A Celebration of Culture, Creativity & Community

The Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, in conjunction with Ocean County College, presented the annual Salute to Ocean County: A Celebration of Arts and Heritage at the College on May 14. 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 2026 Ocean County Teen Arts winners, the evening featured awards for distinction in the arts and history. Honorees included Steve Dodson, recipient of the 2026 Pauline S. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award for Ocean County History; Senator Robert W. Singer, recipient of the 2026 Lila W. Thompson Legislative Recognition Award; Cynthia Coritz, recipient of the 2026 John C. Bartlett, Jr. Government Leadership Award; and Affair at Egg Harbor Historical Society, Inc., recipient of the 2026 Special Award of Merit.