By Mark Soifer
As Ocean City prepares to present the first pageant in America honoring men over 60, the film Nebraska is released. It is the story about 80 plus year old Woody Grant, a Korean War Veteran, who believes he has won a million dollar prize in a magazine subscription contest.
The movie stars Bruce Dern, who in 1981 visited Ocean City to film scenes for the movie, “Tattoo.” in which he starred as a deranged tattoo artist. The segments were filmed at a beachfront home in the south end of the City.
Nebraska celebrates the rugged determination of Woody to get from his home in Billings Montana to Lincoln Nebraska to claim his prize. The film is a sympathetic portrait of a man who over comes the ravages of age and alcoholism to pursue a goal. In the end Woody doesn’t get his million, he gets something even better.
We won’t tell you what. Go see the movie. You won’t be disappointed. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s outrageous, it’s inspiring. And the acting is terrific.
Dern has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. June Squibb, who plays his wife, Kate, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress and the movie has been nominated for best film of the year.
The movie also celebrates older folks and their day- to- day lives in rural America. The Mr. Mature America Pageant Committee has selected Nebraska as the Best Movie of the Year because of it sympathetic approach to the lives of our aging population.
The Pageant is set for 7 p.m., Sat., March 22nd at the Music Pier in Ocean City. At 6:30 p.m., the Bubba Mac Blues Band (all members over 60) will perform for the audience. Contestants will present a talent that can range from music, stand-up comedy, a hobby, or an organization they have assisted for the betterment of the community. They will also discuss how life was, growing up in their particular era. Outstanding women over 60 will be honored and perform during pageant intervals.
Men 60 and over who wish to enter the Pageant should call (609) 525-9300 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. After business hours, call 609-364-4010. All contestants will receive a big Dietz and Watson ham and are invited to attend a reception at the Flanders Hotel.
Tickets are $10 with proceeds benefitting the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Food Cupboard and the Philippine Relief Fund. Call 609-525-9300 to order tickets.
(Feb. 15) Valentine’s Weekend Treat: The Ocean City Theatre Company presents its annual program of sweet music and edible sweets at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. It will be an evening of legendary Broadway love songs and sumptuous Valentine desserts, the perfect way to celebrate the weekend with your special someone.
Doors open for dessert and show tickets at 7:15 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 if purchased by 4 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 11 and $25 thereafter. For tickets, call (609) 525-9300 or visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice. Four dessert stations will be feature specialties from Cousins Restaurant and Nobil Food Services.
Also on February 15, the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold a Presidents’ 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. Access http://fvocfpl.wordpress.com.
An Invitation: The World’s Only Wind Chimes Band of Ocean City, N.J. invites you to become one of its members and entertain the populace with such Wind Chimes Classics as “Brother Can You Spare A Chime.” No experience necessary. Just bring your chime or we can provide one. Next gig will be in Ocean City’s 29th annual Doo Dah Parade, April 12. You will receive a collector’s item Doo Dah T Shirt and a hotdog lunch after the Parade both from Dietz and Watson. Call (609) 525-9300.
Free Movies presented by the Ocean City Fine Arts League at the Ocean City Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. include: March 4, Capote: the creation of the book “In Cold Blood” and how it affected its author Truman Capote; April 1: Mediterraneo, an anti war story set during World War II on a seemingly deserted island: May 6: Music of the Heart, Meryl Streep stars in a drama about a teacher who helps change the lives of her students and June 10: A Prairie Home Companion, a story about Garrison Keillor’s long running radio program. For more information, contact the Ocean City Free Public Library (609) 399-2434 or the Art League (609) 814-0308.
NOTICES: (Feb 7) The Ocean City Band Boosters will hold its annual pasta dinner from 5-7 p.m. at the High School Cafeteria, 501 Atlantic Ave. $10 for adults, $5 for children under10. Take-outs available 4:30 p.m. Music by High School musicians. Get tickets from band members, at the door or call (609) 399-1290 ext. 1248.
What’s Happening at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave: BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Information on African American History and Culture is available drawn from many of Facts On Files critically acclaimed print titles. All aspects of the African American experience are explored. A powerful search engine with high quality and reliable content, this comprehensive database features informative and hyperlinked entries including photos, maps, timelines, primary sources and biographies. To access this free resource, visit the Library’s page of Databases A-Z and access “African American History and Culture” from the list. For more information on this and other reference sources contact the Reference Desk (609) 399-2434 or visit the 2nd floor of Library.
Library courses are available on Learn To Play Bridge II and Spanish. Call Karen at (609) 399-2434 ext. 5238. The next TED TALK, a popular Video and Discussion Series, featuring “Ideas Worth Spreading” is set for Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. till noon in the Main Lecture Room N110. Call Karen for Information.
On Feb. 8, the Library’s Free Saturday afternoon movie will be Tom Hanks in Captain Phillips (PG-13) from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Main Lecture Room. On Sat., Feb. 22, the free movie will be ”Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2” (PG, 2013) from
2 to 4 p.m. in the Main Lecture Room N110. For information on these and many more free Library programs, call (609) 399-2434.
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