A production of Bye Bye Birdie at The Barn Theater, Rumson, circa 1977. Photo/Sally Van Develde
Our Retro Pic of the Day brings us back to shows at The Barn Theater, formerly on Avenue of Two Rivers in Rumson, in the late 1970s.
Pictured are a bunch of area high school students, from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional and other area high schools, performing a scene in Bye Bye Birdie.
It’s a bit blurry, due to the lack of focus, and perhaps unsteady hand, on the instamatic camera with the rotating flash cube, but it was one of many moments at the popular theater.
As the American Littoral Society sees it, New Year’s Day is the time to take a walk on the natural side.
That walk is a unique way to ring in the New Year, honor the memory of a local environmentalist, get some exercise and soak in some nature in a national park. It’s the Jan. 1 American Littoral Society’s 39th Annuual Dery Bennett Memorial Walk on Sandy Hook.
The longstanding traditional walk starts at 11 a.m. at the Littoral Society’s headquarters, 18 Hartshorne Drive, on the north end of Sandy Hook, or Fort Hancock.
Walkers, asked to bundle up and bring binoculars, will proceed to the end of the Hook where they will try to meet up, across the bay, with a group doing the same thing.
Upon completion of the walk, hot chocolate and lunch will be served at the Littoral Society’s office. Participants are also invited to bring a dessert. There will also be a rain barrel project presentation by a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) student.
Derry Bennett, whom the walk has been named after since his death in 2009, was a Fair Haven resident and longtime director of the American Littoral Society (1968 to 2003).
The Littoral Society, founded in 1961 by scientists, fishermen and scuba divers, is a champion of marine environmental education and conservation.
Fair Haven Councilwoman Susan Sorensen and husband Peter Maher enjoy the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2014 with friends. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
On the cusp of reorganizations in Rumson and Fair Haven, we thought it might be appropriate to take a look back at warmer days of re-elected Fair Haven Councilwoman Susan Sorensen enjoying the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect had just started making the photo rounds when we ran into Sorensen, her husband, Peter Maher, and friends at the fair.
Congrats on soon being sworn in to your second term on New Year’s Day, Susan!
Mimi Hughes as pictured in the 1978 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School yearbook.
By Elaine Van Develde
It is with great sadness, yet gratitude for a treasure trove of great memories, that I dedicate our Retro Pic of the Day to the memory of longtime Rumson resident and former RFH English teacher Mimi Hughes, who passed away Saturday morning.
Mrs. Hughes is remembered as an exquisitely gentille, intelligent, strong and compassionate woman. While many knew her from her many years as an RFH teacher, she is also fondly recalled as a singer, actress, friend, wife, mom to RFH grads Mark, Paul, Nan and Patrick and beloved grandmother to her grandchildren.
“She had time to say goodbye to all of us, and she did it with shining grace and composure,” daughter Nan said in a Facebook post. “Her last night was filled with love, Christmas carols and family. Mimi was even singing along with her grandchildren … And as always, she has been a role model, showing us the best way to do this.”
There will be a memorial gathering 10 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass at Nativity Church, Fair Haven.
With our Retro Pic of the Day, we ask that you take a moment to remember Mimi Hughes.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will be publishing an opinion piece on Monday in honor of Mrs. Hughes.
Our Retro Pic of the Day takes you back to the days of Kindergarten classes at what was called the Youth Center in Fair Haven.
Kids were walked on a rope — yes, a rope — led by an official looking crossing guard-type person to the classroom which was where the police station is now. (We’ll get to the rope another time.)
This shot, circa 1965, features some kids who are still in the area, if not Fair Haven itself.
One is a well-known funeral director (front, left), another is your own Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect founding editor (front right, sort of), another has a mom who still lives in town and a brother who is a well-known area photographer and landscaper, and, yet another, was an impressive athlete growing up and is still in town.
Take your guesses. And, please feel free to send us your retro photos, credit included, at [email protected].
Millie Felsmann spins and serves cotton candy at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s Out Back circa 1993. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
While we’re on a Fair Haven Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary roll, we figured we’d keep it going with a Retro Pic of the Day that hones in on some warmth with yet another “fair” lady, Millie Felsmann.
In this snapshot, Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 1993, she was up to her usual cotton candy spinning and serving.
The booth she is pictured in is now called the Out Back. Then it was just referred to as “the hot dog booth.”
Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies’ Auxiliary celebrates the holidays many years ago. Pictured are: FRONT ROW Mary Farley, Sally Van Develde, Millie Felsmann, Paula Mulvihill, Mary LeCardi, Jane Croft, Evie Kelly, Joanne Fowler, BACK ROW Kathy Watson, Ethel Russek, Bobby Lang, Florrie Carlock, Ruth Binaco, Elinore Osborne, Jean Burgess, Mary Albertson, Marion Bennett, Jackie Leslie, Chris Schrank, Trish DePonti, Raquel Falotico, Dale Connor, Nellie Egeland, Esther England, Dot Connor and Kathy Robbins. Photo/Kathy Robbins
Our Retro Pic of the Day brings us decades back to a snapshot of a little holiday party fun with the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies’ Auxiliary.
There are an awful lot of familiar faces in this shot, including some Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) grads and/or their mothers — this editor’s mom, too.
Take a look and see who you recognize. Thanks to Kathy Robbins who took the photo and circulated it last year on Facebook.
You must be logged in to post a comment.