Going Retro with the Fair Man in the Stockroom

Image August 31, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s been 32 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.

That’s the vivid, comforting ghost image of Bill Van Develde I still see and hear roaming around on the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair grounds. He was head of the stockroom back in the 1970s and 80s and he was my quirky, big-hearted dad.

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Red Bank Police & Fire Files

Police Report Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief

August 31, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

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

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between Aug. 19 and 20 at Riverside Gardens. An unknown person(s) damaged the granite patio area of the park.

Sgt. Heather Pubylski took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred at the Chestnut Street Ice Rink on Aug. 20. Three people reported that someone removed their wallets, containing cash, credit cards, debit cards and drivers’ licenses, from their pants pockets in the locker room.

Patrolman Benjamin Springer took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred on Aug. 20 in the parking lot of the Count Basie Theatre on Maple Avenue. The victim reported that someone stole an iPhone, charger and folding pocket knife from the vehicle console.

Sgt. Juan Sardo took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on Aug. 22 on Monmouth Street. The victim reported that she observed an unknown male brake her rear passenger side car window and flee on foot.

Patrolman David Smith took the report.

• An incident of burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between Aug. 18 and 22 on West Bergen Place. The victim reported that someone entered her residence and stole jewelry — rings with diamonds, a watch with diamonds and a diamond necklace.

Patrolman David Smith took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred on Aug. 22 at Count Basie Park. The victim reported that her cell phone was stolen.

Special Officer Gregory Miller took the report.

Local Life

Homecoming: Shannon Connor Brett’s Fair Haven

August 31, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Shannon Connor Brett hasn’t been home in three years.

The 2001 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate, daughter of longtime Fair Havenites Dale and Mike Connor and sister to Allison married a Fair Haven fireman and U.S. Navy guy and moved to California. He’s stationed there.

The Connor family welcomed her, husband C. Thomas (Chris) Brett and their three children back to their old stomping grounds with a little hometown get-together Sunday — and just in time for the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.

Chris Brett is still a Fair Haven Fire Department member himself. His dad, Barry, was chief in 1994. His mom, Tricia, also an active member of the fire company, has been captain of the Fire Police three times. You can always find her at the Out Back serving ice cream at the fair.

And it’s no secret that Dale and Mike are longtime Fair Haven Fire Department members.

It’s a pretty sure bet that at fair time you can always catch them somewhere in the kitchen/dining room. This year, it’s likely there will be yet another Connor sighting.

Nothing quite like a homecoming at fair time. Take a look.

Welcome home Shannon and family!

— Elaine Van Develde

If you have a homecoming coming up in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, let us know. We’d be happy to stop by, get the story and take some pics.