The following is a press release from the Rumson School District:
From soulful ballads by talented vocalists and stirring performances by accomplished pianists, to comedy and dance extravaganzas and even a hard rock performance, there was something for everyone at the Forrestdale Follies talent show.
Presented by the Rumson Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), the Follies took place on the evening of April 16 in the school’s auditorium. Proceeds benefited the Rumson PTO.
It all just seemed so simple then. Going to school and living in Fair Haven.
We were neighbors and friends. We walked and rode our bikes to school. And we couldn’t wait to find out who our teacher would be. We always found out in time to talk about it at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
So, back in 1966, a class of familiar community faces found out that they had Mrs. Kamin for first grade at Knollwood School.
That year was the beginning of a lot of longstanding friendships and neighborhood bonds. Treasured time.
Treasured time that warrants a look back in our Retro Pic of the Day and an anecdote about remembrance and gratitude. Remember where and how it all started and how lucky we all were to have had one another in our lives, many for a long time.
Mrs. Kamin still lives in Fair Haven. Some of these kids are grownups still living in town. Some have, sadly, passed. Some still have family here. Some are running businesses here and live one or a few towns away.
Recognize anyone? What did you learn from them or your time in that first grade class in Rumson or Fair Haven? What stuck with you most?
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.
Just when they thought the temporary fixes to the Oceanic Bridge were coming to an end, and traffic could proceed as usual, Monmouth County officials have announced that the bridge needs more major work and will be closed from May 26 to June 12.
The April structural steel and concrete deck repair work to the bridge that spans the Navesink from Rumson to Middletown revealed the need for more significant repair work critical to safe traverse.
Two of the bridge’s four main bearings are in imminent need of repair and the other two will be fixed as well, Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore said in a release. The bearings are part of the mechanism that supports the bascule and flanking spans on the bridge approaches, he explained.
The $653,650 needed for the additional repair work on 100-foot bascule span of the 2,712-foot historic drawbridge was authorized by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders at its April 24 meeting.
The Board of Chosen Freeholders authorized $653,650 for the repairs to the 100-foot bascule span of the 2,712-foot historic drawbridge at its April 24 meeting.
“It is prudent to lift the bridge spans and perform the repairs to all four of the bearings,” said Ettore. “The bearings in need of immediate repair are on the eastern side of the bridge, but the county is also going to repair the bearings on the western side of the bridge.
“The nature of the work repair requires that the bridge load be relieved by lifting the bascule and approach spans off of the bearing. To accomplish this, the Oceanic Bridge must be closed to motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic.”
During the period of complete closure, the bridge will still be open for marine traffic, seasonal rules and scheduling will be in effect, the release said.
The hold-off of the total closure until after Memorial Day weekend was scheduled to accommodate the holiday traffic, officials said.
Working around the clock will make it possible to open the bridge to all traffic just a few weeks into the start of the summer season, they added.
Preparation for the bearing work will start immediately and continue weekdays through May 21.
That work may require full overnight closures of the bridge from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. from May 13 to 15 and May 18 through 21, the release said.
The bridge will be open to all traffic from May 22 through Memorial Day on May 25.
Detours will be posted. But, standard alternatives are: from Rumson to Middletown, motorists should travel east and north through Sea Bright and Highlands to Middletown; and, from the Navesink and Locust sections of Middletown, motorists are advised to travel east and south through Middletown, Highlands and Sea Bright to Rumson.
Built in 1939, the Oceanic Bridge has deteriorated due to decades of exposure to saltwater and from accommodating heavier vehicles and traffic volumes than for which it was designed, the release said.
In 2012, extensive rehabilitation work was done to the bascule span, or drawbridge portion, in the center.
It is slated for total replacement within the next 10 years. Area residents have rallied to maintain the original design of the drawbridge.
Monmouth County received notification from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees in January that $600,000 in federal funding was available to perform a Concept Development Study for the replacement or rehabilitation of the Oceanic Bridge.
