These are the moments … graduation moments. In this case, eighth grade graduation milestone moments. Those moments surrounding classic snapshots taken by the river, a couple of walks, a dance and some goodbyes to elementary and middle school days in Fair Haven and a hello to high school.
Continue reading Scene Around: Knollwood Grad MomentsGalleries
Focus: A Festive Fair Haven Day 2019
The sun was out and spirits were soaring on Saturday at the ninth annual Fair Haven Day.
Continue reading Focus: A Festive Fair Haven Day 2019
A Toast of Remembrance: Fair Haven’s Joe T.
Everything’s gonna be alright
Kenny Chesney ~ Everything’s Gonna Be Alright
Everything’s gonna be alright
Nobody’s gotta worry ’bout nothing
Don’t go hitting that panic button
It ain’t near as bad as you think
Everything’s gonna be alright
Alright, alright
They called him Joe T. He never hit the panic button. And he was more than alright … with a smile, a nod, a laugh and a reassuring pat on the back.
He was a loving husband. He was a devoted dad. He was a dedicated volunteer. He was a calming presence. He was a jokester. He was a beacon of hope, inspiration, fun and laughter. He was a loyal friend. He was just plain, no-nonsesense full of life. And, last year, he lost his life. But, longtime Fair Havenite and Fire Department/First Aid Squad guy Joe Truex lives on in the memories he made with purpose. He was toasted by loved ones in a “never forget” tribute party on Friday night, the one-year anniversary of his death, organized by his wife, Ethel Hodgkiss Truex.
Continue reading A Toast of Remembrance: Fair Haven’s Joe T.
Happy Retro Easter Times
No matter the religious belief, Easter and spring both signify rebirth. And there are many festive traditions and celebrations surrounding it all.
Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of Rumson-Fair Haven area people donning their best Easter outfits, bonnets and all, hunting for chocolate and eggs, prizes and even a few Peeps. And then there are those visits with that freakish Easter Bunny and tussles at the hunts that provoke the most classic of miserable children poses.
But, most of all, it’s a time to reflect on new beginnings giving birth from the most treasured of memories. Here are some from our friends and neighbors over the years …
Happy Easter! Happy spring! Happy blooming!
Focus: Beached in Spring at Sea Bright
There’s nothing quite like that spring Siren-like call to the beach when the weather breaks, the sun shines and the spring fever peaks. That’s just how it was for a lot of people and pets on Saturday at Sea Bright public beach.
Continue reading Focus: Beached in Spring at Sea Bright
Focus: Maddy Massabni’s Birthday Gifting
It was a milestone birthday meant to embrace and roll softly away with the tide, the color, the sunshine, the love, the reminder of her …
Twenty-one pink roses in hand, they walked from Maddy Massabni’s home to her favorite spot on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright. They were the loved ones of the Rumson teen who passed away suddenly two years ago on March 30, just three days after her 19th birthday, from toxic shock syndrome.
Maddy would have turned 21 on March 27. That’s why there were 21 pink roses, her favorite. For those who could get to the beach, there was a poem read by Maddy’s mom, Dawn, and a little celebration with hugs, tears, gratitude and a tossing of the roses into the surf Maddy so loved. Out with the tide.
Those who couldn’t be at the beach, celebrated Maddy’s 21st by creating their own home memorials, gravitating to a body of water to signify the Sea Bright spot or just displaying a single pink rose, even giving one to someone to brighten their day unknowingly with Maddy’s love.
In Maddy’s memory, a non-profit foundation dubbed Don’t Shock Me has been created to raise awareness of toxic shock and pay Maddy’s kind spirit forward. Stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, Maddy Massabni! You are remembered.
Take a look at snippets of the celebration in photos from friends and remember … (Don’t forget to click on each to enlarge!)
Focus: RFH’s Addams Family … A Closing Time
Well, the show is over and so is a chapter in Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) spring musical history.
Continue reading Focus: RFH’s Addams Family … A Closing Time
Reflection: A Ducky Spring
The start of spring wasn’t exactly a flowering bloom of sunshine and warmth on Wednesday. Still, the serenity of many a riverfront scene in the Rumson-Fair Haven area will take the chill out of any day or bad vibe.
Continue reading Reflection: A Ducky Spring
Focus: Rumson River Serenity
The winter air has an icy stab, but this view always warms the local soul.
The serenity only found in the comfort of home was at the water’s edge at dusk. And you don’t have to wait to exhale a sigh of sheer gratitude for it all.
Take a look … (Don’t forget to click to enlarge!)
— Elaine Van Develde
Focus: Reflections of Rumson-Fair Haven Life
You could call this week a reflective one in the Rumson-Fair Haven area. It started with a sad farewell to the young Fair Haven hometown hero U.S. Army Pfc. Jamie Riley, 21.
Continue reading Focus: Reflections of Rumson-Fair Haven Life
Focus: Power of People 2018
People. People put the power of place into perspective. They pull us back into places we remember, milestones. They set us soaring toward our dreams, reaching for our own stars. They bring us down to Earth. They anchor us, our memories, our life journeys.
So, in honor of bringing the people in our lives, our communities, all into focus on the journey of one year in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, we offer a glimpse at the people around us in 20018. Relive. Remember. Treasure.
Happy New Year! Be sure to stop, take a look at the faces around you and embrace the memories created in 2019 …
Take a look back (and don’t forget to CLICK to ENLARGE!)
— Elaine Van Develde
Photo/Loujeanne Cuje 
Photo/FHFD 
Winning Itsy Bitsy Spider, Mom and Dad Photo/FHFD 
Focus: Power of Place 2018
There’s a lot to be said about the importance of place in people’s lives. It defines us in many ways. It brings us comfort. It triggers memories. It is a bookmark in our hearts. Oftentimes that important place is home.
So, to pay homage to the profound power of place in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, home, we offer a glimpse back to significant places of 2018 and many decades preceding it.
Happy New Year! Take a look and let the photos give a tug at your heartstrings. Remember.
(Oh, and don’t forget to click on each photo to enlarge and get the full view!)
— Elaine Van Develde
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