Category Archives: Local Life

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

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Ray Taylor Moments

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It’s now common knowledge that 91-year Fair Haven resident Ray Taylor recently received a proclamation for his service to the country and borough.

The active 93-year-old World War II and Korean War vet has been seen at just about any and/or every event in town over the years, especially any involving veterans affairs.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take a look back at Taylor at some of those events: Chum Chandler’s memorial service, the Fair Haven Centennial Parade, Memorial Day and more.

Taylor, Mayor Ben Lucarelli said while reading the proclamation last week, embodies the spirit of Fair Haven and patriotism.

Yes, he does!

— Elaine Van Develde

From the Meeting Room, Local Life

Honoring Fair Haven’s Ray Taylor

By Elaine Van Develde

“It hurts me to say that most of the boys that went out there with me   are no longer here. But I am doing  all I can to keep their names out there for you. Thank you.”

It’s what a tearful Ray Taylor said after receiving a proclamation from the Borough of Fair Haven last week in honor of his service as a World War II and Korean War veteran and 91-year resident of Fair Haven who has consistently served the borough as a veteran who spearheaded the creation of Fair Haven’s Memorial Park that honors veterans from the borough.

Taylor was the “first speaker at borough ceremonies since the time he returned from World War II in 1946,  touching the hearts of many,” Mayor Ben Lucarelli said at last week’s Borough Council meeting.

“As long as any of us can remember, Ray has spoken at our Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies,” the mayor said. “He is a very special human being. This year his words were so poignant that I was moved to say this is a  special individual and he should be recognized.”

So, a proclamation and keys to both the borough and the park were given to Taylor.

Taylor and his wife, Elizabeth, raised seven children in Fair Haven. They have 20 grandchildren and “many great grandchildren,” Lucarelli said, reading from the proclamation, which he said was bestowed upon Taylor as an expression of borough residents’ and staff’s “deep appreciation and gratitude to Ray for his many years of selfless public service to his country and his hometown.

“We wish him many more years of health and continued happiness.”

Taylor, 93, was born on June 24, 1922 in Long Branch. Moving to Fair Haven in 1924, he has spent 91 years in the borough. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II from 1942 to 1946 and in the Korean War in the 1950s when he worked his way up to the rank of sergeant first class and received a distinguished service medal and a Korean War commemorative medal.

While serving in World War II, he was stationed in Australia, New Guinea, New Britain, Guam, the Philippenes, Japan and spent 14 months in Alaska.

He was stationed in the Asian Pacific during the Korean War.

Congratulations, Mr. Taylor; and thank you!

Local Life, News

Decking the Halls: Rumson, Fair Haven Tree Lightings

It’s that time of the year in the Rumson-Fair Haven area — time for tree lightings, Santa, a holiday stroll, song, dance and some hot cocoa.

It all starts on Friday evening with festivities in Fair Haven …

Santa arrives at Memorial Park, at the corner of River and Fair Haven roads, by firetruck at 5:30 p.m. and will be visiting with kids and posing for photos.

The Christmas tree will be lit at 6 p.m. And in the midst of all of it, the classic holiday stroll will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. It is the classic annual local businesses’ holiday open house. All are invited to partake and enjoy some treats and, perhaps, good deals.

And on Sunday in Rumson …

The annual Christmas tree lighting is set for 5 p.m. at Victory Park.

As usual, it features Tim McLoone & the Shirleys with members of Holiday Express, the RFH Tower Singers and the Deane-Porter Third Grade Chorus.

Oh, and Santa will be there, too. And there will be the usual treats, including some hot cocoa to cap the warm tenor of the event.

 

Local Life

Rumson Garage Sale Serenade

By Elaine Van Develde

Suburban weekend garage sale perusing may be pretty common, but being serenaded by a local musical talent while doing so is not.

Yet, it happened recently at a Rumson garage sale. Longtime Fair Havenite and well-known pianist Teddie Caulfield decided to take a seat at a baby grand, tickle the ivories and entertain the folks who frequented her daughter and son-in-law’s (Daryl and Tom Ley) sale on Bellevue Avenue.

Someone in the family snuck up on her and caught the act on video. And it’s something special to hear.

Many know Caulfield from her piano playing at the Molly Pitcher for one of the area organizations and many events around the towns. In fact, she played on St. Patrick’s Day at the Knights of Columbus in Fair Haven.

Take it all in and enjoy a little show tune entertainment, courtesy of Teddie Caulfield. Thanks for the serenade, Mrs. C. See? You just never know what talent you may encounter while going about a typical suburban weekend of garage saling. Oh, and the piano? SOLD! And, yes, partly because of the demonstration treat.

Sorry, buyer, the pianist doesn’t come with the piano!

Do you know Teddie?

She is pictured above with RFH grad and actress Julia Mosby and her mom, Barbara.

Local Life

Focus: Fall Solitude on Sea Bright Beach

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It’s fall. All is quiet on the beachfront in Sea Bright.

Wind whipping, high tide crashing in, the stillness surrounding the choppy water is chilling, yet comforting.

It’s a familiar scene that envelops and soothes like hands clutching a  steamy cup of coffee on a cold day.

Ahhhh. Exhale. Take a sip of scenery.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Rumson’s Charlie Puth and Chevy

Have you heard it? Seen it?

Rumson’s Charlie Puth just spread the word to the RFH Performing Arts Society (RFH Pas), via Facebook, that his Chevy (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)commercial — using a coast-to-coast remix of his song “One Call Away,” partnering Atlantic Records and Chevy and featuring him, Brett Eldredge, Ty Dolla $ign & Sofia Reyes — is out and on YouTube.

It’s billed as a celebration of “the 2015 American Music Awards” on YouTube.

Check it out.

Puth also tells people on his Facebook page that if you pre-order his debut album, Nine Track Mind, you “get an instant download of “One Call Away” right now on iTunes http://smarturl.it/NineTrackMind.”

Puth graduated from RFH in 2010 and then from Berklee College of Music in 2013. An accomplished pianist and singer, he first gained notoriety when Ellen Degeneres discovered him via his YouTube channel and signed him to her record label eleveneleven. He is now signed with Atlantic Records.

Local Life

Veterans Day Ceremonies in Rumson, Fair Haven

Wednesday is the day for honoring veterans — the 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour. That’s how the tradition goes.

Both Rumson and Fair Haven are hosting Veterans Day ceremonies at that same significant time in the respective towns.

With both ceremonies begin at 11 a.m.  Fair Haven’s is at the usual Memorial Park at the corner of Fair Haven and River roads.

In addition to the featured speaker — veteran, 1989 Rumson-Fair Haven graduate and lifetime Fair Havenite Joshua Zager — there will be music by the students of Knollwood School.

The ceremony in Rumson, at the same time, is being held at Victory Park.

Borough offices in both towns will be closed.

 

Local Life, Opinion

Retro RFH Supremes of ’74

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RFH Freshmen Follies '74 and the Diana Ross and The Supremes act. Photo/George Day
RFH Freshmen Follies ’74 and the Diana Ross and The Supremes act.
Photo/George Day

It’s just about show time at RFH.

Fall is the time of the year that the stage is set for the first theatrical production of the school year.

This year at RFH, that production is The Faerie King’s Daughter. 

But, back in 1974, something else was a stage happening besides the Tower Players’ show. It was a more, let’s say, talent diverse stage extravaganza involving anyone in the freshman class in one or a few group and/or solo acts. It was the RFH Freshmen Follies.

Continue reading Retro RFH Supremes of ’74 →