33.8 F
Ocean City

Shacking up at Shotti’s Point

Welcome to Ocean City! Now get out. 

That’s not exactly how an Ocean City newcomer might feel when they step foot into Shotti’s Point, but one might want to keep in mind that this is definitely a locals-oriented joint. Even in the early afternoon on a Thursday in late January, the bar was lined with couples, friends and local brewers, all obviously natives to the region. 

Shotti's Point sign
Shotti’s Point now occupies the space next to K-Coast on 35th Street.

That “Welcome to Ocean City!” sentiment is spelled out on a sign behind the bar that also features the iconic Misfits skull. While Shotti’s bears no relation to its neighbor K-Coast–there’s a door connecting the two businesses from the inside, but that’s always been there no matter what restaurant currently occupies the space–it does seem like a place where the local surfers/skaters/homebrewers/punks would hang out (are there punks in Ocean City though, or just Stephen Decatur students?). The interior decoration gives off that vibe, and so did the wide-ranging playlist that Thursday, which jumped from Irish folk music to Johnny Cash to Fugazi within, like, 10 minutes. 

Inside Shotti's Point
And then there’s this guy.

Where Baltimore and Ocean City collide 

“We’re originally from Baltimore, but the owner spent a lot of time in Ocean City so he wanted to open a place here, too,” one server explained. The atmosphere is very much a collaboration of Baltimore and Ocean City, which makes sense based on the description on their website: “After many extensive surf trips around the world, [owner Mike Shott] has now returned to go after his lifelong dream of owning and operating his own bar, creating a menu of dishes with his own spin, and keeping true to a locals spot where Ocean City and Baltimore come together.” 

That collaboration of cities is especially evident in the bar’s craft beer selection. They carry Union Craft Brewing of Baltimore’s Rye-Baby IPA, which features a very iconic and very Baltimore Cry Baby-era Johnny Depp on the label, but they also carry Mispillion River, Fin City and Burley Oak, among other well-known local names. In fact, three Burley Oak employees stopped in for a quick pint on that Thursday afternoon. 

Shotti's beer
Local beers on tap and in the fridge.

But their menu is where Shotti’s Point really gets interesting. Available at their Baltimore location are “Fells Point” mussels and “The Raven” sandwich, while “Eastern Shore” shrimp and Tsunami Tacos are available at both restaurants (you can get an “E.A. Poe” sandwich in Ocean City, too). Among the Baltimore and seascape titles are references to punk/alt music (“We Are 138” wings, “Rock the Casbah” sandwich, “Surfer Rosa” and “Beat on the Brat” tacos) and the “Fascist Pig” crafted sandwich is probably a reference to, well–some fascist presiding over a country far, far away.

Duck and lamb are both included on the menu, but what Shotti’s is most famous for is their Rhino Chasers: hand-cut fries seasoned with sea salt, rosemary, thyme, garlic, Parmesan, balsamic glaze and white truffle aioli. But, as one server put it, everything on the menu is good and what’s really the “best” is hard to say. For someone in a more experimental mood, the Duck Dive tacos are made up of seared duck breast, jalapeno slaw, almond-Craisin brittle and a wasabi aioli and they are spicy. For those craving comfort food, the Uncle Leo is a roast beef sandwich with muenster cheese and jalapeno slaw and Tiger Sauce on grilled marble rye. There’s something to suit any local’s mood at Shotti’s, and probably even any tourist’s, too. 

Rhino Fries
Tower of Rhino Fries. 

Summer photos from the vault

0

I know, I know–we do this every January. Sometimes in December and February, too. But those are always the most difficult months to get through. At least in March the sun starts to shine just a little bit brighter (it comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, after all), and then we’ve got the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to keep us optimistic and happy, with a little help of Irish Guinness. Until then, though, we’ve got nothing but pictures from summers past to keep us looking forward to a warmer, beach-ier future. 

The summer photo vault has officially been opened. Feel free to enjoy these pictures until you have an actual summer landscape before your eyes to enjoy, and feel free to share your own favorite pictures with us, too. Only 127 more days until June 21! 

The beach

Ocean City Beach Patrol
The Ocean City Beach Patrol is currently in hibernation mode, but here’s a picture of the crew of 2014.
Now THAT’S a crowded beach.
A hazy summer day. 
Scopes guy
One of our favorite Scopes guys, who we interviewed last summer while he worked on the beach.
Bean bag races
Kids racing on a summer evening at one of 2017’s weekly Family Beach Olympics. 

The boardwalk

Like the beach, the boardwalk can get pretty crowded!
Biking and skateboarding the boards. 
Thrasher's French Fries
You know it’s summer on the boardwalk when you’ve got a big bucket of Thrasher’s fries in front of you. 
Inside the arcade
Boardwalkers enjoy the air conditioned arcade on a hot summer day.
Aaand, of course, the rides!

