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Miles of shoreline, the Boardwalk, shops and eateries continue to attract visitors to Ocean City – even during the pandemic. And a lineup of special family-friendly events for 2021 will serve as another major attraction, as long as the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't force their cancellation.

Reserving a spot at the pool, gym, or ensuring a place in a favorite exercise class are now all just a few clicks away with Ocean City’s new online portal for members of the Aquatic & Fitness Center. The complex is a centerpiece of the community, where people go to unwind, work out, and focus on health. It is located in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave. And up until the COVID-19 pandemic, it was buzzing with activity. But for the months that it was closed before September, city officials worked together to create an easier way for members to select a time to get on their favorite treadmill, swim those laps and take those classes.

Ocean City Free Public Library (OCFPL) staff members searched for ways to entertain, educate and enlighten their patrons, despite having to limit hours and cancel all in-house programs due to the pandemic. When they chose a program for families to enjoy outside, keeping reading at the forefront, called StoryWalk, they hoped, but weren’t certain, it would be a success, explained OCFPL Director Karen Mahar. Fast forward a few months and StoryWalk, which began in October, is hugely popular among children and adults. The reading program, held on various days and times each month, allows for social distancing and brings patrons together, safely outside at Lake Memorial Park, 407 Wesley Ave.

The Ocean City Free Public Library (OCFPL) Board of Trustees reorganized during a virtual meeting Monday. A new trustee member will be named this week and a new director of the Historical Museum was hired. Board of Trustees member Brian Broadley was on the nominating committee for the officers to the board. He named the selections. Jennifer Shirk remains as president of the board, Fred Marcell continues as vice president and Connie Pritchard stays on as treasurer. Lauren Cowden replaces Ron Denney as board secretary.

When Cape May County Zoo officials asked the public to donate leftover Christmas trees -- minus the ornaments, of course -- for the animals to nibble on and play with, they got a lot more than they expected. The zoo became a winter wonderland of trees placed in several of the animals’ enclosures. The donated trees piqued the curiosity of the monkeys and the goats and even became a delicious, albeit, prickly snack for the bison. Back on Dec. 22, the zoo put out a Facebook video of the lions, Lex and Bella, playing with a Christmas tree.

During the Ocean City Board of Education reorganization meeting Wednesday night, school officials were sworn in and the board member in charge of the COVID-19 committee laid out potential plans for returning the students to school full time. Board members Joseph Clark, Cecelia Gallelli-Keyes and Michael James were sworn in to their three-year terms. Clark was voted back in as board president. Board member Dr. Patrick Kane, an orthopedic surgeon who is in charge of the COVID-19 committee, was selected vice president in a 6-4 vote, replacing board member Jacqueline McAlister to the post. Dr. Kane gave a presentation with updates from the COVID-19 committee, which met Tuesday. Clark, who sat in on the committee meeting along with Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor, called it a very productive meeting. “There are a lot of obstacles we have to get through and it is amazing when you see the team he put together,” Clark said of the COVID-19 committee. “I don’t think anyone else statewide has a team quite like this. Hopefully, they will keep guiding us.” Dr. Kane explained the best and worst case scenarios for the school district amid the pandemic. The district schools have remained open since September, offering hybrid learning with both in-person and virtual instruction. Dr. Kane noted that the best case scenario would be to return the Primary School to five days of in-person instruction by Feb. 1...

The Cape May County Board of County Commissioners met on Wednesday evening to officially reorganize their government. Commissioners Will Morey and Jeffrey L. Pierson both were sworn in, along with Sheriff Robert A. Nolan and County Clerk Rita A. Rothberg. Senator Michael L. Testa, Jr. swore in Morey, Nolan, and Rothberg, while Surrogate Dean Marcolongo swore in Pierson. The meeting was held virtually for the public due to current restrictions of COVID-19...

Like so many other charitable organizations throughout the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, the volunteers at the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard had their share of struggles. The pandemic brought restrictions that made it harder for them to do their job of providing meals to those who need it most throughout the community. Despite challenges, the dedicated members continued to make home deliveries to qualified homebound residents, and just recently opened the doors again to those who wish to pick up their food packages at the cupboard, which is located in St. Peter’s United Methodist Church at 501 E. Eighth Street.

Despite the pandemic and a temporary shutdown of beaches and businesses during the 2020 summer season, Ocean City beach tag sales were solid, officials said. The final official beach tag revenue number was $3.83 million, Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen said Monday. In 2019, the figure was $4.03 million.

The holiday shopping season in downtown Ocean City and on the Boardwalk proved successful for many merchants, officials said. Despite the pandemic and a months-long shutdown of some nonessential businesses in the spring, shopkeepers said that people still shopped, still spent money for takeout food and outdoor dining and continued to shop locally, even with the added rules and restrictions due to COVID-19. An early indicator that business would still continue to be strong came with November’s “Earlier Than The Bird” shopping promotion. The event brought tourists to the downtown to shop locally and take advantage of discounts.