10 years. I’m a nurse, that’s what I do for a living. But now I’m retired. You’ll get there someday, don’t worry.
I had my favorite little secret spot… It’s down on the backside of Jolly Roger. You can see the Ferris Wheel. And there’s a tiny little beautiful marsh there, and I painted it every single year.
But today I’ve been running people off — they want to park in that spot right there and I go, ‘no!’ But they’ve been really sweet. I just run over there and say, ‘could you please move your car?’ And everybody does, no problem.
What do you enjoy about doing plein air in Ocean City?There’s such variety. The people are great, for one thing. And there’s a lot of life here, a lot of activity. A lot of beautiful places. You’ve got the marshes, you’ve got the ocean, you’ve got everything, everything’s here that you could possibly want to paint outside. No mountains, but hey. You can’t have everything.
Ray Ewing
Ray painting by the Oceanic Motel at the Inlet.
Swan Point, Maryland
This is my fourth year here. And I say that they don’t like me because the first two years I won first place, and last year I won second place. So people don’t like me to come!
The first year I went over to Chincoteague or Assateague and painted, and then two years ago I stayed over in West Ocean City, so I painted those docks over there where that big fishing regatta is in West Ocean City, but it’s too crowded over there today. And I painted, I think it’s called Stinky Beach, but they just had a big incident there yesterday, so I went over there yesterday, and you couldn’t even get close to that beach.
Work-in-progress.
What I like about all the events is the camaraderie, all the artists know each other. I always said the artists are like professional golfers. The golfers at the PGA Tour go somewhere every week, they know each other, their families know each other, they go out to eat, they drink, they travel together, but they’re competing. They’re competing against each other, but they’re friends, and that’s what I like about it.
If I quit, I’m 75, so it’s kind of hard for me to stand up all day and paint. The thing I’m going to miss isn’t so much the painting, I can paint in my studio, but it’s being out with the other artists.
Dennis painting on the Boardwalk.
Dennis Young
Newcastle, Delaware
I’ll paint a quick one here, then I’ll go over to the Frog Bar and get lunch and a beer… If it’s sunny I’m good, if it storms I’m good, but if it’s lightning I’m fried.
Me, peering through Dennis’ viewfinder.
I live in Newcastle, Delaware, where I have an art gallery right in the tourist section. I have a gallery right smack in the middle of town. Actually it’s called my Man Cave, ’cause I go there and I paint a lot and I put things up on the wall. People come in and look and if they critique, that’s okay, but if they criticize, they’re out!
The people at the Art League are so friendly, that’s how I got in in the first place, years ago. They got me in and I’ve been happy to come back year after year and enjoy the Life Saving Station, and that place with the flags — the Kite Loft — and you’ve got Thrashers french fries and soft shell crabs and Higgins crabs. So I’m just all about the crabs, you can ask Rina about that and she’ll tell you.
Brian painting in a nice shady spot under the pier.
Brian McKenna
Crofton, Maryland
I’ve been painting off and on my entire life. I was a firefighter for 26 years, so that was a big distraction.
Where’s your favorite place to paint here?The shade, right now. You can take a beating out there. I’m waiting until sunset… The big problem with plein air is how quickly the light changes. It can change your painting. It doesn’t give you a whole lot of time — but that’s also the benefit of plein air painting. Trying to capture the light before it disappears, the whole painting can change so quickly.
Barbara Kern-Bush
Barbara painting on the sidewalk around 67th Street.
Berlin, Maryland
How long plein air, hmmm… Maybe 10 years? And I really didn’t start painting seriously until about 15 years ago. 16, 17 — the years add up. I’m from the Pittsburgh area, so I’ve done other ones in Pittsburgh.
What do you like to see in an image?First and foremost, and I learned this from photography, I like to see a powerful composition. I like to see the color be deliberately handled. Because the color of light, the color of shade, it’s not just that shade is darker than light. It’s a completely different color, and I like to see color handled really well. I like to see energy in the composition. The human touch. I don’t like to see something that looks like somebody drew it and colored it in. I like to get the eye moving.
What do you do when you’re not painting?I read about painting.
Ocean City, Md (Aug. 8, 2018): Norwegian viking ship Draken Harald Hårfagre — the largest of its kind in modern times — has announced Ocean City as the ninth stop on its Expedition America: East Coast Tour 2018 “presented by Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky.” The ship began its tour in July. It will be docked in Ocean City for eight days, from Aug. 22 – 29, beginning with an arrival ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and continuing with seven days of ship tours and activities in the Draken Village. The Draken visit promises visitors an engaging look at the modern-day Viking spirit.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Draken ship to Ocean City this August,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. “As a family-friendly destination that strives to offer a wide variety of events and features for our visitors to enjoy, we feel the Draken ship will provide vacationers with a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Viking history while staying here in Ocean City.”
