Tag Archives: feature

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Focus: RFH Art Show

Gallery

A group of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) seniors giggled, gossiped, reminisced and complimented one another’s artwork.

It was Wednesday night — the night of the RFH Art Show. It was one of the last events they would attend together as RFH students. Graduation is soon — the end of an era for the Class of 2016.

“You’re graduating soon. Are you going to cry (realizing the end of your high school years)?” asked Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect. “Yes, I think so,” one senior girl said as she blushed and started to get a bit teary eyed. The bittersweet ending sentiment was contagious. “Yeah, we are,” another chimed in with a sad grin, glancing at her friend.

And they put their arms around one another and smiled for a picture.

There were lots of moments like that at the RFH Art Show. And there were students of all grades taking in the art, realizing the end of an era as seniors and the beginning as freshman and everything in between.

The students conveyed their personalities and experiences in various art mediums. Take a look at the gallery below for a glimpse into the evening.

Good luck, RFH seniors!

— Elaine Van Develde

 

News

Reminder: Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Replacement Meetings

It’s not something that’s happening any time soon, but the replacement of the deteriorating Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge is happening.

With what has been dubbed the Local Concept Development Phase of the project in the works, Monmouth County officials are letting the local public know that their input, in the form of public informational meetings, is invited as the project’s design moves into its Local Preliminary Engineering Phase.

Those meetings, held in cooperation with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, are today in both Sea Bright and Rumson: from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Sea Bright Municipal Building’s public meeting room, with a presentation at 2:30 p.m.; and tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in the cafeteria.

 

From the county …

“The purpose of the Public Information Center meetings is to inform the public of the status since the Local Concept Development Phase of this bridge replacement project including refinements to the approach roadways and intersections, and to solicit public input and comment on the Preliminary Engineering Phase of the project.

“These meetings are being conducted in conformance with Federal and State regulations. The public is invited and encouraged to comment on the project and may attend either or both meetings.

“Written comments will be accepted through Friday, July 8, 2016. Comments may be mailed or faxed to:

Inkyung Englehart, Project Manager
Monmouth County Division of Engineering & Traffic Safety Hall of Records Annex, 3rd Floor
1 East Main Street
Freehold, NJ 07728

Fax 732-431-7765 engineer@co.monmouth.nj.us”

 

Continue reading Reminder: Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Replacement Meetings →

Local Life

Focus: Nightfall River Kayaking

Gallery

The sun set. The water was still. It was a serene nightfall on the river in Fair Haven.

A lone kayaker rowed his way from the shore across the Navesink from the Middletown shores to the River Rats boat launch. The clouds seemed to follow him. The new moon a sliver above.

And, in the distance, in the hushed evening, were only soft echoes of the water lapping gently to each paddle, bringing him home.

Home here. Good night, Fair Haven.

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Fair Haven Ride

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A special Fair Haven bike ride in the 1960s Photo/courtesy of Peter Mauger
A special Fair Haven bike ride in the 1960s
Photo/courtesy of Peter Mauger

There’s nothing quite like taking a ride with your buddies when you’re a little kid, especially if your bike is a tractor, too.

What kid rides a tractor in the Rumson-Fair Haven area? Well, back in the 1960s, Fair Havenite Peter Mauger did. He, the pint-sized driver carted Nancy Wilson down Lake Avenue in what was a combo tractor-bike with a cool little trailer to lug stuff or a pal in — a “dump trac,” to be exact. Susan Wilson, old and cool enough to ride a two-wheeler with a bell, rode along.

No power wheels in the form of high end, luxury cars. No helmets. No special permission needed to drive a dump trac, because, you know, they’re rural kinds of vehicles.

And the streets were barren enough in those days to ride up and down and even around the block on a seemingly endless loop. Hey, neighborhood kids used to also play dodge ball and hopscotch in the street. But, that’s a retro pic for another day.

Today, the Retro Pic of the Day, courtesy of Peter Mauger, honors a kids’  bike ride of a simpler time — not that there’s anything wrong with helmets and designer power wheels.

