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O.C. Library Still Keeping Patrons Engaged — Virtually

This week is National Library Week and the theme chosen by the American Library Association is "find your place at the library.” Jennifer Shirk, president of the Ocean City Free Public Library Board of Trustees, observed that there is much irony to that. But then again, she noted, “Who would have predicted a pandemic where a majority of libraries would be forced to close their doors?” The Ocean City library has a solution to the temporary closure of the building amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on to find out how.

City Council Candidate Jody Levchuk Ready to Go to Work

Jody Levchuk, whose family owns Jilly’s Boardwalk shops in Ocean City, is running for the Third Ward City Council seat and is passionate about why he wants to enter the political arena to represent a town he loves. He is running against incumbent Third Ward Councilman Tony Wilson in the May 12 municipal election, which will be conducted by mail-in ballots only because of the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. “I believe in having a thriving town from the beach to the bay. I believe in the people of Ocean City. As a businessman, I am capable of understanding about capital planning and improvements to the city,” Levchuk, 43, said in an interview...

Fans, Media, Coaches, Players Adjust to Life Without Sports

For more than four decades, Sam Carchidi has been watching and writing about live sports events. When he wasn’t doing that, the longtime Flyers beat writer and key contributor to the Phillies beat for the Philadelphia Inquirer was looking forward to his next live sports event. That lifestyle changed dramatically about a month ago when all four major sports leagues, the NCAA basketball tourney, the pro golf tour, and virtually all other pro, college and scholastic sports ceased operations for the foreseeable future as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. For Carchidi, a summer resident of Ocean City, that has meant sheltering in place and trying to find alternative activities. But mostly, Sam is still trying to adjust to the sudden absence of athe sporting scene -- a driving force in his life. “I’m still writing a couple stories a day and its challenging to dig up topics that will keep the fans interested,” he said...

Cape May County Zoo Gives Virtual Look into World of Wildlife

Amid the pandemic, visitors can’t explore the wonders of wildlife at the Cape May County Park and Zoo in Cape May Court House. Children can’t enjoy school field trips and marvel at the snow leopards, primates or bison. "We have 500 animals. It is a strange feeling to not have anyone here. Right now and really beginning next month is field trip season. We are normally used to the bustle and the chaos. We are anxious to get back to that someday," said Associate Veterinarian Dr. Alex Ernst, who has worked at the zoo for 15 years. Instead, the zoo staff is bringing the adventures and lessons to homes with just a click on “Virtual Zoo School” at the zoo website www.cmczoo.com. Families get to virtually enjoy a daily “episode” viewing zookeepers and other staff feeding the animals and describing the special qualities of each type of animal.

HSOC Continues Top Care For Shelter Animals in Pandemic

Directors of the Humane Society of Ocean City, a no-kill shelter off Tennessee Avenue, have had to make some changes amid the COVID-19 crisis. They have had to let go of volunteers temporarily to ensure social distancing. They have had to restrict adoptions to limited appointments. And they have had to come up with creative ways to keep the 64 animals in their care active and healthy. With less staff to walk the dogs and limited time to spend playing with the cats, it has been a task. While there is nothing normal about being in a pandemic, shelter officials say, they are making it work.

O.C.’s Julia Rae Looks for Love and Fame on “The Bachelor”...

Julia Rae sat in her family’s home in Ocean City and recalled the beginning of her career as a performer, singer, songwriter and pageant winner. It all started with a music video -- her first one -- on the beach in Ocean City 12 years ago. Now, she is appearing on episodes of "The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart” on Monday nights on ABC.

Storm Packs a Wild, All-Day Punch

A storm ripped through Ocean City with wind gusts nearing 70 mph Monday, leaving debris, downed trees, power outages and homes damaged in its wake. No injuries were reported.

Wheels in Motion For More Bike-Friendly Amenities in O.C.

All one has to do is take a walk downtown or in any neighborhood in Ocean City and there they are -- bicyclists -- lots of them. In a community that has become a bicycling haven for visitors and residents, turning off the ignition and hopping on two wheels to let your body do the work is one way people are staying in shape. And while doing so they are also improving the quality of life by cutting down on traffic congestion and emissions. A grant application for Cape May County will allow improvements to Ocean City’s biking infrastructure along with amenities in a proposal that has been in the works for over a decade.

OCTC Shows Go On – Virtually

With a pandemic, the Ocean City Theatre Company is at a standstill. There are no rehearsals. No shows. No camp signups. No ticket sales. But that does not mean the show won’t go on -- virtually that is. An email blast went out to the theater company community explaining that the Katherine Alexandra Foundation, through the support of OCTC fans Mike and Lis Kalogris, of Stone Harbor, will present a $2,500 matching grant for every dollar raised through the email campaign. For a donation of $75 or more, the donor will receive a “Broadway Singing Telegram” -- albeit on an electronic device, by his or her favorite OCTC performer.

Ocean City Families Unite to Fundraise For Shore Medical Center

The Bickings and Monihans, both of Ocean City, share a bond of not just being neighbors and friends, but as families who dedicate their lives to helping others with food donation drives and other causes. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the couples, Julie and Christian Bickings and Chris and Andrea Monihan, who run Shore2Share, a food donation program, knew they had to find ways to help. They agreed they wanted to show appreciation and admiration for emergency workers as well as all of the other essential employees. They chose Shore Medical Center in Somers Point.