Tag Archives: Sea Bright

Local Life

Focus: The Donovan’s Rebuild

Gallery

When it comes to the rebuilding (and expansion) of the iconic Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright, things are looking up … and out.

It will be five years ago this October that the mainstay locals’ summer hangout and RFH reunion spot was tossed and flattened to bits by Superstorm Sandy.

So its rebuild has been a particularly long-awaited one by townies and Rumson-Fair Haven area folks.

The plan is for the new, improved and indestructible Donovan’s to be open for business by the start of the summer season.

Much progress has been made to date.

Take a look and see for yourself …

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro Post-Sandy Donovan’s

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There’s a lot of buzz about the long-awaited rebuild of Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright after it’s untimely, untamed demise due to Superstorm Sandy’s merciless wrath in October of 2012.

Well, Donovan’s will be getting back in step with its summer traditions in a literally grande way.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day offer a glimpse back to a winter about four years ago when Donovan’s was in bits and people came to mourn what was or was not left of the iconic hangout on the beach.

Take a look back and remember …

— Elaine Van Develde

Donovan’s Reef after Sandy
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Sightseers looking at what’s left and mourning the loss of Donovan’s Reef after Sandy
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Local Life

Detour: Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Closure

Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

If you’re planning on traveling over the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge any time after dark on Thursday night through to Friday morning, you’re going to need to plan an alternate route.

The bridge, according to a digital sign posted at its entrance and Monmouth County officials, will be closed from 8 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday for routine bascule span (the portion that opens) maintenance.

The span is a county bridge which is slated for a major revamp.

Local Life

Focus: Shipping Out at Sunrise in Sea Bright

Gallery

You never know when your ship will come in, when you’ll catch a perfect view of a Sea Bright sunrise or both.

Well, Rumsonite and RFH Class of ’78 grad Doug Borden got a good dose of both this morning.

Headed over the Rumson/Sea Bright Bridge toward Sea Bright beach, he got a good glimpse of a glorious sunrise and, yes, a ship passing (or coming in for him, if you will).

Take a look at this longtime Rumson-Fair Haven area guy’s moment of sunrise gratitude …

Thanks Doug! Happy Monday, all!

Photos/Doug Borden

 

Local Life

Scene Around: Fiery Sea Bright Sunset

Gallery

It was a sizzling orange ball of fire — a good night beacon ducking down below Gunning Island. The sunset in Sea Bright on Saturday called out to people like a Siren.

They pulled over into at Eventide’s  parking lot to catch a glimpse with the lens as the ball of fire bid goodnight and ducked behind the island, melting into the Shrewsbury River.

Take a look …

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Obituaries

Memorial Service Set for Sea Bright’s Kerry Ann Hon, 48

Kerry Ann Hon, of Sea Bright, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 14. She was 48.

Born in Stamford, CT, Kerry Ann moved to Sea Bright with her two sons and loved the area and going to the beach. She was a representative with Servepro in Middletown.

Surviving are: her sons, Eric and Nicholas Elfstrom; her parents Jack and Laurel Anderson Hon; and her brothers, Michael Hon and Bruce Benway.

A celebration of Kerry’s life will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. at Ron’s West End Pub, 103 West End Avenue, Long Branch.

To share a favorite memory or messages of condolence, please visit Kerry’s Book of Memories at www.woolleyboglioli.com.

— Obituary, courtesy of Wooley Boglioli Funeral Home, 

Business Buzz, Local Life

Focus: Bringing Donovan’s Reef Back

Gallery

It’s been more than five years since Superstorm Sandy tossed and flattened the iconic Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright.

In the aftermath of the storm in which the Atlantic Ocean met the Shrewsbury River over the small peninsula town, all that was left of Donovan’s was a tossed building, a shell of the main bar, restaurant equipment, torn up pavement and wood — lots of wood — in scattered piles. What remained of its sign were the letters D O … found on the ground by Mayor Dina Long.

The letters became symbolic of the can-do attitude Sea Bright residents and business owners embodied in the tough months, even years, of rebuilding ahead.

There was a year without Donovan’s. Then there were a few years of an open Tiki bar on the beach.

Now Donovan’s is coming back — bigger, higher and stronger — for its first summer as a rebuilt area legend.

Take a look at the progress so far …

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Focus: Sea Bright Fire & Ice Sunrise

Sea Bright sunrise on Jan 10, 2016
Photo/Patrick Hughes

This morning’s sunrise over Sea Bright was a scene of fiery skies and icy waters.

Former longtime Rumsonite Patrick Hughes captured the scene, recording a 15-degree temperature and citing some “intrepid ducks” on the frigid Shrewsbury River.

Though, according to the National Weather Service, the cold snap is about to break today with temperatures reaching a high of 41 degrees.

Thanks for the view, Patrick!