What kind of bike did you have? Your dream bike or foot-pedaled car? Remember those?

Local Life

Sea Bright Farmers Market Seeks More Vendors

The Sea Bright Farmers Market is back in season and with it some popular vendors have returned. But, organizers are looking for a few more.

According to a Facebook post, the market is “looking to expand our 2016 list …”  That list, so far, includes: Harvest Moon Farm, Holly Jolly Jams, Pickle Licious, Baker’s Bounty, Neshanic Valley Bee Keepers, Hot Sauce Good, Green Duchess Farm, Harvest Moon Organic Farm, and, new this season, Gourmet Nuts and Dried Fruit.

Organizers say that “at present, we are are hoping to add a coffee roaster and organic dog/cat treat vendor. If you are interested in being considered or have suggestions/recommendations feel free to message us here … or call/text our market managers, Sonya Cappillo at 732-614-9590 or Linda Blevins at 732-757-1374. Any vendor interested in participating must carry a general liability insurance policy.”

The market, which runs for the season every Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Sea Bright Municipal Parking Lot, is a produce/food farmers market.

 

 

Rumson Police and Fire Files

Police: Rumson Teen Party Busted

Rumson police have arrested two borough teens on charges in connection with underage drinking at a large Saturday party allegedly hosting juveniles.

The 18-year-old Rumson party host was arrested and charged with maintaining a nuisance, serving alcoholic beverages to underage persons, and disorderly conduct after police responded to an 11 p.m. call reporting the party at his home.

The caller reported that there were “multiple juveniles on their lawn,” police said. Rumson Police Lt. Christopher York and Sgt. Peter Koenig responded and found the reported party in progress and many running from the scene upon police’s arrival, police reported.

Assistance was requested from Fair Haven and Little Silver police.

In addition to the host, another 18-year-old, of Rumson, was arrested and charged with underage possession of alcohol, police reported.

Both were released on summonses pending court, police said.

Local Life

Focus: Rainbow After the Rain

Gallery

It rained. It poured. Then a near double dose of good luck symbol stretched across the sky — a vibrant (almost) double rainbow.

And Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect wasn’t the only witness. People in the Rumson-Fair Haven area grabbed shots of the site from many different perspectives.

Here’s what we saw in Fair Haven. If you’d like us to add your photos of the rainbow(s), just give us the OK and we will.

Perhaps it’s a good luck sign for the start of the week.

Here’s to natural wonders and luck!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Lending a Helping Fair Haven Day Hand

It’s just about that time of the year — time for Fair Haven Day.

And organizers of the now annual event, via The Foundation of Fair Haven, are alerting residents and area business owners that it’s also time to get your tickets and sign up for sponsorships. If you want more perks/business visibility and would like to offer some financial assistance to keep the event going for years to come, this is the best way to help and reap some benefits in the process, they say.

Fair Haven Day started when the borough celebrated its centennial a few years ago. There was an informal barbecue, music and fireworks to cap the day-long event designed to bring the community together at Fair Haven Fields.

People voiced opinion that they wanted to do it again, and again. But, the estimated cost was high. So, The Foundation of Fair Haven, a 501c3 non-profit was formed to defray the cost that wouldn’t be covered in charging a basic food fee.

Now, fundraisers, donations and sponsorships later, tickets for the event are on sale and so are family packages, personal and business sponsorships that include advertising.

According to The Foundation of Fair Haven website, River Road Band, Riptide and Jukebox Criminals will be playing, picnic food will be offered by Brennan’s at $10 per person, seafood from the Lusty Lobster will be sold at $5 a serving and dessert and coffee, at $2 per serving, will be served by Booskerdoo. Unlimited mugs of beer will be offered at $25 and, new this year, is a bottomless wine glass for $30.

In addition to these ticket prices, sponsorships range from $100 on up and include a variety of associated benefits.

Check the site by clicking here and choose your tickets and/or sponsorship offer.