Hosted in partnership with the Town of Ocean City, the Draken will dock at 3rd Street and Chicago Avenue on the bay and will offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to relive history in a way never experienced before. The Draken will allow guests to not only marvel at this stunning Viking ship, but also to interact with the crew as they share their personal experiences of thrill, fear, and exhilaration while enduring the ship’s 2016 transatlantic crossing – reliving the Viking discovery of the New World more than 1,000 years ago.
The Draken Experience in Ocean City (dates and times subject to weather)
Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Draken Arrival Ceremony
Guests are invited to greet the Draken ship as it sails into port with a display of Viking valor and excitement. Captain Björn Ahlander and his crew will step ashore to welcome the crowd and introduce the Draken. This event is free and open to the public. A small, private welcome reception will follow.
Thursday, Aug. 23 – Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Draken Village & Deck Tours
Beginning daily at 10 a.m., Draken will be open for timed and ticketed deck tours. Tour tickets, which run $6 for kids (ages 5 to 15, free admission for ages 4 and under); $12 for adults (ages 16 and over); and $30 for a family pack (includes two adults, and up to three children) can be purchased online at www.drakenhh.com now, or on-site at the Draken Village. During each 30-minute tour, guests are guided through the ship and offered a look at a day-in-the-life of the crew and the historic craftsmanship used to build the ship with oak, tar, hemp, iron, and silk.
Within the Draken Village, which is free and open to the public, guests can experience a photo and video exhibition illustrating Viking history, modern explorers, and the adventures of the Draken; land-side views of the ship; the Highland Park Whisky hospitality tent; local food and beverage vendors; official Draken merchandise, and more.
Additional ticketed Draken events include a lecture with Captain Björn Ahlander outlining the adventurous expeditions of the Draken (Friday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m., $25) anda screening of the newly released Draken documentary: Expedition America – a Modern Viking Adventure(Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m., $20).
“The Vikings were accomplished navigators, artisans, traders and storytellers, but their greatest triumph was the ships they built,” said Captain Björn Ahlander. “Each Draken stopover offers guests a tangible tie to history. We hope our visitors are inspired by the vigor of the Viking spirit and our modern-day adventures.”
Following the overwhelming response from the 2016 tour, the next leg of the Draken Harald Hårfagre North American tour will consist of stopovers across the U.S. East Coast states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and more. The final tour schedule and all stopover ports are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
The crew on board Draken is a team of 35 men and women from all over the world, representing a diverse mix of age, gender, nationality, and background. The Draken is now accepting applications for public volunteer crew positions. To take part in this rare opportunity visit: www.drakenhh.com/join-the-crew.
I’m a coffee addict, and I like to drink local. Whenever I have friends in town, many of them fellow coffee addicts, I make some recommendations based on which coffee shops I know to be good and which, in most cases, you won’t find anywhere else. While Boardwalk Birdie has already written the definitive list of the best coffee shops in the coastal Maryland region, Ocean City alone has a handful of small businesses that can whip up an excellent cup of java. Here are five of my favorites, and a bonus number six if you’re a creature of comfort and familiarity. Let me know what you think and if anyone major is missing from this list!
The Muze Café
Somerset Street
The first time I stopped by The Muze Café was just to get an iced coffee before rushing to an appointment in Ocean City, but I was really tempted to stay for an entire meal (and I absolutely would have, had time allowed). First of all, their outdoor patio just off the Boardwalk on Somerset Street is super charming, and provides a quaint downtown café atmosphere like nowhere else in Ocean City (sitting out on their patio almost feels, dare I say, European). Secondly, there aren’t many places where you’ll find savory crepes in OC, so The Muze is there to sate your crepe cravings. The Nutella crepe is a favorite among many. It’s a really nice place to rest your tired feet after a long walk on the Boardwalk, enjoy a quick bite and some caffeine, and, you know… Just muze.
The cutest logo.
