Baton Twirler, 81, to be Honored During Mr. Maturity Pageant

Being as this will be Valentine’s Weekend why not treat your special someone to a sweet time at the Music Pier on Saturday? You’ll both enjoy a melodic and tasty program.

The Ocean City Theatre Company will present a splendid mix of love songs and Valentine Sweets for your entertainment and consumption. Yep all those classic Broadway love songs performed so that you can actually hear the words and enjoy the beautiful melodies and dance routines.

Plus prior to the show, there will be four sumptuous Valentine dessert stations to put you in the mood for the great entertainment to follow. Doors open for dessert and show tickets at 7:15 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, available by calling (609) 525-9300 or visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice.

MR. MATURE AMERICA UPDATE: In conjunction with our upcoming Mr. Mature America Pageant, I have written a rhyme about me, a mature American. It’s how I feel when I refuse to believe that I’m still not young and agile and can hit a line drive over second base. (You don’t have to do it any more, just believe that you can and you won’t feel like Mr. Dill.)

MR. DILL:

I’m trapped like a pickle in a jar/ I’m tricked by Time/ Time and again/ I’m confused by the news/ Fearful of falling/ Bemused by the butterflies in my head/ I ache when I walk/ Hesitate when I talk/ Can’t find my keys or my meds/ I feel out of touch/ like I don’t matter much/ Hoped to be more/ But all I am is sore/ I’m shrinking every day/ What more can I say/ Than I’m trapped like a pickle in a jar/ Trapped like a pickle in a jar…

The Mr. Mature America Pageant is all about the relevance of Senior Americans and the contributions they make to society. It’s about keeping active, upbeat and maintaining a positive outlook during the aging process. Yes, and about reminiscing positively about the past. Maybe even about writing a poem making fun of yourself (that makes you laugh which is the best medicine).

Speaking of active and upbeat, one of the women who will be honored during the Pageant is Betty Lambert of Harmony, Pa. Betty is an 81 year old baton twirler, who still does splits! She was profiled in the Wall Street Journal and has been the only Majorette of the “Resurrection Band of Zelienople” for 34 years. 

The Band consists of active, older members who played together in High School. “We selected the name because we “resurrected” our aging instruments from the attic,” says Betty. She will perform during the pageant along with Hollywood and TV icon, Peggy King and Ocean City soprano, Nancy Fox and Divas. We affectionately call this group our Maturettes.

The Mr. Mature America Pageant is set for 7 p.m. on March 22 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The Bubba Mac Blues Band, all members over 60, will perform starting at 6:30 p.m.

Contestants must be 60 or older and will receive a big Dietz and Watson Ham, a commemorative T Shirt and reception at the Flanders for participating. 

For more pageant information, call 609-525-9300 or email msoifer@hotmail.com. After business hours, call (609) 364-4010.

Admission to the Pageant is $10, and benefits the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Food Cupboard and the Philippine Relief Fund. Call (609) 525-9300 to order tickets. 

DOO DAH: On April 12, a few weeks after the Mr. Mature America Pageant, Ocean City will present its 29th annual Doo Dah Parade. Grand Marshal will be Peter Funt, host of “Candid Camera,” the popular TV show created by Alan Funt, Peter’s dad, in the 1940’s.

The Parade will once again feature comic brigades, colorful costumed characters, clowns and bands.

The loveable basset hounds (500 of them) will return for their colorful Doo Dah Boardwalk Waddle. The Basset Hound Olympics, an athletic extravaganza not to be missed, will be held on Fri., April 11th beginning noon on the Tabernacle Grounds, 6th and Asbury Ave.

There will be an entire weekend of fun events. More about this later. But if you’d like to participate in the Parade (as an individual or with a group of your friends) contact the Public Relations office, (609) 525-9300.

All participants receive a commemorative T Shirt and a hotdog lunch from Dietz and Watson after the Parade. 

Speaking about after the Parade, that’s when we’ll hold our popular PieAsco. You are invited to sit in grandstands in front of the Music Pier and smoosh the person sitting next to you with a shaving cream pie. It’s all in fun and every participant receives a certificate certifying they were smooshed to show to their friends and relatives. 

BOOK SALE: On Feb. 15, the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold a President’s Weekend Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Atrium of the Library, 1735 Simpson Ave. Specially priced books and some paperbacks will be available.

For information access www.fvocfpl.wordpress.com. The Ocean City Free Public Library has continuous free events including movies, cooking classes, jazz concerts and much more. For information on these programs, call (609) 399-2434. 

FOOD IS LOVE DRIVE: “Food is Love, Share Some Love” says the Ocean City Board of Realtors as it announces its annual Food Drive running now through Feb. 28th. The Realtors Community Service “Valentine’s Month” Project aims to collect food, including canned items, juice and microwaveable pasta meals for the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Food Cupboard. Monetary donations as well as Shoprite Gift Cards will also be collected for needy families.

Donations can be dropped off at the Board of Realtor’s Office, 405 22nd  Street or call (609) 399-0128 for pick-up service. Here are some items needed by the Cupboard: Microwaveable Spaghetti O’s, lasagna, meatballs & spaghetti, ravioli, Canned Meats (corn beef hash, Spam, Dinty Moore Stew, etc.) Jelly, Peanut Butter, Juice, Tomato Pasta Sauce (26 oz) Canned beans, Liquid Laundry Detergent (48 oz) Dish Detergent, paper towels. For more information call Vicki Heebner, (609) 399-0128 or Vicki@ocbr.com.

Congratulations to Michael Hartman for being named one of Atlantic City Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40. He has also received the Key to the City from the Mayor of West Chester, Pa. for his contributions to that Community. Don’t miss Michael’s Valentine’s Show this Saturday at the Music Pier.

By Mark Soifer, Ocean City Public Relations Director