Reprise from Aug. 23, 2022, because we’re having a July heat wave …
There’s nothing quite like sitting on the dock of the … river in Rumson. Though this was never seen as wasting time. Savoring it was more like it. Still is.
You could say she’s booked. In fact, she’s been booked for quite some time.
Longtime former Rumsonite Renee Swartz was recently (on July 19), and quite literally, booked at an event honoring her work with Monmouth County Library System since 1960 and, mostly, her retirement from her work since 2001 as founder and chair of the NJ Center for the Book at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank.
Call it a wash. Down came that rain and washed the murky, humid muck in the air away.
And like the song, it seems like “you can see forever more,” especially from the iconic shores of the Navesink down by Barnacle Bill’s. No matter how far a hometown Rumsonite or Fair Havenite roams, the riverfront always calls them back to hold them tight.
It’s never a fishing expedition. The line was cast long ago and the anchor never rusts. This one’s a diamond. Unbreakable, it glistens with magnetic light shining, calling from deep in the river’s sandy floor.
The precious anchor stone’s gleam reflects in that hometown kid’s eyes, offering the view no one else has. It’s from that river’s shores that, murk or not, that kid at heart can see more clearly every inch of beauty that’s always been there, yet still lies ahead. They look back while looking ahead to see those little big things that brought them there. Held them there.
Those things? They’re still holding … with soothing tightness.
Hold those thoughts and keep them … like a kid collecting shells down by the river.
Click on one photo in the above gallery to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy the view!
— Elaine Van Develde
The weather forecast …
Heatwave humidity and wildfire smoke has cleared. Here’s what’s in store with the weather in the Rumson-Fair Haven area through the weekend and into next week.
It’s summertime. And in the truest of carpe-the-summertime-diem spirits, there’s no simpler a summer pleasure than an impromptu reunion among Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) grads before the 45th reunion main event.
Reprise, because everyone’s asking about those hot Rumson girls of the 1950s dock days. And they’re still around the towns …
Well, we are steeped in steamy summer heat. And there’s really nothing more sizzling summer hot than two Rumson girls of the 1950s who took the plunge into and out of summers together — suited up, off the Rumson Dock and into a longtime friendship.
This week’s advisory for those traversing the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge construction area remains status quo, with the exception of a reduction in Friday work hours.
Clip of press photo for The Barn Theater’s production of “The Fantasticks” in the summer of 1977
“Bye Bye Birdie” at The Barn Theater in Rumson circa summer of 1977 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
The following piece was originally posted on July 8, 2015. As we dive into summer season, we thought it only fitting to remember good summer times outside of the usual beach romp for those who grew up and raised their families in the Rumson-Fair Haven area — summer theater. Once upon a time, there was a special little place in Rumson called The Barn … Take a trip back with us to simple summers and magical, theatrical times …
Remember The Barn Theater in Rumson?
Well, if you don’t, you missed out and are probably significantly younger than those who do and didn’t — miss out, that is.
It’s a plus if you’re that young. But, it’s definitely a factor in the minus category if you didn’t work, play or get entertained there.
It was a community theater that cast hundreds, maybe thousands, from the area, including many Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students.
The building is still there, only a few blocks away from the high school on Avenue of Two Rivers near the intersection at Ridge Road. The reason why it was called The Barn was, well, because it was an old barn, gutted (if there is such a thing with a barn) and converted into a small arena-type stage theater, with the stage at floor level and risers around it as seats, though not all the way around.
You get the picture. Now, here’s what’s behind the place’s show folk and shows …
A 1976 River Rats crew Photo/courtesy Marc Edelman, Facebook
All’s cool with these little rats in the pool … or, more like down by the river! A reprise from 2018 in ode to the tradition of summer recreating on the river in the Rumson-Fair Haven area. It’s all about River Rats, one summer rite of passage in the area …
Summers in the Rumson-Fair Haven area are rife with river-oriented activities that have become tradition.
River Rats’ sailing “camp” is no exception. OK, nobody was camping. It was more like a little club. Still is.
It’s been a sort of rite-of-living-on-the-Navesink passage for decades — since 1955. Kids learn how to boat and do a lot of summer fun bonding in the process.
Make up time for the cast of Carnival at RFH summer of 1976
Photo/Elaine Van DeveldeCliff Rigby backstage at RFH summer theater production of Carnival
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Summer theater productions are opening once again all over the Rumson-Fair Haven area. This seasonal show time for locals has proven as popular as hitting the beach with buddies — OK, far away from the invasion of the outta town tourists.
This week’s Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge construction travel advisory remains status quo. Work continues during the hours of 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Friday, weather permitting.
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