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Local Life

Retro Fair Haven PD

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Fair Haven PD in 2001 Photo/FHPD
Fair Haven PD in 2001
Photo/FHPD

With the news that recently retired Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge was appointed director of the Monmouth County Police Academy, thoughts of past teaching moments by mentors came to mind.

First, the Retro Pic of the Day honored Breckenridge’s mentor, Chief Carl Jakubecy on National Police Week.

That ode is followed by a look back at Breckenridge before he became chief with fellow colleagues in 2001.

Several of the officers in this photo have since retired, including former Chief Rick Towler, Captain Paul McCue, Lt. Bill Heath and … who else?

Recognize anyone in this photo. Who was a former juvenile officer and president of the Monmouth County Juvenile Officers’ Association. Do you know what rank Breckenridge had in 2001?

Have you thanked a police officer today?

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Police and Fire

Retro Fair Haven Police Chief, Mentor

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Fair Haven Police Chief Carl Jakubecy Photo/FHPD
Fair Haven Police Chief Carl Jakubecy
Photo/FHPD

The news of former Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge’s appointment as the new director of the Monmouth County Police Academy prompted thoughts of the man he says in one moment, with one gesture became his mentor and motivated him to live his dream of being a police officer in his hometown — Chief Carl Jakubecy.

Continue reading Retro Fair Haven Police Chief, Mentor →

Local Life

Retro RFH Baseball Home Run

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It’s not only still baseball season at RFH, it’s Friday the 13th.

So, in the spirit of good luck, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day feature some  successful ball playing of the 1970s with a beloved coach whom many felt charmed the game — Hal Lorme.

Lorme passed away just over a year ago. He is still fondly remembered by many an RFH alumni and ball player.

In the top featured photo, Lorme is seen with ball player Tripp Dupree.

Below, he’s behind and in the scenes coaching. Recognize anyone else?

RIP, Coach Lorme. May the luck of Lorme be with today’s team!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro Salute to R-FH Area Moms

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In honor of the area’s moms of the past and present, here’s a little glimpse into Mother’s Day in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Some of these moms are gone, some are still with us and celebrating several generations of motherhood.

In one way or another, many of the faces captured here from the past and present have made life in the area all the more special, if not for anything else but being a comfortingly familiar face in a place we call home.

Happy belated Mother’s Day!

Thanks to our Facebook friends for these priceless photos!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro Rumson, Fair Haven Firefighters on International Firefighters’ Day

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Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company back when they wore dress whites Photo/FHFD archives
Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company back when they wore dress whites
Photo/FHFD archives

Today is International Firefighters’ Day.

So, in honor of the day, the Retro Pic(s) of the day are snapshots back in time with Rumson’s Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 and the Fair  Haven Volunteer Fire Company.

Rumson firemen gather and strike a pose back in the day at the Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 firehouse Photo/Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 Facebook page
Rumson firemen gather and strike a pose back in the day at the Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 firehouse
Photo/Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 Facebook page

The shot of the Rumson firemen (and child) at the building that is still standing on East River Road is an oldie, courtesy of the company’s Facebook page. Can you guess the year? And notice how many are smoking. Those were the days when it was cool to smoke.

We’re not sure of the year the photo, courtesy of the fire company’s files, but it was back far enough when Fair Haven firemen and Ladies’ Auxiliary members wore white dress uniforms with navy blue and white polka dotted scarves.

We recognize some of the folks in the Fair Haven shot. Who do you recognize? And what event was this?

On International Firefighters’ Day, we thank our Rumson-Fair Haven area firefighters for their service!

Have you thanked a firefighter today?

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Families in Service to the Community: Grandpa & Grandson Van Develde

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April 25 marked what would have been this editor’s father’s 90th birthday — longtime Fair Havenite and lifetime member of the Fair Haven Fire Department and captain of its Fire Police. The following, in light of that milestone, is, in full disclosure, an opinion piece — a tribute to him and the grandson he never knew, an unbeknownst community service family team … 

Continue reading Families in Service to the Community: Grandpa & Grandson Van Develde →

Local Life

Retro RFH Clowning Around

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A little clowning around at RFH in the 1970s. Photo/George Day
A little clowning around at RFH in the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

There’s nothing like a little clowning around at RFH.

And, even though this photo from the 1970s was apparently taken around Halloween, by virtue of the telltale clown costume and soccer ball, it screams the stuff from which a little spring fever is made.

There’s a clown on the soccer field apparently trying to steal a goal and float away attached to his helium balloon. OK.

And the look on the soccer player’s face is priceless.

So, yes, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day is dedicated to springing into a little clowning around RFH style.

Know these clowns?

— Elaine Van Develde

Thanks to George Day for this candid, fabulous look back in time at RFH!

