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
There are a couple of things people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area couldn’t wait for after a long, snowy winter — summer and the reopening of Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright.
Well, both have happened. In fact, Monday was the hottest day of the summer yet, according to National Weather Service stats. And Donovan’s Tiki bar is back on the beach.
So, just to cool you down a little and serve as a gratitude nudge, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day offer a glimpse back to a cool snowfall on what was left of Donovan’s (which was pretty much flattened buildings and the Tiki hut) the winter after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of the iconic place.
The sky had an orange hue that day that seemed to paint it with hope. It made snow look invitingly warm and for what was a chilling scene for Donovan’s devotees.
Well, it’s back and sporting the literal sign of the undaunted “Sandy Who?”
Donovan’s has brought a lot of friends and couples together over the years. It’s a tradition, really, for Rumson-Fair Haven area people. Did you meet your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, BFF or some other significant other or others in your life at Donovan’s? Yes? Of course, yes!
Tell us your story and send us your Donovan’s pics or email us at [email protected]. We’re putting together a Donovan’s Connection slideshow.
— Elaine Van Develde
The following criminal recent incidents were reported by Red Bank police.
• A theft was reported to have occurred on July 10 at a North Bridge Avenue parking lot. The victim reported that someone stole her purse, containing paperwork, sunglasses, a charger and more, from a parked car.
Patrolman Kristin Altimari took the report.
• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on July 10 at a Mechanic Street parking lot. Juveniles were observed lighting a fire cracker on the trunk of a parked vehicle, causing damage to it.
Patrolman David Smith took the report.
• A theft was reported to have occurred at a Leroy Place residence on July 11. The victim reported that a Play Station and cash was stolen from their apartment.
Patrolman Kristin Altimari took the report.
• A robbery was reported to have occurred on July 14 in the area of River Street and Tilton Avenue. A cab driver reported that an unknown male passenger pulled a gun on him and demanded all his money. The driver reported that he turned over $86 in cash and the perpetrator fled.
Patrolman Ashon Lovick took the report.
• An attempted burglary was reported to have occurred at a West Bergen Place business between July 14 and 15. An unknown perpetrator reportedly tried to gain access into a building. The window was broken ad the door had pry marks on it. No entry was gained.
Lt. Robert Clayton investigated.
• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at a Newman Springs Road business. An unknown perpetrator broke the glass door in, gained entry and stole cash from the register.
Patrolman Sean Hauschildt, Lt. Eliot Ramos and Inv. Heather Pubylski responded.
• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at an East Newman Springs Road restaurant. An unknown perpetrator(s) gained entry into the restaurant by smashing glass in the front door. Once inside, the register drawer was pulled open and cash stolen.
Patrolman Sean Hauschildt, Inv. Heather Pubylski and Lt. Eliot Ramos responded.
• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at a Maple Avenue business. An unknown perpetrator(s) pried front door to business open and gained entry. Three desks were damaged and broken into and a large amount of cash was stolen.
Patrolman Nicholas Maletto and Sgt. Wendy Samis responded.
• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at a Newman Springs Road business. The perpetrator(s) gained entry into the business by forcing the front door open. Once inside, the register was removed and cash was stolen.
Patrolman Kristin Altimari and Sgt. Joey Fields responded.
The robbery and assault of a cab driver in Rumson early Friday morning ended in a Rumson man being held in jail over that and another alleged assault incident earlier in the month on a total of $150,000 bail, Rumson police said on Monday.
Phillip Sturner, 30, of Rumson, was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery, simple assault (DP), and theft of services (DP) for the July 17 incident.
He was also charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and false imprisonment in stemming from a July 5 incident that had been under investigation in which he allegedly assaulted two victims at his residence.
Bail was set, by Judge Honora Kilgallen J.S.C., at $50,000 for the July 17 incident and $100,000 for the July 5 incident, police reported.
In connection with the July 17 incident, another alleged perpetrator in the assault and robbery of the cabbie, Christopher Sutphen, 19, of Monmouth Beach, was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery, simple assault (DP) and theft of services (DP), police said.
Sutphen was also held in Monmouth Correctional Institution in lieu of $50,000 bail, set by Judge Honora Kilgallen J.S.C.
Police responded to the July 17 incident when at 3:08 a.m. they were dispatched to the area of Church and First Street “for a report of a fight in the street,” police said.
Upon arrival, police found two men with injuries — a cab driver and Sturner. EMS was called to the scene to treat the injured. In the meantime, a witness at the scene reported that another alleged perpetrator, who turned out to be identified as Sutphen, had fled.
