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Local Life, Opinion

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: An Opening Night Remembrance

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Sometimes I can still smell the lingering scent of funnel cake in my mother’s hair. I can still see her blue-striped Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair apron draped over the kitchen chair. I can see her tying those apron strings. I can see her checking her hair and lipstick in the mirror by the door. I can hear her voice calling to me upstairs to hurry up as I tried to get my pigtails even and the puffy yarn bows tied just right. I’m always late.

And sometimes I can still see us walking down the street, her scurrying, brushing her hair to the side, still yelling back to me to hurry up.

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: An Opening Night Remembrance →

Local Life

Simple Summer: Crabbing & Catching a Sunset

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It doesn’t get much more simple in the summer than hanging a cage filled with raw chicken bait over the side of the Fair Haven Dock, netting crabs and catching a prime sunset view in the mix.

That’s what this Simple Summer photo gallery is all about.

Sometimes, too, you run into a small business owner everyone in the area knows. Anyone know who this is pictured crabbing a few days ago?

Hint: He’s known for putting people in stitches.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Rumson Crabbing & Recreating

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Saturday evening was time to get crabby with Rumson police and join the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament.

The event began at 6 p.m.; and, well, if you got there after 6, the parking lot at the Rumson Borough Boat Launch was pretty full, but no one was to be found on the water. They were likely already far enough out on the river to get those prime catches.

There were, however, some crabbers and others boating, jet skiing and just hanging around.

Take a look at the above photo gallery for a glimpse into the evening. See anything somewhat crabby looking?

The results of the tournament will be posted when they become available.

In the meantime, enjoy the view!

Local Life

Retro Rumson PBA Crabbing Eve

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Crabbing at the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Crabbing at the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

The 10th Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament is Saturday.

So, in honor of a full decade of getting crabby with the PBA, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to last year’s tournament.

The fun was, yes, catching, with these guys who were trying their luck right across from the boat launch.

Recognize them?

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Police and Fire

Getting Crabby with Rumson PBA

Time to get crabby with Rumson cops. The 10th Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament is set for Saturday.

The evening of crabbing and prizes, the proceeds of which benefit Monmouth County Ducks Unlimited and Wetlands Conservation and The Special Olympics, starts at 6 p.m. at the borough boat ramp at the foot of Avenue of Two Rivers (behind the police station and borough hall) and runs until 10 p.m.

Cost is $65 per boat; and awards will be given for the first-, second- and third-highest amounts of crabs caught as well as one for the largest crab caught.

And, there t-shirts and sweatshirts will be sold for $20 to $30.

See ya down by the river, Crabby!

Take a look at last year’s tournament by clicking here.

 

 

Local Life, Opinion

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: 50 Hot Dog Salute

Chris Brenner serving hot dogs at the Fair Haven Firemen's Fair Photo/courtesy of Chris Brenner
Chris Brenner serving hot dogs at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair
Photo/courtesy of Chris Brenner

The following is an opinion piece, a tribute, about the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair by Fair Haven resident, Rumson native and 1983 RFH grad Chris Brenner …

In late August of 1965, I came into the world at Riverview Hospital. We lived in Rumson; and, no doubt, on my first ride home in our blue VW Beetle, I went right by the Fair Haven firehouse, which surely was hosting the annual Fireman’s Fair at the time. I sadly didn’t make that ’65 fair. Too busy learning to breathe and see, and all of that.

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: 50 Hot Dog Salute →

Local Life

Retro Olympic Silver Medalist Connor Jaeger

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After the Olympian parade for Connor Jaeger in 2012 at the Fair Haven Firehouse Photo/Elaine Van Develde
After the Olympian parade for Connor Jaeger in 2012 at the Fair Haven Firehouse
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Yes, Fair Haven-raised Connor Jaeger did it! In his second quest for an Olympic medal, he came in second in the 1,500-meter freestyle swim in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, making history as the fastest Team U.S.A. swimmer in the event.

It was only four years ago when Jaeger swam in London and placed sixth in the same event. When he came home to Fair Haven, there was a parade and he signed autographs for some very excited young fans.

