All posts by Elaine Van Develde

DIVE!: A Business Valentine Story

February 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

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By Elaine Van Develde

It was a dank, dreary day back in October of 2012. Steven Graniero and Christina Dilorio stood at the bottom of bleachers overflowing with sanguine Hurricane Sandy victims at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.

The weather gave them an eerie embrace as if to get in another jab as they held onto one another, wiping away tears and trying to comprehend what had just happened.

The engaged couple had just lost everything but one another to Sandy. After earning their stripes bar tending and waiting tables, the two, who met at work, had saved all their pennies to make a dream come true and open a small beachy bar/restaurant of their own in Sea Bright.

Continue reading DIVE!: A Business Valentine Story →

Local Life

Swing Back to Surfing RFH Class of ’78 Style

Image February 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

RFH surfer boys at the Sea Bright beach circa 1978. Photo/George Day — RFH surfer boys at the Sea Bright beach circa 1978.
Photo/George Day

Looking back, the cold didn’t seem to stave off the die-hard Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School ocean dwellers.

We’ve seen them in full Polar Bear Club regalia. Now, in our Retro Pic of the (George) Day, here they are again at shoreline of Sea Bright Beach ready for some surfing fun circa 1978.

Donning down and ski jackets, this crew was always ready to catch a wave — of fun in one way or another.

Know them? Of course, you do.

Thanks again to George Day for providing this original photo from the archives of the RFH yearbook.

We welcome any Retro Pic of the Day contributions from further retro eras or more recent times. Just send an email to [email protected] with your photos and proper credit. Thanks and enjoy!

Crime, Police and Fire

Crime Close By: DWI, Theft, Assault & More

February 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following arrests were reported by Middletown Township police. Arrests do not constitute convictions.

• Michael Simonelli, 19, of Hosford Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 26 by Patrolman Brian McGrogan and charged with simple assault.

He was held on $2,500.00 bail with a 10 percent option.

• Albert Freeman, 49, of Maida Terrace in Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 27 by Patrolman William Rodewald and charged with terroristic threats and harassment.

He was held on $5,000 bail with a 10 percent option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Kristen Ruff, 28, of East Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on Jan. 28, 2015 by Police Officer Stephanie Geisel and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• Bryan Greten, 25, of North Park Avenue in West Keansburg, was arrested on Jan. 28 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte and charged with disorderly conduct.

He was released pending a court date.

• Anthony Spero, 58, of Clinton Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 31 by Patrolman James Beirne and charged with simple assault.

He was released pending a court date.

• Kathleen Marisco, 37, of Alpine Terrace in Neptune, was arrested on Jan. 31 by Cpl. Thomas Meckier and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• Darryl Pineda, 33, of West Garfield Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on Jan. 30 by Cpl. James Keenan and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Alex Bahr, age 24, of Oakes Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 30 by Patrolman Ian May and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Alissa Algarin, 48, of Portland Road in Highlands,was arrested on Feb. 1 by Patrolman Patrick Leonard and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• On Jan. 31, Patrolman Nicholas Haines arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile from Middletown and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released pending a court date.

• Morgan Mazza, 20, of Spring Garden Road in the Lincroft section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 1 by Patrolman John Soltysik and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• On Feb. 1, Patrolman Patrick Leonard arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile from the Belford section of Middletown and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, underage possession of alcohol and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

He was released pending a court date.

• On Feb. 1, Patrolman Patrick Leonard arrested a 16-year-old male juvenile from the Leonardo section of Middletown and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and underage possession of alcohol.

He was released pending a court date.

• Gregory Wolf, 50, of Fairview Drive in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Lt. Paul Bailey and charged with driving while suspended for a driving while intoxicated offense.

He was released pending a court date.

• Alexander Giuriceo, 20, of Greenfield Way in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Detective Keith Hirschbein and charged with receiving stolen property.

He was held on $2,500.00 bail.

• Luis Espinoza-Hernandez, 23, of Cedar Street in Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Patrolman Michael Heaton and charged with shoplifting from the Sears store on Route 35.

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

• Alfredo Flores-Oliveras, 28, of Cedar Street in Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Patrolman Michael Heaton and charged with shoplifting from the Sears store on Route 35.

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

• Mark Fusco, 49, of Bay Hill Road in the Leonardo section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 4 by Patrolman Michael Reuter and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Joseph Mullally, 47, of Martins Lane in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 4 by Patrolman Nicholas Haines and charged with simple assault and harassment.

