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?

In Memoriam: Josie Menna, Beloved Fair Haven Schools Lunch Aide

The Fair Haven schools community is in mourning over the loss of a treasured lunch aide — Josephine Menna.

Memorial services begin today at 3 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank for the woman who began her career in the borough at 78, serving up students, teachers and the community a lot of love, a little bit of advice and some homemade gifts, a flood of social media comments conveyed.

Revered as a “beloved lunch aide and friend,” Josephine “Josie” Menna, a longtime Red Bank resident, “passed away peacefully” on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, aptly joining her husband Tommy to whom she was married for 32 years, her obituary said.

Josie Menna was aunt of Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna, who paid tribute to her on Facebook upon her death:

“Lent began this evening with the arrival in Heaven of my 90 something aunt, Josephine Figaro Menna, whom I affectionately called the honorary mayor of Garfield Place in Red Bank. She was the wonderful widow of my uncle Thomas Menna, co owner of the legendary West Bergen Market and the mother of Gregory and Gary Figaro. An extraordinary woman and person of boundless charity and good will still delivering meals to housebound ‘seniors’ at her age every week and bringing the eucharist to those who were immobile and could not attend Mass.”

Family was the center of Josie Menna’s life, according to her obituary. Though family, as many Fair Havenites saw it, extended for Josie to the kids and teachers in the lunchroom and beyond.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Josie Menna, Beloved Fair Haven Schools Lunch Aide

Prosecutor: Pair Face Armed Robbery & Weapons Charges for Area Home Invasion

Two men are facing armed robbery and multiple weapons charges for their roles in a home invasion on Sunday night, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said on Tuesday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: Pair Face Armed Robbery & Weapons Charges for Area Home Invasion

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

 

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