MediaWize

Atlantic City Blackjacks wide receiver Antwane Grant was named Co-Rookie of the Year on Tuesday alongside Columbus Destroyers wideout and return man Fabian Guerra. It marked the first time in Arena Football League history that the award has been shared. The team leader in receiving yards, Grant made a strong case for the award late in the season, posting five 100-yard receiving games in his last six outings. Over that span, he caught 45 passes and hauled in 14 of his 15 total touchdowns.

Anticipation was Sky high. The excitement level was Sky high, too. And why not? Sky Brown, the 11-year-old international skateboarding, surfing and dancing sensation, was in town for a special show that thrilled her Ocean City admirers. Fans clamored for autographs and pictures as Sky and her 7-year-old brother, Ocean, appeared at the Ocean City Skate Park on Tuesday to put on a skating demonstration and hang out for a meet-and-greet.

More than 50 of the youngest and fastest new Ocean City residents and visitors raced in the Pamper Scamper on Tuesday. The annual event is a crawling race for children 15 months old and younger. The races start with the competitors in the center of a parachute. First one to crawl to the perimeter and the waiting arms of mom or dad is the winner. A list of the winners follows.

The Ocean City Baby Parade returns to the Boardwalk for the 110th time at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. The annual tradition offers a chance for parents to show off Ocean City’s newest generation. The parade features children (ages 10 and under) cruising the Ocean City Boardwalk in themed strollers, wagons and floats. It starts at Sixth Street with children finishing at the Music Pier (at Moorlyn Terrace) and all other entries continuing to 14th Street.

Nearby stores were evacuated as a precaution Tuesday during the cleanup of a chemical spill on the 700 block of West and Asbury avenues in downtown Ocean City. At about 11:45 a.m., a delivery driver reported that the chemicals sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite had spilled from the back of his truck, city spokesman Doug Bergen said. Those chemicals are caustic substances used as drain cleaners and water disinfectants. Because of risks associated with direct contact with the chemicals and with breathing fumes from them, nearby businesses were evacuated while cleanup was done by the Cape May County Hazmat Unit, Bergen said.

Beach patrols from Sea Girt in Monmouth County down to Wildwood Crest in Cape May County competed Monday in the fifth annual South Jersey Rescue Board races on the 15th Street beach in Brigantine. There were six events involving four individual races and two team relay races, all involving the use of paddleboards. The night was basically a battle between Harvey Cedars in Ocean County and Ocean City, with either beach patrol coming in first or second place in four of the six races. In the end, the Harvey Cedars team finished first with 25 points, Ocean City was second with 24 points and Wildwood Crest took third with 15 points.

Operation First Response will hold the 11th Annual Walk for the Wounded to benefit wounded soldiers and their families Saturday, Sept. 28. Since the Walk’s inception in 2009, the event has raised more than $750,000 to help injured veterans, while bringing attention to the challenges service men and women face when they return from battle. “In addition to physical injuries, many of these brave men and women are dealing with financial struggles and emotional scars,” said Tricia Ciliberto, of the 2019 Walk for the Wounded Committee. “They and their families make sacrifices on a daily basis to keep us safe. The Walk for the Wounded is one way to show our appreciation.” There are a number of ways to contribute to the success of the 11th Annual Walk, including ads in the dedication booklet, which is distributed at the event and given to soldiers recovering at the Walter Reed National Military Center...

A friend, gentleman, family man, an inspiration, a hero and patriot are just some of the words used to describe Ocean City resident and World War II veteran Sgt. Joe Caserta. At age 97, Caserta was honored Saturday at VFW Post 6650 in Ocean City for his service to his country and community. Caserta fought on Omaha Beach, Normandy and in the Battle of the Bulge. It was during the Battle of the Bulge that he earned a Purple Heart and then a Bronze Star while fighting in the City of Cologne. Caserta, stoic in his chair, watched as veterans, friends and family members filled the tables throughout the VFW post Saturday afternoon. Some formed a line in hopes to say a few words and to have their picture taken with him.

More than 100 pounds of food was collected during an open house at the Ocean City Fishing Club. The open house attracted 687 visitors to the fishing pier. The event Thursday benefited the Ocean City Food Cupboard, which feeds families in need.

The 57th edition of the Boardwalk Art Show, one of Ocean City’s oldest summer events, added a new twist this year. Tucked under tents lining the Boardwalk between Eighth and 13th streets, the show features oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, photography, handmade jewelry, prints and drawings on display and for sale. A newer event, the Art of Surfing Festival, was added to showcase surf-related artwork, memorabilia, books and clothing. The art show continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.