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Local Life

R-FH Area Weekend: George Sheehan Classic, Canterbury Fair & Fair Haven Day

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The weekend weather forecast is promising, Rumson-Fair Haven area folks.

So, that in mind, here are some things to do around the towns:

Friday night … 

• This one’s a longstanding event honoring the memory of former Rumsonite and doctor, George Sheehan — the 22nd George Sheehan Classic Race and Kids Classic.

The action starts at 2 p.m. and runs through 8:30 p.m. in Marine Park with activities, including the kids race, Runner’s Expo, music, and more.

• Don’t forget Hanga Loose Fridays at Umberto’s in Fair Haven. It’s a time to hang out in memory of the restaurant’s beloved Silvio, a friend to all.

Stop by the River Road place’s back room, mangia and chat it up!

Saturday …

• The George Sheehan Classic 5K Race runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Red Bank — Marine Park and Broad Street. There will be a post-5K party at Branigans.

• The Canterbury Fair, at St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson, will be featuring a host of activities, silent auction, white elephant sale and food from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

There will be face painting, a petting zoo, a kids’ auction, activities, burgers, hot dogs, lobster salad, baked goods, plants for sale and more.

The proceeds of the longtime annual event go to area charities.

• And, yes, it’s Fair Haven Day time! The relatively new annual event kicks off at 3:30 p.m. in Fair Haven Fields.

Get your tickets for food and beverages. This year, Brennan’s will provide picnic — signature sandwiches, salads and mac-and-cheese. For a little extra, folks can feast on seafood from Lusty Lobster — clams, oysters and lobster rolls. And Booskerdoo will be providing desserts and coffee.

The snack bar will be open, proceeds donated to RFH Hockey.

And, the Fair Haven Business Association will have face painting and photo booths.

For adults, there will be a beer booth, featuring domestic and premium beers and fruit-filled red and white sangrias.

Bands will be playing: Stone Bullets at 3:30 p.m., River Road Band at 4:30 p.m. and Jukebox Criminals at 6:30 p.m.

Then the night will end with fireworks! See you there!

Sunday

• The Red Bank Farmers Market is in the Galleria parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It features the usual fresh produce, organic goods, breads, coffees, desserts, crafts and more.

• And if you feel like being by the water and taking in a little history at the same time, tours of the historic Seabrook-Wilson House, otherwise known as the spooky Spy House, are running from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bayshore Waterfront Park location on Port Monmouth Road in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown.

Crime, Police and Fire

Police Report Theft and Criminal Mischief Nearby

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The following recent incidents of theft and criminal mischief were reported by Red Bank police:

• A theft was reported to have occurred on Maple Avenue on May 27. The victim reported that someone stole his wallet, containing cash and credit cards, from a gym locker.

Patrolman Cevin Albert took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred on May 27 on Harding Road. The victim reported that someone stole an iPhone, gold earrings, an HP Tablet and a Garmin GPS unit from a parked car.

Patrolman Michael Zadlock took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred at a Locust Avenue apartment on May 30. The victim reported that someone entered the apartment and stole an iPhone.

Patrolman Sean Hauschildt took the report.

Continue reading Police Report Theft and Criminal Mischief Nearby →

Schools Scene

Meet Rumson School District’s New Superintendent

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There’s a new superintendent in the Rumson School District.

John E. Bormann, Ed. D., was unanimously appointed to the district top administrator spot at a special Rumson Board of Education meeting on June 9. His start date is Aug. 1.

The board considered 32 candidates and conducted several rounds of interviews before choosing Bormann.

“When we did our research and checked his references, we discovered one good thing after another about Dr. Bormann,” Rumson Board of Education President Colleen O’Connor said. “His strong leadership skills and track record of successful interactions with teaching staff and with parents make him a perfect fit for our district.”

Bormann’s contract runs through June 30, 2020. He will be responsible for Deane-Porter School (pre-K through third grade) and Forrestdale School (fourth through eighth grade).

“I would like to thank the Rumson School Board for this opportunity,” Bormann said. “I am very excited to learn the Rumson traditions and history and meld that with my own vision, which is this — ‘If it doesn’t expand the possibilities for our students, why do it?’

“I have a special interest in motivating the stakeholders in our children’s education to help them become better learners for their own sake, and I believe that the road to success is in non-stop trying. I am determined to uncover how to make this happen for the students in Rumson.”

