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Business Buzz

Visions of Two River Computer Elves Fixing Tech Ills

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s that all-too familiar tech nightmare. You’re in the middle of a major project for work. You’re on a deadline. You’re engrossed. Your fingers are typing into a nubby frenzy. Oops.

The computer politely tells you that you need to update the operating system to install a program that you need to get those finishing touches done just right. OK. You click “Continue” and POOF! Everything goes black. Wait. There’s a gray tinge on the screen. A little message pops up and tells you to restart the computer. You do as you are told. Aaaaand POOF!

Continue reading Visions of Two River Computer Elves Fixing Tech Ills →

News, Schools Scene

Knollwood School Grad Anthony Sciametta’s Wall of Honor Induction

Anthony Sciametta, a 2011 graduate of Knollwood School in Fair Haven, has joined the special ranks of those commemorated with a photo on the Wall of Honor.

Commissioned and designed in 2011 to honor graduates serving their country in the armed forces, the Wall of Honor is featured in a main hallway at Knollwood School. Anthony’s photo was unveiled at a ceremony held on the afternoon of Dec. 16.

Continue reading Knollwood School Grad Anthony Sciametta’s Wall of Honor Induction →

Local Life, Opinion

Tradition: Santa’s Visit to the Fair Haven Firehouse

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Santa and Cole Van Develde at the Fair Haven Firehouse 1990. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Santa and Cole Van Develde at the Fair Haven Firehouse 1990.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s that time of the year for a longstanding Fair Haven tradition — photos at the firehouse with Santa.

This year, Santa’s coming to the firehouse between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

It’s another Fair Haven tradition you can always count on. So, the Retro Pic of the Day takes us back to Santa at the firehouse when it all started.

I remember …

Continue reading Tradition: Santa’s Visit to the Fair Haven Firehouse →

Local Life, Opinion

A Retro RFH Basketball Cheer!

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Hey, purple! Hey, white! You look so good to me! Hey, hey, hey, purple! Hey white!

It went something like that — the cheerleader mantra out there on the basketball court. And, of course, what would a retro ode to RFH basketball be without a little rah-rah about the cheerleaders cheering the team on.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day pays slam dunk homage to cheerleaders on the basketball court. Well, they’re a special breed of cheerleader.

Take a close look. This little cross-dressing prank was played regularly in the RFH sports cheering of the 1970s.

In this special look back at an RFH Student-Faculty Basketball Game, the guys are donning the girls’ outfits, which  were as completely different then as the basketball uniforms. The ol’ preppie plaid kilt skirt and crew neck sweater with knee socks and saddle shoes was it. Though these “gals” had to go with workbooks and sneakers, because the shoes just didn’t fit.

The cheering of yesteryear involved a lot of clapping, shouting and stomping. Oh, and pom-poms! And megaphones! There were no boas, but I think this crew may have worn them quite well. Cheers, guys!

Looks like a Fair Haven Kirman is leading the pack there! Recognize anyone else? And, hey, anyone remember a cheer or two? Slam dunk!

— Elaine Van Develde

Schools Scene

Rumson Parents Take a ’15-Minute Child Break’ to Talk About Substance Abuse

The Rumson School District Parent Academy offered parents some insight on how to talk to their kids about substance abuse with 15-Minute Child Break, a program offered through the state’s Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

The organization is run as a collaborative effort between the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the NJ Department of Human Services.

On Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Rumson parents got together at the Forrestdale School Media Center to talk about how they are the key influencers in the prevention of substance abuse and learn how to effectively talk to their children about drugs and alcohol and their potential for destroying lives.

More than 40 parents attended the session hosted by Superintendent John Bormann, Forrestdale School Counselor Jenn Crow, and Deane Porter School Counselor Jessica Piernik.

The program is supported by research on substance abuse from Middle School Foundation of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. This research shows that kids who communicate regularly with their parents about their daily activities — for as little as 15 minutes — are 67 percent less likely to be involved in substance abuse than those who have little or no communication.

The 15-Minute Child Break theory supports and empowers today’s parents with the assurance that they are still the strongest influences in their children’s lives.

The presentation covered the following topics:

• Talking to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol;
• Influence of Media and Pop Culture;
• Effects of Specific Drugs;
• Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free;
• Strengthening Parenting Skills;
• Utilizing Teachable Moments.

Additional information about the program can be found under “Child Break” at www.drugfreenj.org.

Information on upcoming Parent Academy presentations can be found on the Rumson School District website at www.rumsonschool.org.

— Edited press release from the Rumson School District

Local Life

Tradition: Rumson’s 16th Toy Drive

Santa Claus is coming to … the Rumson Department of Public Works Annual Toy Drive.

That’s right. Once again, it’s that time of the year, on Friday and Saturday, when Rumson tradition takes hold and Santa, in the form of countless charitable elves, brings new, unwrapped toys to the Public Works garage on East River Road to bring a better Christmas to children in need.

