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Cravin Haven: Business for Sale

February 25, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The sign says Cravin Haven is for sale. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — The sign says Cravin Haven is for sale.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

It was a little more than a year ago that Cravin Haven opened its specialty comfort food doors in the Acme shopping center in Fair Haven.

Now, shortly after the owners announced on Facebook that the eatery would close for the month of February for renovations, the business that brought several deep fryer-meets-barbecue goodies together on one heaping sandwich is for sale.

A chalkboard sign on the storefront says so. And a search of businesses for sale confirms that a $1,500-a-month lease of the space that houses the business comes with it. A price for the business (brand) itself was not listed.

The 1,200-square-foot place that made its short-lived mark satisfying some unique and large food cravings is, according to commercial real estate website LoopNet, for sale as a “turn key restaurant,” with more than 40 seats and equipment that is “less than 12 months old.”

When it opened in January of 2014, Fair Havenites Anthony Mazzucca, Matt and Elaine Jones and Michael Mazzucca were partners.

Anthony Mazzucca is the former chef of Val’s Tavern. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect reached out to him for a comment. As of press time, he was not available.

The other Cravin partners have restaurant backgrounds as well: Michael Mazzucca is the owner of Five Guys franchises, Elaine Jones is the former manager of Playwright Tavern in New York, NY, and her husband, Matt, is managing director of Food Services Ireland, a Cravin Haven opening release said.

According to the sign in the window, those interested in purchasing the business can call 732-809-8034.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

‘Young Frankenstein’ Coming to RFH

February 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:

Young Frankenstein is coming to the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) stage.

The Tower Players will present the what was officially known as The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein on March 20, 21, and 22. Based on the classic 1974 comedy film, the stage version features music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan.

Young Frankenstein tells the story of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (played by Laurence Morales), a professor at a medical school who leaves behind his fiancée Elizabeth (Eli Rallo) and travels to Transylvania to claim the estate of his grandfather – the creator of the famous Frankenstein monster.

After years spent rejecting his family name, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein is visited by the ghosts of his ancestors who convince him to stay and repeat his grandfather’s experiments.

The castle’s current residents — Frau Blucher (Julia Mosby), Igor (Bailie Stypa), and Inga (Jen Andreacchi) — do their best to help Frederick bring his own monster (Michael Shaw) to life. Then the comedy ensues.

The RFH production features a cast of 42 students in singing, dancing and acting roles.

It is directed by RFH English teacher Suzanne Sweeney, who tailored the script for the high school-age actors and audience. Kasi Ann Sweeney is assistant director, and RFH Tower Players alum Patricia McCarron is the production’s choreographer along with Valerie Herman of Forrestdale School.

Costumes and props are under the direction of Carole Malik. RFH Social Studies teacher Matthew Leddin is overseeing the tech crew of 40 students. The set construction is being supplemented with contributions from the students in RFH Industrial Technology teacher Dino Pagano’s Stagecraft class.

The pit orchestra, comprised of RFH students as well as professional musicians, will be conducted by Music Director Vincent Mottern who is acting as coach for vocal performances as well.

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase at the café in the RFH gymnasium during intermissions and after each performance. Also offered for sale in the café will be CDs featuring music performed by RFH student-musicians.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $6 for students and seniors. Admission is free for RFH students with SGA cards.

To purchase tickets online, visit www.rumsonfairhaven.org and click on Young Frankenstein under Featured News.

For more information about purchasing tickets, please contact Play Production Coordinator Stefania Flecca at [email protected].

The box office will be open for ticket purchases an hour before each performance. Friday and Saturday evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee will be at 1:00 p.m., in the RFH Auditorium.

Crime, News

Man Indicted on Rumson Sandy Theft Charge

February 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

A man who took a $6,200 payment from a Rumson resident in the post-Hurricane Sandy era and failed to deliver and install a generator, as contracted, has been indicted on a theft charge and is facing, if convicted, a three- to five-year sentence in state prison, a release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said.

A Monmouth County grand jury on Monday charged Mark E. Herrneckar, 51, of Riverwood Drive, Toms River, with one count of third-degree theft by failure to make required disposition of property.

Herrneckar, the indictment said, took the $6,200 payment from the Rumson resident in December of 2013 for a generator that was never delivered and installed. Herrneckar never returned the money to the homeowner, either, according to the indictment.

Herrneckar was arrested in December by members of the Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force. He is currently free on $5,000 bail, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley, J.S.C.

The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew S. Fried of the office’s Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau. Fried serves as coordinator of the Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force.

