tkelly

“Kato was a rock star when he was still living at the shelter,” said Bill Hollingsworth, executive director of the Humane Society of Ocean City. “But now …” No more words were necessary. Kato, a 7-year-old white German Shepherd pranced around the Ocean City Skatepark on Saturday in full celebrity mode. He posed for pictures, licked the faces of his “guests” and seemed fully aware he was the center of attention for the annual Skato With Kato fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society.

From the time pitcher Sean Mooney began dominating as a high school freshman, Ocean City baseball coach Andrew Bristol knew Mooney had the right stuff to make it all the way to the big leagues. “He was a kid who could throw a baseball through a five-inch hole. He could put the ball exactly where he wanted it. We (coaches) saw that kind of potential the very first day,” Bristol said. On Tuesday, Mooney took a huge step toward his goal of pitching in the majors when he was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the Major League Baseball draft.

It was the cat’s meow. Times four. Shoemaker Lumber at 12th Street and West Avenue hosted some uninvited company of the feline variety recently, when an apparently homeless and still unnamed female cat decided to move in. The black and white kitty began hanging out under the elevated stacks of wood and molding at the yard about a month ago, according to Janet Young, a Shoemaker Lumber co-owner and longtime member of the staff. Now the cat has a family, after giving birth to four kittens. The mama cat and kittens are being adopted out in what is a purr-fect ending to the story.

Calling all groms! The future of surfing will be on display this weekend when the O’Neill East Coast Grom Tour rolls into Ocean City this Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, at the famed 7th Street Beach. “This event helps promote and grow the sport by introducing the youngest of ages to both competitive and recreational surfing,” said Heritage Surf and Sport’s Jim Hennessey. “Here in Ocean City and (other local beach towns) we have quite a large group of good young talent. “

It’s one of Ocean City’s most storied traditions, part of the town’s image and one of the most high profile – and potentially high pressure – seasonal occupations. The Beach Patrol is ready for the challenge as it embarks on its 121st season. ”I think we have a good group this year,” said OCBP Chief Mark Jamieson, a 22-year veteran in his third year leading the 186-person squad. “We have a larger number of returning people than in the last few years. It’s great to see those familiar faces back with us again.” He’s also looking forward to the annual rookie tryouts next month and seeing what new young talent will be wearing the signature red, white and blue beach gear when the season hits its busiest time.

Just when you thought Ocean City was going to face the summer tourism season with no gas stations along the Ninth Street corridor, the former Grace Oil station at Ninth Street and West Avenue became the current Grace Oil Station. Quietly and with zero fanfare, the station, shuttered since March, reopened at 10 a.m. Wednesday. “It’s a good idea to have a gas station here,” said Steven Underwood of Mount Laurel, Burlington County, who was in town for a day trip with his mother, Mary Ellen. “It’s convenient. I needed gas and now I can just leave town and get right on the (Garden State) Parkway.”

Nearly 3,000 walkers turned out Saturday for the 22nd consecutive staging of the American Heart Association's Southern New Jersey Spring Heart Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk. In the process, they helped to raise approximately $40,000 to benefit research, education and awareness of heart disease.

Most people have heard of lupus, but don’t necessarily know what it is. That lack of knowledge can sometimes be an impediment in the diagnosis and treatment of the potentially deadly disease, which currently has no known cure. “Lupus is what we call a masquerader because it attacks people in the prime of life and their symptoms can mimic conditions that aren’t serious,” said Cindy Messerle, CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America’s Tri-State Chapter. The Chapter hopes to raise awareness about lupus as well as funds to be used for research and education at Sunday’s 11th Annual Walk to End Lupus Now event on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Pastel colors, glitter and high-pitched voices don’t usually dominate the Ocean City Skatepark. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday, though, during the hugely successful Chica De Mayo event. The predominantly male sport of skateboarding took a pause as the girls-only skating party took over the park at 550 Asbury Avenue. Originally scheduled to coincide with Cinco de Mayo on Friday, May 5, the rainy spring weather would not let it happen. Saturday’s rain date had perfect weather, and the girls took full advantage.

You’ve undoubtedly passed them, probably without much notice, if you’re an Ocean City resident or visitor. They’ve been around for almost a century, standing sentry over one of the city’s best-known landmarks. They are the gargoyles of the Flanders Hotel, some of the most unique architectural elements of the 96-year-old building.