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A Fair Haven Police Officer’s Part in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer


He’s a Fair Haven police officer. He’s a Middletown firefighter. He’s a husband. He’s a dad. And he’s a fighter for what he feels is the right thing to do. But, John Waltz will tell you that the latest volunteer project he was involved in was not about him or his fight at all. It was about kids all over the country and the fight to find a cure for childhood cancer. He just played a small part in the much bigger scheme of the cause and its hopeful end. Now he, and the others involved, are asking for your one-two punch in the fight as well.

In August, Waltz, along with fellow firefighters and a host of children with cancer, adults and others, fought their part of the good fight by participating in a music video aptly dubbed Fight and sponsored by Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer filmed at  Middletown Fire Department’s Fire Company 1, Station 8.

The video, released today, features the song written by singer/songwriter Taylor Tote and filmed by Right Stuff Studios. Its message is a simple, poignant one of the day-to-day fight.

“I have to say it was truly moving to be a part of it,” Waltz said in August after filming. “I couldn’t believe the suffering of these poor children and seeing how hopeful they are. Seeing the pain they are in made me very sad. But they are such heroes.”

Tote, after being chosen as the band for the next Infinite Love fundraiser, forged a friendship with non-profit founder Andrea Gorsegner’s children Natalie Grace and Hannah Rose Gorsegner.

Natalie Grace was the inspiration behind Infinite Love. Now 6 and in complete remission since 2014, she was diagnosed in August of 2012 with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The family launched into an effort to fund childhood cancer research and raise awareness of the disease.

“About two months into Natalie’s fight, the Gorsegners quickly started discovering the ugly truths behind childhood cancer, like for one that it’s the number one disease killer of our children in this country,” an excerpt from the Infinite Love website says. “As one shocking stat after another began to unfold they knew that they had to do everything that they could to raise both awareness and funding for research, and so they began campaigning via Natalie’s Facebook page asking that everyone send them just a single dollar to go towards childhood cancer research. In just three short years the family has raised nearly half a million dollars with every penny having gone towards fulfilling research grants!”

Funds have been raised and donations made to the cause in every way from personal family contributions, such as time and talent, to a $1 drive for the cause to bake sales and even firefighters just passing hats.

Mom Andrea “was the driving force for this project. She was determined to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research,” Waltz said. A photographer, Andrea, for instance, has offered free photo sessions for cancer patients and families. There have been classic galas and more.  Anything and everything for the cause, the kids, the research, the cure.

Now, the latest effort is the video.

“I was absolutely honored to be a part of this and I really didnt know on such a large scale that children were so affected and I took a stance and a promise to Andrea that if she needs anything or I can help in any way with future anything she does or needs I am in the game 110 percent,” Waltz said.  “I was truly touched, saddned and honestly honored to be part of a collaboration that hopefully raises tons of money and the video goes viral.”

And that’s the goal.

The challenge is to make spread the word, purchase it from iTunes and spread the word. All proceeds from the iTunes purchases benefit the cause. So, getting it to go viral is the goal. To care, all you need to do is share … the video, Waltz said.

Read more about the video and Infinite Love by clicking here. 

For the full list of video credits, click here.

Focus: Fair Haven Halloween Parade Fun

Sunday was a great fall day for a Halloween parade — the Fair Haven Halloween Parade.

The longstanding tradition started many years ago … and continues in the same fashion: Costumed parading from Knollwood down Hance Road to River and the Fair Haven Firehouse for prizes, cider and donuts.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect could not be there this year. But, the site’s followers have offered their photos of the day, with a little before and after happenings captured.

Take a look …

Thanks to Susan Sorensen, Bonnie Wiehl and Jenny Costello for the photos!

Fair Haven Fire Chief Michael Wiehl's little blueberry girl Photo/Bonnie Wiehl
Fair Haven Fire Chief Michael Wiehl’s little blueberry girl
Photo/Bonnie Wiehl
Uncle Sam and Miss America Photo/Jenny Costello
Uncle Sam and Miss America
Photo/Jenny Costello
Fair Haven Firehouse round-up Photo/Susan Sorensen
Fair Haven Firehouse round-up
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Fair Haven Firehouse round-up Photo/Susan Sorensen
Fair Haven Firehouse round-up
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Mayor Ben Lucarelli and incumbent councilmen Jonathan Peters and Rowland Wilhelm Photo/Susan Sorensen
Mayor Ben Lucarelli and incumbent councilmen Jonathan Peters and Rowland Wilhelm
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Fair Haven Firehouse Halloween Parade round-up Photo/Susan Sorensen
Fair Haven Firehouse Halloween Parade round-up
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Fair Haven Firehouse Halloween Parade round-up Photo/Susan Sorensen
Fair Haven Firehouse Halloween Parade round-up
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse
Photo/Susan Sorensen

Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse
Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse Photo/Susan Sorensen
Halloween fun at the Fair Haven Firehouse
Photo/Susan Sorensen

RFH: A Visit From a Sister School in China

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) recently hosted visitors from its sister school in China.

