A day at the beach with Fair Haven’s Ray and Irene Miller Photo/courtesy of Peggy Miller
For former longtime Fair Havenites Ray Miller and his wife Irene, love endured 75 years.
Aptly, the love story between the 60-year Exxon station owner and his wife started with a first date on Valentine’s Day all those years ago when they were teens. They married after an eight-year courtship and never separated for 67 of the 75 years they knew one another — until Ray’s death in May.
As anyone can imagine, the two did a lot together. A lot can happen in 75 years, including the little things, like enjoying their summers at the beach.
So, since the season fits and the love of this Fair Haven couple is timeless, the Retro Pic of the Day honors both summer and love with a fun loving photo of Ray and Irene enjoying a day of frolicking at the beach decades ago.
We’re not certain whether or not it’s Sea Bright, but it’s likely.
Thanks to their daughter, Peggy, for providing the photo.
Hmmmm. Do you think he was about to toss her in? And what do you think they were saying to one another as this photo was shot? Ray was known for his jokes. Hmmmm.
Actor, writer, producer, director Billy Van Zandt with Lucille Ball Photo/courtesy of Billy Van Zandt
Everyone loves Lucy … well, a lot of people do — like this editor who shares the same birthday!
Yes, today is Lucille Ball’s birthday. She would have been 104!
And there’s one area guy, who got a jump start on his long successful writing, producing, directing and acting career at Rumson’s Barn Theater, among other very familiar classic community and professional spots in the area.
That guy is Billy Van Zandt. And the great comedic love and inspiration of his live, besides his lovely wife, actress Adrienne Barbeau, is Lucille Ball.
To know Billy or to have heard him tell tales of his life is to know that he doesn’t just love Lucy, but he adores her.
The writer (along with partner Jane Milmore) of and actor in many a successful stage farce and TV sitcom (movies and more) has always credited Lucy as his top comedic inspiration.
And, lucky and talented as Billy is, he had the honor of not only meeting Lucy, but producing a TV special all about Lucy entitled Lucy: The Very First Show for which he was nominated for an Emmy. He also had his dream come true when he acted alongside his comedic heroine in her final TV series.
Billy will tell you that he was scared to death to meet her for fear that his comedic goddess-like vision of who she was might be shattered. The opposite happened. He felt they were kindred comedic spirits and he was awestruck with her personality, professionalism and, well, comedic genius. He loved Lucy, to say the least, and remained friendly with her until the time of her death.
He said, though, the comedy queen did rule with a worthy, spiky scepter and was “tough, scary tough. She liked to rehearse a lot, work with her props a lot … and if you didn’t do things the way she wanted them done, it got ugly.”
He has joked about how Lucy even chided Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, working them to death. He has told the story of how Burton asked, “Who does she think she is?” and Taylor replied something like, “She’s the queen of comedy, dear … do it again.”
And we know Billy would! So would I, for that matter!
Bravo, Billy! Happy Birthday, Lucy! And, well, Happy Birthday to me, who also loves Lucy and wants to grow up to be just like her, too! Whaaaaaa!
Thanks to Billy Van Zandt for sharing this classic photo with us!
Oh, and, yes, Billy is the brother of rocker Stevie Van Zandt.
RFH Class of 1980 35th reunion at Salt Creek Grille Photo/Facebook post screenshot
Yes, the RFH Class of 1980 reunited after 35 years (OK, some still hang out together) over the weekend — or some of the class, anyway.
When these guys and girls graduated, the top song was Blondie’s Call Me and number two was Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall. Can you guess what number three was? Hint: the singer was another blonde female.
Class members tell us they were out and about at the classic Donovan’s Reef Tiki bar stop, where all RFH reunions traditionally start — well, except when the Class of ’78 had its reunion 10 months after Hurricane Sandy.
And the main event was held at Salt Creek Grille in Rumson.
So, in honor of the RFH Class of ’80, the Retro Pic of the Day is one of the gathering of classmates at Salt Creek.
Speaking of classmates, do you know which local official is an RFH Class of ’80 alum? Shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out.
Cheers, Class of ’80! Here’s to another 35! Well, five? Ten?
Thanks to Steve H-Minus for taking this pic and sharing it!
It’s a night when people in the community gather and get to know the police and their job better. It’s also a night for mixing, mingling and a little fun at the expense of, well, a little bit of dignity — like a dunk tank.
