Retro Hot Rumson Summer Coolness — Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

Summer sunning in Rumson with the Slocum family. Photo/courtesy of Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca — Summer sunning in Rumson with the Slocum family.
Photo/courtesy of Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca

Back in the day, Rumson summers weren’t all about going to the beach club from dawn ’til dusk.

For some, it was as simple skipping the packing up of the family, not to mention the cost, and just laying a blanket out on the lawn and catching some rays while the kids played.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors that time-honored, simple tradition of lawn sunning with a photo from several decades ago, courtesy of native Rumsonite Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca. It’s her family’s own Holly Street sunning scene set by her cousin (the child) and his mom.

“The house in the background belonged to my grandparents Alfred and Lillian Turnbull Slocum,” she said.

Little cousin Jack isn’t suited up for sunbathing or swimming. Looks like he’s ready to go fix a car somewhere. Hmmm. Perhaps the car’s what’s in his hand.

Did you sun in your back or front yard when you couldn’t get to the beach? Did you ever try to get your hair bleached blonde with lemon and the sun? How about using baby oil and iodine as a tan accelerator? Album cover with foil?

— Elaine Van Develde