Arresting News: Weapons Possession, Simple Assault & More

The following recent arrests were reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Eligio Martinez-Rojas, 28, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 19  in the area of River Street and charged with simple assault by Patrolman Michael Zadlock.

• Jenna Merola, 21, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 18 in the area of Riverview Plaza and charged with possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and simple assault by Patrolman Garrett Falco.

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Block Party Happiness in Fair Haven

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.

R-FH Area Memorial Day Events

Monday is Memorial Day. It is not just a barbecue day, or the signal to the unofficial start of summer. It is a day of remembrance to those United States war veterans who have died in service to their country.

In the Rumson-Fair Haven area, many veterans of World War II, the Korean War and Viet Nam are still alive. They, community, family and friends gather annually on this day to pay homage to those whose lives were sacrificed in war.

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A Retro Happy Birthday to Fair Haven’s Al Robbins

Longtime Fair Havenite Al Robbins delivering fuel to Ray Miller's Esso station on River Road circa 1950s Photo/courtesy of Kathy Robbins
Longtime Fair Havenite Al Robbins delivering fuel to Ray Miller’s Esso station on River Road circa 1950s
Photo/courtesy of Kathy Robbins

Today would be former Fair Havenite and Fair Haven Fire Company member Al Robbins’ 96th birthday, so his daughter Kathy tells Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect.

So, to honor the longtime Fair Havenite and volunteer, we honor him in our Retro Pic of the Day.

According to his daughter, Kathy, the retro pic above is of Al delivering gas to Ray Miller’s Esso station on River Road back in the 1950s.

Al had a nickname: Baggie. Know why? Well, daughter Kathy says it’s because he was a kid, about 7 years old, when he started caddying at Rumson Country Club. Of course, he was tiny, so, she says, “all you could see when he caddied was the bag.”

This editor remembers Al from time with her family. The whole family was lots of fun. And, true to form in remembrance of Memorial Days past, a bunch of us, including the Robbins family, used to go camping every Memorial Day weekend in Pennsylvania Dutch Country at Oak Creek Camp.

Precious memories! Thanks for all you did for the community and this one child’s life memories. You were a good friend to all, Al Robbins! Oh, and Happy Birthday!

Getting All Jazzy at RFH

The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:

If you didn’t get a chance to attend, now’s the time to find out how hard work, creativity, and abundant talent were driving forces behind the performances at the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Jazz Combo and Vocal Concert.

A variety of musical selections were presented by RFH jazz musicians and vocalists on the evening of May 18 in the high school’s auditorium.

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Crime Close By: Robbery, Theft, Criminal Mischief

The following recent criminal incidents were reported by Red Bank police:

• A theft was reported to have occurred at a Riverside Avenue hotel on May 18. The victim reported that she had checked a Marc Jacobs diaper bag, containing credit cards (etc.) at the front desk of the hotel and upon retrieval it was missing.

Patrolman John Camarca took the report.

• A robbery was reported to have occurred on May 17 at a Shrewsbury Avenue residence. The victim said that she heard a loud bang on the front door. Upon answering the door, the perpetrator grabbed her, punched her in the face, stole her iPhone and then fled the area.

Lt. Robert Kennedy took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on May 16 on East Newman Springs Road. The victim reported that an unknown person keyed the side of a parked vehicle with a sharp object.

Sgt. David Hicks took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred at a Monmouth Street parking lot on May 15. The victim reported that someone cut the lock on a bicycle which was secured to a pole and stole it. The bicycle is described as a grey Schwinn Mountain Bike.

Sgt. David Hicks took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred on May 13 at the Bridge Avenue parking lot. The victim reported that someone entered a parked vehicle and stole a duffle bag containing clothing and prescription pills.

Lt. Errico Vescio took the report.

 

Woody’s Win: Sea Bright Rising’s Chris Wood & His Telly Award

Woody’s Ocean Grille owner and Sea Bright Rising creator Chris Wood has earned a place in documentary history.

The Fair Havenite and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate won a Telly award for his part in a documentary on Sea Bright Rising and the non-profit’s partnership with the St. Bernard Project.

