High Bridge Cultural & Heritage Committee

• Members
• Meeting Time
• 2009 Goals
• 2008 Accomplishments
• Annual Events
• Past Events
• Mini Historians
• 2008 Memorial Day Ceremony Photos
• 2007 Veteran's Day Photos
• 2007 Pooch Parade Photos
• 2008 Pooch Parade Photos
• Pooch Parade 2009 
• Commons Movies 2009
• 3 Saturdays in September Concert Series
• 2007 Pumpkin Contest Photos
• 2008 Gingerbread displays
• Cultural & Heritage Project List

A Cultural and Heritage Committee is herby established to advise the
Borough Council on the cultural and historical needs of the Borough of High Bridge. Its responsibilities include the development of programs to promote interest and participation in and understanding of local history, arts, cultural values and goals of the community and state by working directly with arts and historical organizations, schools, religious organizations, service clubs, municipal governments, and other interested groups and individuals.  It may establish museum and cultural programs, including fine and performing programs, undertake historical research, and architectural and genealogical research, and promote the borough through motion picture and television/ radio settings. Reports and directories may be published that help develop interest in historical and cultural matters.

1. Dean Rapp (Council) - Term expires 12/31/10
2. Jim Murray - Chair- Term expires 12/31/10
3. Lynn Hughes- Vice Chair- Term expires 12/31/11
4. Sarah Swatsworth -Secretary- Term expires 12/31/10
5. Gail Wolczynski - Term expires 12/31/12
6. Victoria Miller - Term expires 12/31/12
7. Eric Erb - Term expires 12/31/11

Honorary member: Borough Historian Robert Lee 

ALTERNATES (2 Year Term)

1. Maryann Hagan 12/31/10
2. Nancy Hunt 12/31/12  

Meeting Time

Third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.

Cultural & Heritage Committee 2009 Goals

1. Continue to Organize Annual Town wide Free Cultural Events

• Pooch Parade 
• Movies in the Commons
• Summer Concert Series 
• Pumpkin & Gingerbread Displays 

2. Promote High Bridge Heritage

• Submit ideas to County for Town historic markers. 
• Continue organizing historic home circa plaque project
• Continue to Organize Memorial & Veterans Day Ceremonies
• Continue to solicit High Bridge “stories of the past”  for newsletter.
• Continue to work with Eagle Scout Project:HB Historical Places Video
• Investigate showcasing local artists: music, art, etc.

3. Promote C & H Public Awareness

• Update Borough Hall Outside Bulletin Board
• Update C & H Web page  updates

Cultural & Heritage Committee 2008 Goal Accomplishments

1. Organize Annual Town Cultural Events:

• Pooch Parade  
• Movies in the Commons  
• Summer Concert Series 
• Pumpkin & Gingerbread Displays

• Obtain more Town Historic Markers. 
  List of possible markers was created and sent to the county
  We will receive one sign from the county this year: for TISCO.
• Researched obtaining historic home markers.
  Continue to look for cultural & historical grants.
  Organize Memorial & Veterans Day Ceremonies
  Continue to solicit High Bridge “stories of the past”  for newsletter.
  Plan a walking self guided “historical places tour” of our town. 
  Working with William Wyckoff on Eagle Scout Project:  historical places video

3. C & H Public Awareness            

• Changed Borough Hall Outside Bulletin Board
•  C & H Web page updates
• Created a C & H brochure for the Welcome Box
      
             

Annual Events sponsored by the Cultural & Heritage Committee

• May: Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park 
• June: Pooch Parade
• June/July: Movies in the Commons
• Summer: Saturday Concert Series in the Commons
• October: Carved Pumpkin Display on Main Street
• November: Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park 
• December: Gingerbread Houses on Main Street

Past Events

High Bridge BBC Radio Interview

On Wednesday, July 11, 2007 Lynn Hughes had the opportunity to be an ambassador between High Bridge, NJ and Highbridge England. BBC radio host Trevor Fry from calls towns around the world that have the same name as a town in England.

Click here to listen to the interview from Bristol, England. (7.7MB MP3 File)

High Bridge 'Mini Historians'

Congratulations to the 2009 High Bridge Mini Historians Rachel Silberman and Caitlyn Reilly.

We are proud to honor the following fourth grade students from the High Bridge Elementary School for their efforts to learn and share our rich local history. They have been recognition by the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission as High Bridge 'Mini Historians' through their participation in the annual 'Most Historic Place in My Town' essay contest.

Click here to go to the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Website  

Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day and honored men who had died in the Civil War.  It now honors servicemen and servicewomen who died in any war.  Come join with the American Legion Post #188 and the Cultural & Heritage Committee as we remember all American Service people who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

2007 High Bridge Memorial Day Remembrance

Click here to view the 2008 Memorial Day Ceremony held at C.K. Hoffman Park on May 24, 2008

http://www.bantampress.com/mem2008/

Click here to view the 2009 Memorial Day Ceremony held at C.K. Hoffman Park, on May 23, 2009

http://www.bantampress.com/mday09/

Annual Veterans Day Ceremony

World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, had ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.   Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to United States national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.  Come join with the American Legion Post #188 and the Cultural & Heritage Committee as we remember all American Service people .

