You could call it falling for the Navesink River.
Wednesday night was one of those still, quiet fall nights down by the river at the Fair Haven Dock. It was in the air. It was on the water. Reflection. A lot of reflection. It’s easy to see and instinctively know why when it is also a place called home.
Take a moment to reflect … Good night, home.
— Elaine Van Develde
Fair Haven elementary school students recently enjoyed a unique learning experience, courtesy of Bricks 4 Kidz.
Kindergarten through third grade students at Viola L. Sickles School participated from Sept. 26 to 30 in the enrichment program designed to teach children STEM concepts through hands-on learning using LEGO® bricks.
Director Melina Stock visited Sickles for an instructional in-school field trip. This consisted of active building sessions for individual classes with the goal of creating finished models. Working with a Bricks 4 Kidz original design and LEGO technic bricks, the students built their mechanical masterpieces: colorful sailboats for first through third graders (with varying levels of challenge based on grade level); and shiny red apples with bright green stems for kindergarten students.
This was the first of eight Bricks 4 Kidz in-school field trips planned for Sickles students this year, sponsored by the Fair Haven PTA and the school district. Bricks 4 Kidz has been offered to Sickles School third graders as a weekly winter lunch time LEGO program for three consecutive years.
“We take children’s interest in building with LEGO bricks and bring it to the next level by providing education concepts to first through third graders using Bricks 4 Kidz technic project kits,” Stock said. “For example, this month I reviewed non-friction and friction tech pins and how and why they move the way they do.
“Next month I will build on the students’ understanding and introduce another interesting mechanical concept.
“We love providing educational enrichment to the students at Sickles School — their high levels of interest, excitement, and attention always add up to a dynamic learning experience.”
Bricks 4 Kidz provides educational and developmental benefits in:
Working in teams of two, the students created picture-perfect sailboat models complete with a rolling on the waves motion thanks to the inclusion of a small motor and battery pack.
— Edited press release from Fair Haven School District
Continue reading Fair Haven Students Build Skills with Bricks 4 Kidz
By all accounts, HarvestFest was a success.
The Fair Haven school community recently enjoyed the annual PTA fundraiser designed to celebrate autumn and Halloween this year on Sept. 24.
It’s somebody’s birthday; and, at a young 83, you could say she’s got the whole world in her hands.
Continue reading Birthday Shout-Out to Fair Haven’s Whistle Stop Icon, Barbara Leslie
The forecast calls for a dim, drizzly, damp weekend in the Rumson-Fair Haven area. And what that amounts to is the postponement of one event and the literal blessing of another to go on as planned.
Continue reading The R-FH Area Weekend: Trucktoberfest Stall; Pets’ Blessing
By Elaine Van Develde
Author Mary Beth Connor Gibson’s story started with her mom, a walk to her hometown library, a passion for books and her own writer’s pen.
She took that walk 57 years ago, in May of 1959, to the Fair Haven library with her mom. The native Fair Havenite said she knew something special was about to happen. And it did. She, a then 6-year-old, got her first library card and the first glimmer of what turned out to be enduring, loving support from her mom to live her dream and love of books and become an author.
She is now what she dreamed of then — and has been for a while now. And, most recently, she took a long walk (OK, ride) back to her hometown on Sunday — but not to the library this time. That trek had already been taken more than half a century ago. This journey back home was one to the Fair Haven Firehouse, a Connor family home-away-from-home anchor for the siblings and longtime members, with family and friends for a book signing of her novel Aroon.
The parents Mary Ellen and Joe were there in spirit and pictures hanging on the walls.
And the journey to authorship was remembered as one taken with a mom and family ’til the end.
Connor Gibson’s mother lived her dream with her, supporting her little girl all grown up every step of the way, on another walk to another part of the country.
But it started like this … “I knew by her (Mom’s) enthusiasm that something special was about to happen,” Gibson said. “Once we reached the library, she leaned over and said, ‘You are now old enough to have your own library card.’ I can still feel the pride in my heart as I checked out the first stack of books in my own name. My passion for books is just as strong today.”
Eventually Connor Gibson emigrated from home and ended up living in South Carolina.
“Living in South Carolina, Mom accompanied me on several research trips, like Savannah’s Ships of the Sea Maritime museum or the Redcliffe Plantation,” she said. “She passed away before I finished my book, but she was always encouraging.”
She was encouraged along the way by people other than her mom, but Mom was the mainstay.
“My second grade teacher, Mrs. Pauline Gibson, was the first to encourage my writing, allowing me to read a fairy tale I wrote for the principal, Mr. Petrisin. I think it was about a goat,” she said.
That elementary school goat rather than fairy tale manifested in a dabbling in short stories and such over the years.
But, “when approaching 40, I decided to go for it and write children’s books. Later, I expanded my subject matter to adults, giving me the freedom to explore the challenges and struggles of all classes of people. After learning of the martyrdom of an 18th century Tipperary priest, Nicholas Sheehy, I decided to focus my first novel during that time period.
“The title, Aroon, is the Anglicized version of the Gaelic, a rún, which literally means ‘my secret’ while it’s also used as a term of affection. I interpret it as “my secret love,'” Connor Gibson explained.
Aroon, already an award-winning novel, is set in 18th century Ireland, where jealousy, lust, and oppression lead to gruesome visions with only one way to stop the torture — a killing. So goes the description of the book.
It’s not a spoiler. It’s a delicate tease, as Connor Gibson sees it. She’s not giving away any of the intricate plot. You’ll have to read the devil in the details for yourself.
Here’s a bit of a tidbit more …
“Richard Lynche, anguished heir of Duncullen, clashes with his overbearing letch of a father. The lad’s only solace, the arms of homesick new maid, Eveleen, becomes his greatest agony when he finds himself terrorized by grisly apparitions. The result? One cold corpse.”