The task force processes and investigates all complaints related to the storm. Homeowners or citizens are urged to report complaints via the following:

The task force webpage at www.SandyFraud.com
Call the task force hotline at (855) SANDY 39.

Schools Scene

Knollwood Fifth Grader a Spelling Champ

February 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Can you spell champion?

Knollwood School fifth grader Addie Cope probably can. The 10-year-old Fair Haven resident has just been declared the winner of the school’s second annual spelling bee, according to a Fair Haven School District press release.

Cope won the final round and title on Feb. 2 by spelling the word jocularity correctly, the release said.

The win qualified her to go on to participate in the 31st annual Asbury Park Press/Home News Tribune Spelldown to be held at Monmouth University in West Long Branch on March 16 and 17.

Spelldown will feature 8- through 14-year-olds declared champions at their school levels in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. The winner will move on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

“We are so proud of Addie and all of the students who participated in the grade level spelling bees at Knollwood,” Knollwood School Principal Kevin Davis said in the release. “We wish Addie the best of luck at the Spelldown and we hope to see her at the National Spelling Bee.”

Preliminary spelling bees were held in all Knollwood grades (fourth through eighth) to determine grade-level participants prior to the school-wide event.

Competing along with Addie in the Knollwood School Spelling Bee were: fourth grader Annie Kersten, sixth grader Abby Tuorto, seventh grader Aaron Bernstein and eighth grader Bridgette Simpson.

Local Life

Fair Haven Dock Wrapped in a Snow Blanket

Gallery February 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The snow started falling again on Saturday afternoon. And down at the Fair Haven Dock, the Navesink River had transformed into a blanket of snow against an white-out backdrop.

The scene was nothing but a big snow blanket to keep dock die-hards warm with some down-by-the-river serenity.

Take a look at our gallery for a glimpse into the snowy scene. Just click on any photo and scroll. Enjoy and stay warm!

Local Life

Retro Rumson St. Paddy’s Parade

Image February 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The first Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2013. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — The first Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2013.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Our Retro Pic of the Day serves as a reminder that Sunday marks the start of fundraising events for the third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

This photo captures a scene at the first St. Paddy’s Day parade that focuses on the marching troupe of the Monmouth County Sons of Ireland.

Know anyone?

The first of fundraisers is tomorrow at Val’s Tavern in Rumson from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be music by Kevin Feehan & Friends. The $10 donation at the door includes music, buffet and bag pipers.

News

Fairer Days with Fair Ladies

Image February 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Some fair ladies of the Fair Haven Firemen's Fair at the Grab Bag Booth in 2014. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Some fair ladies of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair at the Grab Bag Booth in 2014.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Yes, we’re still dreaming of warmer days.

It seems like the lower the temperature plunges, the more many of us wants to be transported to sunny days and balmy nights — and some summer fun.

So, we decided that our Retro Pic of the Day should take us all back again to fair Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair days in 2014 with some more fair ladies, as we like to call them in Fair Haven.

Here are the balloon ladies from the Grab Bag Booth.

See you in a few months, ladies!

Local Life

Retro Ode to Rumson’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade

Image February 19, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Kylee and Ruth Wallman, of Fair Haven, at the first Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Kylee and Ruth Wallman at the first Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Our Retro Pic of the Day pays homage to the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade in its inaugural year.

The parade is now in its third year; and fundraising efforts begin on Sunday.

Back in its first year in 2012, the parade drew thousands. It is expected to bring more this year.

The Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for March 8.

Will you attend one or more of the fundraising events?

Local Life, News

Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraisers Set to Start

February 19, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

It takes a village to put together a St. Patrick’s Day parade. That village in the Rumson-Fair Haven area is Rumson.

The third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches into town on March 8.

But, leading up to the main event are several fundraisers to help offset the cost of the new tradition and help out area charities to boot. Those fundraisers kick off at 1 p.m. on *Sunday at Val’s Tavern in the borough.

Parade costs include extra policing, set-up and clean-up for the event. This year, according to the parade website, the charities to benefit from the surplus of parade fundraising events are Jason’s Dreams and S.P.U.R. (Special People United to Ride). Last year, “more than $25,000 was donated to local charities,” according to the narrative on the website.

With an estimated 900 participants in and roughly 7,000 attendees at the 2014 parade, this year’s has lined up “15 bands, floats, active military & veteran’s groups, Irish Step Dancers, antique cars, scouting organizations, non-profit clubs and organizations, novelty acts, and area business and civic groups and a few great surprises,” organizers say on the site.

