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 …
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Festivus or just plain friends, family and community, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect wishes you a merry anything and everything!
— Elaine Van Develde
It’s Christmas Eve — almost — and that means the Feast of Seven Fishes for those of Italian descent.
And judging by the hour-long wait line at Fair Havenite Doug Douty’s Lusty Lobster seafood market in Highlands, there are either a lot of Italians in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, a lot of people who are happy to use the excuse to feast on Douty’s fresh seafood or both.
Rumsonite and RFH grad Jennifer Weber Zeller is on line at the seafood market that supplies many favorite area restaurants, such as fellow Fair Havenite and RFH grad Chris Wood’s Woody’s (in Sea Bright and now Tinton Falls). She shared a couple of pics with Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect to show just how a trip to the market on Christmas Eve has turned into a main event.
Not only does the line of people picking up their orders extend nearly all the way down Bay Avenue, but Douty has also apparently supplied some entertainment as well for the wait.
Wood has continually praised the freshness of Douty’s seafood. He, for one, has it delivered daily to his restaurants. Douty is also an RFH grad.
Sounds like the makings for some sort of impromptu RFH Christmas Eve reunion.
Mangia! And Merry Christmas!
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s that all-too familiar tech nightmare. You’re in the middle of a major project for work. You’re on a deadline. You’re engrossed. Your fingers are typing into a nubby frenzy. Oops.
The computer politely tells you that you need to update the operating system to install a program that you need to get those finishing touches done just right. OK. You click “Continue” and POOF! Everything goes black. Wait. There’s a gray tinge on the screen. A little message pops up and tells you to restart the computer. You do as you are told. Aaaaand POOF!
Continue reading Visions of Two River Computer Elves Fixing Tech Ills
Anthony Sciametta, a 2011 graduate of Knollwood School in Fair Haven, has joined the special ranks of those commemorated with a photo on the Wall of Honor.
Commissioned and designed in 2011 to honor graduates serving their country in the armed forces, the Wall of Honor is featured in a main hallway at Knollwood School. Anthony’s photo was unveiled at a ceremony held on the afternoon of Dec. 16.
Continue reading Knollwood School Grad Anthony Sciametta’s Wall of Honor Induction
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s that time of the year for a longstanding Fair Haven tradition — photos at the firehouse with Santa.
This year, Santa’s coming to the firehouse between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
It’s another Fair Haven tradition you can always count on. So, the Retro Pic of the Day takes us back to Santa at the firehouse when it all started.
I remember …
Continue reading Tradition: Santa’s Visit to the Fair Haven Firehouse
The folks in the Fair Haven Business Association are up to something festive that offers area people some hyperlocal holiday shopping fun.
The new initiative is dubbed Shop the Neighborhood. The entire business district along River Road, from one end by the Acme to the other near Gillespie Avenue, will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday.
In addition to all sorts of special deals, giveaways and raffles, there will be entertainment by Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School students stationed at various spots — Umberto’s and Tavolo Pronto on one end and Canyon Pass Provisions and Booskerdoo on the other.
And, for the first time, to add convenience and a little bit of festive old town charm, there will be a free trolley picking up and dropping off shoppers from one end of town to the other.
All aboard! Next stop, Fair Haven business district!
It’s now common knowledge that 91-year Fair Haven resident Ray Taylor recently received a proclamation for his service to the country and borough.
The active 93-year-old World War II and Korean War vet has been seen at just about any and/or every event in town over the years, especially any involving veterans affairs.
So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take a look back at Taylor at some of those events: Chum Chandler’s memorial service, the Fair Haven Centennial Parade, Memorial Day and more.
Taylor, Mayor Ben Lucarelli said while reading the proclamation last week, embodies the spirit of Fair Haven and patriotism.
Yes, he does!
— Elaine Van Develde
By Elaine Van Develde
“It hurts me to say that most of the boys that went out there with me are no longer here. But I am doing all I can to keep their names out there for you. Thank you.”
It’s what a tearful Ray Taylor said after receiving a proclamation from the Borough of Fair Haven last week in honor of his service as a World War II and Korean War veteran and 91-year resident of Fair Haven who has consistently served the borough as a veteran who spearheaded the creation of Fair Haven’s Memorial Park that honors veterans from the borough.
Taylor was the “first speaker at borough ceremonies since the time he returned from World War II in 1946, touching the hearts of many,” Mayor Ben Lucarelli said at last week’s Borough Council meeting.
“As long as any of us can remember, Ray has spoken at our Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies,” the mayor said. “He is a very special human being. This year his words were so poignant that I was moved to say this is a special individual and he should be recognized.”
So, a proclamation and keys to both the borough and the park were given to Taylor.
Taylor and his wife, Elizabeth, raised seven children in Fair Haven. They have 20 grandchildren and “many great grandchildren,” Lucarelli said, reading from the proclamation, which he said was bestowed upon Taylor as an expression of borough residents’ and staff’s “deep appreciation and gratitude to Ray for his many years of selfless public service to his country and his hometown.
“We wish him many more years of health and continued happiness.”
Taylor, 93, was born on June 24, 1922 in Long Branch. Moving to Fair Haven in 1924, he has spent 91 years in the borough. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II from 1942 to 1946 and in the Korean War in the 1950s when he worked his way up to the rank of sergeant first class and received a distinguished service medal and a Korean War commemorative medal.
While serving in World War II, he was stationed in Australia, New Guinea, New Britain, Guam, the Philippenes, Japan and spent 14 months in Alaska.
He was stationed in the Asian Pacific during the Korean War.
Congratulations, Mr. Taylor; and thank you!
Fair Haven community members collaborated at a third strategic planning workshop tied to the future success of the school district.
The workshop, entitled Defining Action Steps and part of the school district’s FAIR HAVEN VISION 2020 initiative, was held on Dec. 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Knollwood School and facilitated by Dr. Charles Ivory and Dr. Gerard Woehr of the non-profit Education Information and Resource Center (EIRC).
Continue reading Defining Action Steps to Meet Fair Haven Schools Goals
And a good time was had by all!
Fair Haven’s tree lighting was a festive one on Friday night.
See for yourself. Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening.
Happy Holidays!
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde
It’s that time of the year in the Rumson-Fair Haven area — time for tree lightings, Santa, a holiday stroll, song, dance and some hot cocoa.
It all starts on Friday evening with festivities in Fair Haven …
Santa arrives at Memorial Park, at the corner of River and Fair Haven roads, by firetruck at 5:30 p.m. and will be visiting with kids and posing for photos.
The Christmas tree will be lit at 6 p.m. And in the midst of all of it, the classic holiday stroll will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. It is the classic annual local businesses’ holiday open house. All are invited to partake and enjoy some treats and, perhaps, good deals.
And on Sunday in Rumson …
The annual Christmas tree lighting is set for 5 p.m. at Victory Park.
As usual, it features Tim McLoone & the Shirleys with members of Holiday Express, the RFH Tower Singers and the Deane-Porter Third Grade Chorus.
Oh, and Santa will be there, too. And there will be the usual treats, including some hot cocoa to cap the warm tenor of the event.
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