Check out our slideshow here to revisit Fair Haven Day 2015.

 

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

A Showing of Fine Arts at Forrestdale

Students, staff, and volunteers at Forrestdale School in Rumson celebrated the annual Evening of Fine Arts on May 26.

The Gagnon family enjoys the original creations of Forrestdale students at the recent Evening of Fine Arts. Photo/Rumson School District
The Gagnon family enjoys the original creations of Forrestdale students at the recent Evening of Fine Arts.
Photo/Rumson School District

“The Evening of Fine Arts allows our students to showcase their many talents,” Forrestdale School Principal Jennifer Gibbons said. “The energy in the building is so high as a result of the excitement the parents and esteemed guests get from each and every student’s artistic contributions.”

The event featured student artwork and music. A roster of student pianists — Norah Anderson, Gray Barnum, Louisa Barnum, Sydney Carroll, Hannah Duprey, Madeleine Ganun, Grace Harvey, Tyler Izzo, Tristan Izzo, George Kressler, and Hayden Marciszewski — provided a musical greeting as visitors entered the school’s lobby.

Tristan Izzo plays the piano for the crowd at the 2016 Forrestdale Evening of Fine Arts. Photo/Rumson School District
Tristan Izzo plays the piano for the crowd at the 2016 Forrestdale Evening of Fine Arts.
Photo/Rumson School District

 

 

 

Artwork by fourth through eighth graders was featured in the hallways, cafeteria, and lobby. Visitors enjoyed art dubbed Aboriginal Animal Art, Fish Bowls with Melted Glass, Snow Globes, Chuck Close Self-Portraits, Kimmy Cantrell-Inspired Clay, Zentangles, Hokusai Waves, Durer Rhinos and more.

Performances by the Junior Choir and Beginning Band were featured in the school’s all-purpose room. The Junior Choir, directed by Barbara Leutz, sang “Peace in Twelve Lanuages,” “Reflections of a Lad at Sea” (The Captain’s Mate, Thoughts of Home, The Ghost Ship) and “Two Sea Chanteys” (Cape Cod Girls, Sleepy Sailor). John Lebitsch led the Beginning Band through “Popcorn Prelude,” “Slideways,” and “Hard Rock Blues.”

Parent volunteers helped prepare and hang the artwork for the PTO-sponsored event.

— Edited press release from the Rumson School District

Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police: Terroristic Threats, Weapons, DWIs, Fireworks & Juveniles with Alcohol

The following arrests were reported by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

Arrests

• Four area juveniles were arrested on May 21 and charged with underage possession of alcohol by Special Officer Donald Morse.

• David Keyser, 34, of West Long Branch, was arrested on May 15 and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) by Patrolman Daniel Campanella.

• Tammy Crine, 49, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 15 and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) by Special Officer Michael Berger.

• Jake Demelio, 19, of Rumson, was arrested on May 12 and charged with simple assault and unlawful use of fireworks by Patrolman Donald Schneider.

• Jonathan Diamond, 40, of Rumson, was arrested on May 11 and charged with terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct by Captain Jeff Nixon and Sgt. Peter Koenig.

Contempt of Court

• Patricia Coston, 52, of Asbury Park, was arrested on May 27 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Captain Jeff Nixon.

• Marcus Rice, 32, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 23 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Patrolman Daniel Campanella.

• Joseph Kowitski Jr., 18, of Sea Bright, was arrested on May 13 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Special Officer Michael Berger.

• David Garcia, 41, of Parlin, was arrested on May 5 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Patrolman Richard Torres.

Local Life

Focus: Summery Sunning Down by the River

Gallery

It may be an unofficial start of summer that’s taken hold, but the sun was scorching like it was pretty official down by the Navesink River on Monday in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

The National Weather Service says “patchy fog” is going to hit tonight until early tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. After that, it’s supposed to be sunny and 70 degrees.

Take a look at the above photos for a glimpse into the sunny day in both Rumson and Fair Haven.