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Spring has sprung in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
The sun was out on Monday and so were the kids at Victory Park in Rumson.
As the temperature hit near 70 degrees, the mood escalated along with it.
Take a look at the slideshow above for a glimpse into the afternoon down by the Navesink River at the park.
After a 20-foot pleasure boat took on water and capsized in the Shrewsbury River on Easter Sunday, a crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook rescued four.
A distress call was sent out by the boat’s operator at about 3:30 p.m., a release from the Coast Guard said. The Sandy Hook Unit sent out a 47-foot lifeboat which arrived about 20 minutes later as the boat capsized, it added.
The four who were traveling in the boat were brought to Station Sandy Hook where they were checked over by emergency responders, the release said. All four were wearing life jackets.
The Coast Guard said the four are fine and stressed the importance of wearing life jackets and being equipped with proper working radios when traveling in a boat.
It has been seven years since the untimely death of longtime Fair Havenite Bob Dougherty.
Bob was a very community-minded man, husband, father, friend and neighbor to many.
Those who knew him consider themselves fortunate.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors the memory of Bob Dougherty with a snapshot of Bob and his youngest son, Andy.
The Dougherty children all serve the Rumson-Fair Haven community to this day. Andy works in the Fair Haven School District, as does his sister, Colleen Dougherty Doogan. Bryan Dougherty is a police officer in the Rumson Police Department.
Rest in Peace, Bob. Thanks for the great memories and your children to carry on your legacy.
Yes, it’s Easter time and the season for bunnies.
While the Monmouth County SPCA and other animal adoption facilities encourage adoption into loving homes, they also caution against adopting animals such as rabbits without fully understanding that it is not a gift that’s meant to be temporary.
The agency has always asked that people who are considering bunny adoption please research proper care of the pets and adopt with all serious intentions and no fleeting fancy for the holiday.
All that in mind, the SPCA in Eatontown has two bunnies up for adoption — Jeremy and Bebe, a neutered and spayed male and female.
If you are interested in giving either or both a forever home, please contact the MCSPCA. Click here for the website.
By Elaine Van Develde
Well, Thursday was 38-year Fair Haven Tax Collector Dale Connor’s last day.
The milestone was a little bittersweet for Connor, who spent her last hour or so at work happy, yet holding back tears about leaving the office and co-workers that represented a true home away from home (a few blocks away) for so many years.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect stopped in at the lifetime Fair Havenite’s office home base to catch a glimpse of her last day.
We asked for a smile. Connor responded, “How can I smile when I feel so sad? I am really going to miss everyone — residents and people I have worked with for so long.”
Recreation Director D.J. Breckenridge stopped by to say goodbye. And Administrator and Assistant Administrator/Borough Clerk Allyson Cinquegrana stopped in from their next door office.
However, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect failed to capture that moment, as the camera battery died as the photo was being snapped.
Oops!
Connor’s official last day is May 1. However, her last day in the office was Thursday. A new borough tax collector, Denise Jawidzik, was hired with a start date of April 2.
Best of luck, Dale Connor! This little photo montage will be followed up with a fun feature on her time working for the borough. Stay tuned next week for that.
By Elaine Van Develde
There’s been some change in names and faces in and around Fair Haven Borough Hall.
The biggest change comes from the office of the tax collector.
With the recent announcement of 38-year tax collector Dale Connor’s retirement, effective May 1, came the appointment of the borough’s new tax collector, Denise Jawidzik.
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s a distinct sign of the arrival of spring in Fair Haven when sidewalk cafe permits start getting approved.
So far, three were sanctioned at the March 23 Borough Council meeting: Umberto’s, Kind Burger and Fairwinds Deli.
And with the advent of warmer weather, more sidewalk dining is expected to sprout around town at other usual spots, such as Booskerdoo, Balderose Fine Foods and Tavolo.
Over the past few years, officials have encouraged the al fresco eating in the borough along with the use of sidewalks for other business boosts. They have seen it as another measure to add to the ambience of the downtown area and complement its Streetscape program amenities.
The permits approved for Umberto’s, Fairwinds and Kind Burger allow for the following outdoor seating:
• Umberto’s will be allowed four tables and 12 chairs;
• Kind burger will have four tables with eight chairs;
• and Fairwinds will be allowed five outdoor tables to accommodate 20 patrons.
Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli has been on a mission to make Rumson-Fair Haven area streets more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.
It’s pretty common knowledge. So, in keeping with the safe streets theme, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day offers a glimpse back to times at RFH in the 70s when a couple of witches on a tandem bike took a ride across campus. They never hit the streets.
They didn’t need a bike lane, because people just seemed to back off as they flew through.
Know who these two are? The bike?
Many thanks, again, to George Day for this glimpse into the RFH past!
The Tri-District Music Festival will soon strike a collaborative chord at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH).
Slated for 7 p.m. on the evening of April 7, the free and open-to-the-public performance will feature student musicians from RFH, Rumson’s Forrestdale School and Fair Haven’s Knollwood, according to a press release from RFH.
Tri-District features student musicians from Forrestdale School in Rumson and Knollwood School in Fair Haven as well as RFH.
The concert, the release said, brings the high school and sending district students together to perform in various musical capacities and then in a finale featuring all entities: orchestra, chorus, combined band, jazz band and flute choir.
This year’s musical selections will feature: a medley from The Sound of Music by the combined band; Dragon Hunter, an original work, by the orchestra; Lean on Me, as arranged for the GLEE television series, by the chorus; Santana’s Evil Ways, performed by the jazz band; and Pachelbel’s Canon, by the flute choir.
The Grand Finale featuring all performers will be Adiemus, a new age/classical composition that was featured in a 1994 Delta Airlines commercial, the release said.
Student musicians will perform under the direction of Bill Grillo, Mel Chayette, John Lebitsch, Barbara Leutz, Sara Marino, and Vince Mottern.
It’s almost that time — to warm up with fun on the Navesink River.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day is dedicated to balmy evenings with friends on the river in Rumson.
These guys had their boat out for a little motoring.
Kayakers and paddle boarders love to take to the river, too. Then there are the water skiers, sailors and loungers.
What’s your favorite river activity?
The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:
This year’s Lunch with a VIP was a success at Fair Haven’s Viola L. Sickles school in Fair Haven.
Sponsored by the Fair Haven Parent Teacher Association, the lunch event, this year held from March 11 to 13, offers first-, second- and third-grade students the opportunity to enjoy lunch, treats, and fun activities with their own special VIP adult guests at a festive celebration.
“It provides them with a unique opportunity to connect with their loved ones during the school day, and to create a lasting memory,” said Jen Halcrow, who served as event co-chair with Suzanne Duffy.
This year’s event featured coffee for the adults, donated by Booskerdoo in Fair Haven, and cupcakes by Cupcake Magician on Monmouth Street in Red Bank (a hit with everyone).
A photo booth, a BINGO game and a Just Dance activity, led by Sickles School Principal Cheryl Cuddihy, added to the fun.
“It was such a pleasure to watch the different generations share stories, collaborate on Just Dance moves, and strategize for Bingo!” said Cuddihy. “We love having guests visit our school, and we were delighted to spend time with our VIPs.”
After being posthumously promoted from Fair Haven Police Department Special Officer Class II to Patrolman at his wake on Friday night, the final radio call for Robert J. Henne, badge # 37, was made. And his new badge number was retired.
The patrolman was laid to rest on Saturday. The sunset that chilly night at the Fair Haven Dock in Henne’s hometown was as warm and serene as the smile of the officer etched in the memory of so many. RIP, Patrolman Henne.
A memorial tribute to Robert J. Henne will follow.
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