He took some good-natured teasing on whether the weather forecast dictated his presentation, or his presentation dictated the weather forecast. But in the end, Highland’s Historical Society member, and local historian, Walter Guenther drew a crowd of viewers of all ages to see and hear about storms in Highlands from the 19th century to the present Thursday evening.
The regular meeting of the Highlands Historical Society, held at the Community Center on Waterwitch Avenue began with a brief business session which included urging members to encourage others interested in the history of the borough and the Bayshore to join the historical society and hear about its plans through the end of the year and their new active season which starts in early spring.
But noting that it was flooding that impacted the last meeting as well, when it was moved to Borough Hall because of the weather, Guenther presented a slide show and interactive talk program showing how Highlands residents have a tradition and history of facing storms, helping each other at times of storms, cleaning up after storms and moving forward with optimism and sharing ways to combat future storms.
Guenther drew from his extensive photographic collection to show a storm in September, 1889 that featured an overturned train at Sandy Hook, blown off its rail by the incoming water and how, in spite of the weather, the sight drew dozens of spectators to see the damage.
Photos of a 1914 storm highlighted Bay Avenue and the former Silberblatt’s store, a men’s shoe and clothing store in the middle of town. Photos of a 1938 storm showed the former carousel which was located on Bay Avenue on a site currently housing apartments. Guenther’s collection also include Hurricane Carol and the damage it caused in 1952 and Hurricane Donna in September of 1960, before highlighting storms in 2011 which precede Hurricane Sandy photographs in 2012.
In all cases of severe damage, flooding, and people in need, spectators at the meeting noted how neighbors came together to help each other both during the storm as well as in rebuilding and repairing in the weeks after.
With more than two dozen residents and guests in attendance at the meeting, the program was ‘interrupted’ several times, and received enthusiastically by the viewers, as each photo over the decades invited memories from club members who lived through the various storms and could relate additional interesting and sometimes amusing impacts of it.
Anyone interested in joining the Highlands Historical Society or attending any of its meetings or programs can contact Guenther at guentherwb@aol.com.
Plans for the annual Christmas Holiday luncheon celebration will be announced at the October meeting. All are invited to join the luncheon, which will be held at Bahrs Restaurant, Bay Avenue, the oldest still active business in the historic borough.
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In all cases of severe damage, flooding, and people in need, spectators at the meeting noted how neighbors came together to help each other both during the storm as well as in rebuilding and repairing in the weeks after.With more than two dozen residents and guests in attendance at the meeting, the program was ‘interrupted’ several times, and received enthusiastically by the viewers, as each photo over the decades invited memories from club members who lived through the various storms and could relate additional interesting and sometimes amusing impacts of it.Anyone interested in joining the Highlands Historical Society or attending any of its meetings or programs can contact Guenther at guentherwb@aol.com. Plans for the annual Christmas Holiday luncheon celebration will be announced at the October meeting. All are invited to join the luncheon, which will be held at Bahrs Restaurant, Bay Avenue, the oldest still active business in the historic borough. In all cases of severe damage, flooding, and people in need, spectators at the meeting noted how neighbors came together to help each other both during the storm as well as in rebuilding and repairing in the weeks after.With more than two dozen residents and guests in attendance at the meeting, the program was ‘interrupted’ several times, and received enthusiastically by the viewers, as each photo over the decades invited memories from club members who lived through the various storms and could relate additional interesting and sometimes amusing impacts of it.Anyone interested in joining the Highlands Historical Society or attending any of its meetings or programs can contact Guenther at guentherwb@aol.com.
