Tag Archives: feature

RFH Students Help Habitat for Humanity Build for Sandy Victims

March 26, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:

The Habitat for Humanity Club at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) has been officially named an affiliate campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity International.

RFH, one of only two official campus chapters in Monmouth County, was recently awarded a disaster services grant totaling $11,100 from Habitat for Humanity International and State Farm®.

The $11,100 grant will be used by the RFH Habitat for Humanity Club for the House That Youth Built, a youth-based service project, for the Henn Family of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown.

The Henns were displaced from their Port Monmouth home in 2012, when it was deemed uninhabitable due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. The family, consisting of a widow raising her 18-year-old granddaughter, has been living in a Keansburg apartment for more than two years.

The House That Youth Built engages schools from Monmouth County in fundraising efforts to help the Henn family to rebuild their home. Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County hopes to raise $60,000 through the campaign in order to construct the home, which will be the fifth build resulting from displacement by Sandy.

The RFH Habitat for Humanity Club, with over 110 student members participating in builds, clean-up projects and fundraising, provided a boost to the campaign by applying for and receiving the grant.

The money will be presented to Habitat for Humanity/The House That Youth Built by a representative from State Farm, a supporter of Habitat for Humanity since 1994.

“We are so grateful to be a part of rebuilding this community after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy,” said the Club’s Faculty Advisor and RFH science teacher Susan Pagano. “I am extremely proud of all our student members who volunteer so much of their time and energy.”

RFH Habitat for Humanity Club Officers for the 2014-15 school year are: co-presidents, Allie Geiger and Sarah Nelson; vice president, Tommy Babcock; secretary, Tommy Lenskold; and treasurer, Lindsey Corydon.

“Our community was greatly affected by Superstorm Sandy, and as students we recognized that we could really make a difference to a family in need; applying for the grant was a no-brainer,” said Sarah Nelson. “We are excited that several local schools are also participating in the House That Youth Built program.”

For more information or to donate to “The House That Youth Built” campaign, visit http://share.habitat.org/henhome.

Local Life, Police and Fire

Nightfall: A Fair Haven in Mourning

Gallery March 26, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Rest in peace, Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert J. Henne …

“Our world will never be the same without him. Heaven has another angel to look over us …” — Audrey Murphy Henne

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde

Police and Fire

Arresting News: Teen Faces Heroin, Weapons Possession Charges & More

March 25, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

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

• Dawn Coughlin, 53, of Leonardville Road in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested March 11 by Police Officer Erica Weeks and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and terroristic threats.

She was held on $5,000 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• David Keator, 55, of Western Reach in Red Bank, was arrested on March 11 by Police Officer Lisa Vreeland and charged with driving while intoxicated.

He was released pending a court date.

Continue reading Arresting News: Teen Faces Heroin, Weapons Possession Charges & More →

Schools Scene

RFH’s Jack Velcamp Honored as ‘Unsung Hero’

March 25, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) freshman Jack Velcamp has faced adversity, conquered it and, because of his visionary drive and dedication, won the 2014 Unsung Hero Award from the Jersey Shore Chapter of the New Jersey Football Officials Association (NJFOA).

The Unsung Hero Award, funded by the Manasquan Elks, was created in 2005 to honor football players and students who demonstrate drive and commitment despite adverse odds, an RFH press release said.

Velcamp, a Rumson resident, has a form of dwarfism known as Achondroplasia that prevents him from participating in football games as a player, the release said.

In spite of the physical challenges that come with the Achondroplasia, he has been lauded for working tirelessly to make positive contributions to the RFH program — first as a waterboy, and now as head of sideline operations, according to the release.

Saying that the RFH Football team is “blessed” to have Velcamp for another three years, Head Coach Bryan Batchler said in the release that “Jack is enthusiastic, passionate and encouraging. He cares deeply about the team, our success, and the hard work required to reach the mountain top.”

He also works with the RFH basketball program and Chris Champeau, its head coach, the release said.

With the official presentation made at the Jan. 20 RFH Board of Education meeting, JNJFOA Shore Chapter Member Dennis Heard said, “True stature is not measured in feet and inches … it is gauged by how our conduct and actions are perceived by others. How we handle our responsibilities, those assigned to us and those we volunteer for, is a true measure of who we are.

“Someone who can be counted on; someone who always puts other people’s needs above his own; superior character and work ethic’ – that is what defines stature.”

Obituaries, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police Chief: Loss of Class II Officer Henne a ‘Tragedy’

March 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert Henne Photo/courtesy of Fair Haven Police Department — Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert Henne
Photo/courtesy of Fair Haven Police Department

With the news of the untimely death on Monday of 23-year-old Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert Henne, the community continues to mourn.

Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge issued the following statement on Tuesday:

The Fair Haven Police Department deeply regrets to announce the untimely death of Class II Officer Robert Henne.

Officer Henne served the Borough since 2011. He was a graduate of the 39th Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers of Monmouth County.

Officer Henne was a squad leader while attending the Monmouth County Police Academy and he graduated in the top of his class.

Officer Henne received a life saving award from both the Borough of Fair Haven and the 200 club. He also had received letters of commendation while serving the Borough.

Officer Henne was 23 years old. He served our community with great pride and dedication, both as a Class II Officer and a volunteer firefighter.

The loss of Officer Henne is a tragedy to his family, the residents of Fair Haven, and to the entire Law Enforcement community.

Officer Henne will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Wake will be held at the Church of Nativity (340 Hance R.d Fair Haven) on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Police service will be held 6:30 p.m.

Funeral will be held at the Church of Nativity on Saturday March 28th at 10 a.m. in Fair Haven.

News, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Mourns Special Police Officer Robert Henne

March 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

With few words, Fair Haven police have announced that they are in mourning over the death of Special Officer Class II Robert Henne.

The announcement came over the Facebook page of fellow officer Jeff Jarvis on Monday night, whose cover page told of the retirement of badge number 216 — Henne’s.

“Rest in Peace Officer Robert Henne,” Jarvis’ Facebook post said. “End of watch, March 23, 2015.” He had died unexpectedly at his Fair Haven family home earlier in the day on Monday.

Henne was a 2010 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate. He was a high school athlete and police explorer as a teen. He rose up in the ranks of the Fair Haven Police Department from explorer to Class I officer and then Class II.

Henne received his promotion to Class II distinction in December of 2012 and was lauded by officials and colleagues for his professionalism and camaraderie. He was also a Fair Haven fireman.

The flag at Fair Haven Police Department headquarters, and throughout town, is at half staff.

RIP, Officer Henne.

A tribute to Officer Henne will follow.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Looking Back & Saying Happy 96th to Fair Havenite Evelyn Murphy

Image March 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

What else can we say? A longtime — very longtime — Fair Havenite turned 96 on Sunday!

So, what else could we do but make Evelyn Murphy our Retro Pic of the Day (and slideshow).

No, Evelyn no longer lives in Fair Haven, but her spirit, and those of many like her, just seems to live on. And we’re grateful.

It doesn’t ever seem quite right to this day to go to the Acme and not see the flaming red-haired beauty rounding a corner and always ready to chat.

This lady is mom to seven children, all of whom graduated from RFH. Thanks for your contribution to Fair Haven life, Mrs. Murphy!

To life, l’chaim, special lady! Here’s to covering your 100th!

Thanks to the Murphy family for the photos from Facebook!

Crime, Police and Fire

Crime Close By: Theft, Criminal Mischief & Burglary

March 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent criminal incidents were reported by Red Bank police:

• There was a report of a burglary at a White Street business on March 16. An unknown person gained entry by prying a door open and reportedly stole approximately $200 in cash. Several coins and the cash register drawer were on the floor at the scene.

Patrolman Thomas Doremus took the report.

• There was a report of criminal mischief March 15 on Newman Springs Road. The victim reported that someone keyed his parked vehicle.

Patrolman Michael Zadlock took the report.

• There was a report of criminal mischief March 15 on Newman Springs Road. The victim reported that someone keyed his parked vehicle.

Patrolman Michael Zadlock took the report.

Continue reading Crime Close By: Theft, Criminal Mischief & Burglary →

Local Life, News

Editor’s Notes & the R-FH Area Week Ahead

March 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Happy Monday, Rumson-Fair Haven area friends and fans!

OK, so spring has not exactly sprung as we would have liked quite yet, but it looks like there’s hope of some sort, soggy as it may be, for a rise in temps as the week progresses. Please!

In the meantime, it’s a chilly start to the week today.

There are Borough Council meetings in both Rumson and Fair Haven this week. Fair Haven’s meeting is Monday night at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall. Click here for the agenda. Rumson’s meeting is Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall. Click here for that agenda.

Taking a look back at last week, here are some tidbits from the notebook the likes of which your editor is going to start sharing on a weekly basis:

Continue reading Editor’s Notes & the R-FH Area Week Ahead →

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Police: Shots Fired in Rumson Deemed Target Practice

March 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

When it was reported to police that shots were fired in a Rumson home on Sunday evening, where they were called to an unrelated incident the night before, it turned out that friends of the homeowner were engaged in a makeshift target practice in the basement.

