Tag Archives: Fair Haven

Local Life

Focus: Fall River Walk & Weather

Gallery

Broody and blue-hued as the scene seems down by the river these days, there’s a toasty comfort in the fall breeze.

It whisks by and envelopes with a snug squeeze — one that whispers “You’re home.” Anyone who’s grown up with feet in wet sand on that Fair Haven beach slip, plucking shells that plop a time-honored magic into the palm of the hand, knows the spell cast.

The magic reminds — the sun always peer through the clouds offering that snuggle, that glow that lights the path back home.

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde (Click on one to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)

That sun is coming this week. Here’s how and when, according to the National Weather Service …

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Local Life

Retro Stokes Mess Hall Tripping

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Hanging at the Stokes dining hall in ’78
Photo/courtesy of Jill Sorrentino

Well, COVID may have put off the sixth graders’ trip to Stokes State Forrest, but it didn’t quash it.

It just moved the tradition and fun to locals’ summer fall instead of spring/summer. And the week full of outdoor learning, pranks and bonding came to an end this week.

Continue reading Retro Stokes Mess Hall Tripping →
Local Life

Scene Around: Whistling & Stopping Home with Barbara Leslie

She’s that lady who taught guitar to many a Fair Haven kid. She rowed the musical boat ashore and marched, played and sang with them as Fair Haven Folk Singers in parades. She’s Barbara Leslie. Her iconic base of song and play? The Whistle Stop.

Continue reading Scene Around: Whistling & Stopping Home with Barbara Leslie →
News

Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli Resigns

The reason has not been given, but a social media announcement by Fair Haven Borough Administrator Theresa Casagrande has made it clear that 12-year Mayor Ben Lucarelli has resigned “effective immediately.”

The administrator only said in the announcement at about 1 p.m. that the administration wanted to “thank him for his accomplishments” during his mayoral tenure and “wish him luck.”

R-FH Retro has reached out to Lucarelli with no immediate response.

Of the limited information surrounding the resignation, Fair Haven Borough Council President Christopher Rodriguez, alluding to a bit of an explosive moment at last night’s council meeting, said late Tuesday afternoon, “I am still digesting the past ten hours of it all. I am still coming to grips with it all … I have not spoke to the council or mayor yet.”

The governing body’s political composition has shifted in the past few years. It has been either all Republican or majority Republican over the past couple of decades at least. Lucarelli is a Republican. Last year’s election turned the majority to Democrat, 4-2.

Lucarelli, who grew up in Rumson, moved to Fair Haven to raise his family. He served on borough council and when former Mayor Mike Halfacre, an attorney, resigned in 2012 to accept a position with the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control division under the Gov. Chris Christie administration, as holding office would have posed a conflict. Lucarelli was chosen from three nominees to fill his unexpired term and then ran for full terms.

In Fair Haven’s form of government, weak mayor, strong council, the mayor is elected separately for four-year terms as opposed to borough council members’ three-year tenure. The mayor only has a vote in council matters if he is needed to break a tie. He presides over meetings and has veto power.

According to state statute, a replacement must be named from a pool of three nominees of the same party as Lucarelli. Council will then vote on who gets the appointment to fill Lucarelli’s term, which ends at the end of 2022.

This is a breaking story. As soon as Lucarelli responds, there will be a follow-up.

Local Life

Focus: A Fair Wrap

The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair came back to town after a forced pandemic respite last year.

And it came back with gusto, even though the seafood was sorely missed by many. The Grab Bag Booth a/k/a Balloon Booth made its exit, fair grounds left, this year, too. It’s gone for good. No more buying prizes to compensate for losses at the games of chance. Waaaaaa! But, all was very well with the fair’s return.

Save for the twister threat that banished Firemen’s Night on Wednesday, thousands flocked to the fair just about every night.

Many of the sights have already been seen. But, here’s R-FH Retro’s glimpse into fairing well at the fair … (Click on one photo to enlarge and scroll! Enjoy!)

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2021
Photos/Elaine Van Develde
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Local Life

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair Factoids & 2021 FYI

Carousel rider at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 1990s
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair opens tonight after a rare one-end-of-summer hiatus due to COVID-19. And with the fair known as the largest in the state has always come a lot of tradition. 

There are, however, some fair traditions that have and have not endured through the years. Do you know what they are?

We do.

Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair Factoids & 2021 FYI →