Out & about

Going to catch some waves off Assateague’s beach. 
Wild ponies soaking up the sun. Their coats grow thicker in the winter, but here they’re fine in the sunshine.
Jet ski fun!
Kids and adults alike having fun at the annual Peach Festival in Berlin, MD. 
Boaters headed out for the evening.

Fighting to be the Best of Ocean City: Bars Edition

0

In case you missed it, the annual Best of Ocean City voting is well underway. Over the rest of the year, we’ll be picking out some of out favorite races and asking you whether it is fair. If it isn’t, feel free to vote until you believe that right has prevailed. This week, we look at some of the bar categories, but, as always, you can vote for any or all of the categories here.

And check out what restaurants are currently in first place here

Results as of January 22, 2018

people at Seacrets
Seacrets has always been a Best Of darling, but will that hold true for 2018? You decide!

Coconut’s has the best happy hour, for now

Coconut’s Bar and Grill has the best Happy Hour, followed by Mother’s Cantina, with the Original Greene Turtle a distant third and the rest of the competition in shouting distance only. Bad Monkey is currently, by far, the most popular write-in. 

2017’s winner? Coconut’s, go figure.

Pickles Pub leads the league in Sports Bars

Pickles Pub is leaving its competition in the dust this year with a whopping 41% of the votes for Best Sports Bar. Behind it, though not too closely, The Original Greene Turtle and Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon are neck and neck. 

2017’s winner? Pickles. 

Good luck getting a seat at Pickles when there’s a big game on!

Fish Tales leads the Best Bar Overall Battle

The usual suspects are vying for Best Bar Overall honors with Fish Tales glancing over its shoulder to see Seacrets in hot pursuit. MR Ducks and De Lazy Lizard also remain in striking distance and there is a nascent write in campaign for the Cork Bar which, should it get momentum, could really shake things up in this most coveted category.

2017’s winner? Seacrets.

Neck and Neck and heads above for Best Drink

Fish Tales and Harborside Bar & Grill are pretty much neck and neck in this, although Seacrets is just a few votes beneath Harborside. The Crabcake Factory, which is a fan favorite for its famous Bloody Marys alone, hasn’t risen to the challenge and is in the bottom two, sharing that spot with Longboard Cafe. Bad Monkey and Cork Bar seem to be the most popular write-ins this year in a number of Best Bar categories.

This article was updated 1/22/18 –ed.

Valentine’s Weekend getaways

If you’ve got the Valentine’s weekend off, or are waiting to make sure the weather won’t fail you, don’t worry–there are plenty of places to stay in Ocean City for Valentine’s Day. Many of the hotels have getaway packages that include dinner and other Valentine’s Weekend-themed amenities. One of the best things about celebrating the holiday in Ocean City is that, since it is the off-season, last-minute reservations are welcome. Plus, given that it is a double-holiday (President’s Day is Monday) there are even better opportunities to tack on an extra day and make a three-day romantic weekend of it. Below are some of our favorite Valentine’s Weekend getaways in Ocean City.

Boardwalk Hotel Group: Valentine’s Day Package

Deals/Packages | Ocean City Boardwalk Hotels | MD Boardwalk Hotel Group

Packages include: * Hotel room and tax * $80 in meal vouchers * Flowers, box of chocolates, and bottle of wine in room upon arrival 2 night package Feb. 9-11 is $249.00 total 3 night package Feb. 8-11 is $309.00 total Valid I.D. is required upon check-in

Clarion Resort: Romantic Getaway 

Romantic Getaway | Oceanfront Hotel Ocean City MD Clarion Resort Fontainebleau

Package Includes: 2 nights’ deluxe oceanview accommodations Choice of champagne or sparkling water Sweet treat and single rose $100 meal credit per room (valid at any of our food and beverage outlets) All rates are per person, based on double … Continue reading →

Dunes Manor: Paint the Town Red Valentine’s Dinner & Dance

Ocean City Maryland Hotel Specials – Ocean City MD Hotel Deals

Explore our hotel deals to enjoy everything Ocean City has to offer at more affordable rates.

Grand Hotel & Spa: Valentine’s Getaway and more

Vacation Packages for Ocean City, Maryland | Grand Hotel & Spa

The Grand Hotel & Spa welcomes you to enjoy our convenient services and contemporary accommodations at affordable rates by taking advantage of our hotel specials, vacation packages and current deals. Whether you’re traveling to Maryland for a family vacation, a weekend escape or if you are traveling here on business, we have a deal, package or special that will meet your travel needs and budget.

This page was updated 1/22/18 –ed. 

Real Estate Sales: 2017 Year in Review

0

Properties sold in Worcester County

 Single Family Homes

959 Single Family Homes traded hands.  The sold prices ranged from $8,000 to $2,300,000.

Statistics show the total volume of sales completed in 2017 totaled $274,645,811 in the county.  Average sold price was $286,388.  Most notably, these properties were only on the market for an average of 121 DOM (days on the market).   That being said, there were some properties that were active on the market for 2,136 days!  Surprisingly, only one of the single family homes that sold in the higher price bracket (over $900,000) sat on the market longer than 314 days.

