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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.

Local Life

Going Retro with Fair Haven’s Chum & Bette Chandler

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Fair Haven’s Chum and Bette Chandler on their wedding day Photo/courtesy of Carol Chandler-West

 

Today and tomorrow are the days Fair Havenites are spending saying goodbye to lifetime resident Chum Chandler, who was also a 65-year member of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company.

So, we felt it only fitting to honor Chum and his wife Bette, who predeceased him in 1996, in today’s Retro Pic of the Day.

The two were married on Sept. 25, 1955, daughter Carol Chandler-West said in a Facebook post.

“I was blessed with two special parents, and for giving me a wonderful life,” she said. “God Bless!!!”

RIP, Chum and Bette Chandler.

Local Life

Going Retro with Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Emcee

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JoAnn Pileggi a couple of years ago heading toward the Fair Haven dock. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
JoAnn Pileggi a couple of years ago heading toward the Fair Haven dock.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

The third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade was Sunday. And there were many familiar faces marching and on the grandstand.

One, in particular, on the grandstand for all three years of the new parade tradition, was emcee JoAnn Pileggi.

Pileggi, a TV journalist for NYC’s Fox 5 News and FOX 29philly, is a Fair Haven resident who is married to RFH grad T.J. Foderaro, a longtime journalist who comes from a long line of journalists.

A couple of years ago, this photo of Pileggi was taken as the Fair Haven resident was headed to a concert on the Fair Haven Dock with her children.

Do you know JoAnn?

 

Local Life

Retro Hanging on a Fire Truck

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Bill Van Develde rides a Fair Haven fire truck circa early 1970s. Photo/Van Develde family
Bill Van Develde rides a Fair Haven fire truck circa early 1970s.
Photo/Van Develde family

In light of the pending purchase of a new fire truck for the Fair Haven Fire Department, our Retro Pic of the Day offers a look back at an oldie.

New transport rules mandate that firemen can no longer ride hanging on the the back or sides of a truck.

But, there was a lot of that, like an indelible stereotypical snapshot, back in the day. Times have changed, but the dedication of the local volunteer firefighter, from generation to generation, has not.

In this photo, circa early 1970s, the guys are rolling out for a parade. They are in the back of the firehouse in their dress uniforms.

The guy hanging on the outside of the truck is none other than this editor’s dad, Bill Van Develde, a life member of the fire company and former captain of the Fair Haven Fire Police.

Did you know that the rules for riding on the outside of a fire truck had changed? Who’s inside the cab? And which truck is this? The Mack?