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The weekend in Rumson was a bit chilly; but sunny skies prevailed as did the warm feel of the riverside area.
Take a look at the gallery above for a glimpse into Rumson life on the Shrewsbury River.
The Sea Bright Fire Company has shared its view from a head cam of Monday’s Rumson fire at the Blithewald historic mansion via a post on its Facebook page.
In the post, the company’s representatives said that the release of the video on YouTube, they felt, would “not only give the public insight on what we do but will allow our brothers and sisters of the service an opportunity to better both themselves and ourselves in the future.”
No cause has been as of yet determined. The fire is under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Rumson police and the county fire marshal.
Take a look for a glimpse into the life of a local firefighter on the job. Firefighters have asked that the public excuse their language at some points.
In light of the four-alarm fire at the historic Blithewald mansion in Rumson on Monday, the Retro Pic of the Day honors the borough’s volunteer firefighters with a look back to a moment at the 2015 Rumson Reorganization.
The fire, which left the Widener home at 76 Buena Vista Ave. severely damaged, burned for roughly six hours.
The fire is under investigation by the Rumson Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the county fire marshal and its cause is still unknown, authorities said.
There were no injuries.
Thanks to our firefighters for their countless hours of volunteer time spent in (at times) high risk situations to protect the safety of the area’s residents!
The historic Rumson mansion known as Blithewald was all set for a Saturday Gatsby-themed gala to kick-off its month-long feature as the Visiting Nurse Association’s (VNA) fifth Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House — until a fire ravaged it.
The 19th century home to the Widener family, at 76 Buena Vista Ave., went up in flames on the upper floors and roof area at about 12:55 p.m., according to first responders at the scene.
As of 3:45 p.m., firefighters from several surrounding towns and beyond — Rumson, Fair Haven, Middletown, Red Bank, Little Silver, Sea Bright, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands, Shrewsbury and Asbury Park — were still arriving at what was still considered an active fire.
Smoke could still be seen billowing from the roof and upstairs. And firefighters were still on the scene at about 7 p.m.
There were no reported injuries, authorities said.
Fair Haven Fire Department thanked Tinton Falls Fire Co. No. 1 for covering Fair Haven while its firemen assisted at the Rumson fire.
The VNA released the following statement in the late afternoon:
Today, Blithewald, the house that designers, staff and volunteers have been preparing for the fifth edition of the Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House event to benefit VNA Health Group, caught fire and sustained heavy damage. The cause is unknown and we thankfully have heard of no injuries to anyone at this point.
We are tremendously grateful to the first responders and to our staff members and volunteers who were on the scene to respond to the emergency.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the first responders and the homeowners as they assess the damage.
Blithewald, a historic treasure from the Gilded Age, was the setting for the fifth edition of the Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House. Proceeds of tours and the Preview Gala were to benefit VNA Health Group.
We will provide updates about the Stately Homes-by-the-Sea Preview Gala that was scheduled for Saturday, April 25th and the opening of the Show House tours, which were scheduled to begin on April 28, 2015 as information becomes available.
This is a breaking news story. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will add information as it becomes available.
— Elaine Van Develde
It’s a pictorial view from the underside of the Oceanic Bridge, which has been undergoing unforeseen structural repairs before the summer season starts.
“As the construction work has progressed, additional areas of critical structural steel and concrete deterioration were found,” Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Department of Public Works and Engineering, said in a release about the progress of the repairs to the bridge.
The bridge, that spans the Navesink River from Rumson to Middletown, is in need of concrete and steel deck repairs that are slated to be finished on or about April 30.
“The limits of the additional deterioration were unknown when the project began and have become evident during the cleaning and preparation process for the repairs as originally planned,” Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore said in the release. “The additional steel and concrete deck deterioration must be repaired immediately to maintain public safety and the use of the Oceanic Bridge.”
