Category Archives: News

Find all the local news updates here

Retro Summer Campout Days

Image July 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Campout in Fair Haven Fields circa 2013 Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Campout in Fair Haven Fields circa 2013
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Well, this weekend, Saturday, to be exact, Fair Haven is having its annual campout in Fair Haven Fields.

It’s a relatively new tradition, and a very popular one.

Parents, kids, teens … well, just about everyone joins in on this fun time in this small town.

So, to honor the annual festivities, the Retro Pic of the Day takes a gander back at a shot of the campout a couple of years ago.

Yes, a good time was had by all … Recognize anyone in this pic?

Of course, Carson Kirman is font and sort of center (more like right) with the posing!

Have fun this weekend, all!

Local Life

The R-FH Area Weekend: Sidewalk Sales, Campout & Christmas

July 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The sun is out. It’s supposed to stay out. And there are lots of things to do in the great outdoors this weekend in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Here’s the line-up …

Friday

• The 61st Annual Red Bank Sidewalk Sale, sponsored by RiverCenter, is ongoing, starting today.

If you’re in the mood for what RiverCenter boasts are the best bargains under the sun, literally, take a stroll through the streets of Red Bank and look around.

Participating merchants on Front, Broad and Monmouth streets will have everything out there for you from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Hanga Loose Fridays continue at Umberto’s on River Road in Fair Haven.

The fun and conversation, in honor of Silvio Fabbri’s memory and love of community, all start at 7 p.m.

Saturday

• If you feel like being a waterborne for a bit and you’d like to be up a lake with a paddle, you can rent a canoe at Thompson Park in the Lincroft section of Middletown and cruise on Marlu Lake via the Monmouth County Park System from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and/or Sundays.

The cost is $15 for two hours and up to three people in a canoe.

• And, don’t forget Fair Havenites that Saturday night is the annual campout at Fair Haven Fields.

Bring your tent and gear. The fun starts at 7 p.m., but we’re told people tend to get there earlier.

• The Red Bank Sidewalk Sale continues.

• There’s a church service by St. George’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright at 5 p.m.

Sunday

• The Red Bank Farmers Market is on in the Galleria parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring all sorts of organic produce, baked goods, crafts and more.

• The last day for the Red Bank Sidewalk Sale. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Oh, and if you’re feeling the Christmas spirit under the sun, make sure you hit the beach in Sea Bright for the borough’s Christmas in July on the Sea Bright Public Beach at 5 p.m..

Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be there along with lots of activities, eats and a sand castle building contest to boot.

• The movie Elf is showing on the Sea Bright beach at sundown.

Local Life

Retro RFH Ride to Nowhere

Image July 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

RFH Class of 1978 crew on a joy ride Photo/George Day — RFH Class of 1978 crew on a joy ride
Photo/George Day

Yes, it may be summer joy ride time somewhere.

Yet, these RFH old timers found their own bit of joy on a Halloween ride of a GI kind and made the most of it circa 1977.

So, in honor of our never easily forgotten classmates — just because they always strove to do memorable things like this — and a good little ride into the past, this is our Retro Pic of the (George) Day.

Security? Hitchin’ a ride, anyone?

Cheers to the guys in this pic! Know who they are?

Send us your past joy ride pics at [email protected].

Oh, and thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day for this great shot of the past!

Local Life

A ‘Bounty’ Win at Sea Bright Farmers Market

July 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Well, the Sea Bright Farmers Market was flush with people and sun on Thursday.

Most usual vendors were there. Central Valley Farm folks told many that the corn was, yes, Jersey fresh, as were several other pickings.

There was a lot of other organic produce, like beets, that corn, onions, garlic, scallions, tomatoes, kale, tiny sugar plums, peaches and more, of course.

But, over at the Baker’s Bounty stand, they assured us that not only was everything organic, from flour, to fruit, to produce and eggs, but the onion rye was a major favorite.

Well, we took them up on that and they were right! YUM! Crusty, pretty and tasty.

So, needless to say, the onion rye from Baker’s Bounty is our foodie pick of the week.

The organization has been family owned since 1978 — a favorite year of this RFH foodie.

— Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Local Life

Fair Haven Wins Third Place in County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition

July 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Fire Department won third place in the 2015 Monmouth County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition Photo/FHFD Facebook photo — Fair Haven Fire Department won third place in the 2015 Monmouth County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition
Photo/FHFD Facebook photo

Making sure they first recognized first-place winning Shrewsbury Hose Co. No. 1, Fair Haven Fire Department announced on Facebook Wednesday night that it came in third in the Monmouth County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition.

It looks like, according to another posted photo, there were 13 companies from the county competing.

Fair Haven’s combined time was 32:06 — 20:00 first round and 12.06 second.

Congrats Fair Haven firefighters!

— Photo/Fair Haven Fire Department, Facebook page

Local Life

Skylight: Lazy, Hazy Riverfront

Gallery July 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

It was dusk. The humidity about to break, the sky down by the Navesink River in Fair Haven took on a personality all its own.

There was vivid color. There were cumulus creatures congregating. There was solitude. And, as is a fortunate status quo for those who live or grew up in the area, there was the sound of a singular boat docking and teen chatter about another “awesome” day on the river.

Yes. Awesome.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Chillin’ With Donovan’s

Image July 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

There are a couple of things people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area couldn’t wait for after a long, snowy winter — summer and the reopening of Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright.

Well, both have happened. In fact, Monday was the hottest day of the summer yet, according to National Weather Service stats. And Donovan’s Tiki bar is back on the beach.

So, just to cool you down a little and serve as a gratitude nudge, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day offer a glimpse back to a cool snowfall on what was left of Donovan’s (which was pretty much flattened buildings and the Tiki hut) the winter after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of the iconic place.

