Tag Archives: feature

Local Life

Retro Sea Bright Beach Romp

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A Sea Bright beach summer day after Superstorm Sandy
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Oh, the recent cold snap after unseasonably warm days has unleashed an bitter chill in the air. It makes Rumson-Fair Haven area folks long for warm summer beach days in Sea Bright again.

And the revamp of Donovan’s Reef brings back memories of a Sea Bright ravaged by Superstorm Sandy.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day warms the heart and dank air with memories of fun in the sun at Sea Bright beach and the peninsula borough on the mend.

This snapshot in time takes us back to the summer Sandy and some kids making the most of a sunny day at the beach.

Know them? Remember those days?

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Focus: The Donovan’s Rebuild

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When it comes to the rebuilding (and expansion) of the iconic Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright, things are looking up … and out.

It will be five years ago this October that the mainstay locals’ summer hangout and RFH reunion spot was tossed and flattened to bits by Superstorm Sandy.

So its rebuild has been a particularly long-awaited one by townies and Rumson-Fair Haven area folks.

The plan is for the new, improved and indestructible Donovan’s to be open for business by the start of the summer season.

Much progress has been made to date.

Take a look and see for yourself …

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro Post-Sandy Donovan’s

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There’s a lot of buzz about the long-awaited rebuild of Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright after it’s untimely, untamed demise due to Superstorm Sandy’s merciless wrath in October of 2012.

Well, Donovan’s will be getting back in step with its summer traditions in a literally grande way.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day offer a glimpse back to a winter about four years ago when Donovan’s was in bits and people came to mourn what was or was not left of the iconic hangout on the beach.

Take a look back and remember …

— Elaine Van Develde

Donovan’s Reef after Sandy
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Sightseers looking at what’s left and mourning the loss of Donovan’s Reef after Sandy
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Local Life

Detour: Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Closure

Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

If you’re planning on traveling over the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge any time after dark on Thursday night through to Friday morning, you’re going to need to plan an alternate route.

The bridge, according to a digital sign posted at its entrance and Monmouth County officials, will be closed from 8 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday for routine bascule span (the portion that opens) maintenance.

The span is a county bridge which is slated for a major revamp.

Schools Scene

Filling Empty Bowls for the Hungry at RFH

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students are getting set to fill the pantries, bellies and empty food bowls of those in need.

The high school will host what has been dubbed the Empty Bowls fundraiser, benefitting the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Empty Bowls stands for the situation faced by local families struggling to put food on the table. The annual event is open to the public and features beautiful original artwork in the form of colorful bowls created by RFH ceramics students. For $10, people may purchase a handcrafted ceramic bowl filled with soup (and bread on the side) and the proceeds go to the Food Bank.

Event organizers are also requesting donations of canned foods for the Food Bank as well as new or gently used children’s books for donation to Bridge of Books.

Local Life

Retro RFH Polar Bear Dudes

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RFH Polar Bear Club after a plunge. Photo/RFH Yearbook screenshot
RFH Polar Bear Club after a plunge.
Photo/RFH Yearbook screenshot

With the announcement of Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson’s successful fundraising ($17,030 for Special Olympics New Jersey) culminating in the Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights on Saturday, it seemed only right that we take you back to polar bear plunging guys of RFH back in the day — way back.

These guys actually had a high school club dedicated to the cause of, well, just plunging into icy cold water on a whim or for a thrill in the 1970s.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day is dedicated to the winter chill, the plunge and the guys who made it a club.

Do you remember the RFH Polar Bear Club? Know any of these cold weather beachgoers? Was the club solely dedicated to the dive into icy water?

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Focus: Shipping Out at Sunrise in Sea Bright

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You never know when your ship will come in, when you’ll catch a perfect view of a Sea Bright sunrise or both.

Well, Rumsonite and RFH Class of ’78 grad Doug Borden got a good dose of both this morning.

Headed over the Rumson/Sea Bright Bridge toward Sea Bright beach, he got a good glimpse of a glorious sunrise and, yes, a ship passing (or coming in for him, if you will).

Take a look at this longtime Rumson-Fair Haven area guy’s moment of sunrise gratitude …

Thanks Doug! Happy Monday, all!

Photos/Doug Borden

 

Local Life

Rumsonite Luann Hughes: Irish Soda Bread Champ

Rumsonite Luann Hughes’ winning Irish soda bread
Photo/courtesy of Luann Hughes

Erin go Luann. She did it. Longtime Rumsonite Luann Hughes won herself a place in Rumson baking history with her first-place win in the  2017 Irish Soda Bread Contest at Oceanic Free Library.

The Thursday contest has become an area tradition and one of many prequels to the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Hughes, who hasn’t given up her ingredient secret, announced on Facebook her win and that she has become among the honorees who “get(s) to help carry the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day parade banner!!!”

She won third place last year. And in addition to the hometown baker prestige, not only did the first-place win this year come with the honor of toting the parade banner, but it also came with a festive four-leaf clover trophy.

Congrats, Luann Hughes! Will your secret ever be revealed?