Images

Retro RFH Dance into Summer Times

As the unofficial start of summer approaches, thoughts turn to beachy sorts of antics among pals — RFH pals, specifically. Call it something to sing and dance about — center stage.

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Retro RFH Baseball First: Girl on the Boys’ Team

RFH Class of '78 alumni Nancy Whelchel was the first girl to play on the boys' baseball team. Photo/George Day
RFH Class of ’78 alumni Nancy Whelchel was the first girl to play on the boys’ baseball team.
Photo/George Day

In light of baseball season and honoring high school firsts in the breaking down of gender barriers, this Retro Pic of the Day, originally published in 2015, is being recirculated … 

Yes, it’s all about baseball right now.

And the idea of RFH girls breaking into sports that were traditionally boys’ is something to think about.

So, who was on first, or, rather who was first to be somewhere on the field with the guys in the 1970s? It was RFH Class of ’78 alumni Nancy Whelchel.

Yes, Nancy got onto the baseball field with the boys at RFH a year or two after Chris Bowden scored a goal for girls in soccer.

It all happened back in the day when girls had just made strides to change the dress code and wear pants to school. That was a mass effort. There were a lot of girls walking around wearing skirts or dresses with pants underneath. But that’s another girls’ liberation story for another day.

It’s about those singular sensation girls who defied a status quo form of sexism when literally playing the fields.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day honors one of those girls — Nancy Whelchel. It’s a snapshot of Nancy on the field with Ward Tietz.

We’re not sure if this is an actual team practice shot or just one in which she was just tossing the ball around for fun with a couple of the guys from her class.

Still, there she is playing ball. She had the guts and the sports acumen to break the good ol’ — or young — boys’ sports network.

Home run.

I somehow don’t recall any sort of rebellion from the boys. She was good. That was all that mattered.

Any firsts for girls on the football field? Anyone? What was Nancy Whelchel’s specialty on the baseball field?

Many thanks, again, to George Day for this classic!

— Elaine Van Develde

Remembering Fair Haven Police Patrolman Robert J. Henne

It was three years ago today that Fair Haven lost Patrolman Robert Henne. The loss of the friendly, compassionate cop was a devastating one.

We, at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, again offer our profound condolences to his loving family and many colleagues and friends. 

In memory of Robert, we are re-running our tribute to him that was originally published after his funeral and final call on March 31, 2015. 

RIP, Robert. You are remembered … 

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Retro RFH Show Time

Well, it’s opening night of the RFH Tower Players’ production of The Secret Garden.

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Retro RFH Tower Players

Well, with all the excitement of the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players’ opening night of Secret Garden coming up on Friday, it seemed only right that we should offer a look back at the Tower Players of 1977.

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Retro RFH Keith McHeffey & BFFs

 

These Retro Pics of the Day (contributed by Gregg Kennedy) were originally run on March 11, 2016, honoring RFH grad Keith McHeffey shortly before the fundraiser run dedicated to his memory. Here they are again, the day before the run, which is slated for Saturday at 11 a.m. in Sea Bright. RIP, Keith McHeffey. You are remembered …

The KDM Fun Run & Walk, honoring RFH grad Keith McHeffey, is set for Saturday.

Keith, an avid athlete and good friend to many in the area, was a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11.

His friends created the KDM Foundation in 2002 to keep the former Rumson and Fair Haven resident’s memory alive and fund several charitable causes in his name.

Since then, the Fun Run has been known as the annual living memorial tribute to Keith in a setting truest to his nature.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take a look back at Keith McHeffey in his RFH heyday hanging out with his best buds.

RIP, Keith. Run on …

Retro RFH Baseball Boys

RFH Baseball boys in the dugout circa 1970s Photo/George Day
RFH Baseball boys in the dugout circa 1970s
Photo/George Day

Well, March has arrived, and baseball season will soon be sliding into its RFH home base. The RFH calendar, in fact shows that the there are two home varsity games on the calendar for March 10.

So, it stands to reason that the Retro Pic of the (George) Day should take a closer look back, from another vantage point, of a 1970s RFH game — the dugout.

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Retro RFH Batter Up!

Playing baseball at RFH in the 1970s. Photo/George Day
Playing baseball at RFH in the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

Spring is coming and baseball season is starting soon at RFH. In fact, the first varsity games are set for March 10.

So, to honor the start of the season and all hopes for a home run of one, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day takes a look back to the 1970s and with a well known RFH alum getting into the swing of things.

Recognize #22 and remember what his stats were? Hey, batter, batter … who?

Know anyone else in the pic?

And how about those uniforms donning the old RF instead of RFH and the ol’ pin stripes?

Thanks, again, to George Day for another classic RFH photo!

 

Retro RFHers’ Great Adventure Part II

RFHers go on an adventure to Great Adventure
Photo/courtesy of Marc Edelman, Facebook

Two days of sunshine and warmth in winter. The little respite was enough to get everyone daydreaming about a favorite jaunt back our RFH days.

This group of RFHers set out on their own adventure to Great Adventure decades ago.

It was just one of those days — when fair weather and good friends cured these antsy souls.

Take a gander at the second part of this photo journal.

Recognize anyone? Your favorite getaway when the weather gave way to spring or summer fever?