“Yes, they were shooting a .38 handgun into the wall of the basement — using a plywood target — of an Auldwood Lane home,” Rumson Police Detective Christopher Isherwood said on Monday morning. “The nanny heard the (numerous) shots and called police around 6:30 p.m. Police from the surrounding area — Fair Haven, Little Silver and Red Bank — and the (Monmouth County) Sheriff’s Office responded. Rumson police had responded to an incident at the same home the night before.”

Upon further investigation, police determined that there was no connection between the two incidents and that there was no violent use (or intent) of the gun. “No injuries,” Isherwood said.

They also discovered that one of the men involved in the target practice had a warrant out for his arrest.

Robert Toros, 36, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged with contempt of court and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of $2500 bail, set by Judge Richard B. Thompson, Isherwood said.

Further charges may be lodged against those involved in the practice, Isherwood added, because, among other things, such a use in a residential area is prohibited by borough ordinance.

Obituaries, Opinion

Services for Fair Haven’s Jeanetter Crowell Set

March 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

“Fair Haven has lost one of it’s pillars,” Fair Havenite Chris Brenner said on the borough’s Facebook page when the March 14 death of Jeanetter Crowell was announced.

Remembered as a top-notch seamstress, designer, gracious lady, friend, neighbor, wife and mom, comments flooded the page in remembrance of the 60-year Fair Haven resident who will be honored at a 10 a.m. Saturday viewing at Child’s Funeral Home in Red Bank followed by a noon service at the Fisk Chapel A.M.E. Church, 38 Fisk St., Fair Haven.

“She was the first friendly face to welcome us to Fair Haven many years ago, and I can’t imagine our neighborhood without her,” said Jeanetter Crowell’s neighbor Kevin Ryan in a memorial post of his own. “When I started working as the NJ child advocate, she came to my swearing-in, gave me a big hug and whispered in my ear, ‘stay close to Jesus.’ I’d like to think that’s her walk now, and one so richly deserved. Rest in peace sweet lady — we will miss you.”

And there were many more posts recounting her kindness and gentle, welcoming nature.

“Another piece of Fair Haven history gone,” John Olexa Sr. said. “RIP.”

“… So loved her, she was always so sweet when she came in to pay her taxes, borough tax collector Dale A Connor said. “She will missed.”

“She always opened her home to me whenever I came to town,” Nerphrita Norris said. “Had many good conversations with her. She was a part of my village.”

“Another passing of a good soul,” Carolynn Bruce Sickerman said.

Jeanetter Crowell was born on April 9, 1924 in Sumter, SC. The child of Reverend Jake Glisson and Lila Samuels Glisson, she graduated from St. Michael’s High School and attended Morris College in South Carolina.

Retired from Standard Awning Company, she “worked tirelessly on behalf of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union,” her obituary said.

Always seen around town ready to lend a hand wherever she could, Jeanetter is remembered as an avid volunteer in the church as a Sunday school teacher and as a pastor’s steward for the Steward board of Asbury Park’s Allen Chapel and Fisk A.M.E. Church Chapel.

In the community, she was involved in the PTA, Eastern Star, Democratic Party and was founder of the Ventures Club, a group that offered mentor and scholarship programs.

Once married to Powell Robinson, she was the mother of deceased Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School teacher Powell D. Robinson III, known as Dewey Robinson. She is survived by her daughter Rochelle Robinson Hendricks, according to her obituary on legacy.com.

Other than her son, Jeanetter was also predeceased by: her parents; her brothers, Abe, Luther, Jake, Jessie, Cliff, Joseph, Frank, James and Thomas; husbands, Powell Robinson and Curtis Crowell.

Besides her daughter, she is survived by: her sister, Leola Martin; daughter-in-law, Erika Robinson; grandchildren, Gioia and Matt Hermann, Talia and Sean Coles, Samson Hearn, Nygia Hearn, and Kiana Robinson; great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Josephine Hermann, Landon and Ronan Coles; special sister-in-law, Evelyn Cruz, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jeanetter Crowell will be laid to rest at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.

News

The R-FH Area Weekend: RFH ‘Young Frankenstein,’ ‘Godspell’ & a Wedding Walk

March 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

This weekend in the Rumson-Fair Haven area is all about theater and brides.

Friday

For tonight, Friday, take note that Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players’ production of Young Frankenstein has been postponed to Sunday night at 7 p.m.

• Curtain time for the Monmouth Players’ production of Godspell is 8:15 p.m.

Continue reading The R-FH Area Weekend: RFH ‘Young Frankenstein,’ ‘Godspell’ & a Wedding Walk →