Tag Archives: Frank Leslie

Local Life, Opinion

Old News: A ‘Cheers’ to Iconic Places & People

There’s a reason why the 1970s and ’80s TV show Cheers was so popular.

The title song said it all in one sentence “You wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” It resonated with millions. Everyone wanted that place to go to where they knew they belonged. A nose-to-the-screen-free environment. Face-to-face social interaction with a family of another kind that, good or bad, always showed up. Regulars. A place like Cheers — with parents.

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Local Life

Scene Around: Whistling & Stopping Home with Barbara Leslie

She’s that lady who taught guitar to many a Fair Haven kid. She rowed the musical boat ashore and marched, played and sang with them as Fair Haven Folk Singers in parades. She’s Barbara Leslie. Her iconic base of song and play? The Whistle Stop.

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Local Life, Opinion

Retro Whistle Stop Kids’ Scene

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Sept. 11 marked the 35th anniversary of the iconic Fair Haven Whistle Stop owner Frank Leslie’s death. So, in honor of Mr. Leslie and the wonderful memories he and his wife, Barbara, gave so many Fair Haven kids, we are reprising our piece on the Leslies and their oh, so sweet after-school stop. Thank you, Frank Leslie. You are remembered. Thirty-five years? Wow.

By Elaine Van Develde

Sometimes all it takes is a jawbreaker, a slice of Elio’s frozen 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.

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Local Life, Opinion

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

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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 →

Local Life

Retro Ode to Fair Haven Firemen & RFH Class of ’80 Boys

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Fireman and boys of the RFH Class of '80 Photo/courtesy of Ray Bennett
Fireman and boys of the RFH Class of ’80
Photo/courtesy of Ray Bennett

Just as the RFH Class of ’80 celebrates 35 years since graduation, they’re setting up for the oh, so traditional Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.

And, we found, from a lifetime Fair Haven fireman, a classic photo of fireman meets guys from the Class of ’80 as they’re touring the firehouse and attempting to be junior firemen. Note that most of the guys in the pic had parents in the Fair Haven Fire Department.

So, yes, the Retro Pic of the Day honors Fair Haven firemen, future firemen and the scouts of the Class of ’80.

The photo comes from Ray Bennett, lifetime fireman, and, yes, that’s him on the right. The boys: Frank Leslie, Jim Kirman (?), Troy Brandon and Doug Lang.

Thanks for the pic, Ray Bennett!