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Rewind: FH Chief Breckenridge’s Police Unity Tour Ride

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Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge and daughter Witney at the Police Unity Tour 2013 Photo/courtesy of Chief Breckenridge
Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge and daughter Witney at the Police Unity Tour 2013
Photo/courtesy of Chief Breckenridge

It’s the time of year for police officers to “ride for those who died” in the Police Unity Tour.

And at Monday night’s Fair Haven Borough Council meeting, Mayor Ben Lucarelli took a moment to recognize that Chief Darryl Breckenridge would be embarking, once again, on the tour set to depart for Washington D.C. on May 9 and arrive on May 12.

“Good luck Chief,” the mayor said at the meeting. “And thank you for all you do.”

So, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to 2013 and the chief’s ride, his daughter Witney by his side then.

The chief said she would not be joining him this year, but he’s set for the roughly 350-mile ride on his bicycle.

In addition to creating awareness, the ride raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.

The event, which started in 1997 with 18 riders was designed to bring “public awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and (to) honor their sacrifices,” according to the Unity Tour’s website. It garnered $18,000 then.

The Unity Tour, as of last year, had raised $16 million. About 20,000 officers who died in the line of duty are memorialized at the Washington memorial.

Good luck to the chief and all other area police officers riding in this year’s tour!

Local Life

Rewind: Ode to Fair Haven Police

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A look back at Fair Haven police Photo/Fair Haven Police Department
A look back at Fair Haven police
Photo/Fair Haven Police Department

In keeping with our Retro Pic of the Day homage to first responders, today we honor Fair Haven Police for their service to the community.

The above photo is a look back at the officers in the department not long ago.

Patrolman Robert J. Henne, included in this photo, passed away on March 23. He was loved by his community and colleagues and is sorely missed by both. RIP, Patrolman Henne.

And thanks to the Fair Haven police for protecting and serving the residents of Fair Haven and beyond!

Have you thanked an officer today?

Local Life

Retro Ode to Fair Haven Firemen

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Firefighters from several area municipalities swarmed to the scene of Monday’s fire at the historic Blithewald mansion in Rumson.

All are volunteers. The fire took roughly six hours to quell at the hands of hundreds of area firemen.

Yesterday, we took a look back at the 2015 Rumson Reorganization and its firemen at the ceremony.

Today, we take a look back at the Fair Haven Reorganization and the first responders sworn in and offer another thank you to all of those who volunteer to protect us.

The other fire companies that responded to the Blithewald fire were: Sea Bright, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Asbury Park.

Have you thanked your local firefighter lately?

 

Local Life

Rewind: Ode to Rumson Firemen

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Rumson firemen at the borough's 2015 reorganization ceremony Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Rumson firemen at the borough’s 2015 reorganization ceremony
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

In light of the four-alarm fire at the historic Blithewald mansion in Rumson on Monday, the Retro Pic of the Day honors the borough’s volunteer firefighters with a look back to a moment at the 2015 Rumson Reorganization.

The fire, which left the Widener home at 76 Buena Vista Ave. severely damaged, burned for roughly six hours.

The fire is under investigation by the Rumson Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the county fire marshal and its cause is still unknown, authorities said.

There were no injuries.

Thanks to our firefighters for their countless hours of volunteer time spent in (at times) high risk situations to protect the safety of the area’s residents!

Local Life

Retro Williams-Robards Estate

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With the Monday demolition of the more than century-and-a-half-old Williams-Robards home on the Navesink River in Fair Haven, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect is featuring  the home in its Retro Pic of the Day.

The colonial was the last remaining one of its kind on the river in the borough and the surrounding area.

The home was demolished as part of an agreement with the state to procure grants to purchase the property.

It will be preserved as a passive recreation park.

Local Life, News

Retro Dance with George Giffin

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The time is drawing near for all Rumson-Fair Haven area people to remember, honor and dance in the name of RFH’s ever-famous George Giffin, science and dance teacher extraordinaire who died last year.

The George Giffin Memorial Dance-a-thon is set for next week — Saturday, April 18 from 5 to 10 p.m. in the RFH gym.

With proceeds benefitting the Monmouth Day Care Center, people, in the name of Mr. Giffin, are invited to dance or just be a spectator at the event, which is being sponsored by the RFH Dance Troupe.

So, in preparation of the event and to remember the magic that was George Giffin, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day gives a glimpse into the last day this editor saw Mr. Giffin dance.

It was 2012 and he was at Fairwinds Deli in Fair Haven. It didn’t take much for Mr. Giffin, or Giff, as he was called, to launch into a routine no matter where it was.

