By Doug Carman, Staff Writer
HIGHTSTOWN Organizers behind the effort to rebuild the walking bridge over Peddie Lake’s dam received $3,500 in proceeds Monday from a wine-tasting event held late last month, placing the committee about $8,000 from the amount needed to begin construction, Greenway Bridge Committee Chairman Darek Hahn told the Herald.
Mr. Hahn said about 150 people attended the Feb. 25 event at Hightstown Diner, with some giving additional donations. The committee received the money from the diner and Voices of Hightstown, which co-sponsored the event, at Monday’s Borough Council meeting. Mr. Hahn said that as of Wednesday, the committee had received additional money and was just short of $37,000, counting a pledge from an anonymous donor to match the first $20,000 the group could raise.
John Archer, spokesman of Voices for Hightstown, said they sold more tickets than expected.
”The whole town got together. … It was a great meet-and-greet type of thing,” Mr. Archer said. “It was a booming success. I couldn’t hope for more, we couldn’t fit anymore in.”
The Greenway Bridge Committee, formed last year to spearhead the fundraising and reconstruction of the bridge that was torn down more than two years ago after the old concrete bridge was found to be structurally unsafe, will host additional fundraisers through May to reach its goal of $45,000.
Mr. Archer mentioned a beer-tasting party that will take place in April at Tavern on the Lake, though the exact date hadn’t been determined. Mr. Hahn also said they were organizing a “Taste of Hightstown” in May at Memorial Park.
Mr. Hahn said he anticipated having the $45,000 raised by then. If the group meets the goal before May, the extra money will go to other improvements around Memorial Park, starting with the light fixtures.
”Part of our resolution was not only to do the bridge but other improvements in that park,” Mr. Hahn said.

