Images

Retro Graduation Walk from Knollwood

Image June 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

It’s graduation day for Fair Haven’s Knollwood School Class of 2015.

One of the steadfast traditions is, in addition to the usual walk to get the diploma, the one from Knollwood down Third Street to Sickles School for the dance.

All along the way, the grads are greeted by cheering families and friends with signs, cheers, noisemakers, balloons and anything else to make the occasion as festive as possible.

This year, we’re sure, won’t be an exception.

Unfortunately, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will not be able to make it, but we ask that you send your photos to [email protected] so that we can post them in a slideshow post-graduation.

In the meantime, we are honoring the students and the day with a look back at the 2013 graduation walk.

Congrats, grads!

Local Life

Retro & Present Forrestdale Graduation

Image June 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Forrestdale graduation 2015 Photo/Paul & LuAnn Hughes Facebook screenshot — Forrestdale graduation 2015
Photo/Paul & LuAnn Hughes Facebook screenshot

It’s graduation time. And Forrestdale School in Rumson held its ceremony at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Wednesday night.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect could not make it to the ceremony, so we are asking people to send in their photos so that we can put a slideshow together.

In the meantime, here’s a group shot from the Hughes family (directly above) and a Retro Pic of the Day of the 2013 graduation (featured).

Congrats, grads!

Thanks, Hugheses!

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Happy Birthday to Fair Haven’s Sonia Reevey

Image June 17, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Sonia Reevey at the 2015 Fair Haven Memorial Day ceremony Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Sonia Reevey at the 2015 Fair Haven Memorial Day ceremony
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s more than likely that if you live in or have lived in Fair Haven, you know a Reevey.

The family is rooted in the borough’s history, and with much longstanding honor. There are many Reeveys around, and usually doing something, career wise or otherwise, for their community, neighbors, family and friends. It’s seemingly second nature for them.

It’s living matriarch, Sonia, a modest, community-minded woman who is known to love and do anything she can for her hometown, is always featured at the Memorial Day ceremony singing My Buddy, the old war remembrance tune.

This year was no exception. Well, Sonia, family told us on Memorial Day, is turning (or has turned) 80 this month.

We are not quite sure of her birthdate, but would like to take a moment to honor her and wish her Happy Birthday by featuring her in our Retro Pic of the Day offering thanks for her dedication to Fair Haven.

It’s a comfort to know people like Sonia are still around, part of the Fair Haven family without a second thought.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will feature a full story on Sonia Reevey in the near future.

News

Retro Principal: RFH Alum School Daze

Image June 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Tom Famulary at RFH in the 1970s Photo/RFH yearbook — Tom Famulary at RFH in the 1970s
Photo/RFH yearbook

It’s the principal of the pic — literally.

With the school year coming to a close, it seemed like a good time to take Rumson-Fair Haven area people back to days at RFH in the early 70s when the teen pictured was a student at the high school.

Take a close look. Many from the area, especially those who grew up with him, will recognize this now Rumson resident who was principal at Fair Haven’s Knollwood School for 11 years, interim principal at Sickles School and interim superintendent for a stint not all that long ago.

Yes, it’s Tom Famulary, who grew up in Fair Haven.

Here are a couple of fun retro facts about Tom:

His mom, Millie, was piano teacher to many in the area, and quite talented herself.

His father, John, was publisher of an area weekly newspaper in his retirement years (well, sorta). That paper was the Courier.

Tom was also known to be quite the piano player.

Local Life

Retro Fair Haven Day with Two Who Have Passed

Image June 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Saturday is Fair Haven Day.

Since the first, on Fair Haven’s Centennial Celebration in 2012, the day has become a borough tradition.

On that first Fair Haven Day, a couple of local celebrities, longtime Fair Havenites, were there and all jazzed up with love of their hometowns to celebrate.

Since then, these two have passed: RFH teacher and dancer extraordinaire, George Giffin; and longtime Fair Haven Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary member Pat Topfer.