Bormann spent 19 years in the Spring Lake School District, where he served as chief school administrator for the past four years. He also has experience in the field as a science teacher, supervisor of curriculum, and superintendent/principal.

Dr. Bormann has a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Science from Rutgers University, a master of science degree in Educational Technology from Ramapo College, a master of arts degree in Educational Leadership from Georgian Court University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from St. Peters University.

A two-time recipient of the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award, Dr. Bormann has also earned the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. As a superintendent, he received the Monmouth County Education Association Friend of Education Award.

An avid reader, traveler, and gardener, Bormann lives in Freehold.

— Edited Rumson School District press release

News

Area Man Arrested as Alleged Leader of Drug Trafficking Network

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An area man has been arrested and pinpointed as the alleged ringleader of a drug trafficking network that distributed mostly cocaine in Monmouth and Ocean counties, NJ State Police announced.

Edmund A. Scattaglia Jr., 39, of Middletown, alleged leader of what has been dubbed the Scattaglia Network, was one of 32 arrested on Wednesday in a state sting dubbed Operation Tidal Wave, which began in October of 2014 and targeted Scattaglia’s alleged drug trafficking organization operating out of his home in Middletown another in Beachwood Township, Ocean County, according to police.

The investigation revealed that Scattaglia allegedly met people at his home, where he supplied them with cocaine for redistribution.

Scattaglia was allegedly supplied with multiple kilograms of cocaine by Francisco Romero, 38, of 159 John Street, Englewood. Romero allegedly stored bulk quantities of the drug at his home and funneled them to Scattaglia’s network. One kilogram of cocaine, valued at $40,000, was seized from Scattaglia’s alleged network in the bust.

Romero’s residence was searched under the authority of an executed warrant by state police detectives and the Englewood Police Department, on June 2, 2014. That search resulted in the seizure of one pound of cocaine, $75,000.00 cash, an Acura TSX, and other assets valued at $50,000, state police said in a released statement.

A companion search warrant of Scattaglia’s home the same day  yielded roughly $15,000 cash, drug paraphernalia, marijuana, and a BMW 325XI, police said in the release.

As a result of the takedown of both alleged trafficking operations, detectives recovered: more than 4 kilograms of cocaine, more than three ounces of heroin, 16 pounds of marijuana, 1,000 Xanax pills, Oxycotin and ecstasy pills, a large variety of steroids, one handgun, seven vehicles, and more than $125,000 in cash.

“These ring members allegedly were dealing large quantities of heroin and prescription pills in Monmouth and Ocean counties, which have been particularly hard hit by the devastating epidemic of opiate addiction sweeping the nation and New Jersey,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in the release. “Through operations such as this one, we are taking aim at the criminals who are maliciously fueling the epidemic and profiting from it.”

The cooperative effort was led by the New Jersey State Police Trafficking Central Unit and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Atlantic City Office, with assistance from the Division of Criminal Justice, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Middletown Township Police Department, and the Jersey City Police Department.

The following is a list of all the Monmouth County residents arrested in Operation Tidal Wave:

• Edmund A. Scattaglia, 39, Middletown;
• Tabraz Mohammed, 34, Red Bank;
• Mark Ugaro, 35, Middletown;
• Scott M. Leander, 55, Keyport;
• Shawn P Cotter, 38, Middletown;
• Brian J. Rosenberg, 30, Red Bank.

For more information on what was dubbed the Beachwood Network and the complete list of those arrested from other counties, click here.

This case will be prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice under the Office of the Attorney General.

Local Life

Fair Haven Deputy Fire Chief Takes Plunge from Dock

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Fair Haven Deputy Fire Chief Mike Wiehl grew up in Fair Haven. In fact, he’s a third generation Fair Havenite.

And like so many other native Fair Havenites, he spent a lot of time down by the Navesink River at the Fair Haven Dock. He played there. He saw a lot of sunsets there. He likely did a lot of contemplating and soaking up of sun and scenery there.

And, most recently, he decided to make the iconic spot one that would mark a major milestone in his life. He got engaged and married there.

The engagement was three months ago and the wedding was Monday afternoon, officiated by Mayor Ben Lucarelli. So, we congratulate and honor Mike and his bride, Gloria Clark, in our Retro Pic(s) of the Day.