He was held on $5,000 bail with a 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Doris Harris, 56, of Locust Street in Cliffwood, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Corporal Bernie Chenoweth and charged with defrauding a drug urine test.

She was held pending a court date.

• Christopher Rizzolo, 33, of Monument Street in Freehold, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Cpl. Bernie Chenoweth and charged with defrauding a drug test.

He was held pending a court date.

• James Mauro, 61, of Route 322 in Swedesboro, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Patrolman Jesse Toma and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Alexander Green, 20, of Wesley Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on Feb. 9 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth and charged with unlawful possession of prescription medication, theft, burglary, and credit card theft.

He was held on $122,500 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Robert Montalbano, 19, of Brandywine Lane in Colts Neck, ws arrested on Feb. 8 by Police Officer Stephanie Geisel and charged with unlawful possession of alprazolam, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.

He was held on $10,000 bail with a 10 percent option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Sean Figaro, 20, of Garfield Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 8 by Patrolman Brady Carr and charged with simple assault.

He was released after posting $2,500 bail with a 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Wayne Hegel, 54, of Palmer Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 9 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert and charged with criminal mischief and obstructing the administration of law.

He was held on $3,500 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Schools Scene

Forrestdale Student Dubbed Geography Expert

February 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

You could say that Forrestdale School sixth-grader Peter O’Connor knows where things are in this world.

After proving his expertise in geography by winning in-class competitions, the Rumson 12-year-old garnered first place in the Forrestdale School Geography Bee on Feb. 4, a press release from the Rumson School District said.

O’Connor won the champion title after competing among 18 sixth- through eighth-grade students who qualified through the in-class competitions for the final school-wide contest, the release added.

The winning question he answered correctly: “Which country is the setting for Jack London’s classic novel ‘The Call of the Wild’, which takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon?” The answer: Canada.

Eighth-grader Sam Eckstein came in second.

Peter, the release said, will now go on to participate in the Regional Finals of the National Geography Bee in April.

Seventh grade Social Studies teacher Keith Laviola organized and hosted the competition.

Judges were: eighth grade Social Studies teacher Michelle Devoy; sixth grade Social Studies teacher Dan Morrone; and eighth grade English/Language Arts teacher Lori Zucker.

Local Life

Getting Crabby About Winter

Image February 11, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Yes, thinking warmer thoughts is a salient motif of the Retro Pic of the Day lately.

So, in keeping with the warm wishes of many, we decided to, again, remind everyone in the Rumson-Fair Haven area that there’s no time like the present to think some crabby thoughts about the coming spring — in particular, visions of crabbing at the Fair Haven Dock.

This was the scene last year during a more balmy season at sunset.

Count the days until it’s time hang your own “Gone fishin’ at Fair Haven Dock” sign on the office!

What’s your favorite thing to do at the dock?

From the Meeting Room, News

Honoring Fair Haven’s Larry Quigley

February 11, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

What is it that longtime Fair Havenite Larry Quigley has not done as a volunteer serving the town he has called home for more than a quarter of a century?

“That’s the question,” Mayor Ben Lucarelli said before Monday night’s Borough Council meeting as he looked over a proclamation the borough had prepared to honor Quigley. “If you ask what he’s done, the list is just endless. So the question becomes ‘What has Larry Quigley not done?’ and the answer is ‘Not much.’ I’m looking at about, let’s see, nine committees and/or boards he’s served on, not to mention the fire company.”

So, the mayor said, that’s why the borough decided to honor Quigley. “He really deserves it,” Lucarelli said.

Quigley, an attorney, has lived in the borough for more than 25 years, the proclamation said. He was recognized for his “many years of selfless public service.”

In those years, Quigley has served on Fair Haven’s: Historic Commission; Planning and Zoning (14 years) boards, with a stint as vice-chairman of Zoning; Long Range Planning Committee, as chairman of its Land Use subcommittee; Land Use and Revision Committee (1996 to 1998); Memorial Park Advisory Committee; World War II Veterans’ Memorial Monument Committee; 9/11 Memorial Committee; and the Communications Committee, as its first chairman in 2003.

Quigley was also chairman of the 2008 Veterans Day in the borough.

He was also a social member of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department.