Towhouses/condos

There were 1,304 condos and townhouses sold.  Prices ranged from $61,000 to $1,550,000 with a total price for condo (or townhouse) properties listed in 2017 of $360,616,606.  The average sold price for the condos and townhomes proved to be $276,546.  The average DOM was 167 with the greatest DOM being 1.903.  Interestingly, again, only one of the higher priced properties was on the market longer than 550 with at least four of the properties selling between 0 and 11 DOM!

Farms

One farm also changed owners in 2017.  The farm consisted of 28.22 acres.  The farm was listed for $450,000 and sold for $400,000 with only 66 DOM.

Unimproved Land

There was a total of $21,231,200 in unimproved land available in 2017.  139 parcels of land were sold.   Prices ranged between $5,000 for 1.01 acres and $2,250,000 for 39.672 acres.  The average sale price was $152,742 and an average of 481 DOM.

Image result for graph of prime interest rates in maryland 2017

Market prediction

On December 13, 2017 the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) voted to increase Fed Fund rates from 1.00%-1.25% to 1.25%-1.50%.  This vote brought the United States prime interest rates to 4.50% effective December 14, 2017.  http://www.fedprimerate.com/

Further, Reuters states there will be three additional rate increases in 2018 and 2019 www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fed/fed-raises-interest-rates-keeps-2018-policy-outlook-unchanged-idUSKBN1E70IX

Buyers who are considering a real estate purchase may be motivated by the upcoming increases in interest rates.  Their buying power is possibly reduced by each such increase.  Therefore it follows to reason, Sellers that are thinking of selling may want to take the rate increase into account as well.  Often those rate hikes also limit the number of buyers.  Therefore, I predict an exceptionally strong market for the first half of 2018.

Please feel free to contact us for a free market analysis of your home, or a list of available properties for sale. www.oceancitybeachproperties.com

Commissioners recognize staff for service during snow storm

0

At their January 16, 2018 meeting, the Commissioners extended their sincere appreciation to County employees involved in snow removal to clear County roads and properties of ice and snow during the recent winter storm. Those in attendance at the meeting included Public Works Deputy Director John Ross (front row from left), and Emergency Services Director Fred Webster; Roads Supervisor Keith Berdan (second row, from left), Roads Superintendent Frank Adkins, Solid Waste Superintendent Mike Mitchell, Maintenance Superintendent Ken Whited, Maintenance Supervisor Michael Hutchinson,  Emergency Services Assistant Director James Hamilton; and Commissioners Jim Bunting (third row, from left), Chip Bertino, Merrill Lockfaw, Diana Purnell, Ted Elder, Bud Church, and Joe Mitrecic.

Ocean City gets its first craft beer challenge

We usually delegate news relating to craft beer challenges and trails to our sister site Shore Craft Beer, but this piece directly relates to Ocean City. In fact, Shore Craft Beer teamed up with the Town of Ocean City to create the first craft beer challenge on the Shore Craft Beer app not just for OC, but for any destination. And it’s really fun. 

Here’s what the OCraft challenge entails.

  1. You stay at least one night at a participating hotel.
  2. You visit at least five participating restaurants, bars or breweries that serve or cook with craft beer. 
  3. You earn an exclusive prize from the Town of Ocean City.

The challenge, which was officially launched on Wednesday, might seem a little intimidating at first but five restaurants/bars/breweries isn’t really all that much. The challenge is available year-round, but this FeBREWary will be the perfect time of year for anyone who wants to try it out. Think about it: you want to go on vacation in the winter, but you don’t really know what all there is to do here in the off-season. 

We’ve tried to debunk the myth that there’s nothing to do here in the winter plenty of times before, but here’s just one more item to add to the list. Try some of the local craft beer that the Shore has to offer, and win a prize while you’re at it. 

Here’s a little video I put together with an abridged guide to using the app and taking the challenge. 

 

Here are the participating locations.

OCraft shore craft beer challenge
Just check into your location by writing what beer you had and taking a selfie with it. Or if selfies aren’t you thing, you can just photograph the beer.

Of course, you could just download the app on iTunes or Google Play, but if you don’t want to do that just yet, here are some of the places you might stop at to complete the challenge.

Participating hotels: Best Western Hotel & Suites, Clarion Resort, Comfort Inn Gold Coast, Comfort Suites, Commander Hotel, Days Inn Oceanfront, Dunes Manor, Flamingo Motel, Grand Hotel & Spa, Hilton Suites Oceanfront, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Holiday Inn Oceanfront, Howard Johnson Inn, Ocean 1 Hotel & Suites, Oceanic Motel, Park Place Hotel, Quality Inn Boardwalk, Quality Inn Oceanfront, Sea Bay Hotel

Participating restaurants/bars/breweries: 28th Street Pit & Pub, The Angler, Anthony’s Liquors, Backshore Brewing, Breakers Pub, Captain’s Table, The Greene Turtle, Harpoon Hanna’s, Horizons, Late Nite Liquors, Lenny’s Beach Bar and Grill, Longboard Cafe, Macky’s, Seacrets, Skye Bar, Victorian Room, Zippy Lewis Lounge

Check out the town’s site OCOcean for additional information. 

