It’s that time of the year when the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Tower Singers sing — in concert. The Tower Singers are singing this year, of course. There will be the usual high school winter concert. But, their first gig this year will be in touring fashion to the town next door, Red Bank, on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. at Garmany.
Continue reading Retro RFH Singers’ SongCategory Archives: Local Life
A look, in photos, of latest area events, local everyday people and places.
Retro RFH Tower Players Tech Crew Scene
It’s almost show time for the RFH Tower Players’ production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The social media posts are flowing, posters showing and actors’ headshots are rearing their professional-looking heads. Curtain goes up at 7:30 Friday night.
Continue reading Retro RFH Tower Players Tech Crew SceneFocus: Riverwalk Forecast
The surprise flurry of snow that started the week won’t keep anyone from a good ol’ riverwalk. Dank days or not, taking the river air in off the banks the Navesink is just what any doctor would likely order for a River Rat to chase away premature winter chill blues.
Continue reading Focus: Riverwalk ForecastRetro RFH Freshmen Show Folk
It’s that time of the RFH school year when the Tower Players are readying their fall production. This year it’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and curtain goes up three days from now.
Shows have always been a tradition at RFH — every high school, for that matter. There are usually two: a fall drama and a spring musical.
But, back in the 1970s, there was more. Seniors had an end-of-the-year variety show and, for a short stint, freshmen had a follies. And in the fall of 1974, all freshmen talent was pooled and the follies show went on.
Continue reading Retro RFH Freshmen Show FolkRetro Flirty Fair Haven Council Team
Photo/Knollwood School Yearbook, screenshot from council candidates’ Facebook page
From class flirts to council members. That’s the path on which life has taken Fair Haven’s newly-elected Borough Council members Meg Chrisner-Keefe and Mike McCue.
Continue reading Retro Flirty Fair Haven Council TeamRetro RFH Politics
Photo/RFH Yearbook
It’s the eve of elections.
Political season has been in full swing; and things in Fair Haven’s Borough Council campaigning have been quite cordial. In fact, the four candidates debated in a very diplomatic, respectful way. And three have answered questionnaires with excellent, well-thought-out answers to some very detailed questions about Fair Haven and critical issues. Some bi-partisan kudos and pats on the back we also given in the process.
- Retro RFH ’80s Prom Girl Stylin’
- Scene Around: Rumson Spotlight on Kids’ Cancer Fight Helpers
- Retro RFH Track Field Toss-Up
- DWI Checkpoint Set for Friday Night
These candidates have taken the silly out of silly season and given residents cause to believe that all is fair in this political haven.
But, let’s take the focus off local politics of today for the evening and step back in time to the 1970s and politics as it was with RFH students and teachers.
Continue reading Retro RFH PoliticsRetro RFH Witchy Women’s Ride
Photo/George Day
Call it Halloween buddy system brooming. Remember the old buddy system? Trick or treating with a buddy to stay safe. Ever apply that theory in high school tricks with the only treat being the friendship and good ride through it all together?
Well, this gruesome twosome of best buds applied the system for some double trouble all in good ghoulish fun. Now that’s a special brand of mischief. You could say they were headed every witch way on this Halloween in the late 1970s, except to class.
The two would be Sue Brower and Bonnie Werner of the RFH Class of ’78.
So the double-dose Retro Pic(s) of the (George) Day feature them at their Halloween best.
Continue reading Retro RFH Witchy Women’s RideLooking Back: Donovan’s Sandy Demise
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 DemiseRetro RFH Ghostly Gaggle
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 GaggleFocus: Halloween Haunts II
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
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Focus: Rumson-Fair Haven River Hug
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
The R-FH Area Weekend: Fair Haven Halloween Egg Hunt & 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!
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
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