Crab Sees Shadow: Summer to Come Early to Ocean City

OCEAN CITY — Summer is coming a week early to this seaside community, according to an elderly hermit crab.
Martin Z. Mollusk, Ocean City’s aging but determined hermit crab crept onto Ocean City’s Moorlyn Terrace Beach, between Eighth and Ninth streets next to Music Pier for the 36th time at 11 a.m. on May 6.
According to Ocean City spokesman Mark Soifer, the old crab saw his shadow so summer will arrive in Ocean City seven days earlier this year.
“Don’t be fooled by the temperatures we are now experiencing,” Soifer said. “This is a phenomenon known as Pseudo Summer, nature’s way of playing head games with us. It will not last.”
The official astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the solstice on June 21, but that’s for everywhere else. In Ocean City, summer starts on June 14 thanks to Martin.
Due to his advanced age, Martin received an extensive medical checkup before he went out onto the beach. Dr. Clue Slow reported his blood pressure and pulse were good. The doctor gave Martin an injection of Sea-roids, a harmless, natural substance that provides instant energy helping him get through the creep.
Martin was carried to the beach on a brand new designer throne created by Ray Esterlund, the world’s leading producer of Hermit Crab thrones and decorated pumpkins, Soifer said.
Miss New Jersey Ashley Shaffer and those gathered in attendance sang “Some Enchanted Morning, You may see a tree crab, you may see a tree crab across a crowded beach, and somehow you know, you know even then, that Martin Z. Mollusk is creeping again…” as he looked for his shadow.
Soifer said Martin was met by Big Mama Llama of Bready farms in Tuckahoe, the animal that authenticates Martin’s creep. Martin’s doctor also acted as Inspector Clue Slow by checking the proceedings with his magnifying glass to eliminate the possibility of any hanky panky.
“Martin now resides in an assisted living Condo Cage at the Old Salt on the Boardwalk. His health is decent but he does suffer from an occasional attack of Claw-itis,” Soifer said.