Three individuals who are vital contributors to the history, arts and nature of Southern Ocean County were formally recognized on Thursday, April 11, at the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission’s annual “Salute to Ocean County” awards presentation held at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Performing Arts, on the campus of Ocean County College.

Margaret “Poochy” Thomas Buchholz of Harvey Cedars, Thomas E. Rutledge of West Creek and Willie deCamp, head of Save Barnegat Bay, received lifetime achievement and special merit awards.

As the winner of this year’s Pauline S. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award for Ocean County History, Buchholz has made…