It’s sunset at the riverfront in Fair Haven. A sea of anchored sailboats cast a shadow on the Navesink River at low tide. The sound of the river lapping onto the shore is rhythmic, soothing. The site of a solitary row ashore is a sign that it’s time to take it all in and exhale a content sigh that this is home.
See for yourself …
— Elaine Van Develde
Before the Pomp and Circumstance, those backstage moments with graduates are like that cumulative, final high five among friends — the smiles, the tears, the jokes, the barbs … up to that walk to the diploma and the goodbye to high school.
Continue reading Focus: RFH Class of 2017 Graduation … Before the Walk
It all started six years ago with a centennial celebration. Now, six years later, a community tradition begun continues — Fair Haven Day.
The weather was more than fair for the annual fete, bringing community cohorts together to celebrate the borough they’ve made home.
There was plenty of sunshine, food, drink, festivities and fun to be had.
Take a look … (And DON’T FORGET TO ClICK TO ENLARGE!)
— Elaine Van Develde
What would a Donovan’s Reef reopening be without a spotting of its unofficial, or official, mascot — the iconic guy about town everyone knows as Dizzy Dave?
Well, lots of area folks were there for Sunday’s (delayed from Saturday) grand reopening. And, while it was pretty packed and running into Dave was tantamount to playing a giant game of Where’s Waldo, one devout Donovan’s fan, Gerry Ryan, found him and struck the classic pose.
Ryan’s wife, former Red Bank Councilwoman Grace Cangemi Ryan, grabbed the photo op and shared it with Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect.
Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl told us he was there as well, but, no roving photographers seemed to capture him, either. He said he did not see Dizzy. “It’s surprising that I didn’t,” Ekdahl said on Memorial Day. “He’s pretty hard to miss!”
The new place got a thumbs up from the mayor. The Ryans and all other locals and fans we spoke with gave the new Donovan’s rave reviews.
Now, where’s Dizzy Dave?
The Memorial Day parade may have been rained out in Rumson, but those who fought for their country and lost their lives in war were remembered.
Take a look … (Don’t forget to click to enlarge!)
— Elaine Van Develde
The rain may have stopped the Memorial Day parade, but Fair Haven folks still paid homage to those who lost their lives in war defending America.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect could not make the ceremony at Knollwood School on Monday, but signs of remembrance remained all over the borough on the drizzly day.
Take a look … (Click to enlarge.)
— Elaine Van Develde
It’s day that many Rumson-Fair Haven area locals have been anticipating since the ravaging dawn of 2012’s Superstorm Sandy — the reopening of the devastated iconic Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright.
After many fits and starts, that day, save for any unforeseen issues, now appears to be set. It’s Saturday, a Twitter post confirmed, though with a praying hands emoji.
“4+ years ago we were washed away 
? thanks Sandy,” a post on the Donovan’s Facebook page says. “NOW, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You can sit at the inside bar & take in this amazing view! Can’t wait to see you! Hope for no delays and we open MDW!”
Take a look at the progression since Sandy in the below photos …
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde
The fair-to-great weather held out for fun times to be had by all who attended the Sea Bright Fire Department Carnival over the weekend.
Families and friends were riding with the good times in more ways than one.
Take a look … (Don’t forget to click to enlarge!)
— Elaine Van Develde
Call it a rising, a resurrection, or just a not-so-plain old rebirth for Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright.
A little river walk or ride does a mood good on a crisp, sunny spring day.
Here’s how that day wound down by the Fair Haven Dock on Wednesday …
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde
The marquee at the Fair Haven Firehouse is known as a spot for keeping residents in the know with announcements of all kinds.
Some are whimsical, fun messages, some little anecdotes, death announcements, kudos, birthdays, and plain ol events and townie updates.
Well, someone had a little fun with this one on Wednesday.
Who knows who posts those messages?
Sometimes there’s a call for a little jaunt along the coastline south of the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
And sometimes the timing is just right. Tuesday was that time.
The sun blazing along the Atlantic in southern Monmouth County, clouds were rising from the sea and reaching toward formations that looked like an ethereal netherworld.
Take a look …
— Elaine Van Develde
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