The bridge, being revamped by Howell-based George Harms Construction Company Inc., is closed overnight, from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., with intermittent daytime one-lane closures.
For more information on the bridge, check out the following stories:
https://rumsonfairhavenretrospect.com/?p=1544
https://rumsonfairhavenretrospect.com/?p=1764
https://rumsonfairhavenretrospect.com/?p=2577
https://rumsonfairhavenretrospect.com/?p=2580
— Photos and story/Elaine Van Develde
The following incidents and arrests were reported by the Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Incidents
• On March 24, Special Officer Berger took a report of an altercation between juveniles at a Rumson Road address.
• There was a report on March 1 of vandalism to a mailbox at a home on Edwards Point Road.
Special Officer Class II Morse took the report.
• There was a report on March 1 of vandalism to a vehicle on Holly Street. The caller reported that the spark plugs of the vehicle were loosened.
Special Officer Class II Morse took the report.
• There was a report on March 2 of harassing phone calls being made to a West River Road business.
Patrolman Ciambrone took the report.
• An attempted wire fraud was reported on March 5 by an Edwards Point Road resident.
Patrolman Gaynor took the report.
• There was a report on March 16 of a stolen license plate from a Wardell Avenue resident.
Special Officer Class II McCurdy took the report.
• A theft of jewelry and tools was reported by a Park Avenue resident on March 17.
Patrolman Torres took the report which was turned over to Detective Christopher Isherwood for investigation.
Arrests
• Nicholas Aarseth, 24, of Sea Bright, was arrested by Patrolman Torres on March 13 and charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated).
Aarseth was released pending court.
• Robert Toros, 36, of Philadelphia, PA, was arrested by Special Officer Class II Morse on March 22 and charged with simple assault.
Toros was released pending a court date. Patrolmen Gaynor and Ciambrone assisted in the arrest.
• Robert Toros, 36, of Philadelphia, PA was arrested on March 22 by Special Officer Class II Morse on a contempt of court charge.
Toros was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution. Patrolman Campanella assisted.
• Christopher McKnight, 28, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, was arrested by Special Officer Berger on March 24 on a contempt of court charge.
McKnight posted bail and was released. Lt. York assisted.
• Theresa McGroarty, 24, of Oceanport, was arrested on March 24 by Detective Christopher Isherwood and charged with receiving stolen property.
McGroarty was released on a summons pending court.
• Michael Carter, 23, of Sea Bright, was arrested on March 31 by Detective Christopher Isherwood and charged with receiving stolen property.
Carter was released on a summons pending court.
• Paul Procopio, 27, of Eatontown, was arrested on March 31 by Detective Christopher Isherwood and charged with burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.
All it takes is a drive around the Rumson-Fair Haven area to see that there’s a lot of business news around the towns.
Some retail spaces have been cloaked in brown packing paper with and/or without some sort of literal sign of change. Others have interesting temporary venues and yet others are just starting out and telling their story via social media.
Here’s the business buzz in the Rumson-Fair Haven area:
Fair Havenite, Handmade Haven and Your Karma is Rockin’ owner Melanie Stewart
The jeweler/crafter is selling her wares right now out of the Oceanic Library in Rumson.
After leaving the short-lived brick-and-mortar location on River Road in Fair Haven, Stewart and her husband David have been crafting and selling wherever the opportunity presents itself.
They told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect back in October that it’s proven more cost-effective to have a traveling venue.
So, when there was an opening at the library in Rumson, Melanie, according to a Facebook post, created like crazy and set up shop.
Her creations will be there through the end of the month.
From Melanie Stewart:
“Please shop at the Oceanic (Rumson) Library the month of April. They are featuring my jewelry and wreaths and will receive a donation for each purchase you make!
Anyone from the public is welcomed to visit and shop! 109 Avenue Of Two Rivers Rumson, 07760 732-842-2692 for hours ~ Photos of creations that are featured with price list. Thank you!”
