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

September 1, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

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

August 31, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

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

Gallery August 29, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

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

Image August 26, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

Sally Van Develde selling balloons at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair Grab Bag Booth

Retro Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair stock room days in the 1970s Photo/FHFD booklet

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

Fundraising at a Fair Haven Store for the NY/NJ Baykeeper

August 24, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

Greenlines will host a fundraiser/informational gathering on Thursday evening at its 813 River Road store to benefit NY/NJ Baykeeper.

Continue reading Fundraising at a Fair Haven Store for the NY/NJ Baykeeper →

Local Life

Simple Summer: Crabbing & Catching a Sunset

Gallery August 23, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

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

Gallery August 22, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

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

Image August 19, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

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

Local Life, Police and Fire

Getting Crabby with Rumson PBA

August 19, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

Time to get crabby with Rumson cops. The 10th Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament is set for Saturday.

The evening of crabbing and prizes, the proceeds of which benefit Monmouth County Ducks Unlimited and Wetlands Conservation and The Special Olympics, starts at 6 p.m. at the borough boat ramp at the foot of Avenue of Two Rivers (behind the police station and borough hall) and runs until 10 p.m.

Cost is $65 per boat; and awards will be given for the first-, second- and third-highest amounts of crabs caught as well as one for the largest crab caught.

And, there t-shirts and sweatshirts will be sold for $20 to $30.

See ya down by the river, Crabby!

Take a look at last year’s tournament by clicking here.

Local Life, Opinion

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: 50 Hot Dog Salute

August 18, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

Chris Brenner serving hot dogs at the Fair Haven Firemen's Fair Photo/courtesy of Chris Brenner — Chris Brenner serving hot dogs at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair
Photo/courtesy of Chris Brenner

The following is an opinion piece, a tribute, about the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair by Fair Haven resident, Rumson native and 1983 RFH grad Chris Brenner …

In late August of 1965, I came into the world at Riverview Hospital. We lived in Rumson; and, no doubt, on my first ride home in our blue VW Beetle, I went right by the Fair Haven firehouse, which surely was hosting the annual Fireman’s Fair at the time. I sadly didn’t make that ’65 fair. Too busy learning to breathe and see, and all of that.

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: 50 Hot Dog Salute →

Local Life

Retro Olympic Silver Medalist Connor Jaeger

Image August 15, 2016 Elaine Van Develde

After the Olympian parade for Connor Jaeger in 2012 at the Fair Haven Firehouse Photo/Elaine Van Develde — After the Olympian parade for Connor Jaeger in 2012 at the Fair Haven Firehouse
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Yes, Fair Haven-raised Connor Jaeger did it! In his second quest for an Olympic medal, he came in second in the 1,500-meter freestyle swim in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, making history as the fastest Team U.S.A. swimmer in the event.

It was only four years ago when Jaeger swam in London and placed sixth in the same event. When he came home to Fair Haven, there was a parade and he signed autographs for some very excited young fans.

There are no plans as of yet for a re-do of that in the borough. It depends on his wishes, officials have said.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back four years when Jaeger came home from London to a thrilled community. His family was there. Even his family dog was there.