Category Archives: Local Life

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

Retro Sea Bright Shop & Santa Time

Ca Ching! Santa really knew how to “sleigh” kids in the ’60s! As you wait for the jolly big guy in red to hit that rooftop or shimmy down the chimney, know that he has been known to appear in the most unlikely of places, so keep your eyes peeled … in the grocery store. Yes, the grocery store.

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Scene Around: Cooper Ley’s Gift of Art Given by His Sister

All she wants for Christmas is for people to remember her brother — to gift his gift.

Of course, in facing a first holiday without him, if it were truly up to RFH grad Adrienne Ley O’Connell, she’d rather have that brother, Tom “Cooper” Ley, back. But, since she can’t have that sparkly, neatly wrapped present of her brother’s physical presence, she’s chosen to gift herself with the ethereally messy sharing of his art.

In following her Cooper-inspired Earthly journey, Adrienne is making sure he’s remembered and offering a little help and connection to those lost, as he once was, along the way.

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Retro ‘Ho No’ Santa Trauma

The Harris twins in 2010 with scary Santa at Monmouth Mall
Photo/courtesy of Bernadette Harris

We’re bringing this scary Santa gem back from the 2018 archives. Originally posted on Dec. 12, 2018, this is the stuff priceless scary Santa pics are made of … This one was from 2010. We wish these older now twins a very happy holiday and thanks for the bowl full of jello belly laugh!

Sometimes you just win a trifecta when asking for a winning photo of children’s miserable experiences on the lap of Ol’ Saint Nick during the holidays. 

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A Tale of Firehouse Santa Tradition

Santa and Elaine Van Develde circa 1961

Because Santa Claus is everywhere these days … our annual reprise …

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s that time of the year when a longstanding Fair Haven tradition comes to mind and heart — those classic kid photos at the firehouse with Santa. There’s the park. Then there’s the firehouse. That’s Sunday.

I remember …

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Retro RFH Leaders of the Cheer for Champ Dawgs

Still zany after all these years. It holds true here.

When generations of RFHers collide like parallel universes on a path of together forever fate, 47 years later seems like yesterday.

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The R-FH Area Weekend: Santa Visits, Canterbury Christmas Sale

The Christmas spirit is being awakened this weekend by lights, cameras and the sounds of sirens as Santa Claus comes to two towns via firetruck, townies get festive, trees are lit, holiday poses are struck, kid games are played and crafts are sold.

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