April 25 marked what would have been this editor’s father’s 90th birthday — longtime Fair Havenite and lifetime member of the Fair Haven Fire Department and captain of its Fire Police. The following, in light of that milestone, is, in full disclosure, an opinion piece — a tribute to him and the grandson he never knew, an unbeknownst community service family team …
Continue reading Families in Service to the Community: Grandpa & Grandson Van Develde
There’s nothing like a little clowning around at RFH.
And, even though this photo from the 1970s was apparently taken around Halloween, by virtue of the telltale clown costume and soccer ball, it screams the stuff from which a little spring fever is made.
There’s a clown on the soccer field apparently trying to steal a goal and float away attached to his helium balloon. OK.
And the look on the soccer player’s face is priceless.
So, yes, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day is dedicated to springing into a little clowning around RFH style.
Know these clowns?
— Elaine Van Develde
Thanks to George Day for this candid, fabulous look back in time at RFH!
Yup. Summer’s coming soon. The spring weather lately (finally) has been cooperatively nice.
So, that in mind, we look back to the days of summer in the 1970s and a classic beach club — when, honestly, beach clubs were affordable for all.
Peninsula House in Sea Bright was more than a beach club. It was a bar and lounge by the sea with several rooms and porches dedicated to different interests. No place will ever be the same. Rumson-Fair Haven area people called it P-House.
It was a classic.
So, with our Retro Pic of the (George) Day, tell us about your favorite P-House memories.
And, thanks, once again, to the great George Day, for yet another great memory on film!
Finally! The spring weather on Monday was perfect for a little sunning and sitting on that grassy knoll outside — somewhere outside.
So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day pays homage to that idea with a look back at a few RFH students taking in some springtime and, perhaps, touched a bit by spring fever.
This one has made the rounds before and, surprisingly, while the shot is of four RFH students back in the 1970s, photographer George Day tells us it was not taken at RFH. Know where it was taken?
And, of course, guess who’s who in the photo. The couple to the right were a pretty steady item for a while in high school, as memory serves this slightly rusty old RFH alum editor. The other two guys? Well, one is still in Rumson and a dad to RFHers present and past. The other is a well-known funeral home owner and former Fair Havenite.
Everyone who knows them can usually count on running into one, the other or both around the towns for one reason or another — from school event to memorial.
Know these RFH alumni?
— Elaine Van Develde
Thanks, once again, to George Day for this RFH gem!
By Elaine Van Develde
He was a community pillar. He was the go-to Rumson Department of Public Works (DPW) guy for decades. He was a volunteer fireman, first aid squad member. He helped out many in need through church and many a charitable cause. He was a mentor. He was king of the zeppole-makers. He was a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was a warm hometown embrace with a lot of heart, no pretense. He was Joe Sorrentino and his hometown of Rumson said goodbye to him today as he was laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Keyport.
Joe was 81 years old. He passed away on April 2 surrounded by his loving family at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.
Continue reading Rumson Says Goodbye, Thank You to Joe Sorrentino
With the recent revisiting of Chef Rossi to her RFH and Barn Theatre roots, images of a show she worked on were once again conjured up.
It was a David Bowie/punk rock-inspired children’s theatre show done at The Barn in 1979 (or was it ’80?) that offered a colorful twist on the Cinderella story — Cinderella: A Flash Fantasy.
Set to Bowie, B52s, Blondie and a little Rocky Horror Picture Show music, memories of the show came spewing forward last week as most of the cast reunited at Rossi’s book signing.
It offered a special memory for Rossi, who was quickly adopted by this theatre tribe when she didn’t quite fit in with the status quo at RFH. Her bud Jeni Weber Zeller brought her to The Barn and she never left.
She worked tech crew on the show and made lifetime friends. A lot of people did, including this editor. In fact, Rossi’s book signing/reunion ended much like a typical cast party at Barnacle Bill’s decades later.
So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day offers a glimpse back to that time at The Barn and that show.
Guess who? Yes, it’s me as the Tina Turner evil step sister trying to cram that glass slipper on. Oh, and that’s Anne Toronto McNamara offering some help.
“We were children doing children’s theater,” said the show’s Cinderella, Andrea Puscell last week. Somehow I don’t think this show would fly as children’s theater in today’s climate. Ironic.
The show also featured many RFHers. Check out the program. Do you know what Bowie song was played for the curtain call?
A Fair Haven mom has passed. She passed away early this morning, leaving behind a loving family and community.
She was a staple in the community for nearly 50 years. Her name: Ann Mauger.
So, our Retro Pic of the Day honors this mom.
Ann lived in Fair Haven from 1957 to 1985. She liked gardening and cooking. She liked spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed bike riding in her healthier years and she loved the beach and she loved camping, her son Peter reminded us.
Ann has been retired and living in Florida since 1985.
She loved a new snowfall and sunsets.
RIP, Ann Mauger! Thank you for being a great R-FH area mom and friend to the community.
With all the recent talk about skiing champ and RFH senior Alex Perkins claiming the gold at the 2016 NASTAR Eastern Regional Championship for the second consecutive year and heading to compete in the national NASTAR championship round this month, visions of the old RFH Ski Club were conjured up.
Yes, there was an RFH Ski Club, now a Jurassic memory. While there weren’t too many people in the club, it existed. It’s members took trips and, well, skied the winters away in between mods (remember them?) and studies at RFH — sort of.
And the RFH Ski Club was headed by the beloved RFH coach, gym teacher and RFH Athletic and Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame inductee Hal Lorme, who passed away just over a year ago.
So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day honors Lorme and those renegade conquerers of the slopes.
The guys in the top featured shot all still live in the Rumson-Fair Haven area. One is a Rumson dad and couple of the others are well-known businessmen. One actually handled memorial services for Lorme last year.
RIP, Hal Lorme. You are remembered.
Recognize any of these preppy ski attire-donning ladies and dudes?
By Elaine Van Develde
When it comes to show biz, sometimes in the RFH area, sometimes it’s a family affair. Sometimes it just is.
Sometimes people just catch the bug at an early age. Sometimes it happens in high school or even a little later. Then it spreads rampantly — through the family.
Aloha! It’s Hawaiian for hello and goodbye, right?
Well, unfortunately, this year, after a successful first Tiki Haven last year, before the date even got here it was time to say “Aloha” to this year’s Tiki Haven, the fundraiser for future Fair Haven Days.
Yes, it’s Presidents Day.
And while the intent of Presidents Day was originally to commemorate the birthday of the first U.S. president, George Washington, it ended up being moved from Washington’s birthday of Feb. 22 to the third Monday of February as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971.
The purpose for that was twofold: to create a three-day weekend for federal and state employees (and sometimes municipal and private sector employees) and to celebrate all presidents.
So, yes, we celebrate all the presidents of the United States — POTUS.
But, we figured we’d give an odd RFH twist to paying ode to presidents by honoring leaders of the presidential sort from RFH’s past.
By Elaine Van Develde
They were both just that kind of guy — the kind people remember.
They were George Chandler and brother Warren — Chum to most. George, the former Fair Haven police chief and 65-year fire company member was laid to rest a couple of weeks ago at 92. His brother, Chum, died last March, a 64-year fireman.
Continue reading Retro Families in Community Service: The Brothers Chandler
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