As summer ends, there's Lacey Township's annual festival, The Dog Day Road Race in Harvey Cedars, the Summer Times Islander Blue Claw Crab Race (Tuckerton runs one the week before) capped off by the annual Chowderfest, Merchant's Mart and Festival Italiano. But so many out-of-towners are unaware of the flurry of activities that keep residents busy all year long.

Nearly every town has its founders day with parades and picnics, its Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies, Veterans Day observances, and Fourth of July festivities. Of special note is the Ship Bottom Merchants Association Christmas Parade, held the first Saturday in December in Ship Bottom. Homemade and commercial floats, marching contingents and bands and a special visit from Santa Claus bring out crowds from throughout the area.

In October, the 18-mile-run- brings runners to town from surrounding states. Tuxedos come out of the closet (or are rented) for Southern Ocean County Hospital's Annual Chrysanthemum Ball, held in Atlantic City. Invitations are available at the Foundation office, Southern Ocean County Hospital, Route 72, Manahawkin.

The Stedke organization also provides musical concerts several times a year, and most performances take place in the beautiful old West Creek Methodist Church. Music of the country-western variety may be discovered Saturday nights at the Albert Hall in Waretown, while the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Bayville has drawn the likes of Mickey Gilley and Johnny Cash down to these parts for packed concerts.

If theater is your style, Surflight Theater in Beach Haven presents entertainment year-round. A few miles to the north, in Toms River, Ocean County College has a full ticket of professional entertainment in its Fine Arts Theater, as does Stockton State College.

In addition to all that, there are approximately 80 groups or organizations, service, social or cultural, just in this half of the county alone, that keep the calendar full with antiques shows, flea markets, strawberry festivals, bazaars, dinners, raffles. For example, there are those who look forward to the turkey salad/fried oyster dinners that the First United Methodist Church in Beach Haven has a couple of times a year to raise funds, and when the Beach Haven Fire Company's turkey dinner comes around in around Thanksgiving.

There are two Rotary Clubs, one on the Island, one on the Mainland, and both pack in the crowds with their annual cocktail parties and auctions. The Lions Club in Stafford is active in supporting area sports, while the Kiwanis-sponsored annual concert by the Stevens Institute Glee Clubs is well attended. There are two Kiwanis Clubs, one on the Island and one in Stafford.

There is an area Exchange Club in Beach Haven, two Elks Clubs, one in Lacey, one in Stafford, and a number of area veterans groups, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans and the Marine Corps League. There are several Italian-American Clubs, Amergael, for Irish Americans, and, of course, the DAR.

Professional women can seek membership in the Business and Professional Women's organization. There also is a chapter of Soroptimist International Inc., which meets monthly in the area.

If you are interested in more information about these events, contact the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, 265 W. 9th St., Ship Bottom, N.J. 08008 or call the chamber office at 494-7211.

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