No joke. A former longtime Rumson mayor walks into an oyster bar …
Continue reading Scene Around: A Gem of a Happy Hour for a Former Rumson Mayor 
As we continue to mourn the loss of the baseball season, among other athletics, due to COVID-19, thoughts, and a memory scroll on Facebook bring us back to the days of another kind of ballgame camaraderie — the softball league of the past.
Continue reading Retro Oceanfront Softball Team Home Run
Five years ago people piled onto the Sea Bright municipal parking lot to get and give help in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.
Word has it, from Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl and Drexel University’s Dragons, that Drexel did not take all the wins in the Rumson Boat Race on Saturday, which the mayor said is usually the way the crew tide rolls in this race.
As a testament to his decades-long service to the borough, Rumson Mayor John E. Ekdahl has been inducted into the Elected Officials Hall of Fame.
The honor was bestowed upon him recently by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities during the 24th Annual Mayors Legislative Day on Feb. 24 at the State House Annex in Trenton.
“The Elected Officials Hall of Fame recognizes these officials who have selflessly guided their communities through the good times and difficult times, often with little recognition of their public service,” State League of Municipalities President Joseph Tempesta, Jr., also mayor of West Caldwell Township, said. “This small token of appreciation focuses a light on their sacrifices over lengthy tenures, demonstrating how much they care and serving as excellent examples of civic pride for all citizens to emulate.”
The honor is reserved for local municipal governing body members who, as of December 2015, served for more than 20 years in elected municipal office. And that length of public service for Ekdahl has been nearly double that — or roughly 38 years.
Mayor Ekdahl began his formal service on the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment in 1978, serving as its chairman from 1991-95. He was elected to the Rumson Borough Council in November of 1996 and was appointed mayor in 2004 when Mayor Charles S. Callman stepped down. Since then, he has been re-elected three times. His current term ends on December 31, 2019.
There are currently 566 inductees in the Elected Officials Hall of Fame.
Congratulations, Mayor Ekdahl! And thank you for your service!
They call it Firemen’s Night.
It’s the night of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair when firemen, first aid squad members, police officers — really, all first responders — from all around the country are welcomed to the fair to join their brothers and sisters, honor one another, be treated to some food and drink and just get together and have a good time.
That night was — always is — Wednesday. Tradition. The fair grounds were packed with the people who show up when you dial 9-1-1.
This year, responders showed up from as near as Rumson to as far as Alexandria, VA. True story.
Also on the grounds were reps from: Tinton Falls, Middletown, Shrewsbury, Morganville, Sea Bright, Eatontown, Manalapan, Colts Neck, Ramtown, Freehold (East, Borough and Township), Englishtown, Long Branch, Allenhurst, Brielle and Holmdel.
Oh, and milling around giving thanks to the firemen, showing support for his Fair Haven neighbors and enjoying the festivities with wife Lolly was Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl.
Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening of tradition and thanks. (Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge!)
Have you thanked a first responder today?
— Elaine Van Develde
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Yes, the Oceanic Bridge is going to need some new imminent, unexpected repairs.
And, yes, that means the bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic for about three weeks, from the day after Memorial Day to June 12, Monmouth County officials have announced.
The much-needed complete replacement of the historic bridge is slated to happen within the next 10 years.
But, about this time three years ago, in 2012, major repairs thought to have taken care of safe travel for the interim, were completed.
The bridge, after being completely closed for a time, reopened to much fanfare.
Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl was up close for the official reopening of the drawbridge section. And he got a tour of the gatekeeper’s quarters.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day takes a look back on that day.
With advent of spring, RFH Rowing and RFH Varsity Crew activity has sprouted.
The “competitive scholastic high school” crew program, sponsored by Rumson and Fair Haven boroughs, launched some of its seasonal start-up at its Victory Park home base in Rumson on Tuesday.
By Elaine Van Develde
Rumson’s 2015 reorganization ceremony was a simple, reflective one.
There were no new Borough Council members to be sworn in. Re-elected incumbents Broderick and Ben Day took oaths for another term.
However, the coming year’s fire and first aid officers received their badges; and Mayor John Ekdahl gave his customary end-of-the-year speech.
The new fire and first aid officers are as follows:
• EMS Captain, Mary Nichols, who was also captain in 2014, took the oath for 2015;
• 2014 Fire Chief Robert Halligan was thanked for his service to the borough and 2015 Chief Kevin McCarthy was given his badge as was 2015 Assistant Chief Ronald Immesberger.
In his speech, the mayor called attention to:
• the deaths of three longtime firemen;
• the diligence and dedication of the officers in borough’s police department;
• the success of the Rumson Regatta;
• a nice Veterans Day ceremony in Victory Park;
• the success of the borough’s annual Christmas tree lighting;
• the annual DPW Toy Drive bringing in 520 toys for children in need;
• and DPW Director Mark Wellner’s recognition by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Public Works Association (NJ APWA) with a 2014 Superintendent/Director Award for his 28-year career with the borough.
The benediction was offered by Rev. Manning of Holy Cross Church.
Photos by Elaine Van Develde
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