Wildwood

WILDWOOD, N.J. -- The last campaign to try to lure the tourists back here promoted the size of the island's beaches, which are so wide that patrols regularly rescue bathers overcome by heat exhaustion as they trudge to and from the water's edge.Before that, the mayor of Wildwood, convinced that Atlantic City, 30 miles north, was to blame for a faltering tourist season, decided to fight fire with fire: He brought in Chief Larry Snake of the Delaware tribe of western Oklahoma, who declared a 2]

The Wildwoods are three adjacent New Jersey beach towns, Wildwood, North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, known for their wide white beaches — open to the public, free of charge — and devotion to simple summertime pleasures. The centerpiece of the activity is the Wildwood boardwalk, more than two miles long and crowded with funnel cake stands, amusement park rides, arcade games, water parks, ice cream shops and souvenir stores. Though just strolling the boardwalk, splashing in the water and building sand castles is entertainment enough, the Wildwoods offer a host of other things to do, from free concerts to a Doo Wop Museum and parasailing.

WILDWOOD, N.J. -- The boardwalk was empty. It was sunny, warm, slightly breezy, the kind of day that could turn an up-tight working stiff into Huck Finn. Yet not a soul was visible as far as the eye could see.The pier amusements were idled behind steel gates, the Zoom Phloom and Sea Serpent stopped in their tracks and the gulls off in the distance, by the water's edge of the wide, wide beach. It looked like the ghost of boardwalks past.In the old days on spring afternoons on the boardwalk, the police had to chase away truants playing ball, and couples wrapped in sweaters and each other would stroll the planks until sundown.

1. Visit the beaches. That's why you're here after all and the Wildwoods offer five miles of sandy, wide beaches. 2. Ride the Boardwalk. The spectacular amusement piers boast more rides and attractions than Disneyland. 3. Get wet. You can take a dip in the ocean or visit any of the three water parks on the boardwalk. 4. Play beach lacrosse. Marylanders love the beach and they love lacrosse. At the Wildwoods, they're combining the two for the first annual Beach Lacrosse Summer Tournament July 17-18.

WILDWOOD, N.J. -- The boardwalk was empty. It was sunny, warm, slightly breezy, the kind of day that could turn an up-tight working stiff into Huck Finn. Yet not a soul was visible as far as the eye could see.The pier amusements were idled behind steel gates, the Zoom Phloom and Sea Serpent stopped in their tracks and the gulls off in the distance, by the water's edge of the wide, wide beach. It looked like the ghost of boardwalks past.In the old days on spring afternoons on the boardwalk, the police had to chase away truants playing ball, and couples wrapped in sweaters and each other would stroll the planks until sundown.

WILDWOOD, N.J. - They laughed at Ed Hiller. They doubted him. Fake palm trees. Who would want to buy fake palm trees? But Hiller knew. He had faith. "I figured there were other people off the wall like me," he said. "But you don't have to be off the wall anymore." More than 500 plastic palms flutter in the ocean breezes of Wildwood, the plastic palm tree capital of New Jersey, maybe the world. And nearly every one was built and installed by Ed Hiller, palm visionary. Hiller, 66, has leathery hands from a lifetime of manual work, and he doesn't even like the beach.

Wooden roller coasters, boardwalk arcades and doo-wop hotels make a stay at the Wildwoods in New Jersey a trip not just three hours away, but one that feels many years back in time. The Wildwoods is three contiguous beaches on the Jersey Shore: the quieter, family-oriented beaches of North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest and the city of Wildwood, with its famed two-mile boardwalk and amusement parks. While each area offers distinct activities and amenities, all three have a retro look and feel.

Driving into Wildwood, N.J., I had a haunting I-know-this-place feeling, remembering beach vacations of the 1960s. With tiki torches and exotic neon names such as Kona Kai and Hi Lili glowing against the night sky, it's as if Frankie and Annette never left. There's no confusing this resort with Hilton Head or Ocean City. Wildwood is smaller, and its streets are dotted with two-story '50s- and '60s-era motels, vintage vamps with curvy balconies, rickrack rooflines and shapely pools accessorized with plastic palm trees and painted burros.