Sutphen was found by an assisting unit of Little Silver police in the area of 15 First Street.
The cab driver — victim — was treated at Riverview Medical Center and released.
An investigation by Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone and Detective Christopher Isherwood determined that Sutphen was the alleged perpetrator of another assault incident on July 5.
That incident was reported to have occurred after a 1:30 a.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call was made to Monmouth County dispatch, which handles area emergency calls, sending Rumson Police Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Special Officer Class II to the area of East River Road and Carton Street, where they found a man in his vehicle having sustained severe facial injuries, Detective Christopher Isherwood said.
Further investigation by Isherwood and Campanella revealed that the victim found at the scene and another had allegedly been assaulted by Sturner at his residence.
The following June arrests and incidents were reported by Fair Haven police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
• A Ridge Road resident reported on June 4 that several hundred dollars were stolen from his vehicle.
Patrolman Dwayne Reevey took the theft report.
• Jeffrey S. Kowal Jr., 19, of Red Bank, was arrested on June 7 following a traffic stop and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphilia, underage possession of alcohol and weapons possession (knife) by Special Officer Class II Brooks Robinson.
Kowal was released pending a court appearance at Fair Haven Municipal Court.
• Zoilo J. Gonzalez III, 26, of Shrewsbury, was arrested on June 7 following a traffic stop and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, speeding and failure to produce a driver’s license by Special Officer Class II Brooks Robinson.
Gonzalez was released pending an appearance at Fair Haven Municipal Court.
• A Fair Haven Road resident reported on June 9 that an unknown subject attempted to have a credit card opened under a fraudulent name using the victim’s address.
Detective Stephen Schneider took the report.
• Peter Delamos, 76, of Fair Haven was stopped on June 19 for a traffic violation and found to have and outstanding traffic warrant out of Ocean Township.
He was transported to headquarters were bail was paid in full before his release. Special Officer Class II Brooks Robinson was the arresting officer.
• Conor Murphy, 23, of Belford, was arrested on June 19 following a traffic stop and charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana by Patrolman Dwayne Reevey.
Murphy was later released pending a Fair Haven Municipal Court appearance.
• A Clay Street resident reported on June 25 that an unknown subject stole a bicycle out of her driveway the previous evening.
Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took the theft report.
• A Park Lane resident reported on June 30 that his personal bank accounts had several fraudulent withdrawals by an unknown person.
Patrolman John Koetzner took the report.
From Rumson police …
Today at 1:01 p.m., Lt. Christopher York and Officer Michael Berger were dispatched to the Rumson Municipal Boat Ramp for a vehicle that was completely submerged in water.
The driver of the vehicle informed the officers that while he was attempting to launch his boat, at the Municipal Boat Ramp, his vehicle shifted into gear and drove into the water with the boat and trailer attached.
The vehicle was not occupied, while this occurred, and no one was injured.
The Rumson Police Department was assisted by Sgt. Boyd and Trp I Espinoza of the New Jersey State Police Marine Bureau along with Hennessey’s Towing and Tow Boat of Atlantic Highlands.
— Photos/courtesy of Rumson police via Facebook
They seem to be showing up everywhere. Palm trees.
No, it’s not Florida or the Caribbean. It’s Sea Bright. Maybe it’s because the skies are clearer lately that it’s more noticeable somehow, but it seems awfully palmy in Sea Bright — not that there’s anything wrong with that, as the Seinfeld saying goes.
The transplanted palms have actually been a trend on area beaches for some time now. Still, they just seemed to stick out like a sore palm (OK, corny) on Friday. Sore seems to be the right word, since they seem a bit unhealthy. And there are no coconuts!
Take a look. Do you like them or do you think Jersey should stick with a more native planting?
The weekend is off to a good weather start.
Regardless of what happens in the sky, there is plenty to do around the Rumson-Fair Haven area towns.
Check it out …
Friday
• It’s Christmas in July starting today and through July 25 at participating Fair Haven businesses. Find out more here.
• Hanga Loose Fridays continue at Umberto’s. Come and “hanga loose” in the back room of the restaurant on River Road in honor of Silvio Fabbri’s memory.
Stop by any time after 7 p.m.
• For theatergoers, Shakespeare in the park is still going on at Brookdale.
Curtain (or something like that) for Titus Andronicus is 7 p.m. on the Great Lawn of Brookdale Community College’s campus in the Lincroft section of Middletown. Head to Parking Lot 2 and bring chairs.
For more information, call 732-224-2411.
