Category Archives: Local Life

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

Local Life

Dale Connor’s Last Day

April 3, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

Well, Thursday was 38-year Fair Haven Tax Collector Dale Connor’s last day.

The milestone was a little bittersweet for Connor, who spent her last hour or so at work happy, yet holding back tears about leaving the office and co-workers that represented a true home away from home (a few blocks away) for so many years.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect stopped in at the lifetime Fair Havenite’s office home base to catch a glimpse of her last day.

We asked for a smile. Connor responded, “How can I smile when I feel so sad? I am really going to miss everyone — residents and people I have worked with for so long.”

Recreation Director D.J. Breckenridge stopped by to say goodbye. And Administrator and Assistant Administrator/Borough Clerk Allyson Cinquegrana stopped in from their next door office.

However, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect failed to capture that moment, as the camera battery died as the photo was being snapped.

Oops!

Connor’s official last day is May 1. However, her last day in the office was Thursday. A new borough tax collector, Denise Jawidzik, was hired with a start date of April 2.

Best of luck, Dale Connor! This little photo montage will be followed up with a fun feature on her time working for the borough. Stay tuned next week for that.

Local Life

Rewind: RFH Bike Lane, Please

Image March 31, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

A witchy retro bike ride at RFH circa 1970s Photo/George Day — A witchy retro bike ride at RFH circa 1970s
Photo/George Day

Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli has been on a mission to make Rumson-Fair Haven area streets more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.

It’s pretty common knowledge. So, in keeping with the safe streets theme, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day offers a glimpse back to times at RFH in the 70s when a couple of witches on a tandem bike took a ride across campus. They never hit the streets.

They didn’t need a bike lane, because people just seemed to back off as they flew through.

Know who these two are? The bike?

Many thanks, again, to George Day for this glimpse into the RFH past!

Local Life

Retro Boating in Rumson

Image March 30, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Kayaking on the Navesink River in Rumson Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Kayaking on the Navesink River in Rumson
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s almost that time — to warm up with fun on the Navesink River.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day is dedicated to balmy evenings with friends on the river in Rumson.

These guys had their boat out for a little motoring.

Kayakers and paddle boarders love to take to the river, too. Then there are the water skiers, sailors and loungers.

What’s your favorite river activity?

Local Life

Day is Done: Sunset for Patrolman Henne

Gallery March 28, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

After being posthumously promoted from Fair Haven Police Department Special Officer Class II to Patrolman at his wake on Friday night, the final radio call for Robert J. Henne, badge # 37, was made. And his new badge number was retired.

The patrolman was laid to rest on Saturday. The sunset that chilly night at the Fair Haven Dock in Henne’s hometown was as warm and serene as the smile of the officer etched in the memory of so many. RIP, Patrolman Henne.

A memorial tribute to Robert J. Henne will follow.

Local Life

A Retro RFH March Madness?

March 26, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

RFH Basketball in the 1970s Photo/George Day — RFH Basketball in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

In keeping with the whole March Madness theme, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day takes us back to a basketball sideline scene of the 1970s at RFH.

Here’s the question: What the heck is Andy Koch photographing as the score-keeper stares in a state of captivation?

The players: Check out the looks on their faces. And look at that wooden desk.

Caption this one, friends and fans!

Thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day (RFH Class of ’78) for capturing yet another great moment back in the day and sharing it with us!

Local Life, Police and Fire

Nightfall: A Fair Haven in Mourning

Gallery March 26, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Rest in peace, Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert J. Henne …

“Our world will never be the same without him. Heaven has another angel to look over us …” — Audrey Murphy Henne

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Going Retro with the Oceanic Bridge in a Classic Film

Image March 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Doris Day and Rock Hudson crossing the Oceanic Bridge in the movie "Pillow Talk" Photo/screenshot of movie clip — Doris Day and Rock Hudson crossing the Oceanic Bridge in the movie “Pillow Talk”
Photo/screenshot of movie clip

With the impending overnight closing of the Oceanic Bridge for the next month or so, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect decided to take a look back at a fun time of fame for the bridge.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day captures a moment on film of Doris Day and Rock Hudson crossing the bridge in the movie Pillow Talk.

Yes, that’s the Oceanic — the 76-year-old 1940s Art Deco style bridge.

Remember the scene in the movie?

Local Life, News

Reminder: No Overnight Oceanic Bridge Crossing

March 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Rumson-Fair Haven area residents were reminded in Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s weekly update on Monday that starting Tuesday night, and every night through April, 30, the Oceanic Bridge will be closed for repairs overnight from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m..

The bridge will be open during the day, with alternating single-lane closures from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Monmouth County officials advise taking alternate routes or be forewarned that traffic will be delayed during these hours.

From the latest county release … “The Oceanic Bridge schedule, weather permitting, Sunday through Friday mornings, from (on or about) March 24 to April 30 will be:

• 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. — both bridge lanes open to all traffic;
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — single lane closure with alternating lanes of vehicular traffic;
• 2 to 6 p.m. — both bridge lanes open to all traffic;
• 6 to 10:30 p.m. — single lane closure with alternating lanes of vehicular traffic.

Local Life

Looking Back & Saying Happy 96th to Fair Havenite Evelyn Murphy

Image March 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

What else can we say? A longtime — very longtime — Fair Havenite turned 96 on Sunday!

So, what else could we do but make Evelyn Murphy our Retro Pic of the Day (and slideshow).

No, Evelyn no longer lives in Fair Haven, but her spirit, and those of many like her, just seems to live on. And we’re grateful.

It doesn’t ever seem quite right to this day to go to the Acme and not see the flaming red-haired beauty rounding a corner and always ready to chat.

This lady is mom to seven children, all of whom graduated from RFH. Thanks for your contribution to Fair Haven life, Mrs. Murphy!

To life, l’chaim, special lady! Here’s to covering your 100th!

Thanks to the Murphy family for the photos from Facebook!

Local Life, News

Editor’s Notes & the R-FH Area Week Ahead

March 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Happy Monday, Rumson-Fair Haven area friends and fans!

OK, so spring has not exactly sprung as we would have liked quite yet, but it looks like there’s hope of some sort, soggy as it may be, for a rise in temps as the week progresses. Please!

In the meantime, it’s a chilly start to the week today.

There are Borough Council meetings in both Rumson and Fair Haven this week. Fair Haven’s meeting is Monday night at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall. Click here for the agenda. Rumson’s meeting is Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall. Click here for that agenda.

Taking a look back at last week, here are some tidbits from the notebook the likes of which your editor is going to start sharing on a weekly basis:

Continue reading Editor’s Notes & the R-FH Area Week Ahead →

Local Life

Remembering RFH’s Dewey Robinson

Image March 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

RFH teacher Dewey Robinson circa 1977 Photo/RFH yearbook — RFH teacher Dewey Robinson circa 1977
Photo/RFH yearbook

As the Fair Haven community mourns the loss of Jeanetter Crowell, our Retro Pic of the Day takes Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) alumni back to her son, Dewey Robinson, who taught and coached at the high school for many years and predeceased his mother.

Known for his kind compassionate, level-headed and relatable demeanor, people offering condolences over the passing of his mother couldn’t help but comment on the son.

“Dewey was a very good man; I am sure she played a large part,” said Fair Haven resident Brian Drazin on the post announcing Mrs. Crowell’s death.

“What a great teacher Dewey was and there is always a strong and wonderful woman behind every great and wonderful man,” Tamera Partington Dinklage said.

Share your memories of Dewey Robinson with us. RIP, Jeanetter Crowell.