A Latte Enjoy
2nd Street on the Boardwalk
Since the Boardwalk is the best place in Ocean City for an early-morning stroll, it’s no wonder that there are two excellent coffee shops that make the morning just a little more convenient for joggers, bicyclists and sunrise-chasers. Even if you’ve never gone in for a latte at A Latte Enjoy, you’d probably recognize the shop from the black octopus sign that sits out front. It’s worth stopping by the stand for a quick caffeine fix, as long as you have cash on hand, as the business is cash-only. While The Muze makes for a good place to rest after a busy day on the Boards, A Latte Enjoy is your Second Street-stop for coffee when the day is just getting started and you’re still waking up. And for the rare few who don’t like coffee, their smoothies are pretty delicious, too.
Rise Up
West Ocean City (next to Baja Amusements)
In the past few years, Rise Up has really taken Delmarva by storm… And for good reason. A new location just recently opened in Cambridge, Md, making for a good pit stop when you’re traveling to Ocean City east on Route 50, and the West Ocean City location has been around for a few years now — I frequent them often. Too often. They serve an array of breakfast-type foods by their “food alter-ego” Mad Eggs, and I often find myself coming in for a Rise Up burrito even when there’s like, negative money in my bank account. They also serve organic kombucha from Real Raw Organics and specialty drinks like slow pour, draft cold brew and nitro coffee, keeping crunchy Eastern Shore folks like me forever satisfied.
Satellite Coffee Shop
24th Street, 46th Street
Satellite Coffee Shop (sometimes known as the Satellite Café ) is the place to go for breakfast all-day (or at least until 2 p.m., when they close. iHop already has an unfortunate hold on the breakfast-for-dinner market). Just take a look at their unofficial Facebook page and scroll through the tons of photos that diners have posted of their Satellite breakfasts… Facebook is usually a cesspool of unhappy customers, especially when it comes to unofficial pages that customers make, but most of these posters seem pretty happy, with comments like “And of course, another favorite, classic eggs over and scrapple. Life is good. Lol. ?” and “Enjoying my regular favorite place for breakfast in Ocean City. And always the best cup of coffee, especially in the morning (they use a secret brand and brew in a huge urn). Sooo good. ??” Only the sunglasses emoji guy knows the secrets of Satellite Café coffee, and his pixelated lips are sealed.
Caffè Café
Gold Coast Mall (115th Street)
If you’ve taken a walk through the Gold Coast Mall recently, you’ve probably noticed Caffè Café next to OC Kabob. Caffè Café is actually owned and managed by the same family that owns OC Kabob, and they’ve proven to specialize in a lot of different foods and beverages. Caffè Café is cool because they’ve got a lot more than just coffee, like smoothies and sandwiches and even tiramisu, and they’ve also got a bunch of unique flavor options like raspberry, banana and toasted almond mocha.
Starbucks?
West Ocean City, 16th Street, 123rd Street
No, it’s definitely not a local option, but it appears that sometimes vacationers just want what’s familiar when it comes to their morning cup of joe (or their mid-afternoon venti caramel frappuccino). And now that there’s one on 123rd street new this summer, you won’t even have to drive the extra 15 minutes from North Ocean City to the location on 16th Street, or even further to the Starbs’ in West OC. The 16th Street Starbucks is owned by the Harrison Hotel Group, so you can’t use your rewards points, but you can crab a quick iced coffee before heading to the beach, mere steps away.
Growing up on the Eastern Shore (in the Berlin/Bishopville area), I have witnessed a number of changes to our county over the years. One of the most beautiful and surprising changes is the number of deer that can be seen every morning or late afternoon in fields across the Shore.
Thirty years ago, deer hunters, in their orange vests and camouflage garb, were also a familiar sight on the side of the road. Hunters were always arriving to hunt at daybreak, leaving in the late morning, or parked on the side of the road late afternoons until dusk. Many times these hunters left empty handed, as deer were not as plentiful back then.
However, while deer sightings are now more frequent, the sight of a deer hunter is scarce. As the number of hunters decreased over the years, the number of deer has increased dramatically.
The cost of too many deer
A sight of these beautiful creatures is always exciting to catch. That being said, in recent years, the number of deer, and lack of hunters, has caused an amazing amount of loss to farmers due to crop damage.
One Bishopville farmer was forced to replant his fields multiple times due to the herds of 10-25 deer that gather to forage on the tender crops. This loss not only affects the farmers, but the cost of producing the food, therefore increasing the overall cost of the product.
Although this may be more or less common in other areas, Worcester County farmers in particular have stated they have definitely been made acutely aware of the decreasing number of hunters in our area by the equally increasing deer population overwhelming their land.
Where are the hunters?
We are left to wonder why there aren’t as many hunters as there once was. Generations ago, fathers passed on the art of hunting and outdoor sports skills to their sons and daughters. There now seems to be fewer interested in hunting since the late 20th century.