He talked about how he loved to still show up at RFH grads’ weddings and teach them a few steps. He also said he was not too fond of the way in which the English language has been slaughtered “these days.” We agree.

Brown paper sandwich bag in hand, Giff then rhythmically chanted, “When you get that beat, you’ve got to move your feet!” as he did his own little dance right in the deli line.

What a treat.

There were popular teachers at RFH, all cherished, but George Giffin just had what theater professionals call “it” — personality, stage presence, that special something that makes people’s eyes twinkle when they’re around.

Always equipped with a passel of jokes, a smile and a “five, six, five six, seven, eight and one, two, cha, cha, cha” it’s a sure bet that he’d love to marathon dance at this event.

Though we’re not sure if he would be out teaching some classic ballroom dance moves, try a few of the newer moves or both, but we know he’d at least give it a “cha, cha, cha, dip, twirl” and maybe a cartwheel … just to throw people off — or not.

Dancers for the event must be 12 and up. Cost to dance is $50, while admission is $10 for spectators, and $5 for spectators age 12 and under.

Click here for more information. 

What was your favorite George Giffin dance?

Local Life

Rewind: RFH Bike Lane, Please

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A witchy retro bike ride at RFH circa 1970s Photo/George Day
A witchy retro bike ride at RFH circa 1970s
Photo/George Day

Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli has been on a mission to make Rumson-Fair Haven area streets more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.

It’s pretty common knowledge. So, in keeping with the safe streets theme, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day offers a glimpse back to times at RFH in the 70s when a couple of witches on a tandem bike took a ride across campus. They never hit the streets.

They didn’t need a bike lane, because people just seemed to back off as they flew through.

Know who these two are? The bike?

Many thanks, again, to George Day for this glimpse into the RFH past!

Local Life

Retro Boating in Rumson

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Kayaking on the Navesink River in Rumson Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Kayaking on the Navesink River in Rumson
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s almost that time — to warm up with fun on the Navesink River.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day is dedicated to balmy evenings with friends on the river in Rumson.

These guys had their boat out for a little motoring.

Kayakers and paddle boarders love to take to the river, too. Then there are the water skiers, sailors and loungers.

What’s your favorite river activity?

Local Life

Going Retro with the Oceanic Bridge in a Classic Film

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Doris Day and Rock Hudson crossing the Oceanic Bridge in the movie "Pillow Talk" Photo/screenshot of movie clip
Doris Day and Rock Hudson crossing the Oceanic Bridge in the movie “Pillow Talk”
Photo/screenshot of movie clip

With the impending overnight closing of the Oceanic Bridge for the next month or so, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect decided to take a look back at a fun time of fame for the bridge.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day captures a moment on film of Doris Day and Rock Hudson crossing the bridge in the movie Pillow Talk.

Yes, that’s the Oceanic — the 76-year-old 1940s Art Deco style bridge.

Remember the scene in the movie?

Local Life

Looking Back & Saying Happy 96th to Fair Havenite Evelyn Murphy

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What else can we say? A longtime —  very longtime — Fair Havenite turned 96 on Sunday!

So, what else could we do but make Evelyn Murphy our Retro Pic of the Day (and slideshow).

No, Evelyn no longer lives in Fair Haven, but her spirit, and those of many like her, just seems to live on. And we’re grateful.

It doesn’t ever seem quite right to this day to go to the Acme and not see the flaming red-haired beauty rounding a corner and always ready to chat.

This lady is mom to seven children, all of whom graduated from RFH. Thanks for your contribution to Fair Haven life, Mrs. Murphy!

To life, l’chaim, special lady! Here’s to covering your 100th!

Thanks to the Murphy family for the photos from Facebook!

Local Life

Remembering RFH’s Dewey Robinson

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RFH teacher Dewey Robinson circa 1977 Photo/RFH yearbook
RFH teacher Dewey Robinson circa 1977
Photo/RFH yearbook

As the Fair Haven community mourns the loss of Jeanetter Crowell, our Retro Pic of the Day takes Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) alumni back to her son, Dewey Robinson, who taught and coached at the high school for many years and predeceased his mother.

Known for his kind compassionate, level-headed and relatable demeanor, people offering condolences over the passing of his mother couldn’t help but comment on the son.

“Dewey was a very good man; I am sure she played a large part,” said Fair Haven resident Brian Drazin on the post announcing Mrs. Crowell’s death.

“What a great teacher Dewey was and there is always a strong and wonderful woman behind every great and wonderful man,” Tamera Partington Dinklage said.

Share your memories of Dewey Robinson with us. RIP, Jeanetter Crowell.