My Place in OC

1

Memories from vacations past

Leaving Ocean City at the end of my vacations has always been heartbreaking for me. As a child I spent many a  summer in Ocean City enjoying the beach, boardwalk and rides with family and friends. In those days the high rise condominiums did not yet exist and my family stayed in cottages in West Ocean City. I cannot remember the name of those cottages that sat at the corner of Golf Course Road and Route 50, but my family affectionately called them ‘Hotel Debunk.’ In later years we moved down Golf Course Road to Fisher’s Harbor Court cottages to be closer to the marina. My father and the men would leave early to go fishing while us kids slept late into the morning. When the men returned with their catch we would all drive into the beach, hating if the draw bridge went up and cost us precious beach time.

The Catch of the Day at Shanty Town.

The men fished along the bay and harbor where Shanty Town once sat. I have fond memories of watching July 4th fireworks from West Ocean City across the bay, the ferris wheel and rides a backdrop to the fireworks. Some evenings we would drive back into town to a restaurant or the boardwalk. Other evenings we would enjoy dinner and shopping at Shanty Town.

Staying in West Ocean City always made me feel like I lived there and began my dream of someday owning my own place. It would be many years before that dream became at least a partial reality.

As staying at a place with a pool and on the beach became more important my family “moved” from those West Ocean City cottages into Ocean City staying at various hotels including the old Westward Ho with its bay side pool, the Shangri La (the green and yellow place my mother called it) and the Sea Hawk in north Ocean City or renting various condos.

Making the move

As an adult I moved north to Rehoboth Beach, renting a mobile home from a friend, and again I was back to making the drive into the beach and boardwalk.  Although Rehoboth was somewhat more quiet I missed Ocean City. When my friend decided to sell the mobile home I was offered the option to purchase it but being far from the beach and ground rent precluded me from that purchase, yet the dream remained alive.

It was one day when I was doing a random internet search on properties I came across the website of Ketch Real Estate, a business specializing in timeshare resales. I knew nothing about timeshares, never thought it made any sense and had no idea Ocean City had any timeshare condos. I was intrigued enough to give Rob Sauer of Ketch Real Estate a call.

A place of my own (at least part-time)

My main objective was to own my own place in Ocean City. What I learned is through timesharing I could make this happen and I could be right in Ocean City, even on the ocean if I chose. Buying a timeshare for me has been a wonderful experience. I now own at Club Ocean Villas II on 120th Street. By owning, I have the same condo every year at the same time each year. As an owner I can bring my dog, something I was never able to do when renting. My timeshare condo features a fenced yard, deck, a private hot tub (all mine!) and plenty room for my dog to happily spend outside. I also enjoy amenities like a heated indoor pool, outdoor pool, tennis and racquetball courts, and boat slips. Yes, I do have to pay a yearly maintenance fee, but there are expenses with any property owned.

For me, timesharing combines ownership with apartment-like features. My maintenance fee includes all taxes, insurance, water, phone, grass cutting, snow removal, repair/replacement of appliances and furnishings at no extra cost to me, and is about half of what I was paying to rent a condo for a week.  On-site management by Defender Resorts provides peace of mind that my property is being looked after when I’m not there.

In today’s market, resale timeshares are available at very affordable prices across all seasons. Ocean City has many timeshare communities located anywhere from on the boardwalk, oceanfront, ocean block and bayside. For anyone who loves Ocean City as much as I do and is looking to own rather than continue renting, I find that timesharing is the way to go.

Today I own two timeshare condos at Club Ocean Villas II in North Ocean City, far from West Ocean City and  the action of the boardwalk.  I never thought I’d enjoy being bayside, but walking my dog  at sunset as the sun sinks into the water, its reflection reaching from the horizon to where I am standing, sparkling and playing on the water,  turning the sky shades of gold, pink and mauve is a dream come true.

Summer sunrises over Ocean City

0

While we are in the bitter cold winter days of January, we can’t help but day dream about summer days laying on the beach, soaking up the warm sunshine.

The best way to start those summer days is by waking up early to watch the sunrise.

While sunrises are beautiful no matter where you are, there is something particularly breathtaking about Ocean City sunrises.

 

 

130 days until the unofficial start of summer! But hey, who’s counting?

Ocean City Oddities: The Genie is Out of the Bottle

0

After over four decades, the giant genie down at Trimper’s Rides and Amusements has finally been let out of the bottle. One of the park’s iconic funhouses – Aladdin’s Lamp (Salem Aleikum) – has been permanently retired. The decision was made due to increased costs to maintain and reduced ridership.

