Osborne's Inn

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As a child, my parents and I always went to Wildwood.  Many years later, in fact it was 1997, a colleague of mine rented all the apartments and rooms at Peggy Ann's and Frank's.  It was he who touted Osborne's Fairview Inn.  It was the following summer that my friend and I started to come to Osborne's.  I often say to my friend that Peggy Ann is the perfect one to run an 'Inn.'  She is the first person you meet on arrival and immediately you feel like 'family.'  The porch is awesome; the perfect place to relax after a day at the beach.

Here's to you Peggy Ann and Frank.  May you have 30 more years at the helm.

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We began our annual week's vacation in Ocean City in 1974, but only discovered Osborne's in 1997!  We especially enjoy Peggy Ann's hospitality.  Our children and now, grandchildren look forward each year to the stay at the Osborne's.  We feel fortunate that our son and daughters and grandchildren find special pleasures in being together each year at the Jersey shore.

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What can we say!! The Osborne's are such lovely people.  They totally treat everyone like Family and make the extra effort to make certain that everything is perfect.  Peggy Ann and Frank are the 'Salt of the Earth.'  We look forward to returning time after time.  We have no reason to stay anywhere else while visiting Ocean City because the Osborne's embrace us and all who stay here -  just like their own Family!  We feel fortunate to have stumbled upon such a 'Jewel' of a place and can't wait to return.

We would like to thank you - Frank, Peggy Ann and children and super grandchildren for contributing to our holiday fun and want you all to stay here forever.

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It certainly goes without saying that our fondest memories of Ocean City, NJ, are the thirty years we have stayed at Osborne's Inn.  Peggy Ann and Frank have raised a beautiful family right before our eyes. When we come here each summer it seems as if we saw them just yesterday.  We feel like true friends. The Osborne's Inn has been lovingly re-created over the years.  It is their home.  The nationally known, fabled 'front porch' is a place of peace and camaraderie. Joy echoes in the house as their four grandchildren continue the tradition. What a joy it is for us since we like to consider ourselves as their extended family!  I have been vacationing in Ocean City, NJ, for 52 years of my sixty on Earth.  There is no place I like better.  My husband Bob has loved it here for forty years, as have daughter Lisa and son Philip.  

My memories are varied:  I remember that during the 1940's men wore suits and ties and ladies dressed up, wearing high heels which needed little rubber tips to slip over the heels so they wouldn't slip through the boards.  In many places under the boardwalk  it was high enough to walk on the sand under the boardwalk with lowered head.  Children loved to play in the cool, moist sand. It was a comfortable place to take a snooze for adults as well as babies in port-a-cribs.

Before the beach was built up, the tide came in and the ocean splashed up from the depth of the water right through the boardwalk.  Standing near the railings you felt like you were on the deck of a ship at sea!  Once, during a Nor'easter we watched from the Inn as children rode surf boards right down to beyond Wesley Avenue!

Gillian's Fun Deck was not elaborate.  There was no Wonderland or rides for big kids.  In the late 1960's ride tickets were $5.00 for 44 tickets and we made them last a wek for our two children.  My husband always bought two extra tickets and put them in his wallet to take home (they never expired) as a pledge that we would come back next year!

The Flanders Hotel still had cabanas on the sand.  It also had three salt-water pools with chlorine in them.  The water stung your eyes.  Birch Beer (whatever happened to that bracing drink?) flowed like water at every eatery.  Litterer's sold orange juice and grapefruit juices in glasses, no paper cups for 25 cents.  Our first apartment at the 'Fairview Inn' cost $100. per week.  It was located where the Osborne's family now dwells.  ear the farthest window to the right of the house is a window out of which we climbed to sit on the porch.  It was partitioned off so we couldn't see or converse with others.

The boardwalk was spotless and never crowded.  it was mandatory that a person must wear a cover-up over his/her bathing suit on the boardwalk.  Because of strictly enforced Blue laws all stores and movie theatres closed on Sunday.  Most products of a Sunday store, for instance, would be closed off, allowing only health related products to be sold.  Some Church services were held in movie houses.  Simm's Seafood on the boardwalk and Watson's in town were themost popular restaurants if the long, long lines were any indication.My favorite memory of O.C. is this, I went in the then Osborne's Fairview Inn and was ready to ask about apartment rates.  There, sitting in the middle of the floor were Peggy Ann, holding a large towel, and three naked toddlers playing 'catch-me-if-you-can' with her.  Each year since then I marveled as she loved and disciplined five children, kept her husband Frank busy when he came on weekends, ran the whole house, washed linens, organized paper work, and maintained the cheerful, pleasant atmosphere.  They all showed that they respected us and cared very much about everyone who crossed that threshold.  And now the legacy goes on for them with grandchildren Colin, Kerry, Christine and Molly, the very newest people in their family.  So Peggy Ann and Frank, Kelley and Dave, Kevin and Leslie, Colleen and Brad, Megan and Brian, and Francis X we thank you and pray that you always receive the fruits of your generous spirit with which you have blessed all of us these last 30 years.

