Tag Archives: Rumson

Schools Scene

R-FH Area Schools’ ‘Beyond Measure’ Discussion


“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” It’s a major tenet Rumon-Fair Haven area parents and students learned as they gathered together recently to view and discuss the documentary Beyond Measure, the sequel to the acclaimed Race to Nowhere.

Parents and students in the Rumson, Fair Haven and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) districts participated.

Here’s what happened …

Continue reading R-FH Area Schools’ ‘Beyond Measure’ Discussion →

News

A Rumson-Fair Haven Veterans Day

By Elaine Van Develde

Veterans. Honoring them for a moment on one day at a once-annual small-town gathering on Veterans Day is not enough, Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli told the crowd gathered for a ceremony in the borough on Wednesday morning.

“It is up to us to honor the lives that we lost — to honor all those who have served our country,” he said. “We honor them through events like this. But we should honor them in everyday life as well.”

Noting the presence of young school children in attendance, as part of the program, the mayor continued, saying that it is “important to note that it is up to the parents to make sure that our children realize the immense sacrifice they’ve (veterans)made.

“It is because of them that we are able to enjoy the freedom and liberties we are afforded. Ceremony is a small token of gratitude to these men and women.”

The mayor’s sentiment was echoed by featured speaker U.S. Marine Corps Major Joshua Zager, a 1989 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Graduate who served in Marine Fighter Attack squadrons 251, aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew 43 combat missions over Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.

“People are always thanking me for my service,” Major Zager said, turning his thanks to those serving their own towns at home. “It was my pleasure.

“I’ve stood the watch many times … Right now I’d like to thank our policemen and volunteer firefighters. They’re standing watch right now so that tonight we can sleep safely in our beds.”

That theme of hometown gratitude was emulated in Rumson.

There, First Sgt. James Duffney, 177 Fighter Wing in the NJ Air National Guard, gave thanks as well. “He thanked all those veterans present for their service and remembered all those from Rumson who have passed on,” Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, after missing his speech by a minute.

Yes, thank you. Thank you to the veterans who died serving our country. Thank you to those who served, came home, raised their families in the area, lived their lives out serving their communities, or just being a good neighbor. Thank you to those now serving. Thank you to the police and firemen protecting and serving their communities every single day.

Thank you.

Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into Veterans Day in  Rumson and Fair Haven. Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge.

— Photos and slideshow/Elaine Van Develde

 

Local Life

Veterans Day Ceremonies in Rumson, Fair Haven

Wednesday is the day for honoring veterans — the 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour. That’s how the tradition goes.

Both Rumson and Fair Haven are hosting Veterans Day ceremonies at that same significant time in the respective towns.

With both ceremonies begin at 11 a.m.  Fair Haven’s is at the usual Memorial Park at the corner of Fair Haven and River roads.

In addition to the featured speaker — veteran, 1989 Rumson-Fair Haven graduate and lifetime Fair Havenite Joshua Zager — there will be music by the students of Knollwood School.

The ceremony in Rumson, at the same time, is being held at Victory Park.

Borough offices in both towns will be closed.

 

Elections, Schools Scene

The BOE Votes: Mancuso Loses FH Bid for Third Term

By Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Board of Education President Mark Mancuso has lost his bid for re-election, leaving contenders Bennett Coleman, Michelle Buckley and Charlie Jakub filling the three seats up for grabs on the nine-member board.

Mancuso first came to the board by filling an unexpired term five years ago. He will be finishing the end of his second full term on the dais by the year’s end.

The highest vote-getter in the election, which brought out 3,299 voters, was Coleman, with 847. Buckley garnered 655 votes and Jakub 632, according to the unofficial tallies of the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.

Five vied for the three seats. In addition to Mancuso, Marisa Coar did not win her bid for election. She won 615 votes, or roughly 19 percent, while Mancuso had the least amount of votes cast on his ballot — 540, or about 16 percent.

There were 10 write-ins.

Rumson

The race for three board seats in the Rumson School District was uncontested.

Three ran for three seats.

With a total of 1,595 votes cast, John Connors got the highest number of votes, 533, or more than 33 percent. Charles ”Chuck” Jones III won 532, or just more than 33 percent. And Margaret Simons got 514 votes, or 32 percent, the vote tallies of the Clerk’s Office said.

There were 16 write-ins.

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

With three seats up for grabs, only two incumbent candidates ran uncontested to fill them.

Lourdes Lucas and Sarah Maris (both representing Fair Haven) won new terms with 874 and 869 votes, respectively.

Teresa Liccardi, M.D., Rumson representative, did not seeking re-election.

