There’s nothing quite like branching out to a budding riverfront perspective — down by the Navesink at the Fair Haven Dock, of course.
Yes, spring has sprung. The buds are budding. And when it comes to seeing the river for the trees, the view is always the most flattering panoramic close-up of sunshine on an old friend.
It always smiles back and reaches out to hold with a tight hug. The buds on the trees branch out pulling you in to a new season, new day down by the river.
Happy budding river time 2023!(CLICK on one of the photos in the above gallery to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde for R-FH Retro exclusively
Here’s what’s in store for the end-of-the-week into weekend weather forecast …
Playing baseball at RFH in the 1970s Photo/RFH Yearbook
Spring is in the air and all good RFHers are thinking about the game — the baseball game. The sun is out, the birds are chirping and bats are swinging — baseball bats, that is.
RFH girls in the ball game with Amy Connor pitching Photo/George Day
Reprise! Just because it’s that time of the year to play ball! And girls played ball, too! We take you back to a game of some sort on the field with the girls, except Nancy Welchel, of course. She was the only girl who played on the boys’ team. We’re pretty sure she pitched in on the field for the girls, too!
Baseball season is upon us. We’ve taken you out to the RFH boys ball game. Now we’re taking you to the girls’ version of playing the field.
This may not be an official RFH game, by virtue of the lack of uniforms, not to mention lack of girls on the team in those days, but it’s all about the girls this time … and having fun playing the field … and a little ball.
Easter Bunny dog walking Photo/Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca
Stop in the name of Easter! Or something. Some bunny’s walking the dog.
It’s not every day that you see the Easter Bunny, or some giant bunny, taking a break from rolling and hiding those Easter eggs to walk the dog and wave to the neighbors. Just Saturday.
Yes, this unpawed, gloved bunny was spotted on the streets of Shrewsbury Borough. Some say they know him. They say the bunny-masked man was Steve Drucker. But, hey, “they” may be bunny skeptics. Not believers.
We like to think that you’re no bunny ’til some bunny believes. But, really, who knew the Easter Bunny had a dog?
See it? Believe it! Happy Easter!
** This special Easter treat scene was captured by RFH grad Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca. Thanks to Jo Ann and the bunny, of course! **
It’s what the holiday is all about. Take a look at our glimpse into how Easter was spent in the Rumson-Fair Haven area in yesteryears far back and more recent.
We, at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, hope you all had a happy holiday.
— Elaine Van Develde
Photos in slideshow, courtesy of Facebook friends.
In light of this past weekend’s onslaught of egg hunts, we’re taking you back again to the most classic moments in Rumson-Fair Haven area egg hunting …
Ahhhhh, the egg hunt! It’s known as the quickest event in any town all around the world — or at least the Rumson–Fair Haven area neck o’ the bunny hop turf.
The kids gather, baskets in tow. They smash themselves up against the “Egg Hunt Scene” tape. The tape drops. They scramble … for all of about three minutes of mayhem.
It’s a difficult event to photograph. You have to just hippity hop to it, keep clicking and hope you get a good few freeze-framed moments. Well, over the years, we have — gotten some priceless snapshots amid the mystical misadventure.
In Rumson, there has been a lot of flying, stumbling and seizing of the coveted eggs. In Sea Bright, where the event has been held on the beach, things have always been a little more calm, but anywhere from bizarre to classic adorable in photo captures, nonetheless.
Take a look back, laugh and remember the misery, mayhem and just plain cuteness of it all. Oh, and by the way, Fair Haven wins for the quickest of all egg hunts. We could barely get out of the car, camera in hand, before it was over.
But, we got Rumson and Sea Bright classics. These are our classic most popular pics from over the years … (Be sure to CLICK on one photo to enlarge for the full view and scroll. Enjoy and smile — or laugh a little!)
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro
Sit down. We’re really not trying to rock the boat; but, it was half a century — yes, that’s 50 years — ago when the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) spring musical production of Guys and Dolls opened.
Actress Natalie Schafer, Lovey on Gilligan’s Island, visits the RFH Freshman Follies circa 1975. Photo/George Day
We’re feeling that kind of a springtime fever when a little boat ride and escape to a deserted island, or one in the Shrewsbury River, makes for the perfect getaway not so far away — as long as there’s some mosquito netting.
It’s a day to look back. A day to forge forward. A sign of the time for Maddy’s memory to save lives. Educate “so others may live,” the sign adds. That’s the mission of Don’t Shock Me, the foundation created in Maddy’s memory by her mother Dawn Tilton Massabni and brother George.
“At 4:55 p.m. six years ago today forever changed our lives & they will never be the same,” Dawn said in a social media post for the foundation. “My son & I lost the most amazing beautiful person in the world, our very best friend & the person we love more than anything with all our hearts as she became an angel. Maddy was exactly what life should be. She was genuine, smart, creative, kind, caring, spirited, funny, pure sunshine, and beautiful in every single way … My sweet beautiful daughter please send your sunshine & love down to us in your magical ways. Please continue to look over everyone you love & care about so that they may feel your presence.”
And the caring nature that emanated from Maddy continues with the foundation in its mission to educate, raise awareness and save lives.
Many remember. More learn. The sign marks the day, the remembrance, the purpose.
Longtime Shrewsbury resident and Little Silver teacher, Susan Kolarsick Kelly, passed away in late March at the Shrewsbury home where she spent her childhood and in which she raised a loving family of her own. She was 72.
Well, it’s “another opening, another show” for those RFH Tower Players.
The high school’s theatrical troupe has opened its spring musical production of Spamalot this past weekend to rave reviews. And another weekend of shows is in store for adoring RFH Tower Players fans.
RFH Irish Sweater Club teens of 1980 Photo/Daily Register/clip, courtesy of Chris Rowett
In light of Sunday’s Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade, we are reprising this popular Retro Pic of the Day, originally posted on Feb. 28, 2022. There was an Irish Sweater Club marching with a host of mini sweater wearers on the parade route. But, back in the day …
Well, St. Patrick’s Day is looming. Considering the Irish festivities that have abounded lately in the spirit of the day, thoughts turn back to a club that took the chill out of the winter’s gala holiday — the RFH Irish Sweater Society of 1980.
You must be logged in to post a comment.