It’s the year without close Santa encounters. Santa came to town, but not to the Fair Haven firehouse, as with every year since the dawn of most area kids’ time. We’re told there have been some other masked, distanced Santa visits in 2020 pandemic holiday times, but the laptop visit is out, so is the firehouse extravaganza. So, in honor of the traditional visit, whispers, close-up scary gander at that beard, promises of being good and gifts, our annual reprise takes everyone back to that firehouse visit … or wherever … with Ol’ Saint Nick …
It’s that time of the year when a longstanding Fair Haven tradition has taken hold — photos at the firehouse with Santa.
It’s another Fair Haven tradition you can always count on.
Longtime Fair Havenite Irene Miller bakes up a holiday storm Photos/Peggy Miller
There’s nothing sweeter than a traditional holiday bake-off between a longtime Fair Havenite and her daughter. Sugar coat that with a little dance, too, and call it a festive confection perfection. The sweetest.
Countless childhood friends had remembered him. They remembered the moments. They tucked them away and then spilled them out onto a remembrance page on social media, like splashing teardrops releasing time-capsuled moments. The page was soaked.
There’s no keeping Santa from a little pre-Christmas drop-in, pandemic or not, especially when there’s a fire truck for the transport.
On the heels of a canceled usual holiday celebration in Fair Haven’s Memorial Park and knee-top Santa time at the firehouse, sirens a blaring, Santa cruised all the way around town on Sunday. Fair Havenite Susan Culbert captured a moment of the drive-by.
Jeff had an infectious smile, a hardy handshake, an uplifting outlook, and a loving and caring heart. He will be sorely missed by all who love him, including his scores of friends and family.
Jeff Bennett … Photo/family via McEwen Funeral Service
Former Fair Havenite and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduate, Jeffrey D. Bennett, passed away suddenly on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was 45.
Jeff grew up in Fair Haven. As an RFH student, he was known as an outstanding athlete, serving as captain of both football and basketball teams.
A graduate of Elon University, North Carolina, as a student there he was a member of the Elon Rugby team. Beyond his own college experience, “He loved Virginia Tech football, Seton Hall basketball, and his beloved NY Giants and Yankees,” his family said in his obituary.
“He leaves behind the loves of his life, his two sons Alexander Drew and Chase Holden.
“He is also survived by his soul mate and loving partner, Mary Katherine Booth, who he cherished and adored.”
Jeff served on the admissions staff at Elon University, Queens University of Charlotte, St. Andrews University, and Webber International University. His career path lead to a successful career in sales, most recently with Underscore Branding (Underscore) and Brand RPM in Charlotte.
Jeff relocated to Charlotte in 2000 after college and along with his good friend, Rich Saner, started the Rich & Bennett St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, which grew to draw over 25,000 people from all over the world to Uptown Charlotte in 2019.
In addition to his children and soul mate, Jeff is survived by: his loving mother and father, Gary and Susan Bennett, of Fair Haven; his brother, Brian (Jaimie), of Fair Haven; his sister, Kerri (Dan), of Middletown; his nephews, Quinn, Bennett, and Jackson; and his niece, Harper.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Jeffrey D. Memorial Scholarship Fund at Elon University.
Fair Haven has lost another longtime resident. The lady who countless people saw year after year manning the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s Grab Bag Booth, affectionately known by many as “the balloon lady,” Jeanette Choma, passed away on Nov. 20. She was 88.
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