All it takes is one crumb to stir up some seagulls.
That’s what happened just at dusk on the edge of the Sea Bright beach the other day as people were packing it in and up at the end of the beach day.
It was no Alfred Hitchcock movie, but the skies were eerie hues of blue and yellow peppered with the gulls.
Yes, there’s a gull in every beach crowd … and photo.
It’s that time again — anniversary party time on Thursday for Coastal Decor in Fair Haven.
And with the River Road store’s annual anniversary/summer celebration comes some socializing, snacking and special prices.
The shopping party starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 10:30. “Bring a friend,” the store owners said in a Facebook release.
Coastal Decor is a favorite small business among Rumson-Fair Haven area residents specializing in shore-inspired interior design, furniture, accessories and jewelry.
The Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect Coastal Decor pick of the week for Business Buzz is the sterling silver New Jersey sea glass necklace.
What’s your favorite Coastal Decor item?
It’s summertime and the living is filled with typical summer activity — and not-so-typical. We’re in the midst of a heatwave.
A lot of people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area have predictable seasonal habits — like vacationing, beach clubbing, beachfront partying, fine dining … any number of things.
Then there are others who have opted to take the opportunity to do some charitable work or just simply take some quality time with the kids — one-on-one.
We ran into RFH grad Daryl Cooper Ley and senior-to-be daughter Becca set to take a mom-daughter stroll on the Sea Bright beach for what mom said was some “overdue quality-time walking and talking.”
Nice. Do you like to keep it simple in the summer? What’s your simple summertime activity? Tell us and/or send a pic to [email protected].
See you around the towns! Enjoy!
There’s been a bit of a delay in bringing one long-awaited passive riverfront park to Fair Haven.
That park is the one slated for the foot of DeNormandie Avenue where the historic Williams/Robards estate sat until April.
After its demolition then, officials figured it wouldn’t take all that long to clear the lot of demolition debris and unhealthy trees before the landscaping plans started to take hold.
Then there was an unforeseen shortage of help in the borough’s Department of Public Works to bring that (clearing and leveling) phase of project to a timely fruition.
“DPW was a little off track on the progress with the park,” Mayor Ben Lucarelli said. “The reason for that was that they have been short on help in the department. There have since been new hires, so they should be able to get back on track.”
In the meantime, people are free to stroll onto the beach by the river there and, when the fencing is removed, they may walk on the property that will eventually house the passive park.
The mayor went on to say that the landscaping plan is well in the works and its implementation will soon follow with the tree removal, turfing and then landscape architecture and finishing touches.
All told, the mayor said, it will realistically take up to another two years to see the completed park with finishing touches.
“We have to wait for the next grant cycle,” Lucarelli said. “We will probably go for a Monmouth County Open Space Grant. We have to close out other grants first and make certain there’s nothing else in the works. If we decide that this project is a priority for the next cycle, it could be done by next spring or so.
“If we get in on the next cycle, it would be another year. But that would be for the full flushing out of the park and all the amenities (such as the landscaping, benches, walkways). The trees (that the arborist decides may be taken) will come down next. It’s clear enough to take a walk on for now and enjoy, though.”
That final phase of the plan will include a plaque commemorating the significance of Williams family and its Robards descendants and the site.
Charles Williams, a freed African-American slave, built the house on the land that was deeded to him and his family.
Winifred Robards, the last in the family line to live in the home that fronted the Navesink River, was known to invite children to play on her property. She told many that she wanted them to enjoy the riverfront location and it was her wish that the land, when she left, be preserved with public access for all to enjoy.
Taxpayers contributed roughly $200,000 to the acquisition of the $1.2 million swath of land. The remainder of the money to purchase it came from state, county and non-profit grants — all of which were contingent upon a commitment to eternally preserve the land as open space.
