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If it seems like every day is St. Patrick’s Day at Josie Kelly’s Public House, then what of the Real McCoy on March 17th? “No pressure,” proprietor Kathleen (with husband Dermot) Lloyd said with a laugh. “We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing.” Great strategy, for the authentic Irish Restaurant and Pub at 908 Shore Road in Somers Point has been nothing short of a hit since its opening last summer. No sense messing with a proven winner, right?

Patrons of the Dead End Bakehouse at 1050 Bay Avenue received a pleasant surprise Wednesday when they stopped in for their morning refreshment: the coffee was free and so was the interaction with members of the Community Oriented Policing Unit (COPS) of the Ocean City Police Department. It was all part of “Coffee With Cops,” a regular event around town designed to help police and the community get to know each other better, answer questions, and mostly see each other in a new light.

Chris Armstrong approached the barbell, loaded with 570 pounds of iron. To hoist it off the ground would set the Ocean City High School weightlifting record. Armstrong paused before he made the attempt. Then he ran in front of the bar and whooped and hollered, much to the amusement of those in attendance. He then reached down and lifted the bar and held it, to set the new record – albeit briefly. Just moments later, Armstrong’s teammate and good buddy Mike Willscroft duplicated the feat, again prompting cheers from the overflow crowd. Just another team bonding moment at Wednesday’s Fourth Annual Weightlifting Test event and fundraiser to benefit the Red Raiders’ football program.

Just two years after its Gale Force roller coaster changed the face of amusements – and the skyline – in Ocean City, Playland's Castaway Cove is adding four new rides for 2019. The historic park is not standing pat as crews energetically prepare for its 60th year in front of the Flanders Hotel at 10th Street and the Boardwalk. "Nobody adds rides like we do on a regular basis," said vice president Brian Hartley, who oversees day-to-day operations.

The proliferation of new technology has helped make many tasks easier for many people. However, some folks have a more difficult adjustment than others to the digital age. Michael Doliszny, an Ocean City Eagle Scout, wants to make life with computers easier for our veterans, particularly older ones. To that end, Michael is in the process of launching a free technology course for veterans. The first class takes place on Saturday at the Atlantic Cape Community College computer lab at the campus in Cape May Court House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aspiring 15-year-old Ocean City baseball star Tommy Finnegan has yet to throw a pitch at the high school level. Hasn’t fired a rising fastball or snapped off a curve. Hasn’t toed the rubber or adjusted his cap. Heck, Tommy Finnegan hasn’t officially even made the Red Raiders’ varsity squad yet. For that matter, he’s still only in this third marking period at Ocean City High School – where he takes honors courses and carries a 4.1 grade point average. Such facts of life haven’t stopped the University of Kentucky, a member of the baseball-rich Southeastern Conference, from offering the 6-foot, 6-inch, 180-pound freshman right-hander a scholarship for athletics and academics.

One of Ocean City’s hardest-working couples is the new force behind Piccini Wood Fired Brick Oven Pizza and Restaurant. Tony Galante and his wife, Janet, longtime proprietors of the 13th Street Bath House, a 75-car parking lot and two bike rental establishments at 13th and the Boardwalk and 10th and Atlantic, have gone public with their latest enterprise: ownership of the well-known eatery at 13th Street and West Avenue. The Galantes bought Piccini in November, but intentionally “flew under the radar” for the first few months, Tony Galante said, because they wanted to learn and stay true to the existing brand before going public.

More than 300 parents and kids attended the Ocean City Environmental Commission’s second annual Nature and the Environment Fun Day at the Community Center. The kids made arts and crafts projects using recycled materials, watched entertaining videos with environmental themes and played games. They also learned about serious issues facing Mother Earth and explored ways to address them. At last year’s inaugural event, about 50 people showed up. Bolstered by a sunshiny day and warm temperatures, the room that is the regular home of the Stainton Senior Center was taken over by dozens of young families Saturday.

Love was in the air. And also on Asbury Avenue. Last minute shoppers, couples enjoying intimate meals, merchants helping make Valentine’s Day wishes come true. It was all on display Thursday as Ocean City celebrated Valentine’s Day.

Ocean City’s Skate Park has come of age. The facility on Asbury Avenue between 6th and 5th streets is no longer new, no longer a novelty. It is the established local home of a community of people, and a very successful one at that. It is a community grateful for the park, one that takes pride in it and one that gives back to its own and to Ocean City. During most hours it is open, from 9 a.m. to dusk on rain and snow-free days, regardless of season or temperature, some from the dedicated band of skateboarding enthusiasts can be found using the park, rated one of the best on the entire East Coast.