Monday marked the first Memorial Day of the virtual kind. The day, usually kicked off by parades in Rumson and Fair Haven and solemn services at Victory and Memorial parks, respectively, brings people in communities together. Groups, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, honoring those who sacrificed their lives in service to the country, is the usual visual. Not Monday.
Continue reading Retro Rumson Eighth Graders’ Memorial Day
No tickets here. Just a reward checkpoint.
Continue reading Scene Around: Pulled Over by Police for a Chat & Reward
As part of National EMS Week, homage is paid to first aid squads, particularly the volunteer squads.
Continue reading Retro Rumson First Aid by BoatThe federal funding coffers for the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge project just got $31 million richer, making the $104 million project completely federally funded, Monmouth County officials said.
Continue reading Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Project $31 Million Richer
It’s National Police Week. And it’s a National Police Week of a different kind this year.
Usually the week represents the culmination of the Police Unity Tour in which law enforcement officers from all over the nation ride bicycles to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor fallen officers. But, for the first time since before it began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, there is no ride due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is also no week of convergence in Washington to participate in the now longtime tradition of participation in events to honor fallen officers. But there is still remembrance.
Continue reading Retro Rumson Police Snapshot
The parade passed by; and, the 85th birthday of a Fair Haven man with a lot of his own townie history was celebrated in a historic way.
Continue reading Scene Around: A Fair Havenite’s 85th Pandemic Birthday Parade
You’ve heard it before — each year. We’ll say it again …
It’s Mother’s Day.
And, we at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect are thinking, the day should not just be one during which kids dutifully pay attention to the woman who … pretty much, well, twisted her heart up and spit it out to ride a Big Wheel at 100 miles per hour with no helmet. But, we digress.
We’re thinking that the day is not really just for all that Hallmark and social media jazz — though, it is somewhat important jazz. The day should be more about moms celebrating one another, especially to learn a little bit about one another’s roots in a tight-knit community such as the Rumson-Fair Haven area. Because, it does take this sort of village … if you let it. Embrace it. Like they did.
There are so many women in this area who served as the mortar in the in the brick foundation that is this community now. It goes back many generations. We are thankful for those women of all different motherly types — yes, different. Each unique and special in her own way. Each contributing in her own way. Each leaving her indelible fingerprint on many here, through the generations.
You see, the strong community foundation that brought us all here is not about anyone’s income figure and a few overused disingenuous promotional phrases — prime real estate value, curb appeal, flipping potential and the rest of the lingo concocted to make that sale.
The sale was made long ago and the value was tucked away in the hearts of some of these moms who were here when it all started, caring for one another through their community.
It’s about lifeblood — the lifeblood of, in this case, matriarchs who have bequested a legacy of true love.
They put the coffee on long ago. Who’s bringing the crumb cake? Yes, crumb cake. When it comes to community, you can splurge a little to keep it sweet and real.
The above photos are just a sampling of R-FH area moms gone and still with us through generations. We honor all of you. Check out our slideshow below for more …
A Rumson and a Fair Haven teen been featured as violators in a NJ Office of the Attorney General weekly round-up of COVID-19 enforcement matters.
Continue reading Attorney General: Rumson, Fair Haven Teens Charged with Pandemic Emergency Violations
There’s nothing like some fine elementary school teaching moments … at the beach … with ice cream … and cool teachers sporting cat-eye sunglasses and pedal pushers.
That was the scene in this photo of Rumson Deane-Porter Elementary School second graders on a field trip in the late 1960s.
This week is all about teacher appreciation. And, on a sunny day in this dark, historic pandemic time, we take a look back and appreciate some warmth, closeness and fuzzy good memories of a day at the beach with teachers Mrs. Waters and Miss Deane. They were the kind of teachers to whom many an elementary tyke got very attached. All told, there was a lot of teacher crushing going on in this class.
So, it stands to reason that a class trip to the beach, with ice cream treats, no less, only endeared students more to these two teaching gems. The proof lies in this snapshot of an awful lot of warm teaching moments, courtesy of hip teachers and their passel of future RFH students staying close, totally content with their treats and good vibes. Mrs. Waters lived in Rumson and raised several children who were RFH students. Remember them? Her? How about Miss Deane?
Remember the days of the school trip, staying close and having a trip buddy so you would’t get lost? Who was yours? Know these kids? Memories of these teachers?
Many thanks to RFH alum Cindy Crowley for this great snapshot back in time!
There’s a new police officer on the beat in Rumson.
Continue reading Scene Around: New Rumson Officer on the Police Beat
Call it a howling success of a dog day of spring. Sunday was all about some bright sunshine washing away the pandemic fear. It was also about a bit less solitude, with NJ Gov. Phil Murphy opening the state’s parks.
Continue reading Scene Around: Socially Distanced Dog Days of SpringRumson resident Henry J. Coffey passed away on April 28. He was 82.
“Henry was always cheerful, happy and with a great smile always the first to help.”
Loved ones of Henry J. Coffey in his obituary
Born in New York City to the late Henry and Jean (Moore) Coffey, Henry worked throughout his life for Chester Cable and City Service Oil Company. He retired from Paige Electric as its executive vice president in 2017.
Henry is survived by: his beloved wife of 62 years, Therese Moran Coffey, of Rumson; his loving children, Howard and his wife Elaine Coffey, of Red Bank, James and his wife Rosa Coffey, of Florida, Kelli Ann and her husband Dr. Lawrence Caplin, of Pennsylvania; his dear sister, Barbara and her husband Roland Babcock, of Nevada; and his nine cherished grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Henry’s memory may be sent to Rumson Ambulance Corp. and the local food bank in Red Bank.
