By Elaine Van Develde
Sometimes it’s just a good idea to wing it.
Usually, chicken wings are pretty standard fare — a spicy, typically sopping morsel of an appetizer. There are usually standard variations, too: baked, fried, baked and fried, grilled and usually laden with a some sort of spicy sauce.
Call them Halloween house haunts of the Rumson-Fair Haven area. They’re those subtle little decorations that pop out to give passersby a bit of a “Boo!”
Perusing the area, there were a few that just seemed to summon the spirit of the season.
Take a look. We will be adding new haunting discoveries to this photo collage until Halloween. Do you know of a ghoulishly good lawn scare? Let us know and we’ll stop by to take a pic.
— Elaine Van Develde
It’s all about America’s achievement culture. Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) officials are showing another documentary at the school in an attempt to give parents and students some insight.
The feature-length documentary film Beyond Measure — a follow-up to the Race to Nowhere: the Dark Side of America’s Achievement Culture — will be presented in the high school’s auditorium on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. The screening is hosted by the RFH, Rumson and Fair Haven school districts.
Admission is free, but seats must be reserved in advance by visiting the RFH website at www.rumsonfairhaven.org, and clicking the the Home Page link.
Six years after 2010’s award-winning Race to Nowhere rose to national prominence, Reel Link Films has released Beyond Measure, which is intended to shine a light on tenacious and cutting-edge alternatives to the stifling, high-pressure education system presented in Race to Nowhere.
Beyond Measure follows public schools across the country as they take matters into their own hands and innovate from the inside.
Subverting a high-stakes education culture, even when it means putting their jobs at risk, the film’s featured educators are the “advance guard” in a burgeoning national movement to reinvent schooling.
Via spotlighting success stories, Beyond Measure shows that it is possible to rise above America’s toxic achievement fixation and build a richer, deeper, more empowering, student-centered education culture from the ground-up.
“… Beyond Measure is a road map for communities looking to put true learning at the forefront of their school experience,” said Timothy Quinn, former president of the Princeton Board of Education. “It demonstrates what students, educators, and parents can achieve when they look beyond merely improving an updated model of instruction to creating a dynamic learning environment where every student can thrive.”
Notable figures featured in the film include Sir Ken Robinson (international education expert and presenter of the most-watched TED talk of all time), Linda Darling-Hammond (education advisor for President Obama’s 2008 campaign), and bestselling author Daniel Pink (Drive and A Whole New Mind).
The upcoming screening at RFH is part of a nationwide campaign to bring the film to schools, theaters, and festivals across the country.
As part of Reel Link Films’ commitment to grassroots change, Beyond Measure is partnering with educational institutions and community organizations to host intimate special-event screenings that double as forums for constructive community dialogue.
Director Vicki Abeles’ new book, also entitled Beyond Measure, will be available for purchase at the RFH screening courtesy of River Road Books.
Abeles’ book examines cultural and educational symptoms of the academic rat race and suggests steps — big and small — that readers can take to reclaim their schools and their children’s lives.
It has been described as “America’s wake-up call” by Maria Shriver and praised by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Schulte as “one of the most important books of the early 21st century.”
— Edited press release from the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional School District
There was no tricking and a lot of treating going on Sunday when Rumson and Fair Haven both hosted their annual Halloween festivities.
It all started with a parade in Fair Haven that culminated with costume prizes, some socializing and snacks at the firehouse. Then, in Rumson kids of all ages paraded a short route from the front to the back of Forrestdale School where some costume judging and prizes ensued along with some carnival-type fun and games.
Take a look at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s slideshow for a peek-a-BOO into the day. Enjoy!
We will be posting the photos in a separate gallery for purchase if you’d like your own copies.
— Elaine Van Develde
The marquee on the Fair Haven Firehouse is once again blanketed in memorial buntings. Borough firemen and longtime residents are in mourning.
Sixty-year fire company member and deep-rooted resident Thomas Vetterl “passed away peacefully” on Oct. 19 in Florida where he had relocated in his retirement years, according to his obituary in the Palm Beach Post. He was 93.
Born in Paterson, he spent most of his life in Red Bank and Fair Haven, where he was a member of the Church of the Nativity.
A graduate of Red Bank High School in 1941, Thomas was a star athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball.
A U.S. Army World War II veteran, Thomas Vetterl served as a staff sergeant in the 112th Field Artillery Division of the New Jersey National Guard, according to his obituary.
