It's not every day the President stops by your family's business.
I stood with the soggy crowd on Tuesday, cursing at myself because I had worn flip-flops, as snipers situated themselves on the roof in preparation for the President's arrival.
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Snipers arrive prior to President Barack Obama visit on the Pt. Pleasant Boardwalk that suffered major damage from Superstorm Sandy.
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President Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, quite the charismatic pair in person, made a brief stop in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., to see one of the recently reopened Jersey Shore businesses before they headed north to Asbury Park.
This progression shows the initial damage to the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach and the results of an arduous recovery effort.
I was among the hundreds who waited in the rain in the hopes of seeing the President. Word trickled out that the roads were closing that morning because the commander in chief was going to make an appearance with Christie. Cheers erupted when people caught a glimpse of the flashing red and blue lights of the motorcade illuminating the gray parking lot .
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Mark Bonifacio/New York Daily News
Daily News reporter Victoria Taylor's family owns two amusement parks in New Jersey. She said the business owners' dedication to opening for Memorial Day weekend helped the community accomplish what might have taken years in just a few months.
Not only was it a big day for the small beachfront town, which still hasn't seen all of its residents return since the storm, but it was also an important milestone for my family. We own Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights. Superstorm Sandy swept through both and left millions of dollars in damage in its wake.
The Jet Star roller coaster that was famously in the Atlantic Ocean until recently? That's my family's. Things could have been much worse, and although I am thankful that no one was hurt, we knew after the storm hit that the relaxing winter everyone was hoping for would not be upon us.
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President Obama speaks about rebuilding efforts following last year's Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday in Asbury Park.
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My maternal grandfather bought Casino Pier about 10 years ago, but Jenkinson's has been in the family since the early '80s. I spent my summers scooping ice cream and selling beach badges there. Even after I moved to New York, I came back and worked in the office when I could to help out my aunts, uncles and cousins. It's what you do when you are a part of a business like this, even after you leave the nest.
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President Obama speaks with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie after arriving at Joint Base McGuire-Dix in New Jersey on Tuesday. Obama traveled to New Jersey's shore to witness rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Sandy.
My dad, Ken Taylor, is essentially the chief financial officer, although titles aren't as important when it comes to family.
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Courtesy Ken Taylor
The crane games in South Beach Arcade were shoved together by the force of the waves. Many efforts were taken to prevent damage. There was a dune in front of the building, the metal roll-down doors were secured by sandbags, and there were glass doors behind the metal doors.
In the past, the winter has been a time to regroup and plan for the coming summer. This year, however, he was in the office every day to make sure Jenkinson's — and as much of Casino Pier as possible — could open in time for the unofficial start of summer. Buildings had to be gutted and redone, new equipment needed to be ordered, and then there was the whole "how do we get the roller coaster in Seaside out of the water" thing.
"As we were in it, it didn't feel like we were going to work seven days a week," my dad said. "We couldn't afford any down time. You're the fighting the weather. You're fighting the clock."
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The crowd looks on as President Obama greets audience members after speaking about the rebuilding effort.
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What might have taken years was accomplished in months. The new boardwalk was in place for the annual two-for-one ticket sale Easter weekend. Almost all of the attractions and stands at Jenkinson's were open Memorial Day weekend. One of the putt putt courses was leveled by the storm, and that is still being rebuilt. Lighthouse Point Miniature Golf should be up and running the last week of June.
Mark Bonifacio/New York Daily News
Site of a new "Lighthouse Point Miniature Golf course" as President Barack Obama visited the Pt. Pleasant Boardwalk that suffered major damage from Superstorm Sandy.
"Joe DiMaggio was once asked why he played so hard in every game. And he said, 'Because there is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time,'" my dad told me. "I can associate that with why we work so hard to bring the boardwalk back — there might be somebody coming up here who has never been before, and we want to make their visit as enjoyable as possible."
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Courtesy Ken Taylor
The boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., sustained a great deal of damage, and much of it had to be rebuilt.
Lackluster weather made for a dreary beginning to Memorial Day weekend, but by Sunday and Monday it felt more like May than March in Point Pleasant. The nice weather attracted the crowds, and they helped breathe life back into the boardwalk. Customers lined up for funnel cake and won giant bananas. The carousel jingle played, and children begged their parents for cotton candy. It almost felt as if nothing had changed.
But on Tuesday, I watched Christie sink the pigskin in the "Touchdown Fever" game and win the Chicago Bears stuffed animal for the President of the United States on the boardwalk where I grew up. Obama shook my hand as he walked down the line, and I was reminded on how much has transpired over the last seven months. The boards are newer, and some of the arcades have been redone. But the resilient spirit of the Jersey Shore is still the same, and it is definitely open for business.
Courtesy Ken Taylor
One of the miniature golf courses was leveled. It is still being rebuilt and has been renamed Lighthouse Point Miniature Golf.
Courtesy Ken Taylor
A piece of a ride washed ashore from Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, which is about 9 miles away, during the storm.
Courtesy Victoria Taylor
A crowd enjoys the afternoon sunshine in Point Pleasant Beach on Monday. Everyone worked tirelessly all winter, and, as a result, almost all of the rides, concessions and stands at Jenkinson's Boardwalk were open for Memorial Day Weekend.
