Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Festivus or just plain friends, family and community, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect wishes you a merry anything and everything!
— Elaine Van Develde
Tag Archives: Rumson
Rumson Parents Take a ’15-Minute Child Break’ to Talk About Substance Abuse
The Rumson School District Parent Academy offered parents some insight on how to talk to their kids about substance abuse with 15-Minute Child Break, a program offered through the state’s Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.
The organization is run as a collaborative effort between the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the NJ Department of Human Services.
On Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Rumson parents got together at the Forrestdale School Media Center to talk about how they are the key influencers in the prevention of substance abuse and learn how to effectively talk to their children about drugs and alcohol and their potential for destroying lives.
More than 40 parents attended the session hosted by Superintendent John Bormann, Forrestdale School Counselor Jenn Crow, and Deane Porter School Counselor Jessica Piernik.
The program is supported by research on substance abuse from Middle School Foundation of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. This research shows that kids who communicate regularly with their parents about their daily activities — for as little as 15 minutes — are 67 percent less likely to be involved in substance abuse than those who have little or no communication.
The 15-Minute Child Break theory supports and empowers today’s parents with the assurance that they are still the strongest influences in their children’s lives.
The presentation covered the following topics:
• Talking to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol;
• Influence of Media and Pop Culture;
• Effects of Specific Drugs;
• Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free;
• Strengthening Parenting Skills;
• Utilizing Teachable Moments.
Additional information about the program can be found under “Child Break” at www.drugfreenj.org.
Information on upcoming Parent Academy presentations can be found on the Rumson School District website at www.rumsonschool.org.
— Edited press release from the Rumson School District
Rumson Police: Safeguarding Santa’s Gifts
In light of the holiday season and the onslaught of deliveries that usually come with it, Rumson police have some cautionary advice to safeguard your packages’ safe arrival.
In addition to just being mindful that an unattended package on a porch or stoop is a potential theft invite for unsavory Grinches, police, on their Facebook page, advise that you:
• “Request a signature option when ordering an item so it will not be left unattended while the family is out;
• Request that the item be held at the shipping center for pickup;
• Tell a friend or a neighbor to keep an eye out and retrieve any packages for you while you are out.
“As always, report any suspicious persons or vehicles 24/7″ by calling the police station at 721-842-0500.”
Tradition: Rumson’s 16th Toy Drive
Santa Claus is coming to … the Rumson Department of Public Works Annual Toy Drive.
That’s right. Once again, it’s that time of the year, on Friday and Saturday, when Rumson tradition takes hold and Santa, in the form of countless charitable elves, brings new, unwrapped toys to the Public Works garage on East River Road to bring a better Christmas to children in need.
But it’s not just a toy drive. It’s an annual Rumson community tradition. It’s hosted by the DPW employees and the community as a whole, replete with holiday-appropriate hot chocolate, candy canes and yuletide company.
“It’s definitely turned into a big community event,” DPW organizer Mark Wellner told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect last year. “A lot of people stop down, bring the kids and socialize. We give the kids the candy canes and hot chocolate and there’s coffee for the adults. It’s really nice.”
This is the 16th year of the drive for which organizers usually set a goal of gathering at least 1,000 toys that will get funneled to the kids via Family & Children’s Services, Long Branch, and The Salvation Army, Red Bank.
And they’re always setting higher goals, trying to reach more kids and top each year’s number of toys collected and distributed.
Organizers ask that anyone wishing to donate bring a new, unwrapped gift to the Rumson Public Works Garage, behind Borough Hall on West River Road, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday and/or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
— Elaine Van Develde
Focus: Black & White Winter
The view of Rumson from Hartshorne Woods at sunset on a winter’s day is a stunning, stark one.
It’s simple. It’s black and white. It’s peace and landscape harmony.
Take pause and take it in.
Good night, Rumson-Fair Haven area.
— Elaine Van Develde
Santa Comes to Rumson
Sunday was the night Santa came to Victory Park in Rumson — Santa, Tim McLoone & the Shirleys, RFH Tower Singers, Deane-Porter third graders and more.
And, yes, a good time was had by all at the traditional annual tree lighting festivities.