“Years of research took me places I’d never guess existed. Bringing it all together dramatically has been extremely gratifying,” said Connor Gibson. “I plan to release the sequel, Harps Upon the Willows, early in 2017.”
So, what’s a little Fair Haven girl to do with a cold corpse, some torture, solace, jealousy, lust and oppression on the mind? Mix the elements in the mind with some notes and thought after a long walk … to the library.
It may not be Oz, but there’s no place like home and the memory of a walk and a mother’s support for the writing of a book and the wrapping of it all up in a signing with lots of hugs and smiles as this author sees it.
About Aroon and Mary Beth Connor Gibson …
Aroon has been awarded the Carrie McCray Literary Award for Novel First Chapter and was a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest for Historical Fiction.
Her first chapter, printed in the anthology, The Petigru Review, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Gibson dedicated more than three decades to teaching adolescents in rural South Carolina everything from literature to mathematics to conflict resolution. She passionately believes in the value and dignity of every human being, which she’s carried from her classroom to the pages of her books.
Learn more on her website, mbgibsonbooks.com. Aroon is available in print and Kindle versions on amazon.com.
The sun is out, fall is in the air and the weather is predicted to be as pleasant as the event line-up for the Rumson-Fair Haven area weekend.
It all starts on Friday night …
with RFH’s first football game at Borden Stadium at 7 p.m..
Yes, there are new security measures in place.
Here’s the letter from school officials:
“Due to recent acts of violence in Ocean and Union counties and New York City, RFH will implement updated, best-practice security protocols recommended by the Rumson Police Department for large public gatherings, e.g. athletic events.
“The Rumson Police Department has coordinated efforts with RFH administration to ensure smooth implementation. Please be advised: NO Bags (backpacks, duffel bags, etc.) are permitted into Borden Stadium; small personal bags, e.g. purses, may be subject to search; NO Bottles and/or containers of liquid are permitted into Borden Stadium; and NO one with covered-faced costumes (i.e. masks and total body stockings) will be permitted into Borden Stadium.
“It is our intention and obligation to ensure safe events for our students and spectators. If, at any event, you notice suspicious behavior, please notify RFH personnel or law enforcement immediately.”
Saturday … all day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is …
• Middletown Day on the grounds of Croydon Hall on Leonardville Road in the Leonardo section of the township, right across the river.
The annual fall event features entertainment, pony rides, petting zoo, a flea market, contests, tournaments, business booths, food, goodies, arts and crafts, demonstrations and more. The event is running rain or shine.
And Sunday is the day for …
• The Guiness Oyster Festival in the White Street parking lot in Red Bank.
The annual classic event, which runs from noon to 7 p.m. offers lots of food, including, of course, oysters, music and drink and raises money for area causes and more RiverCenter events.
Admission is $5 for all over the age of 10.
• A hometown book signing …
Native Fair Havenite Mary Beth Connor Gibson will be back home and signing copies of her first novel, Aroon, at the Fair Haven Firehouse from 1 to 4 p.m..
The award-winning story is set in eighteenth century Ireland, where jealousy, lust, and oppression lead to gruesome visions with only one way to stop the torture—a killing.
So the tradition goes … The annual NJ Firemen’s Convention in Wildwood was held at the end of last week.
And, by the looks of all the Facebook posts, a great time was had by all.
The convention has been a yearly mainstay for, well, many years. Call it an old tradition. And nothing goes with an old tradition like some good ol’ boys.
So, in keeping with the good ol’ tradition, the Retro Pic of the Day is a look back to 1967 and guys who were deemed “The Older Boys” of the Fair Haven Fire Volunteer Fire Company.
All good Fair Haven Firemen’s Fairs come to an end … until next year.
Take a look at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s glimpse into closing night.
Thank you to the Fair Haven Fire Department and all the fair volunteers for yet another year of the fair!
— Elaine Van Develde
Not only is Wednesday night Firemen’s Night at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair, it’s also Olympian night this year.
Connor Jaeger, who recently won the silver medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle swim in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, is back home and set to meet, greet and do some selfies with hometown friends and fans. He will be appearing at the fair, in front of the firehouse, from 7 to 9 p.m..
He said it himself on Instagram …
“This Wednesday 8/31 from 7-9pm please come and meet me at Fair Haven’s Fireman’s Fair for a selfie booth. Please come to meet me and give me an opportunity to thank you all for the unbelievable support you have shown me.”
There was talk of a parade, which is what transpired when Jaeger came in sixth in the same Olympic event in 2012. However, officials decided to wait and see what was most amenable to Jaeger.
So, selfies and socializing at the fair it is.
“We hope to see you tomorrow night,” Councilwoman Susan Sorensen said in a Facebook post after thanking officials, including Connor Jaeger’s father, Eric, a fellow councilman, for coordinating the “meet-and-greet.”
The scents, sights and sounds of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair are in the air.
The end-of-summer tradition in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, the largest community fair in the state, started on Friday night.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect did the usual stroll of the grounds on Saturday.
Here’s a glimpse into the night …
— Elaine Van Develde
Sometimes I can still smell the lingering scent of funnel cake in my mother’s hair. I can still see her blue-striped Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair apron draped over the kitchen chair. I can see her tying those apron strings. I can see her checking her hair and lipstick in the mirror by the door. I can hear her voice calling to me upstairs to hurry up as I tried to get my pigtails even and the puffy yarn bows tied just right. I’m always late.
And sometimes I can still see us walking down the street, her scurrying, brushing her hair to the side, still yelling back to me to hurry up.
Continue reading Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair: An Opening Night Remembrance
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