Aladdin’s Lamp as it appeared in the 1980’s.

For generations, the colorful Arabian Nights-themed funhouse stood tall in the back of Trimper’s Rides and Amusements while the iconic genie bowed his head from his seat atop the ride’s entrance. The attraction first appeared at Trimper’s Rides in the mid-1970’s and is often remembered for its unique floor challenges, ramps, spinning tunnels, mazes, and psychedelic rooms–not to mention the darkness. Riders were not allowed on the attraction with open-toed shoes as a safety precaution, and visitors would have the option of walking through the “chicken exit” if they were apprehensive about their balance capabilities in the spinning tunnel. The attraction’s roof, made of canvas, provided a memorable smell that visitors would look forward to year-after-year.  Now, all of these experiences will be relived only in our memories.

Aladdin’s Lamp as it appeared in summer 1996.

The Salem Aleikum funhouse series was the brainchild of German amusement designer Willi Schafer and the Aladdin’s Lamp attraction made its debut in 1972 at a carnival in Cologne, Germany. Many identified Schafer as being an amusement industry leader who had many brilliant ideas and designs. An advertisement from 1971 depicts the new Salem Aleikum as featuring “many amusement effects under one roof,” which indeed it did. Its massive facade was one to behold with a front that measured 90’ wide, 39’ deep, and 42’ tall. Schafer would go on to design additional attractions while a French amusement company called Reverchon would begin manufacturing and selling his designs.  Coincidentally, Reverchon was also the manufacturer of Trimper’s Himalaya ride, which is still in operation today right next to where Aladdin’s Lamp once stood.  Before long, a Swiss showman named Edy Meier would premier a Salem Aleikum attraction in the United States on Casino Pier of Seaside Heights, NJ. Supposedly, that attraction was lost in 1976 due to storm damage from Hurricane Belle. Information about the origin of Trimper’s Aladdin’s Lamp remains largely a mystery, although it’s certain that Granville Trimper negotiated its acquisition.

Tom Lokey of Baltimore, who worked at Trimper’s Rides back then and ran the Wild Mouse roller coaster at the time, remembers helping to unload sea containers from France which transported the attraction in the mid 1970’s. In fact, he chipped a tooth that day when a piece of the ride went astray, and he still has that chip to this day. Despite the ride being only a few years old when it landed permanently at Trimper’s, it’s likely that it briefly traveled the carnival circuit in Germany before it arrived in the United States.

Aladdin’s Lamp after it was condensed in 2013.

The attraction’s most recent overhaul was in 2013 when its footprint was reduced by nearly half to allow room for other attractions nearby. Despite a new floor plan and layout, the Trimpers managed to retain all of the original floor traps and stunts and incorporate them into the new design. Routine refurbishment and painting of the exterior and interior took place every few years during the off-season to keep the attraction in tiptop shape.

According to a source in the Trimper family, a few of the park’s rides will be shuffled around this year and the area will become home to several other exciting attractions. For now, the attraction has been dismantled and will be stored at a warehouse location while the family retains ownership (it’s not for sale). It’s fascinating to note that the sister attraction to Aladdin’s Lamp, Grand Orient, is still in operation at Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach, ME, according to the park’s website.

Grand Orient, sister attraction to Aladdin’s Lamp, as it appeared several years ago at Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach, ME. Courtesy of dafe.org.

Contributions made by Monica Thrash. 

Annual Komen Maryland Ocean City Race for the Cure on April 14

0

OCEAN CITY, MD – Susan G. Komen® has announced that the 7th Annual Ocean City Race for the Cure will be held on April 14, 2018 on Ocean City’s iconic boardwalk beginning at the inlet. Registration and fundraising for the event is now open. Since its inception in 2012, Race for the Cure is the largest charitable 5k at the OC beach.

Data show that Maryland’s Eastern Shore has steep inequities in breast cancer incidence and mortality rates, especially among minority populations. Through fundraising events like the Race, Komen Maryland is working to close the gap in these disparities and has invested nearly $5 million into Eastern Shore programs that provide access to screening, treatment, and support for those who have been impacted by the disease. Komen Maryland has a long history of supporting breast health programs that serve Eastern Shore residents, and currently provides funding to the Wicomico County Health Department, Maintaining Active Citizens, and Moveable Feast.

“Komen Maryland is proud of our achievements over the last 35 years, but there are still many lives to save, both on the Eastern Shore and across the nation.” says Michael Jessup, executive director of Komen Maryland. “Our call to action is ‘Be More Than Pink.’ To make a difference and end this disease, we invite the community to come together and get involved by volunteering, donating, and fundraising.”

“Our program is based in Wicomico County, but we serve hundreds of people from across the region through our Living Well with Breast Cancer program,” says Leigh Ann Eagle, executive director of the Living Well Center of Excellence for MAC, a Komen Maryland-funded program. “The education and resources we provide to women and men whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer is invaluable to our community. We could not do this work without support from Komen Maryland.”

