Know any of these people? You’d be surprised at how many you may be able to identify.
Yes, this is Mrs. Kamin’s first grade class at Knollwood School in 1967. There are lots of Fair Havenites here. Some are still in the area.
Can you figure out who they are? Sometimes a smile never changes.
By Elaine Van Develde
We’re feeling the fall chill in the air now.
But, only a couple of days ago, likely the last warm day was the perfect day to soak up the sun and final warmth of the season by taking a stroll down by the Fair Haven Dock.
Take a look at the sunny scenery.
The following is an edited press release provided by Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
Everyone knows by now that they’re the champs.
Here’s how … The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) field hockey team earned the school’s first Shore Conference Title by defeating Shore Regional High School on Nov. 2 at Raritan High School, Hazlet.
The top-seeded Bulldogs bested the second-seeded Blue Devils with a score of 2-0. The RFH girls were the first team of the 2014 season to hold Shore Regional — winner of the past 15 Shore Conference Title bouts — scoreless.
“I could not be prouder of the effort put forth by the girls — they played with heart and supported one another all over the field,” RFH Head Field Hockey Coach Julia Vaccarelli said. “It was a total team effort.
“It was an amazing feat to clinch the program’s first-ever Shore Conference title, and also end a 15-year-long streak by Shore Regional.”
Up next for the girls is the NJSIAA State Tournament run, in which the Bulldogs are the top seed.
“We will look defend our sectional title and hopefully make in to the group championship – another first for the program,” said Vaccarelli.
The RFH field hockey roster includes: seniors Abigael Donohue, Catie Ebner (Captain), Molly Lake, Maggi McCann and Peyton McCauley (Captain); juniors Anna Babiak (Goalie), Kara Dixon, Bridget Fitzgerald, Maggie Jennings, Madison Maguire, Kiera McKay, Gabrielle Ramirez, Masie Sapnar and Kate Sustick; sophomore Ali DeVito; and freshmen Lilly Croddick, Emma D’Amelio, Kaitlyn MacGillis, Megan MacGillis, Makenna Maguire and Molly Nowell.
By Elaine Van Develde
“Many of those who were drafted into war many years ago were only seniors in high school. They were so young, their faces looked like dough,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said, explaining the significance of what is dubbed the Doughboy Statue that stands at Memorial Park.
It’s where the Veterans Day ceremony in the borough took place on Tuesday. It’s also where some of those once dough-faced soldiers, now wearing the passage of time and life experience on their faces and in their eyes, gathered to pay tribute to fellow vets, those who have passed, those killed in the line of duty and those still in service.
They gathered in both Fair Haven and Rumson.
In Fair Haven, World War II vet Warner White, recipient of the Purple Heart award and Combat Infantry Badge, made his way up to the mic to speak of his time on the Atlantic French Coast at Utah Beach (D plus 94) and the Battle of the Bulge.
A native of Ohio, White has made Fair Haven his home since 1962.
Modest, as many World War II vets are, White quipped, “Ya see this picture of me here (pointing to the program). They make it look like I’m saluting. I really wasn’t. I was just combing my hair.”
He spoke of his experiences and all listened intently, including the very young, doughy-faced students in attendance.
Also recognized were a couple of the oldest living World War II vets in the audience: Ray Taylor, who served in Korea as well, and Oscar Hille, of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Also still living in Fair Haven, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect has learned, is 97-year-old World War II vet, Ken Curchin.
In Rumson, special recognition was paid to Jack Donovan Fowler, who was a First Lieutenant in the 7th Armored Division of the Battle of the Bulge.
Captain Daniel J. Edwards was the “presiding officer of the day” for the ceremony and Captain Mike Lilley, of the U.S. Marine Corps, spoke. Lilley, a Rumson resident, is executive director of Better Education for Kids, Inc.
All are the faces of service to the country. There were many thank-you’s and handshakes Tuesday morning. And Mayor Lucarelli called for that and more consideration to be a constant.
“In war there are and (have been) so many casualties and lives lost … Many who served and return have wounds that cannot be seen, such as post traumatic stress disorder and brain trauma …
“If you see a vet, thank a vet. If you see a vet and it seems like he’s having a hard time, understand. Go up to him and comfort him if you can.”
The casualties of the wars …
• World War I, 115,000 lives lost;
• World War II, 405,000 lives lost;
• Korean War, 36,000 lives lost;
• Vietnam, 50,000;
• Persian Gulf conflicts, 7,000.
The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
What started as a 3-year-old hitting tennis balls in emulation of her parents has led to the first NJSIAA State Singles Championship in the history of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH).
RFH senior and tournament top seed Kate Fahey defeated Millburn’s Stephanie Schrage with scores of 6-3, 3-6, and 6-1 on Oct.18 in West Windsor.