The sky had an orange hue that day that seemed to paint it with hope. It made snow look invitingly warm and for what was a chilling scene for Donovan’s devotees.

Well, it’s back and sporting the literal sign of the undaunted “Sandy Who?”

Donovan’s has brought a lot of friends and couples together over the years. It’s a tradition, really, for Rumson-Fair Haven area people. Did you meet your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, BFF or some other significant other or others in your life at Donovan’s? Yes? Of course, yes!

Tell us your story and send us your Donovan’s pics or email us at [email protected]. We’re putting together a Donovan’s Connection slideshow.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

A Palmy Friday in Sea Bright

Gallery July 17, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

They seem to be showing up everywhere. Palm trees.

No, it’s not Florida or the Caribbean. It’s Sea Bright. Maybe it’s because the skies are clearer lately that it’s more noticeable somehow, but it seems awfully palmy in Sea Bright — not that there’s anything wrong with that, as the Seinfeld saying goes.

The transplanted palms have actually been a trend on area beaches for some time now. Still, they just seemed to stick out like a sore palm (OK, corny) on Friday. Sore seems to be the right word, since they seem a bit unhealthy. And there are no coconuts!

Take a look. Do you like them or do you think Jersey should stick with a more native planting?

Arts & Entertainment, Business Buzz

The R-FH Area Weekend: Food & Wine Walk, Christmas in July & More

July 17, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The weekend is off to a good weather start.

Regardless of what happens in the sky, there is plenty to do around the Rumson-Fair Haven area towns.

Check it out …

Friday

• It’s Christmas in July starting today and through July 25 at participating Fair Haven businesses. Find out more here.

• Hanga Loose Fridays continue at Umberto’s. Come and “hanga loose” in the back room of the restaurant on River Road in honor of Silvio Fabbri’s memory.

Stop by any time after 7 p.m.

• For theatergoers, Shakespeare in the park is still going on at Brookdale.

Curtain (or something like that) for Titus Andronicus is 7 p.m. on the Great Lawn of Brookdale Community College’s campus in the Lincroft section of Middletown. Head to Parking Lot 2 and bring chairs.

For more information, call 732-224-2411.

• Phoenix Productions’ summer musical Mary Poppins is playing the weekend starting with a curtain at 8 p.m. tonight at the Count Basie Theatre.

Call 732-842-9000 for more information.

Saturday

• St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson is holding services on the beach on Saturdays for the summer.

The services will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Ancorage beach in Sea Bright, right over the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge (to the left coming from the Rumson direction).

Call 732-842-0596 for more information.

• Titus Andronicus curtain is 7 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Brookdale. See above post for more information.

• Curtain for Phoenix Productions’ Mary Poppins is 7 p.m. See above for more information.

Sunday

• Don’t forget the Red Bank Farmers Market at the Galleria parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lots of organic produce, baked goods, coffee, crafts and more.

• Red Bank RiverCenter’s Food and Wine Walk will be going on from 2 to 5 p.m. It’s a great way to sample a taste of Red Bank, literally. Wristbands may be purchased online (by clicking here) in advance only for $35. The bands get people samples of food and, of course, wine at various restaurants, caterers and bars throughout the borough.

People get a map to guide them through the walk.

Click here for a complete list of participating places.

• Matinee curtain for Phoenix Productions’ Mary Poppins at the Count Basie Theatre is 3 p.m.

Business Buzz, Local Life

Scene Around: Sea Bright Beach, Farmers Market Time

July 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The Sea Bright beach scene has been sparse, due to the past few hazy, humid couple of days peppered with rain.

But, the clear, crisp weather break set in just in time for the Sea Bright Farmers Market, featuring Marcy of Relish Chef Services concocting some treats and a newbie maker of organic treats for dogs — Waggle Snapp.

Many of the usual favorites will also be back today: BakersBounty, Central Valley Farm, Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters, Farmer Meg’s Digest, ‎FlyBrookFarm,‬ Franklin Soapworks, Green Duchess Farm, Harvest Moon Farm, Holly Jolly Jams, Holly Hill Farm and Neshanic Valley Beekeepers.

The market is open in the Sea Bright Municipal Parking Lot, in front of the beach, from 2 to 7 p.m..

Business Buzz

Celebrating Christmas in July at Fair Haven Businesses

July 15, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Christmas is coming to Fair Haven on Friday. And, no, no one is confused.

July 17 marks the start of a week-long Christmas in July promotion in the borough’s business district, sponsored by the Fair Haven Business Association.

Throughout the week businesses will offer specials and promotions.

Which businesses are participating? You’ll know by the ones with Christmas decorated front doors.

“We have a great variety of stores and businesses in Fair Haven,” event coordinator Pam Boyd, of Boxwood Gardens, said. “If you want the latest fashions, a great book to read on the beach, flowers or fancy food for a dinner party, or lunch delivered to your beach club, you can get that right here in Fair Haven.

“With this event, we wanted to create a little fun and encourage people to visit our stores, restaurants, and services businesses in town.”

Deck the halls — or the River Road corridor!

Local Life, Opinion

Break a Leg: Retro Rumson Barn Summer Theater Part II

Image July 15, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

It’s been the subject of the Retro Pic(s) of the Day before and it is again — summer theater at The Barn in Rumson.

It was a place for local talent to gather, hone theatrical skills, have a lot of summer fun and entertain the masses in Monmouth County to boot.

One of the shows produced in the summer of 1977, which thrust lots of arts-thirsty area teens into myriad rehearsals and onto a stage, was Bye Bye Birdie.

As told in our last piece on The Barn, many RFH students were in the cast of the show. And one area resident who played Albert Peterson — the English teacher, no less — broke his leg during rehearsals.

Continue reading Break a Leg: Retro Rumson Barn Summer Theater Part II →