Race for the Cure is a 5k recreational run/walk. The Race Village will open at 7:30am for registration, packet pick-up and a pre-Race warm-up. The Race begins at 9 am at the for both runners and walkers. The course goes up the Boardwalk to 18th Street, turns around and continues back to the inlet. After the Race, there will be a beer garden, and a Survivor Parade and dance party.

To register, donate,  volunteer or for more information about the Ocean City Race for the Cure , please visit www.komenmd.org/oceancity.

24th annual Penguin Swim: We braved the cold!

Berlin, Md. – With a forecast of freezing cold temperatures on New Years’ Day, AGH associates, volunteers, and participants were not sure what to expect for the 2018 Penguin Swim. However, the event proved to be successful yet again, with the participation of more than 400 penguins.

“This was by far the coldest weather in the 24-year history of our Annual Penguin Swim,” said Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital, and also an annual participant. “It’s a great event that brings together our community and visitors to have fun doing something a little silly and unique, as well as help one of the most important assets in our community.”

With a temperature below freezing and a wind-chill that made it feel as though it was six degrees on the beach, unique is definitely one way to describe this year’s swim.

The success of the event is due, in great part, to Penguin Swim co-chairs Michael Cylc and Phillip Cheung, who devoted a great deal of their time and energy leading up to New Year’s Day. The support of the communities and resort visitors Atlantic General Hospital serves, as well as the many volunteers and AGH/HS associates, also played a large role in the event’s success, despite the frigid temperatures.

This year’s crowd not only braved the cold, but did it decked out in costumes as though it were a 70-degree, summer day. Not all arrived as penguins; an octopus, an assortment of superheroes, mermaids, Fred Flintstone, and many others were also present.

The 2018 Penguin Swim has raised a gross amount of $98,000 for the not-for-profit hospital, but that number may increase as final donations make their way to the AGH Foundation. Additionally, more than $20,000 worth of in-kind goods and services contributed to the event’s success.

The notables from the event:

Top fundraisers

Team – Business Category

  1. Bull on the Beach (Ocean City, Md.), $35,000*
  2. AGH Poppin’ Penguins (Berlin, Md.), $3,080
  3. Blazing Suns (Ocean City, Md.), $1,000

*The Bull on the Beach team has contributed more than $500,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim since it started in 1994.

Team – Community Groups Category

  1. Ocean City Ravens Roost #44 (Ocean City, Md.), $13,602*
  2. It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere (Port Jefferson, Ny.), $1,765
  3. O’Jettskis (Ocean City, Md.), $275

*The Ravens Roost team has contributed more than $95,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim over the last ten years.

Team – Youth/Family

  1. Psychedelic Penguins (Ocean City, Md.), $900
  2. Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins (Jersey City, Nj.), $675
  3. Team Cylc (Snow Hill, Md.), $315

Individual – Adult

  1. Craig Kettler (Leesburg, Va.), $3,825*
  2. Arleen Dinneen (Ellicott City, Md.), $815
  3. Samantha Ewancio (Berlin, Md.), $625

*Craig Kettler and family have contributed more than $35,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim since 2010.

Individual – 18 & Under Division

  1. Max Ewancio, (Berlin, Md.), $725
  2. Ben Kettler, (Leesburg, Va.), $500
  3. TIE: Nicholas Gordon (Berlin, Md.), $100 & Leila Attia (Fallston, MD), $100

Costume contest

  • Best Overall Costume – “Rub-A-Dub-Dub-A-Man-In-A-Tub” Mike Schlegel from It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere, Breinigsville, Pa.
  • Most Spirited – “Pittsburgh Penguin Bobble head” Lance Bucheit from Hileman Ice Penguins, Bishopville, Md.
  • Most Creative – “Octopus,” Debbie Murosky, Pittson, Pa.
  • Best Little Penguin – “Army Sergeant,” Tristan Lorditch, Lancaster, Pa.
  • Team/Group Costume – “Candy Kitchen Girls” McKenna, Sienna & Keera from It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere, Breinigsville, Pa.

Prizes were also awarded for the youngest and oldest swimmers:

  • Youngest Penguin: Grant Kesler (Vienna, Va.) (4 years, 11 months and 3 days old)
  • Oldest Penguin: Paul Neal (Selbyville, De.) (76 years and 2 days young)

Special thanks to the AGH Penguin Swim sponsors, including Bull on the Beach/Crab Alley, WBOC, Above Aerial, AGH Auxiliary, D3, Princess Royale, Hardwire LLC, WRDE TV, Blue Water Development Corp., ACE Printing & Mailing, Chris Parypa Photography, Direct Media USA, Clear Channel Outdoor, Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company, OC Wasabi, Dough Roller Restaurants, Trond’s Pool Care, Erik Cantine, Earl Cantine, Ocean Downs Casino, Fisher’s Popcorn of Delaware, The Kite Loft, The Original Greene Turtle, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Red Sun Custom Apparel, Delmarva Media Group, Wilmington University, Coffee Beanery 94th Street Ocean City, The Bank of Delmarva, Guerrieri Family Foundation, Delmarva Collections, Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley, Atlantic Dental Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Gismondi Insurance Associates, Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Sportland, Funcade, OC Seacrets, Canvas Experts, Inc., Island Creamery Berlin, The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Dolle’s Candyland, Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Ladies Auxiliary, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen, Planet Maze & Lasertron, Old Pro Golf, Coastal Tented Events, Impact Home Technology, The Bonfire Restaurant, Lollipop and Company, Long & Foster – Tom D’Ambrogi, and Edward Jones – Max Hutsell.

