It’s that time of the RFH school year when the Tower Players are readying their fall production. This year it’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and curtain goes up three days from now.
But, back in the 1970s, there was more. Seniors had an end-of-the-year variety show and, for a short stint, freshmen had a follies. And in the fall of 1974, all freshmen talent was pooled and the follies show went on.
Witchy RFH women on Halloween of 1977 Bonnie Werner and Sue Brower Photo/George Day
Call it Halloween buddy system brooming. Remember the old buddy system? Trick or treating with a buddy to stay safe. Ever apply that theory in high school tricks with the only treat being the friendship and good ride through it all together?
Well, this gruesome twosome of best buds applied the system for some double trouble all in good ghoulish fun. Now that’s a special brand of mischief. You could say they were headed every witch way on this Halloween in the late 1970s, except to class.
The two would be Sue Brower and Bonnie Werner of the RFH Class of ’78.
So the double-dose Retro Pic(s) of the (George) Day feature them at their Halloween best.
An RFH ghostly gathering on Halloween in 1977 Photo/George Day
A Halloween reprise to honor the season of the ghost …
Scary season has set in. People in the Rumson-Fair Haven area aren’t just out raking leaves, either. They’re haunting up their homes, crafting costumes and getting into the spirit. So, why not add a little extra retro spooking from RFH students of the past?
BOO … who or what? It was all in the haunt for RFHers back in the 1970s. They started getting the Halloween party going early on and ended up with a pretty festive feast of ghouls on the grounds of the high school and, yes, beyond.
RFH Surf Team after their NSSA Northeast Conference High School Championship win Photo/RFH Surf Team/Facebook
The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Surf Team rode a wave of success on Sunday. The team took fourth place in the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Northeast Conference High School Championships competition on Sunday in Spring Lake.
Juniors of the RFH Class of ’79 lounge in the Junior Lounge Photo/George Day
Some moments are meant for just lounging … like the persistent foul fall weather of the past few days. There was a place for that for juniors at RFH back in the day.
The girls’ team has come a long way since the late 1970s, when one girl raised a ruckus by scoring a goal for girl athletes by using some fancy footwork to earn a spot on the boys’ team. Since 1984, there’s been a girls’ team at RFH and its a winning one in more ways than one — teamwork to score for one another and others.
2019 Tunnel to Towers Race in NY Photos/Bill Heath
There’s a lot of casual hometown pride running through Fair Haven and it has to do with a hero’s run in New York and a couple of longtime borough residents, friendship and many years of brotherhood in emergency response.
A look back at RFH science teacher James Parker and Assistant Superintendent Donald Trotter Photo/George Day
An R-FH Retro reprise …
Well, all are back to school at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH), too. Back to school experiences on the brain, we look back to the new experience of high school for freshmen.
With back-to-school thoughts and new beginnings come hopes of a good teacher or two and memories of the ones who we thought were the coolest and, yes, the worst and scariest to a newbie RFHer. There were also those administrators who weren’t just a Charlie Brown teacher voice cawing rules over the ol’ daydreaming student’s non-thought process. Some, or a couple in particular, are remembered as a real education innovators.
It was the summer of ’79. Bean bag chairs and Sony Walkmans were cool. Trivial Pursuit was launched. McDonald’s introduced its Happy Meal. A gallon of gas cost 79 cents. Disco dancing was still cruising in popularity. And the number one song on the charts on Aug. 17, 1979 was Good Times.
In Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) land, good times are exactly what a bunch of seniors who had just graduated in June were after. It was that summer of senior year — a summer of fun, milestones and memories. Lifetime connectors.
Bonds. Time. Trends. Music. Dance. Good Times was fitting in that summer of ’79. They were all good times; even the worst were the best. And four decades later, the song was the perfect time capsule to capture the RFH Class of ’79’s 40th reunion on that day, Aug. 17.
In RFH land, while bean bag chairs and Walkmans weren’t spotted on the gala weekend (that may still being going) and games of Trivial Pursuit were likely not played. The class was still cruising around the towns to the old haunts, like Barnacle Bill’s, Undici (formerly the ol’ Hook, Line & Sinker hangout), Even Tide, Salt Creek Grille, Donovan’s and just about any other of their hometown streets. The alligator shirts, topsiders and Rumson Roulette belts have since fazed out, but those good times live on.
“These are those good times! Leave your cares behind” and take a look … (and don’t forget to click to enlarge!)
Thanks to Jackie Iglesias Leslie and Karen Apy for the photos! Congrats on your reuniting, RFH Class of ’79!
