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Local Life

Retro RFH Gaggle of Halloween Gals

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RFH Halloween of 1977 with a gaggle of girls Photo/George Day
RFH Halloween of 1977 with a gaggle of girls
Photo/George Day

It’s in the air. Halloween.

That means it’s about that time that people start planning their costumes — or not.

At RFH, oh so many bewitching moons ago, there was a lot of planning going on to celebrate the season. Halloween was a full-day of tricking, treating and staying in costumed character in the high schools hallowed halls.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day is an ode to the camaraderie celebrated within a gaggle of girls all for the sake of friendship and a just plain fun full day of RFH Halloween.

Some of these costumes may not pass muster in the guarded school daze of today. Which ones do you think those might be? Then again … Recognize any of these good ghouls? OK, who’s the ghost?

Scared o’ them!

— Elaine Van Develde

Thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day for this peek back in RFH time!

Local Life

Focus: Nightfall River Reflections

Gallery

You could call it falling for the Navesink River.

Wednesday night was one of those still, quiet fall nights down by the river at the Fair Haven Dock. It was in the air. It was on the water. Reflection. A lot of reflection. It’s easy to see and instinctively know why when it is also a place called home.

Take a moment to reflect … Good night, home.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro Supreme RFH Talent

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A Supreme act in the 1974 RFH Freshmen Follies Photo/George Day

Oh, the rain has stopped and the clouds have made way for crisp, sunny fall air. That’s definitely something to sing about — even dance about. No rain dances please, though.

That’s one thing. But another is that fall in RFH land has customarily been the season for shows — a Tower Players production and/or a variety show of sorts.

And, back in those 70s days, there was an annual Freshmen Follies. Yes, there was. Nothing quite like it anymore — not that there’s anything wrong with that.

But, this show was something special. It got the newbies in the high school up, out of their freshmen shy shells and spewing all sorts of talent.

Back in 1974, a few guys took playing to that talent show tune to heart and set themselves free on stage. They got some wigs (don’t ask from where), some of mom’s mod maxi dresses, a little glitter and even a floppy hat (Hey, they were in!) and they sang something supreme — literally.

These guys were Diana Ross and the Supremes. Kevin Reed, if we’re not mistaken, was Diana, albeit a shorter version with nowhere near the amount of hair. The floppy hat was a substitute. And the other three, well, they were the Supremes.

Know what song they were singing? Anyone? And who are those other beauties. Don’t be shy now …

Someone set them free … Talk about a good wig-out! Priceless.

— Elaine Van Develde

Again, we thank George Day for this supreme gem! 

Schools Scene

Fair Haven Students Build Skills with Bricks 4 Kidz

Fair Haven elementary school students recently enjoyed a unique learning experience, courtesy of Bricks 4 Kidz.

Kindergarten through third grade students at Viola L. Sickles School participated from Sept. 26 to 30 in the enrichment program designed to teach children STEM concepts through hands-on learning using LEGO® bricks.

Director Melina Stock visited Sickles for an instructional in-school field trip. This consisted of active building sessions for individual classes with the goal of creating finished models. Working with a Bricks 4 Kidz original design and LEGO technic bricks, the students built their mechanical masterpieces: colorful sailboats for first through third graders (with varying levels of challenge based on grade level); and shiny red apples with bright green stems for kindergarten students.

This was the first of eight Bricks 4 Kidz in-school field trips planned for Sickles students this year, sponsored by the Fair Haven PTA and the school district. Bricks 4 Kidz has been offered to Sickles School third graders as a weekly winter lunch time LEGO program for three consecutive years.

“We take children’s interest in building with LEGO bricks and bring it to the next level by providing education concepts to first through third graders using Bricks 4 Kidz technic project kits,” Stock said. “For example, this month I reviewed non-friction and friction tech pins and how and why they move the way they do.

“Next month I will build on the students’ understanding and introduce another interesting mechanical concept.

“We love providing educational enrichment to the students at Sickles School — their high levels of interest, excitement, and attention always add up to a dynamic learning experience.”

Bricks 4 Kidz provides educational and developmental benefits in:

  •   Creativity and Problem-Solving
  •   Spatial Intelligence and Fine Motor Skills
  •   Organization
  •   Following Directions
  •   Sequencing
  •   Goal-Directed Persistence
  •   Fine-Motor Skills
  •   Cooperation and Teamwork“This is great for helping students learn how to work together as well as follow step-by-step instructions,” Sickles School Media Specialist June Sustick said as she and Stock supervised and encouraged a third grade class of master builders.

    Working in teams of two, the students created picture-perfect sailboat models complete with a rolling on the waves motion thanks to the inclusion of a small motor and battery pack.