So, today, with our Retro Pic(s) of the Day, we take a look back at those smiling faces, remember what these two did for their beloved borough and its people, thank them and remember the sincerity of their giving, neighborly hearts.

RIP George Giffin and Pat Topfer. May future generations of Fair Havenites carry on with spirits as generous and caring as yours!

Local Life

Retro FHPD Beefsteak Dinner Time

Image June 11, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The officers of the Fair Haven Police Department at the Annual Beefsteak Dinner Photo/courtesy of FHPD, screenshot of FH PBA Local 184 Facebook page — The officers of the Fair Haven Police Department at the Annual Beefsteak Dinner
Photo/courtesy of FHPD, screenshot of FH PBA Local 184 Facebook page

The Fair Haven PBA’s Annual Beefsteak Dinner was last Saturday.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect could not make it there to take pics, so we are honoring the fine officers of the Fair Haven Police Department in our Retro Pic of the Day.

The above photo, courtesy of the Fair Haven PD, was taken of the officers on the night of the dinner.

All are sporting their new PBA T-shirts and lookin’ good!

Thanks for all you do to serve and protect the borough of Fair Haven and its people!

Have you thanked an officer today?

Local Life

Fair Haven Deputy Fire Chief Takes Plunge from Dock

Image June 10, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven Deputy Fire Chief Mike Wiehl grew up in Fair Haven. In fact, he’s a third generation Fair Havenite.

And like so many other native Fair Havenites, he spent a lot of time down by the Navesink River at the Fair Haven Dock. He played there. He saw a lot of sunsets there. He likely did a lot of contemplating and soaking up of sun and scenery there.

And, most recently, he decided to make the iconic spot one that would mark a major milestone in his life. He got engaged and married there.

The engagement was three months ago and the wedding was Monday afternoon, officiated by Mayor Ben Lucarelli. So, we congratulate and honor Mike and his bride, Gloria Clark, in our Retro Pic(s) of the Day.

As Wiehl put it in Facebook posts, “Well, today’s the day I have been waiting for. Gloria Clark and I are spending the day together and then off to the fair haven dock to get married at 4pm! … 3 months ago the woman of my dreams said yes to marrying me. I am a lucky man …”

And so goes life as part of the Fair Haven family …

Congrats and much happiness to Mike and Gloria!

Local Life

Retro River Time with a Gap Tyke Model

Image June 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Havenite and Gap model Francesca romps down by the Navesink River in 2013 Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Fair Havenite and Gap model Francesca romps down by the Navesink River in 2013
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s almost summertime, and the livin’ is all about river time in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

That in mind, the Retro Pic of the Day honors the season with a look back a couple of years ago to a day of fun for one little Fair Haven girl — Francesca, who happens to be a Gap model — romping down by the Fair Haven Dock with her mom and dad.

The Navesink River shot that day back in 2013 was just a warm-up for work for the little one, who was set to strike a pose as soon as she saw the camera.

What’s your favorite riverfront spot?

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Remembrance of a Friend: RFH’s Suzanne Warren

Image June 4, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Suzanne Warren, RFH Class of 1993, died in 2004. Photo/courtesy of Jenny Costello — Suzanne Warren, RFH Class of 1993, died in 2004.
Photo/courtesy of Jenny Costello

By Elaine Van Develde

There’s nothing quite like having a friend to take the journey from childhood through adulthood with you.

It’s cherished time. And when the journey ends for one, it leaves the other to carry on with a weary, but enriched heart, for having had that time, and many milestones in between, with that person.

That friend for at least one Fair Havenite was Suzanne Warren (Cavigliano), honored in our Retro Pic of the Day.

Warren, a Class of 1993 RFH grad, who died 11 years ago, on June 4, 2004, is remembered by her forever friend Jenny (Jones) Costello, as “smart (so smart), funny and always the best dressed.”