Wood, or Woody, as he is more widely recognized, thanked “Sean Moran, Viacom, MTV and VH1 for doing such a great job documenting Sea Bright Rising and our partnership with the St Bernard Project,” in a post on his Facebook wall about the award, which he said was a surprise to him on Thursday night.

Wood started Sea Bright Rising in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Surviving the storm better than most in Sea Bright, a small strip of a then near-flattened peninsula town, he and his head chef, Onofrio Moscato, started flipping burgers on a grill in the municipal lot next to the restaurant to feed whoever they could.

What started out as a bite to eat and a little comfort quickly turned into three meals a day, clothing, toiletries, incidentals, a U.S. Air Force tent under which cooking was done and then the National Guard rolled in on official duty to help. The effort grew to fundraising to fix Sandy-ravaged homes under the monicker of Sea Bright Rising.

To date, Sea Bright Rising has raised more than $1.3 million and distributed more than $1 million of it to 300 families and 18 businesses in Sea Bright, according to its website.

Congrats, Woody!

Juvenile, Teen Arrested on Weapons, Aggravated Assault & Terroristic Threat Charges

The following recent arrests were reported by Middletown police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Nicole Doherty, 33, of First Avenue in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, was arrested on May 9, by Patrolman Nicholas Haines and charged with simple assault and on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Shrewsbury Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $389 bail with a 10 percent option.

• Jesse Kimball, 44, of Belmont Avenue in Madison, was arrested on May 9 by Corporal Richard Raike and charged with simple assault.

He was held on $2,500 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Continue reading Juvenile, Teen Arrested on Weapons, Aggravated Assault & Terroristic Threat Charges

All About Knollwood’s ‘James and the Giant Peach’

The following is a press release from the Fair Haven School District:

If you didn’t get a chance to see the fourth and fifth grade Knollwood Drama Club’s recent production of James and the Giant Peach, here’s a look back:

Based on the book by Roald Dahl and adapted by Richard R. George, the production featured a cast of 36 students as well as a chorus of 16 and a troupe of 10 Cloud Dancers.

James and the Giant Peach tells the story of James Henry Trotter (Ryan-McCaskill-Schock), who lives with two horrid aunts named Spiker (Addie Cope) and Sponge (Anabelle Heinle). Poor James does not have any friends — until he meets the Old Green Grasshopper (Sophie Barabas) and the other insects taking up residence in a giant, magical peach. The group then sets off on an exciting adventure.

The production also featured Madeline Amper as Silkworm, Julia Coon as Earthworm, Kasey Hughes as Ladybug, Quinn McManus as Centipede, Nora Philips as Glowworm, and Sara Sullivan as Spider.

Scene Setters were Matthew Cruz and Ryan Giardino, and Sydney Gibson and Scott Gyimesi were James’s Mother and Father. Ben Durdack was featured as Old Man, and Vivianna Bermeo was the Captain.

Vanessa Lane and Emma Shaw were choreographers/head cloud dancers.

Thirty four students participated in the production as Ushers and also behind the scenes in backstage crew, makeup, set design, and technology crew.

James and the Giant Peach was directed by Viola L. Sickles School third grade teacher Morgan Bufano and Knollwood School fourth grade teacher Tammy Cappello.

The chorus was directed by Knollwood School music/chorus teacher Vince Mottern. Brian Ericson was tech director and Monica Caruso was the head of set design.

“Mrs. Bufano and Mrs. Cappello did an amazing job,” Knollwood School Principal Kevin Davis said. “The show was fantastic and the students were terrific.

“It was truly one of the best school performances I have ever seen!”

Going Retro with 2015 Basie Award Winner Julia Mosby

Julia Mosby and Ben Ley after “Miracle on 34th Street” performance at RFH. Photo/Barbara Mosby
Julia Mosby and Ben Ley after “Miracle on 34th Street” performance at RFH. Photo/Barbara Mosby

She won!

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School senior Julia Mosby on Wednesday night won as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama at the 10th Annual Basie Awards.

The awards celebrate the talent of Monmouth County high school students in various categories.

RFH was nominated for a total of 11 awards. Mosby was nominated for two: Outstanding Supporting Actress in both the Drama and Musical categories.