The fundraising festivities are as follows:

• Sunday, Feb. 22, Val’s Tavern in Rumson from 1 to 5 p.m. … Music by Kevin Feehan & Friends, $10 donation includes music, buffet and bag pipers.

• Friday, Feb. 27, Molly Maguire’s in Rumson from 8 to 11 p.m. … Bloody Callan Band playing Gaelic, American Rock Classics & “a lorry-load of rebel music, $10 donation includes music, buffet and bag pipers.

• Sunday, March 1, Victory Park in Rumson from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. … Lighting of the Green Tree, Irish music and refreshments.

• Thursday, March 5, Salt Creek Grille in Rumson from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. … Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Investiture Cocktail Reception, $75 for tickets.

• Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. … KDM Rumson Run 5K, register at www.kdmfoundation.com.

• Saturday, March 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. … Knights of Columbus in Fair Haven … Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, Irish music and games for kids … call 732-747-9199 for more information and tickets.

Local Life

A Retro RFH Rah, Rah to Special Cheerleaders

February 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s. Photo/George Day — Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

In keeping with the spirit of the recent Knollwood School Hoops for Hearts tournament in Fair Haven, we decided to bring back a hearty glimpse of some favorite RFH cheerleaders, courtesy of the great photography work of George Day.

No, they were not cheering for a Hoops for Hearts basketball event, but just think what kind of funds they could have raised for such a cause back in the day — by virtue of how they simply wear their uniforms.

They’re running to their main stage in front of the bleachers here for a 1970s RFH Powder Puff Football competition.

I can’t remember, but someone must have missed a pass while getting a gander of this appearance.

These guys are flipping wigs and losing, uh, parts making this run!

Police and Fire, Schools Scene

A Winning Hoops for Hearts at Knollwood

February 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

A slam dunk success is how Fair Haven’s Knollwood School sixth graders, borough police and firefighters described the recent Hoops for Hearts basketball game at the school to benefit the American Heart Association.

“The entire school was full of energy, camaraderie was high, and everyone put their heart into this effort,” Knollwood Physical Education/Health teacher and event organizer Kim Lagrotteria said in a release. “Hoops for Hearts is an event that you will see again at Knollwood School.”

The Feb. 6 basketball tournament, comprising several games, pitted the “celebrity” police officers and firefighters against two teams of sixth graders on the court in what was dubbed a “fast-paced Championship Basketball Game,” Celebrity Kock-Out, and Half-Court Challenge, the release added.

The “celebrities” garnered the top score in the Championship game. The sixth graders won the Celebrity Knock-Out Game, which left a sixth grader as the last player left standing. And the Half-Court Challenge was one which involved the students making donations to the American Heart Association getting chances to sink basketballs.

The participants took their best shots as Lagrotteria, Andrea Mrusek of the American Heart Association, “celebrities,” and classmates cheered them on. Prizes were awarded to those who made baskets.

The “celebrities” ended up with the top score in the Championship Game, but the $7,560 netted in event proceeds, which was more than double the $3,500 donation goal, was the bigger win, Lagrotteria said.

With roughly 119 students participating, they “helped motivate one another to reach their personal fundraising and physical education participation goals,” said Lagrotteria in the release. “Students in other grades were asking how they could become a part of the event in the future, and donated money to help achieve our school’s goal.

“This event not only brought great attention to a great cause, it also brought the school together.”

Hoops for Hearts activities took place during the month of February, designated American Heart Month by the American Heart Association.

There were incentives put in place by Lagrotteria for students to meet the original $3,500 fundraising goal.

Students were awarded small rubber ducks, which they donned during the school day, in recognition of their efforts. And Lagrotteria, herself, promised to wear a duck costume if the school’s goal was met. That promise was kept (the photo above shows).

In addition to the main fundraiser, Hoops for Hearts featured activities throughout the month that were designed to promote physical fitness. Another basketball tournament featuring all of the sixth graders was held during regular Physical Education classes.

Players in the Championship Basketball Game and cheerleaders were all members of the sixth-grade Physical Education class that raised the largest amount of funds for the American Heart Association.

Cheerleaders were: Brett-Cetnar Garrett, Caroline Danaher, Bridget Mikolajczyk, Charlotte Stant, Emma Walker, Maia Werner and Kitty White.

Basketball players were: John Baker, Jack Costello, Wyatt Kemler, Aidan Kilfeather, David Livingston, Michael Strulowitz, Robby Sypeck, Jack Theodore, Spencer Torine and Drew Venancio.

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