Ocean City

Pam Chandler decided to accompany her husband, Bob, to the extraordinary auction of an Ocean City, N.J., mansion Saturday to keep him from "going overboard. " But an hour after she toured the 7,000-square-foot Victorian-style house on the Great Bay, she was the one prodding him to stay in the frenzied bidding on the breezy bayside veranda. The Chandlers, who live in Rumson, Monmouth County, with their three children, won the auction, ultimately paying $3.9 million for a property that was listed at about $6.5 million two years ago. It is assessed at $5 million.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - Luxury appointments abound in the 7,000-square-foot, 12-year-old Victorian-style mansion overlooking Great Bay, such as a marble fireplace that once graced a Biddle estate mansion, a crystal chandelier that at the touch of a button lowers from the 30-foot foyer ceiling for cleaning, and boat slips big enough to berth a pair of yachts. A "smart house" system controls window treatments, lighting, heating, air-conditioning, and music. Slate-covered turrets, little secret gardens, and gingerbread-laden porches make the exterior look more like Cape May than Ocean City.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - As Memorial Day weekend bears down on this popular Cape May County resort, where the population increases tenfold on summer weekends, the highlight of the tourist season may already have occurred. The Route 52 Causeway, that once-dreaded stretch of stressful driving between here and Somers Point, is fully reopened, with wider lanes, no drawbridges, and a full-length bicycle and hiking path. All four lanes of the 2.8-mile north-south route - two in each direction - were back in business this week, marking the near-conclusion of the six-year, $396 million Department of Transportation rebuilding project.

A beachfront Ocean City home sold for $3.9 million at an extraordinary auction Saturday. More than 70 registered guests attended the auction on the sprawling porch on Great Bay, cooled by soft breezes. It was an absolute auction with no minimum bid and the sale final. The bidding on the 7000 s.ft. Victorian style mansion was frenzied for about 15 minutes as bids bounced between 4 people and also a California bidder via a representative with a cellphone. In order to bid, interested buyers had to prequalify by presenting a refundable $100,000 cashier's check.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - A vision of the other Ocean City - the one in Maryland with high-rises lining the Atlantic - keeps coming up as New Jersey's "Greatest Family Resort" tries to spruce up an eight-block neighborhood. The city planning board has proposed altering zoning regulations for an area between Seventh and 15th Streets known as the Hospitality Zone with the hope of spurring redevelopment when the economy improves. Under discussion for more than a year, the proposal would permit construction of stores and restaurants, loosen restrictions on undersized lots, and - the most controversial provision - allow some hotels to expand up to seven stories.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - They've been taking three simple ingredients - tomato sauce, cheese, and dough - and crafting them into edible memories for so long here that the name Mack & Manco is as iconic on this beach resort's boardwalk as its Ferris wheel and salt water taffy. So inherent in local culture is this throwback pizza parlor - actually there are now three boardwalk locations and one across the bridge on the mainland in Somers Point - that followers of the crispy tomato pies will tell you they seek a "Mack & Manco's" rather than a simple slice of pizza when headed for the boardwalk.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - Voters in "dry" Ocean City on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to permit consumption of alcohol by patrons in local restaurants, which would have been a first in the Jersey Shore resort's 125-year history. About 3,200 of the 4,600 people who voted - more than the number who showed up in the November election here - said no to a ballot question that sought to permit the practice called BYOB, ending the town's ban on bringing beer and wine to eateries.

A man drowned in the Ocean City surf Sunday night amid the Independence Day celebration. Ocean City police were called at 10 p.m. and said they found the body near the 7th Street Beach. The man was taken to Shore Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim's identity was not being released pending notification of relatives, said Det. Sgt. Dennis Jones. Authorities said the man was part of a group that participated in a nightime swim.  

A pair of first-period touchdowns held up for Ocean City yesterday, leading to a 13-0 win over visiting Cumberland at Carey Field. The game opened the Cape-Atlantic League American season. Ocean City had finished a close second to Millville in last year's race. "We can play better," said the Raiders' second-year head coach, Wayne Colman, "but I'm happy with the win. I'm especially happy with the shutout against a club with backs the quality of Cumberland. " Ocean City outgained Cumberland, 243-104, in total offense and had 17 first downs to only six for the losers.

The Ocean City boys' soccer team has yet to lose in an NJSIAA Group 3 state championship match. The Red Raiders improved to 2-0-3 in finals after defeating Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 2-0, in last night's championship at the College of New Jersey. Ocean City has now won its second outright title in three seasons. The Raiders were the state cochampions in 1995, 1999 and 2000. While Ocean City cherishes all of its state titles, last night's may go down as the most enjoyable one. "This is extra special, because of the season they just completed," said coach Mike Pellegrino, whose Red Raiders finished their campaign with a 24-0-1 record.

