Category Archives: Local Life

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

Scene Around: Official Kind of St. Pat’s Party Starters

It’s not every day that you ask for selfies of post-Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade fun and get one single solitary photo and it’s replete with a couple of former Fair Haven councilwomen.

Sad as that is, just add a Fair Haven Fire Department affiliation or two and a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Performing Arts Society parent and you get a good mix for a great time at Columbus Club’s Sunday St. Pat’s fete. Now that’s a recipe for Fair Haven fun. That’s the idea.

The two former councilwomen are, of course, Susan Sorensen and Jacquie Rice. We spy at least two fire company relations: Wendy Kane and former chief, Wade Davis. And the selfie-taker, well, that’s none other than RFH PAS parent extraordinaire, Joanne Formisano.

Now, who’s cut off here — in the pic, that is? The masks are dropped and close encounters are close once again. The parade passed by thousands and the Columbus Club party was packed, so we see and heard.

Now, how would you caption this official(ish) photo? The fun started on Sunday. Look out for more fun times among green attire and beer spied this week, for St. Pat’s sake! Yours? Send your best St. Pat’s inspired selfies to evd@rfhretro.com.

Thanks to Joanne Formisano for this selfie gem!

Focus: Taking the Dank Away with River Daze

It’s been downright dank lately. But no matter how the dank sticks in your cranky craw, there’s nothing like a little river time to ease the shrill chill from the bones.

Even when it’s clouded, the view of the Navesink always offers a promise of light and the warm embrace of home. It’s pretty ducky for the ducks, no matter what, it seems. They have the right idea. Reveling in every ripple, every lap of low tide, every grain of damp sand is inviting solace — the terminal homecoming.

The scene may vary with time and vantage point, but for a Rumson-Fair Haven kid at heart, the river is that lifetime friend who never ages, whose loyalty never wanes. It’s always there, waving to you from the shore, letting you know that the chill and gray will go away. You are home. Always. Welcomed.

Remember, cozy up to that waving childhood friend, and wait for the sun to shine again.

Relive some river daze and solace by taking a look at this week’s gallery of the Navesink by Barnacle Bill’s and check out when the sun’s coming out in the weekend weather forecast, courtesy of the National Weather Service … (CLICK one photo in the above gallery to enlarge and scroll! Enjoy!)

Retro Junior Irish Sweater Parading

The first Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Irish sweater girls
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Well, it’s not as retro as the RFHers’ Irish Sweater Society pic in the Register from 1980, but looking back to the first Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade, it looks like at least one marching group followed suit — in a much less mischievous way, of course.

Continue reading Retro Junior Irish Sweater Parading

Retro Fair Haven Brownie Girl Power Dancin’

Fair Haven Brownie Troop #6 square dances in 1968
Photo/Sally Van Develde

With St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon and National Women’s Day here, thoughts of girl power and good dance for tradition’s sake come to the forefront.

When talking girl power, scouting, back in the day when girls had little power, comes to mind. And, with the girls, in the 1960s, it all started with Brownies at about age 7. And then there’s that thought process of dancing to your own tune, of course.

Continue reading Retro Fair Haven Brownie Girl Power Dancin’

Focus: Rumson Light in Hazy Winter Darkness

Press “Play.” Sometimes light peering through stark, hazy darkness is a beacon to play time that’s drawing near. It can transport a daydreamer to past play, too. Warmth. Vision. Clarity. Contentment.

The pin spotlights scream silence — peace. They remind: There is a light to follow forward and back. Each spot shines a light on one memory at a time, bringing focus to the haze, bringing back the warmth. Each spot draws us to a brighter tomorrow, too. Each reminds: There’s a way out of the dark haze, forward or rewind. Either takes us back to the same place. Home.

When two iconic playtime scenes — an otherwise bustling iconic Victory Park or Barnacle Bill’s gathering haven — are somber and still, it’s then that one can see the power of place clearly. Feel it deeply. The more stark, the more profound. The more simple, the more black and white, the love of home.

Get lost in the light to find your own way home.

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde for R-FH Retro only (CLICK on one to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)

And lighter days are coming to the area. Here’s the week’s weather forecast, courtesy of the National Weather Service, for the Rumson-Fair Haven area …

Scene Around: Rumson Police Chief Reigns as Top Plunge Donor

Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson at Polar Bear Plunge at Seaside 2022
Photo/Rumson PD

Hail to the chief! He’s taken the plunge and triumphed again.

Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson dove into the icy ocean waters of Seaside on Saturday and emerged the plunge’s top donor once again to benefit his cause — Special Olympics New Jersey.

“Chief Paterson would like to thank all of the generous donors, along with friends and supporters, who reached out to wish (him) Scott well with yesterday’s Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge,” a Sunday post on the Rumson Police Department Facebook page said. “It was down to the wire, but we’re happy to report that Scott was able to regain his #1 spot as highest individual fundraiser for another year. He could not have done it without the support of all you!”

The chief solely ended up with a total of $41,337 raised for his cause. He plunged with the Little Silver Crocs team once again. The largest of the final hour donations was from Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade at $1,005. So, in the end, Paterson ended up top donor for what may have been his final plunge.

As a whole, the 2022 Plunge at Seaside garnered $1,935,180, surpassing its goal. The goal was $1.8 million.

Congrats, Chief!

Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson at a previous Polar Bear Plunge at Seaside
Photo/Rumson PD

Scene Around: Last Call to Support Rumson Police Chief in Plunge for Special Olympics

Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson shows his winning certificate at the Seaside Heights Polar Bear Plunge 2020
Photo/Rumson PD

Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson is set to take the plunge again — the plunge into the icy winter ocean water at Seaside Heights to benefit the Special Olympics New Jersey.

Continue reading Scene Around: Last Call to Support Rumson Police Chief in Plunge for Special Olympics