Category Archives: News

Find all the local news updates here

Retro 1950s Fair Haven Kindergarten Class Act

A classic reprise originally posted in 2017 and now reprised every year in celebration of that ever so priceless school picture day. This one takes us back to a Fair Haven kindergarten class of 1955 at Knollwood School. At one time or another, three different schools housed kindergarten classes in Fair Haven. The pictures? Well, there was always that group shot, no matter where, that captured some priceless looks, fashion and hairdos.  

School bells are ringing. Class is in session. Back-to-school mode is still kicking in. Back-to-school nights have welcomed parents back to the school halls. And, for some, it’s about taking a walk back to their own school days in the same place — like Knollwood School.

Continue reading Retro 1950s Fair Haven Kindergarten Class Act

Scene Around: Fair Haven First Aiding at a U.S. Navy Submarine Commissioning

That ship has not sailed. It has, in fact, gone under and out to sea.

It’s the USS New Jersey submarine. It was commissioned at the Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWS Earle) pier in the Leonardo section of Middletown on Saturday; and Fair Haven First Aid Squad members were on hand to offer EMS support at the ceremony.

Continue reading Scene Around: Fair Haven First Aiding at a U.S. Navy Submarine Commissioning

Retro Youth Center P.M. Kindergarten Class Act

Our annual back-to-school reprise all about those first days of school along with some who, what, when and boogeyman parts … Take this little trip back in time with us to remember Fair Haven’s kindergarten days of yesteryear …

It was a real first and last class act of 1965 — the kindergarten class that was the last to get its first lessons learned in school at what was the Youth Center in Fair Haven. You know. It’s the police station now.

Back in the day — OK, waaaaay back in the day — there was a third school in Fair Haven for kindergarten, you see. It was the Youth Center. That was also way before preschool. People now know it better as the Fair Haven Police Station and by its newly adopted name that hasn’t quite caught on yet, and may never for “older” folks still in town — Fair Haven Community Center. Phooey to that. Some things just need to keep a name for nostalgic purposes alone. Besides, the youth part soothes us old codgers.

That and it’s just a matter of what sounds like home to you. For instance, my very nice grandmother, a Matawan native, was pretty hostile about the “new” Aberdeen split and name. Paid it no mind. And if forced, said it with “blah, blah, blah” contempt. Back to the Community Center … There, I said it.

Continue reading Retro Youth Center P.M. Kindergarten Class Act

Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Channel Closure and Traffic Alert Updates

Construction of the new Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge remains on the same 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. work schedule through Friday, weather permitting. The major alert for waterborne travel is that the full channel closure is in effect this week through Friday; and, there will be temporary traffic shifts in Sea Bright.

Continue reading Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Channel Closure and Traffic Alert Updates

Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge & Channel Closure Travel Alert

Construction of the new Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge remains on the same 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. work schedule through Friday, weather permitting. There is also an alert about the Shrewsbury River channel closure due to the work.

Continue reading Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge & Channel Closure Travel Alert

Retro School Daze: The Rope Lady

A reprise in honor of those folks who used to be in charge of keeping the kids safe on their walk to school. Remember when everyone walked to school?

It was a time when kids had to walk the … rope.

The first day of school, last week, was commemorated with a look back to that first day in 1965 in Fair Haven.

It was the very first day of school — for kindergarteners. It was also a finale year. That class was the last of all that walked on a rope to the Youth Center (now Fair Haven Community Center downstairs and the police station upstairs).

While classmates were remembered, the identity of the official lady tugging that rope was not.

So, as an ode to that woman, who was eventually remembered as Mary McDaniel, the Retro Pic of the Day is another look, from the archives of the Red Bank Register, of that kindergarten class walk, headed by Mc Daniel.

Continue reading Retro School Daze: The Rope Lady

Retro Back-to-School Walking the Rope

Our annual back-to-school Fair Haven rope walk reprise …

“But I don’t wanna walk on the rope next to her!” I cried from under my fresh-cut kindergarten bangs. “I wanna walk on the rope next to Pam!”

Pam was my neighbor. She was my best buddy.

It was 1965. It was the ’60s. The memories are there, but fuzzy. I can sill see it — with my reading glasses, of course. One thing’s for sure: Our Fair Haven kindergarten class was the last to have its first year of school at what was called the Youth Center, now the Fair Haven Police Station and Community Center on Fisk Street.

We kindergarteners were also the last to be tugged down the street on a rope, yes a rope, headed by an official-looking police-type lady.

Continue reading Retro Back-to-School Walking the Rope