Category Archives: Local Life

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

Local Life

Retro Knollwood, Forrestdale Graduation Moments

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It’s been just a little more than a week since the students of Rumson and Fair Haven’s middle schools, Knollwood and Forrestdale, took their graduation walks in more ways than one.

From the traditional walk from Knollwood to Sickles School, symbolizing the end of an era and many milestones made, to lining the halls of their new high school, the middle school students marked a time for moving on to their teen years in high school.

It’s a symbolic time. One that those who grow up in the area tend to never forget — well, unless wish you’d forget it, because you wore a really ugly yellow dress and your hair was particularly frizzy that night.  Ahem. I digress.

The walk, either way, either to Pomp and Circumstance, down Third Street in Fair Haven, through the halls of RFH or all, it’s a walk toward the future.

Good luck to the Knollwood and Forrestdale grads! Embrace the future with passion and purpose!

Check out our Retro Pic of the Day slideshow capturing some of those moments. Thanks to the following parents for the photos: Paige McCann, Erin, Elizabeth Sullivan, LuAnn Hughes, Doug Borden and Madelyne Valko.

Local Life

The R-FH Area Weekend: St. Mary’s Fair, ‘Mame’ & More

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Well, the weather forecast for the weekend is not looking so great.

The National Weather Service, as of now, says there’s a 100 percent chance of rain on Saturday in the area.

So, that in mind, here are some fun indoor times for the weekend …

Continue reading The R-FH Area Weekend: St. Mary’s Fair, ‘Mame’ & More →

Local Life, Opinion, Schools Scene

Retro Father of Fair Haven Schools

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Former Fair Haven Schools Superintendent Robert Chartier and son Michael circa 1960s Photo/courtesy of Michael Chartier
Former Fair Haven Schools Superintendent Robert Chartier and son Michael circa 1960s
Photo/courtesy of Michael Chartier

By Elaine Van Develde

He was known as the patriarch, and perhaps patron saint, of schools in Fair Haven.

He was steadying, calm, encouraging influence — never pushed by politics, never mired by mass red tape, always out for the students’ benefit.

A perpetually sage, serene smile set on his face, Robert Chartier, for many years, stood in front of Knollwood School welcoming his village full of students every single day, watching them learn and grow — fixated on seeing to it that they flourish.

He was always present, always available, always receptive. Under his leadership, students, always seen as unique individuals, soared to hit their full potential. They were all his kids. That’s simply how he saw it.

You could say that, over the years, Robert Chartier was proud papa to thousands. It was that simple to him. As principal for a stint at Willow Street School (now Sickles), then longtime principal of Knollwood and finally superintendent of Fair Haven schools, he retired many years ago, but he is still around. And the lessons learned from this iconic administrator are not forgotten.

Friends of the former top schools administrator’s son, Michael, were thrilled to see the above Father’s Day throwback photo of a young Mr. Chartier and his son.

And, since he is still so fondly recalled as that father figure by former Fair Haven students, many of whom are now parents in the borough,  the photo is our Retro Pic of the Day.

Thank you, Mr. Chartier, for being a great dad of education to so many!

Share your memories of Mr. Chartier with us.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will feature an interview with the iconic leader of Fair Haven schools in the future.

 

 

Local Life, Obituaries

Services for Sea Bright’s Lester Johnson Monday

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Lifelong Sea Bright resident, fireman and first aid volunteer Lester Johnson is being mourned Monday morning.

Services for the well-known and liked 87-year-old, who died on June 19 at Care One at King James in Middletown, will start at 10 a.m. at Flock Funeral Home, 243 Broadway, Long Branch. The firemen’s service is set for noon.

In addition to being a 67-year member of both the Sea Bright Fire Department and First Aid, Lester was longtime stock manager for the Acme stores in both Fair Haven and the Lincroft section of Middletown, according to his obituary on legacy.com. He also worked at Gardella’s in Sea Bright.

Valedictorian of the Long Branch High School Class of 1946, Lester was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War, it added.

