Category Archives: Local Life

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

Rumson Rocked by Sandy

Image October 31, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Rumson's Piping Rock Park after Sandy blew through. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Rumson’s Piping Rock Park after Sandy blew through. Photo/Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

Remember what things looked like around town two years ago?

While the low-lying areas of Rumson were smacked the hardest by Hurricane Sandy, trees were felled all over town.

They brought wires down with them as they crashed onto various mainstay structures. Piping Rock Park, near the high school, was no exception.

Meanwhile, in the West Park section, no one could get in or out. But, from a distance one could see that the water and wind parked all sorts of debris from Sea Bright on Rumson land along the Shrewsbury River.

There were boats, cabanas and more. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Retro Pic of the Day devoted to looking back on Sandy.

Local Life

Looking Back at Sandy Sights

Image October 29, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Sandy's block from the bridge to Sea Bright. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Sandy’s block from the bridge to Sea Bright. Photo/Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

It was two years ago that Sea Bright and low-lying parts of Rumson were ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Even after the wind and rain stopped and the Shrewsbury River and ocean parted and drifted back to where they belonged, people were put out of their homes and there was no getting into or out of Sea Bright.

The U.S. Army’s National Guard was called in to help. Sea Bright residents lined up for a shuttle to take them for a small window of time to grab integral belongings from their ruined homes.

Rumson police and the guardsmen blocked the bridge and food, hot beverages were served as emergency clothing was doled out.

It was a surreal scene for all involved.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will feature Sandy photos for the next two weeks, until the lights came back on at the time in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Local Life

Rumson Revs Up for Halloween

Gallery October 28, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

Not only is Halloween approaching, but it’s also a historic time of the year for people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area — the second anniversary of Sandy, the superstorm that crippled the coast.

So, as Rumsonites ready for Halloween, it’s also hard to forget Sandy’s wrath. That was certainly scary enough.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect found few decorations in the borough. Take a look and alert us to more ([email protected]). In the meantime, notice one Shrewsbury Avenue resident’s creative take on the anniversary and Halloween combined.

Photos by Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Halloween Parading in Rumson & Fair Haven

Video October 27, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

Sunday was the day for all ghosts and ghouls in Rumson and Fair Haven to parade their holiday personas.

Both boroughs hosted the fall festivities on a crisp, sunny day. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect paid a visit to both.

Take a look at our slideshow of the two events combined. Click on the arrow in the center of the photo below and enjoy!

Local Life

Sunny COA Beach Sweeps

Video October 26, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

It was a great day to not only sun, but sweep the beaches.

Clean Ocean Action, spearheaded by Rumsonite Cindy Zipf, held its fall beach sweeps on Saturday; and, the weather cooperated quite nicely.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught up with sweepers in Sea Bright.

Take a look at slideshow below for a glimpse into the sunny sweeps day.

Local Life

Escape: Up the Lazy River?

Image October 25, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Up a creek or river without a paddle? Where is this? Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

R-FH Area’s Halloween Celebrations

October 25, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

OK, Rumson-Fair Haven area friends and fans, there will be festivities to celebrate Halloween this weekend!

First of all, there’s a Fair Haven Halloween Egg Hunt, yes an egg hunt, at the park at Sickles School on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. We have no idea what this really means, other than that Mayor Ben Lucarelli said today that “it’s an opportunity to gather everyone at one spot to celebrate Halloween.”

In addition, the borough is hosting its annual Halloween parade on Sunday at 2 p.m., starting at Knollwood School on Hance Road. Line-up starts at 1:30 p.m.

Also on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. is the Rumson Halloween Parade and Party at Victory Park. There will be all sorts of activities and festivities. Line-up is at 3:15 p.m. There will be a costume contest and prizes and a Mad Science Slime-Making Booth.

Have fun, friends and fans! I’ll see you at the festivities! In the meantime, I offer you a … BOO!

Local Life

What’s Up This Weekend: Beach Sweeps, Blood Drive

October 24, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

There are a couple of things going on this weekend that involve learning and giving.

Friday

• Calling all war history buffs! Friday night at 6:30 p.m. there’s unique lantern tour going on at Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock Museum. All dressed up as authentic U.S. Army coast artillery soldiers, volunteers from the Army Ground Forces Association will lead people on a historic tour of the Fort, featuring Battery Gunnison.

Saturday

• Get your gloves and hard-soled shoes on and help sweep the beaches you frequent clean of debris with Clean Ocean Action.

The organization, headed by none other than Rumson native and current resident and RFH grad Cindy Zipf, is slated to start at 9 a.m. at various locations throughout the state. The sweeps run through 12:30 p.m.

In the R-FH area, the closest meet-up points are, Sea Bright Public Beach, Borough Hall and Gaiters Restaurant (in Sea Bright), Sandy Hook/Lot D, Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion and Maple Cove at the foot of Maple Avenue in Red Bank.

For a full list of locations, click here.

• And on the same day, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Fair Haven Business Association is asking people to “starve a vampire, feed your neighbor.” The group is sponsoring a blood drive for the Central Jersey Blood Center at the Knights of Columbus Hall at the foot of Third Street (200 Fair Haven Rd.).

Donors must be at least 17, healthy and weigh at least 120 pounds. ID with signature must be presented at the door. Oh, and drink water before you donate.

Sunday

• If you’re in the market for some unique crafts and/or food, hit the Red Bank Farmers Market before the season comes to a close.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Galleria parking lot.

And, while you’re there, don’t forget to check out Fair Havenites Melanie and David Stewart’s Handmade Haven tent. Read their story here.

If you can think of anything else that’s going on this weekend, let us know at [email protected].

In the meantime, I’ll see you on the beach, giving blood or around the towns somewhere else!

Local Life

Halloween Haven: Spooky Fair Haven Sightings

Gallery October 20, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

They’re creepy and kooky, maybe a little mysterious and spooky, and, perhaps, altogether ooooky, as the classic Addams Family theme music says. Maybe all of the above. But there’s one thing Halloween decorations in Fair Haven definitely are — part of a longstanding local celebration of the season.

Yes, fall is in the air and the Halloween spirit is adorning lawns in this 1.4-square-mile suburb. Have you seen them sprouting up all over? We have.

Here’s a sampling of a few in the light of day. Let us know (at [email protected]) where we can find more of the most creative, creepy sights and we’ll get over there to grab a photo.

We’ll be adding to the collection; and, Rumson will have its own gallery as well.

In the end, a special Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect prize may be awarded to the winner. Don’t forget to email us your favorites; and Happy Haunting!

Local Life

Seasonal Beach Sights in Sea Bright

Gallery October 16, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

Rumson-Fair Haven area people have been clinging onto summer days by the sea, celebrating locals’ summer into the fall.

The crowds are gone. The temperature is tepid. And the sun gently kisses the the sand and surf. Serenity and solace prevail in a Sea Bright that is still steadily recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

See for yourself.

Local Life, News

A Rockin’ Oktoberfest 2014

Gallery October 14, 2014 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

Call it a fall fest fit for loyal Fair Havenites.

Hosted by the non-profit Foundation of Fair Haven on Oct. 4, Oktoberfest 2014 drew hundreds to the grounds of Smart Start Preschool on River Road.

There was plenty of authentic German food, provided by Fairwinds Deli, music by Late4Lunch, beer, sangria, 50/50s and aptly costumed partygoers — yes, lederhosen and all.

Proceeds from the now annual event, in its third year, fund future Fair Haven Days.

Glimpse into our gallery to get a taste of what it was all about.

Your closest look at local news