A look, in photos, of latest area events, local everyday people and places.
Yes, R-FH people, it’s cold outside! So we thought we’d warm you up with a Retro Pic of the Day that’s all about summer and one warm hearted lady — the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 2012 and Jeanette Choma.
We call her one of our fair ladies, and she’s just that. She’ll tell you in a heartbeat that she’s lived in Fair Haven for 50 years and she’s been working that Grab Bag Booth almost as long.
Here’s to Jeanette and warmth!
Call it an impromptu Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) reunion of sorts — a beer tasting peppered with fun and critiques, sort of.
A small group of the RFH grads and friends gathered on Saturday at the Nip N Tuck in Long Branch to taste beer and catch up.
A good time was had by all. The tasting was organized by RFH alum Mike Grady, president of Grady Loss Consulting in Fair Haven.
He has a double IPA creation of his own on the table.
Take a look at our photo gallery for a glimpse into the evening. Recognize anyone?
Hmmmm … See Tom Kelly, Greg Holland, Doug DiStefano, Bill Rannertshauser?
By Elaine Van Develde
Santa Claus is coming to … the Rumson Department of Public Works.
That’s right. It’s that time of the year, on Friday and Saturday, when Rumson tradition takes hold and Santa, in the form of countless charitable elves, brings toys to the DPW garage on East River Road to bring a better Christmas to children in need.
But this is not just a toy drive. It’s an annual Rumson community tradition. It’s hosted by the DPW employees and the community as a whole, replete with holiday-appropriate hot chocolate, candy canes and yuletide company.
“It’s definitely turned into a big community event,” DPW organizer Mark Wellner said. “A lot of people stop down, bring the kids and socialize. We give the kids the candy canes and hot chocolate and there’s coffee for the adults. It’s really nice.”
Mayor John Ekdahl echoed the sentiment.
“The residents of Rumson are thrilled that the DPW department has for years taken upon themselves to run a Christmas toy drive,” the mayor said. “Different charities are chosen each year and the donated toys always find their way to the most needy children. The enthusiasm of the town is evident by the numbers of toys dropped off each year at the garages behind Borough Hall.”
This is the 15th year of the drive for which organizers usually set a goal of gathering at least 1,000 toys that will get funneled to the kids via Family & Children’s Services, Long Branch, and The Salvation Army, Red Bank.
And “this year we’re shooting for 1,200 or even more,” Wellner said. “We’re always trying to up that number and better ourselves to get more toys to the kids.”
Organizers ask that anyone wishing to donate bring a new, unwrapped gift to the DPW from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday and/or 9 a..m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Photos by Elaine Van Develde
Once the Nor’easter water that flooded low-lying rainy Rumson areas and Sea Bright had receded, all was calm during a choppy, yet slower flowing low tide at nightfall.
All are now bracing for a better high tide at roughly 9 p.m. with a slight drizzle.
Both Rumson and Fair Haven had festive holiday celebrations replete with traditional tree lightings this past weekend.
While Fair Haven had to endure yet another soggy festivity, all went smoothly, we hear.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught the tail end of those festivities on Friday.
On a much chillier Sunday, however, spirits were warm at Rumson’s tree lighting, replete with the usual — Tim McLoone & the Shirleys sprinkled with some Holiday Express, the RFH Tower Singers, hot chocolate and a lot of dancing and singing.
Check it all out in the photo gallery above. Click on any photo to enlarge and click on the arrow to the left or right to scroll through. Enjoy!
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s not every day that you wander into a speakeasy in Rumson and end up in a sea of green sweatshirts steeped in bagpipe music and merriment — not every day … except Saturday.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught up with a contingent of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 2 Monmouth as they made their way around towns and into Murphy’s in a pub crawl.
Take a look at our photo collage above for a glimpse into their time spent in the classic Rumson hangout. Just click any of the photos to enlarge and scroll with the arrow to the left or right.
The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
Three Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) seniors recently achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouts — the Gold Award.
In addition to the connection, the three are members of Girl Scout Troop 1930 in Fair Haven.
To achieve the award, each girl needed to identify an issue affecting her community, devise a plan for helping to resolve it or educate others about it, and lead a team in completing a project that will have lasting effects.
In our Retro Pic of the Day today, we’re giving equal time to Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson.
We looked back at Rumson and Fair Haven mayors John Ekdahl and Ben Lucarelli to take a break from the tragedy in the area with a flashback of a good time at the A.J. Bruder Memorial Rumson Run.
Bruder, as most know, was a well-liked RFH graduate who died very after a long battle with cancer.
The annual run in his memory always sparks up a great time in celebration of Bruder’s life. It’s sunny twist on tragedy. It’s a day when people in the area run, relish life, remember and smile, as A.J. did in his lifetime.
So, here’s to Chief Paterson’s participation on that day!
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s time to haul out the community holiday spirit and get set for the Rumson-Fair Haven area kick-offs to the season of Santa and all the festivities that come to town with him.
First, on Friday evening, at 5:30 p.m., Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick will arrive via fire truck at Fair Haven’s Memorial Park on the corner of Fair Haven and River roads. After the initial greetings, Santa will pose for photos with children, according to a release from the Fair Haven Business Association.
The tree will be lit at 6 p.m. and there will be music, food and activities for the kids, the release added.
Throughout the lighting and Santa’s arrival, from 5 to 7 p.m., the release said, there will be a stroll through the River Road East business district during which businesses will be open and featuring a collaborative open house, a newer tradition in Fair Haven.
The business district will be open on Saturday and Sunday for shopping.
Then, in Rumson on Sunday the borough will hold it’s annual traditional tree lighting and festivities in Victory Park.
The event begins at 5 p.m. and will feature, as usual, the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Tower Singers, Deane-Porter’s third grade chorus and Tim McLoone & the Shirleys with members of Holiday Express.
Back in the day, in the 1970s, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s big football rivalry game, always against Red Bank Catholic, started just about everyone’s Thanksgiving Day.
People went to the traditional game, then home for Thanksgiving dinner. The homecoming dance was the night before, when all the recent graduates would reunite. And the announcement of the new homecoming king and queen came on the football field at the game’s half-time.
Take a look back with us in the Retro Pic of the Day photos above. Do you recognize anyone on the team? Some are still in the area. Who were the football stars of the day?
Today, Thanksgiving 2014, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect is giving thanks for the area in which we live with the photo gallery below.
Enjoy! And Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Do you remember this year’s Oktoberfest?
If not, here’s a refresher. This group of costumed Oktoberfest celebrants seems to have gotten bigger by the year.
There’s a lot of authentic lederhosen in the group.
For a full look back, check out the original gallery by clicking here.
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