Prosecutor: Long Branch Murder Conviction Yields Life Prison Sentence; No Parole

An Ocean County man convicted last week of the murder and robbery of a Point Pleasant man was sentenced today to Life in prison without parole, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Thursday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: Long Branch Murder Conviction Yields Life Prison Sentence; No Parole

Living a Special Sisters’ RFH Dance Team Dream

There was a lot to cheer about recently as the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) football team enjoyed a record-breaking championship season.

Sharing in the excitement were sisters Malen and Mara Grubaugh, of Rumson. Mara is a member of the RFH Dance Team, and Malen is the team’s first-ever manager.

Malen’s appointment was a dream come true for the Grubaugh family, as Malen and Mara attend different schools. Mara is a fifteen-year-old sophomore at RFH and a member of the Dance Team. Eighteen-year-old Malen has Down syndrome and attends The Midland School.

Malen and Mara share a love of dance and have taken lessons for years: Malen in a special needs class at Family Resource Associates in Shrewsbury, and Mara at a local dance academy.

“For years, both of my girls have been on the sidelines for one another’s performances,” said the girls’ mother Laurie Grubaugh. “They are one another’s biggest fans. And when Mara joined the RFH dance team as a freshman, Malen had a new sideline to watch her sister from.”

Malen enjoyed attending RFH football games and watching Dance Team practices last year. This year, as Mara began her sophomore year, she and RFH Dance Team Coach Jen Costa had a conversation about Malen and how she could become involved.

“I knew nothing about this in advance, and when Coach Costa approached me with the idea it brought tears to my eyes,” said Grubaugh. “I just couldn’t believe that my girls would have a chance to do what they both love and do it together! This was the very first opportunity Malen had to be involved in an activity at her hometown school and with her sister. It was amazing.”

According to Grubaugh, the team embraced Malen; and, as much as Malen has learned from the girls on the team, the girls have learned even more from her. This past October, Malen and the Dance Team members worked together to support Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Malen provided bracelets to the cheerleaders and dancers to promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. Coach Costa made blue and yellow ribbons for all of the girls to wear as well.

And for one of the senior girls, getting to know Malen influenced a potential career path.

“Katie Pierson was Mara’s Dance Team ‘big sister’ and became friends with Malen as well,” said Grubaugh. “Katie has now expressed an interest in becoming an occupational therapist and working with special needs clients. This was something she never realized she had a desire to do until she met Malen. Again, so much goodness triggered by a coach and a sister with big hearts, understanding, and acceptance.”

As Team Manager, Malen is in charge of keeping the girls’ spirits and energy up. She is also responsible for everything from taking attendance to making sure that all the dancers are wearing the correct hair bows and paw stickers. And it is up to Malen to give the “go ahead” confirming that the girls are ready before music begins playing for their half time performances.

“After Malen’s first dance team practice, I knew that we had made the right decision by selecting her as Manager,” said Costa. “Even when we are freezing during a football game, Malen’s smile encourages the girls to give 110 percent. The team looks to Malen not only as a manager but as a teammate, friend, and sister.

“I see the girls looking out for her and wanting to know how her school day was, her favorite song … just simple teenage girl talk. As we begin our basketball and competition season, Malen will be present – she is a key part of the RFH Dance Team and when she is missing we are not complete.”

Grubaugh expressed appreciation for an experience that has enriched so many lives.

“It is truly amazing how much Coach Costa has done for both of my girls and for her team by just being kind,” said Grubaugh. “I am so very proud of Malen and Mara, the girls on the team, and Coach Costa. My hope is that there will be more opportunities like this for students with special needs in our community.”

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

Prosecutor: Two Area People Indicted in Long Branch Murder

A Monmouth County grand jury returned a nine-count indictment on Monday charging an area woman and man in connection with the shooting and subsequent murder of a Linden woman, Tyrita Julius, who had been missing for months, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a released statement on Tuesday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: Two Area People Indicted in Long Branch Murder

Weathering the Storms: Resilient City Plan for Sea Bright Unveiled

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and partners from both the public and private sectors have unveiled the outline of a plan to ensure citizens of Sea Bright will be able to communicate and have access to energy and safe drinking water sources during an emergency, according to a press release.