— Elaine Van Develde/photos and story
The following recent arrests were made and reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
• Mackenzie Killeen, 23, and Samatha Lupino, 24, both of Middletown, were arrested on July 23 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue for and charged with possession of a CDS (heroin) and possession of a hypodermic syringe by Patrolman Shane Dengel.
• Jahvon Wells-Bailey, 27, of Keansburg, was arrested on July 16 in the area of River Street and charged with possession of a CDS (under 50 grams of marijuana), possession of a CDS with intent to distribute and possession of a CDS within 1,500 feet of a park or public housing by Patrolman Nicholas Maletto.
• Devin Dimartini, 19, of Lincroft, was arrested on July 20 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana by Patrolman Jorge Torres.
Continue reading Police Report Marijuana Possession, Dealing, Heroin Arrests & More
The following recent criminal incidents were reported by Red Bank police:
• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on July 16 in a Monmouth Street parking lot. Someone cracked the windshield on a parked vehicle.
Patrolman Matthew Ehrenreich took the report.
• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between July 17 and 19 on Tilton Avenue. The victim reported that an unknown person (or people) smashed the windshield on a parked truck.
Patrolman Shane Dengel took the report.
• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between June 17 and 19 in a Monmouth Street parking lot. The victim reported that an unknown person (or people) smashed both the front and rear windshield of a parked vehicle.
Patrolman Cevin Albert took the report.
• A theft was reported to have occurred on Maple Avenue on July 20. The victim reported that he placed his Samsung cell phone in a locker at the guy and when he went to retrieve it, it was missing.
Lt. Robert Kennedy took the report.
• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between July 19 and 20 in a Locust Avenue parking lot. The victim reported that someone slashed all four tires on a parked vehicle.
Sgt. David Hicks took the report.
• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between July 13 and 22 at the Red Bank Charter School on Oakland Street. There were reports of several tennis balls, that had been set on fire and burned, being found on the property. A square of concrete on the basketball court was also damaged by the burned tennis balls.
Patrolman Cevin Albert took the report.
Sunday was Christmas … in July … in Sea Bright.
If you wandered into the municipal parking lot in the borough, you’d see and hear evidence of the event — you’d hear the music and see the giant polar-themed inflatable slides and candy-centric bouncy house.
And what would Christmas in July be without Mr. and Mrs. Claus? Well, probably just a Christmas without the Clauses. But, they were there — a summery Hawiian version of the couple, that is.
Some wandered onto the beach and a few bopped on the boardwalk to the festive DJ tunes blasting.
Take a look.
— Elaine Van Develde
The sun is out. It’s supposed to stay out. And there are lots of things to do in the great outdoors this weekend in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
Here’s the line-up …
Friday
• The 61st Annual Red Bank Sidewalk Sale, sponsored by RiverCenter, is ongoing, starting today.
If you’re in the mood for what RiverCenter boasts are the best bargains under the sun, literally, take a stroll through the streets of Red Bank and look around.
Participating merchants on Front, Broad and Monmouth streets will have everything out there for you from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Hanga Loose Fridays continue at Umberto’s on River Road in Fair Haven.
The fun and conversation, in honor of Silvio Fabbri’s memory and love of community, all start at 7 p.m.
Saturday
• If you feel like being a waterborne for a bit and you’d like to be up a lake with a paddle, you can rent a canoe at Thompson Park in the Lincroft section of Middletown and cruise on Marlu Lake via the Monmouth County Park System from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and/or Sundays.
The cost is $15 for two hours and up to three people in a canoe.
• And, don’t forget Fair Havenites that Saturday night is the annual campout at Fair Haven Fields.
Bring your tent and gear. The fun starts at 7 p.m., but we’re told people tend to get there earlier.
• The Red Bank Sidewalk Sale continues.
• There’s a church service by St. George’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright at 5 p.m.
Sunday
• The Red Bank Farmers Market is on in the Galleria parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring all sorts of organic produce, baked goods, crafts and more.
