Category Archives: Local Life

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

RFH Retro Show Time

Rehearsal for Plaza Suite circa 1975. Photo/RFH yearbook
Rehearsal for Plaza Suite circa 1975.
Photo/RFH yearbook

Our Retro Pic of the Day honors, in a small way, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) shows.

This shot is a yearbook picture of yours truly, your editor, in rehearsal for Plaza Suite circa 1976.

The co-star was a very nice guy, who dropped five pages worth of lines.

No problem. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks to Dan Olshansky for dropping those lines. It made this editor a better actor.

Cheers to the cast of Young Frankenstein!

Fair Haven Dock Wrapped in a Snow Blanket

The snow started falling again on Saturday afternoon. And down at the Fair Haven Dock, the Navesink River had transformed into a blanket of snow against an white-out backdrop.

The scene was nothing but a big snow blanket to keep dock die-hards warm with some down-by-the-river serenity.

Take a look at our gallery for a glimpse into the snowy scene. Just click on any photo and scroll. Enjoy and stay warm!

Retro Rumson St. Paddy’s Parade

The first Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2013. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
The first Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2013.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Our Retro Pic of the Day serves as a reminder that Sunday marks the start of fundraising events for the third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

This photo captures a scene at the first St. Paddy’s Day parade that focuses on the marching troupe of the Monmouth County Sons of Ireland.

Know anyone?

The first of fundraisers is tomorrow at Val’s Tavern in Rumson from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be music by Kevin Feehan & Friends. The $10 donation at the door includes music, buffet and bag pipers.

Retro Ode to Rumson’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade

Kylee and Ruth Wallman, of Fair Haven,  at the first Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Kylee and Ruth Wallman at the first Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Our Retro Pic of the Day pays homage to the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade in its inaugural year.

The parade is now in its third year; and fundraising efforts begin on Sunday.

Back in its first year in 2012, the parade drew thousands. It is expected to bring more this year.

The Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for March 8.

Will you attend one or more of the fundraising events?

Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraisers Set to Start

It takes a village to put together a St. Patrick’s Day parade. That village in the Rumson-Fair Haven area is Rumson.

The third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches into town on March 8.

But, leading up to the main event are several fundraisers to help offset the cost of the new tradition and help out area charities to boot. Those fundraisers kick off at 1 p.m. on *Sunday at Val’s Tavern in the borough.

Parade costs include extra policing, set-up and clean-up for the event. This year, according to the parade website, the charities to benefit from the surplus of parade fundraising events are Jason’s Dreams and S.P.U.R. (Special People United to Ride). Last year, “more than $25,000 was donated to local charities,” according to the narrative  on the website.

With an estimated 900 participants in and roughly 7,000 attendees at the 2014 parade, this year’s has lined up “15 bands, floats, active military & veteran’s groups, Irish Step Dancers, antique cars, scouting organizations, non-profit clubs and organizations, novelty acts, and area business and civic groups and a few great surprises,” organizers say on the site.

The fundraising festivities are as follows:

• Sunday, Feb. 22, Val’s Tavern in Rumson from 1 to 5 p.m. … Music by Kevin Feehan & Friends, $10 donation includes music, buffet and bag pipers.

• Friday, Feb. 27, Molly Maguire’s in Rumson from 8 to 11 p.m. … Bloody Callan Band playing Gaelic, American Rock Classics & “a lorry-load of rebel music, $10 donation includes music, buffet and bag pipers.

• Sunday, March 1, Victory Park in Rumson from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. … Lighting of the Green Tree, Irish music and refreshments.

• Thursday, March 5, Salt Creek Grille in Rumson from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. … Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Investiture Cocktail Reception, $75 for tickets.

• Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. … KDM Rumson Run 5K, register at www.kdmfoundation.com.

• Saturday, March 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. … Knights of Columbus in Fair Haven … Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, Irish music and games for kids … call 732-747-9199 for more information and tickets.

 

A Retro RFH Rah, Rah to Special Cheerleaders

Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s. Photo/George Day
Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

In keeping with the spirit of the recent Knollwood School Hoops for Hearts tournament in Fair Haven, we decided to bring back a hearty glimpse of some favorite RFH cheerleaders, courtesy of the great photography work of George Day.