Take a look and see. Click on the photos to enlarge; and have a happy holiday season!
— Elaine Van Develde
Pub Crawling at Murphy’s with Bon Jovi’s Drummer
It’s not every day that you end up in the middle of a pub crawl at Murphy’s in Rumson with Bon Jovi’s drummer — just this past Saturday.
It’s a usual event for the Ancient Order of Hibernians. They get on a bus and pub crawl. Murphy’s is one of their stops at the annual outing.
Some bag piping is done and there’s the usual fun and socializing for everyone.
This year, though, there was a celebrity crawler — Tico Torres.
He was just hanging out and having some fun. He blended right in, until a fellow Hibernian crawler called attention to him. He kept calling him by the wrong name (Tito), but Tico, very politely made the correction and introduced himself and hopped back on the bus with everyone after posing for a group photo (lead photo).
That busload left and another bunch of Hibernians piled in. It was a festive day at Murphy’s.
Take a look. Cheers!
— Elaine Van Develde
Decking the Halls: Rumson, Fair Haven Tree Lightings
It’s that time of the year in the Rumson-Fair Haven area — time for tree lightings, Santa, a holiday stroll, song, dance and some hot cocoa.
It all starts on Friday evening with festivities in Fair Haven …
Santa arrives at Memorial Park, at the corner of River and Fair Haven roads, by firetruck at 5:30 p.m. and will be visiting with kids and posing for photos.
The Christmas tree will be lit at 6 p.m. And in the midst of all of it, the classic holiday stroll will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. It is the classic annual local businesses’ holiday open house. All are invited to partake and enjoy some treats and, perhaps, good deals.
And on Sunday in Rumson …
The annual Christmas tree lighting is set for 5 p.m. at Victory Park.
As usual, it features Tim McLoone & the Shirleys with members of Holiday Express, the RFH Tower Singers and the Deane-Porter Third Grade Chorus.
Oh, and Santa will be there, too. And there will be the usual treats, including some hot cocoa to cap the warm tenor of the event.
Rumson Garage Sale Serenade
By Elaine Van Develde
Suburban weekend garage sale perusing may be pretty common, but being serenaded by a local musical talent while doing so is not.
Yet, it happened recently at a Rumson garage sale. Longtime Fair Havenite and well-known pianist Teddie Caulfield decided to take a seat at a baby grand, tickle the ivories and entertain the folks who frequented her daughter and son-in-law’s (Daryl and Tom Ley) sale on Bellevue Avenue.
Someone in the family snuck up on her and caught the act on video. And it’s something special to hear.
Many know Caulfield from her piano playing at the Molly Pitcher for one of the area organizations and many events around the towns. In fact, she played on St. Patrick’s Day at the Knights of Columbus in Fair Haven.
Take it all in and enjoy a little show tune entertainment, courtesy of Teddie Caulfield. Thanks for the serenade, Mrs. C. See? You just never know what talent you may encounter while going about a typical suburban weekend of garage saling. Oh, and the piano? SOLD! And, yes, partly because of the demonstration treat.
Sorry, buyer, the pianist doesn’t come with the piano!
Do you know Teddie?
She is pictured above with RFH grad and actress Julia Mosby and her mom, Barbara.
Rumson’s Charlie Puth and Chevy
Have you heard it? Seen it?
Rumson’s Charlie Puth just spread the word to the RFH Performing Arts Society (RFH Pas), via Facebook, that his Chevy (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)commercial — using a coast-to-coast remix of his song “One Call Away,” partnering Atlantic Records and Chevy and featuring him, Brett Eldredge, Ty Dolla $ign & Sofia Reyes — is out and on YouTube.
It’s billed as a celebration of “the 2015 American Music Awards” on YouTube.
Check it out.
Puth also tells people on his Facebook page that if you pre-order his debut album, Nine Track Mind, you “get an instant download of “One Call Away” right now on iTunes http://smarturl.it/NineTrackMind.”
Puth graduated from RFH in 2010 and then from Berklee College of Music in 2013. An accomplished pianist and singer, he first gained notoriety when Ellen Degeneres discovered him via his YouTube channel and signed him to her record label eleveneleven. He is now signed with Atlantic Records.
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
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
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