And while she stood alone in victory on the tennis court that day, Kate has plenty of praise for all those who have supported her along the way.
“I have my parents to thank for introducing me to the sport and instilling a love for it” said Kate, who noted that they still play competitively.
Kate credits her first private coach, Ray Kuzava of New Shrewsbury Racket Club, for teaching her the fundamentals of the sport beginning at the age of 8 and providing her with a firm foundation. Her current coach, Catarina Ryan, who began working with Fahey when she was 13, is described as “a mentor and friend as well as a coach.”
During her sophomore year at RFH in 2012, Fahey reached the NJSIAA State Singles Championship Final but lost to Lexi Borr of Westfield. She then left RFH and dedicated her junior year to competition in United States Tennis Association tournaments.
After careful consideration, Kate returned for her senior year at RFH. She ended her senior season with a record of 23-0.
“It was just so nice to be back at RFH, and I love all of the girls on the team as well as Coach Manley,” said Kate. “They are just an extremely talented and wonderful group.
“I am definitely happy with my decision to come back!”
Next year Fahey will play for the University of Michigan, to which she made a verbal commitment in January of 2014.
“I made a commitment that was considered early for tennis, but after visiting the campus and meeting the coach and the players I was sure that this was where I wanted to be,” she said. “It is a great fit for me academically and athletically, and it already feels like home.”
If you guessed that Fahey has her eye on a bigger prize, you are correct.
“I plan to work very hard and try to improve at the University of Michigan, so that I will be successful after graduation.” said Kate. “I definitely want to play professionally.”
Kate is the daughter of Elena and Tom Fahey of Fair Haven.
By Elaine Van Develde
Fair Haven students had a lesson in civics on Monday.
As part of a now annual tradition, the Fair Haven Borough Council conducted one of its meetings at Knollwood School. And the kids learned some things about local government policy that they did not necessarily understand.
For one, members of the governing body told the group that if you want to be heard, you need to speak up and go to meetings.
And, said Council President Jonathan Peters, “It’s always best to approach us first … ask us your question. Don’t yell at us right away. Just ask us what you need an answer to and if you don’t get the answer, then you can yell at us.”
Councilman Rowland Wilhelm called attention to the fact that two women who have lived in the borough for decades, Ruth Blaser and Susan O’Brien, are at every meeting “holding us accountable.”
Like it or not, he said, the two exemplify what residents’ rights are all about. They are usually at every single meeting, “keeping us in check,” he said. Blaser asked council, among other things, if they’d consider having an open public meeting, agenda-free, to get people in town together when more are available, perhaps on a Saturday.
Mayor Ben Lucarelli explained something that he acknowledged many people don’t understand — what type of government their town is working under.
In Fair Haven, for example, the form of government, he said, is that of Borough Council. “It’s a form of municipal government that has a strong council and weak mayor,” he said. “What that means is that the council members are the ones who vote on all the local laws.”
The mayor, if necessary, breaks ties only. He does not customarily vote. He, on the other hand, sets agendas and has veto power.
Council took questions from the student body, many of whom took the opportunity to ask questions.
Some questions included those about pot holes around town, the pending lights at Fair Haven Fields, recycling and open space acquisitions.
Council also recognized its newly-elected member, Aimee Humphreys, and invited her to join them for a first time in executive session.
Check out our photos from the meeting.
Stay tuned for more council action at the meeting and our interview with Aimee Humphreys.
By Elaine Van Develde
Both the boroughs of Rumson and Fair Haven will commemorate Veterans Day on the same day, same time — Nov. 11 at 11 a.m..
“The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said.
In Rumson, the ceremony will take place in the usual spot by the war memorial in Victory Park. It will feature members of the armed forces and veterans of various wars as highlighted speakers and participants.
In Fair Haven, the service will take place at Memorial Park. Remaining World War II vets from the borough will be in attendance, the town’s oldest living World War II and Korean War vet, Ray Taylor, 93, will be a featured speaker.
“He’s (Taylor) is a very special man,” Lucarelli said. “It’s always an honor to hear him speak.”
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will feature photo galleries of both events.
By Elaine Van Develde
Generosity was overwhelming in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
When the call for help was sent out by the newly-created Sea Bright Rising, surrounding community organizations and just plain nice people, supply and clothing bins’ contents were almost spilling into the streets.
At one stop in Fair Haven, organizers had to ask people to stop giving.
Remember this?
By Elaine Van Develde
Fair Haven Girl Scout Caroline Peters made it through Hurricane Sandy unscathed.
But the teen, daughter of Councilman Jonathan Peters, saw what the storm did to the property of people she knew well and cared about. She watched as it ripped up the iconic Fair Haven Dock, a traditional spot for all those who grow up Fair Haven style.
