There were tranquil waters before the rain on Monday evening down by the Navesink River at Fair Haven Dock.
It was dusk, the sun was about to set. The tide was high.
Crabbers were crabbing and the boats were moored. The scene never seems to get old.
“I always come here to take pictures and soak up the scenery,” a crabber said.
And so right she is.
— Elaine Van Develde
Fair Haven Deputy Fire Chief Mike Wiehl grew up in Fair Haven. In fact, he’s a third generation Fair Havenite.
And like so many other native Fair Havenites, he spent a lot of time down by the Navesink River at the Fair Haven Dock. He played there. He saw a lot of sunsets there. He likely did a lot of contemplating and soaking up of sun and scenery there.
And, most recently, he decided to make the iconic spot one that would mark a major milestone in his life. He got engaged and married there.
The engagement was three months ago and the wedding was Monday afternoon, officiated by Mayor Ben Lucarelli. So, we congratulate and honor Mike and his bride, Gloria Clark, in our Retro Pic(s) of the Day.
As Wiehl put it in Facebook posts, “Well, today’s the day I have been waiting for. Gloria Clark and I are spending the day together and then off to the fair haven dock to get married at 4pm! … 3 months ago the woman of my dreams said yes to marrying me. I am a lucky man …”
And so goes life as part of the Fair Haven family …
Congrats and much happiness to Mike and Gloria!
It’s almost summertime, and the livin’ is all about river time in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
That in mind, the Retro Pic of the Day honors the season with a look back a couple of years ago to a day of fun for one little Fair Haven girl — Francesca, who happens to be a Gap model — romping down by the Fair Haven Dock with her mom and dad.
The Navesink River shot that day back in 2013 was just a warm-up for work for the little one, who was set to strike a pose as soon as she saw the camera.
What’s your favorite riverfront spot?
For a Fair Havenite, there’s nothing quite like the sand between your toes down by the Navesink River at the Fair Haven Dock.
Call it an embrace of spring magic. Once the sun shines, the temperature rises, and that sea-faring scent wafts in, it’s river beach and dock time. And you know you’re home.
Catch that familiar spring fever in Fair Haven. Get a glimpse of one of the first sunny days in this little slice of utopia in our slideshow above. Be sure to click on the lower right corner to enlarge!
— By Elaine Van Develde
After being posthumously promoted from Fair Haven Police Department Special Officer Class II to Patrolman at his wake on Friday night, the final radio call for Robert J. Henne, badge # 37, was made. And his new badge number was retired.
The patrolman was laid to rest on Saturday. The sunset that chilly night at the Fair Haven Dock in Henne’s hometown was as warm and serene as the smile of the officer etched in the memory of so many. RIP, Patrolman Henne.
A memorial tribute to Robert J. Henne will follow.
The snow started falling again on Saturday afternoon. And down at the Fair Haven Dock, the Navesink River had transformed into a blanket of snow against an white-out backdrop.
The scene was nothing but a big snow blanket to keep dock die-hards warm with some down-by-the-river serenity.
Take a look at our gallery for a glimpse into the snowy scene. Just click on any photo and scroll. Enjoy and stay warm!
Yes, thinking warmer thoughts is a salient motif of the Retro Pic of the Day lately.
So, in keeping with the warm wishes of many, we decided to, again, remind everyone in the Rumson-Fair Haven area that there’s no time like the present to think some crabby thoughts about the coming spring — in particular, visions of crabbing at the Fair Haven Dock.
This was the scene last year during a more balmy season at sunset.
Count the days until it’s time hang your own “Gone fishin’ at Fair Haven Dock” sign on the office!
What’s your favorite thing to do at the dock?
By Elaine Van Develde
As the weather outside in the Rumson-Fair Haven area started getting frightful, the view from the banks of the Navesink River was one filled with choppy waters and a blustery dusting of snow.
It all started Monday morning. As forecasts continue to promise piles of the white stuff, it was still stable enough to get out and capture a bit of the clam before the blizzard in the afternoon.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect hit the docks in Fair Haven and Rumson so people could get the picture.
Take a look at the photos above to get a glimpse into the beginning of the 2015 blizzard. Just click on any image to enlarge, and scroll.
Our Retro Pic of the Day features a little model (actually for Gap) who happened to be hanging at the river a couple of years ago,
We asked if we could take a picture of her. Her parents said it was not only fine, but that she would love it!
The toddler immediately started posing. Adorable, right? Do you know her?
Photos by Elaine Van Develde
Call this collage Reflections from Fair Haven Dock.
It is yet another testament to the beauty of the Rumson-Fair Haven area in a view from the dock onto the Navesink River.
Click on any circle to enlarge and scroll through with the arrows to the left and right. Enjoy!
The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
Three Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) seniors recently achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouts — the Gold Award.
In addition to the connection, the three are members of Girl Scout Troop 1930 in Fair Haven.
To achieve the award, each girl needed to identify an issue affecting her community, devise a plan for helping to resolve it or educate others about it, and lead a team in completing a project that will have lasting effects.
By Elaine Van Develde
You may have noticed by now that there’s a new look for the light pole banners that line Fair Haven’s own Main Street — River Road.
The banners started appearing in August, the result of a long-thought-out debate over how to best welcome visitors in an aesthetically pleasing way with a lot of local heart.
What a committee ended up deciding was to call on a famous Fair Havenite who has a strong love of the borough and a signature artistic talent to match it — Mike Quon.
“We wanted the banners to be different,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said. “Looking around at what other towns have done, we found that most had the classic blue fabric with white print and once iconic image. We also didn’t want to re-do what we had done for the centennial (which was to hold a contest among the kids and choose a winner). Those banners were blue and white and depicted the Albertina (the signature steam ship on Fair Haven’s logo).
“The committee was looking at clip art and all sorts of other things, none of which seemed to be quite the right fit. Then Mike came to mind. We ended up with the perfect solution — a nice aesthetic to celebrate Fair Haven and a local artist.”
Quon’s hallmark style is his “whimsical” view of favorite places through use of bright colors in what has been dubbed a “bold brushstroke.” He is the son and nephew of original Disney animators. His father, now 101, worked on Fantasia and sketched the original drawing of Dumbo the Elephant.
Last year, he gifted Fair Haven a couple of renderings of iconic spots in town, one being the Fair Haven Dock.
“An especially great thing about these very unique banners is that Mike’s colors are so cheerful,” Lucarelli said. “They will be particularly appreciated as a warm kind of greeting in town when it’s cold and all the leaves are off the trees.”
Quon’s time and talent were donated for the project. The borough paid nominal expenses, such as printing and materials costs.
To learn more about Quon, check out his website at quonart.com.
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