Suzanne grew up on Briarwood Road, after coming from Indiana to live in Fair Haven in the third grade. She ended up becoming a social worker, yet, Costello said, cheated by death from being able to realize her full potential.

While her journey through adulthood was cut short, her friends still carry her spirit and many memories with them.

It’s a light, sweet load to tote on the rest of a friend’s journey.

RIP, Suzanne. You are remembered. Cherished.

Share your memories of Suzanne.

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Stoked Up Neighbors at Stokes

Image June 4, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

This little crew grew up together. And years later they ended up reliving a sixth grade tradition as adults.

They are Jenny Costello (Jones), Dwayne Reevey, now a Fair Haven police officer, and Andy Dougherty. The three lived on Parker Avenue in Fair Haven across and down the street from one another.

Their parents were all friends and they all had the Stokes experience as Fair Haven schools students. This time around, they were counselors, with Andy Dougherty pretty much running the show from the schools’ end.

Much has changed about the annual trip right after Memorial Day to learn and camp out in the state forrest, but some things never do change — like childhood friendships and memories that connect for a lifetime.

So, our Retro Pic of the Day captures just that. Call it a little time capsule.

Get in for a little trip back …

This editor not only took the trip, way back in the early 1970s, but was also CAT at Stokes. I forget what the anagram stood for, but CATs were RFH seniors who were chosen to take the trip as sort-of junior counselors.

The RFH administrators chose leaders, who had to have above a certain GPA and a expertise or talent in a specific area.

I, along with my acting compadre, Kevin Carpenter, were sent to entertain the kids. We had to spearhead the dancing (poor kids) — and, yes, there was square dancing (yikes) — sing songs around the campfire, like Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley (so uplifting) and tell stories about the Jersey Devil and scare the bejesus out of the kids.

We were a pretty well-behaved lot of semi-nerds, but we did like to have some fun that I’m confident would have gotten us banned nowadays — like raising one poor girl’s bra up on the flagpole for the morning wake-up bugle call and capsizing one another’s canoes.

Oh, there were more pranks, but the mention of them may tarnish some respectable RFH parents’ reputations, so I digress.

Did you go to Stokes? What was your favorite memory?

Local Life

Retro Rumson Sky After the Rain

Image June 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

A retro look at Rumson and Gunning Island in the Shrewsbury River at sunset after a rainfall a couple of years ago Photo/Elaine Van Develde — A retro look at Rumson and Gunning Island in the Shrewsbury River at sunset after a rainfall a couple of years ago
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s been a bit dreary and rainy today.

So, to show everyone how the skies can brighten so quickly after the rain, the Retro Pic of the Day shows a sunset over the Shrewsbury River looking toward Rumson and Gunning Island after rainy weather two years ago.

Gunning Island is owned by the borough of Rumson. It is roughly 30 acres and is earmarked as preserved open space/ecosystem to never be developed.

Local Life

Retro Good Neighbor: Rumson’s Paul Hughes

Image May 29, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The Hughes family and Elaine Van Develde at closing day of an RFH show Photo/Luann Hughes — The Hughes family and Elaine Van Develde at closing day of an RFH show
Photo/Luann Hughes

We at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect continue with our ode to good neighbors in the Retro Pic of the Day.

Today we honor Paul Hughes (and family). It’s pretty simple why we are honoring Paul and family.

Not only has Hughes been a good friend since our days at RFH, he remains one.

Most recently, we attended the Rumson Memorial Day Parade and ceremony.

Our camera lost battery power. Well, just as we took the last shot on the camera, we heard a hearty and always positive “Hey!” from Paul and his family.

It only took one second to explain the situation before Paul quickly handed over his smart phone and told me to just go ahead and snap away any pics I needed to take.

I did, and so gratefully, and he emailed the photos to me so that Rumson could have a nice slideshow of its Memorial Day.

There are so many other things the Hughes family has done for me. But I digress to just say a simple “Thank you. You are appreciated.”

Now, that’s a good neighbor. And, I know, not just to me.