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For some, a Christmas tradition is spending time with family, eating a dinner with all the trimmings and watching television. For Mike and Peaches Lukens, their family tradition has been to spend it among people who at one time, were strangers, but over 28 years, have become an extended family. They are the hosts of the Community Christmas Dinner at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, where the couple, along with their daughter, Halley Martinez, and about 70-plus volunteers, transform a room into a festive dining hall.

From now through New Year’s Eve, Michael Bray, the owner and founder of Passion Vines, with locations in Egg Harbor Township and Somers Point, estimates his staff will create hundreds of specialty gift baskets for customers and corporate clients. There are plenty of reasons why the baskets are so popular. Not only do they come with top shelf spirits and wines from around the world, but they also create custom orders that include a customer's selection of gourmet cheeses, meats, delectable confections and spreads. “We have a team all holiday season creating baskets to fit all budgets and tastes,” Bray said. Gift baskets range from $29 to $299, depending on what the customer would like.

Ocean City was spared much of the predicted flooding in, yet again, a coastal storm on Friday. “After a year of near-record rainfall, we’re looking forward to a dry forecast for Christmas and the coming week,” said Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen. He said the city was fortunate in that both the tide level and rainfall were lower than predicted.

Bowfish Kids, an Ocean City children's boutique, raised nearly $800 in funds, from mid-November to present, for the Kisses for Kyle Foundation through a “Giving Tree” toy drive. The foundation buys toys for children with cancer using money donated at Bowfish Kids and other fundraising locations. Three of the children who will receive toys live in Ocean City.

Soon, with just a tap on a cellphone, shoppers in Ocean City’s downtown and on the Boardwalk will be able to purchase items using a cashless payment system. The convenient new feature to the Ocean City Vacation App will be available before the New Year with the aim of making shopping and playing in “America’s Greatest Family Resort” even easier, explained Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Stainton’s Gallery of Shops in Ocean City had a special guest Sunday parked outside of the store - well sort of. He wore a Santa Claus hat. But he was no Santa. His name was Nate. He’s a 16-year-old horse who happily nibbled on carrots from passersby. For a one dollar donation dropped in a feed bucket, shoppers got their turn at feeding the affable steed a carrot. And it was for a very good cause...

Local historian John Loeper gave a presentation Saturday on the fabled Sindia coinciding with the 117th anniversary of the Ocean City shipwreck. To this day, there is mystery about the ship's cargo. Was it secretly carrying a load of silver?

The Ocean City Free Public Library already attracts thousands of patrons a week, with its vast selection of books, specialty sections that cater to children, young adults and adults, and friendly staff ready to help. But with a $1.3 million project slated for fall of 2019 to do extensive renovations to the building, Library Director Karen Mahar said there will be even more reasons to visit.

Where else will $20 get a person a night of listening to bands, singing a bit of karaoke, watching a stunt dog show, catching fireworks and more while ringing in the New Year? Only in Ocean City. For just $20, families and friends will celebrate New Year's Eve with an array of family- friendly entertainment in an alcohol-free environment for First Night 2019.

Travelers leaving Ocean City from Ninth Street had better make sure they have enough fuel. As of Monday, it appears motorists will only be able to get gas in Somers Point, or on the other side of town, at 34th Street in Ocean City. Instead of gas at both the Sunoco and at Wiesenthal’s Auto Service on Ninth Street, orange cones were in front of the fuel bays.