Scotch Plains-based nonprofit Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) is celebrating a milestone this year by awarding its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir Baltron B. Bethel, recognized for his groundbreaking work in promoting tourism across The Bahamas and the broader Caribbean. The award highlights Bethel’s decades-long influence in shaping sustainable tourism practices and enhancing the region’s global visibility. While CMEx is rooted in New Jersey, the award will be presented during the 2025 CMEx Leadership Awards in Miami, drawing leaders and media professionals from across the Caribbean and United States. CMEx’s mission focuses on helping communities and media outlets understand how tourism can drive sustainable economic growth, and the recognition of Bethel underscores the organization’s commitment to honoring visionaries who impact both culture and commerce.
Closer to home, New Jersey residents have a chance to explore the state’s history in an entirely different way through Naming New Jersey, a recently published book by attorney Scott Salmon. Salmon, a co-managing partner at Jardim Meisner Salmon Sprague & Susser PC, spent more than four years researching the origins of 850 towns, neighborhoods, and landmarks across the Garden State. The book offers readers a detailed look into how New Jersey’s diverse communities acquired their names, from Vineland’s agricultural roots to Ironbound’s rail-bound history, Freehold’s legal beginnings, Belleville’s French origins, and Keyport’s maritime significance. Salmon’s work serves as both a reference guide and an engaging read for anyone curious about local heritage, offering insight into the linguistic, cultural, and historical influences that shaped the state’s landscape.
The inspiration for Salmon’s book came from a 1945 pamphlet by the New Jersey Public Library Commission titled The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, part of the Federal Writers’ Project under the Works Progress Administration. While the pamphlet provided a foundation, Salmon discovered numerous inaccuracies and incomplete entries, prompting him to investigate original sources, including maps, deeds, ship manifests, and town records. Among his findings, Salmon corrected misconceptions about Absecon, demonstrating that its name likely stems from Algonquian words linked to local salt resources rather than the non-existent “Absegami” tribe. He also challenged the widely accepted origin of Scotch Plains, showing that the township’s name reflects the Scottish settlers themselves rather than the leader of a ship that arrived after the town had already been established.
Salmon explains that New Jersey place names come from a variety of influences, from Native American terms and European locations to notable individuals and historical events. North Jersey often reflects Dutch, English, and Native American heritage, while South Jersey names frequently reference topography or natural resources. Many towns commemorate prominent figures like Benjamin Franklin or George Washington, and events such as the Mexican-American War inspired the naming of places like Buena Vista.
With 100% of the book’s profits donated to the Bridge of Books Foundation, an Atlantic Highlands nonprofit that provides books to underserved children to foster literacy, Salmon combines his passion for history with philanthropy. Copies are also being donated to libraries, ensuring broader access to this unique resource. The project not only deepened Salmon’s understanding of New Jersey’s past but also reinforced his approach to problem-solving in his legal practice, which focuses on municipal law, land use, and election-related matters.
Both CMEx’s recognition of Caribbean tourism leadership and Salmon’s exploration of New Jersey’s local history underscore the value of understanding cultural and regional legacies. While one celebrates global contributions to sustainable development, the other invites residents to reconnect with their communities and appreciate the stories behind the places they call home. For more on New Jersey’s towns, history, and cultural events, visit Explore New Jersey.