Photos from Winter Storm Grayson

0

Life in Ocean City, Maryland — and most of the East Coast, for that matter — came to a sudden halt on the night of Wednesday, Jan. 3, when the blizzard began. The blizzard, which The Weather Channel named Grayson, was more than your run-of-the-mill snowstorm: it was a bombogenesis. The “bomb cyclone” left many businesses closed, roads out of commission and residents stuck in their homes well into the weekend. We’ve gotten snowstorms before — in fact, we had our first big snowstorm of 2017 during this same week last year — but the heavy winds, snow drift and single-digit temperatures that followed Grayson have already propelled this blizzard into infamy. 

But as always, even as the temperatures creeped dangerously close to sub-zero, a winter storm makes for a beautiful scene in Ocean City. Photos of the snowy beach and boardwalk are still being shared all over social media, and we’ve certainly posted many of our own. Check out some of our favorite pictures below, as well as some of the great photos you’ve shared with us over the past few days. And a word to the wise for all photographers out there: invest in some camera-friendly gloves. Your frozen fingers will thank you. 

Check out our pictures from Delaware’s snow-covered beaches here

Our photos

Snow boardwalk benches
Snow almost completely buries some of the benches on the boardwalk. Photo by Anne Neely.
Snow on boardwalk
Don’t let the clear sky fool you, it’s cold out there. Photo by Anne Neely.
Snowy beach
Where the sand meets the snow. Photo by Anne Neely.
Snowy beach sunset
A Sunday evening sunset on the beach. Photo by Kristin Helf.
Snow beach sunset
A Sunday evening sunset on the beach. Photo by Kristin Helf.
Snow beach sunset
Looking North. Photo by Kristin Helf.
Sledding Berlin
Sledding in Berlin. Photo by Ann Hillyer.

Your photos

Fox in snow
Fox spotted across from Trimper’s! Photo by Tyler Horton.
Snowy seagull
Look at that face! Photo by Bonnie Holshey.
Boardwalk blizzard
In the midst of the blizzard on the boardwalk. Photo from the Park Place webcam.
Greene Turtle Blizzard
…And in the midst of the blizzard in North OC. Photo from the Original Greene Turtle.

Videos

Ocean City Oddities: Boardwalk Memories in Wax

2
Original 1992 brochure for the Ocean City Wax Museum
Original 1992 brochure for the Ocean City Wax Museum

Happy New Year! My name is Brandon and I am a longtime enthusiast, chronicler, and author of Ocean City’s amusement and boardwalk history. I have been collecting and archiving Ocean City memorabilia for over 20 years and am excited to share some of my unique findings and knowledge in the form of a collection called “Ocean City Oddities” with those who value Ocean City and its history as much as I do. Not all pieces shared will be particularly weird or unusual, but I consider them odd in that they will depict information that may not be common knowledge. What will be common, though, are the memories we all share about OC’s rich history, and I look forward to reliving the memories of yesteryear with you all!

In September of 1995, it was officially announced that the Ocean City Wax Museum, which opened its doors in 1991 in the Pier Building on the boardwalk, would close its doors forever after just four years in operation. When the museum first opened, it claimed to be the largest wax museum on the East Coast.

The museum was developed and operated by C.M. Uberman Enterprises out of Gettysburg, PA and included over 150 lifelike figures displayed in “Seven Wondrous Worlds in Wax.” Such iconic figures as Elvis, Willie Nelson, Marilyn Monroe, Superman, Groucho Marx, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson were all featured within the museum’s dark, winding hallways. Many of the wax figures in the museum were manufactured by Henry Alvarez of Alvarez Wax Models in Long Beach, California, and were sculpted with secret sculpting and painting methods passed down through the years by his mentors.

The themed areas of the museum included The World of Stars, The World of Music, The World of Movieland, The World of Discovery, The World of Make Believe, The World of Courage, and The World of the Horrible. Each display was often accompanied by rich sound effects and lighting.

After the Ocean City Wax Museum closed, the wax figures were sold and auctioned off one-by-one to both commercial operations and private collectors all over the country. Although the museum left indelible memories on so many, most notably the large painted mural on the outside wall that featured Frankenstein, information about the attraction remains rather illusive given its short tenure on the boardwalk.

