Tag Archives: Fair Haven

A Fair Haven Story: Jen Andres’ Uncanny Party for a Purpose

By Elaine Van Develde

She’s a Fair Havenite. She’s a neighbor. She’s a friend. She’s a baker. She’s a teacher. She’s a wife. She’s a mom. And right now, she’s a warrior.

That’s how friends and Fair Havenites A.J. and Michele Sandone described Jen Andres, a quietly undaunted 46-year-old mother of two young girls, teacher and wife to Rich. Jen is part of their family in more ways than one and facing a battle she plans on winning with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

It’s a story of strength, ties with a twist of family and community fate peppered with lots of love. That love manifested itself in a fundraiser for Jen on Saturday that started out as a small gesture of hope and help and ended up painting a much bigger picture of a community family coming together for a cause.

The cancer caught Jen Andres by grim surprise. Yet, being foisted into dealing with the diagnosis soon became paled by generosity of spirit and support. And the support took on a life of its own, breathing more tenacity into Jen than her friends say she already had. And that’s an awful lot, according to them. The cancer was an unwitting adversary from the start, but it became an even more conquerable one.

This is how her story started, took a few ironic turns, and ended at the same spot — home — with homegrown hope, strength and love to boot …

Jen got blindsided with her diagnosis around the holidays after a routine visit to the doctor, the coincidental discovery of what seemed to be nothing to worry about and some follow-up tests that were initially designed to just rule out anything bad.

“Even the doctor thought nothing of it,” Michele Sandone said. “Jen wasn’t worried. Then the biopsy results came back. They showed that she not only had cancer, but what is called triple negative breast cancer. It’s a very aggressive form that is not hormonally related. So, the only treatments are chemo(therapy) and radiation.”

The good news, if there is to be any good news about cancer, is that it was caught at stage 2, because Jen ironically kept an appointment that she nearly canceled. But, since the cancer is an aggressive form, Jen has already gone through four heavy duty rounds of chemo. She has 12 more to go, then surgery.

In spite of a bout with pneumonia and the fourth round of chemo following a hospital stay, she, the undaunted warrior her friends know her to be, rallied to attend the fundraiser.

She was glowing with gratitude as she was embraced at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fair Haven by a full house of hope, strength and love — the theme of what was dubbed Team Andres: Party with a Purpose.

“Wow!” she said, modestly soaking it all in. “This is just amazing. I am so thankful.”

But, her friends, family and children are thankful, too — thankful for her. And they’re all thankful for the coincidental twist of fate that brought them to Fair Haven and made it their home — nestled into a community family of virtual strangers who are strangers no more.

On the subject of family matters, the little piece of irony in this story is about a genetic link that ended in a small town with strangers with no common DNA pitching in for the cause — because that’s what families do.

Why did the Sandones end up spearheading the fundraiser for this woman who lives around the corner from them? Well, they’re cousins — sort of.

Rich, Jen’s husband is A.J.’s second cousin. It’s complicated and simple at the same time.

“My dad and his mother are cousins,” A.J. said. “My grandmother and his grandmother are sisters. We would see one another once or twice a year — or more like at weddings and funerals. Then one day in 2010, knowing he and Jen lived somewhere near Red Bank, we ended up here in Fair Haven looking at a house to rent on Church Street. I called and said, ‘Hey, are you close to Fair Haven?’ He said, ‘Close? I’m IN Fair Haven!”

The two joked that they couldn’t get much closer than the few blocks from there to Rich and Jen’s house — until they did. They ended up living about a block away from one another after the Sandones left the rental behind to buy their own home a block away.

“We were so close, I could see his front porch light from my back yard,” A.J. said. “Then we joined the Knights of Columbus together in November to contribute to the community, went to the Christmas party there in December and ended up organizing this party. It’s crazy.”

And it’s a good kind of crazy for A.J. and Michele and Rich and Jen and everyone else they now think of as family — the best kind, they said.

All were amazed at how their loose family connection took them on a journey to this close bond in a tight-knit community. Here they are, working their way through a tough time with the support of a tiny town far from where they started out as somewhat distant relatives.

