Tag Archives: feature

Obituaries, Opinion

Services Set for Fair Haven’s ‘Chum’ Chandler

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The marquee on the Fair Haven firehouse is once again bearing some sad news.

Yet another member of the deep-rooted fire department kin has passed. Longtime Fair Havenites know the borough-anchored family. They knew the family’s departed patriarch and fondly remember his tall stature topped by a grand zest for life and love of all things family and community — it was all synonymous for the man people knew as Chum Chandler.

Chum, a lifelong Fair Haven resident and 65-year member of its fire company, died at 89 on March 8, leaving behind a compassionate life lived to the fullest, his family said in his obituary.

There will be a service/visitation for Chum Chandler on  Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. There will be a fire department tribute at 7:30.

And on Saturday there will be a celebration, as his family put it in his obituary, of his life at the Fair Haven firehouse, on River Road, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Warren “Chum” Chandler will be buried in the Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ.

The following is some more information taken directly from his obituary on Thompson Memorial Home’s website:

Chum Chandler served his country proudly during WWII in the US Navy, South Pacific.

The owner of Chandler Septic Tank Service, Chum was a 65-year member of the Fair Haven Fire Department.

He loved to hunt, fish and crab and was a founding member of The Sea Bright Rod and Gun Club. He loved all sports and participated in the Rumson Veterans Football, the Willow Brook Golf Club, and numerous baseball teams and bowling leagues.

Chum as a loyal fan of the N.Y. Mets and Giants. He “lived a full life whose fun-loving personality will live on forever!”

Chum was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth “Betty” (Long).

He is survived by: sons Warren (Stephanie), George (Judi), Richard (Lisa), Peter (Natasha); daughters Elizabeth (Dan), Carol (Mike), Deborah (Dan); 15 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; and special friend, Joan Fowler.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Fair Haven Fire Department, 635 River Rd., Fair Haven, NJ 07704.

Many have good memories of Chum Chandler. Please share your memories with us as we prepare a full memorial tribute. Email anything you’d like to share to [email protected]

Crime, Police and Fire

Crime Close By: Drug Possession, Assault & More

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The following arrests were made by Middletown police between Feb. 24 and March 9. An arrest does not constitute a conviction. 

• Ryan Fisher, 34, ofHarborview Drive, Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on Feb. 25 by Detective Daniel Sullivan on a contempt of court issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court and was charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was held on $500 bail.

• Joseph Hosking, 37, of Ginger Court, Eatontown, was arrested on Feb. 26 by Patrolman Charles Higgins and charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released pending a court date.

• Connor Mahan, 20, of Forest Avenue, Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 27 by Patrolman James Beirne and charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of heroin.

He was released pending a court date.

Continue reading Crime Close By: Drug Possession, Assault & More →

Schools Scene

Internet Safety Explored at Rumson Schools

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The following is an edited press release from the Rumson School District:

The Rumson School District recently presented a parent “coffee chat” on the subject of Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying.

The event Feb. 23 event was organized by Forrestdale School Guidance Counselor and Anti-Bullying Specialist Jenn Crow, and hosted by local parent and internet safety expert Tyna Kilbourne.

Continue reading Internet Safety Explored at Rumson Schools →

Police and Fire

Arresting News Nearby: Assault, Disorderly, DWI

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The following arrests were made recently by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Elizabeth Ramirez-Rosales, 27, of Red Bank, was arrested in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue on March 3 by Patrolman Jhonatan Quispe and charged with simple assault.

• Robert Fix, 25, of Middletown, was arrested in the area of West Front Street on March 1 by Patrolman Benjamin Springer and charged with disorderly conduct.

• Joseph Pagano, 56, of Red Bank, was arrested by Patrolman Ashon Lovick on Feb. 28 in the area of Bank Street and charged with disorderly conduct.

• Michael Eng, 27, of Tinton Falls, was arrested by Patrolman Cevin Albert on Feb. 28 in the area of West Front Street and charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated).

• Brandon Weltman, 37, of Asbury Park, was arrested on Feb. 27 by Patrolman Thomas Doremus in the area of Broad Street and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and contempt of court.

Local Life

High Steppin’ into Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2015

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There was a wee bit of a chill in the air, but spirits were warm and bright on Sunday at the third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Thousands lined East River Road to take festive trip to St. Paddy’s Day nine days early via hundreds of paraders.

Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into Rumson’s new tradition.

Don’t forget to click on the icon in the bottom right corner to enlarge for a full view!

Local Life

Mangia! Spaghetti Dinner Served!

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It’s comfort food and company for the soul — the annual Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company’s Spaghetti Dinner.

The trek up those steps at the firehouse sets off a surge of soothing memories for any longtime Fair Havenite. The smell of sauce simmering on the stove, the familiar sound of a banquet room full of friends, the sight of the good ladies of the auxiliary serving meals and the kitchen … oh, the kitchen, where the guys who made the spaghetti and meatballs keep things cooking.

