No matter the religious belief, Easter and spring both signify rebirth. And there are many festive traditions and celebrations surrounding it all.
Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of Rumson-Fair Haven area people donning their best Easter outfits, bonnets and all, hunting for chocolate and eggs, prizes and even a few Peeps. And then there are those visits with that freakish Easter Bunny and tussles at the hunts that provoke the most classic of miserable children poses.
But, most of all, it’s a time to reflect on new beginnings giving birth from the most treasured of memories. Here are some from our friends and neighbors over the years …
And there are bound to be more egg hunts over the Easter weekend in many a back yard or living room, depending on family tradition. The home hunt offers a bit more time and less competition for those eggs — or whatever.
In the baseball dugout with RFHers of the 1970s Photo/George Day
You may recognize at least one of these RFH boys from the baseball practice pile-up prank in our recent Retro Pic of the Day. Call it playing ball peppered with a little spring fever.
RFH spring lounging and fashion of the 1970s — John Brinkerhoff Photo/George Day
The warmth of spring is in full bloom. And there’s nothing like parking yourself on a sunny spot on the grass to read a book or study — or plot your next spring fever antic.
There’s nothing quite like that spring Siren-like call to the beach when the weather breaks, the sun shines and the spring fever peaks. That’s just how it was for a lot of people and pets on Saturday at Sea Bright public beach.
It was a milestone birthday meant to embrace and roll softly away with the tide, the color, the sunshine, the love, the reminder of her …
Twenty-one pink roses in hand, they walked from Maddy Massabni’s home to her favorite spot on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright. They were the loved ones of the Rumson teen who passed away suddenly two years ago on March 30, just three days after her 19th birthday, from toxic shock syndrome.
Maddy would have turned 21 on March 27. That’s why there were 21 pink roses, her favorite. For those who could get to the beach, there was a poem read by Maddy’s mom, Dawn, and a little celebration with hugs, tears, gratitude and a tossing of the roses into the surf Maddy so loved. Out with the tide.
Those who couldn’t be at the beach, celebrated Maddy’s 21st by creating their own home memorials, gravitating to a body of water to signify the Sea Bright spot or just displaying a single pink rose, even giving one to someone to brighten their day unknowingly with Maddy’s love.
In Maddy’s memory, a non-profit foundation dubbed Don’t Shock Me has been created to raise awareness of toxic shock and pay Maddy’s kind spirit forward. Stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, Maddy Massabni! You are remembered.
Take a look at snippets of the celebration in photos from friends and remember … (Don’t forget to click on each to enlarge!)
The start of spring wasn’t exactly a flowering bloom of sunshine and warmth on Wednesday. Still, the serenity of many a riverfront scene in the Rumson-Fair Haven area will take the chill out of any day or bad vibe.
The following was originally posted in 2017 in remembrance of Keith McHeffey. It is being posted again as a reminder that the annual race to honor his memory and help others, The KDM 3-Mile Run, is set for Saturday.
Keith McHeffey and friends Photo/courtesy of Gregg Kennedy
He was raised in both Rumson and Fair Haven. He was an RFH graduate. He was a friend to many. He had a gift for making people laugh and love life. Then he lost his life in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was Keith McHeffey.
Surfing moment with RFH Class of ’78 guys Photo/George Day
With the sad loss of yet another RFH grad who loved nothing more than catching a wave and good times with great friends, we are reminded that there’s nothing like seizing a surfing moment — even if it’s on sand.
The winter air has an icy stab, but this view always warms the local soul.
The serenity only found in the comfort of home was at the water’s edge at dusk. And you don’t have to wait to exhale a sigh of sheer gratitude for it all.
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