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You might think you know Ocean City history, but do you know about “Widow’s Row?” Do you know about Archie Haggie Harris, Jr.? How about Turner’s Pool Hall? We didn’t either. They are all part of Ocean City’s rich African American heritage, but one largely unknown in a town that otherwise embraces and celebrates its past. “We have a very significant black history in Ocean City,” said local historian Loretta Thompson Harris. “Unfortunately, it is not very well documented.” Harris, a fourth generation Ocean City Thompson family member, presented a fascinating look at the people, businesses and contributions of the African American community at Friday’s meeting of Ocean City AARP Chapter 1062 at the Ocean City Free Public Library.

The preserved remains of an historic tree, a treasured relic linking the Ocean City Tabernacle to its founding and that of the city, will receive a new place of honor on the grounds of the house of worship, Pastor Jay Reimer said on Thursday. The tree, a cypress, was growing at a location near North Street in 1879 when the Tabernacle was founded, the same year as the town itself. The Reverends Ezra B. Lake, S. Wesley Lake and James E. Lake, all brothers, along with the Rev. William H. Burrell, dedicated the resort “under this tree with a prayer to God … as a Christian Seaside Resort,” states a plaque, which formerly stood in front of the tree, and will be re-installed. Pastor Reimer, who serves as president and chief executive officer, said the Tabernacle’s board voted to move the tree to a soon-to-be developed “Founder’s Plaza” on the grounds near the prominent corner of Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

OK, people, this is Ocean City, and we all know how to do weekends. Fully realizing we’re preaching to the choir here of O.C. devotees, it still bears repeating. If weekend warrior-ing is an art form, then Ocean City’s art is museum-grade. Case in point, best buds Ari Arnone of Cherry Hill and Natacha Falcon of Linwood were doing the Asbury Avenue shopping thing with daughters Eva, 8, and Victoria, 9. While they were at it, they coined their own weekend theme. “Forget Valentine’s Day, this is GALentine’s Day!” Arnone exclaimed on Saturday. “We just had lunch and we just made some pottery at (a local studio). Now we’re hitting the stores.” When you can give your weekend activities a theme with a newly minted name, you’re not doing too badly.

Barry Williams looks back on his years playing Greg Brady, the wise, calming influence on his younger sibling characters on the iconic 70s TV show “The Brady Bunch,” and sums up the role: “I played someone who came to be seen as America’s most reliable older brother.” As an actor, it is an enviable legacy for Williams, now 65, who will step into two new roles in Ocean City on April 18: leading the Doo Dah Parade as its grand marshal and later that evening serving as emcee of the Mr. Mature America pageant at the Music Pier. Reached by phone Tuesday following a gym workout in his adopted hometown of Branson, Missouri, Williams said he was “excited, thrilled and honored” to be coming to Ocean City for the events, seen as warmups for the coming summer tourism season.

Vince Lee says he has “one foot fully planted in popular music, the other one fully planted in classical.” Which, among other attributes, makes Lee a great choice to lead the Ocean City Pops Orchestra as its new permanent conductor. The city recently tapped Lee, who has already led the Pops several times as a guest conductor, following a two-year search process.

As a longtime Kansas City Chiefs fan hoping for his team’s first Super Bowl win in 50 years, Bob Barr knew all about Big Charlie’s Saloon in South Philadelphia. Barr, an Ocean City councilman representing the Fourth Ward, hadn’t personally visited the corner bar, which is nationally known as “Arrowhead East” in honor of the Chiefs stadium. All that changed Thursday night when Barr and Niners superfan Kelli Giblin of Upper Township made the 66-mile trek from the city of Manco and Manco to the city of soft pretzels and cheesesteaks to see the Big Charlie’s mystique first-hand. Along for the festivities was Bryan Leatherwood of Ocean City, Barr’s assistant and a friend of Bob and Kelli since childhood, who bravely showed up wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey.

Super Bowl LIV is nearly upon us, and that means virtually everyone has an opinion on the game, pitting the San Francisco 49ers against the Kansas City Chiefs. More of a cultural phenomenon than a football game, Super Bowl Sunday is undoubtedly the nation’s biggest undeclared holiday. Naturally, Ocean City and Sea Isle City folks were not bashful when our call went out seeking their thoughts on the Big Game. As of Sunday, Las Vegas oddsmakers had installed the Chiefs as a one-point favorite, which basically makes the game a toss-up from a betting standpoint. Fittingly, the responses reflect this. Great arguments were made for both teams from a football standpoint. There were also plenty of sentimental thoughts in support of Chiefs Coach Andy Reid, the former Eagles coach who took the Birds close to the promised land but who couldn’t quite get there in three bitter defeats in NFC championship games and the 2004 Super Bowl. There were a few Eagles fan respondents who do not want Reid to win with another team after so many near-misses with their team. Weighing in along with people from Ocean City, Sea Isle and environs, were a number of voices from the media...

The license plates told the story. Rhode Island and Vermont, Missouri and Ohio. And, of course, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. And Nevada. Nevada! The latter plate was seen on a dirt-covered SUV parked within two blocks of the Wildwoods Convention Center on Tuesday night. The building was the site of a campaign rally on behalf of President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election bid and that of local Congressman Jeff Van Drew.

It was billed as Donald Trump’s “Keep America Great” Rally Tuesday night in Wildwood, but the event seemed to be part rock concert, part anointment of Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s new status as a Republican, and mostly a lovefest for the 45th president of the United States. Thousands waited in line for hours and some for days to have a coveted seat in the Wildwoods Convention Center or a standing room spot on the floor of the arena. “How about the president of the United States being right here in South Jersey?” Van Drew bellowed after being introduced by Trump.

It’s history in the making. President Donald Trump will appear in Wildwood and make a speech Tuesday night at the Wildwoods Convention Center as part of his re-election campaign and also on behalf of Congressman Jeff Van Drew. Van Drew, who represents the Second Congressional District, including Cape May County, was elected in 2018 and will be seeking re-election for the first time as a Republican following his switch from the Democratic Party in December.