Continue reading Girl Scout Project Earmarks Sandy, Storm Surge Education
Those at the Halloween Parade at Viola L. Sickles School in Fair Haven this year got a spooky musical treat when the kids launched into a flash mob of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Zombie Style.
The concept, a first in the school district, was conceived by parent Bennett Coleman and choreographed by Vanessa Berry, owner/director of Kick Dance Studios in Fair Haven and Rumson, a release from the school district said. The performance involved students in first through third grades dancing up a diabolical storm.
“We had just three rehearsals, and all of the students worked really hard,” said Berry in the release. “This was a great opportunity for the children currently taking dance lessons to show off their moves, as well as for all of the students to enjoy demonstrating what they learned.”
“I thought all of the students were utterly charming,” said parent Susan Culbert in the release. “I was impressed by them.”
The Sickles Halloween parade has been a longstanding tradition. Officials welcomed the new addition.
“I am so grateful to Vanessa Berry for the donation of her time, and to Monmouth Stereo for the donated use of their equipment,” Sickles School Principal Cheryl Cuddihy, costumed as candy Dots, said. “I also want to express my thanks to Bennett Coleman, who was instrumental in organizing this wonderful activity.”
Be sure to check out the video on the Fair Haven PTA Facebook page. Click here.
By Elaine Van Develde
Yes, you could have called it a seasonal Sea Bright dog day.
And there are few of those days left for four-legged friends to romp on the shore.
Recently, though, the day of the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps was a prime example of a great day for furry friends to have a little fun with their masters.
Check it out.
By Elaine Van Develde
Voters said “yes” to the state open space funding question on the 2014 ballot.
But what does that really mean?
It’s one of those questions on the ballot that many don’t understand oftentimes bypass for that reason or another — more often than not because it seems too convoluted to process while voting.
This election what was Question #2 did not elude voters. The majority, 79,605, or an overwhelming 62 percent, said “yes” to a measure will put in place a mechanism to permanently fund open space acquisitions.
In years past, voters have been asked to OK local taxes of anywhere from a penny to a few cents per $100 of assessed property value to put funds in a trust dedicated to the acquisition and preservation of swaths of land seen as prime for forever passive or active recreation.
But, such land has become more and more expensive, as a valued diminishing asset. And, as many municipalities rely on state and county grant funds to supplement their acquisitions — taking a percentage of the purchase burden off taxpayers — funds have been exhausted while towns’ acquisition “wish lists” have dwindled due to economics.
So, the state came up with a way to take a percentage of a tax already brought in and dedicate it to open space.
It’s a permanent mechanism. And, in accordance with the regulations that accompany any grant for such space preservation, once the land is preserved, it can never again be used for any commercial or private development purpose — only passive and/or active recreation.
By the same token, environmentalists and preservationists have touted for years, once land is lost to development, it’s lost forever.
In this case, now 4 percent of corporate business tax revenue will be automatically put in the open space piggy bank from 2016 to 2019. Then, from 2019 on, 6 percent will go into the preservation coffers.
While this money has already been helping with the proliferation of environmental programs, it will now also cover land preservation in several ways: open space/passive and active recreation land acquisition, agricultural (farmland) help, and flood buyout assistance.
On the Friday before the election, now re-elected Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry was on hand to congratulate Fair Haven officials on the acquisition of the historic Williams/Robards property at the foot of DeNormandie Avenue.
Burry called the closing on the property a prime example of how the “yes” to the #2 ballot question would benefit the public and future generations.
Saying that she had been supporting the question on the campaign trail, she called attention to the fact that the long-time-coming acquisition of the DeNormandie property involved state funds that would get a big boost from the new measure that the question proposed, such as the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Blue Acres and Green Acres programs.
“It’s exciting to be part of such a wonderful occasion and to think about how wonderful it is that all these entities working together were able to come to this wonderful conclusion and that is to save this piece of property,” Burry said. “You can’t do better than this. I’ve been on projects that take longer than 10 years. I always say, ‘In my lifetime, please.’ This was well worth waiting for.”
Yet another portion, or $100,000, of the funding for DeNormandie came from the non-profit Monmouth Conservation Foundation.
The organization’s executive director, Bill Kastning, also a major proponent of Question #2, called DeNormandie an example of a quality acquisition, more of which he’d like to see come to fruition.
“The Monmouth Conservation Foundation saw a need here to assist Fair Haven with the acquisition of this all important piece of property,” Kastning said. “In it’s 37 years, the foundation has helped with the preservation of about 6,500 acres. Quantity counts and quality counts. While we’re talking here of only 6.9 acres, it’s 6.9 acres of waterfront property, a portion of the waterfront, a fantastic view, and a walkable park for a community that certainly needs access to the waterfront. Saving this property … You can’t do better than this.”
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