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The Ocean City Historical Museum is searching for a new executive director following the sudden and apparently unexpected resignation of Jeff McGranahan. McGranahan, who led the museum for nearly seven years, submitted a letter of resignation sometime just before Christmas. The museum's board of directors has launched a search process to find McGranahan's successor.

Ocean City’s 27th annual First Night celebration proved to be a spectacular success, despite less than spectacular weather. A rainy forecast and precipitation beginning around 3 p.m. resulted in the cancellation of the fireworks display, scheduled to be shot off at midnight. Aside from that, 30 entertainment events and activities at 22 different venues went off without a hitch. And judging from the reactions of those taking part, the wet weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of the New Year’s Eve revelers.

A family’s decision to give up their Christmas morning to help those less fortunate had an unintended consequence: a win in OCNJDaily.com’s Christmas Photo Contest. Ocean City resident Jim Kolea submitted the winning photo, a selfie depicting Kolea and five of his family members helping to serve meals to disadvantaged people through the City Light organization. Kolea’s shot might not have had the visual impact of some of the other entrants, but it struck a chord with our readers. The photo received the most “likes” on the OCNJDaily.com Facebook page, earning Kolea a $100 gift card to Passion Vines.

On this, the final shopping weekend before Christmas, things were decidedly laid back on Asbury Avenue, Ocean City’s main shopping thoroughfare. We’re not suggesting things were slow from a business standpoint. What we’re saying is this is Ocean City, and the atmosphere was “chill,” despite the dwindling available time to select and purchase gifts. Nobody seemed rushed, those waiting in lines were patient, and holiday greetings were freely exchanged.

With the holiday season comes the spirit of giving. In this regard, Ocean City’s generosity over the years is the stuff of legend. There is no shortage of worthy charities benefiting from the donations, nor a dearth of people who could use help. But consider for a moment, it’s not just people who are in need. Some of our animal friends could really use a boost as well. The boys of the “Tiger” Den of Ocean City Cub Scout Pack 51 thought this through recently, with remarkable results, to benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City.

Ocean City’s most famous shipwreck really wasn’t a shipwreck at all. At least not in the traditional sense most people think of. The Sindia, a 329-foot sailing cargo ship, actually ran aground off Ocean City, 117 years ago to the day this Saturday. It settled not far from the beach between 16th and 17th streets and parts of the ship remained visible to beachgoers as late as the 1980s. Today the ship and much of its cargo lie buried beneath the sand. That much is undisputed fact. The rest of the Sindia saga is steeped in rumor, legend and conspiracy theories, which could explain why its story – filled with holes as it may be – remains a staple in Ocean City lore.

A local man was among the journalists recognized by Time Magazine this week for its highest honor, the annual Person of the Year cover story. Paul Gillespie, 48, a Margate native who has ties to Ocean City, narrowly escaped with his life during the mass shooting inside the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis, Md., on June 28. Five people died and two more were injured during the attack.

It’s back! The local “Mystery Christmas Tree” has re-appeared for another holiday season. For decades, someone has been decorating a robust evergreen located at the foot of the Assemblywoman Dolores G. Cooper Memorial Bridge. Heading into Somers Point from Ocean City or Absecon Island, the tree is on the right hand side of the road, Longport-Somers Point Boulevard.

If you missed Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, fret not. Mrs. Claus has you covered. The Ocean City Historical Museum’s popular Mrs. Claus’ Workshop kicked off Friday with an Open House and craft/vendor fair to mark the opening of its unique holiday shopping experience. From the looks of things, the event was a big success, as confirmed by none other than Mrs. Claus herself.

Every day is small business day on the Boardwalk. With the exception of a few chain store franchises, almost every shop along the boards is a “mom and pop” organization. Some have grown over the years and have opened multiple locations, but even those have humble roots, mostly right here in Ocean City. On Saturday, the official “Small Business Saturday” across America, Ocean City certainly did its part. The second day of the post-Thanksgiving weekend, which also includes “Black Friday,” the biggest retail day of the year, was embraced by locals and visitors alike.