Only in New Jersey can there be three Shores. Last year I moderated a tourism conference about the Shore, and intense debate broke out about “which shore” I was referring to. Was it from Cape May to Atlantic City or Ocean and Monmouth counties? What about the “North Jersey shore,” starting at exit 117 on the Parkway? The infighting continues. I admit that I’m clueless south of GSP exit 100—except for Atlantic City, where I’ve dropped a few bucks at the blackjack table. In my younger days, I knew Belmar, but where exactly is Bellmawr?
One reader who would like to wring my neck—I mean, educate me—is Diane Orlando. The Galloway Township resident has spent her entire life in South Jersey and is a staunch advocate. “The most frustrating thing is the perception that people in South Jersey are backwoods ‘pineys’ and that the north supports us financially,” she says. “Also, I don’t feel like this, but I swear people down here think the north is evil and the Shore and Atlantic Cityare supporting them.”
Truth is, I haven’t done enough on South Jersey, so keep the letters coming so we can get a dialogue started.