Visitors Enjoy Ocean City on Christmas Day

By MADDY VITALE Visitors to Ocean City on Christmas Day made the most of the mild temperatures, which edged toward 50 degrees, to take a stroll along the beaches and the Boardwalk and to do some bike riding. Some people brought their dogs to romp on the beaches. During the offseason, dogs are allowed on the beaches, just not the Boardwalk. Kathy Turner-Mathis, of Glassboro, N.J., brought her children, Riley Mathis, 13, and 10-year-old Jackson Mathis, as well as their festive spirit and sense of humor. The family wore matching holiday pajamas. Jackson even wore slippers. Each year, they visit Turner-Mathis’ sister, who lives in Somers Point, on Christmas Day. But before that, they make some family memories of their own on the Ocean City beaches. “We come down and take pictures on the beach first. Then we go to my sister’s and open presents,” Turner-Mathis said with a smile. The Boardwalk clock at Ninth Street is wrapped in garland with a bright red bow. Turner-Mathis, who is a pharmacist, said that the novelty of wearing their PJs outside on Christmas Day was a way to do something lighthearted with a bit of whimsy. “I work a lot and I said, ‘We need a reset,’” she said. When she posed the idea of hitting the beach in their PJs, she got a glowing response from the kids. “I was excited,” Riley said of her reaction after learning her mother’s idea. Turner-Mathis said choosing Ocean City to spend part of the Christmas Day was easy. “My parents owned a home in Ocean City,” she said. “My sister Carolyn Hoeveler has lived in Somers Point for 45 years, so we are here a lot. Ocean City is part of our life. The kids love it and I have instilled what is a big part of my life into them.” While Jackson was pretty pleased to be able to walk on the beach in his PJs, he couldn’t wait to get to his aunt’s home. “I can’t wait to open presents!” he exclaimed. Victor and Ann Manuel check out the Whale Tree at the Ninth Street beach. Victor and Ann Manuel, of Washington Township, N.J., visit Ocean City often. “We have a boat in Seaview Harbor Marina, so we come all the time,” Victor noted of the marina in Egg Harbor Township. Ann said that they were on a mission when they arrived on the island for the holiday. “We were walking on the Boardwalk and we heard about the beach Christmas trees. We wanted to find them,” Ann said. It didn’t take the couple long to come upon one, either. As soon as they walked up to the Ninth Street beach they discovered the Whale Tree, which was put up earlier this month in remembrance of the whales that died over the past year and to honor all whales. As they looked at the tree, Ann remarked that it was beautifully decorated. Victor commented on how much they enjoy the serenity of the beach, with few people on it during the winter. “The open space is really nice,” he said. “The best part about living in South Jersey is we have the beaches and the Pine Barrens,” Ann added. Blanca Flores and her husband, Jair Barajas, only had a short drive from Northfield, to see the sights on Monday in Ocean City. “I said that we should go to O.C. today because it’s a mild day and it would be nice to take a walk,” Flores said. Barajas added, “We come to Ocean City all the time in the summer and since it is so nice today, we thought we should enjoy it.” Jair Barajas and Blanca Flores take advantage of the mild temps for a holiday walk on the boards.