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The cuteness factor was as high as the heat index at the Ocean City Baby Parade Thursday, where babies dressed as everything from cotton candy to mermaids led to the oohs and aahs of the hundreds of spectators who lined the Boardwalk to watch with amusement. The parade, in its 111th year, is one of the oldest in the country. Each year it features children ages 10 and under dressed in costumes, cruising the Boardwalk in themed wagons, floats and strollers.

Rowdy teens showing up on bikes, being obnoxious and disrespectful, shoplifting, destroying or defacing property, underage drinking and testing out fake IDs at bars are some of the issues that shore communities are dealing with this summer. All the while, communities struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic and the uptick in cases. On Wednesday, state lawmakers and elected officials detailed the difficulties of dealing with all of the problems.

The competition was fierce. The reward for crossing the finish line ranged from cheese puffs to jangling keys and toys. There were happy faces and an occasional grumpy face. But most of all, there was an abundance of adorableness Tuesday morning at the annual “Pamper Scamper” in Ocean City, where babies up to 15 months old showed off their crawling prowess.

Summing up the Ocean City Theatre Company’s show, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” in one word, or even a few, would be difficult. But if there was one word to describe a show that gives audiences a reprieve from the stress of the pandemic, the laughter of a Saturday Night Live skit, and the dancing, singing and improvisation that rivals a Broadway show, then this would be it: Spectacular. Performances will be held in the Hughes Performing Arts Center on Aug. 10, 11 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Aug. 12 at 2 p.m.

Ocean City is a lot of things to a lot of people, from residents to tourists who enjoy the beaches, the Boardwalk, the downtown, good schools and a family-friendly community. The location many people go to play basketball, host fundraisers and participate in special events -- the Sports & Civic Center -- is near completion, complete with a new brick facade, updates and upgrades, officials noted. The facility, located at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk, was outdated and needed some refreshing.

When booking a vacation, typically tourists to Ocean City choose a place for comfort, a hotel or inn where they can get freshened up and go out for a beach day that turns into a night of dining in the downtown or amusements at the Boardwalk. Then there is the Scarborough Inn at 720 Ocean Ave. The 125-plus-year-old, three-story Victorian with a wraparound porch is so inviting that, well, some guests spend their days and nights in the company of friends chatting and enjoying the ambience on rocking chairs.

Ocean City schools have not one, but two retired superintendents who will lead the district for the 2021-22 year as interims. Dr. Tom Baruffi became the interim superintendent in June. Longtime educator and administrator Mark Napoleon was approved as the high school's interim principal following the retirement of Dr. Matt Jamison. Baruffi will be in the temporary role while a nationwide search is conducted to replace Dr. Kathleen Taylor, who retired this month as Ocean City's superintendent of schools.

A boat ended up on a jetty in Ocean City on Monday night and the operator of it was arrested. Nicholas Theisen, 24, of Lindenwold, Camden County, was charged with boating while intoxicated. There were no reported injuries to Theisen or the other occupants, authorities said. New Jersey State Police Marine Division is investigating the incident along with the Ocean City Police Department.

Homeowners in Ocean City's Historic District are banding together in an effort to save an old house at 615 Wesley Avenue from demolition. They want to see the deteriorated home sold and renovated.

Avid readers who enjoy good books in all forms from audio to traditional, from fiction to non-fiction, had plenty of choices at a two-day sale in the Ocean City Free Public Library atrium over the weekend. Hundreds of newer to even vintage books lined the tables. Customers perused the volumes. Many patrons walked around carrying stacks of books on Saturday as they scanned the boxes filled with more items for sale.