He loved trains and the stock market.

Lester was predeceased by: his parents, Lester and Marion Johnson; his grandparents, Stephen and Elizabeth Johnson; a sister, Jackie Timmons; his aunt and uncle, Alice and Jack Weir.

Surviving are: his brother, Kenneth “Tom” Johnson and his wife Lize; sister, Barbara Waters and her husband John; nieces, Sharon, Nancy, Terri, Khristi, and Leslie; nephews, Jay, Tom, Robert, Thomas and Kenny.

Donations may be made to the Sea Bright First Aid.

Local Life

Retro Graduation Walk from Knollwood

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Screen Shot 2015-06-18 at 12.25.53 AM

It’s graduation day for Fair Haven’s Knollwood School Class of 2015.

One of the steadfast traditions is, in addition to the usual walk to get the diploma, the one from Knollwood down Third Street to Sickles School for the dance.

All along the way, the grads are greeted by cheering families and friends with signs, cheers, noisemakers, balloons and anything else to make the occasion as festive as possible.

This year, we’re sure, won’t be an exception.

Unfortunately, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will not be able to make it, but we ask that you send your photos to evd@rfhretro.com so that we can post them in a slideshow post-graduation.

In the meantime, we are honoring the students and the day with a look back at the 2013 graduation walk.

Congrats, grads!

Local Life

Retro & Present Forrestdale Graduation

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Forrestdale graduation 2015 Photo/Paul & LuAnn Hughes Facebook screenshot
Forrestdale graduation 2015
Photo/Paul & LuAnn Hughes Facebook screenshot

It’s graduation time. And Forrestdale School in Rumson held its ceremony at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Wednesday night.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect could not make it to the ceremony, so we are asking people to send in their photos so that we can put a slideshow together.

In the meantime, here’s a group shot from the Hughes family (directly above) and a Retro Pic of the Day of the 2013 graduation (featured).

Congrats, grads!

Thanks, Hugheses!

From the Meeting Room, Local Life

Honor for Nativity’s Father Bob

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They call him Father Bob.

His full, formal name is Rev. Robert Schecker. He’s been the pastor at Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven since 2004.

Since he started at the church 11 years ago, everyone, including non-parishioners, got to know him. That’s because he has become, over the years, a highly visible and valued member of the community.

And, since Father Bob announced his retirement from Nativity, effective June 30, the Fair Haven governing body decided it was a good time to thank him for his dedication to the community with a proclamation.

That was Monday night.

The proclamation, in particular, cited that “Father Bob has not only been a spiritual leader of the parish, but an overseer of many projects to improve the church and surrounding property including many upgrades and repairs to the Church Building, Chapel, Cloister, Office and Religious Education classrooms, the Rectory and Parish Hall as well as the outside grounds; and …

“he is a member of the Rumson-Fair Haven Community Alliance which was formed in 2013 to provide prevention education, guidelines when recovery is needed and compassionate, ongoing support for all. He has provided valuable input and support for the program; and …

“Father Bob has always made the church facilities available to the Borough in our time of need which has been the hallmark of his tenure, accommodation for community needs.”

A man of few words, Father Bob accepted the proclamation, listened in on the regular meeting for a bit and made a quiet exit, not without Mayor Ben Lucarelli and council members once again thanking him for his service and wishing him well.

Thanks, Father Bob.

Share your memories of Father Bob.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Happy Birthday to Fair Haven’s Sonia Reevey

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Sonia Reevey at the 2015 Fair Haven Memorial Day ceremony Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Sonia Reevey at the 2015 Fair Haven Memorial Day ceremony
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s more than likely that if you live in or have lived in Fair Haven, you know a Reevey.

The family is rooted in the borough’s history, and with much longstanding honor. There are many Reeveys around, and usually doing something, career wise or otherwise, for their community, neighbors, family and friends. It’s seemingly second nature for them.

