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News

Going Retro with RFH’s ‘Fiddler’

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In light of our recent editorial tribute to 26-year Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) English teacher and her theatrical family, our Retro Pic of the Day brings us back to 1978 and RFH’s production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Nearly the entire Hughes family had a featured role in the show. Pictured in this shot are Paul and Nan Hughes rehearsing a scene as Hodel and Perchik.

Oddly enough, they played a madly-in-love couple in the show. Hodel defies tradition asking for a blessing rather than permission to marry Perchik, a radical who was sent to a prison in Siberia while working for the revolution in Kiev.

Paul’s children attend RFH and many have seen Matt on the same stage as his father.

We’re thinking Nan won’t be too fond about revisiting that hairdo. Sorry, Nan.

 

Local Life

Lighting Up the Holidays in the R-FH Area

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There’s something about Christmas lights in small towns that just soothes the hometown soul.

Here’s to yet another reason why the Rumson-Fair Haven area is so special.

Take a little holiday tour with us in our photo gallery above. Just click on any image to enlarge and click the arrows to scroll through.

Happy holidays to all from Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect!

Schools Scene

Sports Success: RFH Places 2nd in ShopRite Cup

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The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:

Based on an extremely successful fall sports season, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) has achieved a high ranking in the 12th Annual ShopRite Cup 2014-15 Fall Standings.

RFH is ranked second among all Group 2 schools, and stands at fourth place among all public schools in New Jersey.

The top five Group 2 high schools in the ShopRite Cup Fall Standings, in order, are: Haddonfield, 34 points; Rumson-Fair Haven 31 points; Collingswood,16 points; Madison, 16 points; and Kinnelon, 15 points.

The ShopRite Cup is presented jointly by ShopRite stores and the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). Winning schools earn ShopRite points for top finishes in competition as well as for sportsmanship.

RFH earned points for the Girls Cross Country Sectional Championship, Field Hockey Group Championship, and the Football Sectional Championship.

News, Police and Fire

Sea of Blue Extends to Show of Support for Local Police

By Elaine Van Develde

You may have seen them popping up all around the Rumson-Fair Haven area — blue signs of support for local police.

The solemn show — blue ribbons, blue lights, blue anything peppering the area — has been dubbed the Sea of Blue Ribbons campaign.

And it continues through Dec. 31.

Continue reading Sea of Blue Extends to Show of Support for Local Police →

Local Life, Obituaries

Looking Back at a Special RFH Teacher, Friend

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Mimi Hughes as pictured in the 1978 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School yearbook.

By Elaine Van Develde

It is with great sadness, yet gratitude for a treasure trove of great memories, that I dedicate our Retro Pic of the Day to the memory of longtime Rumson resident and former RFH English teacher Mimi Hughes, who passed away Saturday morning.

Mrs. Hughes is remembered as an exquisitely gentille, intelligent, strong and compassionate woman. While many knew her from her many years as an RFH teacher, she is also fondly recalled as a singer, actress, friend, wife, mom to RFH grads Mark, Paul, Nan and Patrick and beloved grandmother to her grandchildren.

“She had time to say goodbye to all of us, and she did it with shining grace and composure,” daughter Nan said in a Facebook post. “Her last night was filled with love, Christmas carols and family. Mimi was even singing along with her grandchildren … And as always, she has been a role model, showing us the best way to do this.”

There will be a memorial gathering 10 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass at Nativity Church, Fair Haven.

With our Retro Pic of the Day, we ask that you take a moment to remember Mimi Hughes.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will be publishing an opinion piece on Monday in honor of Mrs. Hughes.

Local Life

A Retro Look at Fair Haven School Daze

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Our Retro Pic of the Day takes you back to the days of Kindergarten classes at what was called the Youth Center in Fair Haven.

Kids were walked on a rope — yes, a rope — led by an official looking crossing guard-type person to the classroom which was where the police station is now. (We’ll get to the rope another time.)

This shot, circa 1965, features some kids who are still in the area, if not Fair Haven itself.

One is a well-known funeral director (front, left), another is your own Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect founding editor (front right, sort of), another has a mom who still lives in town and a brother who is a well-known area photographer and landscaper, and, yet another, was an impressive athlete growing up and is still in town.

Take your guesses. And, please feel free to send us your retro photos, credit included, at [email protected].

