They call him the Ironman Cowboy. He’s the triathlete named James Lawrence who is going for a record of 50 distances in 50 states in 50 days.
Independence Day marks the 29th day of the Utah man’s quest. He’s already a Guiness World
He was on Sandy Hook. He was in Fair Haven at about 10:45 a.m. and he’ll be wrapping things up on his Jersey tour with a 5K run in Sea Bright at 7 p.m.
Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli caught up with him today. Check out the photo above.
It’s the Fourth of July weekend and patriotism is in the air.
Flags are flying and the red, white and blue color theme is abundant. The same held true as people banded together in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Flags few amid a lot of wreckage.
Here’s one of them in our Retro Pic of the Day.
Remember this scene in downtown Sea Bright?
With all this talk about the little tykes transitioning from third to fourth grade, school being out for summer and, well, of course, graduation, there’s one milestone that’s been left out — kindergarten.
Back in the day — OK, waaaaay back in the day — there was a third school in Fair Haven for kindergarten. It was the Youth Center. People now know it better as the Fair Haven Police Station and by its newly adopted name that hasn’t quite caught on yet, and may never for us “older” folks still in town — Fair Haven Community Center. Phooey to that. Some things just need to keep a name for nostalgic purposes alone.
Continue reading Retro Fair Haven Kindergarten: The Kids and the Classroom
It’s a relatively new tradition for RFH to have its graduation at Monmouth University.
The venue is large. It’s where many of the high schools with larger graduating classes, by sheer virtue of population, have held graduations — mostly out of a need for more room. Middletown, which has two large public high schools, has held its graduations at Monmouth. And, before that, the PNC Bank Arts Center amphitheater in Holmdel. And some high schools have their graduations at Brookdale.
It’s been just a little more than a week since the students of Rumson and Fair Haven’s middle schools, Knollwood and Forrestdale, took their graduation walks in more ways than one.
From the traditional walk from Knollwood to Sickles School, symbolizing the end of an era and many milestones made, to lining the halls of their new high school, the middle school students marked a time for moving on to their teen years in high school.
It’s a symbolic time. One that those who grow up in the area tend to never forget — well, unless wish you’d forget it, because you wore a really ugly yellow dress and your hair was particularly frizzy that night. Ahem. I digress.
The walk, either way, either to Pomp and Circumstance, down Third Street in Fair Haven, through the halls of RFH or all, it’s a walk toward the future.
Good luck to the Knollwood and Forrestdale grads! Embrace the future with passion and purpose!
Check out our Retro Pic of the Day slideshow capturing some of those moments. Thanks to the following parents for the photos: Paige McCann, Erin, Elizabeth Sullivan, LuAnn Hughes, Doug Borden and Madelyne Valko.
By Elaine Van Develde
He was known as the patriarch, and perhaps patron saint, of schools in Fair Haven.
He was steadying, calm, encouraging influence — never pushed by politics, never mired by mass red tape, always out for the students’ benefit.
A perpetually sage, serene smile set on his face, Robert Chartier, for many years, stood in front of Knollwood School welcoming his village full of students every single day, watching them learn and grow — fixated on seeing to it that they flourish.
He was always present, always available, always receptive. Under his leadership, students, always seen as unique individuals, soared to hit their full potential. They were all his kids. That’s simply how he saw it.
You could say that, over the years, Robert Chartier was proud papa to thousands. It was that simple to him. As principal for a stint at Willow Street School (now Sickles), then longtime principal of Knollwood and finally superintendent of Fair Haven schools, he retired many years ago, but he is still around. And the lessons learned from this iconic administrator are not forgotten.
Friends of the former top schools administrator’s son, Michael, were thrilled to see the above Father’s Day throwback photo of a young Mr. Chartier and his son.
And, since he is still so fondly recalled as that father figure by former Fair Haven students, many of whom are now parents in the borough, the photo is our Retro Pic of the Day.
Thank you, Mr. Chartier, for being a great dad of education to so many!
Share your memories of Mr. Chartier with us.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will feature an interview with the iconic leader of Fair Haven schools in the future.
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 evd@rfhretro.com 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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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?
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