Page 18 The Gazette of OC / 2014/2015 COMMUNITY GUIDE
terest by all its citizens; and to support
the improvement of the general welfare, health, comfort, safety and environment of the whole island. The group meets monthly in the Ocean City Library. For more information, see www.OCCANJ. org or call 609-399-5358. Gardens Civic Association For over 50 years, the Ocean City Gardens Civic Association has dedicated itself to raising funds for scholarships and local charities. The organization con- ducts various events to colelct funds for high school seniors, Hope Pregnancy, the Food Cupboard, the Clothes Closet, and the Covenant House. These events include a yard sale, the bike parade, the annual dinner dance, Photos by the Sea, and the New York theater trip. There is a new membership drive in June and annual dues are $15. 7R QG RXW PRUH FRQWDFW -RKQ DQG Jacque Zoller at 609-399-3936 or jn- zjsz@msn.com; or President Pat Watts at 391-1657 or ljwatts4@aol.com. Pro- spective members must reside in the Gar- dens section of Ocean City. Fairness in Taxes )DLUQHVV ,Q7D[HV LV D QRQSURW FLYLF association that serves the taxpayers and UHVLGHQWV RI 2FHDQ &LW\ LQ D IDFWQGLQJ DQG DGYLVRU\ FDSDFLW\ E\ SURYLGLQJ RI- cials and citizens the information needed WRDFWLYHO\SURPRWHHIIHFWLYHDQGHIFLHQW government and education. The group meets monthly in the Ocean City Library. See fairnessintaxes.com for more infor- mation. Ocean City is home to many charities, clubs and civic groups, from gardening to philanthropy to politics to recreation. Ocean City Ecumenical Council The faith-based Ecumenical Council of Ocean City gathers food, clothing and money to feed and clothe those in need. The Ocean City Community Food Cupboard is located at St. Peters Method- ist Church. Ocean City residents in need will receive a generous emergency supply of food once every 30 days. If further need arises before 30 days have passed, the client may receive a referral for additional food from the Ocean City Social Service 2IFHDW&HQWUDO$YH$OOQRQSHULVK- able food donations are welcome. Call 609-398-3191 for more information. The Clothes Closet is located at 555 West Ave. Ocean City residents in need and who can provide proof of residency are welcome to visit the Clothes Closet. Donations of lightly used, clean clothing appropriate for the season are gratefully accepted. People may bring their dona- tions to the Clothes Closet during open business hours. Call 609-398-1009 for more information. See www.ocecnj.org. Exchange Club of Ocean City The Exchange Club of Ocean City was chartered June 4, 1947. In its cove- nant of service, Exchangites vow to con- secrate my best energies to the uplifting of social, religious, political and business ideals. Community projects include the Book of Golden Deeds Award; the Free- dom Shrine; the Roger LaRosa Golf Tournament; Spring Block Party food VWDQG DQQXDO VKLQJ WRXUQDPHQW 0LVV Ocean City Pageant and Parade; Fall Block Party food stand; Lynn Baker Me- morial Golf Tournament; craft shows on the Music Pier; Ocean City High School scholarships; the Halloween parade; and funds for the prevention of child abuse. The club meets weekly. For more infor- mation, see www.ocexchangeclub. org. Ocean City Fishing Club The Ocean City Fishing Club has been a proud and civic-minded member of the Ocean City community for more than 100 years. Founded in 1913, the club is the ROGHVWFRQWLQXRXVO\RSHUDWLQJVKLQJFOXE in the United States. It is headquartered on the Boardwalk near 14th Street, with a VKLQJSLHUWKDWH[WHQGVIHHWLQWRWKH ocean. Every August, the club and the Ocean City Department of Recreation sponsor a free Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tourna- ment for youngsters between 8 and 16 years of age. Another annual, co-spon- sored event is the Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament for teams and individuals. For more information about the Ocean City Fishing Club, call 609-398-0534. Ocean City Alumni Association The Ocean City Alumni Association ZDVHVWDEOLVKHGLQWRSURYLGHDIR- rum for alumni to celebrate the rich his- tory, network with fellow and future alumni and simply be proud to be a Red Raider. Red and White Weekend, now in its sixth year, is an opportunity for alumni to renew friendships and celebrate their alma ma- WHUGXULQJDQRVWDOJLDOOHGZHHNHQG)RU more information, contact Marcia Shall- FURVV0F&XOOH\DWRU*LQQ\ Mulford at 609-703-9967. Ocean City Community Association The mission of the Ocean City Com- munity Association is to protect and pro- mote the best interests of the property owners and residents of the city of Ocean City New Jersey; to encourage civic in- Many ways to get involved 6RXWK2FHDQ&LW\,PSURYHPHQW$VVRFLDWLRQ32%R[2FHDQ&LW\ 1- Community Arts Project, www.communityartprojects.com Ocean City Democratic Club, www.facebook.com/OceanCityDemo- craticClub