When my uncle built an in-depth genealogy of our family tree, he discovered that George Washington had eaten at the restaurant a great-great-great-great-great (you get the picture) relative owned. We were very surprised at our brief connection to then Gen. Washington and we point this out to visitors staring at the family tree hanging on the wall.

And that's what many places that can claim that historic connection do, they make known the fact that someone famous ate there, slept there, stayed there, vacationed there. Summer houses end up on the National Register of Historic Places because of it. History-loving tourists come and point: "That's Calvin Coolidge's childhood home." Et cetera.

Keeping that history alive is the admirable task of preservationists, and their work helps us learn something worthwhile.

In a somewhat similar vein, here in Toms River businesses are putting up their own signs, letting us know of some folks who recently patronized their fine facility. And the some folks I am referring to are, of course, the members of MTV's "Jersey Shore," a show now deep into the third season's episodes, which were taped in Seaside Heights.

The cast — J-WOWW, Snooki, The Situation, Sammi Sweetheart, Ronnie, DJ Pauly D, Vinnie and Deena — have made their way to plenty of local businesses, many of which are advertising this fact and trying to make a connection with fans of the show.

So the next time you drive by Rivoli's flashing sign, you'll see that JERSEY SHORE ATE HERE, which fans of the show know from the episode two week's ago.

Washington may not have eaten there, but DJ Pauly D certainly did.