There are no plans as of yet for a re-do of that in the borough. It depends on his wishes, officials have said.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back four years when Jaeger came home from London to a thrilled community. His family was there. Even his family dog was there.

Jaeger family dog in 2012 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Jaeger family dog in 2012
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Who knows the name of the Jaeger family dog?

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Special Delivery for Fair Haven Fire Chief

There’s been a special delivery of an official sort of third-generation Fair Havenite — and just in time for the fair!

Fair Haven Fire Department Chief Michael Wiehl and wife Gloria announced the birth of their first child, Abigail Rose, at 8:57 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Abigail Rose Weihl Photo/Facebook screenshot
Abigail Rose Wiehl
Photo/Facebook screenshot
Abigail Rose Weihl Photo/Facebook screenshot
Abigail Rose Wiehl
Photo/Facebook screenshot

Abigail weighed in at 6-pounds, 12 ounces and “everyone is happy and healthy,” Gloria said to Facebook friends.

Grandma and Grandpa, Bonnie and Jeff Wiehl are thrilled.

Michael Wiehl is a third-generation native Fair Havenite, the grandson of Cora and Bill Kacen, longtime fire department members.

Local Life

Homefront RFH Olympian Cheer to Jaeger’s Silver

“This Silver Medal is nothing but a pebble found on the mountain that is the history of United States Olympic success. I feel so blessed to have contributed to what was one of the greatest Olympic team performances of all time. I still can’t believe I’m coming home with a Silver ? #rio2016?? #gousa??” ~ Olympian Connor Jaeger / 2016 Silver Medal Winner/ Men’s 1,500-Meter Freestyle

He did it and set a record to boot! RFH 2010 graduate, Fair Haven-raised Connor Jaeger won the silver medal, placing second in the world, in the 2016 Summer Olympics men’s 1,500-meter freestyle swim in Rio de Janeiro.

And on top of winning the silver — his first medal after coming in sixth in the same category four years ago in London — Jeager came in at a Team USA record-breaking time of 14:39.48.

And Jaeger was cheered on from afar at his alma mater, 2000 Olympics bronze medal 200-meter individual medley swim winner Tom Wilkens on site to lend support to a fellow swimmer and let some of the kids try on his medal for fun. Wilkens, a CBA grad, is from Middletown. There was a parade to honor him when he won.

Jaeger is the son of Fair Haven Councilman Eric Jaeger and wife, Bernadette. He has a sister, Dana.

Check out the photos for a glimpse into the eve at RFH.

Congrats, again, Connor Jaeger!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

RFH to Cheer on Olympian Connor Jaeger

Saturday night’s the night to cheer on Fair Haven-raised Olympian Connor Jaeger at none other than his alma mater, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH).

Jaeger, who came in first in two swimming categories’ trials (400- and 1,500-meter freestyle), will be going for the gold in Rio de Janeiro in the 1,500 category on Saturday night.

He placed fifth in the 400 in Rio a couple of weeks ago.

All are invited to gather, watch and cheer Jaeger on at RFH’s auditorium at 7 p.m.

This is Jaeger’s second round at the Olympics. He competed four years ago and came in sixth in the 1,500.

Go Connor!

 

Local Life

Retro Lock, Stock & Barrel Dinner & Waitresses

It’s too hot to cook, right?

Well, back in the day, decades ago, you could go on over to Lock, Stock & Barrel in Fair Haven, where Nauvoo Grill Club now sits, for a  $3.50 prime rib dinner. Yes, you read that right. See?

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Check out the ad from probably the early 1970s. While school was in, kids would walk over from what was then Willow Street School (now Viola L. Sickles) during lunch hour for a huge burger, fries, a salad and a cherry coke — all for less than $1. True hometown story. Oh, then the kids walked over to the penny candy store down the street for a few Red Hot Dollars, Swedish Fish and a candy necklace.

Many of the Lock, Stock waitresses were Fair Haven moms, some of them Fair Haven Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary members.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day, courtesy of native Fair Havenite Evie Connor Kelly, is a look back at those ladies all dressed up and performing a Lock Stock waitressing spoof at a fire company event and a look at a menu.

Prime rib and a song and dance, anyone? Remember these ladies? They knew all the kids.