LACEY – What do Katie Couric, Ken Jennings, Anderson Cooper, Bill Whitaker, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Lacey Mayor Peter Curatolo all have in common? They each hosted the popular game show “Jeopardy.”
In the case of Mayor Curatolo however, he wasn’t seen on night time TV, nor did he do a week-long stint as a guest host replacing the late, great Alex Trebek. He did however demonstrate a superior job hosting a fun filled version of “Jeopardy” at the pavilion of Gille Park.
The event had three contestants and utilized “Jeopardy”-style computer graphics and a big screen as part of the township’s ongoing 150th anniversary.
While the weather was a bit windy and raw on the evening of the game show it did bring out a number of spectators. The program called “Final Jeopardy” was put on by the Lacey 150th Committee along with The Lacey Township Recreation Department.
Along with Lacey history, categories included science, history, literature, current events, pop culture, world events and sports.
Katie Clayton, chairperson of the 150th Lacey Anniversary Committee, introduced the contestants Nick Madensky, Sean Sharkey and Ben Austin. Each did their best to get all the questions right.
Madensky ultimately got the top score. Sharkey however came the closest to the Final Jeopardy question which was the date of Lacey Township’s incorporation. Phrased in the form of a question: “what is March 23, 1871.” Sharkey was only a few days off while his opponents were much further off.
Clayton also said the event had several judges who kept score. “Our contestants have five seconds to answer the question and three seconds to buzz in.”
One of the Lacey historical topics was “circa 1930 some Lacey High School students were sent to this high school while others were sent to Toms River High School.”
Austin answered “Browns Mills” which was close but no cigar as the actual name of the high school was Pemberton High School.
The largest breed of dog is not a greyhound which was one of only a few questions Madensky missed. The answer is Great Dane.
A Lacey history question that no one got was the name of a popular grocery store from July 1962 on Lacey Road. It was Nielson’s Quality Food Center.
An easier question was what country invented the beverage of tea, to which Madensky quickly answered, “what is China?”
Another beverage question was “what country produces the most coffee in the world?” the answer being Brazil.
The mayor said he enjoyed his time as host. His daughter Eleanor was present to provide him support and encouragement during the event. “I was acting as the late Alex Trebek. I am excited about having the answers because I certainly wouldn’t know all of them.”
He added, “I have been looking forward to this and I want to thank everyone involved with our 150th Anniversary committee. We have a good crowd here. Even if the weather is bad, they come out.”
“The great thing about Lacey is that the participation is epic regardless of the occasion. Especially if it is a situation of a child having cancer and a fundraiser is needed or something like that,” the mayor added.
Lacey Municipal Alliance Coordinator Heather Scanlon and 150th Anniversary Committee member Laura McDonald were present at a table showing the 150th merchandise that could be acquired including an anniversary flag and other items.
The milestone anniversary’s celebration which began in January has put a spotlight on different aspects and areas of Lacey with its eclectic array of people that make the community a unique place to live in Ocean County.
Each month has featured a different theme focusing on new town moniker made specially for the 150th Anniversary. That motto is “Lacey Township, Live it, Love it, Be part of it!”
Next month’s theme will highlight the beauty and care the township and residents put into the community. On June 25, 26, 27, the anniversary committee will showcase perennial gardens, mixed gardens, historic gardens, environmentally beneficial rain gardens along with Lacey’s magnificent waterfront gardens, and celebrate the loving gardeners and civic groups who created and care for them.
The committee is currently taking submissions for Lacey’s Garden Walk and those interested should visit forms.gle/1pHeEPwhhgyB24m29 or e-mail Lacey150@laceytownship.org.
Clayton also recommended that those wishing to join the committee or learn more about Lacey’s 150th anniversary events, to call the Lacey Township Recreation Department at 609- 693-1100 ext. 2203.
