
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
It’s not as if most any adventurous kid wouldn’t try a little skating on thin ice in more ways than one. But, the ice was definitely thick enough at McCarter Pond in Fair Haven this one January day in 2015.
It’s not as if most any adventurous kid wouldn’t try a little skating on thin ice in more ways than one. But, the ice was definitely thick enough at McCarter Pond in Fair Haven this one January day in 2015.
Rumson-Fair Haven folks, it’s cold outside! But it’s only cold enough when the pond freezes over.
Since it just might be cold enough to skate, and school’s out for holiday vacation time, we figured the Retro Pic of the Day would take you back to a day in probably 1970. On this day, the infamous call on the ol’ rotary dial phone (to a number that started with Shadyside) was made to see if the ice was safe enough to skate on — and it was.
So, that day we opted to get geared up in high Fair Haven fashion, hold hands, glide, stumble, fall and freeze on Schwenker’s Pond. Dad came along with his Brownie camera, capturing that initial chilly, somewhat terrifying first skate moment.
This editor was never a very accomplished athlete, much less coordinated. There were lots of bumps and bruises at the end of that excursion. The sister, though, was another story. The outfits, we thought, were pretty hip.
Remember those stocking hats with the tassel on the end? How many times did yours get caught on the skate blade when you fell? Ahem …
No matter how war torn, that first skating day of the season was a hit on Schwenker’s or McCarter’s Pond. It was a plus knowing that the ice was thick enough to not fall in. See? Those little things are important.
Remember when there was that phone number to call to check if the ice was frozen enough for skating? Anyone remember that number?
Send us your Rumson and/or Fair Haven skating pics of the past at evd@rfhretro.com and we will post them.
Our Retro Pic of the Day takes you back to 1965 and a first Christmas in Fair Haven for this editor and her family.
We asked Santa at the firehouse to grant our modest gift wishes and he did. Yours truly got that “doll with a wind” whose retail name is forgotten and sister got a Pebbles doll.
Yes, and the blow-up Santa is a bit freaky looking, but all the rage in the 1960s.
Did you get what you wanted from Santa? Send us your photos at evd@rfhretro.com and we’ll post them. Happy holidays, all!
Merry Christmas from R-FH Retro!
— Thanks to all our Facebook friends for the photos! All the best to all!
— Elaine Van Develde
It’s always a classic — that Santa and the happy, Christmas-anticipating kid photo that goes awry.
A Monmouth County criminal street gang ringleader was sentenced to 82 years in a New Jersey state prison on Thursday, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
Continue reading Prosecutor: Convicted Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to 82 Years in Prison
Continue reading RFH Football Star Elijah McAllister Signs with Vanderbilt
The search begins once again for Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s miserable children with Santa photos.
Continue reading RFH Phys Ed Teacher Rob Orrok: Educator of the Year
On this first day of winter, we are reminded of the scene down by the Fair Haven Dock that always warms our souls, even during the biggest chill of the season …
— Elaine Van Develde
A member of the Crips Street Gang, arrested in Operation Dead End, was sentenced on Wednesday to 47 years in prison.
Continue reading Prosecutor: Convicted Gang Member Gets 47 Years in Prison
An area man has died as the result of a Tuesday evening motor vehicle crash in Neptune Township, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said on Wednesday.
Continue reading Prosecutor: Motorcycle Driver Killed in Collision