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1975 -  twenty eight years of Ocean City have brought so many wonderful memories and traditions.  I started coming here as a single girl with her friends.  We never traveled more than an hour away from home - but fourteen hours later (Philly was very confusing), now I can do it in seven.  Ocean City left such a draw on me.  It starts with rolling down the windows crossing 9th Street Bridge until I see the Osborne's front porch (my son now did the same thing last year when he drove down himself).  The Osborne kids would all come out and give a big welcome and help get you settled for the week.  I look foward to the time spent on Peggy Ann's front porch.  I told my friend this year that you always leave extra time for the porch, because you have to chat with everyone on the porch.  I've learned a lot on that porch!!  Coming to Osborne's means a total meltdown for me - they have always made me feel that I'm that 'special' one that gets to come here.  I look forward to the time spent here, now I try to arrange two vacations instead of spending two weeks at once.

I have met some wonderful people at the Fairview Inn and look forward as to who will be here the same time.  It's hard to believe that this has been going on for nearly '30 years' - and that I have been part of this amazing family.  I hope that you will take into consideration making the cottage into the 'Bunk Bed Room' so we all can squeeze in there when we can't make the steps.

I love you all and hope I get a star *beside my name!!!!!

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What a milestone-30 years in a wonderful family run busines

We came to Ocean City as an engaged couple with Jerry's family, I loved it! Thus, each year since 1967 we have enjoyed our vacation here while watching ou family grow and Ocean City change.  It has changed to accommodate families in more 'style and cool comfort' but the traditional values of family and God are still very evident.

The third floor, $90 per week, walk-ups are over for us but the good memories of bike riding, beach, Watson's and playgrounds with children and grandchildren will always remain.

Thank you for your hospitality and many more years of good health and being the best landlords in Ocean City.

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I have been coming to Ocean City since I was a little girl and Larry and I have been staying with you for several years now.  You have gone through many of our trialsl and tribulations with us over the years, the major one - our adoption of Abby.  We have so enjoyed spending time with you over the years in Apartment D.  We are so excited to be introducing Abby to Ocean City and Osborne's!  She loves both as much as I do.

Thanks for the best Mother's Day I have had since becoming Abby's mom. We had a great weekend!  We look forward to staying with you for many years to come.  Happy 35th!!!

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Childhood memories of Ocean City had always brought me back, but I never stayed here until quite by accident I walked by the 'Fairview Inn,' early in the summer of 1989.  I spoke to Peggy Ann and she was so friendly and the house was so inviting that I made my reservation and have come back every year since (13 years).  A lot has happened in 13 years. My daughter, who was in fourth grade that first year, is now married.  I married the love of my life, Dorothy, in 2000.    We have seen your children grow into adults and marry.  There are so many great memories of O.C. that you, Peggy Ann and your staff have helped to create.  O.C. has always been a great place to vacation.  Your warm 'family' atmosphere makes the 'Fairview' Inn a true home away from home.  Thank you for everything!

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Having stayed in Ocean City many years as a teenager, it was a delight to bring my own daughter, Aimee, back to Ocean City.  Since she was a baby, we had stayed at different B & B's, friends  and families places and then several years ago, we had walked past your Inn and something about it said, 'Peace and Happiness.'  And that is what we have found here, every year, every time.  It is like 'coming home.'  We are so happy to feel as if we are an extended part of the Family.

Congratulations on bringing peace and happiness to many people for 35 years!

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We met the Osborne's in 1993.  Our favorite babysitter (Kim) was working summers at the beach and we decided to visit her.  At the suggestion of a friend, Melodie Esposito, we made reservations at the Osbornes.  Now ten years later we continue to visit Peggy Ann and her clan each summer we can.

My favorite part of a vacation in Ocean City is that it is relaxed and comfortable - like home.  Our family has their favorite pizza, book store and Chinese take-out.

We enjoy watching our videos of our beach vacations and look forward to many more.  It will be fun to share Ocean City with even our children's families someday.