Knock-kneed, nervous and all dressed up with somewhere to go, this gaggle Fair Haven neighborhood girls of 1965 lined up so their moms could get that classic first-day-of-kindergarten shot. And there wasn’t a smile among them.
Those Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) grads are at it again …
This time it’s reunion time for the RFH Class of ’73 — the 45th reunion. Classmates are set to reunite and party the night(s) away, starting Friday.
“Hey, purple! Hey, white! You look so good to me! Hey, hey, hey, hey …”
Well, the time is drawing nearer for classmates and clowns alike from the RFH Class of ’78 to be reunited at their 40th (ouch) reunion.
The class was known as a particularly friendly, fun bunch. Studious, too. Hmmmm …
Continue reading Outtake: Retro Cheer for a Class of ’78 40th Reunion
There’s nothing quite like a day of hanging out with a gaggle of your favorite gals.
Yes, school’s out for summer.
But, as the season sets in and the fun begins, those who are saying goodbye to elementary and middle school years and getting set for high school are also getting flashbacks of the days when it all started.
That’s why eighth graders in Rumson and Fair Haven alike have traditionally peppered their yearbooks with a few pages’ worth of who’s who as a kid and/or baby photos.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors that, taking a look back at a page out of a Forrestdale yearbook circa 1974, and begs the question “Who are those kids?”
Do you know? Take a look.
The year was 1950 and the high school back then was Rumson High School.
The Rumson High Class of 1950 graduated a handful of seniors compared to the hundreds who just did the ol’ Pomp and Circumstance stroll at Monmouth University.
She was there watching over and crossing kids to school in Fair Haven for more than 25 years. She took her job seriously. She loved and looked after many. No one would dare take a single step into the road without her nod, loud whistle, broad outstretched arms with stop sign palms and her iconic “CROOOOOOSS!” bellow. She is Dorothy Breckenridge; and she turned 88 on Tuesday.
Continue reading Happy Birthday & Retro Look at an Iconic Crossing Guard
As the unofficial start of summer approaches, thoughts turn to beachy sorts of antics among pals — RFH pals, specifically. Call it something to sing and dance about — center stage.
As Police Week comes to a close, we take a look back what now symbolizes the ride into the week of honor and remembrance.
The Police Unity Tour, known as the “ride for those who died” reached its Washington D.C. culminating destination at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on May 12.
In light of baseball season and honoring high school firsts in the breaking down of gender barriers, this Retro Pic of the Day, originally published in 2015, is being recirculated …
Yes, it’s all about baseball right now.
And the idea of RFH girls breaking into sports that were traditionally boys’ is something to think about.
So, who was on first, or, rather who was first to be somewhere on the field with the guys in the 1970s? It was RFH Class of ’78 alumni Nancy Whelchel.
Yes, Nancy got onto the baseball field with the boys at RFH a year or two after Chris Bowden scored a goal for girls in soccer.
It all happened back in the day when girls had just made strides to change the dress code and wear pants to school. That was a mass effort. There were a lot of girls walking around wearing skirts or dresses with pants underneath. But that’s another girls’ liberation story for another day.
It’s about those singular sensation girls who defied a status quo form of sexism when literally playing the fields.
So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day honors one of those girls — Nancy Whelchel. It’s a snapshot of Nancy on the field with Ward Tietz.
We’re not sure if this is an actual team practice shot or just one in which she was just tossing the ball around for fun with a couple of the guys from her class.
Still, there she is playing ball. She had the guts and the sports acumen to break the good ol’ — or young — boys’ sports network.
Home run.
I somehow don’t recall any sort of rebellion from the boys. She was good. That was all that mattered.
Any firsts for girls on the football field? Anyone? What was Nancy Whelchel’s specialty on the baseball field?
Many thanks, again, to George Day for this classic!
— Elaine Van Develde
Finally! The warmth of spring is in full bloom. And there’s nothing like parking yourself on a sunny spot on the grass and read a book or study — or something like that.
It was three years ago today that Fair Haven lost Patrolman Robert Henne. The loss of the friendly, compassionate cop was a devastating one.
We, at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, again offer our profound condolences to his loving family and many colleagues and friends.
In memory of Robert, we are re-running our tribute to him that was originally published after his funeral and final call on March 31, 2015.
RIP, Robert. You are remembered …
Continue reading Remembering Fair Haven Police Patrolman Robert J. Henne
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