Tag Archives: feature

Local Life

Special Delivery for Fair Haven Fire Chief

There’s been a special delivery of an official sort of third-generation Fair Havenite — and just in time for the fair!

Fair Haven Fire Department Chief Michael Wiehl and wife Gloria announced the birth of their first child, Abigail Rose, at 8:57 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Abigail Rose Weihl Photo/Facebook screenshot
Abigail Rose Wiehl
Photo/Facebook screenshot
Abigail Rose Weihl Photo/Facebook screenshot
Abigail Rose Wiehl
Photo/Facebook screenshot

Abigail weighed in at 6-pounds, 12 ounces and “everyone is happy and healthy,” Gloria said to Facebook friends.

Grandma and Grandpa, Bonnie and Jeff Wiehl are thrilled.

Michael Wiehl is a third-generation native Fair Havenite, the grandson of Cora and Bill Kacen, longtime fire department members.

Local Life

Homefront RFH Olympian Cheer to Jaeger’s Silver

“This Silver Medal is nothing but a pebble found on the mountain that is the history of United States Olympic success. I feel so blessed to have contributed to what was one of the greatest Olympic team performances of all time. I still can’t believe I’m coming home with a Silver ? #rio2016?? #gousa??” ~ Olympian Connor Jaeger / 2016 Silver Medal Winner/ Men’s 1,500-Meter Freestyle

He did it and set a record to boot! RFH 2010 graduate, Fair Haven-raised Connor Jaeger won the silver medal, placing second in the world, in the 2016 Summer Olympics men’s 1,500-meter freestyle swim in Rio de Janeiro.

And on top of winning the silver — his first medal after coming in sixth in the same category four years ago in London — Jeager came in at a Team USA record-breaking time of 14:39.48.

And Jaeger was cheered on from afar at his alma mater, 2000 Olympics bronze medal 200-meter individual medley swim winner Tom Wilkens on site to lend support to a fellow swimmer and let some of the kids try on his medal for fun. Wilkens, a CBA grad, is from Middletown. There was a parade to honor him when he won.

Jaeger is the son of Fair Haven Councilman Eric Jaeger and wife, Bernadette. He has a sister, Dana.

Check out the photos for a glimpse into the eve at RFH.

Congrats, again, Connor Jaeger!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

RFH to Cheer on Olympian Connor Jaeger

Saturday night’s the night to cheer on Fair Haven-raised Olympian Connor Jaeger at none other than his alma mater, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH).

Jaeger, who came in first in two swimming categories’ trials (400- and 1,500-meter freestyle), will be going for the gold in Rio de Janeiro in the 1,500 category on Saturday night.

He placed fifth in the 400 in Rio a couple of weeks ago.

All are invited to gather, watch and cheer Jaeger on at RFH’s auditorium at 7 p.m.

This is Jaeger’s second round at the Olympics. He competed four years ago and came in sixth in the 1,500.

Go Connor!

 

Local Life

Retro Lock, Stock & Barrel Dinner & Waitresses

It’s too hot to cook, right?

Well, back in the day, decades ago, you could go on over to Lock, Stock & Barrel in Fair Haven, where Nauvoo Grill Club now sits, for a  $3.50 prime rib dinner. Yes, you read that right. See?

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Check out the ad from probably the early 1970s. While school was in, kids would walk over from what was then Willow Street School (now Viola L. Sickles) during lunch hour for a huge burger, fries, a salad and a cherry coke — all for less than $1. True hometown story. Oh, then the kids walked over to the penny candy store down the street for a few Red Hot Dollars, Swedish Fish and a candy necklace.

Many of the Lock, Stock waitresses were Fair Haven moms, some of them Fair Haven Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary members.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day, courtesy of native Fair Havenite Evie Connor Kelly, is a look back at those ladies all dressed up and performing a Lock Stock waitressing spoof at a fire company event and a look at a menu.

Prime rib and a song and dance, anyone? Remember these ladies? They knew all the kids.

Obituaries

Memorial Service Set for Rumson’s AJ Heagney

Rumson resident Alexander Joseph “AJ” Heagney, a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) alumni, passed away on Aug. 6. He was 23.

A memorial service to celebrate AJ’s life is set for Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at Tower Hill Presbyterian Church, Harding Road, Red Bank.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation in AJ’s memory be donate to a charity of your choice.

AJ Heagney Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home
AJ Heagney
Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

From his obituary …

“AJ will be forever remembered for his infectious smile, contagious laugh, and the ability to touch the lives of everyone around him.

“AJ had a passion for nature, snowboarding, photography, music and he loved to dance. He cared deeply for his family and friends and shared a level of kindness, compassion, and empathy for others that makes the world a better place.

“Funny, athletic, tender-hearted, energetic, and original was AJ. His sweet yet brave and strong spirit will carry-on through all who loved him.”

