Ocean City Chamber Of Commerce To Award Teacher, Businesses

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Chamber of Commerce will honor several businesses and one teacher. Ocean City Primary School educator Carrie Merritt will earn the Citizen of the Year Award at the chamber of commerce's ceremony Tuesday at the Flanders Hotel.

Merritt, who teaches first grade, earned 2018-19 Cape May County Teacher of the Year and was a New Jersey State Teacher of the Year finalist. Read more: Ocean City Teacher Is Cape May County Teacher Of The Year

Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor recently selected Merritt to serve on a women's leadership committee. The committee crafted the "We Rock" initiative at Ocean City schools. The vision of this district-wide initiative is to “empower ourselves, empower our students and empower our community.”

Merritt also runs TLC Performance, a small personal training business on the island. While "torturing" her clients, she tries to instill the belief that fitness and wellness can be fun, the Chamber of Commerce said in its announcement. She is a strength coach for many Ocean City High School girls sports teams.

The following businesses will also receive awards at the dinner:

Business Renovation/Improvement Award: OC Escape Adventures, Bungalow Bowls (Boardwalk), and Bowfish Kids.

Outstanding Landscaping/Signage Award: Hearth & Sole and Sifting Sands.

Business New Construction Award: Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Home Services, Tuckahoe Inn, Interiors by Joann, and Express Pizza.

Outstanding New Business Award: Dry Island, Dead End Bake Shop, and Arnie’s Butcher Shop.

Outstanding Civic, Community, Non-Profit Organization Award: Ocean City Tabernacle’s Son Club.

Outstanding Use of Technology Award: We Make it Personal and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.

Outstanding Service to the Community Award: Cathy Finnegan and also to the Seagull Abatement Program.

• fifth anniversary – Yoga Ginger
• 10th anniversary – Fractured Prune
• 10th anniversary – Harbor Outfitters
• 10th anniversary – OCNJ Half Marathon
• 10th anniversary – Ocean City Magazine
• 20th anniversary – Inn the Gardens Bed & Breakfast
• 25th anniversary – Hobby Horse Ice Cream
• 35th anniversary – Fox Real Estate
• 40th anniversary – Halliday-Leonard Contractors
• 50th anniversary - Oves
• 50th anniversary – Varsity Inn
• 50th anniversary – Sack O Subs
• 65th anniversary – Night in Venice
• 75th anniversary – Charlie’s
• 90th anniversary – Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
• 95th anniversary – Boyar’s Market
• 100th anniversary – Board of Realtors
• 100th anniversary – St. John’s Lutheran Church
• 140th anniversary – Ocean City Tabernacle

For dinner reservations, $55 per person, or to congratulate the winners in the 2019 Program Book, call the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce office at (609) 399-1412 or email info@oceancitychamber.com.

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