Osborne's Inn

  view full size image

Ocean City holds a special place in my heart.  I got introduced to the shore by my parents in the mid 1940's.  Every summer we would come down.  By the time I married in 1962 and had children they were introduced to the wonderful seashore I had grown to love.

I ended up moving away and not returning to the east coast till 1990.  I introduced my husband to Ocean City.  He fell in love with what the shore had to offer.  In 1991 my husband Bill accepted a transfer to Washington, D.C.  We moved to Virginia and have been coming to Ocean City every year since.

In 1992 my daughter Debbie introduced her daughter Erika to Ocean City.  The only summer they have missed has been when they lived in Okinawa, Japan.

In 1997 we met Peggy Ann and Frank Osborne and have been staying at their wonderful establishment every year since 1997.

Both Bill and myself wish you both another 30 years of giving to the people as you have done in the past.

  view full size image

My childhood time was spent further up the beach.  We usually stayed around 4th Street I remember when the high rise condo first went up, and how we all thought it would steal our sun.  I remember my brother and I going to the 'corner store' of the 'boards' and getting penny candy (sometimes 2 for 1c)!  Also playing endless games of mini-golf, where I could usually hold my own against the 3 year-old, Jeff.  Once, we buried toy soldiers in the sand and then later tried to find them.  It is somehow comforting to know they still stand silently on guard, hidden but enternally in the sand.

Another memory I have is of the ferris wheel.  My father and I rode it together.  Our car was stopped for some time at the top. I was extremely agitated but my Dad spoke calmly to me, telling me to look out at the sun.  This helped a lot.  It was only years later that I discovered just how strong his own fear of heights was.  This is one of my fondest memories of him.  I hope he knows how much that meant to me.  As far as 'Osborne's' , Judy and I are new to it.  We were driving by, and something about this place told us it was a nice place run by nice people.  We just had a 'feeling' and it turning out to be correct.  We're so happy to be here.  Best of luck to the Peggy Ann clan!

  view full size image

Rob and I have been coming to Ocean City together for the last 14 years and we always seem to keep coming back to our beach home at the Osborne's.  We have created many memories for our son here.  He has actually become a beach bum like his parents.  We have our favorities here in Ocean City.  Mac and Manco's for lunch almost daily.  You just can't beat sitting at the counter eating a slice with the ocean breeze blowing.  Sitting on the beach with family and friends and then hitting the boardwalk in the evening.  On a rainy day there is a great porch where you can watch it rain and read a good book.  Thanks to all of the Osborne's for making us feel at home and part of their extended family.

July 26, 2008 follows:  Your Inn has been a blessing and a refuge to us for the last twenty years.  We are always looking forward to coming and start counting down the months, weeks and days as soon as we get our dates.  we always feel comfortable at home with you,  Wishing you many more years of fun at the beach.

September 25, 2011 follows:  We are still enjoying our "home away from home".  My how the timme flies by.  We just finished our second MS City to Shore Ride.  Your hospitality for these tired riders is amazing.

Blessings! - The Hoovers - Michelle, Rob and Jimmy

  view full size image

I am writing this on my husbands's 43rd birthday.  Another year gone by, another Multiple Sclerosis 150 Bike-a-thon, another few days spent here at the Osborne's.  I can't begin to describe all the wonderful things experienced here.  The accomplishment that I feel while riding into O.C. on a bike, our last rest stop before coming into O.C. for the bottle of wine (to be shared later in the evening), that first glimpse of the ocean, the water and sand between my toes.  The next day is sort of depressing pedaling back to Cherry Hill, but still an accomplishment.  Because I know we return for a couple of days of  R & R, walking the boards, beach and to Cape May to bird watch.  Absolute Heaven!

  view full size image

I am glad my son and his wife recommended your home to us.  Ever since then my husband and I have been vacationing at the Osborne's at least 3 or 4 times a year for the last 5 years.  We love our 'home away from home' and always look forward to our next visit.  You always make us feel so welcome and I hope to continue to see you every summer.  Thanks for the memories.  I hold them dear to my heart.

  view full size image

Our family has been coming to Ocean City for the last 20 years.  Our first Ocean City 'home' was with Kathryn and Frank Lehr across the street,  Now our Ocean City 'home' is with the Osborne's.  We love your home.  You always make everyone feel so welcome we love it here!  Enjoy the next 30 years -  you will probably see members of our family as they have their families.  See you next summer.