Ocean City Republican Club, momnespo@yahoo.com Eastern Star 83, www.njoes.com/lodge_addresses.html Masonic Lodge No. 171, 609-365-9099 Rotary Club of Ocean City-Upper Township, www.clubrunner.ca/portal/ +RPHDVS["DFFRXQWLG .QLJKWV RI &ROXPEXV www.kofcknights.org/ &RXQFLO6LWH"&12 &RORQ\&OXE OCNJ CARE, www.ocnjcare.org/ :DYHVRI&DULQJ Ocean City Community Center Association, www.ocnjcca.org Friends of the Ocean City Pops, oceancitypops.org/friends-of-the- pops.aspx Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library, fvocfpl. wordpress.com Ocean City Garden Club, gardenclubocnj.wordpress.com VFW Post 6650, www.oceancitynjvfw.org $PHULFDQ/HJLRQ3RVWZZZOHJLRQRFQMRUJ %R\6FRXW7URRSKWWSVVLWHVJRRJOHFRPVLWHRFWURRS Girl Scouts, www.gscsnj.org Ocean City Yacht Club, www.ocyc.org Ocean City Sailing Foundation, www.ocsailingfoundation.org Stainton Society, shoremedicalcenter.org/stainton-society Ocean City Dog Park, www.oceancitydogpark.org Ocean City Humane Society, hsocnj.org Mew to You CATS, capeatlanticcats.com Embroiders Guild, www.marega.org/jerseycape.html Parent Teacher Association, www.teacherweb.com/NJ/OceanCity- PublicSchool/OceanCityPTA/index.aspx Ocean City Rowing and Athletic Association and OCBP Alumni Associa- tion, www.ocraa.com Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club, www.ocmtc.com Some other Ocean City clubs and organizations Page 24 The Gazette of OC / 2014/2015 COMMUNITY GUIDE By ANN RICHARDSON Years ago, special events were strictly seasonal in Ocean City, conned to the warmer months and limited in size and scope. There was the annual Baby Pa- rade and parades to celebrate Halloween and Christmas, a boat parade for Night in Venice and reworks for the Fourth of July, but once fall arrived, the island was pretty much quiet until Memorial Day rolled around. Today, Ocean City is hopping al- most all year round. Things kick off with First Night, the non-alcoholic celebration of New Years Eve, fol- lowed by First Day at the Beach with First Dip, a chilly plunge in the ocean, and First Run on the board- walk, a 5K to raise money for local charities. Hardly a week goes by without something going on, from the spring and fall block parties to more than 500 Bassett Hounds pa- rading down the boardwalk for the annual Doo Dah Parade, events are big business. We do a lot of family-friendly events, humorous events that are not held anywhere else, said Mark Soifer, Ocean City longtime publi- cist. About 50 years ago, city of- cials began to recognize the im- portance of special events and the role that they could play in the growth of Americas Greatest Fam- ily Resort. In short, it all began with an art show, and Soifer, who guided the seaside resort to world-wide fame on a shoe-string budget with the creation of unique and zany family events. The energetic promoter has done far more than just put Amer- icas Greatest Family Resort on the map. Soifer understands what makes business tick and, with mer- chants in mind, promotes and un- derstands the needs of a seashore resort founded on Christian ide- als. He focused on one thing, the unique brand, Americas Greatest Family Resort, which dates back to 1921, and built on that. From the very beginning, Soifer was asked to make a dime out of every nickel in a meager advertis- ing budget. The rst thing he tried was Miss Crustacean. The beauty pageant for hermit crabs was so unique that on a slow news day, it was picked up by international news wires and broadcast across the globe. The sillier the better, Soifer re- alized. Crustaceans were racing and children were ocking to the boardwalk to sculpt salt water taffy and french fries. Soifer trusted his own instincts and gradually everyone else did, too. Were a family resort, people learn about Ocean City by word of mouth; they come back year after year because of the memories, the beach, the boardwalk, he said. They like us because were a clean and safe family resort. Upcoming events Oct. 29 Ocean City Chamber Welcome Night, 6-8 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moor- lyn Terrace Oct. 30 Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club, 7:15 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from Sixth to 11th streets Nov. 1 Trail of Two Cities, 5K from Ocean City to Somers Point, 8 a.m. via the Route 52 causeway and bridge; call 609-525-9300 Nov. 11 Veterans Day service, 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, Fifth Street and Wesley Avenue Nov. 14-15 Quiet Festival, a celebration of all things quiet; call 609-525-9300 Nov. 15-16 Holiday Celebration of Fine Arts and Crafts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace; call 609-365- 2239 Events bring visitors to Ocean City all year Babies and children dress up and parade down the boardwalk in the annual Ocean City Baby Parade, which recently celebrated its 104th year. Kids of all ages have a chance to nd prizes at Ocean Citys an- nual Great Egg Hunt on the beach, part of the Easter festivities. continued on Page 30 Santa Claus arrives atop City Hall during the Black Friday holiday celebration Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue. Page 30 The Gazette of OC / 2014/2015 COMMUNITY GUIDE Nov. 22 Earlier than the Bird, downtown shopping extravaganza, 8 a.m.