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Local Life

Holidaze: Rumson-Fair Haven Area Tree Lightings

Haul out the holly. It’s time to light up the Rumson-Fair Haven area with holiday trees, Santa visits and festivities for all to kick off that time of the year.

It all starts on Friday evening …

Fair Haven’s annual tree lighting at Memorial Park, on the corner of River and Fair Haven roads, kicks the season off at 5 p.m. with a gathering, Santa’s traditional arrival via firetruck, a tree lighting at 6 p.m., song, fun and games for kids and a holiday stroll through the business district. There will be hot chocolate, treats, raffles and assorted surprises at each business for hometown holiday shopping pleasure. (Check the map.)

The event runs through 7:30 p.m.

And on Sunday …

Rumson’s annual tree lighting and festivities come to Victory Park starting at 5 p.m. with music by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys, the RFH Tower Singers and Deane-Porter’s third grade chorus.

There will be snacks and hot chocolate and, of course, Santa and the official lighting of the tree.

And over the bridge in Sea Bright …

The annual tree lighting will take place in the borough’s municipal parking lot by the beach at 6 p.m.

Following the tree lighting, Mrs. Claus will make an appearance across the street at the United Methodist Church to give out some gifts and refreshments to the kids.

 

News, Regional Interest

Urban Coast Institute: The New Administration and the Ocean’s Future

From Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute … 

The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) is holding a public forum to set coastal and ocean priorities for the next administration and Congress next week.

The 12th Annual Future of the Ocean Symposium will be held on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Wilson Hall Auditorium at the West Long Branch university. Admission is free and open to the public.

The panelists, former New Jersey Gov. and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Todd Whitman and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Dr. Donald Boesch, will offer their views and recommendations on critical actions that the administration and Congress should take to ensure that our coasts and oceans are healthy, productive and support sustainable economic development.

Among their many other accomplishments and qualifications, Whitman and Boesch serve on the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI) Leadership Council, a national organization dedicated to marine policy reform. JOCI soon plans to release a nine-point action plan for the Trump administration and the new Congress. UCI Ocean Policy Fellow and Monmouth University President Emeritus Paul G. Gaffney II also serves as a member of the JOCI Leadership Council.

“The oceans are going through unprecedented changes, including sea level rise, shifting currents and weather patterns, ocean acidification, and ecosystem destruction,” Whitman said. “These changes are a mounting threat not only to marine ecosystems, but to coastal communities and economies. We must confront these issues with a bipartisan approach from policymakers in Washington and at all levels of government.”

“Robust federal investments in science and research can spur innovation, address important national and global challenges, create new economic sectors, and ultimately save lives,” Boesch said. “If our ecosystems and livelihoods are to be sustained for the future, we’ll need to pair such financial commitments to research with concerted action on policies based in science.”

“The Future of the Ocean Symposium provides a unique forum for students, faculty and the public to engage nationally recognized experts in discussions on the pressing ocean issues of our time,” said UCI Director Tony MacDonald, who will moderate the panel. “As a coastal university, we are also pleased to honor a group of Ocean Champions whose work has so directly impacted lives here on the Jersey Shore and beyond.”

Local Life

Retro RFH Class of 2006: Knollwood, Frosh & Junior Moments

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More than a decade ago, the classmates in the RFH Class of 2006 were the newbies in the hallowed halls — freshmen. Then sophomores. Then juniors … and seniors, graduates and, well, for the past decade,  alumnus.

There was a 10-year reunion on Saturday at which these old friends, some who have been buds since kindergarten, got a chance to reminisce about the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly times in their journeys together.

There were those birthday parties with the entire class, cupcakes and messy little mugs. There were those kid sleepovers where there wasn’t much sleep and a lot of pranking. There were field days, class trips, Halloweens, parades, Stokes, proms, summers at the beach, the river, games and graduation and partying. And there were those little things … like shortcut walks to school replete with a trip and fall into the creek or hangin’ a loose with Silvio at Umberto’s after school.

That was then. And now … Well, now those “kids” on their way to their third decade in life, with one solid in adulthood.

They’re hitting 30 soon and making their parents feel pretty old.

