Monthly Archives: August 2016

Local Life

A Fair Meet with Olympic Swimmer Connor Jaeger

Not only is Wednesday night Firemen’s Night at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair, it’s also Olympian night this year.

Connor Jaeger, who recently won the silver medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle swim in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, is back home and set to meet, greet and do some selfies with hometown friends and fans. He will be appearing at the fair, in front of the firehouse, from 7 to 9 p.m..

He said it himself on Instagram …

“This Wednesday 8/31 from 7-9pm please come and meet me at Fair Haven’s Fireman’s Fair for a selfie booth. Please come to meet me and give me an opportunity to thank you all for the unbelievable support you have shown me.”

There was talk of a parade, which is what transpired when Jaeger came in sixth in the same Olympic event in 2012. However, officials decided to wait and see what was most amenable to Jaeger.

So, selfies and socializing at the fair it is.

“We hope to see you tomorrow night,” Councilwoman Susan Sorensen said in a Facebook post after thanking officials, including Connor Jaeger’s father, Eric, a fellow councilman, for coordinating the “meet-and-greet.”

Local Life

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s Start

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The scents, sights and sounds of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair are in the air.

The end-of-summer tradition in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, the largest community fair in the state, started on Friday night.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect did the usual stroll of the grounds on Saturday.

Here’s a glimpse into the night …

— Elaine Van Develde

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s Start →

Local Life, Opinion

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: An Opening Night Remembrance

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Sometimes I can still smell the lingering scent of funnel cake in my mother’s hair. I can still see her blue-striped Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair apron draped over the kitchen chair. I can see her tying those apron strings. I can see her checking her hair and lipstick in the mirror by the door. I can hear her voice calling to me upstairs to hurry up as I tried to get my pigtails even and the puffy yarn bows tied just right. I’m always late.

And sometimes I can still see us walking down the street, her scurrying, brushing her hair to the side, still yelling back to me to hurry up.

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: An Opening Night Remembrance →

Local Life

Simple Summer: Crabbing & Catching a Sunset

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It doesn’t get much more simple in the summer than hanging a cage filled with raw chicken bait over the side of the Fair Haven Dock, netting crabs and catching a prime sunset view in the mix.

That’s what this Simple Summer photo gallery is all about.

Sometimes, too, you run into a small business owner everyone in the area knows. Anyone know who this is pictured crabbing a few days ago?

Hint: He’s known for putting people in stitches.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Rumson Crabbing & Recreating

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Saturday evening was time to get crabby with Rumson police and join the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament.

The event began at 6 p.m.; and, well, if you got there after 6, the parking lot at the Rumson Borough Boat Launch was pretty full, but no one was to be found on the water. They were likely already far enough out on the river to get those prime catches.

There were, however, some crabbers and others boating, jet skiing and just hanging around.

Take a look at the above photo gallery for a glimpse into the evening. See anything somewhat crabby looking?

The results of the tournament will be posted when they become available.

In the meantime, enjoy the view!

Local Life

Retro Rumson PBA Crabbing Eve

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Crabbing at the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Crabbing at the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

The 10th Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament is Saturday.

So, in honor of a full decade of getting crabby with the PBA, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to last year’s tournament.

The fun was, yes, catching, with these guys who were trying their luck right across from the boat launch.

Recognize them?

— Elaine Van Develde

Middletown Police & Fire Files

Police: Know This Shoplifter?

From the Facebook page of the Middletown Police Department …

“The Middletown Township Police Department is attempting to identify a suspect who committed thefts from the Target Department Store.

“On 8/11/2016 the Middletown Township Police Department took a report of a theft from the Target department store.

“On 7/25/2016 at approximately 10:40am hours an unknown male entered the store and put a blue tote in his shopping cart.

“The male then put a Dyson Vacuum, baby formula, and 2 bags of dog food in the cart and left without paying for the items. Total value is $749.02

“On 8/5/2016 at approximately 1:10 pm the same man waked into the store, put another blue tote in his shopping cart and placed 31 cans of baby formula, 7 packs of Redbull, and 2 boxes of Monster Energy drink in his cart and left the store without paying. Total value is $657.41

“Police request that anyone who may have information regarding the thefts or can identify the subject to please contact Detective Adam Colfer at 732-615-2048.”

Local Life, Police and Fire

Getting Crabby with Rumson PBA

Time to get crabby with Rumson cops. The 10th Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament is set for Saturday.

The evening of crabbing and prizes, the proceeds of which benefit Monmouth County Ducks Unlimited and Wetlands Conservation and The Special Olympics, starts at 6 p.m. at the borough boat ramp at the foot of Avenue of Two Rivers (behind the police station and borough hall) and runs until 10 p.m.

Cost is $65 per boat; and awards will be given for the first-, second- and third-highest amounts of crabs caught as well as one for the largest crab caught.

And, there t-shirts and sweatshirts will be sold for $20 to $30.

See ya down by the river, Crabby!

Take a look at last year’s tournament by clicking here.