Category Archives: Local Life

A look, in photos, of latest area events, local everyday people and places.

Focus: Rumson-Fair Haven River Hug

To talk to anyone who considers the Rumson-Fair Haven area home, from their own back yard to far away places, a peek into the day’s end at the river is a home embrace. A hug. Comfort. So it’s been said. So it’s been felt.

So, if you can’t get down by the river tonight, here’s a hug, or 20, from the end of your road to home. (And, don’t forget to click to enlarge to get the whole hug picture.)

Which hometown hug speaks to you most?

— Elaine Van Develde

The R-FH Area Weekend: Fair Haven Halloween Egg Hunt & Parade

2014 Fair Haven Halloween Parade
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

A new tradition in Fair Haven precedes a very old one on Saturday when the borough’s Halloween Egg Hunt (of all things) gets things literally rolling in Sportsman’s Field at 10:30 a.m. before the Halloween Parade at 11.

Egg hunts are typically called the “quickest” events in borough history, as kids gather behind a designated, cordoned-off line and are let loose with one signal to scramble all over the field and gather Halloween eggs filled with prizes. Yes, Halloween eggs. No Easter bunny involved.

Immediately following that, across the street at Knollwood School, the lineup for the parade begins. The parade follows the usual route down Hance Road, onto River and then on to the Fair Haven Firehouse grounds for treats, prizes and a little spooktacular (or something like that) fun.

See you around the towns!

2014 Fair Haven Halloween Parade
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Retro RFH Football Stripes Earned

In case you haven’t seen this one before and in honor of football season … a reprise …

RFH football team of the past
Photo/RFH

Do we have a cheer for RFH football? Yes, football season has kicked into high gear at RFH, so let’s take a moment to tackle this handsome team of players of an unknown year as well as the issue of name and uniform style.

Is it all in a name or uniform? Certainly not. It’s all about the game and how it’s played, of course. But, there are some quirks worth taking the ball and running with for a bit. No harm, no fumble. Just fun.

Continue reading Retro RFH Football Stripes Earned

Focus: Fall Riverwalk into Dusk

Riverwalk at dusk by the Fair Haven Dock
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s a fall Sunday. It’s a day’s end. The start of a new week. The hush of the lapping river soothes. Dusk dances in the river’s reflections. It’s riverwalk daze at the Fair Haven Dock. A silent call to the comfort of home.

Everything is always alright in that riverwalk moment. There are many like it for a Fair Havenite — drenched in riverfront peace. Childhood laughing and splashing dancing in the mind. The cadence of it that soothes. It never gets old. It’s new with each step, each flicker in the tide, each lull in every water lap, each heartbeat that pulses home.

Take a look. Dive into the silence, the memories, each moment down by the river. Inhale home.

— Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven riverwalk at dusk
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Ripples of light dancing from Fair Haven Dock
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Retro RFH Foul Weather Junior Lounging

Juniors of the RFH Class of ’79 lounge in the Junior Lounge
Photo/George Day

Some moments are meant for just lounging … like the persistent foul fall weather of the past few days. There was a place for that for juniors at RFH back in the day.

Continue reading Retro RFH Foul Weather Junior Lounging

Focus: Dock Daze of Crabbing

Sometimes all it takes to brighten a dreary day is a net, a fishing pole, a dock and some bait. It’s all about getting crabby.

No matter the catch haul, after a day of this at the Fair Haven Dock, someone fishing for some simple solace and smile will likely end up with a bucket of cheer called home —and some dinner.

Continue reading Focus: Dock Daze of Crabbing

Retro RFH Powder Puff Cheer Boys

The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977
Photo/George Day

RFHers have fallen into football season with the usual panache. Everything about playing the game has always been done in true pro style — from the players to the cheerleaders.

Though, while cheerleaders are still cheering at RFH, they do so with different outfits and cheer style. And seeing cheerleaders all dressed up like some 1977 guys on the sidelines is something that never happens (or at least like this) anymore.

The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977
Photo/George Day
Continue reading Retro RFH Powder Puff Cheer Boys

The R-FH Area Weekend: Riley Pickleball Tourney, Harvest Fest, PBA Steak Dinner, Car Show

This weekend promises the first good dose of fair fall weather, and with the season kick-off come several events.

Starting bright and early on Saturday morning …

A pickleball tournament dedicated to the memory of former longtime Fair Havenite U.S. Army Pfc. Jamie Riley, who was killed in an accident while training, will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Fair Haven Fields. See the poster below for details:

And at noon on Saturday, the Fair Haven PTA HarvestFest gets started at Knollwood School. It runs until 4 p.m. with a host of activities, treats, displays and contests.

To cap off Saturday evening, the Fair Haven PBA is hosting its annual Steak Dinner starting at 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Fair Haven Road. See details in the below poster:

And on Sunday, from 9 a.m to 3 p.m., the 20th annual Fair Haven Fire Fire Police & Auxiliary Car Show kicks into gear. The event is free to spectators. There’s music, trophies and plenty of cool classic cars to see. See details below:

Enjoy the event-filled weekend! See you around the towns!

Scene Around: Fair Havenites’ Run for Heroes’ Sake

2019 Tunnel to Towers Race in NY
Photos/Bill Heath

There’s a lot of casual hometown pride running through Fair Haven and it has to do with a hero’s run in New York and a couple of longtime borough residents, friendship and many years of brotherhood in emergency response.

Continue reading Scene Around: Fair Havenites’ Run for Heroes’ Sake

Retro RFH Girl’s Soccer

Chris Bowden, RFH Class of 1976 was the first girl to play soccer on the boys’ team.
Photo/RFH 1976 Yearbook

1975-76 RFH Soccer Team Photo/RFH 1976 Yearbook

A reprise in honor of girls’ soccer season at RFH …

Yes, soccer season has kicked in. And there are and have been girls teams at RFH since 1984. But, that was not always the case …

When Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect shared a photo of the boys’ team from back in the late 1970s, RFH grads challenged all to remember who the first girl was to play on the boys’ team.

Continue reading Retro RFH Girl’s Soccer