Rumson girls Alice Coyle Mansfield and Linda Zerr Feeny in the late 50s Photo/Ken Card, courtesy of Alice MansfieldAlice Mansfield and Linda Feeny now
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.
Rumson girl and beach boys of the 60s Photo/courtesy of Cindy Crowley
A reprise for history’s sake …
The Rumson beach boys of the 1960s no sooner made their retro appearance than the iconic spot of their clubbing and lifeguard stand antics became a focal point of the snapshot.
And there’s a sequel with a girl added to the beach boy mix, apparently having broken up the standoff on the lifeguard stand, calming top spot. Mayhem ensued. Meanwhile, back at the club …
With work on the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge halted for the Fourth of July holiday, it resumed today and continues through Friday during the usual 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. hours, Monmouth County officials announced.
Here’s what to expect with construction activity for the rest of this week …
Rumson-raised longtime Fair Havenite, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) 1969 graduate and 37-year Fair Haven Fire Department member, Frank A. Scalzo, passed away on July 3.
Sometimes the best front-row seat is the one that cradles your river time.
Wherever it is, front-row Rumson Barnacle Bill’s or docked, it’s that seat that offers a hometown view with heart. Even in the haze, the the clarity of what matters most is caught like an opening night bouquet tossed into the audience’s lap from the Navesink River’s scenic stage.
It’s a show without a ticket or playbill. Curtain’s always up, even if the lights are dim and no one’s in the house. That’s because it’s always your own show with a take-away that stays like pressed flowers from the best of times.
That front-row seat to river time always calls, offering river time its own sitting ovation — always bowing in, not out.
That’s the show that holds down by the river. Always. Take a look at the above photo gallery for a glimpse from the seat ... (CLICK on one photo to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)
Class of ’76 seniors dive into summer Photo/RFH Yearbook 1976
The sun has had a hard time peering out from the dank weather veil these days. So, daydreaming about a simpler summer time when a dive into the ocean in Sea Bright was all you needed comes a lot easier than that ball of fire and the imminent need to cool down.
Despite the steady stream of rainy weather through last week and into this week, this week’s Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge replacement activity remains status quo. Work on the bridge continues Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, again, weather permitting, with a few new notes to roadway and sidewalk users. Note that the sidewalk across the bridge is fully open to pedestrians and bicyclists.
You must be logged in to post a comment.