Tag Archives: Fair Haven

Local Life, News

Decking the Halls: Rumson, Fair Haven Tree Lightings

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.

 

News, Schools Scene

Fair Haven Students Go on ‘Google Expeditions’

Fair Haven students recently took a virtual reality field trip.

They participated in showcase of Google Expeditions. Viola L. Sickles and Knollwood Schools were among the first chosen for beta testing for the virtual trip from a wait list of approximately 6,500 schools.

Continue reading Fair Haven Students Go on ‘Google Expeditions’ →

Obituaries

Services Set for Fair Haven’s Ben Hamilton

A memorial service has been set for Saturday, Nov. 28, to honor the memory of forever Fair Havenite Benjamin “Ben” Barry Hamilton, who passed away this past Saturday at his home in the borough.

While “words of remembrance,” according to the obituary, will be shared at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank, the service will span from 1 to 4 p.m.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect is in the process of putting together a memorial tribute and slideshow to honor Ben.

In the meantime, here is his edited obituary from Thompson …

Benjamin Barry Hamilton,”Ben” 56, of Fair Haven, died at home on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

Born in Jersey City to George and Joan (nee, Shook) Hamilton, he was a longtime Fair Haven resident. Ben was a retired investment professional. His professional career spanned three decades trading securities in the United States and Asia.

Ben will be remembered for his love of the Jersey Shore, his passion for surfing and his forever search for the perfect wave. He always began each day in New Jersey or Nantucket reading the local surf report or driving to check out the waves.

A Rumon-Fair Haven Regional High School Class of 1977 alumni,  Ben went on to graduate from Hobart William Smith College in  1981, where he was a proud member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity and participated in Hobart Lacrosse. He then received his master’s degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

He was a past family member of the Sea Bright Beach Club and an active member of the Clean Ocean Action.

Ben was also a founding partner of the Navesink River Paddle Excursions.

Ben was predeceased by his parents George and Joan Hamilton. He is survived by: his brother, George L. Hamilton Jr., of Ocean Grove, ; his sisters, Jeanmarie Drucker of NY, NY, and Kate Hamilton Pardee, of Nantucket, MA; his nephews and niece, Richard Drucker Jr. and Hamilton Drucker, George L. Hamilton III, and Katelynn Hamilton; his aunt, Jean Prial; close friend, Wendy Ostrov Delehanty; and many loving friends.

There will be a memorial gathering to celebrate Ben’s life on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank, from 1 to 4 p.m. with “words of remembrance” at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Benjamin B. Hamilton Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 8097, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or to the Fair Haven Fire & First Aid, River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704.

Schools Scene

R-FH Area Schools’ ‘Beyond Measure’ Discussion


“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” It’s a major tenet Rumon-Fair Haven area parents and students learned as they gathered together recently to view and discuss the documentary Beyond Measure, the sequel to the acclaimed Race to Nowhere.

Parents and students in the Rumson, Fair Haven and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) districts participated.

Here’s what happened …

Continue reading R-FH Area Schools’ ‘Beyond Measure’ Discussion →

News

Knollwood Students Get Tech Savvy

Fair Haven students are getting more tech savvy every day.

And they’re doing so in different venues. The latest tech adventure: EdTech Coach Chris Aviles and eight Knollwood School students recently participated in the Maker Faire technology event at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Eatontown.

Maker Faire attendees experienced the latest technologies in 3D printings, robotics, coding and more Nov. 6 to 8.

Barnes and Noble had asked Aviles and his fifth- and sixth-grade Innovation Lab students to participate. The eight students who took part in Maker Faire also attended and helped facilitate two hands-on workshops on Nov. 7. The workshops — Little Makers, for ages 5 and up, and Junior Makers for ages 8 and up — allowed youngsters to explore the creation of structures using Lego brand building materials.

“I really enjoy my time in Innovation Lab, because there are so many different options for what we can work on,” said RJ McCormack, one of the students on hand at the event. “It’s really fun because you get to choose your curriculum.

“For example, we can disassemble iPhones, tablets, or cameras as well as work with Minecraft or on coding .— we’ve even taken bicycles apart and reassembled them to make ‘new’ bicycles for people who need them.”

Also on Nov. 7, Aviles made a solo presentation as part of Meet the Maker, where presentations were held daily to allow local “makers” — thought leaders and educators — to inform attendees about the latest trends in designing, building and creating. Aviles spoke about the importance of “making” and student-centered learning.

One of only about a dozen individuals worldwide with Google Lead Learner credentials, Aviles is also a Google-certified trainer and innovator. As the Fair Haven School District’s EdTech coach, his responsibilities include training staff and teaching students at Viola L. Sickles and Knollwood Schools in the use of technology.

Business Buzz, Opinion

I’ll Just Pick: Tavolo Pronto Fresh

By Elaine Van Develde

Call them all Tavolicious — the key fresh ingredients in just some of our favorite foods at Tavolo Pronto in Fair Haven.

Yes. Tavolicious. That works. They’re a special blend of uniquely Tavolo and just plain delicious. There are so many Tavolicious things at Tavolo.