  view full size image

Memories of Ocean City span my lifetime of 68 years, and include in my youngest day, trips from Philadelphia (where I lived until 1957) with my grandparents.  There were days at the beach and boardwalk followed by turkey dinner at Hanscom's Hotel, or at Watson's Restaurant.  In my teen-age years, my parents rented a five bedroom apartment for a month for two years.  Two other years I worked at Ocean City fr the summer - always with two jobs at a time.  One year it was a candy store on the boardwalk by day, and being a 'soda jerk' in the evenings.  Another year I worked as a dishwasher at Simm's Restaurant and at a bath house.

There were a number of years I missed coming to Ocean City, NJ but then with my young family we came for a week each summer and stayed at various motels.  Each trip to Ocean City, NJ rekindled the happy memories I had here in the many years of my youth - with my parents and grandparents - and my memorable time at the 'dance pavilion' at 6th and the boardwalk.

Following my divorce in 1974, I discovered this wonderful place called 'The Fairview,' - now known as Osborne's Fairview Inn.  I brought my teen-age daughter Laurette, my parents and later my sister, Mary and her son -  and enjoyed a week (or was it two?) in the cottage.  My parents enjoyed the cottage and recalled their own memories in Ocean City, dating back to the 20's at Flanders, and the 40's with us as a family at various locations.  They appreciated the warm hospitality provided by the Osborne's and the 'staff' and felt right at home here.  Of course, we did all the fun things we could cram into our vacation - walking, biking and beaching from 3:30 to 5:30 (No SPF then, you know, and we all burn too easily).

In following years I brought my daughter, Laurette and my wife Donna and her younger brother, Joey, too.  We were lucky enough to get Apt. T and we were really sold on the Fairview.  One year later I brought my oldest daughter, Theresa and her husband John, with us to share Apt. T.  All that was before Bonnie was born.

In Bonnie's younger years we missed coming to O.C. - but then we rented a condo for convenience of elevators, etc.  They lacked the warmth and friendliness that is such a beautiful trademark of the Fairview.  We were looking for the 'right place' - and rediscovered our friends at 601 E. 15th - the Osborne's.  Peggy Ann made us right at home again and we've been coming back ever since. 

Bonnie, now 19, can give you her perspectives on the wonderful times she's spent here at Osborne's Fairview Inn and other memories of Ocean City, NJ.

We thank you, Peggy Ann, Frank and all your children for making our stays here so enjoyable and memorable throughout the many years.

  view full size image

Ocean City has been our summer vacation spot for as long as I can remember.  I don't think we've ever really 'beached' anywhere else!  I've especially loved staying at the Fairview because we're so close to the beach and  Apartment T is so breezy and open.  I'm so glad I've gotten to enjoy things at Ocean City like the ocean, the rides, the boardwalk, water ice, yummy italian food, and so much more.  I ve actually written a few poems about different aspects of Ocean City, and I'll try to send them to share.

To the Osborne's....thank you for welcoming us at your Inn and for helping us to have a pleasant, relaxing time each year.  I hope that Fairview stays around for many more!

  view full size image

....Another wonderful week in one of our favorite places made most special by Osborne's hospitality and family warmth!  This was our 3rd time making Osborne's our week long home away from home, sharing our time with our friends Tracy and Larry Dise (Apt. D).  My (Chris') history in Ocean City goes back 38 years when my family and Tracy's family vacationed the 2nd week of August at 14th and Wesley.  We shared this tradition for over 20 years!  How special for us to be reunited as adults creating more Ocean City memories.  Thanks Peggy Ann, Frank and family.  We love it here and think you're great!  Happy 30 years!!

  view full size image

Being in Ocean City and staying with the Osborne's is a real treat.  They have always made you feel so welcome.  They make you feel like you are family.  Ocean City is a wonderful place to bring your family for vacation.  While here, every day when we get up and lift the blinds, I always joked with my kids and asked the same question - 'Did the waves stop yet?'  Ocean City is a very family - oriented town.  I always felt safe letting my kids do the boardwalk by themselves.  The memories are great -  from the popcorn to the surreys to just about everything.  Thanks for it all.