OC Historical Museum recalls old Ocean City
Written by Cathy Finnegan Tuesday, 27 September 2011 11:13
The Ocean City Historical Museum held its 48th annual luncheon at the Flanders Hotel on a bright sunny day. Noel Wirth and Jean Robinson greeted guests when they arrived in the upper lobby while Carolyn Lothian entertained at the piano.
Museum President Paul Anselm finished setting up a slide presentation of old photos of O.C. and handed this columnist a list of attendees when I arrived. Ruth Anselm looked great in a black and white print jersey dress as she maneuvered her motorized cart around the Crystal Ballroom. Caroline Tetzner, a volunteer at the museum who has three sons and five grandchildren, still has the $20 gold piece she won in the O.C. Baby Parade when she was 10 months old.
Kathy Giel spent summers in O.C. till she retired in ’79, and moved here permanently. Now that Oves at Fourth Street and the Boardwalk is closed, Wilma and Dan Murray and friends have moved their coffee klatch to the 4th Street Café.
I enjoyed chatting with Carol Kearney who has owned the Gingham Whale at 636 Asbury Avenue for 10 years. Roberta and Rockey Gannon recently attended a reunion in Atlanta with Rocky’s Air Force pilots from WWII who hadn’t gotten together for 45 years. The Gannons will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary November 10, the Marine Corps Birthday, so they have a double celebration every year.
Peggy Lloyd told me my column is read worldwide, as her cousin, who lives in Helsinki, Finland, saw her picture in my arts center column online.
Anita DeSantis, who created the museum’s 18-month calendar for 2011-12, reports they still have some left to sell. When Mary Lois Hughes moved to O.C a year ago she said it was an answer to her dreams.
It was good to see my former neighbor, Johnette Halpin, the new director of the museum. Fred Miller has added another accomplishment to his long list as he took some great pictures with my camera.
Peg Hagerty just got home after a tour of Northern Ireland where she found her grandparents’ farm that is still standing. Carol Rieder, who taught French at Emmaus High School for 33 years, introduced me to her friend, Pam Trevarthen, who taught school in Vineland for 34 years.
Ken Cooper sported tan shorts and a red golf shirt when he took a couple of hours off from work to enjoy the luncheon. While taking a picture of Sandy and Bill McMahon and their children, Bill, Jr., Maura Primus and Michael, they said they were looking forward to their son and brother Brian’s wedding Saturday at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
Sylva Bertini and Jean Jacobson rushed in just in time for lunch. When Paul Anselm welcomed everyone he asked who knew what year “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. A few were correct with 1954.
I enjoyed lunch chatting with Mickey and Bill Bender, Bonnie and Pete Ault, Fred Miller and guest speaker Jim Stephens. When Hurricane Irene headed for O.C. Mickey and Bill flew to Sonesta Key, their winter home in Florida. Glad to report Doug Longenecker is doing well following his recent back surgery.
Edwina Wagner was easy to spot in a bright color block silk dress she whipped up on her sewing machine while husband, Roy, sported a light blue linen blazer. I enjoyed discussing some hot button topics with Susan and John Shirk. Susan also told me son Jason, a junior, just got the lead in the high school play, “You Can’t Take It With You.” While not pursuing a career in theatre, Jason portrayed Jesus in “Godspell” this summer and also had the lead in last year’s high school play. Daughter Gretchen, a freshman at OCHS, is running cross-country this fall.
Peggy McKee sported a black straw hat and is looking forward to her first bus trip to Canada. Winnie Piriano was ready for fall in a brown capri outfit with a jewel accent around the neckline.
Laurie Howey rattled off a long list of upcoming events she is coordinating around O.C. while Jim Mallon listened in awe. Dick Stanislaw enjoyed the luncheon with wife, Becky. Dick is excited about the Tabernacle’s after-school program where they offer tutoring, Bible studies, cooking lessons and so much more.
Dot Turner has been making tote bags for years and is now making “Jazzy Aprons” that are featured in Two Tin Crows on Asbury Avenue.
Noel Wirth and Caroline Tetzner work part time at Shriver’s, so they were in charge of selecting the salt water taffy favors each guest received. I rushed back to my table when Fred Miller got up to introduce the guest speaker, Jim Stephens, director of education and interpretation at Historic Cold Spring Village, who highlighted Cape May County’s role in the Civil War.
At the conclusion of the luncheon Paul Anselm announced if anyone was brave enough to admit to being the oldest at each table they could take home the pretty floral centerpieces from Mark and Linda Videtto at Spinning Wheel Florist.
It was a sea of red and white as members of the Exchange Club and friends, all sporting
Phillies shirts, gathered at the airport parking lot for the club’s annual trip to Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies/Braves game. Curt Gronert helped load food and beverages on the bus while wife, Linda, chatted with friends.
Warren Iredell, who chaired this event, distributed tickets as everyone boarded the bus. We hadn’t reached the parkway when Warren and Ed Price came down the aisle with hoagies from Boyar’s for all to enjoy. Terry Grau followed with napkins then later came by to pick up the trash.
Jim and I enjoyed chatting with Irene and George Reeves, Carol Heenan and Eric Wakabayashi on the ride to the game. Exchange President Jon Batastini, who brought his father-in-law, Charles Dutch, to the game, welcomed everyone and highlighted the club’s fundraising projects in hopes of recruiting new members.
Diane and John Van Stone brought quite an entourage on the trip: Phyllis and Jerry Bonner, Barbara and Reynolds Keen, Pat and Jim Smith, Jane and Ray Snyder and Peg and Steve Cole, to name a few.
Mary Ann Jones was glad she was able to get a ticket for grandson Jimmy Flukey at the last minute. We arrived at the park in good time and unlike the game the night before that started two hours late due to rain, our game started on time and both pitchers kept the game moving with lots of strikeouts.
When I came back from shopping at the Majestic Clubhouse store, Dorothy and Homer Gerken were disappointed I didn’t have any packages as they always enjoy the fashion show on the way home.
I admitted it’s much easier to shop online and I had all the Phillies gear I could wear this year. Janet and Jack Dershimer and Linda and Larry Carnuccio jumped at the chance to pose for a picture for “Travels with the Gazette” at the park.
I enjoyed chatting with Joe Iredell who lives and works on the boardwalk. Gia Schiraldi works at Jon and Patty’s and I didn’t recognize her sitting behind me with her husband, Tom, and Sam and Joe Foglio.
The game was tie going into the bottom of the ninth but fortunately Ross Gloud got a pinch hit to score the winning run, and everyone went home happy as the Phillies swept the Braves in this series.
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