The following piece was originally published on Aug. 27, 2015. It’s fair time again, so it’s time to take a look back at how things were and are done a pivotal place at the fair — the kitchen and dining room.
By Elaine Van Develde
Someone’s in the kitchen at Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair grounds.
And while they may have, at one point another been with someone named Dinah, as the old ditty goes, it’s a definite they’ve been with someone named Mike, Dale, Sue (x2), Raquel, Ethel (x2), Mary, Anne, Amanda, Skippy, Hodgie, Mary Ellen, Joe, Evie, and, oh, yeah, Andy and a few others.
And they certainly haven’t been strummin’ on any ol’ banjo. They’ve been way too busy — cutting, peeling, filling, flouring, husking and just plain cooking.
Except there’s nothing plain about what’s cooking in the fair kitchen, who’s cooking it, when, where, why or how.
Just when the guy in charge of the kitchen has retired, a pandemic comes along and obliterates the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair and all that annual fine fair food. So, on the year without a fair, we look back again to our 2015 story of fair food, who did it all back in the day, what was done, how and who’s still cooking. Can you wait another year? The absence of fair food wafting through the air likely has everyone drooling for the next fair already … No one’s in the kitchen this year but the ghosts. They’re always there …
Raquel Falotico at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2015 working the dining room
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Amanda Lynn and Kim Ambrose at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2015
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Present-day kitchen crew, or most, after a ride at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2010
Photo/courtesy of Evie Connor Kelly
The guys in the kitchen back in the day at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair
Photo/courtesy of Evie Connor Kelly, FHFD Yearbook
The ladies tending to the sausage, meatballs and sauce upstairs at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair back in the day
Photo/courtesy of Evie Connor Kelly, FHFD Yearbook
By Elaine Van Develde
Someone’s in the kitchen at Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair grounds.
And while they may have, at one point another been with someone named Dinah, as the old ditty goes, it’s a definite they’ve been with someone named Mike, Dale, Sue (x2), Raquel, Ethel (x2), Mary, Anne, Amanda, Skippy, Hodgie, Mary Ellen, Joe, Evie, and, oh, yeah, Andy and a few others.
And they certainly haven’t been strummin’ on any ol’ banjo. They’ve been way too busy — cutting, peeling, filling, flouring, husking and just plain cooking.
Except there’s nothing plain about what’s cooking in the fair kitchen, who’s cooking it, when, where, why or how.
As Ben Franklin said, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” Yet, if he lived in Fair Haven, he may have added “… and seeing Dale Connor when you hand over the check.”
Not too long ago, it was tax time in Fair Haven. And, for some, what can be a daunting trip to Borough Hall was not met this time with what they’ve come to know as a soothingly familiar face. For the first time in 38 years, Connor, whom residents have long known as the borough’s tax collector and court administrator, wasn’t there on the other side of the plexi-glassed drop-off spot.
It was the first time since she retired in May that the latest quarterly trek didn’t end with her and, perhaps, some sort of simpatico.
Shannon Connor Brett hasn’t been home in three years.
The 2001 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate, daughter of longtime Fair Havenites Dale and Mike Connor and sister to Allison married a Fair Haven fireman and U.S. Navy guy and moved to California. He’s stationed there.
The Connor family welcomed her, husband C. Thomas (Chris) Brett and their three children back to their old stomping grounds with a little hometown get-together Sunday — and just in time for the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
Chris Brett is still a Fair Haven Fire Department member himself. His dad, Barry, was chief in 1994. His mom, Tricia, also an active member of the fire company, has been captain of the Fire Police three times. You can always find her at the Out Back serving ice cream at the fair.
And it’s no secret that Dale and Mike are longtime Fair Haven Fire Department members.
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.
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.
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.
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