Category Archives: Opinion

Editorials, letters to the editor and other articles reflecting on iconic people, places and traditions related to them in the area.

Local Life, Opinion

Chef Rossi: Retro Portrait of an RFH Punk Rocker

Yes, Rossi, as we all know her, is coming home to RFH land tonight!

The RFH grad and premier “anti-chef” of the hipster Brooklyn scene has written a memoir about her not so Orthodox Orthodox Jewish upbringing in a preppy Rumson comprised of short stories accompanied by relevant recipes.

Rossi was a kinky-haired, butt-smoking punk rocker with a raucous mouth in a Lilly Pulitzer RFH world in the 1970s and early 80s. Her look wasn’t one that people in these parts were exposed to very often. Neither was her “I am who I am” attitude. She’s still rocking it — in a more staid way, but definitely rocking.

So, it’s only right that the Retro Pic(s) of the Day pay homage to the RFH friend, star caterer, author and master of many other things — like, from day one, being her authentic self and being damn good at it.

Check her out in these priceless pics from her ol’ RFH days. Kids! The middle shot is of her and her infamous not-so-Rumsonite parents, Marty and Harriet. Oh, and by the way, the double shot is her RFH yearbook pic. Yes, we know, most RFH yearbook pics are taken in a natural setting and I can’t recall any, except this one, in which the grad sporting wearing pink feather earrings. It was usually Monet or pearl studs. And, where’s the Fair Isle sweater and turtle neck??

Rossi rocked the anti-prep look!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Families in Community Service: The Brothers Chandler

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By Elaine Van Develde

They were both just that kind of guy — the kind people remember.

They were George Chandler and brother Warren — Chum to most. George, the former Fair Haven police chief and 65-year fire company member was laid to rest a couple of weeks ago at 92. His brother, Chum, died last March, a 64-year fireman.

Continue reading Retro Families in Community Service: The Brothers Chandler →

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Birthday Remembrance of Ben Hamilton

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By Elaine Van Develde

They personified RFH cool. They were the sibling team of Ben and Kate Hamilton.

That team was separated with the untimely death of Ben, a gentle, sunny embrace of community spirit and friendship for many, on Nov. 21, 2015.

Continue reading Retro Birthday Remembrance of Ben Hamilton →

Local Life, Opinion

Retro FH First Aid & Fire Company Family: The Langs

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By Elaine Van Develde

With the line officers in the Fair Haven First Aid Squad all women for 2016, we are reminded that it was not all that long ago that it was just men in the squad — really, until the 1980s.

Yet, there is another attribute of first aiders, among other emergency responders, that is worthy of mention. Many times, the calling to help the community is a family affair.

Continue reading Retro FH First Aid & Fire Company Family: The Langs →

Local Life, Opinion

Tradition: Santa’s Visit to the Fair Haven Firehouse

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Santa and Cole Van Develde at the Fair Haven Firehouse 1990. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Santa and Cole Van Develde at the Fair Haven Firehouse 1990.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s that time of the year for a longstanding Fair Haven tradition — photos at the firehouse with Santa.

This year, Santa’s coming to the firehouse between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

It’s another Fair Haven tradition you can always count on. So, the Retro Pic of the Day takes us back to Santa at the firehouse when it all started.

I remember …

Continue reading Tradition: Santa’s Visit to the Fair Haven Firehouse →

Local Life, Opinion

A Retro RFH Basketball Cheer!

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Hey, purple! Hey, white! You look so good to me! Hey, hey, hey, purple! Hey white!

It went something like that — the cheerleader mantra out there on the basketball court. And, of course, what would a retro ode to RFH basketball be without a little rah-rah about the cheerleaders cheering the team on.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day pays slam dunk homage to cheerleaders on the basketball court. Well, they’re a special breed of cheerleader.

Take a close look. This little cross-dressing prank was played regularly in the RFH sports cheering of the 1970s.

In this special look back at an RFH Student-Faculty Basketball Game, the guys are donning the girls’ outfits, which  were as completely different then as the basketball uniforms. The ol’ preppie plaid kilt skirt and crew neck sweater with knee socks and saddle shoes was it. Though these “gals” had to go with workbooks and sneakers, because the shoes just didn’t fit.