AJ is survived by: his mother, Leigh Roberto Heagney; his twin sister, Kailee Ann Heaney; his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

 

Local Life

Focus: A Barn Theater Tribe Reunion

Good show folk don’t fade away, they reunite — regularly.

That’s the case with a group of actors and techies of the late 1970s and early 80s who have dubbed themselves the Tribe of Rumson’s Barn Theater, a place aptly named because of its barn roots. They had a reunion on Saturday.

Lots of bonds formed back in the day of rehearsing and putting on shows in the spot that became known as one of the best, if not the best, community theaters in the area. It was a place that was not only known for producing quality shows, but grooming many actors who became professionals, some of whom appeared on Broadway, in film and on television.

Their bond formed decades ago. And while a lot of Tribe members don’t see one another often, they never skip a beat in reconnecting like they’re right back at a rehearsal chatting backstage and waiting for their cues.

Curtain up! Enter stage left. Cue up the spotlight. Places.

There is no curtain call with this crew. But they will bow anyway. Bravo!

— Elaine Van Develde

Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into an epic reunion. Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge!

Photos for the slideshow were contributed by Elaine Van Develde, Ann Toronto McNamara, Jenifer Weber Zeller, Connie Heath Thibeault and Grateful Red. 

 

Local Life

More Retro Rumson Barn Theatre Buds

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The time has come for all Rumson Barn Theatre buddies to gather once again.

Once upon a time, there was a crew of theater folk in their teens and early twenties who gathered regularly at The Barn in Rumson. They did shows, tech and bonded very quickly as the best of lifetime friends.

The proof is in the contact and gratitude for one another’s show folk mentality to this day.

One crew is reuniting on Saturday.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors that gaggle of Barn Theatre kids.

There are a couple of old (and I mean that in the kindest way) Rumsonites in this classic shot taken by fellow theater gal, Ann Toronto McNamara circa the early 1980s.

Recognize anyone? Here’s to old theater friends and bonds and, well, the notion that, according to a David Bowie song used in one of the shows, “We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day!”

Here’s to our theater heroes! Stay tuned for the reunion photos!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

R-FH Area Weekend: Rooting for a Olympian Jaeger


 

It’s been four years since RFH grad Connor Jaeger went for the gold in the 2012 Summer Olympics and ended up garnering sixth place in the 1,500-meter freestyle swim. Now, it’s his time again — twice over.

Jaeger is in Rio and set to go for the gold on first on Saturday in the 400-meter swim. Next week will be the 1,500-meter race.

Above is a look at a carpool karaoke video of Jaeger and fellow Olympians.

The Jaeger family, Fair Havenites, have expressed their gratitude for overwhelming community support of Connor once again.

The sign is up on the marquee of the Fair Haven Firehouse.

Tune in on Saturday night …

The men’s 400-meter freestyle heats start at 12:48 p.m. EDT.
The final begin at 9:30 p.m.

Go Connor Jaeger! Fair Haven is proud … again!

 

Local Life

Scene Around: Gull on the River Beach

Gallery

Ever take a walk down by the river and feel like someone’s following you or even leading the way?

It happened today down on the beach by the Fair Haven Dock.

A lone seagull, seemingly having a little trouble with one of his legs, led the way taking a leisurely walk along the riverbank, picked on some food along the way, waded and tried to fly a little, but to no avail. He was getting around and eating and not fearful of humans.

So, he had a little company for his afternoon walk.

Good night and feel better, Mr. Fair Haven Livingston Seagull.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Focus: Fair Haven’s Night Out

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National Night Out was Tuesday. Every year, the evening, celebrated on the first Tuesday in August in communities throughout the nation, is dedicated to raising awareness of community policing and fire and first aid emergency responders.

It is meant for people to have an opportunity to become better acquainted with the officers, fire fighters and first-aiders and their policies designed to protect and serve them. The night is all about doing so with fun, games, demonstrations, closer looks and socializing.

Here’s a glimpse into Fair Haven’s Night Out (Click on each photo to enlarge.) …

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Iconic Spot Focus: River Rats & Doritos

Gallery

While being a River Rat was a staple of summer life for many a Rumson-Fair Haven area rugrat, there were still those who didn’t sail into waterborne activity success. Some, instead, capsized inside at the thought of a wave taking the wind out of their little sails.

But, staying away from the banks of the Navesink was never even a flicker of a thought in an area youngster’s brain.

There was so much to do there — like wading, watching, feeling the sand between the toes and, well, having a heart-to-heart gabfest with a friend while fetching and freeing sand crabs and munching on a big bag of Doritos … tucked into a festive picnic basket, of course.

Yup. That’s was the summer scene for some. And it was more than enough. Sometimes, between Dorito chomping, sand, wading and chatting, the sunset would seem to creep up and those kids would realize that the River Rats had come to shore and gone home.

The walk home with that picnic basket, an empty bag and that buddy was the exhale for the night. The dream was a simple, sweet, well-lived one.

— Elaine Van Develde