Osborne's Inn

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One of our first employees.  We had four little children and no helper.  I hired three girls - Joanne was one of them.  When I asked the girls do you want to clean rooms and bathrooms or take the four children to the beach.  What was their answer just about all the time. -  Clean - it was never easy to raise four children under five years of age then and also now.  I've learned sooo much over the years.  

Joanne recently came to visit.  She is a nurse now and when she and I chatted she told me how much she learned from that summer's experience.  What a joy for me to hear!  What a blessing to be able to 'STOP' and 'REFLECT' on the many wonderful years we have spent here.  They were BUSY - but, oh so very fruitful, so many people we have met 'along the way'.

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Love these two girls who did a great job working at the Inn. Absolutely love the work ethic that these young folks from 'across the sea' have.  We have been blessed by their presence helping Frank and me, as well as our five children, grow and appeciate the goodness and hard work they have blessed us with.

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They worked for us during the day time and then went off to second jobs at 5:o'clock.  They lived, laughed and made a profound impression on me.  They helped us through some very busy summers.

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Jordan worked for us for three years.  What a respectful and competent employee he was.  There are some fun pictures I have got to locate and post here.  There were boat rides, the boardwalk, amusement rides and many fun times he spent with our family.  

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When we hired Vasil it was the first time that a young male employee was an integral part of the Osborne Inn.  What a bonus he was!  Vasil worked for us for three years and was able to do so many of the jobs that our young female workers were not able to do - lifting heavy luggage being one.  Since Vasil, all of our employees have been young men. (He could even hang clothes on the line.)

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I have 50+ years of memories in Ocean City! My mother started going to OC as a young child. I have pictures of her on the beach in the 1930's and always heard te story of how her brother (my uncle Ed) played on the beach with Grace Kelly's brother way back when. They had an aunt who had a house on the island but they also stayed at the Fleetwood, on the corner of 6th and Wesley, which is now called the Club Carousel.

My first time in Ocean City was in 1964 when I was 5. My then 3 year old sister took one look at the ocean waves hitting the shore and said 'Soap suds!' We stayed in an apartment next to the Post office at 823 Ocean Ave. My mother, two sisters and I stayed in the ground floor back apartment and my grandmother and cousin would stay in the front apartment. We rented from the Heaney's from Drexel Hill, Pa. We had no phone or TV. Time was spent going to the beach, walking the boardwalk at night with the waves splashing up between the boards, playing Canasta and just being together. Dinner was always at Watson's - take out - and I always had the deviled clams, no exception. Taffy was always from Shriver's...the ONLY taffy. On special mornings, my sister, Mary (soap suds girl) and I would be allowed to walk, by ourselves, the two blocks up to Simm's to pick up sticky buns for breakfast. We'd bring them back to the apartment and load them up with butter...nothing better.

 Some more random memories from the 60s and 70s:

• Drift in and Sea
• Copper Kettle Fudge
• GLENN toys
• Litterer's OJ
• Mr. Peanut
• Bert's beach shack – those inflatable rafts!
• The invisible dog craze
• Mirror maze/fun house
• Theaters where we saw movies on rainy days - the Surf, the Strand and the Moorlyn. We saw Romeo and Juliet, The Odd Couple, With Six You Get Eggroll, The Shaggy Dog, Midway…

Although we stayed between 8th and 9th Streets, we would pack up every day and head to the beach at 22nd street. I think this is where my mother used to go as a child so she was familiar with it and it was much less crowded. The ice cream truck would come around and we couldn't wait to get that refreshing lemon water ice on a hot day. The best thing about our Ocean City vacations was that every year was pretty much the same. We loved that. Knowing what to expect was so fun to look forward to during the cold winters in New York State. As I got older, I loved watching the hippies on the boardwalk at night and was fascinated by the Birdcage store. We continued to come to the shore every year until I was out of high school. My mother died when I was 20 so the yearly treks sadly ended. I then started my own family and brought my children 4 or 5 times as they were growing up. We first stayed at The Manor on Atlantic Ave. and then found a great apartment at the Inn of All Seasons on Ocean Ave. between 11th and 12th Streets. My children instantly loved Ocean City as much as I do and I tried to carry on as many traditions as were left. Watson's had become condominiums so no more take out and we didn't schlep all the way to 22nd St. to the beach, opting for the closer beaches in town. Dinner at Booker's was always on the list.

The children are grown now and my husband and I have our time at the shore alone (smile). In 2009 we found the best place EVER to stay, Osborne’s Fairview Inn. Peggy Ann and Frank have become synonymous with the comfort of Ocean City. We've extended our vacations from one week to two due to the hospitality, excellent accommodations, graciousness and friendship we have experienced from the Osborne family. As opposed to the changing face of Ocean City with its new construction and astronomical prices for a week at the beach, Frank and Peggy Ann have preserved a piece of history and offer the vacation I remember as a child. We now head to the beach at 15th street, have easy access to the beach and boardwalk and, most importantly, have great people we consider friends to host us at our home away from home. They work hard to ensure their guests are relaxed and comfortable and we appreciate their sacrifices so we can focus on making new memories every year!!

Thank you Frank and Peggy Ann! We love you!!

Barb & Lee Jackson

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7-25-15 Kelly Rickert

I have been coming here as long as I can remember.  I love that each year I can come back to a familiar place.  I always look forward to coming to OCNJ and spending time with my family!  I think the best vacations are those that bring families together.  One of my favorite parts, every year, is putting together delicious family dinners with my Opa.  Even though I am usually tired after a long day in the sun, I find the energy to spend quality time with my Opa while creatively using the minimal kitchen to prepare dinner.  The accommodations are just what we need to have a lovely time together as a family.  This year may have been my favorite year yet!  I love my family, the care, kindness, love, and hospitatlity shown to us all, Peggy Ann.  Thank you!

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I have enjoyed our nearly twenty years of vacationing at Osborne’s Fairview Inn, Ocean City.  I especially appreciate Peggy Ann’s listening ear and wise, thoughtful counsel.  You stopped what you were doing in your busy day to listen to my struggles raising four children and were vulnerable enough to share from your own experience raising a large, complicated family.  At least one summer, your encouraging advice came just at the right time. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Russ Rickert, Jr.

The Russell and Irene Rickert Family

Irene and I have greatly enjoyed each of our annual visits.  The accommodations have well met our needs, mostly because you have made it possible for our son’s family to be with us, but also to have some separation from them.

We have returned each year for more than two decades.  That signifies that we have been comfortable here, but we return for reasons in addition to the quality of our rooms.  Much of the motivation is related to your family and our interest in family.  For me, Russell, human relationships are much more important than bodily comfort.  When your Ellie entered your family and you shared your problems with us, I felt honored to be invited to include her in my prayers.  I don’t know how much longer my health will permit me to come.  Thank you, Peggy Ann, for your goodness through the years!

Osborne's Inn holds many special memories for us and this "long weekend" was no different.  Peggy Ann and Frank, you are so hospitable and generosous.  We started coming many years ago with our Church group and loved it.  It's great to rekindle special times.  Your place is amazing- having grown by "leaps and bounds" since our first time here some twenty some years ago.  Sure wished we lived here.