The group of 14 students, parents, and chaperones from the Hangzhou Entel Foreign Language School (HEFLS, or Entel) in Hangzhou, China visited on Oct. 7. RFH and Entel had entered into a partnership with the goal of building a bridge between language programs at the two schools.

The visitors from Entel enjoyed a week-long tour of various high schools and universities in the United States, making stops in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia before arriving at RFH.

There they attended an information session with members of the RFH administration before taking a tour of the school and participating in a few athletic activities. Members of the Entel group then shadowed RFH students as they attended either an English or History class.

Next up was a visit to Rebecca Wang-McKenna’s Chinese class, where the visitors participated in cultural activities in both Chinese and English.

The visit culminated in a luncheon for the guests attended by RFH Chinese Teachers Rebecca Wang-McKenna and Matt Yang, several RFH students, and several members of the RFH administration.

Previously, RFH students and chaperones had visited Entel for two weeks on two separate occasions in April of 2013 and November of 2015.

RFH and Entel are now exploring the possibility of an exchange program, or a shadowing program in which three to five Entel students will attend classes with RFH students throughout the school day.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

Postponed Again: Fair Haven Trucktoberfest, Halloween Egg Hunt

The weather has once again put the kibosh on the Fair Haven Trucktoberfest.

The event that was rescheduled for today from the previous Saturday has, once again, been put off for another week, due to the uncooperative weather.

“MOTHER NATURE IS NOT WITH US TODAY,” announced Susan Sorensen, councilwoman, event coordinator and Foundation of Fair Haven chair. ” … and with the rain – then high winds we truly have to postpone.”

So, the event is set for next Saturday, Oct. 29, but earlier — from noon to 7 p.m. this time.

 

“We realize that many of you have Halloween Parties to go to – and we hope that you will join us earlier in the day to help support future Fair Haven Days – and enjoy another fun community event,” Sorensen said in her announcement on Facebook. ”

She added that “many of the food truck vendors have already confirmed they are in, as well as many of the additional vendors. We are working on the Band line up as well.

“We are going to also incorporate a Halloween aspect – where the vendors will allow trick or treating at their sites.”

Specifics on those additional Halloween-themed plans will be announced as they come together as will vendor and band confirmations.

In addition, due to the weather, the Halloween Egg Hunt has also been postponed to next week.

 

Scene Around: Yes, Deer

It happens. The occasional suburban deer crossing.

Sometimes it stops traffic — like Tuesday afternoon on Fair Haven Road in Fair Haven.

From McCarter Pond to the other side of the road, three deer decided to pay a visit to a neighbor’s.

There were no casualties, as is often the case at night especially. No. Everyone just stopped and waited for them to stroll across the street.

Put the coffee on. They may paying you a little visit soon.

— Elaine Van Develde

Focus: FHFD Car Show

The sun was out and there was a lot of vintage car reflecting and showcasing at the 17th Annual Fair Haven Fire Police and Fire Department Auxiliary Car Show on Saturday afternoon.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect missed some crowning moments, but managed to get there to grab some photos to give a glimpse into the day.

Tom Kelly’s Dodge Dart got a prize (photo contributed by Evie Connor Kelly included below). We missed that moment, but arrived right after for some lingering chat and show’s end time.

Oh, and there was a birthday boy on the grounds. Happy Birthday, former Chief Dan Kane!

Take a look at some of the final moments of the day …

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Pre-Loss: RFH Homecoming Carnival Fun

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) Bulldogs may have lost the homecoming game to St. John Vianney on Friday night, but even in the absence of homecoming queens and kings, festivities in the form of the new carnival tradition had students in a winning mood, unfazed by the impending knowing and unknowing losses of the court and the game.

Continue reading Pre-Loss: RFH Homecoming Carnival Fun

A Retro RFH Football Home Game Cheer

The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977 Photo/George Day
The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977
Photo/George Day

Friday night is the night — homecoming football game at RFH and, well, carnival.

There is no Thanksgiving Day game anymore welcoming RFH alum back from college in a mini reunion of sorts. The game isn’t against Red Bank Catholic (RBC). There’s no dance the night before the game with invites to those alumni who came home from college for the first time. And, the latest controversy among many RFHers of the past and present is the nixing of the homecoming king and queen.

Continue reading A Retro RFH Football Home Game Cheer

Sickles School Students Taught Another “R” Subject — Respect

Just like reading and writing and ‘rithmetic, the subject of respect is taught at Fair Haven’s Viola L. Sickles School all school year long.

It’s state mandated — at least a week. Dubbed aptly the Week of Respect, Sickles students participated in meaningful activities designed to reinforce lessons about kindness and acceptance.

Continue reading Sickles School Students Taught Another “R” Subject — Respect