As Wiehl put it in Facebook posts, “Well, today’s the day I have been waiting for. Gloria Clark and I are spending the day together and then off to the fair haven dock to get married at 4pm! … 3 months ago the woman of my dreams said yes to marrying me. I am a lucky man …”

And so goes life as part of the Fair Haven family …

Congrats and much happiness to Mike and Gloria! 

Local Life, Schools Scene

RFH Students to Compete in Rowing Nationals

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Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) student athletes are among several from the area who will be competing as part of the Navesink River Rowing Competitive Youth Crew in the U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals this weekend.

The students qualified for the competition, held in Sarasota, FL from June 12-14, after a bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals at the U.S. Rowing Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships in West Windsor on May 9 and 10.

That competition qualified the crew for three boats in the nationals.

Competing this weekend are: RFH students,Tom Johnston and Emily Unsinn, both of Fair Haven, and Emma Miller, of Rumson; Neil Hughes, of Oceanport; Max Kelly, of Middletown; Erik Bovino, of  Brielle; and Ian Bamberger, head coach.

 

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Police and Fire

Fair Haven PBA Kudos to a Red Bank K9

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Call him a dogged public servant who had some howling success helping a brother out.

Red Bank K9 Hunter, partner of Patrolman Stanley Balmer, was brought to the aid of the Fair Haven Police Department, providing key assistance to officers in a motor vehicle stop on Saturday night, according to a Fair Haven PBA Facebook post.

Hunter, according to Red Bank police in their own post, was called in for a vehicle search after the stop. The search, dubbed Hunter’s “first successful scent” uncovered “marijuana and a weapon.”

Red Bank police are proud and Fair Haven officers are grateful.

“Thank you to K9 Hunter and Ptl. Balmer of the Red Bank Police Dept. for assistance last night,” police said in the Facebook post.

*Fair Haven police were not available for further comment and information as of press time. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will update this story when more details become available.

Local Life, Schools Scene

RFH’s Charlie Volker: A Champ … Again

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As usual, the sign on the Fair Haven Fire Department’s marquee says it all — or, at least, the important part.

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School senior football star Charlie Volker has scored another athletic accomplishment. The Princeton University-bound star athlete on Wednesday became the victor of the 100-meter dash in the state at the 47th Meet of Champions at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield.

Volker dashed the 100 meters in 10.81 seconds. His best was 10.80.

The football running back was credited with leading RFH to its big  Central Jersey Group II win.

Check out the video on YouTube filmed by Angelo Clark, who did not know who Volker was as he crossed the finish line.

Congrats, Charlie!

Business Buzz, Local Life

Fair Haven Business Buds Gather

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It was a traditional gathering of friends in business in Fair Haven.

Wednesday marked the annual Fair Haven Business Association’s annual barbecue.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect paid a visit to the festivities among friends, some of whom have been in business in the borough for a long time.

Ferguson Dental Care and Boxwood Gardens Florist and Gifts hosted the meeting/party, with the good doctor (dentist), Paul Ferguson, at the grill.

Besides longtime Fair Haven business Boxwood and Ferguson Dental business leaders, folks from, ForeFront, Two River Computer, Coastal Decor and DeFalco Pools made appearances.

Check out the photo gallery above for a glimpse into the gathering. Do you know who’s who?

Schools Scene

RFH Engineers in the Making

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Have you heard of the Mini Engineering Academy?

Well, six Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students participated in what has been dubbed a first at Neptune High School.

The following release from RFH gives the whole scoop on the event:

RFH freshmen Reed DiCenso, Aidan Eustace, Jack Rallo, Matthew Ramirez, Chris Steinhacker, and Tyler Whetzel attended evening sessions that ran from Wednesday, February 25 through Wednesday, April 22.

Sponsored by the Neptune High School JumpStart Engineering Academy and IEEE, the inaugural program covered topics including Aerospace Engineering, Designing Green Buildings, Aviation, Electrical Engineering, Power Grids, and the Fluid Dynamics of Surfboard Design.

“For a first-year program, we felt that they did a great job,” said Jack Rallo. “The program covered a lot of different aspects of the science of engineering,”

“All of the presentations and activities were great in different ways,” said Tyler Whetzel. “We were able to see which aspects of engineering we valued the most.”

Highlights of the program for the RFH group, all aspiring engineers, included working in teams to build hydrogen-powered cars; visiting and learning about the “green” elementary school located in Neptune; exploring all aspects of solar cells; and using software to measure the aerodynamic qualities of a surfboard design.