But it’s not just a toy drive. It’s an annual Rumson community tradition. It’s hosted by the DPW employees and the community as a whole, replete with holiday-appropriate hot chocolate, candy canes and yuletide company.

“It’s definitely turned into a big community event,” DPW organizer Mark Wellner told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect last year. “A lot of people stop down, bring the kids and socialize. We give the kids the candy canes and hot chocolate and there’s coffee for the adults. It’s really nice.”

This is the 16th year of the drive for which organizers usually set a goal of gathering at least 1,000 toys that will get funneled to the kids via Family & Children’s Services, Long Branch, and The Salvation Army, Red Bank.

And they’re always setting higher goals, trying to reach more kids and top each year’s number of toys collected and distributed.

Organizers ask that anyone wishing to donate bring a new, unwrapped gift to the Rumson Public Works Garage, behind Borough Hall on West River Road, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday and/or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

— Elaine Van Develde

Business Buzz

Shopping the Neighborhood in Fair Haven

The folks in the Fair Haven Business Association are up to something festive that offers area people some hyperlocal holiday shopping fun.

The new initiative is dubbed Shop the Neighborhood. The entire business district along River Road, from one end by the Acme to the other near Gillespie Avenue, will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday.

In addition to all sorts of special deals, giveaways and raffles, there will be entertainment by Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School students stationed at various spots — Umberto’s and Tavolo Pronto on one end and Canyon Pass Provisions and Booskerdoo on the other.

And, for the first time, to add convenience and a little bit of festive old town charm, there will be a free trolley picking up and dropping off shoppers from one end of town to the other.

All aboard! Next stop, Fair Haven business district!

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Ray Taylor Moments

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It’s now common knowledge that 91-year Fair Haven resident Ray Taylor recently received a proclamation for his service to the country and borough.

The active 93-year-old World War II and Korean War vet has been seen at just about any and/or every event in town over the years, especially any involving veterans affairs.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take a look back at Taylor at some of those events: Chum Chandler’s memorial service, the Fair Haven Centennial Parade, Memorial Day and more.

Taylor, Mayor Ben Lucarelli said while reading the proclamation last week, embodies the spirit of Fair Haven and patriotism.

Yes, he does!

— Elaine Van Develde

From the Meeting Room, Local Life

Honoring Fair Haven’s Ray Taylor

By Elaine Van Develde

“It hurts me to say that most of the boys that went out there with me   are no longer here. But I am doing  all I can to keep their names out there for you. Thank you.”

It’s what a tearful Ray Taylor said after receiving a proclamation from the Borough of Fair Haven last week in honor of his service as a World War II and Korean War veteran and 91-year resident of Fair Haven who has consistently served the borough as a veteran who spearheaded the creation of Fair Haven’s Memorial Park that honors veterans from the borough.

Taylor was the “first speaker at borough ceremonies since the time he returned from World War II in 1946,  touching the hearts of many,” Mayor Ben Lucarelli said at last week’s Borough Council meeting.

“As long as any of us can remember, Ray has spoken at our Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies,” the mayor said. “He is a very special human being. This year his words were so poignant that I was moved to say this is a  special individual and he should be recognized.”

So, a proclamation and keys to both the borough and the park were given to Taylor.

Taylor and his wife, Elizabeth, raised seven children in Fair Haven. They have 20 grandchildren and “many great grandchildren,” Lucarelli said, reading from the proclamation, which he said was bestowed upon Taylor as an expression of borough residents’ and staff’s “deep appreciation and gratitude to Ray for his many years of selfless public service to his country and his hometown.

“We wish him many more years of health and continued happiness.”

Taylor, 93, was born on June 24, 1922 in Long Branch. Moving to Fair Haven in 1924, he has spent 91 years in the borough. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II from 1942 to 1946 and in the Korean War in the 1950s when he worked his way up to the rank of sergeant first class and received a distinguished service medal and a Korean War commemorative medal.

While serving in World War II, he was stationed in Australia, New Guinea, New Britain, Guam, the Philippenes, Japan and spent 14 months in Alaska.

He was stationed in the Asian Pacific during the Korean War.

Congratulations, Mr. Taylor; and thank you!

Schools Scene

Defining Action Steps to Meet Fair Haven Schools Goals

Fair Haven community members collaborated at a third strategic planning workshop tied to the future success of the school district.

The workshop, entitled Defining Action Steps and part of the school district’s FAIR HAVEN VISION 2020 initiative, was held on Dec. 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Knollwood School and facilitated by Dr. Charles Ivory and Dr. Gerard Woehr of the non-profit Education Information and Resource Center (EIRC).

Continue reading Defining Action Steps to Meet Fair Haven Schools Goals →