Category Archives: News

Find all the local news updates here

Local Life

Schwenker’s Duck, Goose, Gosling!

The ducks family of spring from Schwenker's Pond in Fair Haven Photo/Sandy Richards von Pier
The ducks family of spring from Schwenker’s Pond in Fair Haven
Photo/Sandy Richards von Pier

It may be dank, damp and drizzly, but a sure sign that a rite of spring has taken hold came in the form of a family of Canada geese dilly dallying around their Schwenker’s Pond home in Fair Haven today.

Fair Havenite Sandi Richards von Pier spotted the parents and four babies taking a little trek around the Schwenker’s Pond area neighborhood.

She says they made their way up the hill from the pond, and onto Chestnut Street and into and around the neighborhood and back.

So, she greeted them and captured the family walk in a picture.

Well, the fertility that symbolizes the season is evident right here, even though there have always been complaints about the overpopulation and mess Canada geese leave behind.

Isn’t that just ducky? OK, it’s goosey.

News

Got Drugs? Bring Them to Rumson PD

On Saturday April 30, the Rumson Police Department will be participating in Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, the department announced on its Facebook page.

This means that from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., people may bring expired medications to the police department’s headquarters at 80 East River Road for proper disposal.

The program, an annual national effort taken on by some other neighboring towns, “aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications,” the Rumson PD Facebook post said.

 

Local Life, Opinion

Families in Service to the Community: Grandpa & Grandson Van Develde

Image

April 25 marked what would have been this editor’s father’s 90th birthday — longtime Fair Havenite and lifetime member of the Fair Haven Fire Department and captain of its Fire Police. The following, in light of that milestone, is, in full disclosure, an opinion piece — a tribute to him and the grandson he never knew, an unbeknownst community service family team … 

Continue reading Families in Service to the Community: Grandpa & Grandson Van Develde →

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, News

Focus: Swearing In Fair Haven’s New Police Chief

Gallery

In a meeting room packed beyond capacity with officials, family, friends and colleagues from near and far, Joseph McGovern was sworn in as Fair Haven’s new police chief at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting.

The swearing-in, at what Mayor Ben Lucarelli called the shortest meeting in history, came nearly seven months after the retirement of former chief, Darryl Breckenridge, who was also in attendance.

McGovern, a near 30-year veteran of the force in Fair Haven, thanked everyone for their support, especially the officers with whom he has served for decades, and said he looked forward to keeping the department top-notch.

Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse into the swearing-in — before, during and after. Click on each to enlarge. 

Congratulations Chief McGovern!

 

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro RFH Clowning Around

Image
A little clowning around at RFH in the 1970s. Photo/George Day
A little clowning around at RFH in the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

There’s nothing like a little clowning around at RFH.

And, even though this photo from the 1970s was apparently taken around Halloween, by virtue of the telltale clown costume and soccer ball, it screams the stuff from which a little spring fever is made.

There’s a clown on the soccer field apparently trying to steal a goal and float away attached to his helium balloon. OK.

And the look on the soccer player’s face is priceless.

So, yes, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day is dedicated to springing into a little clowning around RFH style.

Know these clowns?

— Elaine Van Develde

Thanks to George Day for this candid, fabulous look back in time at RFH!

Local Life

Retro Peninsula House

Image
Peninsula House in Sea Bright in the 1970s. Photo/George Day
Peninsula House in Sea Bright in the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

Yup. Summer’s coming soon. The spring weather lately (finally) has been cooperatively nice.

So, that in mind, we look back to the days of summer in the 1970s and a classic beach club — when, honestly, beach clubs were affordable for all.

Peninsula House in Sea Bright was more than a beach club. It was a bar and lounge by the sea with several rooms and porches dedicated to different interests. No place will ever be the same. Rumson-Fair Haven area people called it P-House.

It was a classic.

So, with our Retro Pic of the (George) Day, tell us about your favorite P-House memories.

And, thanks, once again, to the great George Day, for yet another great memory on film! 

Local Life

Focus: Fair Haven Dock Spring Sunset

Gallery

“Isn’t it beautiful?” said a woman smiling and taking in the sunset at the Fair Haven Dock Wednesday night. “It’s just breathtaking and it’s right here in our back yards. Well, almost. Just beautiful.”

Yes. We agreed. And, no, it just doesn’t get old — the serenity, the scenery, the gratitude for it all.

So, again, and likely many more times, we offer the view from the dock over the Navesink River at sunset in Fair Haven — a little peninsula haven that is a sweet home to many.

Good night, home.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro RFH Spring Siesta

Image
RFH students of the 1970s take some free time outside in the nice weather. Photo/George Day
RFH students of the 1970s take some free time outside in the nice weather.
Photo/George Day

Finally! The spring weather on Monday was perfect for a little sunning and sitting on that grassy knoll outside — somewhere outside.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day pays homage to that idea with a look back at a few RFH students taking in some springtime and, perhaps, touched a bit by spring fever.

This one has made the rounds before and, surprisingly, while the shot is of four RFH students back in the 1970s, photographer George Day tells us it was not taken at RFH. Know where it was taken?

And, of course, guess who’s who in the photo. The couple to the right were a pretty steady item for a while in high school, as memory serves this slightly rusty old RFH alum editor. The other two guys? Well, one is still in Rumson and a dad to RFHers present and past. The other is a well-known funeral home owner and former Fair Havenite.

Everyone who knows them can usually count on running into one, the other or both around the towns for one reason or another — from school event to memorial.

Know these RFH alumni?

— Elaine Van Develde

Thanks, once again, to George Day for this RFH gem!

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Focus on RFH: Stars’ Showcase Benefits Covenant House

Video

It was a triple threat with a promise to deliver funds to a good cause. Present and future Broadway stars sang, danced and acted their hearts out on stage at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) last week to raise money for homeless youth.

Performers came from Broadway and several area high schools in a show that ended up bringing in $30,000 for Covenant House of Asbury Park.

The high school students involved came from RFH, Red Bank Regional, Shore Regional, Howell, Henry Hudson Regional, Colts Neck, Freehold Regional. And Kick Dance Studio and Lakehouse Music Pros performed as well.

Emceed by Broadway’s Brian Walters, the Broadway stars on stage were: Rob Evans, Rebecca Pitcher and Carter Calvert.

Take a look at the slideshow above for a glimpse into the evening. If you’d like to donate to Covenant House, click here for more information.

— Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, From the Meeting Room, News

McGovern Named Fair Haven’s New Police Chief

By Elaine Van Develde

“You can call him chief, but he won’t actually be chief until April 25 when he’s sworn in,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said referring to Acting Police Chief/Captain Joseph McGovern and  the borough’s official move at Monday’s Borough Council meeting to make him the next police chief.

Continue reading McGovern Named Fair Haven’s New Police Chief →