 

Business Buzz, News

Get Your Christmas Booskerdoo On Now!

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Screenshot of Booskerdoobakery.com website
Screenshot of Booskerdoobakery.com website

There are a lot of downtown business bargains going on for the holidays in Fair Haven right now.

However, one shop, in particular, is now aiming to make sure that all fans get their orders in by Thursday night to ensure a timely Christmas delivery. That shop is Booskerdoo.

The staff at the relatively new coffee and dessert shop on River Road is reminding people that “you can still order coffee at www.booskerdoo.com and get it by Christmas Eve. You’ve got about 30 hours left of guaranteed delivery,” according the business’ Facebook page.

“To receive it by Christmas Eve, order by Dec 18th,” another post not the page added. “Use coupon code ‘davy10’ for 10% off an order of three bags or more. All coffee is roasted the same day we mail it to you.”

Continue reading Get Your Christmas Booskerdoo On Now! →

Schools Scene

Parents Get ‘Google Apps for the Classroom’ Education

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The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:

The Fair Haven School District gave parents an opportunity to get some hands-on experience with Google Apps for the Classroom.

Parents gathered at the Media Center of Knollwood School on Dec. 2 for the fourth event in a series of several planned by the district’s new Fair Haven Family Institute. The Institute was created to relay information to parents on initiatives undertaken throughout each year in the district.

As part of the Go Google! event, parents received hands-on experience with the capabilities of Google Apps for the Classroom. The program was hosted by Ellen Spears, district director of Curriculum, as well as Sickles School Principal Cheryl Cuddihy, Knollwood School Principal Kevin Davis, and district supervisor of Instructional Programs and Support Kathy Elgrim.

Continue reading Parents Get ‘Google Apps for the Classroom’ Education →

Local Life

Taking a Spin Back to Cotton Candy and Fair Days

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Millie Felsmann spins and serves cotton candy at the Fair Haven Firemen's Fair's Out Back circa 1993. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Millie Felsmann spins and serves cotton candy at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s Out Back circa 1993.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

While we’re on a Fair Haven Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary roll, we figured we’d keep it going with a Retro Pic of the Day that hones in on some warmth with yet another “fair” lady, Millie Felsmann.

In this snapshot, Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 1993, she was up to her usual cotton candy spinning and serving.

The booth she is pictured in is now called the Out Back. Then it was just referred to as “the hot dog booth.”

What’s your favorite goodie from that booth?

Business Buzz, News

Bye-Bye to Mike’s Toy Store

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By Elaine Van Develde

A little slice of area toy store history went tumbling down on Tuesday.

The building that used to house the iconic Mike’s Toy Store in Little Silver is no more. And as it was toppled, childhood memories arose.

Mike’s was that kind of place for which many a kid in the Rumson-Fair Haven area saved his or her pennies, clutched in their tiny fists, for a jaunt to the wonderland to purchase a token toy dream come true.

And, some might say, the irony was uncanny that the place that many saw as their own fantasy Santa’s workshop came down at Christmas time. The jolt of the toy graveyard scene crushed old-timers’ nostalgia-riddled souls while igniting that child-like light from within.

Continue reading Bye-Bye to Mike’s Toy Store →

Local Life

A Look Back on Holiday Partying with the Fair Haven FD Ladies’ Auxiliary

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Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies’ Auxiliary celebrates the holidays many years ago. Pictured are: FRONT ROW Mary Farley, Sally Van Develde, Millie Felsmann, Paula Mulvihill, Mary LeCardi, Jane Croft, Evie Kelly, Joanne Fowler, BACK ROW Kathy Watson, Ethel Russek, Bobby Lang, Florrie Carlock, Ruth Binaco, Elinore Osborne, Jean Burgess, Mary Albertson, Marion Bennett, Jackie Leslie, Chris Schrank, Trish DePonti, Raquel Falotico, Dale Connor, Nellie Egeland, Esther England, Dot Connor and Kathy Robbins. Photo/Kathy Robbins

Our Retro Pic of the Day brings us decades back to a snapshot of a little holiday party fun with the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies’ Auxiliary.

There are an awful lot of familiar faces in this shot, including some Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) grads and/or their mothers — this editor’s mom, too.

Take a look and see who you recognize. Thanks to Kathy Robbins who took the photo and circulated it last year on Facebook.