For many the holidays are about peace, caring, remembering and spending time with those closest to you. Sprinkle in a picturesque location where all that can happen — the Jersey Shore — and you may find a little Christmas magic.
In Ocean City, there is a place like that where people can gather around a symbol of the holidays to create lasting memories, write out a message on a seashell and take time to think about loved ones.
The North Beach Street Christmas tree that brought so much excitement and joy during the pandemic last year is standing tall once again after the 14-foot Doulas fir, donated by Eisele’s Tree Farm in Marmora, was set into the sand last Saturday afternoon.
This is the third year for the tree, an idea that first began as a family photo op for resident Sue McElwee. Adding to the warmhearted feel of the first day, anyone stopping by was asked to bring a toy for the local charity Waves of Caring.
“It’s just such a fun tradition to do with my family,” she said before the tree made its appearance.
Last year was particularly special to McElwee because when the pandemic was still disrupting life, the tree became a location that was safe and where people could connect again.
“It was just a spot where people would meet up and share stories and talk and it really turned out better than I could have ever expected,” McElwee said.
And she hopes this year’s tree will bring similar reactions and results.
Approximately 60 people, some dressed in Christmas pajamas and others in holiday costumes, gathered on the beach to watch the tradition continue and cheered as the tree was hoisted to its position by three of McElwee’s kids and their friends.
Minutes after the tree was secured, messages were being written on seashells and placed under the tree alongside a many decorated shells that are back from last year, including two with the names “Charlotte” and “Annie” written on them.
The twin sisters from Massachusetts both had serious medical conditions and used to visit Ocean City with their family during the summer. Both died just a few months apart — Charlotte was 5 and Annie was 6. McElwee learned of the tragedy from a friend of the family after the first tree went up in 2019.
Their story had such a huge impact on McElwee that she has since dedicated the tree to the twins, and their shells are always the first under the tree.
“It just completely reminds me why I keep going with this and how meaningful it really is to everyone,” McElwee said about how those particular shells affect her. “That something so simple like the tree on the beach just brings so much joy and it’s so special to so many people.”
Placed near Charlotte and Annie’s colorful shells was another painted in aqua with the name “Sean” written on it. Above his name waves were drawn.
Sean Lewis was a local surfer and helped teach many kids the art of riding the waves out of the goodness of his heart, said his mother Lydia, who along with her husband Rick and daughter Nicole, attended the event.
Sean died in October at the age of 33. Two of McElwee’s sons were one of the many that Sean surfed with and they made a promise to his family that they would make a shell in his memory.
The Lewis family hugged McElwee after watching her place his shell under the tree.
“The surfing community is a real family. So it doesn’t matter where you’re from, if you’re part of the water, you’re part of the family,” said Lydia.
As the popularity of the North Beach tree continues to grow, a few locals and non-locals still have not caught on to the wave of excitement and what it’s about.
For Dottie Higgins and her husband Jerry, who split their time between Somers Point and Philadelphia, Saturday was the first time they paid a visit to the tree even after passing it on their long beach walks in years past.
“We always wondered what the tree was doing here,” Dottie said.
Curiosity got the best of them this year, and on their way back from their walk with their two dogs they decided to join in on the festivities and even left a few shells in memory of Dottie’s two sisters.
“With all these shells it has a beautiful community feel,” said Jerry Higgins.
A few days later, as the sun began to set on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, more of the community came out to visit the tree. The many decorated shells surrounding the base made for a colorful tree skirt.
Wilda Conner, of Ocean City, left a shell for her granddaughter with the saying “mom mom loves Addie.” A few minutes later, an Ocean City family had their picture taken in front of the tree.
As the sky lit up with orange and yellow colors, providing a stunning backdrop for the tree, many of the remaining visitors just stood and watched while others scrambled for that perfect Christmas card picture.
Looking north, the solar Christmas lights around the tree matched the glow of Atlantic City.
For McElwee, it’s all about how much joy everyone gets from visiting the tree and hearing their stories. Having her kids by her side makes it that much more special.
“It’s truly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever gotten to experience in my life,” she said.
Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com.
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