So, out of respect for the elders and honoring memories, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day features some of the youngsters of the Class of 2006 with: a peek back to eighth grade and the Knollwood Class of 2002; a glimpse at some freshmen fun hanging out with buds; and a little junior year rewind to a trek into the NYC with a few friends at Christmas time.

Take a look back and recall the days of old with the Class of 2006. Recognize any of these kids?

 

Local Life

Reunited: RFH Class of 2006

Photo/Elise Casey, Facebook post
Photo/Elise Casey, Facebook post

And, reportedly, a good time was had by all.

Judging by the looks on their faces in the photos and some comments tossed around on Facebook, the grads of the RFH Class of 2006 had fun times reuniting at their 10th reunion on Saturday at Nauvoo Grill Club in Fair Haven … and assorted other places thereafter.

“Our RFH 10 year reunion was a huge success! Such a great time last night,” said classmate Kevin Wong in a post with the above featured photo. “Thank you to everyone that came out!”

Recognize anyone? Your favorite Class of 2006 memory? Tell us about it for our special Class of 2006 Retro Pic(s) of the Day feature for later.

Cheers to the RFH Class of 2006!

 

Local Life

A Glimpse Back at Sickles School’s Book Fair

Call it a well-read event.

Fair Haven’s Viola L. Sickles School officials are claiming major success with the annual PTA Book Fair.

Featuring various genres and titles from Scholastic Publishing, the Book Fair was held from Nov. 14 to 18. Family Night at the fair allows parents and siblings take part. It was held on the evening of Nov. 15 and was dubbed a “door-buster” success.

Many students and families took the opportunity to buy books for use in the classroom as well, using the teachers’ wish lists as a guideline.

This year’s Book Fair at Sickles School was organized by PTA Book Fair Committee members Jen Baron, Vicky Hays, Heather Lombardo, Kerry Maguire, and Sheilah Olson.

The Knollwood School Book Fair is set for April.

— Edited press release from the Fair Haven School District

Business Buzz

Getting Set for Small Biz Saturday in Fair Haven

It’s less than 24 hours ’til Small Business Saturday; and Fair Haven’s businesses are set for the event.

The following businesses will participate, offering sales, special deals and some socializing in the downtown district of the borough:

Shutters
606River
Fair Haven Hardware
Veranda Giftshop
Gem Of An Idea
River Road Books
Canyon Pass Provisions
Lotus Way
By George Baby
Coastal Decor & Interior Design
Boxwood Gardens Florist & Gifts
A Chic with Stix
Moon Child Boutique
Sadie James Boutique
Zakiaz Whimsical Shoppe & Design
The Pilates Project
The China Closet

See you there!

Local Life

Focus: Rumson Gulls on the River

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Monday was a dank day on the banks of the Navesink River.

Yet, there were plenty of sea gulls setting up camp at Victory Park in Rumson.

They hung around, emitting a near-Hitchockesque aura. After soaking up some social interaction on the picket fence, they took flight, no doubt to return before long.

Take a look at snippets of the gulls’ scene.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Retro RFH Show Time!

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It’s opening night for the RFH Tower Players’ fall show.

The fall show at RFH has been a longstanding tradition along with the spring musical.

But, back in the day, of, well, the 1970s, there was also the RFH Freshmen Follies which got the new kids in the halls on stage. It was a way for the youngest in the high school to, let’s say, come out of their shell. And they did.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day literally honors the RFH Class of ’78 President Ward Tietz, who not only came out of his shell for the show, but wore a couple of shells like medals on his chest — coconut shells, in fact.

He agreed to join this editor (right) and her best buddy and don a hula skirt, flower headdress and coconut shell bikini top in the great ol’ stage tradition of doing anything for a laugh. Farce. He got those laughs, including many from his own co-stars, who even lost their own sailor hats and nearly fell over mid-song as he strutted and cried under his breath that the stinking shells were itchy and giving him a rash.

That’s our Honey Bun, in the tradition of belly laughs, RFH camaraderie and a tribute to friends and the power of a fun song from an old musical, South Pacific.

This number just never fails in any era — especially considering the star’s outfit.

Get a load of Honey Bun from an RFH stage in ’74!

RIP my best friend Stephanie DeSesa (left in photo). Thank you. I’m still laughing with you.  

Thank you, again, George Day, for preserving yet another priceless RFH memory!