Photo/courtesy of Leslie Field Bell via Chris Rowett
TGIF! The simple acronym held a great deal of meaning for RFHers back in the 1980s.
Continue reading Retro RFH TGIF GirlsRetro RFH TGIF Girls
Photo/courtesy of Leslie Field Bell via Chris Rowett
Monthly Archives: September 2025
Photo/courtesy of Leslie Field Bell via Chris Rowett
Retro RFH Sophomoric Snapshot
If the class fits, snap the pic? Well, that may or may not hold true for this group of RFH Class of ’73 sophomores.
Continue reading Retro RFH Sophomoric Snapshot
In Memoriam: Red Bank Resident, Ron Fleming, 89
Red Bank resident, James Fleming, affectionately known as “Ron”, passed away at Riverview Medical Center on Monday, Sept. 8. He was 89.
Retro School Daze: The Rope Lady
A reprise in honor of those folks who used to be in charge of keeping the kids safe on their walk to school. Remember when everyone walked to school?
It was a time when kids had to walk the … rope.
The first day of school, last week, was commemorated with a look back to that first day in 1965 in Fair Haven.
It was the very first day of school — for kindergarteners. It was also a finale year. That class was the last of all that walked on a rope to the Youth Center (now Fair Haven Community Center downstairs and the police station upstairs).
While classmates were remembered, the identity of the official lady tugging that rope was not.
So, as an ode to that woman, who was eventually remembered as Mary McDaniel, the Retro Pic of the Day is another look, from the archives of the Red Bank Register, of that kindergarten class walk, headed by Mc Daniel.
In Memoriam: Red Bank Resident, Jim Cawley, 86
Red Bank resident James Cawley passed away on Sept. 5 with his family by his side. He was 86.
Police Report: Drug Possession, DUIs
The following July arrests were reported by Little Silver police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Retro Youth Center P.M. Kindergarten Class Act
Our annual back-to-school reprise all about those first days of school along with some who, what, when and boogeyman parts … Take this little trip back in time with us to remember Fair Haven’s kindergarten days of yesteryear …
It was a real first and last class act of 1965 — the kindergarten class that was the last to get its first lessons learned in school at what was the Youth Center in Fair Haven. You know. It’s the police station now.
Back in the day — OK, waaaaay back in the day — there was a third school in Fair Haven for kindergarten, you see. It was the Youth Center. That was also way before preschool. People now know it better as the Fair Haven Police Station and by its newly adopted name that hasn’t quite caught on yet, and may never for “older” folks still in town — Fair Haven Community Center. Phooey to that. Some things just need to keep a name for nostalgic purposes alone. Besides, the youth part soothes us old codgers.
That and it’s just a matter of what sounds like home to you. For instance, my very nice grandmother, a Matawan native, was pretty hostile about the “new” Aberdeen split and name. Paid it no mind. And if forced, said it with “blah, blah, blah” contempt. Back to the Community Center … There, I said it.
In Memoriam: Longtime Fair Havenite Richard Huff, 86
Longtime Fair Havenite Richard Huff passed away on Aug. 23, “surrounded by loving family.” He was 86.
In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite Paul Frieze, 89
Former longtime Rumsonite Paul Frieze passed away on Aug. 26. He was 89.
Prosecutor: Former Area High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of Students
A former area high school teacher has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of two of her students, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.
Rumson Police Report: Stalking, Underage Drinking, Child Endangerment, DUI
The following August arrests were reported by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction. A DUI alone is a motor vehicle offense.
Focus: Going Home to a ‘Middle’ of Fair Sights, Friends, Neighbors and a High Five
But, what about the middle? The end of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has always brought me, and many a “fair” kid, back to that middle haven. It’s home … It’s that time — the time when you held it and walked with it (that balloon that eventually got away) that made you smile — like a memory. Letting it go never takes that middle away. ~ Elaine Van Develde
Call it finding a new “middle.” The end of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2025 came on Saturday night.
The beginning of the end-of-summer tradition — for not only Fair Havenites, but the many who’ve bonded with it in a community brick-and-mortar-like solidarity — came more than 120 years ago.
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