Then there’s Angelo, meatball master supreme. He watches over everything and keeps it all good.

Take a look at our slideshow above to get a glimpse into the evening and all things fine at the firehouse. Mangia!

Oh, and don’t forget to click the icon on the bottom right of the slideshow to enlarge it and get a full view!

Local Life

Rewind: Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

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The third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day parade is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

The relatively new area tradition has drawn hundreds of participants and thousands of viewers.

This year, the parade is dedicated to its first lead organizer, Michael Larkin. Fair Havenite and Fox 5 reporter JoAnn Pileggi is back for the third year as emcee; and the grand marshal is Philip Murphy, a Middletown resident with a Rumson connection who was U.S. Ambassador to Germany.

Take a look back in our slideshow revisiting the first Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

See you Sunday!

 

Schools Scene

Delayed R-FH Area School Openings

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All three school districts in the Rumson-Fair Haven area will be operating Friday on a staggered delayed opening schedule.

Fair Haven School District — Knollwood and Sickles schools

• Superintendent Nelson Ribon has announced that the delayed openings of the Fair Haven schools will follow the Plan B schedule, which is a two-and-a-half hour delay to prep “both campuses for students and staff.”

And, “AM Pre-K and Kindergarten both begin at 10:30; PM Kindergarten begins at 1:00, followed by PM Pre-K at 1:10. No lunches will be served,” according to the district website.

Rumson School District — Forrestdale and Deane Porter

• There will be a 90 minute delayed opening of the schools.

*Pre-school a.m. session will be open from 10:10 a.m. to noon

* K-8 will operate on a 10:10 am to 3:05 p.m. schedule

There will also be no 1 p.m. dismissal, as previously scheduled for parent/teacher conferences. They will be rescheduled, according to the website.

Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School

• The high school will open on 90-minute delayed schedule.

* Staff sign in is at 9a.m.

* The warning bell will sound at  at 9:10am.

* Period 1 starts at 9:15 a.m.

“Buses will be running this morning on a 90 minute delayed schedule,” the website says.

Local Life

The R-FH Weekend: Spaghetti Dinner, St. Patrick’s Day Parade & More

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The upcoming weekend in the Rumson-Fair Haven area is flush with fun, festivity, remembrance and tradition.

To start, on Saturday  …

• It’s been a longtime tradition of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company — the annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser.

The sauce and meatballs are prepared under the tutelage of 85-year-old Angelo DePonti, a Red Bank friend of Fair Haven who has been a social member of the fire company for 25 years.

“I was born to cook and I love sharing my recipe and food with so many,” Angelo says.

 

The meal of spaghetti and meatballs, salad Italian bread, soft drinks and homemade desserts is made and served by firemen, Ladies’ Auxiliary members and fire cadets.

The dinner, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the firehouse on River Road,  is BYOB and costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. Oh, and take-out is available.

Mangia!

• Later on Saturday night, as a prelude to Sunday’s Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the parade’s Investiture Cocktail Reception fundraiser from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Salt Creek Grille in Rumson.

Tickets are $75. The price includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

And on Sunday …

• The third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches into town beginning at 1 p.m.

The parade lines up at Victory Park and then proceeds east on River Road for about 1 mile to Piping Rock Park.

Last year, police estimated that there was a crowd of roughly 7,000.

• Also on Sunday, from 3 to 5 p.m. RFHers may pay their respects to former RFH teacher and coach Hal Lorme.

The service is being held from 3 to 5 p.m., with a prayer service at 4:30, at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank.

Schools Scene

RFH Students, Staff Pursue Sources of Strength

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

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) peer leaders and staffers recently tapped into Sources of Strength training resources to enhance their knowledge of suicide, violence and substance abuse.

Approximately 80 RFH students who are members of the RFH Peer Leaders organization along with 16 faculty members trained in what is dubbed Sources of Strength, or SOS, on Feb. 18.

“Helping students learn how to access their Sources of Strength during life’s challenging moments will help them to build resiliency and improve wellness throughout their lifetimes,” RFH Student Assistance Counselor Suzanne Fico, who helped organize and participated in the training,” said.

Sources of Strength (SOS), according to the organization’s website, “leads in the field of suicide prevention by respecting differences among individuals, communities, and cultures and by drawing out stories of strength and healing.”

The group’s mission, according to the site is “to provide the highest quality prevention for suicide, violence, and substance abuse. This is accomplished by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults in the school community.”

“We approach prevention in a different way,” Barnabas Health’s Turning the Tides Program Manager and event facilitator Rachel Alvarez said in her introduction to the group at the February training session. “Research has shown that programs like this one work best when people like you — here in this gym right now — learn how to use your own strengths to send positive messages of hope, help, and strength to your peers.”