• Phoenix Productions’ summer musical Mary Poppins is playing the weekend starting with a curtain at 8 p.m. tonight at the Count Basie Theatre.
Call 732-842-9000 for more information.
Saturday
• St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson is holding services on the beach on Saturdays for the summer.
The services will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Ancorage beach in Sea Bright, right over the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge (to the left coming from the Rumson direction).
Call 732-842-0596 for more information.
• Titus Andronicus curtain is 7 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Brookdale. See above post for more information.
• Curtain for Phoenix Productions’ Mary Poppins is 7 p.m. See above for more information.
Sunday
• Don’t forget the Red Bank Farmers Market at the Galleria parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lots of organic produce, baked goods, coffee, crafts and more.
• Red Bank RiverCenter’s Food and Wine Walk will be going on from 2 to 5 p.m. It’s a great way to sample a taste of Red Bank, literally. Wristbands may be purchased online (by clicking here) in advance only for $35. The bands get people samples of food and, of course, wine at various restaurants, caterers and bars throughout the borough.
People get a map to guide them through the walk.
Click here for a complete list of participating places.
• Matinee curtain for Phoenix Productions’ Mary Poppins at the Count Basie Theatre is 3 p.m.
The following recent contempt of court arrests were made and reported by Middletown police.
• Jessica Pascalli, 31, of Liberty Street in Middletown, was arrested on July 7 by Patrolman Thomas Hughes on contempt of court warrants issued by the Toms River, Brick, Hazlet and Middletown municipal courts.
She was held on $3,330 bail.
• Sean Lynch, 29, of Danemar Drive, of Middletown, was arrested on July 9 by Patrolman Thomas Foster on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.
He was held on $1,000 bail.
• Kyle Drust, 23, of Seabreeze Avenue in North Middletown, was arrested on July 11 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court.
He was held on $750 bail.
• John Whaley, 52, of Spruce Drive in Middletown, was arrested on July 10 by Patrolman Joshua Midose on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Carteret Municipal Court.
He was held on $250 bail.
• Brittany Carr, 24, of Brainard Avenue in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, was arrested on July 13 by Detective Keith Hirschbein on a contempt of court warrants issued by the Middletown and Keansburg municipal courts.
She was held on $835 bail.
• Kaire Hatcher, 23, of Stevens Avenue in Tinton Falls, was arrested on July 14 by Patrolman Frank Mazza on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Red Bank Municipal Court.
He was held on $2,500 bail.
The Sea Bright beach scene has been sparse, due to the past few hazy, humid couple of days peppered with rain.
But, the clear, crisp weather break set in just in time for the Sea Bright Farmers Market, featuring Marcy of Relish Chef Services concocting some treats and a newbie maker of organic treats for dogs — Waggle Snapp.
Many of the usual favorites will also be back today: BakersBounty, Central Valley Farm, Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters, Farmer Meg’s Digest, FlyBrookFarm, Franklin Soapworks, Green Duchess Farm, Harvest Moon Farm, Holly Jolly Jams, Holly Hill Farm and Neshanic Valley Beekeepers.
The market is open in the Sea Bright Municipal Parking Lot, in front of the beach, from 2 to 7 p.m..
Christmas is coming to Fair Haven on Friday. And, no, no one is confused.
July 17 marks the start of a week-long Christmas in July promotion in the borough’s business district, sponsored by the Fair Haven Business Association.
Throughout the week businesses will offer specials and promotions.
Which businesses are participating? You’ll know by the ones with Christmas decorated front doors.
“We have a great variety of stores and businesses in Fair Haven,” event coordinator Pam Boyd, of Boxwood Gardens, said. “If you want the latest fashions, a great book to read on the beach, flowers or fancy food for a dinner party, or lunch delivered to your beach club, you can get that right here in Fair Haven.
“With this event, we wanted to create a little fun and encourage people to visit our stores, restaurants, and services businesses in town.”
Deck the halls — or the River Road corridor!
It’s been the subject of the Retro Pic(s) of the Day before and it is again — summer theater at The Barn in Rumson.
It was a place for local talent to gather, hone theatrical skills, have a lot of summer fun and entertain the masses in Monmouth County to boot.
One of the shows produced in the summer of 1977, which thrust lots of arts-thirsty area teens into myriad rehearsals and onto a stage, was Bye Bye Birdie.
As told in our last piece on The Barn, many RFH students were in the cast of the show. And one area resident who played Albert Peterson — the English teacher, no less — broke his leg during rehearsals.
Continue reading Break a Leg: Retro Rumson Barn Summer Theater Part II
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