Cravin Haven, Fair Haven
Carolyn Beamish Furguson, of the Fair Haven Business Association, tells Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect that the popular Avon-based vegan restaurant, Seed to Sprout, will replace Cravin Haven.
Cravin Haven, the short-lived, super-sized deep fryer-meets-barbecue sandwich spot in the Acme shopping center is now completely shut down.
The eatery, for which owners gave all indications that there would be a remodeling with possible reconfiguration in business in February, not so long ago sported a sign that said the business was for sale. The 1,200-square-foot space was listed for lease at $1,500 per month as a turn-key restaurant with equipment.
Now the windows are covered with brown packing paper. The inside is not empty and the sign remains, but it is still listed as one of two in the plaza for lease on loopnet.com.
Cravin Haven’s website, though, gives no indication that the business has folded. It still says that it is only closed for renovations. There is information about off-site catering. Click here for more information.
Empty storefront Acme plaza
The other unit for lease, the 900-square-foot 560 K, is next to the laundromat Wash House, a few doors down. It is empty and windows are not covered.
The information on loop net.com says now that rental rates for both are negotiable.
Replacement for Doc Shoppe?
The spot where the Doc Shoppe sat for years, in the other section of the Acme plaza fronting River Road in Fair Haven, is also for lease.
The Doc Shoppe relocated to a larger store in Red Bank last year.
The roughly 900-square-foot store is for lease through Metro Commercial Real Estate at 856-866-1900.
Fair Haven River Road business district
And in the Fair Haven business district east of Fair Haven Road, there’s been an announcement by Lisa Tave Taffin on social media that physhions, a “fashion-forward fitness apparel and accessories boutique” is opening in May at 813 River Road.
A Rumson Locals resurrection or closure?
Seemingly since the dawn of time, or roughly four decades at least, the spot at 91 East River Road in Rumson was Butler’s Deli. It was a frozen-in-time stop for anyone from old-timer townies to teens to grab those classic breakfast and lunch sandwiches and sides.
Butler’s closed in 2013 when then owner Paul Stout retired. Then well-known Rumsonite Dave Ciambrone opened Locals in the same spot in January of 2013.
Ciambrone is no stranger to Rumson business, having owned Murphy’s Tavern at one point and part of the family that owned Val’s Tavern for most of its existence.
There was a rumor that Butler’s was coming back. The sign on the door has said “Sorry, We’re Closed.”
Who knows? Mayor John Ekdahl said he isn’t certain, but did hear the rumor. The eatery, he said, has been closed since the beginning of the year.
And, it looks like the day after the photo was taken of Locals cloaked in brown packing paper with a “Sorry, We’re Closed” sign on the door, it was revealed that former owner Paul Stout is coming out of retirement to reopen as Butler’s Market. Soon. Stay tuned.
Across East River Road in Rumson at gourmet food stop, et al …
A sign on the window at 114 East River Road says, “For Rent.”
No further information was available at the site that was formerly Le Bon Panier.
The et al eatery now has a location in Highlands. There was a plan for et al to have two locations, in Rumson and Highlands, after renovations. But the sign indicates otherwise.
Time will tell.
What would you like to see at one or any of these business locations?
The following is a press release from the NJ Office of the Attorney General:
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has terminated Rumson-based Nelson Press printing company’s authorization to act as a printer/vendor of prescription blanks.
The Division found the company’s failure to follow security requirements enabled a suspended doctor to allegedly obtain and write unauthorized prescriptions in another physician’s name for oxycodone and other potentially addictive painkillers.
The suspended doctor, Kenneth Lewandowski, of Middletown, was arrested in December 2014 by detectives from the Middletown Township Police Department working with investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Division of Consumer Affairs. Lewandowski was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful practice of medicine, for his alleged role in running a prescription drug ring.
Continue reading Attorney General: Rumson Printer Banned as Vendor of Prescription Blanks
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