Focus: Warming Up to Springtime River Time

Just when you think the sun will shine on river days of spring in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, an inclement chill stifles that exhale of respite warmth.

The tease of sun drenching that’s meant to stay a while becomes a mere reminder of the rite-of-passage river time to come. The reminders bring the light back. They soothe a little. They give us the cue that the sun will eventually drown the chill. The river’s image always reminds us it’s there, the sun coming to sop up the Navesink’s shoreline, those clinging home’s comfort caught in the shadowy drench.

Yes, the chill took the breath out of that exhale tease. With another deep inhale, sunny days promise restore river time springtime warmth. They’re coming soon. Start the inhale. Take a look at the birth of spring on the Fair Haven riverfront.

Take it in along with the promise of warmer days ahead from the National Weather Service … (Click on one image to enlarge, scroll and enjoy! Ahhhhhh!)

Prosecutor: 29-Year-Old Jailed Man Charged in Fellow Inmate’s Murder

A 29-year-old male inmate of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death on Saturday of a fellow inmate, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Sunday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: 29-Year-Old Jailed Man Charged in Fellow Inmate’s Murder

Retro RFH Gal Pals’ Springing for Beach Time

A look back at some RFH girls contemplating life on the beach in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

While Rumson-Fair Haven area folks know better than anyone that there’s nothing quite like a good locals’ summer, there are always great days on the beach in any season in this area.

When you grow up nestled between the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers and the ocean is a short ride, walk or run away, beaching it is never solely a summer seasonal jaunt. It’s a rite of passage, no matter what time of year.

Continue reading Retro RFH Gal Pals’ Springing for Beach Time

Prosecutor: 25- and 26-Year-Old Pair Indicted on 31 Counts of Attempted Murder & Related Charges

An area couple in their 20s has been indicted on 31 counts of various charges in connection with three 2021 and early 2022 attempted murders that occurred over a span of four days, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Wednesday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: 25- and 26-Year-Old Pair Indicted on 31 Counts of Attempted Murder & Related Charges

Prosecutor: Three 24-Year-Old Men Arrested in Connection with Sexual Assault

Three 24-year-old men have been arrested on aggravated sexual assault and related charges in connection with a sexual assault that took place earlier this month at a Marlboro residence, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Monday. 

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Scene Around: Beach Sweeps Brings Thousands & Quirky Finds

Marine Academy of Science & Technology (MAST) students are an integral part of Sandy Hook clean-up
Photo/Clean Ocean Action

“While Mother Nature sent us some fickle weather, there was nothing fickle about the thousands of volunteers who turned out to give the Jersey Shore beaches a nice, clean sweep — with fascinating finds”

That’s what Clean Ocean Action (COA) Executive Director Cindy Zipf had to say about the extraordinary 37th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps turnout on Saturday.

Zipf, a former longtime Rumson resident and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate, spearheaded Clean Ocean Action decades ago and has been known as an environmental force to triumph over any clean ocean challenge.

This Beach Sweeps brought more than 5,000 volunteers to 75 beach sites along the Jersey coast from Bergen to Cape May counties.

Guided by dedicated beach captains at each site, volunteers of all ages spent the morning collecting and tabulating debris removed from shorelines, a release from COA said.

“By doing so, volunteers make beaches safer for marine life and more enjoyable for people, while also contributing the all-important data,” the release added. “The data from the Beach Sweeps turns a one-day event into a legacy of information to improve public awareness, change wasteful habits, enforce litter laws and improve policies to reduce sources of marine debris.”

The organization keeps a log of finds from the Sweeps. Dirty Dozen is one list, which encapsulates the worst and dirtiest of the finds. One list is dubbed Roster of the Ridiculous. It delineates the craziest of finds, like dentures, in each Sweep. Click here to find out what’s new on the Roster.

In Memoriam: Rumson-Raised Shiela Carey Bryan, 68

Rumson-raised Sheila Carey Bryan passed away on March 29. She was 68.

Sheila Carey Bryan
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

“Her creativity was legendary. She worked primarily in interior design, where her hallmark was the ability to create interesting but highly functional interiors, always with whimsical elements. She hated pretense and would never allow a client to pursue a beautiful design that would not withstand the onslaught of kids, dogs, and normal life. A lifelong animal lover, she always had a menagerie of cats and dogs, and may be the only human being ever to teach a cat to fetch.”

Loved ones of Shiela Carey Bryan in her obituary

Born in Westerly, RI, in addition to growing up in Rumson, she lived in Montreal, Canada before attending Northeastern University and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“She loved living in beautiful places including Sun Valley and Boise, Idaho for many years as well as Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Meadows of Dan, Virginia, and Nantucket, Massachusetts before relocating back to New Jersey where she was living at the time of her death,” family added in her obituary.

Sheila was preceded in death by her son, Jenner, and her parents Ray and Dennice Carey.

She is survived by: her sister, Lisa Carey and brother-in-law Matt Ewend; brother, Michael and sister-in-law Kristen Carey; nephews and nieces, Nash, Kelly, and Abby Carey-Ewend, Patrick and Adam Carey; and multiple wonderful friends from all the walks of her life.

Memorial services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jenner Carey Bryan Award for Research in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Arts and Sciences Foundation, 523 East Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (Please note that gift is for the Jenner Carey Bryan Award 104514), or online at http://give.unc.edu/donate?f=104514.

Old News: RFH Musical Show Times Bow

Well, it’s closing weekend of the RFH spring musical Mamma Mia! Curtain up and take a bow, Tower Players!

The spring musical has always been a celebrated rite of passage at the high school. RFH productions have been hailed with standing ovations and awards for decades.

Continue reading Old News: RFH Musical Show Times Bow

Focus: Lighting the Way to Riverfront Dock Days

Rain, rain, go away. Bring us back to spring dock days.

It’s downright dank these early days in spring. But, there’s always a little hope in the usual Fair Haven Dock scene summoning some spring sun, making the old comfort niche all the more cozy.

Until then, which according to the weather forecast is very soon, we can always daydream of great dock days with an embracing look at the riverfront that always welcomes us like an old friend.

So, open the door, have a seat and welcome your familiar riverfront dock scene for a little comfort and slice of home. It’s the best reminder that the sun will always shine on the power of place.

Click on one photo to enlarge, scroll and enjoy!

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro

Now, here’s that weather forecast heading into the weekend and the promise of some sun from the National Weather Service

Retro RFH Spring Fever Frolicking

Some spring parking lot fun with RFHers in the 1970s Photo/George Day
Some spring parking lot fun with RFHers in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

Reprise! Just because … Let’s hear it for spring fever and waiting for the sun to reappear!

OK, so the spring weather outside has not been so consistently delightful lately. But, the sun has made some great cameo appearances.

So, take a look back to the 1970s when spring fever kicked in enough to get a couple of RFH guys in the mood to put those gloves on and take a little kangaroo hop outside the Junior Lounge, probably on a “free.” They were barely clad in those stylish 70s gym shorts and ready to duke it out — or at least dance around the notion.

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Prosecutor: 18-Year-Old Charged with Attempted Murder in March Shooting

An area teen has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with an Asbury Park shooting last month, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Wednesday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: 18-Year-Old Charged with Attempted Murder in March Shooting