All posts by Elaine Van Develde

Focus: Fair Haven Food & Folks for the Soul

The Fair Haven Fiske AME Chapel Soul Food Dinner was deemed a success after only a couple of hours — by 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, to be exact.

Oh, the folks at the church may have been a bit worn out by then, but they were still cooking in more ways than one. Even though the ribs sold out completely, chicken was still in the fryer and 66 dinners had been sold. The side dishes were “wiped out,” gone, they said.

It’s no wonder people clamor to feast on the food for this dinner. Sonia Reevey, forever congregant and Fair Havenite, told us the secret is that there is no secret other than good, old fashioned home-cooked food made from special family recipes. “Everyone makes their special dish,” she said. “That’s all. That’s all it takes. We all have something special to cook.”

The ribs, she said, went right away. We were told that the not-so-secret secret to that recipe was a dry rub left overnight in the fridge, then slow baking and special barbecue sauce.

Missed that special treat. But, there was plenty of chicken and the cooks insisted that we try it fresh out of the cast iron skillet. Delicious. Crispy and warm on the outside and moist on the inside. Simple. The seasoning and coating were simple. Nothing overdone.

Call it food fit for the nourishment of the soul. There’s nothing complicated about it. That’s been the recipe for everything at the chapel since the dawn of time in Fair Haven. Hometown comfort food and friends.

Take a look at the photo gallery for a glimpse into the day.

— Elaine Van Develde

RFH Football Players Sign

Three Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) football players have something to celebrate in addition to their recent state championship win.

RFH seniors Michael Caruso, James Oncea, and Maxwell Pfrang made their college commitments official on National Signing Day 2016. With families, coaches, and members of the school administration in attendance on the morning of Feb. 3, they signed their letters of commitment to play college football.

Caruso, a cornerback and wide receiver for RFH, will play Division I football for the Bucknell University Bisons. A Rumson resident, he is the son of Catherine and Scott.

Oncea, a Bulldogs offensive lineman, will be playing Division III football for the Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays. He is a resident of Fair Haven and the son of Laura and Sam.

Pfrang, a linebacker who played a key role for the Bulldogs’ defense, will be joining the Division III Wagner College Seahawks. A Rumson resident, he is the son of Teri and Philip.

“We are extremely proud of the efforts of these amazing young men, on the field and more importantly in the classroom,” said Chris Lanzalotto, RFH director of Athletics and School Activities.

RFH earned its third consecutive state title on Dec. 5 in a match-up with Red Bank Regional High School. The RFH Bulldogs have won four sectional championships in the last six seasons.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

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Police: Fair Haven Man Charged in Graffiti Spree

A young Fair Haven man has been arrested on charges stemming from a graffiti vandalism spree in the area.

Joseph D. Horner, 21, was arrested on Jan. 15 and charged with six counts of criminal mischief after an investigation by Fair Haven Police Detective Stephen Schneider

The incidents, according to police, spanned from Jan. 3 to 15 when police got reports of vandalism to six locations in the borough, police said.

Places vandalized were: Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority (TRWRA), Raven and the Peach restaurant on River Road, a Red Bank Recycling dumpster on Church Street, a Verizon box on Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven Borough Hall and a TRWRA substation on Fair Haven Road.

Red Bank recycling dumpster on Church St., TRWRA substation on Fair Haven Rd, Verizon box on Fair Haven Rd.

Horner was issued a summons pending a Fair Haven Municipal Court appearance.

Jacob Brown: Knollwood Spelling Champ

Fair Haven fifth grader Jacob Brown is the spelling champ of Knollwood School who is now headed for a county competition.

He won first place in the Annual Knollwood School Spelling Bee on Jan. 26. Jacob claimed the school-wide championship with his correct spelling of the word “nonplus.”

To qualify for participation in the Knollwood Spelling Bee, students first competed at the classroom level. The classroom-level winners then had to claim first-place finishes in grade-level Bees.

Grade-level Spelling Bee champs competing in the schoolwide Spelling Bee were: eighth grader Aaron Bernstein, seventh grader Alex Fratto, sixth grader PJ Rawlins, and fourth grader Sammi Samuels.

“I am extremely proud of all the participants,” said Knollwood School Principal Amy Romano. “Being a part of the Spelling Bee was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. As we proceeded into the final round, I was impressed with their skill levels and excellent sportsmanship.”

Next up for Jacob is county-level competition in the Regional Spelldown on March 14 at Monmouth University.

— Edited press release from Fair Haven School District