“It’s a downward trend over the last 20 years,” said Bob Beyer, then deputy director of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Division, “which gets almost 70 percent of its budget from hunting license sales”.
The statement continues: “The state sold 195,000 hunting licenses in 1975, but in 1998 the number dropped to 135,000. Estimated revenues from license sales fell about 16 percent from 1988 to 1999, Beyer said, meaning less money for program management and wildlife research and fewer employees doing fieldwork.”
These statistics indicate a loss of interest in hunting. Farmers are not limited to a specific time of year (or a certain season) to hunt deer on their own land. The farmers are therefore allowed to attempt to control the local deer population. Regardless, the chore of exterminating so many deer is daunting to say the least.
However, Mr. Brian Eyler, Deer Project Leader, Wildlife & Heritage Service of the Department of Natural Resources, reported on August 2, 2018: “The big drop in license sales was associated with the loss of small game hunters when pheasant and quail numbers dwindled.” Mr. Eyler further states since that time the “hunting license sales have been steady.”
Because of the lack of hunters in our region, while the number of licenses have been steady since 2009, the deer population has increased.
Lend a hand to your local farmer
This is a perfect example of an outside influence that can cause monetary loss to your property and/or income. Overpopulation of deer can cause hardship, not only to the farmer but ultimately to the economy as well.
For any hunters still out there, you may want to ask local farmers if you could help with their four-legged invaders. It would:
Provide income to the state programs associated with the safety of deer populations.
Help stabilize the cost of farm products.
Although there are many different scenarios of outside sources wishing to encroach on our property, herds of deer seem to be some of the most damaging and elusive for farmers.
Joanna Laslo’s real estate blog can be found here.
It was a beautiful summer day… And it was time for me to finally try out the 360 camera.
I figured I’d go around to some of the more well-known hotels in Ocean City and take panoramic photos from their pools, pool bars, balconies and beaches, because 1.) Who doesn’t like pool bars and beaches? and 2.) In case someone’s having any trouble deciding on a late-summer lodging option, this could very well seal the deal.
So enjoy a virtual tour of these Ocean City hotels as they appeared on the first day of August, and if you have any requests… Just let me know and I’ll head out there with my super-cool 360 camera.
Enjoying the view of the Inlet from the Oceanic Motel.
(Aaand another one from the Oceanic, because this POV makes you feel like you’re sitting in a beach chair looking out at the ocean!)
Listening to live music and drinking something fruity at the Plim Plaza Caribbean Pool Bar.
The Bar. Just “The Bar.” You have probably seen this place and walked by it many times. Another subtle hole-in-the-wall drinking establishment. And it is. Like a handful of other spots downtown, this dive also has a good bit of historical significance. Opened in 1945, “The Inlet Lodge” otherwise known as “The Bar,” or “The Bar at the Inlet,” is the first bar to ever have been erected on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Across the way from the Life Saving Station, and right by the entrance of the Inlet Village, this bar blends in seamlessly.
For three quarters of a century, this bar has been owned and operated by the legendary Trimper family, making it all the more special. During my visit, a Trimper boy was my bartender. I have been visiting this spot for about a year now and I have yet to be disappointed. You get what you pay for at The Bar as wood-paneled walls frame your drinking experience while you sit in a piece of Ocean City History. Considering the Trimpers’ main hustle is their amusement park, this bar has the invaluable advantage of simply not being yet another piece of a hyper-marketed chain restaurant operation. Even when the Bar is fully packed, the staff will make the time for you.
A local beer at a local bar.
As if it’s not enough to be an almost century-old bar owned by the Trimpers, but they have an incredible craft beer selection! Not just craft beer, but local craft beer. When I was in, the beers on tap hailed from Burley Oak (Berlin), Fin City (Ocean City), Evo (Salisbury) and Tall Tales (Parsonsburg). Pictured above, if I recall correctly, is actually Evo’s famous Lot 3 served in a Burley Oak glass. This kind of local beer in this kind of local bar is a moment to savor (especially considering that Lot 3 is my favorite IPA). As I have been told, and as I have observed, the Trimpers regularly rotate this menu and prioritize local brews.
Drinking at the Bar, one can almost believe that they are a piece of Ocean City history, and their understanding of our beautiful town is no longer limited to a juicy bucket of fries, mind-numbing traffic, and the Eastern Shore horizon that is the Atlantic Ocean. Combining the boardwalk experience with local beer and a historic atmosphere is tragically hard to come by in this region — so consider The Bar your one-stop shop.