Iconic wax figures as they looked upon entering the first corridor of the Ocean City Wax Museum
“All Shook Up” – Elvis presides among other iconic figures in the attraction’s first corridor.

It is interesting to note that the American Civil War Wax Museum in Gettysburg, which was also founded by C.M. Uberman Enterprises in 1962, closed on December 31, 2013.

Feature photo by Debra O.

Snow Accumulating in Ocean City As Winter Storm Travels Through the Area

Ocean City, Maryland – (January 4, 2018): The first winter storm of 2018 has brought wintery weather to the resort area, with strong winds and snow covering the sand and roads in Ocean City. As the winter storm continues to travel through the East Coast today, January 4, the freezing temperatures and snow should result in approximately 8-12 inches of accumulation at the beach. Along with the snow accumulation, Ocean City will continue to experience sustained winds of 35 to 40 miles per hour, and gusts upward of 52 miles per hour for the remainder of the storm.

The Town of Ocean City’s winter storm plan is in effect as crews continue the plowing efforts. Ocean City Recreation and Parks daytime programs have been canceled for today. In addition, public transportation service has been suspended until road conditions improve.

The Ocean City Public Works Department is working diligently to clear roadways and parking lots, however; citizens are encouraged to limit travel. If it is essential to travel, drivers should use extra caution and reduce speed if they must be on the road. In addition, emergency management officials are encouraging residents to avoid parking on streets until cleanup is complete.

The Town of Ocean City’s Emergency Services Department is continue to monitor the storm and will continue to update residents and visitors as services change. Residents should program their radios to 99.5 and follow @townofoceancity on twitter or visit https://www.facebook.com/TownOfOceanCity for updates.

Photo from WBOC

Ocean City Expects First Snow of 2018, Resort Area Under Winter Storm Warning

0

From the Town of Ocean City:

Ocean City, Maryland – (January 3, 2018):  Ocean City is under a Winter Storm Warning, beginning in the afternoon hours today, January 3, until 1 p.m. tomorrowJanuary 4.  According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, VA, Ocean City will experience snow and moderate wind gusts.  The projected snow will begin late this afternoon and into Thursday morning.

Snowfall accumulations are expected to reach between 4 to 8 inches, with winds averaging 15 to 20 miles per hour and gusts reaching 45 miles per hour.  Due to the combination of snow, gusty winds and very cold temperatures, hazardous driving conditions are likely tonight and Thursday. Travel is strongly discouraged late tonight and during the storm tomorrow morning.

The Town of Ocean City’s Winter Storm Plan is in effect and the Emergency Management personnel are continuing to monitor the storm.  Crews have started to pretreat roadways and will begin plowing when the snow accumulates.

As temperatures continue to drop and conditions of the bay change, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) is reminding residents and visitors about the dangers of ice.  While winter can be an exciting time of year for the outdoors type, a frozen body of water has inherent dangers which can occur regardless of how strong and thick the ice appears.

The OCFD is reminding citizens that ice on the bay, ponds, lakes and lagoons is unsafe.  “Each year hundreds of people are injured in ice water accidents,” said Ocean City Fire Department Lieutenant and Water Rescue Commander, Darrick Elliott. “Many think that because the body of water has been frozen for a few days, they can “skate” or play on the ice.  It is important to understand that even though the ice may look strong and safe, there is always the danger of falling through the ice and into frigid water.”

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers of ice.  “Walking and playing on ice is inviting and appears to be fun but it is important that children understand the dangers associated with playing on ice,” Baker continued.  “It’s important for children to know that there is no such thing as 100% safe ice. No ice is safe ice.”

If you are unsure if a frozen area of the bay, pond or lake is safe, please contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 1-877-620-8DNR before allowing any activity to take place on the ice. For tips on staying safe during winter storms and cold weather, visit: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather.  

From the National Weather Service:

…WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
1 PM EST THURSDAY…

*WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Plan on difficult travel 
conditions, including during the morning commute on Thursday. 
Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected.

*WHERE…Portions of southeast Maryland and eastern Virginia.

*WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Thursday.

*ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Be prepared for significant reductions in
visibility at times.

*PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A winter storm warning for snow means severe winter weather
conditions are expected. If you must travel, keep an extra 
flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an
emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are
calling from can be obtained by calling 511. 

How to prepare and stay safe

Stay indoors during the storm.
Prolonged exposure to cold can cause hypothermia.

Walk and drive carefully on icy sidewalks and roads.
Many injuries and accidents are caused by slippery conditions.

Before driving, let someone know your destination, route, and expected time of arrival.
If your car gets stuck, it’ll be easier to find you.

If you lose feeling and color in your nose, ears, hands, or feet, cover the exposed area, avoid rubbing your skin, and seek medical help immediately.
You may have frostbite.

When shoveling snow, take breaks and lift lighter loads.
Working too hard can lead to heart attacks.

Stay dry.
Wet clothes make you lose body heat, increasing your risk of hypothermia.

Photo from WBOC