The “Resilient City” plan for Sea Bright, announced on Dec. 12, Pallone said will serve as a model for other municipalities planning for future storms.

Continue reading Weathering the Storms: Resilient City Plan for Sea Bright Unveiled

Leaving the Scene of a Unique Retro RFH Cheer

Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s. Photo/George Day
Those special RFH Powder Puff Football cheerleaders of the 1970s.
Photo/George Day

What would a string of cheerleading for the team pics be without a cap-off of some special cheerleaders leaving the scene of the cheer?

So, the Retro Pic of the (George) Day is a vision — of those crazy 1970s dudes and their “different” idea of cheering for the team and, well, those outfits.

So, here’s to that big cheer for RFH football, champions and, yes, those cheerleaders of the past.

Now, does anyone know who these guys are and whose skirts they’re sporting here?

Many thanks to the one and only George Day for capturing this gem of a look into the RFH past! 

— Elaine Van Develde

Prosecutor’s Office Joins in Search for Missing Teen

From the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office … 

A Neptune City teen missing since Friday is the subject of a massive search after her abandoned vehicle was discovered in the shoulder of the southbound lanes of the Route 35 Bridge in Belmar, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a released statement.

“We are asking everyone to keep an eye out for this young woman, and report any possible sightings as soon as possible,” Gramiccioni said.

Continue reading Prosecutor’s Office Joins in Search for Missing Teen

Focus: Shopping the Neighborhood in Fair Haven

It was a night of holiday shopping local, socializing, treats and trolley riding. It was Thursday night’s annual Shop the Neighborhood in Fair Haven; and, by all indications and smiling faces, it was a success.

Sponsored by the Fair Haven Business Association and featuring talent from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH), businesses in both districts in the borough opened their doors to meet, greet and treat neighbors and friends in a casual, getting-to- know-you customer appreciation atmosphere from 5 to 9 p.m.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect popped in on a few open houses and caught a glimpse into the evening from the folks at Tavolo, The Pilates Project, Boxwood Gardens, Ferguson Dental, and Coastal Decor and their friends.

Take a look …

— Elaine Van Develde

Retro RFH Cheer for Champs

Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

Well, the cheering for the RFH Bulldogs’ fourth consecutive state football championship has yet to cease.

And that’s how it goes with those spirited RFH cheers. The people of R-FH land are proud and rightly so.

So, in the interest of equal time and continuing to honor the champs, the Retro Pic of the Day zooms in on a group of real RFH cheerleaders of the past — the late 1970s to be sort of exact.

These are the real deal girls with their genuine purple and white plaid kilt skirts (rather than sister or mother’s clothes), saddle shoes (rather than work boots), and knee socks (in place of long johns, or whatever those things were on the guys). Oh, and the pom-poms and megaphones are authentic. Though the guys we showed you did manage to lift a couple of tools of the cheer trade from the girls, like those sweaters and a pom or two.

So, give this group of cheerleaders a gander. They were considered the coolest of the cool kids. Yup. The outfits and method of cheering have evolved quite a bit since then, but the sentiment is the same.

Go Bulldogs!

Recognize any of these girls? Some are still in the area.

— Elaine Van Develde

RFH Alums to Students: World Language Skill Key to Success

They followed different paths to embracing world languages, yet they all arrived at the same conclusion — having an “international mindset” is a huge advantage in today’s global marketplace.

Continue reading RFH Alums to Students: World Language Skill Key to Success

Focus: A Festive Rumson Tree Lighting

The holiday stage was set and the tone was a rich, festive one in Rumson’s Victory Park on Sunday as the holidays were kicked off with the annual borough tree lighting.

Tim McLoone and the Shirleys and the Deane-Porter third graders set the musical pace and mood for the night as Rumsonites gathered to celebrate the start of the season with some song, dance, snacks, socializing and Santa.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect was there to capture many festive moments of the night. Take a look at the 50 glimpses into the night we caught with our lens.

Cheers to plenty of holiday cheer here! (Be sure to scroll all the way down. There are 50 photos. Click to enlarge.)

— Elaine Van Develde