Bill Tracy’s Bat.
Everyone knows this bat. So what does it have to do with the Inlet Lodge? With the exception of the obvious, that it’s the crown jewel of Trimper’s Amusements, this ride was designed by Bill Tracy. If you don’t know who Bill Tracy is, OCHH.net or this article will be happy to inform you. According to boardwalk legend, the Inlet Lodge is where Mr. Tracy would go to drink at the end of his work day building these iconic rides.
Need I say more? I am sure you all understand why the Inlet Lodge is the featured bar in our second episode of BL’s Barhop.
Everyone should wear sunscreen, but we’ve all had a day where we end up with red, tender skin—the result of overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light. In short, a sunburn.
But you don’t have to suffer through it. Here are a few tips for treating this painful skin condition.
Get indoors
A sunburn usually shows up in the first 6 to 12 hours after exposure, and the worst part of it will probably be within the first 24 hours. Take extra care to stay out of the sun, and wear loose cotton clothing as your skin recovers, and drink plenty of water.
Give your skin some TLC
To relieve your discomfort, try putting a cold, damp towel on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day to take the heat out of your skin. Cool showers or baths are also helpful.
As for a soothing lotion, use moisturizers with aloe vera or soy. Creams with vitamins C and E may help limit skin cell damage, and cortisone creams may reduce inflammation. But make sure your lotion doesn’t have petroleum, which traps heat in your skin, or benzocaine or lidocaine, which can irritate skin.
Take a pain reliever
If your sunburn really hurts, try taking some ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help relieve the pain. However, don’t give aspirin to a child with sunburn, and check with your doctor if you have any concern about the effects of a medication.
Call the doctor
If you or your child gets blisters or has a fever, chills, headache or dizziness, seek medical attention. A severe sunburn should be treated like any serious burn and could require hospitalization. Also, blisters sometimes get infected and require antibiotics.
Know the risks
It’s important to remember that sunlamps can cause severe sunburn. And the sun’s reflection off water, sand or snow can make its rays stronger. Some medicines, like the antibiotic doxycycline, and medical conditions, like lupus, can make your skin even more sensitive.
And finally, the best tip: Don’t let sunburn happen again. Keep in mind that no matter how dark your skin is, anyone can get a sunburn. But those with fair skin, as well as infants and children, are more sensitive to the sun’s rays.
Want more tips to prevent sunburn? Check out the advice in this infographic.
It has been nearly a decade since the 65th Street Slide ‘N Ride witnessed its last smile or heard its last laugh after closing its doors for good in September of 2008. Originally opening for the summer of 1972, the mid-town water slide was believed to be the oldest slide in the state of Maryland at the time of its closing. After 36 years of operating the business complete with the iconic hilltop water slide, miniature golf course, water boats, batting cage, basketball court, and ample rides and amusements for children, the owner had decided to turn in the keys and enjoy retirement. Most of the equipment on the land was sold privately, and during its final few days in existence, the property was merely the shell of what it once was. Take a look back to September of 2008 during this memorable and iconic OC landmark’s final days.
65th Street Slide ‘N Ride was located three blocks north of Rt. 90, a half-block off of Coastal Highway behind the 64th Street Shopping Center, and only a stone’s throw away from Ocean Playland Amusement Park. (Early 1980s)One of many maps made available to visitors exploring the grounds.Vintage photo of families enjoying the sights and sounds of the park.The park’s sign as seen from Coastal Highway, originally belonging to Ocean Playland Amusement Park and later repurposed for the Slide ‘N Ride.The park’s three iconic blue water slides nestled into the hillside. Slides included the Kiddie Slide, Sui-Slide, and Katie Slide.One of many small splash pools around the park.Changing rooms and another view of the hill.Remnants of what was once a thriving fleet of 19 bumper boats.Another group of kiddie boats. Children between the ages of 2 and 7 were permitted on these.Although miniature golf was once a mainstay, it now sits quietly waiting to be hauled in to storage.Additional holes of the nautical-themed course.Children would often be seen playing in the course’s center gazebo.A children’s basketball court sits abandoned. Back then, the park coined this activity “Bank Shot Basketball.”In the distance remains the skeleton of a batting cage. The park had five cages operating at one point.Pieces of the landscape are piled high ready to be taken to the dump.An eerie reminder of some of the park’s once-great features.Closed for good.One of many amusements available back then.As the water tower watches over the abandoned hill, we say our final goodbyes. In due time, the site would be demolished and turned into a parking and storage lot for the city.
