The following July arrests were reported by Little Silver police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Continue reading Police Report: Drug Possession, DUIsRetro 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 ActIn Memoriam: Longtime Fair Havenite Richard Huff, 86
Longtime Fair Havenite Richard Huff passed away on Aug. 23, “surrounded by loving family.” He was 86.
Continue reading In Memoriam: Longtime Fair Havenite Richard Huff, 86Retro RFH Dudes of Caribbean Locals’ Summer
A reprise Retro Pic of the Day, originally posted on Sept. 14, 2016 in the spirit of a balmy locals’ summer day, knowing that the summer spirit never truly ends for the Rumson-Fair Haven area young and forever young at heart … And these guys are about to reunite at their 50th RFH reunion …
With locals’ summer and school’s start, students’ thoughts naturally turn to warmth and freedom. They start to daydream before they even hit the classroom. That’s how it goes in the R-FH area when those beaches become barren and more room is made for the locals to get down to the business of soaking up that locals’ summer partying spirit.
Continue reading Retro RFH Dudes of Caribbean Locals’ SummerIn Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite Paul Frieze, 89
Former longtime Rumsonite Paul Frieze passed away on Aug. 26. He was 89.
Continue reading In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite Paul Frieze, 89Prosecutor: Former Area High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of Students
A former area high school teacher has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of two of her students, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.
Continue reading Prosecutor: Former Area High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of StudentsRumson Police Report: Stalking, Underage Drinking, Child Endangerment, DUI
The following August arrests were reported by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction. A DUI alone is a motor vehicle offense.
Continue reading Rumson Police Report: Stalking, Underage Drinking, Child Endangerment, DUIFocus: Going Home to a ‘Middle’ of Fair Sights, Friends, Neighbors and a High Five
But, what about the middle? The end of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has always brought me, and many a “fair” kid, back to that middle haven. It’s home … It’s that time — the time when you held it and walked with it (that balloon that eventually got away) that made you smile — like a memory. Letting it go never takes that middle away. ~ Elaine Van Develde

Call it finding a new “middle.” The end of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2025 came on Saturday night.
The beginning of the end-of-summer tradition — for not only Fair Havenites, but the many who’ve bonded with it in a community brick-and-mortar-like solidarity — came more than 120 years ago.
Continue reading Focus: Going Home to a ‘Middle’ of Fair Sights, Friends, Neighbors and a High FiveFair Remembrance: All’s Fair in the Middle
Our annual reprise about what it really means to experience all that’s fair for a Fair Haven kid …
There are a lot of significant beginnings and endings this time of the year. The end of summer. The beginning of locals’ summer. The start of school — new chapters and first days.
But, what about the middle? The end of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has always brought me, and many a “fair” kid, back to that middle haven. It’s home.
Continue reading Fair Remembrance: All’s Fair in the MiddleRemembering My Fair Daddy
The following piece was originally published on Aug. 31, 2015. It is being re-run, with changes only in the amount of years that have passed, in memory of my father, Bill Van Develde, former longtime Fair Haven Fire Company member, president and captain of the Fire Police and chairman of the Stock Room at the fair, on the anniversary of his death on Aug. 30, 1983. RIP, Dad. You are missed. Thank you for all the embarrassing moments that I didn’t appreciate enough. Thank you for making Fair Haven my home. Thank you for being a real dad. See you on the fair grounds …
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s been 42 years, but I can still see his face and that kooky Brylcreemed hairdo. I can still hear his crazy belly laugh and that signature “Take ‘er easy, buddy!” I can still see him slapping kids on the back, forever clutching his trusty clipboard, pencil perched behind his ear, sweat on the brow and finger wagging.
Continue reading Remembering My Fair DaddyOld News: Fair Firemen, 10-Cent Charlestons, Ponies, Carousels, Spin Art and Flying Geraldos
The Charleston, flying trapeze artists, the Zipper or not, the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has been an end-of-summer tradition since its inception in 1921. Yes, some things never change — like the fair’s core of community legacy.
Yes, legacy. It’s a concept that those lacking a sense of community and connection in their souls just don’t get. Their loss. And it’s a big one.
Continue reading Old News: Fair Firemen, 10-Cent Charlestons, Ponies, Carousels, Spin Art and Flying GeraldosTwo DWI Checkpoints Set for Labor Day Weekend
With the weekend that ends summer, Labor Day weekend, there will be two separate DWI checkpoints in Monmouth County running from Friday night through Sunday morning, The Monmouth County DWI Task Force announced.






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