For the St. Francis Community Center, the milestone 50th year will be as busy as ever, as the nondenominational Brant Beach facility now serves over 9,000 people a year from all over Southern Ocean County with services as varied as counseling to a food pantry, to swimming indoors and out.

Two open houses with activities will invite the public to see what is offered – one this Sunday, May 1, that is convenient for local residents – and a summer showcase in July when more seasonal visitors are…