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 LifeCategory Archives: News
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Honoring Jamie Riley: Saying Goodbye & Remembering
I want to borrow a poignant Joseph Campbell quote from Joe Perrotto: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Last week, our community lost a hero and member of our family in a tragic accident while he was so selflessly serving our nation. The pain we feel is proportional to the love we have We honor Jamie by remembering his sacrifice and the impact he had on so many of our lives. I ask that our fire company family joins together in presence and support of the Riley’s during their time of mourning.
Fair Haven Fire Department Chief Christopher Schrank
Jamie Riley’s family, friends and Fair Haven hometown community are mourning the loss of a soldier proudly serving his country and a young man dear to all who knew him.
Continue reading Honoring Jamie Riley: Saying Goodbye & Remembering
Retro FHFD Chefs
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.
Condolences: Fair Haven Mourns Hometown Hero Jamie Riley, 21
Tragedy has struck the Fair Haven community. A 21-year-old member of the longtime Fair Haven Riley family has been killed in an accident while serving as a calvary scout in the U.S. Army.
Continue reading Condolences: Fair Haven Mourns Hometown Hero Jamie Riley, 21
Retro Peninsula House Swim Teaming
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
Retro Rumson Snow Day Imps
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
Scene Around: Rumson Breakfast Club
Photo/Sue Hill-Spakowski
When you talk about dogs in Rumson, it’s usually a bulldog you’re referring to, as in the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) mascot. But, there’s a new dog in town who is providing a dog’s eye view into Rumson life. That would be Nancy Spakowski.
Continue reading Scene Around: Rumson Breakfast Club
Iconic Spot: Farewell, Fromagerie; Hello, Rumson House
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
So, what’s in a name? An awful lot sometimes. When it comes to iconic spots in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, sometimes its all about a name — and the place behind that name and its power. The power of place. It’s mighty in small towns. It defines us and fills our hearts — that slew of memories all anchored in one small place that holds the power to invoke them.
There’s a lot of power in an iconic place like Rumson’s Fromagerie. It’s been a locals’ anchor for decades, since it opened in 1972, under the ownership of Hubert and Markus Peter. Through the many years of the swanky restaurant’s staple existence, management, ownership and menu shifts, the name of the landmark has always been the same — until now.
Continue reading Iconic Spot: Farewell, Fromagerie; Hello, Rumson House
Retro RFH Darkroom Days; Remembering Cliff Greene, 61
Hangin’ in the darkroom. There was such a thing at RFH in the 1970s. And it had quite the opposite renegade purpose of smokin’ in the boys room, as the ’73 Brownsville Station song mused.
Continue reading Retro RFH Darkroom Days; Remembering Cliff Greene, 61
Scene Around: Visit with Deer Friends in Rumson
Photo/Sue Hill-Spakowski
Oh, deer! That’s likely what Rumson dog Nancy Spakowski was thinking when she had a little visit with a family of deer while taking a stroll on Blackpoint Horseshoe Road today.
Continue reading Scene Around: Visit with Deer Friends in Rumson
Focus: Power of People 2018
People. People put the power of place into perspective. They pull us back into places we remember, milestones. They set us soaring toward our dreams, reaching for our own stars. They bring us down to Earth. They anchor us, our memories, our life journeys.
So, in honor of bringing the people in our lives, our communities, all into focus on the journey of one year in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, we offer a glimpse at the people around us in 20018. Relive. Remember. Treasure.
Happy New Year! Be sure to stop, take a look at the faces around you and embrace the memories created in 2019 …
Take a look back (and don’t forget to CLICK to ENLARGE!)
— Elaine Van Develde
Photo/Loujeanne Cuje 
Photo/FHFD 
Winning Itsy Bitsy Spider, Mom and Dad Photo/FHFD 
Focus: Power of Place 2018
There’s a lot to be said about the importance of place in people’s lives. It defines us in many ways. It brings us comfort. It triggers memories. It is a bookmark in our hearts. Oftentimes that important place is home.
So, to pay homage to the profound power of place in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, home, we offer a glimpse back to significant places of 2018 and many decades preceding it.
Happy New Year! Take a look and let the photos give a tug at your heartstrings. Remember.
(Oh, and don’t forget to click on each photo to enlarge and get the full view!)
— Elaine Van Develde
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