RFH Science Supervisor Sharon Bryant learned of the Mini Engineering Academy during a County Supervisors’ Meeting and asked the RFH Science Teachers to inform their students.

“I am so proud of these students for taking the time to participate in the Mini Engineering Academy — they built critical thinking skills and gained engineering experience, both of which are vital in future science,” said Bryant. “The lesson of trying new ideas – and sometimes failing — so growth and improvement can occur in future attempts is an important one for these students to carry forward in their academics and in life.

“I hope they will be able to participate in this program again next year and use their new knowledge to create, invent, and learn even more!”

Local Life, News

A Weekend Respite: Oceanic Bridge Open

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An extra push with work on the Oceanic Bridge will allow for a weekend opening from Friday evening through Monday morning, Monmouth County officials announced.

Officials said in a release that work has been ongoing around the clock since 6 a.m. on Monday.

Harms Construction, the company doing the work, have assured that the work will be complete by next Friday, June 12, on schedule.

Work on the south side of the drawbridge that spans the Navesink River from Rumson to Middletown will start again on Monday at 6 a.m. 24 hours a day in two 12-hour shifts, a release from the county said.

County officials added that the bridge is open only to marine traffic with the usual season rules and scheduling applying.

 

Oceanic Bridge background information from the county … 

“The 2,712-foot drawbridge crosses the Navesink River and serves beach, commercial and residential traffic, as well as pedestrian and bicycle travel. It is also a key route for coastal evacuations and emergency vehicles headed to hospitals or providing mutual aid. The bridge has been classified as structurally deficient.

“Built in 1939, the Oceanic Bridge has deteriorated due to decades of exposure to saltwater and from accommodating heavier vehicles and traffic volumes than for which it was designed.

“In 2012, Monmouth County completed extensive work to rehabilitate the bridge’s 100-foot, center bascule span, allowing motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to continue use of the bridge.

“Monmouth County received notification from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees in January that $600,000 in federal funding was available to perform a Concept Development Study for the replacement or rehabilitation of the Oceanic Bridge.

“Monmouth County plans to replace the Oceanic Bridge in the next ten years.”

Local Life

The R-FH Area Weekend: Hanga Loose, 5K Run, Art, Market & Gardens

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Well, Rumson-Fair Haven area friends and fans, the weekend is looking nice, according to the National Weather Service.

The sun will be out and activities will abound.

Here’s what’s going on in the area:

Friday

• Don’t forget Hanga Loose Fridays at Umberto’s in Fair Haven. It’s a time to hang out in memory of the restaurant’s beloved Silvio, a friend to all.

Stop by the River Road place’s back room, mangia and chat it up!

• Then there’s A Night of Wine Tasting benefit, the proceeds of which will go to an area favorite charity — Monmouth Day Care Center.

The event, held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Junior League of Monmouth County’s headquarters at 55 Center Street, Rumson, will feature hors d’oeuvres and wine pairings.

Call 732-741-4313 for more information.

Saturday

• A first, the Girls on the Run 5K, kicks off the day in Fair Haven with a start time of 9 a.m. at Fair Haven Fields.

Young girls in third through eighth grades will be running the course that ends where it begins — at Fair Haven Fields.

Run on, girls!

• And, over at River Road Books, Adam Sobel, the popular vegan Cinnamon Snail food truck chef, will be doing a signing of his book Street Vegan from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..

The signing will also feature free donuts with the purchase of the book. Now that’s a sweet event!

• An area favorite is any Art Alliance show opening at the organization’s Monmouth Street headquarters in Red Bank.

The opening reception, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. with some snacks and beverages, kicks off the Ebba Osborne Memorial Award Exhibition. It runs through June 24.

Sunday

• The Red Bank Farmers Market is in the Galleria parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It features the usual fresh produce, organic goods, breads, coffees, desserts, crafts and more.

• And if you feel like being by the water and taking in a little history at the same time, tours of the historic Seabrook-Wilson House, otherwise known as the spooky Spy House, are running from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bayshore Waterfront Park location on Port Monmouth Road in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown.

• For those who love gardening, Deep Cut Gardens, on Red Hill Road in Middletown, will be hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..

It will feature lectures and demonstrations by horticultural experts and Rutgers University master gardeners.

For kids, there will be a scavenger hunt and potted plant session.