Tag Archives: Retro Pic of the Day

Local Life

Retro RFH Joy Rides

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With the thaw of the cranky and closed-in mindset imposed by a heavy dose of spring fever, people tend to get in the mood for a little carefree joy ride to let their hair down, or at least mess it up a bit.

So, the Retro Pics of the (George) Day are dedicated to the good old days of hitting that spring fever pitch with a good ol’ ride in a classic kind of ride, be it a dirt bike, a classic car or a go cart.

In the featured pic, these guys of the 1970s are hanging outside by what was the Junior Lounge at the high school and they’re looking a little restless.

While we’re not certain, it certainly seems like they are a little antsy and looking to break out of the confines of the school, shed their coats and any inhibitions they actually have left and do the “happy days are here again” dance … or ride … ride into some spring fever-like antics.

The other dude and team of monsters are cruising for something. What? No one is exactly sure.

RFH 1978 yearbook photography editor George Day in his yearbook profile shot.
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

George Day, the RFH yearbook photographer of the time is taking a spin in a go cart.

Riding with the wind — or something — at RFH in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

And whoever those ghouls are … Well, they’re not getting far on that dirt bike in the sunken floor of the RFH Senior Commons.

Know who the monsters are? How about that car in the featured pic? Whose is it? And what are these guys really up to? Anyone know what the most popular car or bike was in the 1970s?

Baby, they were born to ride at RFH — or something like that.

— Elaine Van Develde

Oh, and thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day for this photographic gem!

Local Life

Retro RFH Spring Bug

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Lounging on the VW at RFH in the 1970s Photo/RFH Yearbook
Lounging on the VW at RFH in the 1970s
Photo/RFH Yearbook

Spring has sprung — and bounced back and forth a bit lately.

And with spring fever piping hot, sometimes a student, or anyone else, just feels the urge to close the book on a hectic life and bug out, so to speak. That’s lounging language — sorta.

What better way to practice springing into that lounging mode than by resting on the back of a VW Bug and hoping what’s on the printed page sinks in through osmosis.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors that sort of moment in time on a Monday that may have ya down with this shot from the RFH 1975 yearbook.

Know these slackers? Who had the VW bug bug?

Happy Monday …

Local Life

Retro RFH Beach Babies

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RFH girls on the beach at the 1974 Freshmen Follies
Photo/George Day

Well, the sun has finally made its entrance into full swing spring.

Most would say, too, that the time has been right to hit the beach — with full beach gear.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day commemorates setting the stage for a beach day and making that entrance with a look back at some RFH beach babies taking their ode to it all to the stage in 1974.

The girls were entering stage right for a full regalia rendition of the Beach Boys’ Girls on the Beach in the RFH Freshmen Follies.

The outfits made the hosts of the show take a step back.

So, step back in time with us and remember this special little rendition. Recognize these gals? And how about those suits?

Many thanks, again, to the fabulous George Day for this look back! 

Local Life

Ode to Retro RFH Baseball

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Baseball at RFH in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

It’s spring and baseball season is in full swing at RFH.

In fact, games are scheduled for today and Saturday.

So, in honor of the sport, that spiffy old RFH uniform and good times on the playing field, the Retro Pic(s) of the (George) Day offer a glimpse back to some days on the field and in the dugout back in the 1970s.

Recognize any of these guys? And, ball players, who was your favorite coach? One, for many, was the ever-popular Hal Lorme who passed away a couple of years ago.

Just thinking about the game, are ya? Take a look back and remember. Now, about those uniforms …

Thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day for these glimpses back into RFH history! 

 

Local Life

Retro RFH Swim Champs

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RFH Swim Team champs circa late 1970s.
Photo/photo of newspaper clipping

They were a swimming success. They still are.

Both the Boys’ and Girls’ RFH Swim Teams have ended the season with records to do some backflips over. RFH swimmers have always dove into the season with winning streak gusto.

Most recently, they won the 2015 state championship. And this year finished the season as Group A Central Division champs.

The Lady Dawgs had successful final meet with a “great win over Neptune,” RFH Swimming said on Twitter.

And, as for the boys, they “after a tough 1st loss to CBA … beat Neptune.”  Final record for the season: 10-1-1.

The RFH swimmers were state champs in 2015 and ended this season as Group A Central Division champs 2017.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day pays homage to those RFH swimmers of old … back in the late 1970s.

It is a glimpse from an old newspaper clipping of some of the proud RFH strokers after they were captured on a winning streak after a meet.

Recognize anyone? There are at least two with strong ties to the Fair Haven Fire Department. What year?

Go team!

Local Life

Retro RFH Polar Bear Tradition

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RFH Polar Bear Club after a plunge.
Photo/RFH Yearbook screenshot

New Year’s Day is approaching. And, as tradition has it in the area, with the advent of the new year comes a plunge into the cold Atlantic ocean — the annual Polar Bear Plunge, to be exact.

The annual Sons of Ireland’s Asbury Park ocean dip for bonding and charity on New Year’s Day was conceived by Rumsonite Sean Clifford.  It benefits two charities each year. This year, all the proceeds will go to: Red Bank-based Stephy’s Place, a relatively new non-profit dedicated to help the grief-afflicted; and Long Branch’s Shore House, a center of assistance for the mentally ill.

