Letter from the editor
What an exciting time to be at the Jersey Shore! Last weekend the jam band, Phish, performed on the beach for a 3-day concert in Atlantic City. The sold-out concert drew more than 30,000 people! And Phish brought their best performance, bringing smiles and dance moves to visitors and locals alike.
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds landed in Egg Harbor Township, at the 177th Fighter Wing for the Atlantic City Airshow, held on Wednesday. It’s the largest mid-week airshow in the country, drawing over a hundred thousand people to the resort. Given last year’s absence, this show will seem even more spectacular. I had the privilege of meeting up with one of the pilots and witnessing a plane landing only yards away! I was pretty blown away, and I hope to bring you the excitement of the experience in my story on page 10.
Also in this issue, we catch a glimpse at the new “mascot” of Brigantine, Lucy the duck. Its beloved owner, Megan partners with her feathered friend to promote awareness about the importance of protecting the environment. The pair coordinate beach clean-ups and tell their story to passersby at the Brigantine Farm Market.
Our dedicated journalist, (and daughter) Sarah Fertsch went on a coffee adventure this week, sampling signature drinks and house blends from Ocean City coffee shops. She highlights what makes each special, and reminds us to celebrate small businesses and try something new. Look for a coffee tasting spotlight of more local shops in the next few weeks as we tour them on Absecon Island and the Mainland.
Speaking of Ocean City, their newest pickleball store allows guests to learn about the exciting new sport. Folks young and old are enjoying this game with friends and family. Pickleball is similar to tennis but more accessible to players of all ages and abilities. It’s becoming more popular by the minute. Read more about this cool trend on page 26.
This weekend also kicks off 3 days of beach concerts in Wildwood including Carrie Underwood, a personal favorite of mine. Fans are about to flock to the beach and jam out to their favorite summer music. Explore all of what Wildwood has to offer and make those summer memories stick for years to come.
What else is jam-packed in this week’s magazine? Well, as you can see on our cover, Gritty rolled into Ocean City this week to the delight of children and adults alike. The Baby Parade in Ocean City enamored onlookers with extreme levels of cuteness. And be sure to read about the crazy creatures that live below the ocean’s surface, like harbor seals, humpback whales, and hermit crabs. Just flip the page and maybe learn something new.
As we move towards the second half of August, hold onto summer with both hands. Dip your toes in the ocean and get sandy. We still have a few more weeks to get in those adventures and make memories with our loved ones.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
