Tag Archives: Fair Haven

News

A Rumson-Fair Haven Veterans Day

November 11, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

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

November 10, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

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

November 4, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

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

November 3, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

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.

Elections, News

Fair Haven Votes: GOP Incumbents Keep Seats

November 3, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

Republican incumbents kept their seats on Fair Haven Borough Council by a comfortable margin, with 2,339 votes cast, or more than half the estimated 4,000 registered voters in the borough.

With newcomer Democrat Shervyn von Hoerl vying for one of the two three-year governing body terms up for grabs, a win for him would have put a long-unprecedented two Democrats on the dais.

He did not succeed. The challenger, von Hoerl ended up with 621 votes, or nearly 27 percent of the vote.

The high vote-getter in the race was Councilman Eric Jaeger, with 876, or more than 37 percent.

Jaeger’s running mate Robert Marchese won his third term to council with 834 votes, or roughly 36 percent.

There were eight write-ins.

Fair Haven’s form of government is a Borough Council form. In this form of municipal government, there are six council members with three-year terms and a mayor with a four-year term.

While the mayor presides over meetings, he does not vote, unless to break a tie.

The mayor does, however, have veto power.

Local Life

Focus: Halloween Tricking and Treating

Gallery November 2, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Halloween was a lot of treating and no tricking, except for trickery of disguise, in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

The weather was hauntingly good and a good time was had by all where we got a glimpse at a howling haunt on Third Street in Fair Haven.

There were nerds, angels, monsters, princesses and even a gigantic group of emojis.

Take a look.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

R-FH Area Halloween Rules

October 31, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Happy Halloween, R-FH area people!

Here are the rules for ghosting and ghouling tonight …

• Trick-or-treaters under 18 and not supervised by an adult must be off the roads by 8 p.m.;

• Never, ever go trick-or-treating alone;

• Exercise caution around strangers both on the street and at homes;

• Do not go inside homes;

• Do not eat candy until you get it home and it is inspected by parents;

• Wear a highly-visible or reflective costume, walk on sidewalks and walkways and carry a flashlight and cell phone.

The main message: Stay safe, stay out of trouble and have fun!

Happy Halloween!

Local Life

Rumson-Fair Haven Halloween Parading Pics for Purchase

Gallery October 28, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

There was no tricking and a lot of treating going on Sunday when Rumson and Fair Haven both hosted annual Halloween festivities.

You’ve probably already seen the slideshow that tells the story, in photos set to music, of how it all started with a parade in Fair Haven that culminated with costume prizes, some socializing and snacks at the firehouse. Then, in Rumson kids of all ages paraded a short route from the front to the back of Forrestdale School where some costume judging and prizes ensued along with some carnival-type fun and games.

Here, we have made available any of the photos for purchase. Just click on the “buy photo” tag and follow the instructions.

*Note: Photos for purchase are for personal use only. They are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any other publication. Thanks and enjoy!

Local Life

Focus: Halloween Haunts

Gallery October 28, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Call them Halloween house haunts of the Rumson-Fair Haven area. They’re those subtle little decorations that pop out to give passersby a bit of a “Boo!”

Perusing the area, there were a few that just seemed to summon the spirit of the season.

Take a look. We will be adding new haunting discoveries to this photo collage until Halloween. Do you know of a ghoulishly good lawn scare? Let us know and we’ll stop by to take a pic.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Rumson-Fair Haven Halloween Parading

October 26, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

There was no tricking and a lot of treating going on Sunday when Rumson and Fair Haven both hosted their annual Halloween festivities.

It all started with a parade in Fair Haven that culminated with costume prizes, some socializing and snacks at the firehouse. Then, in Rumson kids of all ages paraded a short route from the front to the back of Forrestdale School where some costume judging and prizes ensued along with some carnival-type fun and games.

Take a look at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s slideshow for a peek-a-BOO into the day. Enjoy!

We will be posting the photos in a separate gallery for purchase if you’d like your own copies.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

This Weekend: R-FH Area Halloween Fun

October 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

The Halloween spirit is in the air and festivities to conjure it up into a hearty haunt abound this weekend.

There are parades, parties, costume contests, a haunted theater a regional run, and an egg hunt — yes, an egg hunt.

It all starts on Friday night with …

• Brookdale Community College’s Haunted Theater:

Adult tours are held Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the college’s Performing Arts Center.

General admission is $12, senior admission is $10 (age 62 and up, college staff and alumni), high school students pay $8, and Brookdale students are admitted for $5 (two-ticket limit).

Saturday …

• Fair Haven’s Halloween Egg Hunt starts at 5:30 p.m. at Fair Haven Fields near the concession stand.

It’s a play on the Easter Egg Hunt with a Halloween twist. The fields will be peppered with black and orange candy-filled eggs. Be there 15 minutes early and bring a bag for eggs.

The hunt is free.

• After the hunt, borough boy scout troops are hosting their Haunted Hike at 6:15 p.m.

The hike will take participants through the Fair Haven Fields Nature Area. Admission is a canned food item for donation.

Sunday …

• The regional 22nd Annual Trick or Trot 5K Race and Pet Walk, hosted by the Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC) and the Deal Fire Company No. 2, will take place at 11 a.m. at the Deal Casino in Deal.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the homeless animals at the Monmouth County SPCA and the Deal Fire Company. Over the past 21 years, the Trick or Trot has attracted nearly 50,000 participants and raised more than $25,000 for its beneficiaries. Formerly held in Long Branch, the large, regional run is now in Deal.

Race-day registration in person begins at the Deal Casino at 9:30 a.m. The Trick or Trot Kids Dash starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Race at 11 a.m., with the Pet Walk at 11:05 a.m.

The People and Pet Costume Parades will take place at 11:45 a.m., followed by awards and prizes! Deal Fire Company will host a post-race party on site with hot dogs, beverages and music.

Registration costs for the 5K and Pet Walk are $25. Registration for the Kids Dashes is $15. Long-sleeved t-shirts are provided to all who pre-register.

Fair Haven Halloween Parade 2014 Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Fair Haven Halloween Parade 2014
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

• The Fair Haven Halloween Parade/Costume Contest lines up at Knollwood School on Hance Road at 1:30 p.m. and makes its way down Hance and River roads and to the Fair Haven Firehouse at 2 p.m.

Prizes will be given out at the firehouse.

Children of all ages are welcome.

Rumson Halloween 2014 Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Rumson Halloween 2014
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

• The Rumson Halloween Parade and Party runs at Forrestdale School from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Line-up is at the school’s main entrance at 3:15 p.m. There will be a costume contest and prizes, thematic games and activities, hot dogs and beverages and a trick-or-treat.