Highlights of Wednesday's contests can be found at: www.philly.com/rally Baseball SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 3 FIRST ROUND Timber Creek 4, Manchester Township 1 Moorestown 15, Winslow Township 7 SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 4 FIRST ROUND Toms River South 7, Shawnee 6 CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 1 FIRST ROUND Keyport 8, Riverside 4 BURLINGTON COUNTY FREEDOM Burlington City 8,...

A third-inning walk was the only blemish on righthander Kelly Lupton's gem, as the Absegami senior struck out 15 in her third no-hitter of the season to help the seventh-seeded Braves eliminate No. 10 seed Egg Harbor Township, 6-0, on Wednesday in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 softball opener. Absegami jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead on Dana Cafone's two-run single. South Jersey Group 3. Audrey Weller, who singled home Alexa Massa in the fifth inning, recorded 14 strikeouts while scattering six hits as third-seeded Moorestown slipped past No. 14 seed Ocean City, 1-0. Seneca starter Kaila Gerber allowed just four hits, but the 15th-seeded Golden Eagles provided little offensive support in a 4-1 loss at No. 2 seed Central Regional.

Records through Saturday. Monday: Cherry Hill East (13-13) at Washington Township (21-2) in first round of South Jersey Group 4 tournament, 3:45 p.m. Tuesday: Ocean City (13-7) at Buena (18-5), 4 p.m. Wednesday: Audubon (17-5) at Sterling (16-4), 3:45 p.m. Thursday: St. Augustine (15-7) at Gloucester Catholic (20-4), 4 p.m. Friday: Paul VI (13-7) at Bishop Eustace (15-6) in first round of Non-Public South A tournament, 4 p.m. - Phil Anastasia

Pam Chandler decided to accompany her husband, Bob, to the extraordinary auction of an Ocean City, N.J., mansion Saturday to keep him from "going overboard. " But an hour after she toured the 7,000-square-foot Victorian-style house on the Great Bay, she was the one prodding him to stay in the frenzied bidding on the breezy bayside veranda. The Chandlers, who live in Rumson, Monmouth County, with their three children, won the auction, ultimately paying $3.9 million for a property that was listed at about $6.5 million two years ago. It is assessed at $5 million.

A beachfront Ocean City home sold for $3.9 million at an extraordinary auction Saturday. More than 70 registered guests attended the auction on the sprawling porch on Great Bay, cooled by soft breezes. It was an absolute auction with no minimum bid and the sale final. The bidding on the 7000 s.ft. Victorian style mansion was frenzied for about 15 minutes as bids bounced between 4 people and also a California bidder via a representative with a cellphone. In order to bid, interested buyers had to prequalify by presenting a refundable $100,000 cashier's check.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - Luxury appointments abound in the 7,000-square-foot, 12-year-old Victorian-style mansion overlooking Great Bay, such as a marble fireplace that once graced a Biddle estate mansion, a crystal chandelier that at the touch of a button lowers from the 30-foot foyer ceiling for cleaning, and boat slips big enough to berth a pair of yachts. A "smart house" system controls window treatments, lighting, heating, air-conditioning, and music. Slate-covered turrets, little secret gardens, and gingerbread-laden porches make the exterior look more like Cape May than Ocean City.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - As Memorial Day weekend bears down on this popular Cape May County resort, where the population increases tenfold on summer weekends, the highlight of the tourist season may already have occurred. The Route 52 Causeway, that once-dreaded stretch of stressful driving between here and Somers Point, is fully reopened, with wider lanes, no drawbridges, and a full-length bicycle and hiking path. All four lanes of the 2.8-mile north-south route - two in each direction - were back in business this week, marking the near-conclusion of the six-year, $396 million Department of Transportation rebuilding project.

Andrew Fasy is chairman of the Committee to Preserve Ocean City On Tuesday, Ocean City residents voted overwhelmingly to reject a Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) ordinance that would have allowed beer, wine, and malt beverages to be brought to local restaurants. The proposal was a classic case of substantial risk far outweighing a very limited and very dubious reward. Ocean City is one of the most successful destinations along the Jersey Shore because of its long-standing reputation as "America's Greatest Family Resort.

Even in defeat, the Salem softball team found reason to celebrate on Friday. Host Woodstown, which would go on to win the Tri-County Conference interdivision game, 3-0, had loaded the bases with none out in the first inning when Wolverines catcher Megan McCurdy ripped a line drive down the third-base line. Salem third baseman Danielle Merritt snared McCurdy's smash, stepped on the bag and threw across the diamond to first baseman Caitlyn Hudock to complete the triple play.