It’s living matriarch, Sonia, a modest, community-minded woman who is known to love and do anything she can for her hometown, is always featured at the Memorial Day ceremony singing My Buddy, the old war remembrance tune.

This year was no exception. Well, Sonia, family told us on Memorial Day, is turning (or has turned) 80 this month.

We are not quite sure of her birthdate, but would like to take a moment to honor her and wish her Happy Birthday by featuring her in our Retro Pic of the Day offering thanks for her dedication to Fair Haven.

It’s a comfort to know people like Sonia are still around, part of the Fair Haven family without a second thought.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will feature a full story on Sonia Reevey in the near future.

Local Life

Holy Cross Reopening on Hold

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“Here’s the church, and here’s the steeple
Open the door and see all the people.
Here’s the parson going upstairs,
And here he is saying his prayers.”

It isn’t quite as simple as the old finger-acted nursery rhyme goes when it comes to the restoration/expansion of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Rumson.

The church is there. The steeple is there. But, it’s not quite ready for opening the door to welcome and see all the people, according to a letter sent out to parishioners by Fr. Michael Manning a couple of weeks ago.

The delay was estimated by Fr. Manning to be a couple weeks or more. Depending on “a realistic assessment of the time needed for each subcontractor to complete their work, especially as the flooring progresses,” Fr. Manning said in his note that the postponement of the previously planned June dedication is necessary.

In addition to making certain that the tile flooring is complete, he said that “possible dates then need to be coordinated with the bishop’s office to schedule the (dedication) ceremony.”

According to Catholic church doctrine, any new church, or newly structured house of worship, must be dedicated.

And, according to an informational piece on the church’s website, this is why …

“What dedicates a church?

“It is the diocesan bishop’s responsibility to dedicate new churches in his diocese. Every church must have a titular, e.g. a canonized saint, Blessed Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ according to a mystery invoked in his life or a title in the Sacred Liturgy, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary or one of the angels.

“The celebration of the Eucharist with its special prayers and readings and hymns most fittingly dedicates a church along with other unique parts of the Rite of dedication

“Blessing and sprinkling of water
Prayer of dedication
Anointing of the altar and walls of the church Incensation of the altar and church
Lighting the altar and church”

For more information on the rite of dedication, click here.

“As soon as we can announce a new date, we will,” Fr. Manning said in his note. “Keep praying!”

 

Local Life

Focus on Fair Haven Day 2015

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The sun was shining on Fair Haven Day 2015 and fun abounded.

Longtime friends caught up with one another, music played, people ate, drank and were quite merry.

Take a look at the slideshow above for a glimpse into the day.

 

Thanks to Tom Bull, David Becker and Cathy Mazza Truesdell for the extra help with our camera emergency! The photo of Mayor Ben Lucarelli, DJ Breckenridge and Susan Sorensen is courtesy of David Becker. 

Local Life

Canterbury Fair Fun at St. George’s-by-the-River

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It’s an annual event that’s been going on for more than half a century. And Saturday marked its 67th year.

The St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church Canterbury Fair was held under sunny skies on the church’s grounds.

Fun in the form of kids games, food, festivities, a petting zoo and classic white elephant sale was had by all.

Take a look at the photo gallery above for a glimpse into the day.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro Fair Haven Day with Two Who Have Passed

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Saturday is Fair Haven Day.

Since the first, on Fair Haven’s Centennial Celebration in 2012, the day has become a borough tradition.

On that first Fair Haven Day, a couple of local celebrities, longtime Fair Havenites, were there and all jazzed up with love of their hometowns to celebrate.

Since then, these two have passed: RFH teacher and dancer extraordinaire, George Giffin; and longtime Fair Haven Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary member Pat Topfer.

So, today, with our Retro Pic(s) of the Day, we take a look back at those smiling faces, remember what these two did for their beloved borough and its people, thank them and remember the sincerity of their giving, neighborly hearts.

RIP George Giffin and Pat Topfer. May future generations of Fair Havenites carry on with spirits as generous and caring as yours!