
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.
Continue reading Retro RFH Spring LoungerA look, in photos, of latest area events, local everyday people and places.

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.
Continue reading Retro RFH Spring LoungerThere’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.
Continue reading Focus: Beached in Spring at Sea BrightIt 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.
Continue reading Reflection: A Ducky Spring
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.

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.
Continue reading A Time to Run: Remembering RFH’s Keith McHeffey
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.
Continue reading Retro RFH Beached SurfersOnce again, Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson literally dove into a good cause and ended up rising to the top.
Continue reading Swimming Success: Rumson Police Chief’s Plunge for a Good CauseThe 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.
Take a look … (Don’t forget to click to enlarge!)
— Elaine Van Develde
You could call this week a reflective one in the Rumson-Fair Haven area. It started with a sad farewell to the young Fair Haven hometown hero U.S. Army Pfc. Jamie Riley, 21.
Continue reading Focus: Reflections of Rumson-Fair Haven Life
Photo/screenshot of fire company yearbook
If you made it to the Fair Haven Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner last week, it probably brought back memories of those same guys as youngsters and their dads doing chef duty at the firehouse for many an event.

Photo/Facebook collection via Joanne DeStephano Garelli
It was teaming today — rain.
And in some parts of the Rumson-Fair Haven area, like Sea Bright, the precipitation and high tides were forecasted to bring the usual coastal flooding to Sea Bright — or pools of water taken to the street, at least.
So, in keeping with wishes for voluntary swimming (rather than doggie paddling across the street) and sunnier days, the Retro Pic of the Day takes us back to the mid-1970s a different kind of team — not teaming rain, but swim team(ing).
This is the old Peninsula House Swim Team. Check out those freestyle tans, toothy grins and suits. Remember Peninsula House, commonly dubbed P-House? It was a popular, affordable beach club to team up with RFH buds and join back in the day. Recognize any of the RFHers win this pic?
They’re all about the swim and sunny daze.
— Elaine Van Develde

Snow days … Students in the Rumson-Fair Haven area haven’t used one yet this school year. Still, the anticipation of one that comes along with a fouled weather forecast bring back a lot of snow-coated, mischief-laden memories.
Continue reading Retro Rumson Snow Day Imps
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