At Fair Haven’s National Night Out in 2012, Mayor Ben Lucarelli got a good soaking. He was a good sport.
So, in honor of all good dunkings to come at this year’s event on Tuesday, the Retro Pic of the Day takes a look back at that moment when the esteemed mayor went down — for a major dunk.
Fair Haven buddies from the RFH Class of 1980 in 1971 Photo/courtesy of Sandi Richards VonPier
The RFH Class of 1980 is having its 35th reunion this weekend.
What better time than to take a look back at some grads of that class?
So, in honor of the Class of ’80 and friendships formed many years ago that are still going strong, the Retro Pic of the Day takes a look back at a 1971 gathering of Fair Haven girls of the class when such bonds were forged.
Nothing like an old buddy.
Who in this crew do you think was considered the best dressed? Remember what the “in” style was then?
Thanks to longtime Fair Havenite Sandi Richards VonPier for this photo contribution!
RFH Class of 1978 crew on a joy ride Photo/George Day
Yes, it may be summer joy ride time somewhere.
Yet, these RFH old timers found their own bit of joy on a Halloween ride of a GI kind and made the most of it circa 1977.
So, in honor of our never easily forgotten classmates — just because they always strove to do memorable things like this — and a good little ride into the past, this is our Retro Pic of the (George) Day.
Security? Hitchin’ a ride, anyone?
Cheers to the guys in this pic! Know who they are?
Send us your past joy ride pics at evd@rfhretro.com.
Oh, and thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day for this great shot of the past!
There are a couple of things people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area couldn’t wait for after a long, snowy winter — summer and the reopening of Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright.
Well, both have happened. In fact, Monday was the hottest day of the summer yet, according to National Weather Service stats. And Donovan’s Tiki bar is back on the beach.
So, just to cool you down a little and serve as a gratitude nudge, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day offer a glimpse back to a cool snowfall on what was left of Donovan’s (which was pretty much flattened buildings and the Tiki hut) the winter after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of the iconic place.
The sky had an orange hue that day that seemed to paint it with hope. It made snow look invitingly warm and for what was a chilling scene for Donovan’s devotees.
Well, it’s back and sporting the literal sign of the undaunted “Sandy Who?”
Donovan’s has brought a lot of friends and couples together over the years. It’s a tradition, really, for Rumson-Fair Haven area people. Did you meet your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, BFF or some other significant other or others in your life at Donovan’s? Yes? Of course, yes!
Tell us your story and send us your Donovan’s pics or email us at evd@rfhretro.com. We’re putting together a Donovan’s Connection slideshow.
It’s been the subject of the Retro Pic(s) of the Day before and it is again — summer theater at The Barn in Rumson.
It was a place for local talent to gather, hone theatrical skills, have a lot of summer fun and entertain the masses in Monmouth County to boot.
One of the shows produced in the summer of 1977, which thrust lots of arts-thirsty area teens into myriad rehearsals and onto a stage, was Bye Bye Birdie.
As told in our last piece on The Barn, many RFH students were in the cast of the show. And one area resident who played Albert Peterson — the English teacher, no less — broke his leg during rehearsals.
Fair Haven Deputy Fire Chief Michael Wiehl being sworn in on New Year’s Day at the borough’s reorganization Photo/Elaine Van Develde
It’s Fair Haven Deputy Fire Chief Michael Wiehl’s 37th birthday.
The deputy chief is a lifetime Fair Havenite and RFH grad whose family goes back a couple of generations in the borough. And he and new wife Gloria got married not too long ago on the Fair Haven Dock.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to reorganization day in Fair Haven when he was sworn in as deputy.
Happy Birthday, Deputy Chief Wiehl! And thank you for your service and dedication to the borough. Have you thanked a firefighter today?
Former Fair Havenite Ann Mauger in the late 1940s Photo/courtesy of Peter Mauger
Former longtime Fair Havenite Ann Mauger turned 88 on Friday, June 10.
So, to honor the birthday girl, who lived in Fair Haven for 28 years, from 1957 to 1985, the Retro Pic of the Day is a snapshot of her in the late 1940s, provided by her son, Peter. The photo was taken in Plainfield, a few years before she moved to Fair Haven and raised her family there.
Check out the car with the wood side panels. Do you know what make and model it is?
How about some memories of a Fair Haven mom in the 1960s to ’80s — Mrs. Mauger?
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