     

— Edited press release from Fair Haven School District

 

Continue reading Fair Haven Students Build Skills with Bricks 4 Kidz →

Local Life

Retro RFH Cheer Dudes

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

There have been some grey skies lately.

So, we figured we’d bring in the big boys to cheer up some sun and, well, laughs.

The Retro Pic of the (George) Day takes us back to the football season of 1977 and some special cheerleaders — very special. OK, so it was powder puff football. The girls were playing and the guys were all dressed and cheered up with definitely nowhere to go looking like that.

We’re thinking this brand of RFH cheer could even make the sun come out tomorrow — somewhere.

Now, just one thing: Why aren’t these fetching cheerleaders wearing  knee socks and proper saddle shoes? They seem to have some of the other uniform equipment questionably in place.

Give us an R! Give us an F! Give us an H! Now Run Fast and Hide from these guys! That’s the spirit!

Recognize anyone in this bevy of beauties? Let’s hear it for the guys!

— Elaine Van Develde

Many thanks, again, to the fabulous George Day for the snapshot of this classic moment back in RFH time!

Local Life

Retro RFH Witchy Women

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A witchy retro bike ride at RFH circa 1970s Photo/George Day
A witchy retro bike ride at RFH circa 1970s
Photo/George Day

Yes, it is the season of the witch … and pumpkin carving, and falling leaves, and goblins, and ghouls, and all sorts of tricks and treats. Something like that.

So, to capture a sort of catapult into the time of year, which people seem to already be riding into, we take a look back at a time in the 1970s when Halloween planning at RFH was almost a full-time job. Never mind homework. This was it.

The Retro Pic of the (George) Day is symbolic of the culmination of all that planning and, of course, the ride — a tandem witchy ride into the festivities with the bike and the broom … stick … back-up. Oh, they were well on their way and got where they were going.

You could say these two RFH ghouls’s mission took flight without a hitch.

Must have been the season of the witch. Know who they were?

— Elaine Van Develde

Oh, and thanks, again, to George Day for a great RFH glimpse back in time with this photo!

Local Life

Focus: Pets, Blessings; Lazy, Hazy West Park Sundaze

Gallery

Sometimes you just don’t get to the church on time … for the blessing of the pets.

That’s what happened on Sunday for some trying to make it to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi blessing of the pets at St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in the West Park section of Rumson.

So, in the haze, sights were still seen to sum up a hazy, maybe not lazy, but a bit slow of a late Sunday afternoon in the area.

People seemed to be soaking up the West Park atmosphere with some simple fall stuff like walking the dogs (yes, someone else missed the event), goin’ fishin’ and just getting a glimpse of the river on a pensive kind of day.

Take a look …

— Elaine Van Develde

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Local Life

Retro RFH Bleacher Blast & Love Story

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Bleacher fun at RFH circa 1970s Photo/George Day
Bleacher fun at RFH circa 1970s
Photo/George Day

Yes, it’s that time again … RFH football.

Friday night the game’s on at Middletown South at 7 p.m and, yes, there are South bleacher security rules, too. It’s a sign of the times.

The open letter of rules goes like this …

“Middletown South contacted me with information regarding the football game at Middletown South on Friday Night, 7pm.

“There will be NO pre-sale tickets for the game
An additional entrance will be established for RFH fans — on the visitor side of the bleachers

“Backpacks and large bags, including large pursues, will not be permitted into the game. Smaller personal bags will be subject to search by Middletown Police

“Parking will be very tight on campus and families are encouraged to car pool as possible.

Respectfully,

Chris Lanzalotto
RFH Athletic Director

Go Bulldogs!”

But, back in the day, at least in the 1970s, there was little, if any of all that. Teens bagged it and packed it all up with lots of smiles and innocent, well, pretty innocent antics.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day offers a glimpse back to the RFH bleachers again … with some smiles.

Recognize this crew from the Class of ’79? There’s one gal here who recently came home and married a fellow RFHer who she didn’t know in high school (’cause he was a tad older). He brought her back home to Fair Haven. And they live there again together … happily ever after … or at least smiling like in the old days on those bleachers when they hadn’t even passed by one another in the hallway.

Now that’s a home game.

— Elaine Van Develde

 

News

Knollwood Grad, FH Police Chief’s Son Inducted onto Wall of Honor

A ceremony was held on Sept. 26 to honor Joseph (Joe) McGovern Jr., who graduated eighth grade at Knollwood School in Fair Haven in 2012.

McGovern Jr.’s photo has been added to the school’s Wall of Honor display featuring graduates serving their country in the armed forces.

Continue reading Knollwood Grad, FH Police Chief’s Son Inducted onto Wall of Honor →