Category Archives: Local Life

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

Local Life

Retro ‘Old’ Fair Haven Firemen

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So the tradition goes … The annual NJ Firemen’s Convention in Wildwood was held at the end of last week.

And, by the looks of all the Facebook posts, a great time was had by all.

The convention has been a yearly mainstay for, well, many years. Call it an old tradition. And nothing goes with an old tradition like some good ol’ boys.

So, in keeping with the good ol’ tradition, the Retro Pic of the Day is a look back to 1967 and guys who were deemed “The Older Boys” of the Fair Haven Fire Volunteer Fire Company.

Continue reading Retro ‘Old’ Fair Haven Firemen →

Local Life

Focus: NY Skyline View from a Sea Bright Beach

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Before the rain … the views of the New York skyline from Sea Bright Public Beach were clear and colorful on a local summer day at the end of last week.

The city is roughly 20 miles away and on days like this it looks close enough to catch … an Uber to.

People who’ve seen this view have argued that it can’t possibly be New York. Well, it is. It’s been documented many times over. So, enjoy the view.

— Elaine Van Develde

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Local Life

Sea Bright’s Simple Local Summer

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It’s that treasured time of the year for locals — local summer.

The weather is still prime for beaching it and the crowds are gone. It’s time for locals in the Rumson-Fair Haven area to get some of what’s left of the best of the sun, sand, surf and and solace in Sea Bright.

Get a glimpse into the local summer world … Take a look at our slideshow and photo gallery. Ahhhh. Enjoy.

— Elaine Van Develde

Continue reading Sea Bright’s Simple Local Summer →

Local Life

Olympian’s Homecoming: Jaeger’s Fair Meet & Greet

Olympic silver medalist Connor Jaeger came home to Fair Haven and the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair on Wednesday night; and he brought his medal, smile and handshake with him.

The worldwide second-place winner in the 1,500-meter freestyle swim event in Rio not too long ago forewent the traditional hometown Olympian parade. He, instead, set up a table at the fair and signed autographs, posed for selfies, shook hands and chatted with friends and fans and gave his thanks for the swell of hometown support as he swam toward attaining  his Olympic medal dream.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught a glimpse of the Jaeger meet-and-greet. Take a look.

— Photos/Cole Van Develde

Local Life

A Fair Meet with Olympic Swimmer Connor Jaeger

Not only is Wednesday night Firemen’s Night at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair, it’s also Olympian night this year.

Connor Jaeger, who recently won the silver medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle swim in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, is back home and set to meet, greet and do some selfies with hometown friends and fans. He will be appearing at the fair, in front of the firehouse, from 7 to 9 p.m..

He said it himself on Instagram …

“This Wednesday 8/31 from 7-9pm please come and meet me at Fair Haven’s Fireman’s Fair for a selfie booth. Please come to meet me and give me an opportunity to thank you all for the unbelievable support you have shown me.”

There was talk of a parade, which is what transpired when Jaeger came in sixth in the same Olympic event in 2012. However, officials decided to wait and see what was most amenable to Jaeger.

So, selfies and socializing at the fair it is.

“We hope to see you tomorrow night,” Councilwoman Susan Sorensen said in a Facebook post after thanking officials, including Connor Jaeger’s father, Eric, a fellow councilman, for coordinating the “meet-and-greet.”

Local Life

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s Start

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The scents, sights and sounds of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair are in the air.

The end-of-summer tradition in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, the largest community fair in the state, started on Friday night.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect did the usual stroll of the grounds on Saturday.

Here’s a glimpse into the night …

— Elaine Van Develde

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s Start →

Local Life, Opinion

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: An Opening Night Remembrance

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Sometimes I can still smell the lingering scent of funnel cake in my mother’s hair. I can still see her blue-striped Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair apron draped over the kitchen chair. I can see her tying those apron strings. I can see her checking her hair and lipstick in the mirror by the door. I can hear her voice calling to me upstairs to hurry up as I tried to get my pigtails even and the puffy yarn bows tied just right. I’m always late.

And sometimes I can still see us walking down the street, her scurrying, brushing her hair to the side, still yelling back to me to hurry up.

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: An Opening Night Remembrance →

Local Life

Simple Summer: Crabbing & Catching a Sunset

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It doesn’t get much more simple in the summer than hanging a cage filled with raw chicken bait over the side of the Fair Haven Dock, netting crabs and catching a prime sunset view in the mix.

That’s what this Simple Summer photo gallery is all about.

Sometimes, too, you run into a small business owner everyone in the area knows. Anyone know who this is pictured crabbing a few days ago?

Hint: He’s known for putting people in stitches.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Rumson Crabbing & Recreating

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Saturday evening was time to get crabby with Rumson police and join the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament.

The event began at 6 p.m.; and, well, if you got there after 6, the parking lot at the Rumson Borough Boat Launch was pretty full, but no one was to be found on the water. They were likely already far enough out on the river to get those prime catches.

There were, however, some crabbers and others boating, jet skiing and just hanging around.

Take a look at the above photo gallery for a glimpse into the evening. See anything somewhat crabby looking?

The results of the tournament will be posted when they become available.

In the meantime, enjoy the view!

Local Life

Retro Rumson PBA Crabbing Eve

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Crabbing at the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Crabbing at the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

The 10th Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament is Saturday.

So, in honor of a full decade of getting crabby with the PBA, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to last year’s tournament.

The fun was, yes, catching, with these guys who were trying their luck right across from the boat launch.

Recognize them?

— Elaine Van Develde