• The last day for the Red Bank Sidewalk Sale. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Oh, and if you’re feeling the Christmas spirit under the sun, make sure you hit the beach in Sea Bright for the borough’s Christmas in July on the Sea Bright Public Beach at 5 p.m..
Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be there along with lots of activities, eats and a sand castle building contest to boot.
• The movie Elf is showing on the Sea Bright beach at sundown.
The following recent arrests were made and reported by Middletown police:
• James Cook, 53, of North Washington Avenue in Wilkes Barre, PA, was arrested on July 14 by Patrolman Christopher Dee on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.
He was released after posting $1,000 bail.
• Paul Blouin, 55, of Beach Street in Rockaway, NY, was arrested on July 15 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert on contempt of court warrants issued by the Middletown, Northfield, Bass River, Sayreville and Wall municipal courts.
He was held on $5,502 bail.
• Candace Read, 35, of Railroad Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on July 15 by Detective Keith Hirschbein on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court.
She was held on $501 bail.
• Patrick Weinheimer, 32, of Mary Mind Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on July 15 by Detective Daniel Sullivan on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court.
He was held on $501 bail.
• Teresa Fennell, 52, of Grand Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on July 15 by Patrolman Christian Clark on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.
She was released after posting $500 bail.
• Thomas Schnoor, 19, of Glenmary Avenue in the Leonardo section of Middletown, was arrested on July 15 by Detective Daniel Sullivan on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.
He was held on $1,000 bail.
• Chad Hacker, 41, of Day Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on July 15 by Patrolman Michael Heaton on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Howell Municipal Court.
He was released after posting $500 bail.
• Paige Coward, 53, of Latham Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on July 16 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.
She was released after posting $500 bail.
• Timothy Kitson, 42, of Van Gelder Street in Tamaqua, PA, was arrested on July 16 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on contempt of court warrants issued by the Woodbridge, Union Beach, Newark and Holmdel municipal courts.
He was held on $6,850 bail.
• Nickya Sanchez-Williams, 37, of Center Avenue in Keansburg, was arrested on July 17 by Patrolman Scott Davis on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court.
She was released after posting $250 bail.
• Kristina Bufano, 52, of Cherry Tree Lane in Middletown, was arrested on July 17 by Patrolman Scott Davis on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Marlboro Municipal Court.
She was released after posting $350 bail.
Well, the Sea Bright Farmers Market was flush with people and sun on Thursday.
Most usual vendors were there. Central Valley Farm folks told many that the corn was, yes, Jersey fresh, as were several other pickings.
There was a lot of other organic produce, like beets, that corn, onions, garlic, scallions, tomatoes, kale, tiny sugar plums, peaches and more, of course.
But, over at the Baker’s Bounty stand, they assured us that not only was everything organic, from flour, to fruit, to produce and eggs, but the onion rye was a major favorite.
Well, we took them up on that and they were right! YUM! Crusty, pretty and tasty.
So, needless to say, the onion rye from Baker’s Bounty is our foodie pick of the week.
The organization has been family owned since 1978 — a favorite year of this RFH foodie.
— Elaine Van Develde
Making sure they first recognized first-place winning Shrewsbury Hose Co. No. 1, Fair Haven Fire Department announced on Facebook Wednesday night that it came in third in the Monmouth County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition.
It looks like, according to another posted photo, there were 13 companies from the county competing.
Fair Haven’s combined time was 32:06 — 20:00 first round and 12.06 second.
Congrats Fair Haven firefighters!
— Photo/Fair Haven Fire Department, Facebook page
It was dusk. The humidity about to break, the sky down by the Navesink River in Fair Haven took on a personality all its own.
There was vivid color. There were cumulus creatures congregating. There was solitude. And, as is a fortunate status quo for those who live or grew up in the area, there was the sound of a singular boat docking and teen chatter about another “awesome” day on the river.
Yes. Awesome.
— Elaine Van Develde
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