Jamie Juliano, RFH Child Study Team member and co-advisor to the Peer Leaders, helped organize the event and participated in the SOS training. She described it as a fun experience that appeared to have a powerful impact on all involved.

“It was encouraging to see the students developing creative ideas to spread hope, help, and strength messages to their fellow classmates,” said Juliano. “As one of the adult advisors, I hope to continue helping these students turn their ideas into action so that our whole community can feel the effects of Sources of Strength.”

The group took part of a number of exercises, and learned how to break down communication barriers — or what SOS refers to as codes of silence — to help bring about positive change and also increase the likelihood of peer leaders encouraging their fellow students to seek help when they need it.

“The SOS training makes you think about things in a different way,” RFH sophomore and Peer Leader Ben Pelino said.

News, Obituaries

Remembering RFH’s Coach Lorme

Slideshow photos by George Day and from RFH yearbooks, compiled by Elaine Van Develde

The news of former Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH)  coach, gym teacher, Ski Club director, RFH Athletic and Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame inductee Hal Lorme hit the community with a wave of sadness.

While Lorme died on Feb. 15 at his assisted living home in Myrtle Beach, SC,  his obituary was only recently released by Thompson Memorial Home with the pending remembrance service for the coach originally slated for Thursday, but now scheduled for Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Thompson, with a prayer service at 4:30.

When longtime Fair Havenite, RFH grad and Rumson police officer Bryan Dougherty posted the news on the Fair Haven Facebook page on Tuesday, the post was flooded with warm memories shared of the coach.

“RIP Coach,” Dougherty said. “If I know you, you are surely looking for Yankees spring training game somewhere up there in heaven.”

“He was a great guy,” said RFH grad Doug Borden. “I went on lots of ski trips that he put together. RIP.”

“Ohh this is so sad to hear! What an icon he was at RFH,” Susan Kaltenborn Marino said.

“Thanks for all you did. RIP,” said Steve Howie.

“Loved his sense of humor. RIP coach,” said Jack Kavanagh.

And the list of accolades and love for the RFH icon goes on …

The following is Coach Lorme’s obituary from Thompson Memorial Home:

Harold A. Lorme “Hal”, 82, formerly of Oakhurst, passed away Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at Reflections Assisted Living in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Hal was born in Jersey City on Nov. 23,1932, a son of the late Harold and Margaret Lorme. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Patrick Murray.

Hal attended Snyder High School in Jersey City and went on to graduate from Montclair State College. Hal served in the U.S. Army in Korea, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He was a Physical Education teacher at Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School for 31 years.

He coached Varsity Wrestling for six years and Varsity Baseball at RFH for 25 years. Hal was extremely proud to have won 324 baseball games during his coaching career at RFH and to have the baseball field at RFH High School named in his honor.

He was inducted into the RFH Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986 and inducted into the Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Hal enjoyed directing the RFH High School Ski Club for 12 seasons.

During the summers, he worked as a cashier at Monmouth Park Race Track in Oceanport, NJ. He was a communicant of St Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach.

Hal was a die-hard NY Yankees fan, enjoyed many trips to the Bronx during the summer and trips to Florida during Spring Training. His passions were collecting baseball memorabilia including many Yankee items, officiating High School football games in the shore area, playing softball and enjoying a round of golf.

His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his grandchildren especially watching them play sports.

Hal is survived by: his wife of 62 years, Joan Lorme; son, Hal J. Lorme and his wife Tracy, their children, Ryan, Meghan and Matthew, all of Long Branch; daughter, Jacquie Lorme and her son Raymond of Fargo, ND; sister, Doris Murray of Lincroft, and nieces, Lynn, Cathy, Cheryl, Colleen and nephew, Patrick.

A special thank you to Hal’s niece, Colleen and husband, David O’Hagen, who have been such a big help to Hal and Joan over the last few years.

 

Police and Fire

Contempt of Court Arrests Nearby

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The following arrests on contempt of court charges were recently made by Red Bank police:

• Perry Veney, 28, of Red Bank, was arrested by Sgt. Juan Sardo on Feb. 19 in the area of Monmouth Street and charged with contempt of court.

• Michael Granados-Campos, 28, of Red Bank, was arrested by Patrolman Cevin Albert on Feb. 19 in the area of Spring Street and charged with contempt of court.

• Kristie Lepard, 24, of Middletown, was arrested by Patrolman Kristin Altimari in the area of Monmouth Street on Feb. 20 and charged with contempt of court.

• Thomas Armstrong, 32, of Eatontown, was arrested on Feb. 19 by Patrolman Jorge Torres in the area of Willow Street and charged with contempt of court.

• Timothy Cusack, 45, of Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 19 by Patrolman Gary Watson in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue and charged with contempt of court.