Well, it’s opening night of the RFH Tower Players’ production of The Secret Garden.
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Retro RFH Tower Players
Well, with all the excitement of the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players’ opening night of Secret Garden coming up on Friday, it seemed only right that we should offer a look back at the Tower Players of 1977.
Retro RFH Keith McHeffey & BFFs
These Retro Pics of the Day (contributed by Gregg Kennedy) were originally run on March 11, 2016, honoring RFH grad Keith McHeffey shortly before the fundraiser run dedicated to his memory. Here they are again, the day before the run, which is slated for Saturday at 11 a.m. in Sea Bright. RIP, Keith McHeffey. You are remembered …
The KDM Fun Run & Walk, honoring RFH grad Keith McHeffey, is set for Saturday.
Keith, an avid athlete and good friend to many in the area, was a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11.
His friends created the KDM Foundation in 2002 to keep the former Rumson and Fair Haven resident’s memory alive and fund several charitable causes in his name.
Since then, the Fun Run has been known as the annual living memorial tribute to Keith in a setting truest to his nature.
So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take a look back at Keith McHeffey in his RFH heyday hanging out with his best buds.
RIP, Keith. Run on …
Retro RFH Baseball Boys

Photo/George Day
Well, March has arrived, and baseball season will soon be sliding into its RFH home base. The RFH calendar, in fact shows that the there are two home varsity games on the calendar for March 10.
So, it stands to reason that the Retro Pic of the (George) Day should take a closer look back, from another vantage point, of a 1970s RFH game — the dugout.
Retro RFHers’ Great Adventure Part II

Photo/courtesy of Marc Edelman, Facebook
Two days of sunshine and warmth in winter. The little respite was enough to get everyone daydreaming about a favorite jaunt back our RFH days.
This group of RFHers set out on their own adventure to Great Adventure decades ago.
It was just one of those days — when fair weather and good friends cured these antsy souls.
Take a gander at the second part of this photo journal.
Recognize anyone? Your favorite getaway when the weather gave way to spring or summer fever?
Retro RFHers’ Great Adventure

Photo/courtesy of Marc Edelman, Facebook
It’s a given. Dismal weather makes confined teens antsy. And the dismal weather doldrums of late have given way to aspirations of a simple romp in the sunshine — or something less corny and way cooler than that.
There’s been a promise these days of sun after a run of rain and soppy snow. So, when there’s a hint of a peek of sunshine and higher temperatures, all good RFHers have always had the spirit of adventure to venture out … far out.
Back in the late 1970s, this crew got the itch to hit the road and sun and literally get to a Great Adventure. Nothing like springing a bunch of RFHers in a spring fever pitch.
They even romped a bit in the fountain … not that we’d encourage anyone to get carried away or take a leap …
So, with February, not quite spring or summer, busting out all over we pay homage to sunny days and the free spirit that comes with them, not to mention the ridding of foul weather ants in the pants.
The fun had here was pretty pure.
What was your favorite RFH teen adventure? Recognize anyone?
Retro Whistle Stop Smiles; Timeless Celebration of a Fair Haven Icon’s Birthday

Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Today would have marked the 89th birthday of Fair Haven’s Frank Leslie Sr., owner of the iconic Whistle Stop. In honor of that, we are sharing this piece originally posted on July 20, 2016. Happy Birthday, Mr. Leslie! Thanks for the many smiles and simple good times!
By Elaine Van Develde
Sometimes all it takes is a jawbreaker, a slice of Elio’s pizza, pinball and friends all enveloped in a gingham-curtained room with a jovial giant of a dad host to make a bunch of kids smile.
Sometimes. Some simpler time back in time.
Continue reading Retro Whistle Stop Smiles; Timeless Celebration of a Fair Haven Icon’s Birthday
Retro Dive into FHFD History

Photo/FHFD
With the recent passing of Fair Haven’s Donny Frank — policeman, fireman and first aider — we are reminded of some history-making firsts for the borough that tend to get lost in the, well, passing of time.
So, here in the Retro Pic of the Day is an enlightening picture of a factoid that resurfaced like, say, a deep sea diver from the vast waters — sort of like Donny Frank and friends emerging with an expanded rescue idea for the Fair Haven First Aid Squad (or Corps) back in 1962.
Retro RFH Staged Bathing Beauties

In light of most everyone’s wish for warmer days and a big ol’ thaw for brighter, beachier times, we have decided to give you an encore of this classic look back …
Our Retro Pic of the (George) Day is one of warm wishes — for sun-filled, fun beach days ahead.
This crew of RFH girls entertained people with their own version of the Beach Boys’ Girls on the Beach at the RFH Freshman Follies in 1975.
Retro RFH Football Field Joy Ride

Photo/George Day
Sometimes there’s just more to tackle on the football field than one another and a ball. And sometimes the goal is to fumble and ride with something besides the game — like an old car, RFH friends and a little cruising to play the field in a different way.
Supreme Retro RFH Show

Photo/George Day
It’s show time tonight at RFH.
Fall is the time of the year that the stage is set for the first theatrical production of the school year.
This year at RFH, that production is Sherlock Holmes.
But, back in 1974, something else was a stage happening besides the Tower Players’ show. It was a more, let’s say, talent diverse stage extravaganza involving anyone in the freshman class in one or a few group and/or solo acts. It was the RFH Freshmen Follies.
Retro RFH Tower Players Show Time

Oh, it’s show time at RFH on Friday with the opening of the Tower Players’ fall production of Sherlock Holmes.
One thing that’s elementary, as Sherlock says, is that going on with the show is a time honored tradition at RFH. Remember?
So, these Retro Pics of the Day offer a glimpse back to rehearsals for the Tower Players’ production of Plaza Suite circa 1976.
Yours truly was in the cast . And it was a “memorable” experience considering that my co-star — a very nice guy who at an RFH reunion told me he was unwittingly duped into doing the show and had no desire massive stage fright — dropped five pages worth of lines and left me circling the stage with a dessert cart rambling like Edith Bunker on an especially menopausal day. Not a cue to be picked up. Ten minutes later, which is eternity for a floundering actor on stage, he picked up a line or two, just in time to end the scene.

Photo/RFH yearbook
Thanks to Dan Olshansky for dropping those lines. It was the start of some hardcore actor improv training and a not-so-glamorous, but nonetheless professional and loads of fun, longtime career in the field. So, it’s not the lines that count, it’s the character — or something like that.
Now, two more nights left for “Line please!”
Cheers to the cast of Sherlock Holmes! And cast, please don’t really break any legs.












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