Tag Archives: Rumson

Local Life

Rumsonite Luann Hughes: Irish Soda Bread Champ

Rumsonite Luann Hughes’ winning Irish soda bread
Photo/courtesy of Luann Hughes

Erin go Luann. She did it. Longtime Rumsonite Luann Hughes won herself a place in Rumson baking history with her first-place win in the  2017 Irish Soda Bread Contest at Oceanic Free Library.

The Thursday contest has become an area tradition and one of many prequels to the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Hughes, who hasn’t given up her ingredient secret, announced on Facebook her win and that she has become among the honorees who “get(s) to help carry the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day parade banner!!!”

She won third place last year. And in addition to the hometown baker prestige, not only did the first-place win this year come with the honor of toting the parade banner, but it also came with a festive four-leaf clover trophy.

Congrats, Luann Hughes! Will your secret ever be revealed?

News

Focus: Barnacle’s and the Gulls

Gallery

“Such a picture perfect spot, isn’t it?” a woman going to dinner at Barnacle Bill’s said Wednesday as dusk hit the banks of the Navesink River in Rumson. “Beautiful.”

She smiled, nodded and added, “We’re so lucky to have this …”

Yes, we are. The gulls flocked to the dock and little swath of beach at the spot. They seemed to be having a meeting.

All present. All savoring home.

Take a look … (Click to enlarge!)

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Local Life

Focus: Fiery Sunset Over a Rumson Island

Gallery

“Don’t you make me pull this car over, Sun!”

Well, it made me and quite a few others do it. It was a traffic stopper again — the sunset from the Eventide docks in Sea Bright overlooking Rumson on Friday night.

And, to coin the singular of another saying, the exclamation for the traffic stopper could be summed up as one “great ball of fire!”

As the biblical origination of the phrase indicates, implying the presence of God (nature, or whatever being one believes in) as fire, it could also haven been seen as a religious environmental experience.

Blazing and ducking very quickly behind Gunning Island in Rumson, the sight of the sunset was blindingly beautiful — again.

Take a look …

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Obituaries

Memorial Set for Rumson’s Addy Bennett

Many people in the Rumson area have fond memories of the talent, warm smile and demeanor of one of the borough’s most longtime residents — Adelaide Bennett.

Adelaide, known as Addy to friends and family, passed away at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, surrounded by her loving family, on Feb. 7. She was 95.

Continue reading Memorial Set for Rumson’s Addy Bennett →

Local Life

Scene Around: Rumson’s ‘Can You Hear Me Now?’

Rumson’s evergreen cell tower gets a branch facelift.
Photo/Jenifer Weber-Zeller

A little observation … 

It is certainly not your typical evergreen. In fact, there’s nothing evergreen about it, because its branches have to be replaced. And it’s branches aren’t really branches. They’re camouflage for that infamous Rumson cell tower.

We’re thinking that everyone knows and has always known it’s not a tree. It’s pretty obvious. And when the tower was first erected, it was a definite conversation piece around the towns.

And though the novelty of that conversation has worn off a bit, when the “tree” is getting a coiffing, the chatter starts again.

Towering over all trees, there it was years back when first erected — the nouveau tower tree, tree tower, or something like that. It was supposed to blend in. But, visible from a ride over the Oceanic Bridge’s Middletown side, the “tree” jutted up like a branched beacon rather than a member of the Rumson “blended” evergreen family.

But, who knew that the branches needed to be replaced now and again? Well, apparently, they do.

Rumsonite Jenifer Weber-Zeller caught a glimpse of the branch refreshment project herself a couple of days ago.

And here it is — not so ever green and branching out.

Now, that’s a tall order of a tree to climb. More proof that it really ain’t easy being green …

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro Rumson Pier Sunny Daze

Image
Sunning with the Oceanic Bridge as a backdrop
Photo/courtesy of Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca

Yes, dank days are dampening spirits lately. Warm, sunny memories can brighten them, though.

So, why not take a photo trip back to a simple day of sunning the old fashioned way on what was referred to as the Rumson Pier?

This look, in particular, offers a glimpse back to some very old time sun bathing — going back about 75 years. There was a lot of suiting up and little skin to show or sun, for that matter. But the bright smiles were bright by the Navesink River.

It’s the wishful thinking sunny days by the river Retro Pic of the Day, courtesy of Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca. It’s a rare shot of some folks hanging out on the old pier (or dock) at Victory Park in Rumson with what was the bridge that connected Rumson to Middletown — what became the Oceanic Bridge — in the background.

According to Slocum Mazzucca, “My grandmother Lillian Turnbull Slocum is the far left with her hands folded. The picture was taken on the old pier (dock) at Victory Park in Rumson. Picture is about 75 years ago.”

Anyone remember the old pier/dock at Victory Park? Is this where the Barnacle Bill’s dock is now? How about those swim suits and dresses?

Many thanks to Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca for this gem from her family photos!

Local Life

Focus: Black & White Rumson Riverfront Nightfall

Gallery

Then came the thaw …

After a warmer winter’s day, as nightfall hit along the Navesink riverbanks in Rumson, the sand slurped up the snow, the icy river waters dissolved, and the ducks glided across their glassy path.

Reflections in shades of grey gripped the low tide. Serenity seeped into the shoreline.

See for yourself …

— Elaine Van Develde

 

 

Local Life, News

Focus: A Festive Rumson Tree Lighting

Gallery

The holiday stage was set and the tone was a rich, festive one in Rumson’s Victory Park on Sunday as the holidays were kicked off with the annual borough tree lighting.

Tim McLoone and the Shirleys and the Deane-Porter third graders set the musical pace and mood for the night as Rumsonites gathered to celebrate the start of the season with some song, dance, snacks, socializing and Santa.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect was there to capture many festive moments of the night. Take a look at the 50 glimpses into the night we caught with our lens.

Cheers to plenty of holiday cheer here! (Be sure to scroll all the way down. There are 50 photos. Click to enlarge.)

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Local Life

Holidaze: Rumson-Fair Haven Area Tree Lightings

Haul out the holly. It’s time to light up the Rumson-Fair Haven area with holiday trees, Santa visits and festivities for all to kick off that time of the year.

It all starts on Friday evening …

Fair Haven’s annual tree lighting at Memorial Park, on the corner of River and Fair Haven roads, kicks the season off at 5 p.m. with a gathering, Santa’s traditional arrival via firetruck, a tree lighting at 6 p.m., song, fun and games for kids and a holiday stroll through the business district. There will be hot chocolate, treats, raffles and assorted surprises at each business for hometown holiday shopping pleasure. (Check the map.)

The event runs through 7:30 p.m.

And on Sunday …

Rumson’s annual tree lighting and festivities come to Victory Park starting at 5 p.m. with music by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys, the RFH Tower Singers and Deane-Porter’s third grade chorus.

There will be snacks and hot chocolate and, of course, Santa and the official lighting of the tree.

And over the bridge in Sea Bright …

The annual tree lighting will take place in the borough’s municipal parking lot by the beach at 6 p.m.

Following the tree lighting, Mrs. Claus will make an appearance across the street at the United Methodist Church to give out some gifts and refreshments to the kids.

 

Local Life

Focus: Rumson Gulls on the River

Gallery

Monday was a dank day on the banks of the Navesink River.

Yet, there were plenty of sea gulls setting up camp at Victory Park in Rumson.

They hung around, emitting a near-Hitchockesque aura. After soaking up some social interaction on the picket fence, they took flight, no doubt to return before long.

Take a look at snippets of the gulls’ scene.

— Elaine Van Develde