Putting aside all the politics in town, the doings of the outgoing boards of education and the actions of the board that is also a thing of the past come December that include giving a five year contract to the superintendent rather than letting the elected board take action in January, it’s been great fun seeing some of the happy and terrific things happening in the Bayshore at this time of year.
So exciting to meet Alyson Camerota and see how the people of Shrewsbury absolutely loved her spending hours in the borough hall then in the Historical society over wine sharing stories, laughing, and simply enjoying good company. She’s animated, sparkly, fast moving, and a fine example of how people who really want to can overcome lots of tragedy and emotional distress can be happy and successful. She exudes happiness and it’s catching.
So nice to see the Shrewsbury Historical Society be such a part of the program that began with Mayor Ulmer’s invitation to her former classmate to come for a book signing. It’s history, as Don Burden says, even when you’re talking about punk rock bands and unhappy times. It’s all that makes Shrewsbury so special.
Speaking of the Society, look for another story here soon on what’s on display this summer. Don and Mary Lea, his equally dedicated wife, as well as a score of outstanding and hard-working society members, have a fantastic display of sewing machines, dating over 100 years and going from treadle to electric. This is definitely a family exhibit, with the women loving the improvements in machines over the years and the men loving the intricate mechanisms and outstanding woodwork of the machine cabinets. Every exhibit in this very active society’s museum is a piece of history that keeps you proud of being a part of Monmouth County. The Eisner display from when they made military and scout uniforms is great, too.
Also love the Highlands Historical Society James T. White awards going to those terrific and talented youngsters at the Highlands Elementary School. The kids work hard, produce very creative work, and honor a former mayor, teacher and clammer whose name is synonymous with Great Things and People of Highlands. So nice to see the youngsters getting to know more about local history.
Also wonderful to see the Mayor and Council president both recognize what the summer folks mean to the borough, especially generations like the Guenther family who have found it the very best place to spend summers for the past hundred years. Walt and his family have done a great job of preserving so many memories in photos and seeing them all celebrate together…more than 100 of them at the celebration last week….also shows what a great family it is. What a clever idea to preserve this year’s memory with the family on the deck of their raised house overlooking the Shrewsbury River. They took the photo by drone and it’s spectacular.
And Salt Water Liquors and the fine brothers and the rest of their kin who all contributed to make it such a great liquor and wine store was particularly nice to me and went far over and above what any store owner needs to do. Wanting to celebrate one of my own grandson’s 40th birthday with an Atlantic Highlands gift I knew he’d love, I learned, thanks to Salt Water, that Carton’s Brewery does indeed make 40 varieties of the beer this particular grandson drives down from another county to enjoy. So what better than 40 cans of Carton Beers for a 40-year-old! He loved it! In fact, his brothers-in-law were so impressed and liked the idea so much I might even try one of the fruit-flavored ones myself! Don’t think it will replace wine, but worth a try!
I think we should have a big parade to honor the Guenther Family and all of our other delightful…..”visitors” –
How is the weekend of September 2nd for everyone? We could escort them straight back to their Winter Retreat!