A Celebration of Arts and Heritage

The Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, in conjunction with Ocean County College, presented the 12th annual Salute to Ocean County: A Celebration of Arts and Heritage at the College on April 13. The event honored Ocean County’s outstanding cultural organizations, and recognized exceptional local artists, historians, preservationists, educators and government leaders. In addition to acknowledging the recipients of the Commission’s Local Arts and History Program Grants and the 2023 Ocean County Teen Arts winners, the evening featured awards for distinction in the arts and history. Honorees included Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari for his distinguished work with tourism and business development; Emery’s Farm, Plumsted Township, receiving the Joseph H. Vicari Tourism Award; Harry Bower, Ocean County Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts; Paul Hartelius, Special Award of Merit; Gretchen Coyle, the Pauline S. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award in Ocean County History; Fisherman’s Cottage, Long Beach Island Historical Association, the Historic Preservation Award, and Ralph Bertini, Special Award of Merit. Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, liaison to the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission presented the awards to the honorees along with Director Vicari.