After being honorably discharged, he became a civil service employee — a motor vehicle foreman in the HISA, CECOM section of Fort Monmouth, retiring in 1985 after a 35-year career.
He was an exempt member of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 until his death.
Formerly, he was an active member of B.P.O.E. Lodge #233 in Red Bank, and the American Legion in Tequesta, FL.
He was known to love softball and was a member of Val’s Pal Softball Club in Rumson, and in Florida was a member of Jupiter Men’s Softball Association and Staying Alive Fitness Club, Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
He was predeceased by his wife, the late Doris G. Vetterl, in 1987.
He is survived by: two sons, Thomas J., of Gilbert, AZ, and Robert D., of Wakefield, RI; and six grandchildren, Alison, Thomas, Robert, Kristen, Victoria and Justin.
A memorial celebration will be held Nov. 7 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Fund.
The following recent criminal incidents and arrests were reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Criminal Incidents
• A theft was reported to have occurred sometime between Oct. 17 and 18 on Shrewsbury Avenue. The victim reported that someone stole a GPS and iPhone charger from their parked vehicle.
Patrolman Tanner Shea took the report.
• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on Oct. 19 at a Broad Street office building. The owner reported that someone damaged the stone retaining wall around the sign.
Patrolman Gary Watson took the report.
Arrests
Continue reading Police Report Child Endangerment, DWI, Drug Arrests & More
The Halloween spirit is in the air and festivities to conjure it up into a hearty haunt abound this weekend.
There are parades, parties, costume contests, a haunted theater a regional run, and an egg hunt — yes, an egg hunt.
It all starts on Friday night with …
• Brookdale Community College’s Haunted Theater:
Adult tours are held Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the college’s Performing Arts Center.
General admission is $12, senior admission is $10 (age 62 and up, college staff and alumni), high school students pay $8, and Brookdale students are admitted for $5 (two-ticket limit).
Saturday …
• Fair Haven’s Halloween Egg Hunt starts at 5:30 p.m. at Fair Haven Fields near the concession stand.
It’s a play on the Easter Egg Hunt with a Halloween twist. The fields will be peppered with black and orange candy-filled eggs. Be there 15 minutes early and bring a bag for eggs.
The hunt is free.
• After the hunt, borough boy scout troops are hosting their Haunted Hike at 6:15 p.m.
The hike will take participants through the Fair Haven Fields Nature Area. Admission is a canned food item for donation.
Sunday …
• The regional 22nd Annual Trick or Trot 5K Race and Pet Walk, hosted by the Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC) and the Deal Fire Company No. 2, will take place at 11 a.m. at the Deal Casino in Deal.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the homeless animals at the Monmouth County SPCA and the Deal Fire Company. Over the past 21 years, the Trick or Trot has attracted nearly 50,000 participants and raised more than $25,000 for its beneficiaries. Formerly held in Long Branch, the large, regional run is now in Deal.
Race-day registration in person begins at the Deal Casino at 9:30 a.m. The Trick or Trot Kids Dash starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Race at 11 a.m., with the Pet Walk at 11:05 a.m.
The People and Pet Costume Parades will take place at 11:45 a.m., followed by awards and prizes! Deal Fire Company will host a post-race party on site with hot dogs, beverages and music.
Registration costs for the 5K and Pet Walk are $25. Registration for the Kids Dashes is $15. Long-sleeved t-shirts are provided to all who pre-register.
• The Fair Haven Halloween Parade/Costume Contest lines up at Knollwood School on Hance Road at 1:30 p.m. and makes its way down Hance and River roads and to the Fair Haven Firehouse at 2 p.m.
Prizes will be given out at the firehouse.
Children of all ages are welcome.
• The Rumson Halloween Parade and Party runs at Forrestdale School from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Line-up is at the school’s main entrance at 3:15 p.m. There will be a costume contest and prizes, thematic games and activities, hot dogs and beverages and a trick-or-treat.
Few words are needed, if any, when taking in the view of the river from the banks of the Navesink in Rumson and Fair Haven.
Soaked in the sun of a warm fall day, the scene just doesn’t get any more comforting. It seems to smile back and embrace. And it never gets old.
Get a glimpse. Take it in.
— Elaine Van Develde
It’s not downright nuts, but it’s also not common to sight a black squirrel in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
Yet, scampering around William Street in Fair Haven, there one was — bolting across the street, darting up a tree and copping a squat to snack on his harvested nut.
