A look, in photos, of latest area events, local everyday people and places.
Originally posted on Feb. 25, 2022, we are reprising this one in honor of Jim Butler, who passed away a few days ago … RIP, Mr. Butler. RIP, all. It’s official, no one in this photo remains. The memories sure do, though …
Nothing says “neighborly TGIF” like a look back at what was a common kind of casual gathering of friends just because.
Continue reading Retro Fair Haven TGIF Crew
There’s nothing quite like seeing the New York skyline as if it’s in the palm of your Sea Bright beach.
And it is, even though the palm trees aren’t indigenous to Sea Bright by a long shot — and a lot longer than the distance to that skyline. But, whatever works to bring the Sea Bright locals’ scene into perspective.
What works is taking the time to take in the view of what’s surrounding you on a summer’s day. It’s what’s home to and in the heart of those in the Rumson-Fair Haven area every day. From the sand to the surf to the palms to the skyline, there’s always something new in the view — something to savor. Something to make you exhale, knowing that you’re home.
Take it all in. Find the subtle differences in perspective. Find the little things. See what matters in the big picture. Exhale the comfort of home.
Enjoy the view, click to enlarge one photo and scroll for the full picture. Find those little things and find out what’s in store this weekend and into next week with the area weather, courtesy of the National Weather Service …
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro
Sometimes you just have to take a stand — one to guard your life in a special way. The notion holds true especially in the summertime in Sea Bright.
When a beautiful summer’s day winds down, the scene become serene and the view clearer from the mind’s eye, no matter where you’re looking. From an abandoned lifeguard stand, it’s just all the sweeter a sight — as far as the New York skyline or as close as the shoreline and some child’s play or local scene home-in with a content sigh.
Taking a stand to take in all that’s home and a beach always gives perspective. Taking it in with ease and awe makes the sigh all the more grateful.
So, take a stand with us and take in the view — grande and microcosmic, there’s something to see and sigh for in every corner. Ahhhhh … That’s summer life that’s a beach in the heart of the Rumson-Fair Haven area kid.
Click on one photo to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!
—Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro
The view will remain clear for days now … until Saturday’s rain. Take a look at the week’s weather forecast from the National Weather Service …
There’s a new sergeant in town — Rumson, that is.
Continue reading Scene Around: A Rumson PD Sergeant & Fair Haven Gentleman
It was a banner weekend for the Fair Haven Fire Department.
The forever Fair Haven group of volunteer firefighters, first aid tenders and auxiliary helpers swept some awards at another company’s 150th anniversary on Saturday and the next day celebrated the old and new with its traditional Old Timers’ Day.
Fair Haven, with it’s unique white trucks, has always stood out at parades and celebrations. This past weekend it was at Freehold Fire Department’s 150th anniversary that the department shone bright with its sharp, gleaming white apparatus and membership.
The department garnered first-place awards for: Most Active Members Present; Best Appearing Command Vehicle; Best Appearing Pumper 6-15 Years; Best Appearing Ambulance; and Best Appearing Rescue (light or heavy). A second-place award was won for Best Appearing Motorized Antique.
Congratulations, FHFD!
Then, on Sunday, the crew gathered to celebrate fire company tradition with a blend of generations, the old and new, in Old Timers’ Day. This gathering of all that’s good in connecting through volunteering and friendship for the community is a tradition that dates way back.
There are casual contests, fun, food and fire department family bonding. This fire company kid vividly remembers a tug of war and egg toss miserably lost. There may have been a two-legged race with sister tossed in the failures somewhere. Yet, everyone wins with this fire company day.
Take a look at the above photos, courtesy of the FHFD, for a glimpse into the win and Old Timers’ Day Gathering. (Click on one to enlarge and scroll.) Cheers to FHFD tradition! And, who won the egg toss?
Cheers to Friday night and the notion that there’s always a party among RFHers somewhere who are still reuniting.
Continue reading Retro RFH Reuniting & Cheers
They’re pretty famous as Rumson parenting and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School history goes. Add a few banner birthdays and community connections to that and you have some celebrities who are still celebrating and going strong.
They are Tony and Sharon Mellaci, their buddy Diane Dey and kids, also RFH grads. Tony celebrated his 100th birthday in May. Sharon just celebrated her birthday (as the lead photo shows) and Dey, 92, turned 90 in 2020. The three got together recently for Sharon’s festive 90s celebration. The trio, who raised their kids in Rumson, were joined by those kids, Merrall Dey Freund and Jim Mellaci, RFH Class of ’78 grads. And there are a few more Rumson connections sprinkled in the company. Know them? Cake, anyone?
Here’s the glorious RFH couple’s scoop. Sharon graduated from RFH in 1947. Tony, a celebrity centenarian in his own right, graduated in ’41. And he did so after making RFH football history. “Dad scored first touchdowns at the new Borden field in the fall of ’40 when it opened,” Jim said. “His senior year was the first winning season Rumson (RFH) had.”
Now, that’s some history and longevity worth toasting to for the weekend! Cheers, Mellaci and Dey folks, kids and friends!
R-FH Retro will be chatting with all three in the future.
A reprise from 2019 in honor of the annual tradition of that trip to Stokes State Forrest. In honor of wrapping up the Stokes experience with that last dance … Dance on and dose doe, sixth graders!
It was truly terrifying. The mandatory square dance at the Fair Haven sixth graders’ Stokes State Forrest trip.
Continue reading Retro Stokes Hip to Be Square Dancing
They rallied for the rivers in Rumson.
The 4th Annual Rally for the Two Rivers Eco-Fest, hosted by Clean Ocean Action (COA) on Saturday at Victory Park was a success, organizers said. Hosted by Clean Ocean Action (COA) and the Rumson Environmental Commission (Rumson EC), the event designed to raise awareness of waterway mindfulness for a healthy environment had about 200 attendees.
Continue reading Focus: An Eco Rally for the Rivers
A reprise in honor of the culmination of the usual end of the sixth graders’ trip to Stokes State Forrest
It’s all about another stoked for Stokes moment. The year was 1976, and a bunch of girls gathered in their cabin for that classic snapshot of sixth grade bunk mates.
Continue reading Retro Happy Stokes Campers
Let’s hear it for the girls! It’s only fair that some RFH girls who knew how to raise a bottle with the best of them get equal first reunion remembrance time.
Continue reading Retro RFH Girls’ BFF Reuniting
We’re on the cusp of summertime and the livin’ is prime for some river time and communing with the neighborhood ducks and prehistoric horseshoe crabs.
Continue reading Focus: River Time, Horseshoe Crabs & Ducks & Weekend Weather
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