So, there will be an empty seat to be filled.

There were 55 write-ins for that seat.

 

Elections, News

Rumson Votes: Ekdal is Mayor Again, Uncontested Council

By Elaine Van Develde

Familiar challenger Michael Steinhorn tried again, but did not succeed in ousting longtime Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl.

With 864 votes cast in the mayoral race, Ekdahl ended up with 565 of them, or more than 65 percent.

Steinhorn, a Democrat who has long attempted to break the longtime Republican stronghold on the governing body, garnered 294 votes, or 34 percent.

There were five write-in candidate votes.

Ekdahl will begin his fourth four-year term as mayor in January.

Incumbent Republican Borough Councilmen Marc Rubin and John Conklin won uncontested three-year seats on the dais, garnering 623 and 629 votes, respectively. A total of 1,276 votes were cast for the council race.

There were 24 write-ins.

Rumson is run with a Borough Council, or Mayor and Council form of government.

As with Fair Haven, the governing body has six council members and a presiding mayor. The mayor runs the meetings, but does not vote unless there is a tie.

He has veto power.

 

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Investigate Halloween Burglaries & Attempted Break-ins

As they investigate Halloween night burglaries and attempted break-ins, Rumson police are putting residents on alert and offering cautionary advice.

Homes on Buttonwood and Conover lanes were burglarized; and signs of attempted forced entry to residences on Navesink and Bellevue avenues were reported, according to a release.

At the homes on Navesink and Bellevue, glass doors were reported broken with a rock, police said. No entry was obtained in either of those instances.

The perpetrators are still at large.

In the meantime, “we ask that residents utilize their alarms and keep the outside of their homes well lit,” the release said. “Notify the dispatch desk at 732-842-0500 or dial 911 in an emergency to report suspicious persons or vehicles 24 hours a day.”

Schools Scene

Rumson Students Get Awareness Check on School Violence

In an effort to commemorate the state-designated School Violence Awareness Week, the Rumson School District recently hosted some special events to educate students on how to avoid violence.

Deane-Porter students participated in what was dubbed Peace Week, from Oct. 19 to 23, during which they engaged in activities design to promote peace, kindness and compassion within the school community.

Continue reading Rumson Students Get Awareness Check on School Violence →

Local Life

R-FH Area Halloween Rules

Happy Halloween, R-FH area people!

Here are the rules for ghosting and ghouling tonight …

• Trick-or-treaters under 18 and not supervised by an adult must be off the roads by 8 p.m.;

• Never, ever go trick-or-treating alone;

• Exercise caution around strangers both on the street and at homes;

• Do not go inside homes;

• Do not eat candy until you get it home and it is inspected by parents;

• Wear a highly-visible or reflective costume, walk on sidewalks and walkways and carry a flashlight and cell phone.

The main message: Stay safe, stay out of trouble and have fun!

Happy Halloween!

Schools Scene

A Halloween Celebration Between Forrestdale Students & Rumson Seniors

Fun, food, and camaraderie were the orders of the day as grade school students joined in the festivities at the Rumson Senior Citizens Club’s Halloween Luncheon recently.

Sixteen sixth- and seventh-grade Forrestdale School students, chaperoned by school counselor Jenn Crow, walked to the First Presbyterian Church and entertained the seniors with some Halloween fun.

Continue reading A Halloween Celebration Between Forrestdale Students & Rumson Seniors →

Local Life

Rumson-Fair Haven Halloween Parading Pics for Purchase

Gallery

There was no tricking and a lot of treating going on Sunday when Rumson and Fair Haven both hosted annual Halloween festivities.

You’ve probably already seen the slideshow that tells the story, in photos set to music, of how it all started with a parade in Fair Haven that culminated with costume prizes, some socializing and snacks at the firehouse. Then, in Rumson kids of all ages paraded a short route from the front to the back of Forrestdale School where some costume judging and prizes ensued along with some carnival-type fun and games.

Here, we have made available any of the photos for purchase. Just click on the “buy photo” tag and follow the instructions.

*Note: Photos for purchase are for personal use only. They are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any other publication. Thanks and enjoy!

Local Life

Focus: Halloween Haunts

Gallery

Call them Halloween house haunts of the Rumson-Fair Haven area. They’re those subtle little decorations that pop out to give passersby a bit of a “Boo!”

Perusing the area, there were a few that just seemed to summon the spirit of the season.

Take a look. We will be adding new haunting discoveries to this photo collage until Halloween. Do you know of a ghoulishly good lawn scare? Let us know and we’ll stop by to take a pic.

— Elaine Van Develde