First day of kindergarten in Fair Haven 1965
Photo/Sally Van Develde
A back-to-school reprise …
Knock-kneed, nervous and all dressed up with somewhere to go, this gaggle Fair Haven neighborhood girls of 1965 lined up so their moms could get that classic first-day-of-kindergarten shot. And there wasn’t a smile among them.
“Her loved ones cherish memories of her love, generosity, and culinary skills. The kindnesses she lavished on everyone from her great grandchildren to her mail person serve as a shining example of her legacy.”
Gaetana Formica, known as Tina and Tanina to family and friends, died peacefully in her Rumson home, surrounded by loved ones, on Aug. 29. She was 93.
Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge replacement constriction activity remains status quo this week, with the exception of a change in work hours on each side of the bridge.
Our annual reprise about what it really means to experience all that’s fair for a Fair Haven kid …
There are a lot of significant beginnings and endings this time of the year. The end of summer. The beginning of locals’ summer. The start of school — new chapters and first days.
But, what about the middle? The end of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has always brought me, and many a “fair” kid, back to that middle haven. It’s home.
Well, for the past eight days, every night has been a fair night in Fair Haven. The more than 100-year end-of-summer Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair tradition in the small town by the river never skips a year — except for pandemic times and one other war year in history.
Springsteen at the 1995 Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair Photo/Elaine Van Develde
A reprise, because everyone’s talking about the Jersey Springsteen concert these days; and, every fair has its surprises, stars and, well, photo bombers …
Seemingly everyone knows that Bruce Springsteen until recent years made Rumson his primary home. The Boss was always known as a big fan and frequenter of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair. Over the years, he’s been seen countless times casually roaming the grounds — though more often when his kids were little.
A Manalapan police officer has been arrested and charged with official misconduct, child endangerment, stalking and other offenses related to his alleged illegal behavior involving a teenage girl, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.
The following piece was originally published on Aug. 31, 2015. It is being re-run, with changes only in the amount of years that have passed, in memory of my father, Bill Van Develde, former longtime Fair Haven Fire Company member, president and captain of the Fire Police and chairman of the Stock Room at the fair, on the anniversary of his death on Aug. 30, 1983. RIP, Dad. You are missed. Thank you for all the embarrassing moments that I didn’t appreciate enough. Thank you for making Fair Haven my home. Thank you for being a real dad. See you on the fair grounds …
Retro Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair stock room days in the 1970s Photo/FHFD booklet
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s been 40 years, but I can still see his face and that kooky Brylcreemed hairdo. I can still hear his crazy belly laugh and that signature “Take ‘er easy, buddy!” I can still see him slapping kids on the back, forever clutching his trusty clipboard, pencil perched behind his ear, sweat on the brow and finger wagging.
Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair take-out booth of 1995 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
It’s that time again. Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair time. The end-of-the-summer tradition that’s been celebrated for more than a century in the Rumson-Fair Haven area. The community eats it all up. That and the food.
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