“It’s so ironic how things turn out sometimes,” A.J. said. “I just can’t stress how amazing the people of this town have been. This started out as just a small way for us to show support and it just took off. The donations came rolling in and person after person, many of whom don’t even know Jen, just couldn’t offer enough help. Everyone really rallied to help a fellow neighbor. And that’s what it’s all about” at home in Fair Haven.

About Jen Andres and how you can help

Jen was a substitute teacher in the Rumson and Fair Haven school districts for the past couple of years. She now works in the Red Bank schools as a teacher aid in special education classes. 

Before the doors had even opened at the Knights on Saturday, thousands of dollars had already been raised to help Jen and the family with excessive medical and incidental costs. 

Anyone who could not make the event and would still like to donate may send checks made out to Knights of Columbus Council 3187 with Jennifer Andres in the memo. The checks may be sent to Team Andres at 17 Parker Ave., Fair Haven, NJ 07704. 

The Sandones and Andres families would like to give a special thanks to Umberto’s and Fairwinds Deli for the generous food donations donation of time and help serving. 

They would also like to thank the band Filet of Soul for the entertainment. And they would like to thank all the businesses that donated auction prizes and every person who donated time and assistance.

 

 

 

Retro Tiki Haven Antics

Fair Haven Councilwoman Susan Sorensen and Dan Kane are up to some Tiki antics at the 2015 Tiki Haven. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Fair Haven Councilwoman Susan Sorensen and Dan Kane are up to some Tiki antics at the 2015 Tiki Haven.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Aloha! It’s Hawaiian for hello and goodbye, right?

Well, unfortunately, this year, after a successful first Tiki Haven last year, before the date even got here it was time to say “Aloha” to this year’s Tiki Haven, the fundraiser for future Fair Haven Days.

Continue reading Retro Tiki Haven Antics

Fair Haven: Taking the Church Out of Church Street

Yes, it’s still called Church Street. But, no, there’s no longer any church fronting River Road at the intersection of the namesake spot in Fair Haven.

A few months after Kolarsick Builders’ plan for a three-home subdivision was approved by the Planning Board, one home looks nearly complete, another is framed and a foundation is dug for a larger one slated to front River Road while the others front, well, Church Street.

The street always comprised a close knit neighborhood comprised of many who keep in touch or remain close friends. Some even still live on the street.

They’ve been wondering lately what the street where they lived looks like. Here it is, old time Church Street people.

And, no, there are no plans to change the name to House Street.

— Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven: Tiki Haven Time

The chill is in the air, signaling the time for the Tiki Haven Luau.

The tropical-themed event, designed to warm winter spirits and raise funds for future Fair Haven Days, is set for Saturday, Feb. 27 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall on Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven.

It will feature island-style food (pulled pork and fixins’ as a main dish), music, games (like the limbo, an outfit contest, a 50/50 and auctions with donated prizes from local businesses) and drink (beer, wine and sodas) for $50. A bar will be open and serving drinks not included in the admission price for cash.

“It looks like we may have started yet another wonderful tradition celebrating the Borough of Fair Haven that began with our 2012 Centennial Celebration with this new event,” Fair Haven Foundation President and Councilwoman Susan Sorensen said. “With winter in full swing, we all could use a bit of summer fun!”

So, get out your Hawaiian shirt, grass skirt, coconut top and lei — not necessarily in that order or all together — and order tickets now, the committee recommends.

See you in Hawaii — on the sunny shores of Knights of Columbus.

For tickets, contact Marie Noglows at [email protected] or purchase at Fair Haven Borough Hall.

Focus: Fair Haven Food & Folks for the Soul

The Fair Haven Fiske AME Chapel Soul Food Dinner was deemed a success after only a couple of hours — by 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, to be exact.

Oh, the folks at the church may have been a bit worn out by then, but they were still cooking in more ways than one. Even though the ribs sold out completely, chicken was still in the fryer and 66 dinners had been sold. The side dishes were “wiped out,” gone, they said.

It’s no wonder people clamor to feast on the food for this dinner. Sonia Reevey, forever congregant and Fair Havenite, told us the secret is that there is no secret other than good, old fashioned home-cooked food made from special family recipes. “Everyone makes their special dish,” she said. “That’s all. That’s all it takes. We all have something special to cook.”

The ribs, she said, went right away. We were told that the not-so-secret secret to that recipe was a dry rub left overnight in the fridge, then slow baking and special barbecue sauce.

