The scents, sights and sounds of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair are in the air.
The end-of-summer tradition in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, the largest community fair in the state, started on Friday night.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect did the usual stroll of the grounds on Saturday.
Here’s a glimpse into the night …
— Elaine Van Develde
It doesn’t get much more simple in the summer than hanging a cage filled with raw chicken bait over the side of the Fair Haven Dock, netting crabs and catching a prime sunset view in the mix.
That’s what this Simple Summer photo gallery is all about.
Sometimes, too, you run into a small business owner everyone in the area knows. Anyone know who this is pictured crabbing a few days ago?
Hint: He’s known for putting people in stitches.
— Elaine Van Develde
Saturday evening was time to get crabby with Rumson police and join the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament.
The event began at 6 p.m.; and, well, if you got there after 6, the parking lot at the Rumson Borough Boat Launch was pretty full, but no one was to be found on the water. They were likely already far enough out on the river to get those prime catches.
There were, however, some crabbers and others boating, jet skiing and just hanging around.
Take a look at the above photo gallery for a glimpse into the evening. See anything somewhat crabby looking?
The results of the tournament will be posted when they become available.
In the meantime, enjoy the view!
Summer days down by the river at the Fair Haven Dock don’t change much with the passing of time.
It’s a scene that never gets old and needs no explaining.
Here’s another focus on what it’s all about — sun, sand between the toes, solitude, solace.
— Elaine Van Develde
Ever take a walk down by the river and feel like someone’s following you or even leading the way?
It happened today down on the beach by the Fair Haven Dock.
A lone seagull, seemingly having a little trouble with one of his legs, led the way taking a leisurely walk along the riverbank, picked on some food along the way, waded and tried to fly a little, but to no avail. He was getting around and eating and not fearful of humans.
So, he had a little company for his afternoon walk.
Good night and feel better, Mr. Fair Haven Livingston Seagull.
— Elaine Van Develde
National Night Out was Tuesday. Every year, the evening, celebrated on the first Tuesday in August in communities throughout the nation, is dedicated to raising awareness of community policing and fire and first aid emergency responders.
It is meant for people to have an opportunity to become better acquainted with the officers, fire fighters and first-aiders and their policies designed to protect and serve them. The night is all about doing so with fun, games, demonstrations, closer looks and socializing.
Here’s a glimpse into Fair Haven’s Night Out (Click on each photo to enlarge.) …
— Elaine Van Develde
While being a River Rat was a staple of summer life for many a Rumson-Fair Haven area rugrat, there were still those who didn’t sail into waterborne activity success. Some, instead, capsized inside at the thought of a wave taking the wind out of their little sails.
But, staying away from the banks of the Navesink was never even a flicker of a thought in an area youngster’s brain.
There was so much to do there — like wading, watching, feeling the sand between the toes and, well, having a heart-to-heart gabfest with a friend while fetching and freeing sand crabs and munching on a big bag of Doritos … tucked into a festive picnic basket, of course.
Yup. That’s was the summer scene for some. And it was more than enough. Sometimes, between Dorito chomping, sand, wading and chatting, the sunset would seem to creep up and those kids would realize that the River Rats had come to shore and gone home.
The walk home with that picnic basket, an empty bag and that buddy was the exhale for the night. The dream was a simple, sweet, well-lived one.
— Elaine Van Develde
The concept doesn’t get any simpler for summer — a tent, some games, some snacks, some buddies, a movie and sleeping (sort of) under the stars far enough outside of your own back yard to call it an outing.
It’s what kids and parents gathered to do on Saturday in Fair Haven. It was the borough’s annual campout at Fair Haven Fields.
It was still steaming hot at tent pitching time — around 7 p.m..
The Fair Haven Recreation Department helpers were ready and curbside at the fields and set to inform campers about the rules and regs. And the concession stand was staffed. But, well, by 7:30 p.m., only two sets of campers had arrived.
The helpers anticipated that more would show when the movie started at 8:45 and they were ready!
This is how this simple summer night of new local tradition got started on Saturday. These guys in the featured photo were a little wilted from the humidity, but still smiling and energetic enough to kid around with each other a little. Though, one of them reflected that he thinks he always has a “reluctant gaze” when photographed. Hmmm. Can you guess which is the reluctant reflector?
If you have any photos of the campout after perhaps more campers arrived and more fun ensued or fewer campers looked “reluctant,” send them to us at evd@rfhretro.com for our camp night slideshow for later.
— Elaine Van Develde
Photo/Jenifer Weber-Zeller
Photo/Jenifer Weber-Zeller
Summer has started. Beach weather has been prime lately.
And while getting some beach time in at Sea Bright Public Beach, an area resident caught a glimpse of two Jeep-cruisin’ dudes who look like they got fried right to the bone, but were loving every minute of it.
Check out the view of these buddies Rumsonite Jenifer Weber-Zeller caught from the back and side of the Jeep that got these two to their sun-filled siesta destination.
Have you seen them around the towns?
It was March of 2015 when the Fair Haven Planning Board approved a three-home subdivision on the .54-acre swath of land where the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion long stood, the namesake of Church Street.
The church was demolished seven months later, in October. Now, the last and largest of the three homes built by Kolarsick Builders, a 3,000-square-foot residence, is nearing completion. The other two have For Sale signs out front.
There is no remnant of a church remaining on Church Street, except the name of the street. While old-time residents of the street that fronted River Road with the Church of the Holy Communion have expressed chagrin over the change, experts had testified before the Planning Board that the church was a bit of an architectural shambles and not preservable.
The subdivision was deemed by the board to be the only viable option for the site, as the church function on the property had been stagnant since it was put on the market in October of 2010. After being shown a reported 43 times since (between 2011 and 2014) and for various uses, the subdivision was deemed the most appropriate fit by the Planning Board.
Residents, who long lived on the street and have remained friends over the years, want to know what it’s looking like without the namesake church.
Here it is, folks …
— Elaine Van Develde
Skies have been clear and bright blue lately. And the scene just before sunset in Rumson recently was no exception.
It’s that familiar, popular spot on the Navesink River at Victory Park where kids play, kayakers row on the river and other boaters dot the horizon.
The clear weather is supposed to hold out through the weekend. Enjoy the view in the photos below.
— Elaine Van Develde
Skies were cobalt blue today, peppered with wisps of clouds.
And the horizon of the Navesink River off the Fair Haven Dock was dotted with boats. The National Weather Service has predicted similar ideal days of sun, clear skies and dry weather tomorrow.
Take in some of the sights right here.
— Elaine Van Develde
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