None of this was a good look for America’s Greatest Family Resort

November 8, 2023 2:12 AM

Standing in the shade of the old Copper Kettle, the full force of what I experienced as a child suddenly returned. Something had never felt quite right about Ocean City: I could never really be a part of it, however much I wanted to. There was nowhere for someone like me, with my queer desires, to go in America’s Greatest Family Resort, except under or out. from Who Killed the Fudge King? [Atavist; ungated]
posted by chavenet (17 comments total)

This was absolutely fascinating. Thank you.
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:07 AM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]

What a fascinating read! I hope justice is done someday for the late Fudge King.
posted by Kitteh at 5:45 AM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]

That was an amazing article. Detailed, thoroughly researched and expertly told. Thank you for sharing it.

(Note to fellow Marylanders: This isn't about the real Ocean City. It's the other one, in New Jersey.)
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:00 AM on November 8, 2023 [13 favorites]

Ohhh wow, this is a great story. That Harry lived so openly and didn't back down when he was targeted for it is really remarkable. The cloak-and-dagger routine that everyone gave the author about naming names does suggest that law enforcement was involved with the cover-up (not surprising at all).

My brother-in-law lives in Linwood, right across the bridge from Ocean City; I can't wait to tell this story at Thanksgiving. Thanks for posting!
posted by uncleozzy at 7:00 AM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]

I desperately want to know who is America's Greatest Family, and why do they get their own resort?
posted by I-Write-Essays at 7:17 AM on November 8, 2023 [9 favorites]

The cloak-and-dagger routine that everyone gave the author about naming names does suggest that law enforcement was involved with the cover-up (not surprising at all).

I’m not saying the investigators did everything right, and they didn’t try the “real killer” for reasons given in the article, and yeah, the cops were probably out to get Harry. But it seems pretty clear, if you believe the article fingered the right guy, why the accused hesitated about turning in the actual murderer. I don’t know there was really a coverup of the murder, just the accused naturally not wanting to give that evidence.
posted by Hypatia at 7:29 AM on November 8, 2023 [2 favorites]

I'm so impressed at the level of dedication the author showed at getting to the truth with the absolute dearth of information available to him.

(Note to fellow Marylanders: This isn't about the real Ocean City. It's the other one, in New Jersey.)

Both can claim to having zero imagination in naming a town.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 9:58 AM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]

I hope justice is done someday for the late Fudge King

Not sure how since the deduced murderer is dead.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:48 AM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]

Both can claim to having zero imagination in naming a town.

The residents of Plain City, Ohio demand a retraction.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:20 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]

I could’ve sworn I found this last week on Metafilter, but I cannot find it anywhere.
posted by Jon_Evil at 2:12 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]

I thought "America's Greatest Family Resort" was maybe a euphemism for something, but no, that's really what Ocean City, NJ calls itself.

This thread is the 16th result when I googled that phrase. Your mileage may vary (how long has it been since I wrote that? A long time.)
posted by 41swans at 4:41 PM on November 8, 2023 [2 favorites]

The author's style had me in a trance from the beginning. What a great read!
posted by lianove3 at 5:23 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]

Your mileage may vary (how long has it been since I wrote that? A long time.)

I still type YMMV regularly and then have to explain.
posted by Ickster at 5:38 PM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]

Good lord, I’ve driven by the Dunes a hundred times. At least, I did before they knocked it down.

Ocean City is indeed a lovely little place. It’s great for families because it’s dry - no bars means it feels safe to be out on the boardwalk with kids quite late.
posted by bq at 9:53 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]

It turns out this was in the same publication as the Dead Reckoning story about the squadron of Navy ships that crashed in the 1920s, which was on the blue. (On metafilter, that is, not just on the sea because they’re navy ships)
posted by Jon_Evil at 5:26 AM on November 9, 2023 [4 favorites]

Many people believe that "The Blue" is a common nickname for MetaFilter. In fact, this is a nickname for the ocean. MetaFilter is more commonly known as "The Briny Depths."
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:42 AM on November 9, 2023 [3 favorites]

We can get pretty salty in here, it’s true.
posted by eviemath at 8:52 AM on November 9, 2023 [4 favorites]