No, they were not cheering for a Hoops for Hearts basketball event, but just think what kind of funds they could have raised for such a cause back in the day — by virtue of how they simply wear their uniforms.

They’re running to their main stage in front of the bleachers here for a 1970s RFH Powder Puff Football competition.

I can’t remember, but someone must have missed a pass while getting a gander of this appearance.

These guys are flipping wigs and losing, uh, parts making this run!

 

 

A Paddle Back to Warmth in Rumson

Kayaking on a warm summer's day by Victory Park in Rumson. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Kayaking on a warm summer’s day by Victory Park in Rumson.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Yes, the chilliest cold snap of the year has had people thinking more of warmer times — and counting the days.

Well, our Retro Pic of the Day is a toasty bounce back to the summer of 2013 and a fundraiser day that had participants languishing in the Navesink River waters ’til the end.

The event was dubbed Paddle with a Purpose. It was a fundraiser that had people paddle boarding and kayaking in part for Sea Bright Rising.

The participants paddled their way roughly five miles up and down the Navesink, ending at Victory Park in Rumson.

Time for that warm-up!

Do you kayak, paddle or just wade in the river water?  What’s your favorite spot?

 

Swing Back to Surfing RFH Class of ’78 Style

RFH surfer boys at the Sea Bright beach circa 1978. Photo/George Day
RFH surfer boys at the Sea Bright beach circa 1978.
Photo/George Day

Looking back, the cold didn’t seem to stave off the die-hard Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School ocean dwellers.

We’ve seen them in full Polar Bear Club regalia. Now, in our Retro Pic of the (George) Day, here they are again at shoreline of Sea Bright Beach ready for some surfing fun circa 1978.

Donning down and ski jackets, this crew was always ready to catch a wave — of fun in one way or another.

Know them? Of course, you do.

Thanks again to George Day for providing this original photo from the archives of the RFH yearbook.

We welcome any Retro Pic of the Day contributions from further retro eras or more recent times. Just send an email to [email protected] with your photos and proper credit. Thanks and enjoy!

 

Getting Crabby About Winter

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Yes, thinking warmer thoughts is a salient motif of the Retro Pic of the Day lately.

So, in keeping with the warm wishes of many, we decided to, again, remind everyone in the Rumson-Fair Haven area that there’s no time like the present to think some crabby thoughts about the coming spring — in particular, visions of crabbing at the Fair Haven Dock.

This was the scene last year during a more balmy season at sunset.

Count the days until it’s time hang your own “Gone fishin’ at Fair Haven Dock” sign on the office!

What’s your favorite thing to do at the dock?

Rumsonite Babes of Forrestdale

Mousekteers of the 1974 Forrestdale yearbook. Photo/Forrestdale yearbook
Mousekteers of the 1974 Forrestdale yearbook.
Photo/Forrestdale yearbook

Our Retro Pic of the Day gives a glimpse, from the pages of the 1974 Forrestdale yearbook, into the baby faces of some of the eighth grade graduates back then.

The page is entitled Mouseketeers. Hmmmm.

Do you know any of these “model” students? Where were your baby pictures taken? And which of these gems is your favorite?

 

Reflecting on the Warmth of Sea Bright Beach and a Buddy

Best buds beaching it in Sea Bright. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Best buds beaching it in Sea Bright.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

That deep chill is still in the air and many minds are on warmth — like the toasty feeling you get when hitting the beach for some sun drenching and catching up with a buddy.

Our Retro Pic of the Day today is dedicated to soaking up that kind of sunny memory.

At the beginning of fall, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught a moment between pals on the Sea Bright Public Beach.

Take a moment to remember such a snapshot in time of your own. And remember that the warmth will return.

Stay warm!

Marching Back to an Old Fashioned Halftime

The RFH Marching Band in 1976. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
The RFH Marching Band in 1976.
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

With all the post-Superbowl talk about the grandiose pop star-studded halftime, we figured our Retro Pic of the Day should be an ode to simpler, well, high school halftimes.

So, that in mind, our featured photo is of the 1976 RFH Marching Band.

No, there were no myriad costume changes, acrobatics, flying people or gigantic glass tigers (that was a tiger, right?) toting pop star Katy Perry, but these guys had a following of their own and their time to shine on the field.

We won’t editorialize on the Katy Perry popularity contest.

Now, who do you recognize in this RFH photo?