“As our first Communications Committee chair, Larry really helped a lot with advising the administration on how to effectively communicate with residents, such as with our newsletter (Focus on Fair Haven), and he was also the unofficial photographer for a lot of events,” the mayor said. “His dedication just didn’t stop at committees. Larry’s advice, as the proclamation says, has been sought out by everybody — mayors, administrators, council members, attorneys, employees. We thank him and wish him the best.”

Schools Scene

Forrestdale Eighth Grader a Spelling Champ

February 10, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Can you spell winner?

It’s a pretty sure bet that Forrestdale School eighth grader Sage Basri can. The 13-year-old Rumson girl, one of 30 fourth through eighth grade participants, won the school’s spelling bee on Jan. 30, according to a Rumson School District press release.

Basri’s victory came when she correctly spelled the “championship” word anathema, the release said. Sixth grader Michael Benedetto came in second, it added, when he became the only other student who qualified for the final round by correctly spelling the word exonerate.

Continue reading Forrestdale Eighth Grader a Spelling Champ →

Local Life

Rumsonite Babes of Forrestdale

Image February 9, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Mousekteers of the 1974 Forrestdale yearbook. Photo/Forrestdale yearbook — Mousekteers of the 1974 Forrestdale yearbook.
Photo/Forrestdale yearbook

Our Retro Pic of the Day gives a glimpse, from the pages of the 1974 Forrestdale yearbook, into the baby faces of some of the eighth grade graduates back then.

The page is entitled Mouseketeers. Hmmmm.

Do you know any of these “model” students? Where were your baby pictures taken? And which of these gems is your favorite?

From the Meeting Room, News

Meeting Night in Fair Haven: Invasive Species & Special Honor on Agenda

February 9, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Tonight is Fair Haven Borough Council meeting night.

There are a few things on the agenda that may pique people’s interest.

First, Larry Quigley, a longtime resident who has served on roughly nine committees and commissions, including the Planning and Zoning boards and Historic Preservation Commission, will be honored with a proclamation.

Congratulations to Larry. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will be there to follow up with a full story.

In addition to Quigley’s proclamation, a few issues will be workshopped.

Among those issues on the agenda is a slated discussion on invasive (plant) species. Mayor Ben Lucarelli had said that while the borough is hesitant to be the arbiter of what people can and cannot plant on their properties, there have been problems with species — a certain variety of bamboo, in particular — rooting, creeping under property lines and cracking and unearthing driveways, for instance.

A speed limit change to River Road will also be discussed as will some tree permit denials.

To check out the agenda yourself, click here.

Police and Fire

Arresting News from Nearby: Disorderly, Contempt & More

February 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

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

• Eleazar Aguirre-Salazar, 24, of Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 2 in the area of W. Front Street and charged with disorderly conduct by Patrolman Benjamin Springer.

• Nicholas Hoffman, 21, of Rumson, was arrested Feb. 1 in the area of W. Front Street and charged with disorderly conduct by Patrolman Ashon Lovick.

Continue reading Arresting News from Nearby: Disorderly, Contempt & More →

Schools Scene

RFH Athletes’ Letters of Intent Signed

February 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

An official goal has been scored for four student athletes at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH).

Letters of Intent — the written commitments of those sports stars to play college soccer and football at certain schools — were signed on Feb. 4 in the RFH library.

Parents and faculty present, the following RFH athletes did their signing to the specified colleges on National Signing Day 2015:

• Sam Eisenstadt, Elon University, football;
• Meagan McGurl, Lafayette College, soccer;
• Grant Rataski, Bryant University, football;
• Charlie Volker, Princeton University, football.

Volker is one of four Shore Conference athletes who will play football in the Ivy League. Others will be playing for Yale University and University of Pennsylvania.

*Information culled from a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School press release.

Local Life

Reflecting on the Warmth of Sea Bright Beach and a Buddy

February 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Best buds beaching it in Sea Bright. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Best buds beaching it in Sea Bright.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

That deep chill is still in the air and many minds are on warmth — like the toasty feeling you get when hitting the beach for some sun drenching and catching up with a buddy.

Our Retro Pic of the Day today is dedicated to soaking up that kind of sunny memory.

At the beginning of fall, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught a moment between pals on the Sea Bright Public Beach.

Take a moment to remember such a snapshot in time of your own. And remember that the warmth will return.

Stay warm!