Missed that special treat. But, there was plenty of chicken and the cooks insisted that we try it fresh out of the cast iron skillet. Delicious. Crispy and warm on the outside and moist on the inside. Simple. The seasoning and coating were simple. Nothing overdone.

Call it food fit for the nourishment of the soul. There’s nothing complicated about it. That’s been the recipe for everything at the chapel since the dawn of time in Fair Haven. Hometown comfort food and friends.

Take a look at the photo gallery for a glimpse into the day.

— Elaine Van Develde

Quaking in Rumson & Fair Haven?

Reports of tremors felt in southern and western New Jersey flooded social media at about 1:30 p.m.

Now, at about 3:30, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has reported on Twitter that the rumblings felt were likely not an earthquake but a sonic boom. Why was it felt at different times and, in some spots, multiple times? “A sonic boom travels through the air w/ the airplane so it arrives at different ground locations at different times,” USGS reported.

This editor felt it in Fair Haven while on the phone with a news contact for another story. It wasn’t major, but enough to startle and make the house rumble for a few seconds. It only happened once here.

Seconds later, while the news contact from a mile or two away in the same area did not feel the same quake, people started bombarding social media with reports of tremors. Most reported were felt in western Monmouth County and Ocean County and farther south.

No one else from the immediate area has said they felt any sort of tremor. Since, though, NJ State Police, on their Facebook page, has asked people to let them know where and when tremors were felt throughout the state.

Here’s their post:

“Have you felt the tremors?
We are hearing reports of tremors here in Jersey. For the record, we have not reported any seismic blasts anywhere in the State.
If you’ve felt the tremors today, let us know in the comments where and when. We’re working to confirm.”

While USGS has stood by the sonic boom theory, other sources have disagreed and the state police are still asking people to report any tremors from the afternoon.

Did you feel it?

 

Retro Birthday Remembrance of Ben Hamilton

By Elaine Van Develde

They personified RFH cool. They were the sibling team of Ben and Kate Hamilton.

That team was separated with the untimely death of Ben, a gentle, sunny embrace of community spirit and friendship for many, on Nov. 21, 2015.

Continue reading Retro Birthday Remembrance of Ben Hamilton

Focus: R-FH Area Faces of 2015

In one way or another, they were part of the lives of the people of the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Some were leaders. Some were in prominent positions. Some were just plain popular people — mainstays around the towns. Some retired. Some resigned. Some were promoted. Some passed away and left behind their community legacies. Some made small, significant contributions of kind words or bright smiles.

For whatever the reason, we remember them. They passed through our lives last year or a lot longer. They embodied the community. They are the Rumson-Fair Haven area faces of 2015.

— Elaine Van Develde

2015: The Year’s Events

There was a lot happening in the way of events in the Rumson-Fair Haven area in 2015.

There was …

Take a look back with us! Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge!

Rumson, Fair Haven Reorganizations

It’s status quo for the New Year. Towns reorganize. Newly-elected and/or re-elected officials are sworn in, professionals are appointed and re-appointed, emergency responder line officers are installed and volunteers are named to committees. It’s called reorganization.

It’s also usually status quo for towns to hold their annual reorganization ceremonies on New Year’s Day.

This year, there’s a slight change in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

While Rumson will still hold its annual reorganization at Bingham Hall, on Bingham Avenue, at 11:30 a.m., Fair Haven’s reorganization will be held, instead, on Monday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall.

In Rumson, Mayor John Ekdahl will officially be sworn into his fourth four-year term as mayor.  In addition, the emergency response line officers will be named and sworn in. And, Ekdahl will give his classic “looking back on 2015” speech.

In Fair Haven, incumbent councilmen Robert Marchese and Eric Jaeger will be sworn in to additional three-year terms. Fire Department and First Aid line officers will be sworn in. Residents and officials will also be named to various committees.

Click here for the full agenda of appointments.

 

Focus: R-FH Area Landscape Scene 2015

When it comes to landscape scenery, there’s a lot to see in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect always tries to seize the moment in a photo when the scene presents itself — and it has countless times in 2015. How could it not? The area, surrounded by the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers and nestled along the Atlantic Ocean, is enveloped with natural beauty.

So, here are the most picturesque scenes captured in the R-FH area in 2015. What a wondrous waterfront world …