She won for her supporting role in the high school’s fall production of Miracle on 34th Street.

So, in our Retro Pic of the Day, we take you back to the closing day performance of that show with a photo of Mosby and friend Ben Ley, also an RFH grad, after the final performance.

Congrats, Julia!

Butler’s is Coming Back Soon

Butler's Market is making a comeback soon Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Butler’s Market is making a comeback soon
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

No one knows quite when yet, but Rumson’s iconic Butler’s is coming back soon.

The signs are up and the word on the deli’s Facebook page is that it will be any day now when fans will be able to once again, sit and chat on the Adirondacks outside and have any one of the sandwiches, from breakfast to lunch, for which the place has earned its high foodie and social place in Rumson history.

Owner Paul Stout says on the Facebook page that the coffee is brewing and so are some all-time favorites over which townies are still singing songs of tribulation.

Yes, Stout said on the Facebook page, the famous corn chowder will return. So will the chicken salad. Of course, the yummy lobster salad was mentioned as well.

We, at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, have made Butler’s our standard stop since high school days back in the 1970s and through the years after.

It has never disappointed. Fabulous bread always, our favorite, in addition to that lobster salad, was always a roast beef sub with pepperoni and provolone. The works, please!

Can’t wait. We will be there!

Just a side note that Butler’s is now Butler’s Market, rather than Butler’s Deli. No mind, all will be there!

What’s your favorite Butler’s sandwich?

All About Rumson’s ‘Teachers of the Year’

The following is a press release from the Rumson School District:

The Rumson School District has honored two as Teachers of the Year.

Holly Nixon and Lori Zucker were awarded the distinction, among many accolades from the Board of Education, friends, family and colleagues at the April 29 meeting.

“My goal is to bring excitement, curiosity, and enthusiasm to my classroom, and to foster an environment in which students have a joy in learning,” said Nixon, a first grade teacher at Deane-Porter School. “I am dedicated to giving my students an innovative education while above all helping to ensure their well-being, success, and growth.”

“I believe that teaching is one of the most fulfilling professions, and teaching at Forrestdale is a privilege and a pleasure,” said Zucker, an eighth grade English Language Arts teacher. “I love coming to work every day.”

Board President Colleen O’ Connor spoke of the many positive attributes displayed by both Nixon and Zucker, and the ways in which their students benefit.

“They are recognized as special teachers who build strong relationships with their students,” she said, “And they create a productive learning atmosphere where students are recognized and valued.”

Video tributes featuring students and colleagues were created for Nixon and Zucker, and shown at the meeting. Nixon was described as, among other things, “kind” and “caring.” Among the words used to describe Zucker were “warm-hearted” and “joyful.”

Nixon has taught at both Deane-Porter (Pre-K to 3rd grade) and Forrestdale (4th through 8th grade) Schools during her 14 years with the Rumson School District. She received her undergraduate degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attained her M. Ed. from Kean University in Union, New Jersey. A mother of four, she has been a resident of Rumson for the past 22 years.

“If you want to see patience in action, go see Mrs. Nixon,” said Deane-Porter School Principal Shari Feeney. “She is able to reach students in various ways because she is committed to them – and they know it.

“Mrs. Nixon sees tomorrow in her children’s eyes.”

Zucker has been teaching at Forrestdale School for 10 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and her M. Ed. from Teachers College/Columbia University in New York City. She began her teaching career at John Adams Elementary School in North Brunswick, New Jersey, and spent 10 years working in educational publishing before returning to the classroom.

“Mrs. Zucker is a respectful, reliable, and dynamic member of our eighth grade team, and is inspirational in so many ways” said Forrestdale School Assistant Principal Amy Romano. “She has a calling in her life, and has mastered the art of being firm yet fair while teaching her students to strive for excellence.”

“She does not work for accolades, but to enrich children’s lives.”

Nixon lives in Rumson with her husband Jeff and their children, Jessica, Amy, Allison, and Gregory, who attended grade school in the Rumson school district.

Zucker lives in Oakhurst with her husband Sam, children Annie and Daniel, nephew Keala, and dog Ziggy.