Tag Archives: Fair Haven

Local Life

Retro Cool CAT Stokes Campers

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Some sixth grade Fair Haven boys at Stokes
Photo/David Struve

Well, the iconic Stokes trip happened last week; and, by all accounts it was a trip soaked with fun … and rain.

The tradition has been altered over the years. Most recently, the trip’s time of year changed. It now happens in the fall when it used to happen in late spring. It also now takes seventh-, not sixth-graders, tripping in the woods for a week of hands-on outdoor education. And there are no RFH senior counselors called CATs along for the trips of more recent, well, decades. 

Nonetheless, the longtime tradition is and always has been rife with tales of the trip.

This featured snapshot back into the woods in 1978 at Stokes focuses on a few RFH counselor guys (and a sixth grader) who seem to have happened upon some sort of sight or adventure. Lost boys? Perhaps. 

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Local Life

Retro Fair Haven Picture Day Class Action

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We’re talking class action; and, it’s not about a lawsuit — more like suiting up for a class picture.

That’s what they did back in the early 1970s. Well, at least one in this shot suited up in the literal sense. Figuratively speaking, though, this Sickles School sixth grade shot of Gary Verwilt’s class encapsulates that picture day mindset of the past.

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Local Life, Opinion

Back to School & Walking the Rope

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Our annual reprise of back-to-school memories and walking the rope in Fair Haven …

“But I don’t wanna walk on the rope next to her!” I cried from under my freshly-cut kindergarten bangs. “I wanna walk on the rope next to Pam!”

Pam was my neighbor. She was my best buddy.

It was 1965. It was the 60s. One thing’s for sure: Our Fair Haven kindergarten class was the last to have its first year of school at what was called the Youth Center, now the Fair Haven Police Station and Community Center on Fisk Street.

We kindergarteners were also the last to be tugged down the street on a rope, yes a rope, headed by an official-looking police-type lady.

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Local Life

Retro Fair 50/50 Booth Buds

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Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 50/50 Booth in the 1970s
Photo/FHFD media archives

The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair’s opening night is Friday. And, with the fair come games of chance spins and wins.

From the prize booth wheel spins to 50/50 and Super 50/50 tickets taking a tumble in a big bin, there are winners every night. The winnings? Everything from candy to tens of thousands of dollars.

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Obituaries

In Memoriam: Longtime Fair Havenite, Avid Volunteer, Al Schiavetti Jr.

Longtime Fair Havenite, Alfred John Schiavetti Jr., “passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 28, overlooking the beloved Navesink River after a courageous battle with cancer.”

His memorial gathering has been slated for Sept. 9.

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Local Life

Retro Happy Fair Haven Campers

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Happy campers at the Fair Haven campout in 2013 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Happy campers at the Fair Haven campout in 2013
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven’s annual borough-wide campout may no longer be a summertime easy, sticky living event, but a first is always a warm memory. This one, back in 2013, was just plain piping hot.

Things got off to a steamy start, as the temps were high, humid and seemingly climbing. As of tent-pitching time, there were only two crews pitching in the Fair Haven Fields.

The helpers camped out at the campout entrance, told us they thought there’d be more campers joining in as the sun set and people parked themselves for the games and movie.

A few years ago, in 2013, it was a bit cooler out and the place was crawling with very happy, and pretty hysterically funny, campers. In fact, one of these little rascals turned man recently celebrated a birthday. Know who? Hey, get-togethers like this and childhood friends should always be celebrated, birthday or not.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day is dedicated to some truly happy Fair Haven campers!

This crew, in particular, loved to pose for pics.

Recognize anyone? Birthday boy?

— Elaine Van Develde