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Retro RFHers’ Great Adventure

RFHers’ adventure to Great Adventure
Photo/courtesy of Marc Edelman, Facebook

It’s a given. Dismal weather makes confined teens antsy. And the dismal weather doldrums of late have given way to aspirations of a simple romp in the sunshine — or something less corny and way cooler than that.

There’s been a promise these days of sun after a run of rain and  soppy snow. So, when there’s a hint of a peek of sunshine and higher temperatures, all good RFHers have always had the spirit of adventure to venture out … far out.

Back in the late 1970s, this crew got the itch to hit the road and sun and literally get to a Great Adventure. Nothing like springing a bunch of RFHers in a spring fever pitch.

They even romped a bit in the fountain … not that we’d encourage anyone to get carried away or take a leap …

So, with February, not quite spring or summer, busting out all over we pay homage to sunny days and the free spirit that comes with them, not to mention the ridding of foul weather ants in the pants.

The fun had here was pretty pure.

What was your favorite RFH teen adventure? Recognize anyone?

Retro Whistle Stop Smiles; Timeless Celebration of a Fair Haven Icon’s Birthday

Frank Leslie Sr. and his gaggle of kids at the Whistle Stop in Fair Haven circa 1979 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Frank Leslie Sr. and his gaggle of kids at the Whistle Stop in Fair Haven circa 1979
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Today would have marked the 89th birthday of Fair Haven’s Frank Leslie Sr., owner of the iconic Whistle Stop. In honor of that, we are sharing this piece originally posted on July 20, 2016. Happy Birthday, Mr. Leslie! Thanks for the many smiles and simple good times!

By Elaine Van Develde

Sometimes all it takes is a jawbreaker, a slice of Elio’s pizza, pinball and friends all enveloped in a gingham-curtained room with a jovial giant of a dad host to make a bunch of kids smile.

Sometimes. Some simpler time back in time.

Continue reading Retro Whistle Stop Smiles; Timeless Celebration of a Fair Haven Icon’s Birthday

RFH Student Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

“We are very proud of our student athletes, and wish them every success at the next level,” Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Director of Athletics Chris Lanzalotto said after 11 student athletes signed their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.

The RFH students, their sports and colleges are:

Baseball

• Robby Smith, Dickinson College

Basketball

• Teddy Sourlis, Babson College

Football

• Justin Johnson, Wesleyan University

• Jack Kelleher, Gettysburg College

• Peter Lucas, Lehigh University

• John McHeffey, Gettysburg College

• Gavin Pomphrey, Gettysburg College

• Alex Sloan, College of Holy Cross

Soccer

• Margot Ridgeway, University of California, Davis

Softball

• Kylie McCabe, Clark University

Volleyball

• Olivia DeBonte, Ursinus College

 

Serving Up Some Food & Company for the Soul Saturday

It’s that time of the year to feast on a heaping helping of down home good food and company meant to soothe the soul in more ways than one in Fair Haven.

The Fisk AME Chapel Soul Food Dinner at the church (on Fisk Street) in Fair Haven is on Saturday. This year, it features fried chicken or barbecue ribs, sides of collard greens, potato salad, mac and cheese, cabbage, green beans, yams, corn bread, rolls. We hear there may be pig’s feet for the daring. And, of course, homemade dessert of pie, cake or cobbler to top it off.

The festivities start at 11:30 a.m. and end, well, when the food runs out and/or the company is worn out. These folks always advise that you get there early. It may be called a dinner, but the food just may be gone by the conventional dinner time!

Price is $15 for adults and $10 for kids under the age of 6. Oh, and if you can’t get out of the house, you can call for delivery — 609-781-0231. Yes, they deliver!

These folks deliver not only a great meal, but old time Fair Haven company that warms the soul. That’s because the hosts are some of the founding mothers and fathers of the borough.

The people of the church have been rooted in Fair Haven since the 19th century. The names and faces are comfortingly familiar ones. (Check out our Retro Pic of the Day a bit later.)

They usually sell out, so get over to the church on time! See you at the chapel!

— Elaine Van Develde

Retro Dive into FHFD History

Fair Haven Fire Department’s first Scuba Squad, or Water Rescue Unit
Photo/FHFD

With the recent passing of Fair Haven’s Donny Frank — policeman, fireman and first aider — we are reminded of some history-making firsts for the borough that tend to get lost in the, well, passing of time.

So, here in the Retro Pic of the Day is an enlightening picture of a factoid that resurfaced like, say, a deep sea diver from the vast waters — sort of like Donny Frank and friends emerging with an expanded rescue idea for the Fair Haven First Aid Squad (or Corps) back in 1962.

Continue reading Retro Dive into FHFD History

Scene Around: Misty Shrewsbury River

It was quite the hauntingly comforting scene on Tuesday — mist rising from the Shrewsbury River from the Sea Bright side to Rumson and all the way to Highlands.

Then the sun poked through the clouds, the mist evaporated and it was time for a little reflection … of the crystalline riverfront view onto the water and life in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Fair Havenite Sandi Richards-von Pier captured the moments.

Take a look … (and don’t forget to click to enlarge!)

Retro RFH Staged Bathing Beauties

RFH girls on the beach at the Freshman Follies circa 1975. Photo/George Day

In light of most everyone’s wish for warmer days and a big ol’ thaw for brighter, beachier times, we have decided to give you an encore of this classic look back … 

Our Retro Pic of the (George) Day is one of warm wishes — for sun-filled, fun beach days ahead.

This crew of RFH girls entertained people with their own version of the Beach Boys’ Girls on the Beach at the RFH Freshman Follies in 1975.

Continue reading Retro RFH Staged Bathing Beauties

Scene Around: Retired Knollwood Teacher & Grandkids Walk on Water

Retired Knollwood School teacher Eileen Kubaitis’ grandchildren cross the icy Navesink
Photo/Eileen Kubaitis

Why did the retired Knollwood School teacher cross the frozen river?

To teach her grandchildren to walk on water Rumson-Fair Haven area way? To get to the other side? Or, perhaps, to just celebrate a time-honored area tradition? Maybe a bit of all three.

Former Phys Ed and Health teacher Eileen Kubaitis, nonetheless, geared up, grandchildren in tow, and took the trek across the Navesink the other day when the water was frozen. How could one resist? When the weather is pretty frightful, but there’s such a simple adventure in the offing, the only thing to do is get walking — on water, or ice, as it were.

A lot of people in the area look forward to doing this when the water freezes, giving them a walking path across the river to the Middletown side.

Kubaitis and company were no exception. They were among quite a few others recently. Though, the retired Knollwood teacher tells us that they didn’t actually reach the other side, but came close. “We stopped about 20 feet away because at that point no one was in front of us,” she said.

Hey, they had fun and did their R-FH area civic duty to do their best to get to the other side!

Don’t try this at home, kids … at least until the ice freezes up again.

The big thaw has begun …

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will reach a high of 40 degrees today with a low of about 26 tonight. Tomorrow, weather will be about the same with mostly sunny skies and a high of roughly 39 degrees.

Eileen Kubaitis and grandchildren cross the Navesink
Photo/Eileen Kubaitis