Category Archives: Local Life

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

Fair Haven Library Kids Meet Exotic Animals

It’s not every day that a bunch of Fair Haven children get a chance to hang out with a kangaroo, a Mexican raccoon, a snake, an armadillo, an owl and a monkey — just Tuesday.

That was the day that the Fair Haven Library Children’s Vacation Reading Club program came to an end  and a celebration that involved introducing the kids to the host of interesting animals followed at the Youth Center.

Laura Anderson, Fair Haven Library’s children’s librarian, ran the club. She said the animals came to visit, courtesy of Long Island-based Nicholas Jacinto, of Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures, “just for fun.”

The summer reading theme was superheroes. And while Anderson said she’d like to say there was some sort of connection to the animals, they were just a treat for the kids to highlight the day’s celebration.

Jacinto, a/k/a Nature Nick, introduced us to LuLu the 2-year-old kangaroo, who came to him from Texas.

She, a seemingly acclimated and friendly marsupial, hopped around, exploring the Youth Center (or Fair Haven Community Center, as it is now called) and checking people out. Very tame, no kangaroo punches were thrown and Nick just scooped her up when it was time for a photo and she obliged without a stir.

The armadillo, curled up in a ball that looked like a yellow rock, was really interesting, peering out from his shell to give things a sniff around.

The Mexican raccoon has a longer nose than the American raccoon. Content, it just gave a glance out of the carrier.

That was the extent of Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s preview performance, and it was entertaining, if not just plain interesting to hang out with kangaroo and company.

Tarzan the monkey, we were told, was a bit too “fresh” to preview.

No boxing. No swinging with the monkey.

But, the kids did get an animal action treat.

Get a glimpse into our preview of the afternoon by taking a look at the photo gallery above. Click on each photo to enlarge, then click (next photo) to scroll.

Riverfront Reflection: Boats off the Banks

There were tranquil waters before the rain on Monday evening down by the Navesink River at Fair Haven Dock.

It was dusk, the sun was about to set. The tide was high.

Crabbers were crabbing and the boats were moored. The scene never seems to get old.

“I always come here to take pictures and soak up the scenery,” a crabber said.

And so right she is.

— Elaine Van Develde

A Retro Happy Birthday to Lucille Ball

Actor, writer, producer, director Billy Van Zandt with Lucille Ball Photo/courtesy of Billy Van Zandt
Actor, writer, producer, director Billy Van Zandt with Lucille Ball
Photo/courtesy of Billy Van Zandt

Everyone loves Lucy … well, a lot of people do — like this editor who shares the same birthday!

Yes, today is Lucille Ball’s birthday. She would have been 104!

And there’s one area guy, who got a jump start on his long successful writing, producing, directing and acting career at Rumson’s Barn Theater, among other very familiar classic community and professional spots in the area.

That guy is Billy Van Zandt. And the great comedic love and inspiration of his live, besides his lovely wife, actress Adrienne Barbeau, is Lucille Ball.

To know Billy or to have heard him tell tales of his life is to know that he doesn’t just love Lucy, but he adores her.

The writer (along with partner Jane Milmore) of and actor in many a successful stage farce and TV sitcom (movies and more) has always credited Lucy as his top comedic inspiration.

And, lucky and talented as Billy is, he had the honor of not only meeting Lucy, but producing a TV special all about Lucy entitled Lucy: The Very First Show for which he was nominated for an Emmy. He also had his dream come true when he acted alongside his comedic heroine in her final TV series.

Billy will tell you that he was scared to death to meet her for fear that his comedic goddess-like vision of who she was might be shattered. The opposite happened. He felt they were kindred comedic spirits and he was awestruck with her personality, professionalism and, well, comedic genius. He loved Lucy, to say the least, and remained friendly with her until the time of her death.

He said, though, the comedy queen did rule with a worthy, spiky scepter and was “tough, scary tough. She liked to rehearse a lot, work with her props a lot … and if you didn’t do things the way she wanted them done, it got ugly.”

He has joked about how Lucy even chided Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, working them to death. He has told the story of how Burton asked, “Who does she think she is?” and Taylor replied something like, “She’s the queen of comedy, dear … do it again.”

And we know Billy would! So would I, for that matter!

Bravo, Billy! Happy Birthday, Lucy! And, well, Happy Birthday to me, who also loves Lucy and wants to grow up to be just like her, too! Whaaaaaa!

Thanks to Billy Van Zandt for sharing this classic photo with us!

Oh, and, yes, Billy is the brother of rocker Stevie Van Zandt.

 

 

Retro Ode to Fair Haven Firemen & RFH Class of ’80 Boys

Fireman and boys of the RFH Class of '80 Photo/courtesy of Ray Bennett
Fireman and boys of the RFH Class of ’80
Photo/courtesy of Ray Bennett

Just as the RFH Class of ’80 celebrates 35 years since graduation, they’re setting up for the oh, so traditional Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.