2007 Veterans Day Photos

http://bantampress.com/vetday2007/

2010 Pooch Parade Info

The 2010 Pooch Parade will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at The Commons Park. This year's theme will be "Dogs in the Workplace."

2009 Pooch Parade Info

The High Bridge Cultural and Heritage Committee will hold the 2009 High Bridge Pooch Parade on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the High Bridge Commons on Main Street behind Borough Hall.  Registration for pooches will begin at 9:00 a.m., with the parade kicking off at 10:00 a.m.

A High Bridge tradition, this year’s parade theme is Dogs in Sports. Pooches are encouraged to  compete for prizes in ten separate categories.  The seven standard Pooch Parade prize categories are:
 
Most Creative Costume
Silliest Costume
Best Small Dog
Best Medium Dog
Best Large Dog
Runner up to Best Costume
Best Costume

All winners will receive canvas goodie bags sporting the sports parade logo filled with canine treats, toys and gift certificates.

Registration is $5 per dog.  The first 25 people to register their pets will receive a complimentary Pooch Parade T-shirt.  Shirts are limited, so please arrive early!  Any dog may participate in the parade, but only registered dogs can win.  Please note that although High Bridge appreciates all types of pets, for the safety of participants, the parade must adhere to a “Pooches Only” policy.

So, bring your video camera and your sense of humor and come celebrate your pet.  Canine rescue groups and vendors are encouraged to participate.  If you would like to set up a table or volunteer at the parade, please contact Ruby Reuter at 908-638-8904 or Lynn Hughes at 908-638-8887.

Photos from the 2009 Pooch Parade Click here to view:

http://www.bantampress.com/pooch09/

2007 High Bridge Pooch Parade

Click here to view pictures from the 2007 High Bridge Pooch Parade.
Click here to view the winners of the 2007 High Bridge Pooch Parade.

2008 Pooch Parade Photos

Click here to view the 2008 Pooch Parade Photos taken on June 21, 2008 at the Commons Park

http://www.bantampress.com/pooch2008/

Free Movies in the Commons

Once again we will we offering our free Movies in the Commons series.  Held under the stars, the films will begin at dusk approximately around 8:30 PM.  All movies are rated PG. 

The movie dates are:
Friday,  June  19    (raindate Sat. June 20)      Kung Fu Panda
Friday,  June  26    (raindate Sat. June 27)      Hotel For Dogs
Friday,  July   10     (raindate Sun. July 12)      Bee Movie
Friday,  July   17     (raindate Sun. July 19)      Inkheart

Kung Fu Panda June 19
Rated PG;   92 minutes
Po is a lazy, irreverent slacker panda who is a fan of Kung Fu but that doesn’t help his boredom at working in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he comes under the leadership of Kung Fu guru Shifu and trains to hilarious result. Po must use his training to fight the treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung in this animated adventure.

Hotel for Dogs June 26
Rated PG;  100  minutes
Based on Lois Duncan’s novel, the story revolves around two orphaned teenagers who decide to turn an abandoned building into a safe haven for stray dogs.

Bee Movie July 10
Rated PG;    90  minutes
Barry B. Benson, a bee who just graduated from college, is disillusioned with his only job prospect, honey. When he ventures outside of the hive he breaks a cardinal rule and talks to a human, a florist named Vanessa, and is shocked to find out that humans have been stealing bees honey for centuries and decides to sue them in this animated comedy.

Inkheart July 17
Rated PG;  106 minutes
Meggie’s father Mo has the power to bring characters from books to life just by reading those books aloud. When he sets free some nasty characters from a medieval story, it is up to Meggie to join a group of friends, both real and imagined, to set things right.

Saturdays in Summer Concert Information  

Music starts at 7 PM and ends at 9 PM at the Borough Commons unless otherwise noted on the borough calendar. All are encouraged to bring chairs and/or blankets and any food you might want to eat. It's always a great time!

Cultural & Heritage Committee Pumpkin Display

Pictures of Pumpkin Display 2006: www.bantampress.com/pumpkinback.html

2007 Pumpkin Contest display: http://www.bantampress.com/hbpd07/

Gingerbread Houses on Display

Cultural & Heritage Project List

To All Organizations & Residents of High Bridge:

High Bridge has many projects on our wish list. The following list is for the Cultural & Heritage Committee. This list is not all inclusive and do not prevent you from designing and working on an idea that does not appear on the attached. These community service ideas are being posted so that you can keep us in mind when planning a community service project.

Our committee would be happy to work with any organization, group, or individual that would be interested in taking charge of one of our "future projects". We are also open to other possible ideas that do not appear on this list. Additional ideas can be submitted via e-mail to info@highbridge.org.

• Create a video tour of historic places for the web site (working on)
• Plan a walking tour of historic places in town (working on)
• Create self guiding brochure (working on)
• Historic markers at sites throughout the town (working on)
• Run historic tour
• Historic home markers (to show date built -scout working on this project)
• Acting group: to portray people from our town's history
• Promote local artists displays: art, photography, poetry, sewing, etc.
• Someone to organize local musical groups for free concerts

Please also see the Environmental Commission's Community Service Project List.