But, way back in the day, there was a high school group of plungers who had a club all their own — the RFH Polar Bear Club.

So, in light of the New Year’s Day plunge of today and the jumpers into the ocean chill of the past, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to RFH in the 1970s and a bunch of BFF plungers.

The weather really didn’t seem to affect them. Though, a little cold water on a winter’s day as a teen was never a big deal.

We salute the fearless plungers of both eras! Recognize any of the guys in this mid-70s RFH Yearbook shot?

— Elaine Van Develde

News

Retro RFH Surf n Freeze Part II

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RFH surfer boys at the Sea Bright beach circa 1978.
Photo/George Day

You’ve seen this crew before — in a different pose.

This 1970s gaggle of guys was always set for a surf, a party, or some sort of mischief.  The smiles are telling. There’s nothing like a winter non surf to warm the RFH soul.

So, once again, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day honors friendship and keeping it real, riding with it on a winter’s day at the beach.

Some of these guys are still around and still friends. Recognize those faces?

Cheers!

Thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day for this snapshot back in RFH time! 

Local Life

Leaving the Scene of a Unique Retro RFH Cheer

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Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s. Photo/George Day
Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

What would a string of cheerleading for the team pics be without a cap-off of some special cheerleaders leaving the scene of the cheer?

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day is a vision — of those crazy 1970s dudes and their “different” idea of cheering for the team and, well, those outfits.

So, here’s to that big cheer for RFH football, champions and, yes, those cheerleaders of the past.

Now, does anyone know who these guys are and whose skirts they’re sporting here?

Many thanks to the one and only George Day for capturing this gem of a look into the RFH past! 

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro RFH Cheer for Champs

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Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

Well, the cheering for the RFH Bulldogs’ fourth consecutive state football championship has yet to cease.

And that’s how it goes with those spirited RFH cheers. The people of R-FH land are proud and rightly so.

So, in the interest of equal time and continuing to honor the champs, the Retro Pic of the Day zooms in on a group of real RFH cheerleaders of the past — the late 1970s to be sort of exact.

These are the real deal girls with their genuine purple and white plaid kilt skirts (rather than sister or mother’s clothes), saddle shoes (rather than work boots), and knee socks (in place of long johns, or whatever those things were on the guys). Oh, and the pom-poms and megaphones are authentic. Though the guys we showed you did manage to lift a couple of tools of the cheer trade from the girls, like those sweaters and a pom or two.

So, give this group of cheerleaders a gander. They were considered the coolest of the cool kids. Yup. The outfits and method of cheering have evolved quite a bit since then, but the sentiment is the same.

Go Bulldogs!

Recognize any of these girls? Some are still in the area.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Retro RFH Cheer for the State Football Champs

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The role reversed cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
The role reversed cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

When RFH won its fourth consecutive football state championship on Saturday, cheers could be heard for miles around — and days.

In fact, fans and alumnus from all over are still shouting the ol’ “Hey, purple, hey white, you look so good to me … Hey! Hey!” Well, it went something like that back in the 1970s.

And in the 70s there was also a very special group of cheerleaders with a unique twist on a cheer and, of course, those outfits. Never mind the pom-poms and mustaches.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors that special cheer that can be heard for miles around led by this special group of RFH Class of ’78 guys.

Recognize any of these special fellas? One or two of them may have actually been at Saturday’s game. Can you hear them now?

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, Opinion

Retro RFH Show Time!

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It’s opening night for the RFH Tower Players’ fall show.

The fall show at RFH has been a longstanding tradition along with the spring musical.

But, back in the day, of, well, the 1970s, there was also the RFH Freshmen Follies which got the new kids in the halls on stage. It was a way for the youngest in the high school to, let’s say, come out of their shell. And they did.

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day literally honors the RFH Class of ’78 President Ward Tietz, who not only came out of his shell for the show, but wore a couple of shells like medals on his chest — coconut shells, in fact.

He agreed to join this editor (right) and her best buddy and don a hula skirt, flower headdress and coconut shell bikini top in the great ol’ stage tradition of doing anything for a laugh. Farce. He got those laughs, including many from his own co-stars, who even lost their own sailor hats and nearly fell over mid-song as he strutted and cried under his breath that the stinking shells were itchy and giving him a rash.

That’s our Honey Bun, in the tradition of belly laughs, RFH camaraderie and a tribute to friends and the power of a fun song from an old musical, South Pacific.

This number just never fails in any era — especially considering the star’s outfit.

Get a load of Honey Bun from an RFH stage in ’74!

RIP my best friend Stephanie DeSesa (left in photo). Thank you. I’m still laughing with you.  

Thank you, again, George Day, for preserving yet another priceless RFH memory!

Local Life

A Retro RFH Football Home Game Cheer

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The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977 Photo/George Day
The boy cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977
Photo/George Day

Friday night is the night — homecoming football game at RFH and, well, carnival.

There is no Thanksgiving Day game anymore welcoming RFH alum back from college in a mini reunion of sorts. The game isn’t against Red Bank Catholic (RBC). There’s no dance the night before the game with invites to those alumni who came home from college for the first time. And, the latest controversy among many RFHers of the past and present is the nixing of the homecoming king and queen.

Continue reading A Retro RFH Football Home Game Cheer →