Memorial Day weekend signals the start of summer and … block parties in Rumson-Fair Haven area towns.
Well, the folks on Parker Avenue in Fair Haven kicked off the season with some festive block partying on Saturday.
Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into some fun on a street full of oldies, second and third generation residents and newbies who say they moved there because of the longstanding appeal of the neighborhood where tradition is treasured.
The Sea Bright Fire Company has shared its view from a head cam of Monday’s Rumson fire at the Blithewald historic mansion via a post on its Facebook page.
In the post, the company’s representatives said that the release of the video on YouTube, they felt, would “not only give the public insight on what we do but will allow our brothers and sisters of the service an opportunity to better both themselves and ourselves in the future.”
No cause has been as of yet determined. The fire is under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Rumson police and the county fire marshal.
Take a look for a glimpse into the life of a local firefighter on the job. Firefighters have asked that the public excuse their language at some points.
It’s comfort food and company for the soul — the annual Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company’s Spaghetti Dinner.
The trek up those steps at the firehouse sets off a surge of soothing memories for any longtime Fair Havenite. The smell of sauce simmering on the stove, the familiar sound of a banquet room full of friends, the sight of the good ladies of the auxiliary serving meals and the kitchen … oh, the kitchen, where the guys who made the spaghetti and meatballs keep things cooking.
Then there’s Angelo, meatball master supreme. He watches over everything and keeps it all good.
Take a look at our slideshow above to get a glimpse into the evening and all things fine at the firehouse. Mangia!
Oh, and don’t forget to click the icon on the bottom right of the slideshow to enlarge it and get a full view!
For our special treat today, in honor of all things Italian style and to honor the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company Spaghetti Dinner, we take you back to a minute with the fire company’s own fair Italian lady, Jeanette Choma.
Jeanette has been working at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair, well, forever. She loves working in the Grab Bag Booth and selling those balloons.
And, she will tell you in a heartbeat that she’s been at the fair for “50 YEARS!”
Watch what happens when we ask her about her age in this outtake clip above.
By Elaine Van Develde
Aloha! The Foundation of Fair Haven has gone from Oktoberfest lederhosen and beer steins to hula skirts and leis with its newest fundraiser — the first annual Tiki Haven.
Locals gathered at the Knights of Columbus hall in Fair Haven on Saturday for an evening of luau food and festivities. Most everyone came dressed for the occasion in one way or another; and while gathering for “some tropical fun,” people participated in a super 50/50, auctions, games and dancing for a $50 donation to The Foundation of Fair Haven for Future Fair Haven Days.
The photo booth in the food and dancing room revealed some interesting visitors.
Food was provided by Red Bank Flavour. Local businesses provided baskets for the raffles and auctions; and Jake’s Surf Shop, a Sea Bright business owned by an RFH graduate, donated sweatshirts to the Tiki Toss game.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught a glimpse into the evening with lots of photos. Check out the above slideshow set to tropical music for a look. Make sure you click on the icon in the lower right corner of the video to enlarge to full screen!
Saturday was a very ducky day in Rumson.
Live ducks were out wandering around by the river banks at Victory Park. Then there were myriad decoys, photos, drawings, paintings — all things ducky, otherwise bird-inspired, sporty and collectible — at Forrestdale School as the Two River Exhibition of Sporting Collectible Art held its second annual event all day.
Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson was honorary chairman of the show; and he had a couple of special family members by his side.
Take a look at our slideshow for a glimpse into the event. Don’t forget to click on the icon in the lower right corner of the video to enlarge!
Slideshow and photos by Elaine Van Develde
By Elaine Van Develde
All was calm in the Rumson-Fair Haven area after the blizzard hysteria settled into nightfall after a manageable snow storm.
People shoveled, walked dogs, sledded down streets and a colorful sunset set in down by the Navesink River.
Life is good and all is well in the R-FH area.
See for yourself.
Click on the arrow in the center of the slideshow above and click on the bottom right corner for a glimpse into the scene set to music. Enjoy!
While Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect has only been in soft launch mode for a few months, many moments have been captured in photos.
From the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair to the holidays, many stories’ scenes have been set in those images.
Take a look at our slide show set to music to get a glimpse into the highlights of the past few months of 2014.
Get set for the New Year. We’ll be seeing an awful lot more of you around the towns!
In the meantime, enjoy! Just click on the arrow in the center of the video and then on the bottom right icon to enlarge.
By Elaine Van Develde
“Many of those who were drafted into war many years ago were only seniors in high school. They were so young, their faces looked like dough,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said, explaining the significance of what is dubbed the Doughboy Statue that stands at Memorial Park.
It’s where the Veterans Day ceremony in the borough took place on Tuesday. It’s also where some of those once dough-faced soldiers, now wearing the passage of time and life experience on their faces and in their eyes, gathered to pay tribute to fellow vets, those who have passed, those killed in the line of duty and those still in service.
They gathered in both Fair Haven and Rumson.
In Fair Haven, World War II vet Warner White, recipient of the Purple Heart award and Combat Infantry Badge, made his way up to the mic to speak of his time on the Atlantic French Coast at Utah Beach (D plus 94) and the Battle of the Bulge.
A native of Ohio, White has made Fair Haven his home since 1962.
Modest, as many World War II vets are, White quipped, “Ya see this picture of me here (pointing to the program). They make it look like I’m saluting. I really wasn’t. I was just combing my hair.”
He spoke of his experiences and all listened intently, including the very young, doughy-faced students in attendance.
Also recognized were a couple of the oldest living World War II vets in the audience: Ray Taylor, who served in Korea as well, and Oscar Hille, of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Also still living in Fair Haven, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect has learned, is 97-year-old World War II vet, Ken Curchin.
In Rumson, special recognition was paid to Jack Donovan Fowler, who was a First Lieutenant in the 7th Armored Division of the Battle of the Bulge.
Captain Daniel J. Edwards was the “presiding officer of the day” for the ceremony and Captain Mike Lilley, of the U.S. Marine Corps, spoke. Lilley, a Rumson resident, is executive director of Better Education for Kids, Inc.
All are the faces of service to the country. There were many thank-you’s and handshakes Tuesday morning. And Mayor Lucarelli called for that and more consideration to be a constant.
“In war there are and (have been) so many casualties and lives lost … Many who served and return have wounds that cannot be seen, such as post traumatic stress disorder and brain trauma …
“If you see a vet, thank a vet. If you see a vet and it seems like he’s having a hard time, understand. Go up to him and comfort him if you can.”
The casualties of the wars …
• World War I, 115,000 lives lost;
• World War II, 405,000 lives lost;
• Korean War, 36,000 lives lost;
• Vietnam, 50,000;
• Persian Gulf conflicts, 7,000.
By Elaine Van Develde
Sunday was the day for all ghosts and ghouls in Rumson and Fair Haven to parade their holiday personas.
Both boroughs hosted the fall festivities on a crisp, sunny day. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect paid a visit to both.
Take a look at our slideshow of the two events combined. Click on the arrow in the center of the photo below and enjoy!
By Elaine Van Develde
It was a great day to not only sun, but sweep the beaches.
Clean Ocean Action, spearheaded by Rumsonite Cindy Zipf, held its fall beach sweeps on Saturday; and, the weather cooperated quite nicely.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught up with sweepers in Sea Bright.
Take a look at slideshow below for a glimpse into the sunny sweeps day.
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