They’re not indigenous to the area like the preppie. In fact, the black squirrel is as uncommon here as high hair.
No one seems squirrelly about their rather rare sightings lately. And where the handsome(ish) rodents are known to settle — like Washington, D.C. and the campus of Princeton University, among other places — residents tend to take pride in the fact that they’ve nested in their hometowns.
Evolving from the same species of squirrel as their Eastern gray descendants, black squirrels originally hailed from Canada and can comprise as much as 25 percent of the total usual grey squirrel population, or one in 10,000.
Check out this Washington Post column about them by John Kelly.
Have you seen this guy or any others in the area? Where?
— Elaine Van Develde
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s as good as it gets for anyone in the area and beyond — that classic lobster pizza at Val’s Tavern in Rumson.
The pie, as they call it, is pretty simple, yet has been a deluxe gourmet sort of pizza treat for many for decades.
It’s a thin-crust pizza flush with all the normal pizza stuff, but great quality, like the good sauce and cheese. Add to that some Brazilian lobster and, if you so choose, some hot sauce.
By Elaine Van Develde
He lived his dream.
And for now former Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge, retirement doesn’t mean he’s awakening to any harsh reality — just vivid gratitude.
While he’s been officially off the job since Oct. 1, the chief’s surreal 38-year career culminated in a lucid award-strewn farewell retirement dinner last Thursday.
Roughly 200 state, county and local dignitaries, police and chiefs from several nearby towns, family and friends gathered at Raven and the Peach in Breckenridge’s hometown Fair Haven to celebrate his accomplishments, honor him with certificates and awards — even the key to Fair Haven — party with him and just plain thank him for his service.
“I just love this man!” a teary eyed Eileen O’Neill, widow of former Chief Bobby O’Neill said as she hugged and held the face of the man she knew as the kid her husband took on ride-alongs and mentored .
There were other mentors, too … former chiefs Ricky Towler, Lou DeVito. Then there was, of course, the chief who started it all for a 5-year-old Breckenridge when he stopped at his house to offer his mom a job as a crossing guard — Carl Jakubecy.
Then there was his mom, Dorothy — the woman Breckenridge credits with giving him the “character” to succeed and realize his dream.
“To have a dream at five years old and to actually see that dream come to fruition … Just being a patrolman and being fortunate enough to rise through the ranks of chief of police in the town where I wanted to do so is truly amazing … It’s more amazing when you go back and look at at our country in the 1960s … there was so much turmoil in the world, so much unrest within our country, there were riots on the street and hatred … there was so much uncertainty …”
Breckenridge’s children, Tyler, D.J. and Whitney, stood before their dad, certain of his success and their pride in him. “There aren’t enough words to describe how proud we are of our dad,” Whitney said.
The sentiment was echoed by D.J., who is now Fair Haven’s Recreation director.
He talked about the respect and pride his father, passing down that “character” his grandmother taught, was grateful, not only for the success, but also for the community in which he was raised. That community, Fair Haven, has always been family to him as well, D.J., a little choked up, said.
“I know that it’s very important for him to have all these Fair Haven residents here in addition to everyone else,” he said. “Because Fair Haven, for my dad, was always family and it always will be …”
Yes. Protecting and serving his hometown family was Darryl Breckenridge’s dream. He’s still living it in its second act. Although now, as he told the crowd, “I can let my hair down … Well, I can let down what hair I have.
“For me to have a dream of that magnitude and to be able to realize it … It’s really amazing. It happened because we are in this country. We have the best country in the world. God bless America. God bless you all.”
Congrats, Darryl, from your Fair Haven family!
Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon of the slideshow to enlarge. We had a few photo tech issues. So, in addition to the somewhat compromised quality of some of the photos, we also apologize for the fact that somehow the entire police department ended up looking like something out of a Halloween movie — all white eyes. Who knew? Officers of the Corn? Sorry!
Yes, soccer season has kicked in.
When Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect shared a photo of the boys’ team from back in the late 1970s, RFH grads challenged all to remember who the first girl was to play on the boys team (since there was no girls team then).
We found her and a photo of the team that year, which was 1975-76. Remember? It was Chris Bowden, RFH Class of 1976. They were playing, of course, in 1975.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors that first girl to kick in some girl power on the RFH Boys Soccer team a few decades ago.
Do you remember in which year RFH formed its first girls’ soccer team? We think it was the 1980s. How about 1983? Remember who the captains of that team were?
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