Focus: Maddy Massabni’s Birthday Gifting

It was a milestone birthday meant to embrace and roll softly away with the tide, the color, the sunshine, the love, the reminder of her …

Twenty-one pink roses in hand, they walked from Maddy Massabni’s home to her favorite spot on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright. They were the loved ones of the Rumson teen who passed away suddenly two years ago on March 30, just three days after her 19th birthday, from toxic shock syndrome.

Maddy would have turned 21 on March 27. That’s why there were 21 pink roses, her favorite. For those who could get to the beach, there was a poem read by Maddy’s mom, Dawn, and a little celebration with hugs, tears, gratitude and a tossing of the roses into the surf Maddy so loved. Out with the tide.

Those who couldn’t be at the beach, celebrated Maddy’s 21st by creating their own home memorials, gravitating to a body of water to signify the Sea Bright spot or just displaying a single pink rose, even giving one to someone to brighten their day unknowingly with Maddy’s love.

In Maddy’s memory, a non-profit foundation dubbed Don’t Shock Me has been created to raise awareness of toxic shock and pay Maddy’s kind spirit forward. Stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, Maddy Massabni! You are remembered.

Take a look at snippets of the celebration in photos from friends and remember … (Don’t forget to click on each to enlarge!)

Prosecutor: Twin Brothers Found Guilty of Disabled Vet Attack

Twin brothers from Monmouth County have been found guilty of aggravated assault and conspiracy to rob a disabled US Army veteran, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced. 

Continue reading Prosecutor: Twin Brothers Found Guilty of Disabled Vet Attack

Scene Around: RFH Show Time

Cast members of the RFH Tower Players’ Addams Family production strike a pose alerting people to their upcoming performances Photo/RFH PAS

They’re creepy, kooky and what’s altogether ooky is that tickets for Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) Addams Family spring musical, which opens on Friday, are selling like the surge of electricity that lights Uncle Fester’s mouth-held lightbulb.

Continue reading Scene Around: RFH Show Time

Prosecutor: Area Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn & Weapons Possession Charges

A Monmouth County man who has a prior criminal record has pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and unauthorized possession of a handgun charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said. 

Continue reading Prosecutor: Area Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn & Weapons Possession Charges

A Time to Run: Remembering RFH’s Keith McHeffey

The following was originally posted in 2017 in remembrance of Keith McHeffey. It is being posted again as a reminder that the annual race to honor his memory and help others, The KDM 3-Mile Run, is set for Saturday.

Keith McHeffey and friends
Photo/courtesy of Gregg Kennedy

He was raised in both Rumson and Fair Haven. He was an RFH graduate. He was a friend to many. He had a gift for making people laugh and love life. Then he lost his life in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was Keith McHeffey.

Continue reading A Time to Run: Remembering RFH’s Keith McHeffey

Prosecutor: Three Men Found Guilty in 2009 Teacher’s Murder

Three men have been found guilty of the 2009 killing of Red Bank Middle School teacher Jonelle Melton, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Tuesday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: Three Men Found Guilty in 2009 Teacher’s Murder