Both Rumson and Fair Haven had festive holiday celebrations replete with traditional tree lightings this past weekend.
While Fair Haven had to endure yet another soggy festivity, all went smoothly, we hear.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught the tail end of those festivities on Friday.
On a much chillier Sunday, however, spirits were warm at Rumson’s tree lighting, replete with the usual — Tim McLoone & the Shirleys sprinkled with some Holiday Express, the RFH Tower Singers, hot chocolate and a lot of dancing and singing.
Check it all out in the photo gallery above. Click on any photo to enlarge and click on the arrow to the left or right to scroll through. Enjoy!
It’s not every day that you wander into a speakeasy in Rumson and end up in a sea of green sweatshirts steeped in bagpipe music and merriment — not every day … except Saturday.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught up with a contingent of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 2 Monmouth as they made their way around towns and into Murphy’s in a pub crawl.
Take a look at our photo collage above for a glimpse into their time spent in the classic Rumson hangout. Just click any of the photos to enlarge and scroll with the arrow to the left or right.
With construction still not quite complete, the sign giving Mass times remains on the church’s construction fence
Holy Cross when much of the church has been demolished and only its original facade and steeple were left standing
Light shines through the original stained glass windows at a halved Holy Cross at dusk in the late summer of 2013
The sun goes down and the construction crew is gone at a beginning stage Holy Cross partial demolition
In the fall of 2014, Holy Cross is bigger and nearing the completion of its expansion
One side of the Holy Cross expansion is getting some finishing touches
A view from the gates to Holy Cross’ addition
Crews are still on-site at Holy Cross, but the project is slated for completion at the end of 2014
In keeping with its original architectural design, an expanded Holy Cross church looks just about the same as it always has, just wider and deeper
Nightfall at the new Holy Cross Church
By Elaine Van Develde
When it comes to Holy Cross Church in Rumson, you could say it’s a case of that old Peter Allen song, Everything Old is New Again — and, maybe, vice versa.
The long-anticipated, beleaguered church restoration/expansion project broke ground in the spring of 2013.
When portions at the rear of the 1885 white-shingled house of worship were demolished, leaving only its facade and room for the expansion, the sight of the hollowed, one-dimensional flat structure was a view of a different kind.
The foundation for the expansion was blessed on Nov. 3, 2013.
Since then, a lot of building, recreating the designs of Charles Keely, has been done. Slated for completion by the end of 2014, the compromise of what was originally to be an even bigger Holy Cross is looking nearly complete.
Take a look at our photo gallery above. Just click on any photo to enlarge and scroll through using the arrows to the left or right.
But, only a couple of days ago, likely the last warm day was the perfect day to soak up the sun and final warmth of the season by taking a stroll down by the Fair Haven Dock.
The sun was out on Saturday. And, while it was a bit crisp for swimming, the weather was fine for getting some quality surf fishing done in Sea Bright.
Don’t know how the guys did, but they definitely looked like they were enjoying their day.
Yes, you could have called it a seasonal Sea Bright dog day.
And there are few of those days left for four-legged friends to romp on the shore.
Recently, though, the day of the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps was a prime example of a great day for furry friends to have a little fun with their masters.
When the superstorm stopped, it plopped Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright down in pieces.
People of the Rumson-Fair Haven area mourned the loss to an unforgiving Sandy. And when they were allowed to travel over the bridge into Sea Bright, many diehard loyalists of the Donovan’s summer tiki tradition by the sea could be found sitting and just staring at what once was piled in a heap feet away from its spot of origin.
After surviving rumors of commitment to rebuilding, a sale and total obliteration flipping back and forth, Donovan’s owners have announced that they will be rebuilding. This past summer, though, one non-functional Tiki hut marked the spot. Until next season …
Here’s what the demise of the popular spot looked like in 2012, just after the storm …
All photos by Elaine Van Develde, not previously published
Not only is Halloween approaching, but it’s also a historic time of the year for people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area — the second anniversary of Sandy, the superstorm that crippled the coast.
So, as Rumsonites ready for Halloween, it’s also hard to forget Sandy’s wrath. That was certainly scary enough.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect found few decorations in the borough. Take a look and alert us to more ([email protected]). In the meantime, notice one Shrewsbury Avenue resident’s creative take on the anniversary and Halloween combined.
They’re creepy and kooky, maybe a little mysterious and spooky, and, perhaps, altogether ooooky, as the classic Addams Family theme music says. Maybe all of the above. But there’s one thing Halloween decorations in Fair Haven definitely are — part of a longstanding local celebration of the season.
Yes, fall is in the air and the Halloween spirit is adorning lawns in this 1.4-square-mile suburb. Have you seen them sprouting up all over? We have.
Here’s a sampling of a few in the light of day. Let us know (at [email protected]) where we can find more of the most creative, creepy sights and we’ll get over there to grab a photo.
We’ll be adding to the collection; and, Rumson will have its own gallery as well.
In the end, a special Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect prize may be awarded to the winner. Don’t forget to email us your favorites; and Happy Haunting!
Rumson-Fair Haven area people have been clinging onto summer days by the sea, celebrating locals’ summer into the fall.
The crowds are gone. The temperature is tepid. And the sun gently kisses the the sand and surf. Serenity and solace prevail in a Sea Bright that is still steadily recovering from Hurricane Sandy.
Hosted by the non-profit Foundation of Fair Haven on Oct. 4, Oktoberfest 2014 drew hundreds to the grounds of Smart Start Preschool on River Road.
There was plenty of authentic German food, provided by Fairwinds Deli, music by Late4Lunch, beer, sangria, 50/50s and aptly costumed partygoers — yes, lederhosen and all.
Proceeds from the now annual event, in its third year, fund future Fair Haven Days.
Glimpse into our gallery to get a taste of what it was all about.
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