- noon Nov. 22-23 Christmas Arts and Crafts Fes- tival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace; call 800-822- 4112 Nov. 28 Christmas in the Downtown Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue, 2-5 p.m. on Asbury Avenue in downtown Ocean City; enjoy treats and merchants, carolers and watch Santa arrive atop City Hall to light the Christmas tree Dec. 6-7 Train Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun- day at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace; admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children; call 609-525-9300 Dec. 6 Ocean City Pops holiday concert Joy to the World: A Symphonic Choral Celebration, 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave.; sponsored by Nor- man and JoAnne Schaut; tickets are $15 at ocnj.us/boxofce or at 609-525-9300 Dec. 7 Christmas Parade, 1 p.m. from Sixth to 11th streets on Asbury Av- enue; sponsored by the Downtown Merchants; call 609-525-9300 Dec. 12-14 2014 Holiday Spectacular pre- sented by the Ocean City Theatre Company featuring professional singers and dancers in a high- energy tribute to the holidays, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace; tickets are $15-$18 available at ocnj.us/box- ofce or 609-525-9300 Dec. 31 First Night, an alcohol-free, family-friendly New Years Eve celebration with events and activi- ties at various locations throughout the city, leading up to reworks at midnight; call 609-525-9300 or see rstnightoceancitynj.com Jan. 1 First Day at the Beach and First Dip, 2 p.m. at the Moorlyn Terrace beach; 5K run at 1 p.m.; call 609-525- 9300 Noon-3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-21 will be horse and carri age ri des in front of City Hall, Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue, and pho- t os wi t h Sant a at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Ter- race Dates to be announced Messiah Sing-in Live Nativity at Ocean City Tab- ernacle Martin Luther King Service and Community Dinner Martin Luther King Day of Ser- vice Ocean City Historical Museum Childrens Tea Ocean City Theatre Company Valentines Day show Mr. Ocean City High School Mr. Mature America Spring Arts and Crafts Festival Ocean Citys Great Egg Hunt Living Last Supper Woon Paws Pet Fashion Show Easter sunrise service, Easter Fashion Promenade Basset Hound Olympics and Doo Dah Parade Spring Beach Sweep March for Babies Walk Martin Z. Mollusk Day Ocean Citys Got Talent Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk Boardwalk and Downtown Ta- ble Sales Esther Weil Student Music Competition Ocean City Library Authors Tea Spring Block Party Walk MS American Heart Association Walk Miles for Melanoma Walk to End Lupus Now OCNJ Triathlon/Duathlon Standup 4 SEALs Beach Chal- lenge Unlocking of the Beach and Businesspersons Plunge Ocean City Flower Show NJAA Jeep Invasion Weekend Miss New Jersey Parade and Pageant Ocean City Restaurant Week Antique Auto Show International Surng Day Relay for Life Sports cards and Collectibles Show July Jubilee Fourth of July Fireworks SOCIA and Gardens Civic As- sociation bicycle parades Tribute to the Philippines Chip Miller Surf Fest T. John Carey Masters Swim Miss Night in Venice pageant and Night in Venice Parade Boardwalk Art Show and Art of Surng Festival Miss Crustacean Pamper Scamper Ocean City Baby Parade Miss Ocean City Twins Contest Weird Week Little Miss Ocean City Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament Mr. Fall Guy and Miss Fall Gal, or King and Queen of Plop Labor Day Race Street Rod Weekend Sept. 11 Remembrance Cer- emony Ocean City Airport Festival and Air Show OCHS Alumni Associations Red and White Weekend Corvette Show Walk for the Wounded HERO Walk Bike MS: City to Shore Ride Fall Block Party and Indian Summer Weekend Junior Miss Ocean City Fall Beach Sweep Pageants Ocean City is home to a number of local and regional pageants in- cluding: Little Miss Ocean City, Ju- nior Miss Ocean City, Miss Ocean city, Miss New Jersey, Miss Cape May County, Miss Cape Resort, Miss Night in Venice, Miss Cape May County Outstanding Teen, Miss Cape Resort Outstanding Teen, Miss New Jersey Outstand- ing Teen and New Jersey National Teenager. continued from Page 24 Events bring visitors to Ocean City all year Night in Venice Parade participants oat down the bay in Ocean City in their candy-themed boat.