“When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.”
And she is remembered and in the hearts of many as girl who grew up in Rumson, graduated from RFH and raised her family in Fair Haven. She is remembered as a longtime Fair Haven mom, neighbor and friend. She is Helen Apy.
Helen passed away at the age of 81 on May 18. She will be remembered with at service at 2 p.m. on Saturday at The United Methodist Church of Red Bank 247 Broad Street, Red Bank. Home.
Helen Apy
Many remember Helen as Karen and Ed’s mom and a Fair Haven recreational girls’ softball and basketball coach and referee. They remember seeing her friendly smile and wave in the Acme. They remember her as a welcoming neighbor whose home was always open to friends and family. Messages of sympathy flooded social media upon Helen’s death. But, yesteryear neighbor Robin Drake Fitch summed up the sentiments with her tribute:
“I grew up with Mrs. Helen Apy as our wonderful, kind, caring, warm-hearted, generous, strong in so many ways, backdoor neighbor at the corner of Dartmouth and Hunting,” she said. “I learned so much from her. Just a few weeks ago I was telling a friend about her, and something she taught me over 50 years ago about respect! Long lasting lessons from a loving neighbor and friend.”
Yes, those are the subtle, yet lasting memories of community that stay with us forever. Many of us have theses memories of the mom of someone with whom we grew up. Several moms, perhaps. I know I do.
I, too, remember Mrs. Apy. I remember her sincere, warm smile. I remember her direct, caring demeanor. I somehow remember her laugh. I remember her chatting with my mom in the Acme, too. She was one of those ever-present Fair Haven moms. I didn’t know her as well as her neighbors or family, but I do remember her. I knew that she was there, one of those forever Fair Haven moms and neighbors, embracing what was the Fair Haven family without prejudice or pretense. I remember her, like many other Fair Haven moms, caring for people, not things. I remember that she embodied the moms with whom we grew up and respected. And she respected, too. Respect. I do not know what her lesson of respect for her neighbor kid Robin entailed, but I suspect it was one that resonated with clarity.
I know that her own acceptance and respect did. It showed up in her words and smile. More importantly, she showed up. In fact, many years ago, Helen went out of her way to get a message of thanks to me for a memorial piece I wrote about her dear friend. He was another piece of home. I never forgot him or her words of appreciation. It came from a heart at home, after all.
I browsed through Helen Apy’s public Facebook page to honor and remember her. I saw pictures of her happy with her family and her friends. I saw pictures of her Fair Haven home. I saw happy memories. I saw smiles. Then I saw a post from 2018 in which she was looking to come home again, on the hunt for an affordable place. She had been living in North Carolina. A friend told her to stay there. “It’s too expensive here,” she said. “You don’t like it?” Helen’s answer: “I miss home too much.”
Well, you made it back home, Helen. I and many others understand all too well the value of that Fair Haven home and heart. It bears no price tag. And it has nothing to do with property value or nitpicking curb appeal now does it? Rest in peace. You are home. You are remembered.
From Helen Apy’s obituary … some more about her …
Helen Lee Apy, age 81, long time resident of Monmouth County died May 18 at Meridian Health Rehabilitation Center in Shrewsbury.
She was born on May 29, 1937 in Bronx, NY. She grew up in Rumson and graduated from RFH in 1955. She then received her associates degree in Physical Education from Brookdale Community College.
In her free time she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Red Bank and spent most of her adult life coaching and refereeing recreational girls softball and basketball in Fair Haven.
She fought for women’s and civil rights her entire life, even attending the March On Washington in 1963.
She is best known for her love of the New York Yankees and her “boyfriend” Derek Jeter as well her endless love and support for her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by: her two children, Edward Apy and wife Kathy Apy, and Karen Apy; grandchildren, Charlie Apy, Nicole Cebulko, Ryan Cebulko, Courtney Glubo and her husband Ryan Glubo; and her great-grandchild Sophie Lee Glubo.
She is predeceased by: her parents Eileen Klamka and John Lee, her brother Joseph Lee Jr., as well as her son Baby Boy Apy and granddaughter Isabella Apy.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers and in honor of her years of volunteer service, please send any donations in honor of Helen to the Salvation Army.
RFH spring lounging and fashion of the 1970s — John Brinkerhoff Photo/George Day
The warmth of spring is in full bloom. And there’s nothing like parking yourself on a sunny spot on the grass to read a book or study — or plot your next spring fever antic.
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