Good News: The Best Of Barnegat-Manahawkin In 2023

BARNEGAT-MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Bad news is everywhere. It seems that no matter where you look, people are focusing on the negative.

But 2023 was a great year in Barnegat and Manahawkin, with acres of land preserved permanently, people rescued from drowning and of course, Wunder Wiener came back.

So here is Patch's "year in review" of Barnegat-Manahawkin, featuring the best feel-good stories from 2023.

Donated Lots Will Expand County Preserved Land In Barnegat

About 87 acres of land in Barnegat will be permanently preserved through the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund. The lots were deed-restricted conservation lots already owned by Barnegat, but were donated to the county to expand existing open space and make it into a contiguous lot.

2 Students From Barnegat Raise Funds To Fight Childhood Cancer

Two friends from Barnegat are raising money with one goal in mind: to be able to dance for 46 hours straight. It's part of THON, an entirely student-run event at Penn State University. Students spend a full year raising money to battle childhood cancer, and it all culminates with the 46-hour dance marathon.

Jersey Devil Comes Home To Iconic Pine Barrens Diner

Since the iconic Jersey Devil statue in front of Lucille's Luncheonette was stolen this past summer, it's felt as though something is missing. But no more - a new statue has been placed in front of the diner.

Veterans Gift Widow New Memorial After Theft In Ocean Acres

In 2020, Amanda Simpson lost her husband to suicide. And in the beginning of September, she suffered another loss - someone had stolen her memorial to her husband, a Marine Corps veteran, right from her Ocean Acres front yard. But on Sept. 25, that memorial was replaced with an even better one thanks to a group of local veterans who knew they had to do something.

Kids Can Face Their Fears With Books By Manahawkin Native

Growing up, author Amulya Veldanda Vadali was always afraid of dogs. But that changed when she was 17. Her family brought home a two-month-old golden retriever named Cosmo. Now, Cosmo is the center of Vadali's series of children's books that teaches children how to be brave.