Tag Archives: feature

Obituaries

In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite Phyliss Amses, 89

Longtime Rumsonite Phyliss Amses died on Sept. 25 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank from an undetermined cause. She was 89.

Phyliss Amses
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

“Phyliss married musician Richard Amses on September 8, 1954 and they had a truly long and loving marriage until his death in 2018. She was no less a truly loving and deeply devoted mother to her
two children Denise and Matthew.
Always happy to entertain her beloved family and friends, Phyliss was a gracious and charming hostess, and an accomplished cook and baker. She brought joy to all who knew her … She will be remembered and missed by the legions of family, friends and neighbors whose lives she touched.”

Loved ones of Phyliss Amses in her obituary

Born on Nov. 6, 1931 in Bayonne, to Irvin and Sophie Gershman, Phyliss graduated from Bayonne High School in1948. After that she worked as a supply clerk for the U.S. Army, a switchboard operator, and then as a seamstress at Flora’s Dress Shop after she moved to Rumson to raise her family.

Phyliss is survived by: her daughter, Denise Amses (husband Christopher Cosma) of Brooklyn; her son, Matthew Amses (wife Kathryn Cordes), of Manhattan; and her two grandsons, Julian and Gabriel Cosma.

Visitation was held at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, on Oct. 1, followed by a graveside service at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin.

For information as to how to make a donation in Phyliss’ memory, please check back at Thompson Memorial Home here.

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Schools Scene

RFH Students Named Governor’s STEM Scholars

Two Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School juniors have been chosen as 2022 Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Energy and Mathematics) Scholars.

Juniors Sophia Dengler and Annette Kersten join 98 other New Jersey students from across twenty counties in this competitive, selective program with a 15 percent acceptance rate.  

Continue reading RFH Students Named Governor’s STEM Scholars →
Local Life

Scene Around: Whistling & Stopping Home with Barbara Leslie

She’s that lady who taught guitar to many a Fair Haven kid. She rowed the musical boat ashore and marched, played and sang with them as Fair Haven Folk Singers in parades. She’s Barbara Leslie. Her iconic base of song and play? The Whistle Stop.

Continue reading Scene Around: Whistling & Stopping Home with Barbara Leslie →
Local Life

Iconic Spot: The Girl From the Rumson Dock

Image

Svelte and coiffed and young and lovely, the girl from the Rumson Dock goes sunning … and when she suns … she gets her picture on a 1959 Rumson post card.

You’ve likely seen the card. It’s been in circulation for decades. But, that girl sitting on the dock has always been somewhat of a mystery — until now.

Continue reading Iconic Spot: The Girl From the Rumson Dock →
News

Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli Resigns

The reason has not been given, but a social media announcement by Fair Haven Borough Administrator Theresa Casagrande has made it clear that 12-year Mayor Ben Lucarelli has resigned “effective immediately.”

The administrator only said in the announcement at about 1 p.m. that the administration wanted to “thank him for his accomplishments” during his mayoral tenure and “wish him luck.”

R-FH Retro has reached out to Lucarelli with no immediate response.

Of the limited information surrounding the resignation, Fair Haven Borough Council President Christopher Rodriguez, alluding to a bit of an explosive moment at last night’s council meeting, said late Tuesday afternoon, “I am still digesting the past ten hours of it all. I am still coming to grips with it all … I have not spoke to the council or mayor yet.”

The governing body’s political composition has shifted in the past few years. It has been either all Republican or majority Republican over the past couple of decades at least. Lucarelli is a Republican. Last year’s election turned the majority to Democrat, 4-2.

Lucarelli, who grew up in Rumson, moved to Fair Haven to raise his family. He served on borough council and when former Mayor Mike Halfacre, an attorney, resigned in 2012 to accept a position with the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control division under the Gov. Chris Christie administration, as holding office would have posed a conflict. Lucarelli was chosen from three nominees to fill his unexpired term and then ran for full terms.

In Fair Haven’s form of government, weak mayor, strong council, the mayor is elected separately for four-year terms as opposed to borough council members’ three-year tenure. The mayor only has a vote in council matters if he is needed to break a tie. He presides over meetings and has veto power.

According to state statute, a replacement must be named from a pool of three nominees of the same party as Lucarelli. Council will then vote on who gets the appointment to fill Lucarelli’s term, which ends at the end of 2022.

This is a breaking story. As soon as Lucarelli responds, there will be a follow-up.

Local Life

Focus: River Time; Locals’ Summer Welcome

It’s locals’ summertime in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, where the livin’ is always easier down by the river.

Welcomed is how most any local wrapped up in the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers’ shoreline embrace feels. It’s a local’s terminal rite of passage. And when summer’s crowded rush of soaking it all up cools down, the deep inhale of the rivers’ endless solace warms — a reminder that home is where the river beckons. A roaring, quiet reminder. It hollers with the tide … until it soothes.

Can you hear it now?

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde (Click on one to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)

Locals’ summer days ahead are looking seasonably good. Check out the forecast for this week from the National Weather Service and head to your favorite locals’ summer river spot …

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Local Life

Focus: A Fair Wrap

The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair came back to town after a forced pandemic respite last year.

And it came back with gusto, even though the seafood was sorely missed by many. The Grab Bag Booth a/k/a Balloon Booth made its exit, fair grounds left, this year, too. It’s gone for good. No more buying prizes to compensate for losses at the games of chance. Waaaaaa! But, all was very well with the fair’s return.

Save for the twister threat that banished Firemen’s Night on Wednesday, thousands flocked to the fair just about every night.

Many of the sights have already been seen. But, here’s R-FH Retro’s glimpse into fairing well at the fair … (Click on one photo to enlarge and scroll! Enjoy!)

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2021
Photos/Elaine Van Develde
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Local Life

Rumson Rec to Host Family Fun Nights

Rumson Recreation has announced that new Family Fun Nights are to be hosted at Victory Park.

The nights, on Sept. 2 and 9 from 6 to roughly 7:30 p.m. will feature concerts by The Band of the Two Rivers and DJ MO Talent, respectively.

Rumson Rec asks that attendees bring their own chairs, blankets and snacks for the festivities. With Band of the Two Rivers there will be music, socializing and the river view.

With DJ MO, there will be some “family fun music” and contests.