Category Archives: Local Life

A look, in photos, of latest area events, local everyday people and places.

Local Life

Fair Haven: Tiki Haven Time

The chill is in the air, signaling the time for the Tiki Haven Luau.

The tropical-themed event, designed to warm winter spirits and raise funds for future Fair Haven Days, is set for Saturday, Feb. 27 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall on Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven.

It will feature island-style food (pulled pork and fixins’ as a main dish), music, games (like the limbo, an outfit contest, a 50/50 and auctions with donated prizes from local businesses) and drink (beer, wine and sodas) for $50. A bar will be open and serving drinks not included in the admission price for cash.

“It looks like we may have started yet another wonderful tradition celebrating the Borough of Fair Haven that began with our 2012 Centennial Celebration with this new event,” Fair Haven Foundation President and Councilwoman Susan Sorensen said. “With winter in full swing, we all could use a bit of summer fun!”

So, get out your Hawaiian shirt, grass skirt, coconut top and lei — not necessarily in that order or all together — and order tickets now, the committee recommends.

See you in Hawaii — on the sunny shores of Knights of Columbus.

For tickets, contact Marie Noglows at marie.noglows@comcast.net or purchase at Fair Haven Borough Hall.

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Families in Community Service: The Brothers Chandler

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By Elaine Van Develde

They were both just that kind of guy — the kind people remember.

They were George Chandler and brother Warren — Chum to most. George, the former Fair Haven police chief and 65-year fire company member was laid to rest a couple of weeks ago at 92. His brother, Chum, died last March, a 64-year fireman.

Continue reading Retro Families in Community Service: The Brothers Chandler →

Local Life

Focus: Fair Haven Food & Folks for the Soul

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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

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Birthday Remembrance of Ben Hamilton

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By Elaine Van Develde

They personified RFH cool. They were the sibling team of Ben and Kate Hamilton.

That team was separated with the untimely death of Ben, a gentle, sunny embrace of community spirit and friendship for many, on Nov. 21, 2015.

Continue reading Retro Birthday Remembrance of Ben Hamilton →

Local Life

Focus: First Snowfall of the R-FH Area

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The first snowfall of the Rumson-Fair Haven area was actually a blizzard. The Blizzard of 2016, to be exact.

At least that’s what the weather authorities tell us. With accumulations ending up blustering and drifting into a couple of feet at least, the blizzard was, all told, weathered well in the area.

After a sunny Sunday that ushered in a bit of melting, the National Weather Service is calling for more sun with temperatures hitting a high of 36 degrees and a northwest wind of about 7 miles per hour.

The weather folks are cautioning that melting snow will lead to the usual flooding in low-lying areas of Rumson and Sea Bright and when temperatures fall at night, there will be ice.

Be careful. Oh, and take a look at our above Facebook collection of R-FH area snow scenes. Thanks to all R-FH Retro Facebook friends for the pics! 

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Retro FH First Aid & Fire Company Family: The Langs

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By Elaine Van Develde

With the line officers in the Fair Haven First Aid Squad all women for 2016, we are reminded that it was not all that long ago that it was just men in the squad — really, until the 1980s.

Yet, there is another attribute of first aiders, among other emergency responders, that is worthy of mention. Many times, the calling to help the community is a family affair.

Continue reading Retro FH First Aid & Fire Company Family: The Langs →

Local Life

Retro FH First Aid Women

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In looking back recently at the Fair Haven Fire Department’s honoring of the iconic Dr. John Movelle at its annual Installation Dinner in 2001, many remembered how the good hometown doctor made house calls without a flinch.

Well, in those emergency situations when a visit to the hospital is imminent and life-and-death situations are looming, the Fair Haven First Aid Squad has been there and still is. The squad has been in existence since March 25, 1930, in fact, according to Fair Haven Fire Department history.

What many may not know, though, is that while all the First Aid Squad line officers are now women — Kim Ambrose (captain), Amanda Lynn (first lieutenant) and Katy Frissora (second lieutenant) — there was a time when there were no women on the squad.

Continue reading Retro FH First Aid Women →

Local Life

Focus: R-FH Area Faces of 2015

In one way or another, they were part of the lives of the people of the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Some were leaders. Some were in prominent positions. Some were just plain popular people — mainstays around the towns. Some retired. Some resigned. Some were promoted. Some passed away and left behind their community legacies. Some made small, significant contributions of kind words or bright smiles.

For whatever the reason, we remember them. They passed through our lives last year or a lot longer. They embodied the community. They are the Rumson-Fair Haven area faces of 2015.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

2015: The Year’s Events

There was a lot happening in the way of events in the Rumson-Fair Haven area in 2015.

There was …

Take a look back with us! Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge!

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Local Life

Reorganizing & Celebrating at the Fair Haven Fire Department for 2016

New Year’s Day was all about tradition, community camaraderie, fun and old friends connecting at Fair Haven Fire Department’s reorganization and open house.

With line officers for 2016 first taking their oaths at noon at the firehouse, a festive time of socializing was had by all for the rest of the day.

The 2016 line officers are:

Fire Company …

• Chief Michael Wiehl;

• Deputy Chief Timothy Morrissey;

• First Assistant Chief Matthew DePonti;

• Second Assistant Chief Christopher Shrank.

First Aid …

• Captain Kim Ambrose;

• 1st Lieutenant Amanda Lynn;

• 2nd Lieutenant Katy Frissora.

Fire Police …

• Captain Frank Scalzo;

• 1st Lieutenant Daniel Chernavsky;

• 2nd Lieutenant Douglas Anderson.

Auxiliary …

• President Amanda Lynn

Water Rescue/Dive Team …

John Felsmann, James Cerruti, Robert Frank, William Heath

Happy New Year! Congratulations to the new officers! And thanks to the Fair Haven Fire Department for the photos of the line officers taken before Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect arrived!

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Local Life

Focus: R-FH Area Landscape Scene 2015

When it comes to landscape scenery, there’s a lot to see in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect always tries to seize the moment in a photo when the scene presents itself — and it has countless times in 2015. How could it not? The area, surrounded by the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers and nestled along the Atlantic Ocean, is enveloped with natural beauty.

So, here are the most picturesque scenes captured in the R-FH area in 2015. What a wondrous waterfront world …