Retro Dance with George Giffin

Image April 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

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?

News, Police and Fire

Caution: Lights Out in Fair Haven

April 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven firemen and fire police stationed at Smith Street and River Road man and block off the street Wednesday night. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Fair Haven firemen and fire police stationed at Smith Street and River Road man and block off the street Wednesday night.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

If you live in the area of River Road, between Hance and Smith Street, in Fair Haven you may have heard a boom and been without electricity for a short period of time or longer around 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

While Fair Haven Fire Police were too busy redirecting traffic to provide an answer, a drive to the area would show that that block-long stretch of River Road was cordoned off, fire trucks, an ambulance and utility trucks were out.

No one has confirmed exactly what the issue was, but, with the presence of utility trucks and the outage, it seemed to be a power issue that was being tended to.

As of 7:45 p.m., the road was still blocked.

This post will be updated when more information becomes available.

Crime

Attorney General: Rumson Printer Banned as Vendor of Prescription Blanks

April 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following is a press release from the NJ Office of the Attorney General:

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has terminated Rumson-based Nelson Press printing company’s authorization to act as a printer/vendor of prescription blanks.

The Division found the company’s failure to follow security requirements enabled a suspended doctor to allegedly obtain and write unauthorized prescriptions in another physician’s name for oxycodone and other potentially addictive painkillers.

The suspended doctor, Kenneth Lewandowski, of Middletown, was arrested in December 2014 by detectives from the Middletown Township Police Department working with investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Division of Consumer Affairs. Lewandowski was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful practice of medicine, for his alleged role in running a prescription drug ring.

Continue reading Attorney General: Rumson Printer Banned as Vendor of Prescription Blanks →

Crime, Police and Fire

Police: Alleged Heroin Dealers Busted

April 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following arrests that occurred between March 20 and April 7 were reported by Middletown police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Andrew Gill, 21, of Willis Avenue in Keansburg , was arrested on March 24 by Detective Keith Hirschbein and charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin within 500 feet of a public park, unlawful possession of suboxone, possession of a hypodermic syringe, possession of drug paraphernalia and on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Oceanport Municipal Court and a violation of probation warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court.

He was held pending a court date.

• Christopher Gill, 23, of Mercer Avenue in Hazlet, was arrested on March 24 by Detective Keith Hirschbein and charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park, unlawful possession of suboxone, possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was held on $75,000 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Continue reading Police: Alleged Heroin Dealers Busted →