It was a beautiful day for a walk. And, according to Jennifer Freeman, “about 500 plus walkers” came out for the annual March of Dimes, South Jersey Shore, March for Babies Walk, recently held on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Freeman, Public Relations Chair for the S. Jersey Shore March of Dimes, told me about her daughter Oona, who was born ten weeks early, weighing just three pounds. Oona is now a healthy six year old, and Freeman said, “She was born because of the March of Dimes research.” She added, “That’s why my family is involved.”
Kim Adams, Logistics Chair for the group, spoke about her nephews, “born at 25 weeks,” who “had many special needs,” and, “the March of Dimes is there for them.”
Brandon Rymas, 5, is the Ambassador for the March of Dimes, S. Jersey Shore, this year. Brandon was born at 25 weeks and weighed one pound, eleven ounces. His dad, John, said that “he stayed in the neo-natal unit for 89 days.” He also added, “Brandon’s doing great. He’s a happy boy.” As the Ambassador, Brandon led the Walk at the event. He and his parents live in Egg Harbor Township.
Displays were set up by the group at the Music Pier, where the walk began. One was a Memory Wall, which showed pictures of babies and told stories of their births. Freeman remarked, “We’re rejoicing in those who have made it, and we’re remembering those who did not.” Another display showed seven normal-size diapers and one tiny one, illustrating that “one in eight children is born prematurely.”
For more information on the March of Dimes, visit www. marchofdimes.com and also www.marchforbabies.org.
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15th Annual Mothers’ Day Family Concert with the West Chester Senior Strings conducted by Charles dePasquale, is set for Sunday, May 13, starting at 4 p.m. at the Music Pier on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Admission is free. The concert is sponsored by the Ocean City Arts Center, Friends of Music, in memory of Esther C. Weil.
Also, there will be flower giveaways to all moms at participating Downtown stores, while supplies last, on Sat. and Sun., May 12 and 13. Call 609-525-9300 for more information.
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Second Annual Esther C. Weil Student Music Competition – Eighteen students in grades 9-12, from eight local high schools, will compete for part of $3,500 in prize money and the opportunity to perform this season with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. This event is free, open to the public, and takes place on Tues., May 15, at the Music Pier on the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. The competition begins at 4:30 p.m., and William Scheible, Pops Conductor, is expected to announce the winners by 7:30 p.m.
The competition is part of the student outreach program sponsored by the Friends of the OC Pops, and features eleven vocalists, five instrumentalists, and two pianists. This year’s competition spotlights students from Buena Regional, Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, Egg Harbor Township, Mainland Regional, Middle Township, Oakcrest, Ocean City, and Wildwood High Schools.
Esther Weil was an avid patron of the performing arts in Ocean City and Philadelphia.
For further information, contact Judy Perkins at 609-391-1208.
For a complete list of upcoming events in the county go to the Herald calendar, in print and online, at www. capemaycountyherald. com/calendar.
If you would like to make the public aware of happenings in your town, classroom, group, or club, please email me at RWhelan@cmcherald.com.
