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There was anything but “hushes” in the Ocean City Free Public Library on Sunday. In fact, no one was going to tell Santa Claus himself to be quiet. Accompanied by music from a live band, the jolly fellow made his grand entrance at the Community Center’s Holiday Festival by sashaying down a staircase in the atrium to deliver a lot of good cheer and greet children anxiously awaiting his arrival. The free event served as a showcase for the library, the Ocean City Historical Museum and other facilities housed inside the Community Center at 17th Street and Simpson Avenue.

At the tender age of 8, Zacherey Moriera, of Downingtown, Pa., already owns two train sets. He had his sights on two others at a train show Saturday at the Ocean City Music Pier that featured an elaborate miniature train town, which took up nearly the entire stage, and an interactive train that was a favorite among the kids.

Santa Claus was parked outside of the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday. He traded in, for the moment anyway, his sleigh and reindeer for an Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard boat to the amusement of hundreds of children. At noon, families were lined up to await their turn for a photo with the jolly fellow. Children had their wish lists ready to tell Saint Nick what they wanted under the tree.

All anyone who wanted to get into the Christmas spirit had to do Friday night was to go to downtown Ocean City to watch a parade featuring dancers, balloons, bands, beauty queens, singers, horses, vintage cars and St. Nick himself. That is exactly what Ron and Erin Gifford, of Ocean City, and their two children, Lillian, 4, and Natalie, 3, did. Like every year, they attend the event to really get into the festive Christmas mood, the Giffords said. Wreaths with big, red bows, garland-wrapped lamp posts and City Hall decked out with lights and a Christmas tree helped create the near-perfect backdrop for a holiday parade.

When it comes to excuses for why you can’t work out, not finding the time -- at Atilis Gym in Ocean City at least -- wouldn’t be one of them. The old fashioned, hardcore gym, complete with rows and rows of top quality equipment, a friendly and knowledgeable staff with owner, Chris Lambert, at the helm, offers 24-hour access to the fitness center. It is the only gym in Ocean City open round-the-clock and is the largest on the island, Lambert noted. The gym is staffed throughout the day and into the evening hours. But when it is not, there is camera surveillance and only members are able to access the facilities. The two-story facility at 1214 West Ave., with 7,500 square feet of workout room, offers ample space, machines, personal trainers by appointment, and hours to accommodate every fitness enthusiast...

Nyle DiMarco does not want anyone to pity him because he is deaf. His life is utopia, he says. He has never heard a word, song or poem. And this has helped shape him. He is a motivational speaker and a role model for the deaf community to enlighten others that life is good, and differences should be cherished, he told an audience at Ocean City High School on Monday. DiMarco, a deaf advocate, model, actor and the first deaf person to win “America’s Next Top Model” and “Dancing with the Stars,” put his life in perspective.

Ocean City has a direct line to Santa Claus … well, a mailbox at least, where kids may write to Saint Nick to tell him what they wish for under the tree. Santa's Mailbox is at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue in the downtown and its presence is a tradition that began decades ago by the retail merchants and then was passed onto Santa's helpers -- the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Santa's Mailbox in Ocean City is for children from all over the region who visit Ocean City during the holiday season," explained Michele Gillian, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.

Tara Wigginton, of Ocean City, walked into City Hall on Saturday morning with two very important things in mind. “I’m getting seven buttons to First Night,” she said. “They go up after today.” Wigginton was pleased with her savings of $35. The cost per First Night admission button for the family-friendly way to ring in the New Year goes up from $15 to $20 beginning Sunday. She also purchased five 2020 beach tags, which went on sale this weekend at the discounted preseason price of $20 each.

All that was missing was some snow, reindeer and a few elves. But other than that, Ocean City’s Christmas in the Downtown -- “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” -- holiday celebration offered families a whole lot to enjoy on Black Friday. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. visitors were treated to a host of activities. There were the free horse and carriage rides that would stop at the wreath and bow adorned City Hall and whisk people off on a tour of Asbury Avenue. The avenue bustled as shoppers browsed and picked up Christmas gifts.

A kite surfer missing since Thanksgiving evening off Ocean City was found safe. The U.S. Coast Guard and Ocean City Police Department conducted a search in Corson Inlet for the kite surfer, who was reported missing late in the afternoon Thursday. On Friday, authorities released the best news possible. “The surfer was located with help of U.S.C.G., O.C.P.D., local kite surfing community and social media,” explained Ocean City Police Lt. Pat Randles. “The surfer was visiting from out of state, experienced technical difficulties, cut the kite, paddled into safety and was unaware of search efforts.”