Category Archives: Local Life

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

Local Life

Looking Back: Donovan’s Sandy Demise

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By Elaine Van Develde

Seven years ago it began. And when Superstorm Sandy stopped its swirling on the sliver of peninsula that is Sea Bright, it plopped the iconic Donovan’s Reef down in bits and pieces.

People of the Rumson-Fair Haven area mourned the loss to a relentless, remorseless Sandy. And when they were allowed to travel over the bridge into Sea Bright, many diehard loyalists of the tiki hut by the sea could be found just sitting and staring at what once was. They walked the sea wall looking for souvenir scraps reminiscent of their glory days at Donovan’s. They talked. They even cried.

Continue reading Looking Back: Donovan’s Sandy Demise →
Local Life

Retro RFH Ghostly Gaggle

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An RFH ghostly gathering on Halloween in 1977
Photo/George Day

A Halloween reprise to honor the season of the ghost …

Scary season has set in. People in the Rumson-Fair Haven area aren’t just out raking leaves, either. They’re haunting up their homes, crafting costumes and getting into the spirit. So, why not add a little extra retro spooking from RFH students of the past?

BOO … who or what? It was all in the haunt for RFHers back in the 1970s. They started getting the Halloween party going early on and ended up with a pretty festive feast of ghouls on the grounds of the high school and, yes, beyond.

Continue reading Retro RFH Ghostly Gaggle →
Local Life

Focus: Halloween Haunts II

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Some are creepy. Some kooky. Some mysterious. Some spooky. And some, as the Addams Family theme song goes, are “altogether ooky.” That is how Halloween decorations around the towns in Rumson and Fair Haven can be described.

But to see for yourself is to know the thriller factor of it all. So, a good drive-boo (or by), or two or three, of local haunts is always in order on such a “holiday.” The Halloween spirit, or spirits, seem to have moved residents — or at least jarred them a bit. Good ghoul! Now, that’s the All Hallows spirit!

Take a look at the latest and most diabolical decorations we spied and tell us about the best haunters in your ‘hood for Halloween!

Photos/Elaine Van Develde

Halloween in Fair Haven
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Local Life

Focus: Rumson-Fair Haven River Hug

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To talk to anyone who considers the Rumson-Fair Haven area home, from their own back yard to far away places, a peek into the day’s end at the river is a home embrace. A hug. Comfort. So it’s been said. So it’s been felt.

So, if you can’t get down by the river tonight, here’s a hug, or 20, from the end of your road to home. (And, don’t forget to click to enlarge to get the whole hug picture.)

Which hometown hug speaks to you most?

— Elaine Van Develde
Local Life

The R-FH Area Weekend: Fair Haven Halloween Egg Hunt & Parade

2014 Fair Haven Halloween Parade
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

A new tradition in Fair Haven precedes a very old one on Saturday when the borough’s Halloween Egg Hunt (of all things) gets things literally rolling in Sportsman’s Field at 10:30 a.m. before the Halloween Parade at 11.

Egg hunts are typically called the “quickest” events in borough history, as kids gather behind a designated, cordoned-off line and are let loose with one signal to scramble all over the field and gather Halloween eggs filled with prizes. Yes, Halloween eggs. No Easter bunny involved.

Immediately following that, across the street at Knollwood School, the lineup for the parade begins. The parade follows the usual route down Hance Road, onto River and then on to the Fair Haven Firehouse grounds for treats, prizes and a little spooktacular (or something like that) fun.

See you around the towns!

2014 Fair Haven Halloween Parade
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Local Life

Retro RFH Football Stripes Earned

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In case you haven’t seen this one before and in honor of football season … a reprise …

RFH football team of the past
Photo/RFH

Do we have a cheer for RFH football? Yes, football season has kicked into high gear at RFH, so let’s take a moment to tackle this handsome team of players of an unknown year as well as the issue of name and uniform style.

Is it all in a name or uniform? Certainly not. It’s all about the game and how it’s played, of course. But, there are some quirks worth taking the ball and running with for a bit. No harm, no fumble. Just fun.

Continue reading Retro RFH Football Stripes Earned →
Local Life, Opinion

Focus: Fall Riverwalk into Dusk

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Riverwalk at dusk by the Fair Haven Dock
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s a fall Sunday. It’s a day’s end. The start of a new week. The hush of the lapping river soothes. Dusk dances in the river’s reflections. It’s riverwalk daze at the Fair Haven Dock. A silent call to the comfort of home.

Everything is always alright in that riverwalk moment. There are many like it for a Fair Havenite — drenched in riverfront peace. Childhood laughing and splashing dancing in the mind. The cadence of it that soothes. It never gets old. It’s new with each step, each flicker in the tide, each lull in every water lap, each heartbeat that pulses home.

Take a look. Dive into the silence, the memories, each moment down by the river. Inhale home.

— Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven riverwalk at dusk
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Ripples of light dancing from Fair Haven Dock
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Local Life

Retro RFH Foul Weather Junior Lounging

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Juniors of the RFH Class of ’79 lounge in the Junior Lounge
Photo/George Day

Some moments are meant for just lounging … like the persistent foul fall weather of the past few days. There was a place for that for juniors at RFH back in the day.

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Local Life, Opinion

Focus: Dock Daze of Crabbing

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Sometimes all it takes to brighten a dreary day is a net, a fishing pole, a dock and some bait. It’s all about getting crabby.

No matter the catch haul, after a day of this at the Fair Haven Dock, someone fishing for some simple solace and smile will likely end up with a bucket of cheer called home —and some dinner.

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Local Life

Retro RFH Powder Puff Cheer Boys

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The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977
Photo/George Day

RFHers have fallen into football season with the usual panache. Everything about playing the game has always been done in true pro style — from the players to the cheerleaders.

Though, while cheerleaders are still cheering at RFH, they do so with different outfits and cheer style. And seeing cheerleaders all dressed up like some 1977 guys on the sidelines is something that never happens (or at least like this) anymore.

The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977
Photo/George Day
Continue reading Retro RFH Powder Puff Cheer Boys →