The cheering of yesteryear involved a lot of clapping, shouting and stomping. Oh, and pom-poms! And megaphones! There were no boas, but I think this crew may have worn them quite well. Cheers, guys!

Looks like a Fair Haven Kirman is leading the pack there! Recognize anyone else? And, hey, anyone remember a cheer or two? Slam dunk!

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Ray Taylor Moments

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It’s now common knowledge that 91-year Fair Haven resident Ray Taylor recently received a proclamation for his service to the country and borough.

The active 93-year-old World War II and Korean War vet has been seen at just about any and/or every event in town over the years, especially any involving veterans affairs.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take a look back at Taylor at some of those events: Chum Chandler’s memorial service, the Fair Haven Centennial Parade, Memorial Day and more.

Taylor, Mayor Ben Lucarelli said while reading the proclamation last week, embodies the spirit of Fair Haven and patriotism.

Yes, he does!

— Elaine Van Develde

Business Buzz, Opinion

I’ll Just Pick: Tavolo Pronto Fresh

By Elaine Van Develde

Call them all Tavolicious — the key fresh ingredients in just some of our favorite foods at Tavolo Pronto in Fair Haven.

Yes. Tavolicious. That works. They’re a special blend of uniquely Tavolo and just plain delicious. There are so many Tavolicious things at Tavolo.

Continue reading I’ll Just Pick: Tavolo Pronto Fresh →

Local Life, Opinion

Retro RFH Supremes of ’74

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RFH Freshmen Follies '74 and the Diana Ross and The Supremes act. Photo/George Day
RFH Freshmen Follies ’74 and the Diana Ross and The Supremes act.
Photo/George Day

It’s just about show time at RFH.

Fall is the time of the year that the stage is set for the first theatrical production of the school year.

This year at RFH, that production is The Faerie King’s Daughter. 

But, back in 1974, something else was a stage happening besides the Tower Players’ show. It was a more, let’s say, talent diverse stage extravaganza involving anyone in the freshman class in one or a few group and/or solo acts. It was the RFH Freshmen Follies.

Continue reading Retro RFH Supremes of ’74 →

Local Life, Opinion

Retro RFH Murder He Wrote?

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Mike Grady in the late 1970s was the walking, or falling, dead. Photo/George Day
Mike Grady in the late 1970s was the walking, or falling, dead.
Photo/George Day

So, Halloween is over. But, some of the antics of RFH students of the past remain etched in our memories.

The Retro Pic of the (George) Day honors one of those kooky ghoulish guys.

We have no idea why this photo was taken or what he was up to here. And when we asked featured RFH alum Mike Grady those questions, he just shook his head.

“Goofing around,” was the basic response.

So, there you have it.

Here’s to goofing around at RFH in the late 1970s!

Nice grin for a guy playing dead, Grady! Breaking character is not allowed! Know who’s the one tending to this freak?

Thanks, once again, to George Day for this fabulous look back at RFH!

— Elaine Van Develde

Business Buzz, Opinion

Little Silver A&P Now Acme

Finishing touches were put on the new Acme in Little Silver, which replaced the A&P Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Finishing touches were put on the new Acme in Little Silver, which replaced the A&P
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

They were putting the finishing touches on it Tuesday night. The Little Silver A&P is now an Acme.

The store, at 507 Prospect Avenue is open. According to the recording on the store’s telephone system, it is open the same hours as the A&P was: 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday; and until 10 p.m. on Sunday.

 

The Acme in Fair Haven has long been considered a special kind of meeting place for area residents.

When this editor’s mom went to “pick up a few things,” that usually meant her children would see her hours later. And, there were many times the conversation in the produce aisle took over so much that one of us had to go back to pick up what she forgot.

Well, we’ll see. With the extra couple of hours open, you never know who may meander over to Little Silver.

See ya at the Acme!

— Elaine Van Develde

Business Buzz, Opinion

I’ll Just Pick: Gaslight’s Wings

By Elaine Van Develde

Sometimes it’s just a good idea to wing it.

Usually, chicken wings are pretty standard fare — a spicy, typically sopping morsel of an appetizer. There are usually standard variations, too: baked, fried, baked and fried, grilled and usually laden with a some sort of spicy sauce.

Continue reading I’ll Just Pick: Gaslight’s Wings →