Plenty to do at Ocean City Community Center This Winter

The following press release comes courtesy Mark Soifer, Ocean City Public Relations Director:

Ocean City is fortunate to have a Community Center that provides residents with an array of activities to keep them healthy, entertained and informed the year around. The building contains a Library, Historical Museum, Arts Center, Senior Center and Aquatic and Fitness Center plus a small restaurant, all under one gigantic roof at 17th and Simpson Avenue. There is really no place like it in the area:

The Library itself has enough free programs to keep you occupied all year. Here’s just a sample of What’s Happening there now.

Let’s start with classes in Basic Computer Fundamentals on Jan. 6-13 in the Computer Center from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. plus an IPad/phone class to learn the basic features of your device on Jan. 27, Feb. 3 and 10 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

You also have the opportunity to download free magazines, movies, music and books at the Library. All classes are free and open to the public. No registration is required. For information, call 609-399-2434, ext. 5240.

Free Classic Film Nights with Dr. Wally Brown are a favorite of the Library. Dr. Brown introduces each film and offers a question and answer session afterwards. The films are shown on Mondays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with programs set for Jan. 12, 26 and Feb. 9. For information call 609-399-2434, ext. 5231.

The Library also offers Bridge Lessons, programs on classical music by Paul Mac of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, a Declutter Your World Workshop, After School Movies, a Duct Tape Club, book clubs and activities for youngsters of all ages.

There are free language classes, free current movie screenings, TED Talks, concerts, game shows. Also Jazz concerts by the Somers Point Jazz Society featuring area Jazz greats, popular music programs and much more.

Call the Library at 609-399-2434 to receive its free online news letter (newsletters@oceancitylibrary.org) to keep informed about the year of continuous free programs.

And of course you can always find the book of your choice at the Library.

The Community Center includes an Aquatic and Fitness Center with an Olympic sized pool, gym exercise facilities and many classes to help keep you physically fit. It’s open seven days a week.

You can keep in shape swimming laps in the pool at your own pace, and/or attending water exercise classes, Scuba Sessions, Volley Ball exercise games in the water and more.

You can work out at the gym on your own or attend classes including Total Body Workout, Strength Training, Zumba, Yoga, Martial Arts, Pilates, Smooth Moves for those with limited ability, Tai Chi etc.

For complete information visit www.ocnj.us , call 609-398-6900 or stop at the Center and have a chat with the friendly folks at the counter.

The Ocean City Arts Center is located on the second floor of the Community Center. It presents monthly exhibits by the area’s finest artists and sculptors. A complete year-long program of art classes is offered along with summer camps and dance instruction.

The Arts Center also offers year around instrumental classes for various ages and abilities, in percussion, drums, guitar, bass guitar and ukulele. For information, call 609-399-7628.

The Ocean City Historical Museum is located at the main entrance of the Community Center adjacent to the Atrium of the building. Here, the history of our famous family resort founded in 1879 is depicted in colorful exhibits from the past that entertain and inform.

You will see relics from the Sindia, the ship that beached on Ocean City sands in 1901, costumes and memorabilia that date back to the City’s founding. A walk through the Museum is like taking an informative and nostalgic trip through Ocean City’s colorful past.

The Museum’s Executive Director, Jeff McGranahan, recently announced that the facility hosted 7,000 visitors in 2014.

The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours on Thursday until 7 p.m. It features lectures and special events during the year. Call 609-399-1801 for information or visit www.ocnjmuseum.org.

The Community Center also houses a Senior Center on the 18th Street side of the building that schedules year round activities and programs for Senior Citizens. For information, call 609-398-2552.

The Ocean City Community Center Association recently honored its founding members and those who have worked and contributed to make the building the great public institution that it is today. A large plaque honoring them is located near the atrium to the building.