Local Life

Retro Peninsula House

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Peninsula House in Sea Bright in the 1970s. Photo/George Day
Peninsula House in Sea Bright in the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

Yup. Summer’s coming soon. The spring weather lately (finally) has been cooperatively nice.

So, that in mind, we look back to the days of summer in the 1970s and a classic beach club — when, honestly, beach clubs were affordable for all.

Peninsula House in Sea Bright was more than a beach club. It was a bar and lounge by the sea with several rooms and porches dedicated to different interests. No place will ever be the same. Rumson-Fair Haven area people called it P-House.

It was a classic.

So, with our Retro Pic of the (George) Day, tell us about your favorite P-House memories.

And, thanks, once again, to the great George Day, for yet another great memory on film! 

Local Life

Retro RFH Spring Siesta

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RFH students of the 1970s take some free time outside in the nice weather. Photo/George Day
RFH students of the 1970s take some free time outside in the nice weather.
Photo/George Day

Finally! The spring weather on Monday was perfect for a little sunning and sitting on that grassy knoll outside — somewhere outside.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day pays homage to that idea with a look back at a few RFH students taking in some springtime and, perhaps, touched a bit by spring fever.

This one has made the rounds before and, surprisingly, while the shot is of four RFH students back in the 1970s, photographer George Day tells us it was not taken at RFH. Know where it was taken?

And, of course, guess who’s who in the photo. The couple to the right were a pretty steady item for a while in high school, as memory serves this slightly rusty old RFH alum editor. The other two guys? Well, one is still in Rumson and a dad to RFHers present and past. The other is a well-known funeral home owner and former Fair Havenite.

Everyone who knows them can usually count on running into one, the other or both around the towns for one reason or another — from school event to memorial.

Know these RFH alumni?

— Elaine Van Develde

Thanks, once again, to George Day for this RFH gem!

Local Life

Flashback: Retro R-FH Area Siblings

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Sunday was National Siblings Day.

So, though we may be a day late, we’re not short on photo gems of Rumson-Fair Haven area siblings.

These shots of still recognizable siblings go back as far as the 1930s and are as recent as a few months ago.

So, as a Retro Pic(s) of the Day, we honor siblings in the area with a slideshow. These photos, most likely taken with one of those Brownie cameras or the Instamatic with the cube flash, are classics.

Recognize anyone? Favorite shot?

— Elaine Van Develde

Thanks to Facebook friends for the photos in this slideshow!

Local Life, Obituaries

Rumson Says Goodbye, Thank You to Joe Sorrentino

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Joe Sorrentino (left) in Rumson DPW retirement photo in 2003 Photo/Rumson newsletter
Joe Sorrentino (left) in Rumson DPW retirement photo in 2003
Photo/Rumson newsletter

By Elaine Van Develde

He was a community pillar. He was the go-to Rumson Department of Public Works (DPW) guy for decades. He was a volunteer fireman, first aid squad member. He helped out many in need through church and many a charitable cause. He was a mentor. He was king of the zeppole-makers. He was a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was a warm hometown embrace with a lot of heart, no pretense. He was Joe Sorrentino and his hometown of Rumson said goodbye to him today as he was laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Keyport.

Joe was 81 years old. He passed away on April 2 surrounded by his loving family at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

Continue reading Rumson Says Goodbye, Thank You to Joe Sorrentino →

Local Life

Retro Rumson Barn Theatre’s ‘Cinderella: A Flash Fantasy’

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With the recent revisiting of Chef Rossi to her RFH and Barn Theatre roots, images of a show she worked on were once again conjured up.

It was a David Bowie/punk rock-inspired children’s theatre show done at The Barn in 1979 (or was it ’80?) that offered a colorful twist on the Cinderella story — Cinderella: A Flash Fantasy.

Set to Bowie, B52s, Blondie and a little Rocky Horror Picture Show music, memories of the show came spewing forward last week as most of the cast reunited at Rossi’s book signing.

It offered a special memory for Rossi, who was quickly adopted by this theatre tribe when she didn’t quite fit in with the status quo at RFH. Her bud Jeni Weber Zeller brought her to The Barn and she never left.

She worked tech crew on the show and made lifetime friends. A lot of people did, including this editor. In fact, Rossi’s book signing/reunion ended much like a typical cast party at Barnacle Bill’s decades later.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day offers a glimpse back to that time at The Barn and that show.

Guess who? Yes, it’s me as the Tina Turner evil step sister trying to cram that glass slipper on. Oh, and that’s Anne Toronto McNamara offering some help.

“We were children doing children’s theater,” said the show’s Cinderella, Andrea Puscell last week. Somehow I don’t think this show would fly as children’s theater in today’s climate. Ironic.

The show also featured many RFHers. Check out the program. Do you know what Bowie song was played for the curtain call?