And, we found, from a lifetime Fair Haven fireman, a classic photo of fireman meets guys from the Class of ’80 as they’re touring the firehouse and attempting to be junior firemen. Note that most of the guys in the pic had parents in the Fair Haven Fire Department.

So, yes, the Retro Pic of the Day honors Fair Haven firemen, future firemen and the scouts of the Class of ’80.

The photo comes from Ray Bennett, lifetime fireman, and, yes, that’s him on the right. The boys: Frank Leslie, Jim Kirman (?), Troy Brandon and Doug Lang.

Thanks for the pic, Ray Bennett!

Fun Times at Fair Haven’s Night Out

Fair Haven police and emergency responders were focused on the local side of National Night Out Tuesday and the close-up view was one that honed in on community unity.

It was a goal achieved at the borough’s 13th Night Out — police and residents, young and old, getting to know one another, the public seeing that inside view of protecting and serving.

Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening. (Don’t forget to click the lower right icon for a full screen view.) Enjoy!

And thanks to the Fair Haven Police Department and emergency responders!

 

Simple Summer: Swimming Buddies & an Award

There’s nothing quite like a buddy, a couple of missing front teeth and an award to make a summer complete.

It’s a simple concept. And, Annabelle (Annie) Costello personifies the three-in-one bonus as the Simple Summer feature photo(s) of the week.

The pint-sized Fair Havenite won Most Valuable Player award for her swim team at Ship Ahoy Beach Club in Sea Bright recently.

To get that kind of award, it takes a lot of teamwork, practice and, yes, plain old summer kid fun with pals. And Annie and her pal worked and played hard, as evidenced by their smiles of sheer happiness to just hang together.

Congrats, Annie!

Retro RFH Class of ’80 Reunion

RFH Class of 1980 35th reunion at Salt Creek Grille Photo/Steve H-Minus Facebook post screenshot
RFH Class of 1980 35th reunion at Salt Creek Grille
Photo/Facebook post screenshot

Yes, the RFH Class of 1980 reunited after 35 years (OK, some still hang out together) over the weekend — or some of the class, anyway.

When these guys and girls graduated, the top song was Blondie’s Call Me and number two was Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall. Can you guess what number three was? Hint: the singer was another blonde female.

Class members tell us they were out and about at the classic Donovan’s Reef Tiki bar stop, where all RFH reunions traditionally start — well, except when the Class of ’78 had its reunion 10 months after Hurricane Sandy.

And the main event was held at Salt Creek Grille in Rumson.

So, in honor of the RFH Class of ’80, the Retro Pic of the Day is one of the gathering of classmates at Salt Creek.

Speaking of classmates, do you know which local official is an RFH Class of ’80 alum? Shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out.

Cheers, Class of ’80! Here’s to another 35! Well, five? Ten?

Thanks to Steve H-Minus for taking this pic and sharing it!

 

Retro Fair Haven Night Out Mayoral Dunking

Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli gets dunked at Fair Haven Police Department's National Night Out 2012 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli gets dunked at Fair Haven Police Department’s National Night Out 2012
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Well, the Fair Haven Police Department’s National Night Out is Tuesday.

It’s a night when people in the community gather and get to know the police and their job better. It’s also a night for mixing, mingling and a little fun at the expense of, well, a little bit of dignity — like a dunk tank.

At Fair Haven’s National Night Out in 2012, Mayor Ben Lucarelli got a good soaking.  He was a good sport.

So, in honor of all good dunkings to come at this year’s event on Tuesday, the Retro Pic of the Day takes a look back at that moment when the esteemed mayor went down — for a major dunk.

Who’s next?

Retro Gathering of RFH Class of ’80 Gals

Fair Haven buddies from the RFH Class of 1980 in 1971 Photo/courtesy of Sandi Richards VonPier
Fair Haven buddies from the RFH Class of 1980 in 1971
Photo/courtesy of Sandi Richards VonPier

The RFH Class of 1980 is having its 35th reunion this weekend.

What better time than to take a look back at some grads of that class?

So, in honor of the Class of ’80 and friendships formed many years ago that are still going strong, the Retro Pic of the Day takes a look back at a 1971 gathering of Fair Haven girls of the class when such bonds were forged.

Nothing like an old buddy.

Who in this crew do you think was considered the best dressed? Remember what the “in” style was then?

Thanks to longtime Fair Havenite Sandi Richards VonPier for this photo contribution!

Retro Birthday Boy, Fair Haven Mom

It’s somebody’s birthday.

That person is Doug Newman, who was raised in Fair Haven and runs the Fair Haven Facebook page.

Doug decided it would be a good idea to gather folks together in social media and keep connections forged in the Rumson-Fair Haven area going.

Well, he has done it. The page, which has 2,625 members, or, as he calls them collectively, the “fam.”

Continue reading Retro Birthday Boy, Fair Haven Mom