WILDWOOD, N.J. -- This beach town of plastic palms, pink flamingos, '50s fins and neon has long been ignored by the bigger tourist crowds headed for historic -- and trendier -- Cape May. But kitsch is now cool. And as the designs of the Fabulous Fifties ease into historic status, a trend is afoot to market Wildwood's odd architectural heritage for all it's worth. There are trolleys bringing tourists from Victorian-era Cape May to have a look at the resort's collection of about 200 mom-and-pop motels, built in the leisure-time-to-spare, car-in-every-driveway exuberance of the postwar mid-20th century.

WILDWOOD, N.J. - On the boardwalk a few feet behind Ricky Brode loom amusements built for 10-year-old boys: funnel cake stands, the curving spine of a roller coaster, a haunted mansion overrun by the undead. But Ricky is transfixed by the polished stone resting against his right thumb knuckle. Patience, he tells himself: A great mibster can take 30 seconds or more to set up a shot. Finally he flicks the marble across the concrete slab, and as it skitters it spins on its axis, like a tiny world.

While some travelers seek out pristine white beaches for quiet and relaxation, others go to the beach for the boardwalk, carnival-like rides and an action-packed adventure. If you're of the later persuasion, then visiting the Wildwoods in New Jersey is a must do. The five-mile island is made up of three distinct municipalities: Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood – collectively known as The Wildwoods. Its famous two-mile boardwalk, replicated in Disneyland and Hershey Park, dates to the 1890s and was recently named one of the nation's Top Ten American Boardwalks by Sherman's Travel.

Wildwood Seafood and Music Festival Where:: Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues in Wildwood, N.J. When:: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday What:: The Wildwood Seafood and Music Festival features two stages of live music, carnival games, kids' activities and a variety of food - everything from sushi to ribs, including a clam chowder contest, highlighting the best chowders local restaurants and eateries have to offer. How much: : Admission is free. What's nearby:: Morey's Piers at the Boardwalk consists of three amusement parks and two water parks spread over six blocks in the heart of Wildwood.

On June 3, 2009, REGINALD A.; devoted husband Evette Whittington-Hughes; beloved father of Tyeshia Hughes; doting grandfather of Tyshae McClean. Also survived by his father Daniel B. Hughes, one step son Keith Brown, six brothers, three sisters, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Friends may call at the Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Service, 4101 Edmondson Avenue (at Wildwood Parkway), on Tuesday from 2:30 to 7 P.M. In state at St. Paul Baptist Church, 3101 The Alameda on Wednesday after 9 A.M., wither family will receive friends at 10:30 A.M. Service to begin at 11 A.M. Interment Mt. Zion Cemetery.

On June 3, 2009, Mr. MURRAY. Visitation 2140 N. Fulton Avenue, Monday 4 to 8 P.M. Family will receive friends Tuesday at New Covenant Worship Center 700 Wildwood Pkwy 10:30 A.M. funeral to follow at 11:00 A.M.

Wooden roller coasters, boardwalk arcades and doo-wop hotels make a stay at the Wildwoods in New Jersey a trip not just three hours away, but one that feels many years back in time. The Wildwoods is three contiguous beaches on the Jersey Shore: the quieter, family-oriented beaches of North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest and the city of Wildwood, with its famed two-mile boardwalk and amusement parks. While each area offers distinct activities and amenities, all three have a retro look and feel.

Ready for the shore, but not sure you can afford to go? Our annual Beach Guide has the lowdown on how to have good, cheap fun in Ocean City, Rehoboth Beach, Del., Wildwood, N.J., and Virginia Beach, Va. Look for it in The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday.

Wildwood Seafood and Music Festival Where:: Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues in Wildwood, N.J. When:: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday What:: The Wildwood Seafood and Music Festival features two stages of live music, carnival games, kids' activities and a variety of food - everything from sushi to ribs, including a clam chowder contest, highlighting the best chowders local restaurants and eateries have to offer. How much: : Admission is free. What's nearby:: Morey's Piers at the Boardwalk consists of three amusement parks and two water parks spread over six blocks in the heart of Wildwood.

On March 29, 2009, MORGAN E. WATTS. On Friday friends may call at the VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES WILDWOOD CHAPEL

On March 29, 2009, MORGAN E. WATTS. On Friday friends may call at the VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES WILDWOOD CHAPEL

On October 28, 2008, CLARENCE FRIERSON; beloved husband of Sara Frierson. On Friday, friends may call VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, 4101 Edmondson Avenue from 4 to 8 P.M. On Saturday, Mr. Frierson will lie in state at New Covenant, 700 Wildwood Parkway, where the family will receive friends from 10 to 10:30 A.M with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 233-2400.