A look, in photos, of latest area events, local everyday people and places.
These police officers have been seen around the towns donning their special Christmas suits.
No, they’re not any sort of Santas, but they sure are festive. They told us that they even special ordered the suits.
Do you know these guys?
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 evd@rfhretro.com.
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.”
What’s your favorite goodie from that booth?
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.
Downtown Fair Haven is decked out for the season.
The old-fashioned lamp posts are adorned with evergreen, wreaths and bows and Borough Hall and Memorial Park show more of the same festive decor.
Just a reminder of what “home for the holidays” means in this area. Take a look.
Photos by Elaine Van Develde
Call this collage Reflections from Fair Haven Dock.
It is yet another testament to the beauty of the Rumson-Fair Haven area in a view from the dock onto the Navesink River.
Click on any circle to enlarge and scroll through with the arrows to the left and right. Enjoy!
Ah, yes, the sun was out today, but that chill is in the air and, well, season-appropriate.
In light of a sunny day memory at the Sea Bright beach and the fact that Clean Ocean Action is celebrating its 30th year, we decided to take you back to the organization’s Beach Sweeps in October.
Take a look and, click here to see the slideshow of the day. Don’t forget to click the lower right corner of the video to enlarge it!
Here’s to more sunny, crisp days!
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.
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