Category Archives: Local Life

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

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.

Continue reading Retro Youth Center P.M. Kindergarten Class Act

Retro RFH Dudes of Caribbean Locals’ Summer

A reprise Retro Pic of the Day, originally posted on Sept. 14, 2016 in the spirit of a balmy locals’ summer day, knowing that the summer spirit never truly ends for the Rumson-Fair Haven area young and forever young at heart … And these guys are about to reunite at their 50th RFH reunion

With locals’ summer and school’s start, students’ thoughts naturally turn to warmth and freedom. They start to daydream before they even hit the classroom. That’s how it goes in the R-FH area when those beaches become barren and more room is made for the locals to get down to the business of soaking up that locals’ summer partying spirit.

Continue reading Retro RFH Dudes of Caribbean Locals’ Summer

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.

Continue reading Focus: Going Home to a ‘Middle’ of Fair Sights, Friends, Neighbors and a High Five

Fair Remembrance: All’s Fair in the Middle

Our annual reprise about what it really means to experience all that’s fair for a Fair Haven kid …

There are a lot of significant beginnings and endings this time of the year. The end of summer. The beginning of locals’ summer. The start of school — new chapters and first days.

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.

Continue reading Fair Remembrance: All’s Fair in the Middle

Remembering My Fair Daddy

The following piece was originally published on Aug. 31, 2015. It is being re-run, with changes only in the amount of years that have passed, in memory of my father, Bill Van Develde, former longtime Fair Haven Fire Company member, president and captain of the Fire Police and chairman of the Stock Room at the fair, on the anniversary of his death on Aug. 30, 1983. RIP, Dad. You are missed. Thank you for all the embarrassing moments that I didn’t appreciate enough. Thank you for making Fair Haven my home. Thank you for being a real dad. See you on the fair grounds …

Retro Fair Haven Firemen's Fair stock room days in the 1970s Photo/FHFD booklet
Retro Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair stock room days in the 1970s
Photo/FHFD booklet

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s been 42 years, but I can still see his face and that kooky Brylcreemed hairdo. I can still hear his crazy belly laugh and that signature “Take ‘er easy, buddy!” I can still see him slapping kids on the back, forever clutching his trusty clipboard, pencil perched behind his ear, sweat on the brow and finger wagging.

Continue reading Remembering My Fair Daddy

Old News: Fair Firemen, 10-Cent Charlestons, Ponies, Carousels, Spin Art and Flying Geraldos

The Charleston, flying trapeze artists, the Zipper or not, the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has been an end-of-summer tradition since its inception in 1921. Yes, some things never change — like the fair’s core of community legacy.

Yes, legacy. It’s a concept that those lacking a sense of community and connection in their souls just don’t get. Their loss. And it’s a big one.

Continue reading Old News: Fair Firemen, 10-Cent Charlestons, Ponies, Carousels, Spin Art and Flying Geraldos

Retro Rumson Firemen’s Fair Moment

Rumson Fire Department folks at the Fair Haven Firemen's Fair 2015 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Rumson Fire Department folks at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2015
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Reprise in honor of Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair week and what used to be called Firemen’s Night, now Emergency Responders’ Night, which was last night …

Well, the fair is on and nothing has stopped it yet.

A tradition within the fair tradition is Firemen’s Night. Fire departments from across the state flock to the fair, most with reps riding into town on their towns’ fire trucks. It happens annually on Wednesday night of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse into Firemen’s Night 10 years ago, in 2015, with a photo of guys and gals from the neighboring Rumson Fire Department.

A big thank you to all our volunteer firefighters!

Recognize anyone in this crew?  Have you thanked a firefighter today?

These daily stories, photos, looks back and tributes on R-FH Retro are brought to you courtesy of supporters. If you like R-FH Retro, keep the site going by sponsoring more. Click here to donate any amount you wish. Contact me for an ad or sponsorship at evd@rfhretro.com. Thank you!

Steeping in Fair Memories: Cooking Up Firemen’s Fair Goodness

The following piece was originally published on Aug. 27, 2015. It’s fair time again, so it’s time to take a look back at how things were and are done a pivotal place at the fair — the kitchen and dining room.

By Elaine Van Develde

Someone’s in the kitchen at Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair grounds.

And while they may have, at one point another been with someone named Dinah, as the old ditty goes, it’s a definite they’ve been with someone named Mike, Dale, Sue (x2), Raquel, Ethel (x2), Mary, Anne, Amanda, Skippy, Hodgie, Mary Ellen, Joe, Evie, and, oh, yeah, Andy and a few others.

And they certainly haven’t been strummin’ on any ol’ banjo. They’ve been way too busy — cutting, peeling, filling, flouring, husking and just plain cooking.

Except there’s nothing plain about what’s cooking in the fair kitchen, who’s cooking it, when, where, why or how.

Mike Connor and John Riley get ready to start another fair night 2024
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Continue reading Steeping in Fair Memories: Cooking Up Firemen’s Fair Goodness

Retro Little Folk Singin’ Fair Ladies

Fair Haven Folk Singers at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 1960s
Photo/Jack Croft via Mary Croft

There’s nothing better, or more carnival apropos, to kick off the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair than a parade. And, back in the day, like the ’60s or early ’70s day, it happened.

Continue reading Retro Little Folk Singin’ Fair Ladies

Retro Fair Candy Apple Daze

Candy, Ray and Marion Bennett tend to the candy apples at the Fair Haven Firemen's Fair circa 1979 Photo/Fair Haven Fire Department Yearbook, courtesy of Evie Connor Kelly
Candy, Ray and Marion Bennett tend to the candy apples at the
Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 1969
Photo/Fair Haven Fire Department Yearbook, courtesy of Evie Connor Kelly

It’s Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair time! With the fair, of course, comes goodies. Confections. Fair food. One favorite that hasn’t made a comeback is the candy apple. So, we look back and reminisce about a fair treat and tradition gone with this “back by popular demand” reprise and a little addition …

How do you like them apples? If the name fits, you know … And it did. She may not have been the actual boss lady of the booth, but perhaps we could call her the Big Dipper? I mean, who better to one of those at the helm the candy apple operation at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair than a woman named Candy — Candy Bennett?

The Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to fair days in 1969 with yet another fair family affair at another booth — the candy apple booth (a corner of the Outback, or what used to be called just the hot dog booth).

Continue reading Retro Fair Candy Apple Daze

Fair Reflections: An Ode to Opening Night of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair

Our annual reprise in celebration of opening night of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair … 

All’s fair. The night before. The decades later. It’s something a Fair Haven kid will always see … a shooting star that they grabbed and tucked away in their heart, holding onto the glistening, magical light.

The night is still. A light is on. Trucks are out of the bays. Cartoony faces and ghosts in empty seats on unassembled carnival rides stare back in the dark. Someone’s cooking at the Fair Haven firehouse. It’s fair time.

Continue reading Fair Reflections: An Ode to Opening Night of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair