Ocean City to Celebrate Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Ocean City will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at two different events on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019: the Day of Service and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony and Soul Food Dinner.
The ceremony, a long tradition in Ocean City, moves this year from its customary date on the Saturday before to the Monday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 21. It will be held at noon at the Hughes Performing Arts Center of Ocean City High School.
The ceremony brings the community together to remember King through words, song and dance. After the program, everybody is invited to a free soul food dinner in the high school cafeteria. The Rev. Gregory Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church will bring back one of the event’s traditional highlights — his recitation of Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
The Rev. Marcia Sanford of Macedonia Methodist Church and the Rev. Stephen Connor of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will give a scripture readings. Ocean City resident Sally Onesty will be honored with the Martin Luther King Award for her support of individuals and families battling the effects of addiction. Students from grades 7 and 8 at the Ocean City Intermediate School will be honored for their winning essays.
Volunteers are invited to join others nationwide in a Day of Service earlier on Jan. 21 to honor Dr. King’s contributions. Citizens are asked to participate in a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign-up and supply distribution will take place at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center, located in the Community Center, 17th Street and Simpson Avenue. Hot drinks and refreshments will be available back at the Senior Center after the cleanup. To participate or for more information, please call 609-399-6111.
MR. MATURE AMERICA PAGEANT SEEKS CONTESTANTS
Registration is now open for contestants in the Mr. Mature America Pageant on April 13.
Mr. Mature celebrates the achievements of men 55 years and older. The pageant, now in its sixth year, mixes talent, good looks and self-deprecating humor. The Ocean City Music Pier crowd is raucous and appreciative as the contestants ham it up on stage, competing in talent, poise and interview segments.
If you have what it takes to be the world’s next “Mr. Mature” (or if you can talk somebody into it), complete the online entry form available atwww.ocnj.us/mrmature or call Michael Hartman at 609-525-9284 for more information. Deadline for sign-ups is March 15.
The event is the first and only pageant of its kind in the United States. The Mr. Mature Pageant takes place on the evening of the Doo Dah Parade on April 13.
