RFHers’ adventure to Great Adventure Photo/courtesy of Marc Edelman, Facebook
It’s a given. Dismal weather makes confined teens antsy. And the dismal weather doldrums of late have given way to aspirations of a simple romp in the sunshine — or something less corny and way cooler than that.
There’s been a promise these days of sun after a run of rain and soppy snow. So, when there’s a hint of a peek of sunshine and higher temperatures, all good RFHers have always had the spirit of adventure to venture out … far out.
Back in the late 1970s, this crew got the itch to hit the road and sun and literally get to a Great Adventure. Nothing like springing a bunch of RFHers in a spring fever pitch.
They even romped a bit in the fountain … not that we’d encourage anyone to get carried away or take a leap …
So, with February, not quite spring or summer, busting out all over we pay homage to sunny days and the free spirit that comes with them, not to mention the ridding of foul weather ants in the pants.
The fun had here was pretty pure.
What was your favorite RFH teen adventure? Recognize anyone?
The RFH Tower Players are in rehearsal for their spring musical production ofThe Secret Garden. The spring musical at the high school is long standing tradition — and one that has come with much accolades for fine artistic work.
Frank Leslie Sr. and his gaggle of kids at the Whistle Stop in Fair Haven circa 1979 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Today would have marked the 89th birthday of Fair Haven’s Frank Leslie Sr., owner of the iconic Whistle Stop. In honor of that, we are sharing this piece originally posted on July 20, 2016. Happy Birthday, Mr. Leslie! Thanks for the many smiles and simple good times!
By Elaine Van Develde
Sometimes all it takes is a jawbreaker, a slice of Elio’s pizza, pinball and friends all enveloped in a gingham-curtained room with a jovial giant of a dad host to make a bunch of kids smile.
Fair Haven Fire Department’s first Scuba Squad, or Water Rescue Unit Photo/FHFD
With the recent passing of Fair Haven’s Donny Frank — policeman, fireman and first aider — we are reminded of some history-making firsts for the borough that tend to get lost in the, well, passing of time.
So, here in the Retro Pic of the Day is an enlightening picture of a factoid that resurfaced like, say, a deep sea diver from the vast waters — sort of like Donny Frank and friends emerging with an expanded rescue idea for the Fair Haven First Aid Squad (or Corps) back in 1962.
RFH girls on the beach at the Freshman Follies circa 1975. Photo/George Day
In light of most everyone’s wish for warmer days and a big ol’ thaw for brighter, beachier times, we have decided to give you an encore of this classic look back …
Our Retro Pic of the (George) Day is one of warm wishes — for sun-filled, fun beach days ahead.
This crew of RFH girls entertained people with their own version of the Beach Boys’ Girls on the Beach at the RFH Freshman Follies in 1975.
Carson Kirman gets to the winter sport of hockey and skating on McCarter Pond in 2015 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
It’s not as if most any adventurous kid wouldn’t try a little skating on thin ice in more ways than one. But, the ice was definitely thick enough at McCarter Pond in Fair Haven this one January day in 2015.
A retro Sunday drive of sorts on the RFH football field circa 1977 Photo/George Day
Sometimes there’s just more to tackle on the football field than one another and a ball. And sometimes the goal is to fumble and ride with something besides the game — like an old car, RFH friends and a little cruising to play the field in a different way.
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 RFHFreshmen Follies.
This was a rehearsal for Neil Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’ at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School circa 1976. Photo/screen shot of RFH yearbook.
Oh, it’s show time at RFH on Friday with the opening of the Tower Players’ fall production of Sherlock Holmes.
One thing that’s elementary, as Sherlock says, is that going on with the show is a time honored tradition at RFH. Remember?
So, these Retro Pics of the Day offer a glimpse back to rehearsals for the Tower Players’ production of Plaza Suite circa 1976.
Yours truly was in the cast . And it was a “memorable” experience considering that my co-star — a very nice guy who at an RFH reunion told me he was unwittingly duped into doing the show and had no desire massive stage fright — dropped five pages worth of lines and left me circling the stage with a dessert cart rambling like Edith Bunker on an especially menopausal day. Not a cue to be picked up. Ten minutes later, which is eternity for a floundering actor on stage, he picked up a line or two, just in time to end the scene.
Rehearsal for Plaza Suite circa 1976. Photo/RFH yearbook
Thanks to Dan Olshansky for dropping those lines. It was the start of some hardcore actor improv training and a not-so-glamorous, but nonetheless professional and loads of fun, longtime career in the field. So, it’s not the lines that count, it’s the character — or something like that.
Now, two more nights left for “Line please!”
Cheers to the cast of Sherlock Holmes! And cast, please don’t really break any legs.
Our reflections this week of the pain and pride that exudes — sometimes in the most peculiar pronouncements — from students at class picture time have so far taken us back to a couple of classic Rumson and Fair Haven elementary school group shots from the 1970s.
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