Retro RFH Cheer for the State Football Champs

The role reversed cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
The role reversed cheerleaders of RFH Powder Puff Football 1977. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

When RFH won its fourth consecutive football state championship on Saturday, cheers could be heard for miles around — and days.

In fact, fans and alumnus from all over are still shouting the ol’ “Hey, purple, hey white, you look so good to me … Hey! Hey!” Well, it went something like that back in the 1970s.

And in the 70s there was also a very special group of cheerleaders with a unique twist on a cheer and, of course, those outfits. Never mind the pom-poms and mustaches.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors that special cheer that can be heard for miles around led by this special group of RFH Class of ’78 guys.

Recognize any of these special fellas? One or two of them may have actually been at Saturday’s game. Can you hear them now?

— Elaine Van Develde

Focus: RFH Football Champs’ Game

It didn’t take long for news to travel when the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Football Team won its fourth consecutive state championship on Saturday.

Sirens were blaring and shout-outs on social media ran rampant as the Bulldogs scored the major win and wound their way home to firetruck escorts in a mini parade of fanfare down River Road.

The Bulldogs beat South Plainfield in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship game at Rutgers University with a score of 27 to 22.

RFH alumnus were there and grabbing a glimpse in photos of some of the game’s milestone moments. Take a look …

— Photos/Cole Van Develde

 

Focus: Santa Claus Comes to Fair Haven

Santa Claus came to Fair Haven on Friday night.

Hundreds of residents gathered to celebrate the seasonal kick-off at Memorial Park.

There was a December chill in the air, but spirits soaring and warm.

Take a glimpse into some highlights of the night … (Oh, and don’t forget to click on each photo to enlarge to full view!)

Cheers to the season!

— Elaine Van Develde 

Prosecutor: Area Woman Sentenced to 7-Year Prison Term for Hit-and-Run Fatality

A Middletown woman has been sentenced to a seven-year prison term in connection with a fatal 2015 accident that took the life of a 15-year-old girl, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Friday.

Toni A. Marletta, 50, of Thompson Avenue in the Leonardo section of Middletown Township, was sentenced by Judge Ronald L. Reisner on the one second-degree count of knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a fatality, and on third-degree endangering the welfare of a child counts. Marletta also received an additional six-month concurrent prison term for failing to have her motor vehicle insured and a one year loss of license for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle.

Marletta was sentenced after pleading guilty before Judge Reisner on Sept. 16, 2016 in connection with the fatal motor vehicle collision on July 7, 2015 that killed a 15-year-old girl who was crossing Route 36 in the township.

The accident …

Middletown Township Police were dispatched at approximately 8:24 p.m., on July 7, 2015, to Route 36 in the area of Avenue D for a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, police immediately located the 15-year-old victim, Marissa Procopio, of Atlantic Highlands. She was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township where she died the next day.

An investigation into the fatal collision by Middletown Township police, in cooperation with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team, determined the victim was crossing Route 36 in the area of Avenue D, when she was struck by a motor vehicle driven by Marletta.

Marletta, who had three 16-year-old girls in her car at the time of the collision, fled the scene, but the investigation led police to Marletta’s vehicle later that evening. The vehicle displayed damage consistent with the collision.

Marletta ultimately arrived at the Middletown Township Police Department, but was later released pending further investigation into the collision. The investigation progressed and Marletta was charged on July 15, 2015, with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a fatality. Subsequent to the initial charge, the others were lodged and she was convicted.

The case was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Meghan Doyle. Marletta is represented by Peter M. O’Mara, Esq., of Little Silver.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Holidaze: Rumson-Fair Haven Area Tree Lightings

Haul out the holly. It’s time to light up the Rumson-Fair Haven area with holiday trees, Santa visits and festivities for all to kick off that time of the year.

It all starts on Friday evening …

Fair Haven’s annual tree lighting at Memorial Park, on the corner of River and Fair Haven roads, kicks the season off at 5 p.m. with a gathering, Santa’s traditional arrival via firetruck, a tree lighting at 6 p.m., song, fun and games for kids and a holiday stroll through the business district. There will be hot chocolate, treats, raffles and assorted surprises at each business for hometown holiday shopping pleasure. (Check the map.)

The event runs through 7:30 p.m.

And on Sunday …

Rumson’s annual tree lighting and festivities come to Victory Park starting at 5 p.m. with music by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys, the RFH Tower Singers and Deane-Porter’s third grade chorus.

There will be snacks and hot chocolate and, of course, Santa and the official lighting of the tree.

And over the bridge in Sea Bright …

The annual tree lighting will take place in the borough’s municipal parking lot by the beach at 6 p.m.

Following the tree lighting, Mrs. Claus will make an appearance across the street at the United Methodist Church to give out some gifts and refreshments to the kids.

 

Urban Coast Institute: The New Administration and the Ocean’s Future

From Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute … 

The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) is holding a public forum to set coastal and ocean priorities for the next administration and Congress next week.

The 12th Annual Future of the Ocean Symposium will be held on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Wilson Hall Auditorium at the West Long Branch university. Admission is free and open to the public.

The panelists, former New Jersey Gov. and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Todd Whitman and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Dr. Donald Boesch, will offer their views and recommendations on critical actions that the administration and Congress should take to ensure that our coasts and oceans are healthy, productive and support sustainable economic development.

Among their many other accomplishments and qualifications, Whitman and Boesch serve on the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI) Leadership Council, a national organization dedicated to marine policy reform. JOCI soon plans to release a nine-point action plan for the Trump administration and the new Congress. UCI Ocean Policy Fellow and Monmouth University President Emeritus Paul G. Gaffney II also serves as a member of the JOCI Leadership Council.

“The oceans are going through unprecedented changes, including sea level rise, shifting currents and weather patterns, ocean acidification, and ecosystem destruction,” Whitman said. “These changes are a mounting threat not only to marine ecosystems, but to coastal communities and economies. We must confront these issues with a bipartisan approach from policymakers in Washington and at all levels of government.”

“Robust federal investments in science and research can spur innovation, address important national and global challenges, create new economic sectors, and ultimately save lives,” Boesch said. “If our ecosystems and livelihoods are to be sustained for the future, we’ll need to pair such financial commitments to research with concerted action on policies based in science.”

“The Future of the Ocean Symposium provides a unique forum for students, faculty and the public to engage nationally recognized experts in discussions on the pressing ocean issues of our time,” said UCI Director Tony MacDonald, who will moderate the panel. “As a coastal university, we are also pleased to honor a group of Ocean Champions whose work has so directly impacted lives here on the Jersey Shore and beyond.”