Tag Archives: feature

Local Life, Opinion

Focus: Through the … Barnacle’s Wreath

Gallery

Perspective. It’s all about perspective, especially when it comes to a familiar riverfront scene in Rumson. No matter what way you look at it, it’ll light you up from inside.

So focusing on the sunset view from one simple holiday vantage point offers a closer look at being home for the holidays. Staying there, always in the heart.

This time, sitting at a high-top with a Barnacle Bill’s view through a wreath wraps it up — the gift. Sun down, lights up, the reflection is all about home and the little glints we will never miss if we keep the memories alive through our lone perspective — our view.

The flicker of even one light on a wreath’s full circle lens mesmerizes. It smiles and winks back with a bright flash. A glimmer of a memory gleams. It warms. It never blinds.

Seeing the light often means looking back, focusing on that one teensy, mammoth view of one moment in time.

Once upon a time, the best of teenage girlfriends guffawed over bad engagement pictures in the paper and awful boys. They nursed some coffee and a basket of fried zucchini sticks, satiated by the salty company. Shelling peanuts and rolling them in sea salt on their crumpled paper placemats, they mused about one day missing their misadventures, about coming home after college, about coming back to their table, to their time. They always came back, even when they could no longer sit together. One left at the table, the two still came back with the flash. The view focused, full circle, bright, never lost on either of them.

Look for yours … (click, enlarge, scroll) through the … wreath.

— Photos & reflective piece/Elaine Van Develde

There’s some light in the weekend weather forecast. Here it is, from the National Weather Service. Shine on, view …

Obituaries

In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite, Deane-Porter Teacher, Marilyn Wuestefeld, 80

Former longtime Rumsonite and Deane-Porter Elementary School teacher, Marilyn Showler Wuestefeld, passed away on Dec. 7 at Hackensack Meridian Nursing & Rehabilitation, Shrewsbury, after a long illness. She was 80.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite, Deane-Porter Teacher, Marilyn Wuestefeld, 80 →
Local Life, Opinion

Reflection: A Fall for the River Ripple Effect

Call it a fall for reflective river time. The effects are far-reaching, staying with you wherever you go, each ripple always reaching out past the reflection to bring you home.

River reflection. Ripple effect. It’s all about taking a closer look. Noticing the little things. The mirror image. The slightest crimp in the freeze frame that emanates from the wind’s whisper. It’s hushed secret-telling.

But it’s no secret. The pilings are anchored home. Each curl that you can see in the reflection’s blur will eventually reach the shore, bringing with it the focus in that reflective microcosm of change.

It’s what keeps us all studying that one mesmerizing ripple that reached us. The one that always latches onto our toes in the sand. The one that moves back out and in with the tide. The one that brings us back home and keeps us there in the ruffled clarity of what really matters. Where it all came from — the center. Home.

All it takes is one ripple to seek you out and find you, warmed by a crisp fall moment on the banks of the river in Fair Haven.

Take a look at the photo gallery above to remember what brings you back. (And click to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)

It’s always river time, but fall river days are dwindling. Here’s what’s in store for the next week’s fall weather from the National Weather Service …

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Santa Trauma II

Image
The Harvey boys' visit to Santa at the Fair Haven Firehouse 2015 Photo/Paula Harvey
The Harvey boys’ visit to Santa at the Fair Haven Firehouse 2015
Photo/Paula Harvey

The following miserable children with Santa photo and narrative was originally posted in 2015. We just can’t resist featuring this classic again. Meet (or re-meet) the Harvey kids … 

The search continues for Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s miserable children with Santa photos.

Continue reading Retro Santa Trauma II →
Local Life

Focus: Waiting for Santa in Rumson

Gallery

Santa Claus, Tim McLoone & the Shirleys, school choruses and a lot of festivity came to Victory Park at the usual spot on Sunday for the resurrection of the annual tree lighting.

R-FH Retro got a good glimpse into the pre-show fun. Take a look … (And don’t forget to click on one photo to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)

Investment Process
Local Life

Focus: A Festive Ugly Christmas Sweater Soiree

Gallery

“Thank God it’s F … ugly Christmas sweater time!” That could have been the mantra for at least one crew of holiday revelers on Friday night at Murphy’s Tavern in Rumson.

All dressed up with somewhere to go, donning their special attire, a partying bunch burst onto an otherwise quiet scene at the old speakeasy and got busy showing and telling about their fun and ugly Christmas sweaters. Call them fugly.

There was showcasing, socializing, lots of festiveness and prizes, too. We’re not sure who won, but a glimpse into the scene at the classic side door Rumson hangout offers an idea of who may have. It’s more fun to guess than to know. This way, everyone gets a good look at all the sweaters.

So, cheers to a little ho, ho, hooooocus pocus of the magical season. Check out the all warm and fuzzy holiday fun wrapped in some festive sweaters. (And don’t forget to CLICK on ONE photo in the upper gallery to enlarge and scroll through. Enjoy!)

Who’s the winner in your starry holiday eyes?

Investment Process
Local Life

Retro RFH Surf n Freeze

Image
The RFH surfing guys of the 1970s
Photo/George Day

A reprise to take the chill out of the air with some warm friendship and fun among RFH guys back in the day … 

Like the song goes, some may say the weather outside is getting downright frightful. Others, like a few RFH guys of the 1970s, may call it delightful.

Well, it’s clear that these guys in the Retro Pic of the (George)Day weren’t afraid of a little cold snap by the sea. If fact, they were all in and ready for a little surfing — or at least pretending.

Continue reading Retro RFH Surf n Freeze →
Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Scene Around: After the ‘Sleepy Hollow’ Curtain Call

And that’s a masked wrap! That’s how those traditional moments went after the final curtain call of the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players’ production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on Sunday.

It was the troupe’s first indoor show since COVID-19. Donning transparent, and some opaque, masks, mics and a “go on with the show” attitude, the Tower Players triumphed with its fall production.

By all accounts, a great time back on the stage again was had by all. And after taking that final bow, the cast mingled with the audience and one another to pose, smile and bond some more about their show time together.

Take a look at the photo gallery above for a glimpse into that time after the curtain call. (CLICK on one photo to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)

Until the next final curtain call in spring …

Bravo, RFH Tower Players!

**Thanks to RFH PAS parents and students for the pics of those after-show moments!**

Home