Continue reading I’ll Just Pick: Tavolo Pronto Fresh →

News

A Rumson-Fair Haven Veterans Day

By Elaine Van Develde

Veterans. Honoring them for a moment on one day at a once-annual small-town gathering on Veterans Day is not enough, Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli told the crowd gathered for a ceremony in the borough on Wednesday morning.

“It is up to us to honor the lives that we lost — to honor all those who have served our country,” he said. “We honor them through events like this. But we should honor them in everyday life as well.”

Noting the presence of young school children in attendance, as part of the program, the mayor continued, saying that it is “important to note that it is up to the parents to make sure that our children realize the immense sacrifice they’ve (veterans)made.

“It is because of them that we are able to enjoy the freedom and liberties we are afforded. Ceremony is a small token of gratitude to these men and women.”

The mayor’s sentiment was echoed by featured speaker U.S. Marine Corps Major Joshua Zager, a 1989 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Graduate who served in Marine Fighter Attack squadrons 251, aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew 43 combat missions over Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.

“People are always thanking me for my service,” Major Zager said, turning his thanks to those serving their own towns at home. “It was my pleasure.

“I’ve stood the watch many times … Right now I’d like to thank our policemen and volunteer firefighters. They’re standing watch right now so that tonight we can sleep safely in our beds.”

That theme of hometown gratitude was emulated in Rumson.

There, First Sgt. James Duffney, 177 Fighter Wing in the NJ Air National Guard, gave thanks as well. “He thanked all those veterans present for their service and remembered all those from Rumson who have passed on,” Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, after missing his speech by a minute.

Yes, thank you. Thank you to the veterans who died serving our country. Thank you to those who served, came home, raised their families in the area, lived their lives out serving their communities, or just being a good neighbor. Thank you to those now serving. Thank you to the police and firemen protecting and serving their communities every single day.

Thank you.

Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into Veterans Day in  Rumson and Fair Haven. Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge.

— Photos and slideshow/Elaine Van Develde

 

Local Life

Veterans Day Ceremonies in Rumson, Fair Haven

Wednesday is the day for honoring veterans — the 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour. That’s how the tradition goes.

Both Rumson and Fair Haven are hosting Veterans Day ceremonies at that same significant time in the respective towns.

With both ceremonies begin at 11 a.m.  Fair Haven’s is at the usual Memorial Park at the corner of Fair Haven and River roads.

In addition to the featured speaker — veteran, 1989 Rumson-Fair Haven graduate and lifetime Fair Havenite Joshua Zager — there will be music by the students of Knollwood School.

The ceremony in Rumson, at the same time, is being held at Victory Park.

Borough offices in both towns will be closed.

 

Business Buzz, Opinion

Little Silver A&P Now Acme

Finishing touches were put on the new Acme in Little Silver, which replaced the A&P Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Finishing touches were put on the new Acme in Little Silver, which replaced the A&P
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

They were putting the finishing touches on it Tuesday night. The Little Silver A&P is now an Acme.

The store, at 507 Prospect Avenue is open. According to the recording on the store’s telephone system, it is open the same hours as the A&P was: 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday; and until 10 p.m. on Sunday.

 

The Acme in Fair Haven has long been considered a special kind of meeting place for area residents.

When this editor’s mom went to “pick up a few things,” that usually meant her children would see her hours later. And, there were many times the conversation in the produce aisle took over so much that one of us had to go back to pick up what she forgot.

Well, we’ll see. With the extra couple of hours open, you never know who may meander over to Little Silver.

See ya at the Acme!

— Elaine Van Develde

Elections, Schools Scene

The BOE Votes: Mancuso Loses FH Bid for Third Term

By Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Board of Education President Mark Mancuso has lost his bid for re-election, leaving contenders Bennett Coleman, Michelle Buckley and Charlie Jakub filling the three seats up for grabs on the nine-member board.

Mancuso first came to the board by filling an unexpired term five years ago. He will be finishing the end of his second full term on the dais by the year’s end.

The highest vote-getter in the election, which brought out 3,299 voters, was Coleman, with 847. Buckley garnered 655 votes and Jakub 632, according to the unofficial tallies of the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.

Five vied for the three seats. In addition to Mancuso, Marisa Coar did not win her bid for election. She won 615 votes, or roughly 19 percent, while Mancuso had the least amount of votes cast on his ballot — 540, or about 16 percent.

There were 10 write-ins.

Rumson

The race for three board seats in the Rumson School District was uncontested.

Three ran for three seats.

With a total of 1,595 votes cast, John Connors got the highest number of votes, 533, or more than 33 percent. Charles ”Chuck” Jones III won 532, or just more than 33 percent. And Margaret Simons got 514 votes, or 32 percent, the vote tallies of the Clerk’s Office said.

There were 16 write-ins.

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

With three seats up for grabs, only two incumbent candidates ran uncontested to fill them.

Lourdes Lucas and Sarah Maris (both representing Fair Haven) won new terms with 874 and 869 votes, respectively.

Teresa Liccardi, M.D., Rumson representative, did not seeking re-election.

So, there will be an empty seat to be filled.

There were 55 write-ins for that seat.