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Schools Scene

RFH Student Athletes Sign With Colleges

Seven student athletes from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) took part in National Signing Day on April 13.

Surrounded by coaches and family members, they put pen to paper and made their college choices official at an event held in the RFH Lower Library at 10 a.m.

RFH students and their sports and college choices are:

• Bram Bruno, University of Pennsylvania, crew;
• Brendan Edwards, University of Delaware, crew;
• Maren Gierlatowicz, University of Miami, crew;
• Jeremy Johnson, Elizabethtown College, lacrosse;
• Caroline Kostecky, Gettysburg College, soccer;
• Zachary Rataski, Johnson and Wales University (Miami), track and field;
• Brianna Worobel, Skidmore College, soccer.

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

Local Life

Flashback: Retro R-FH Area Siblings

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Sunday was National Siblings Day.

So, though we may be a day late, we’re not short on photo gems of Rumson-Fair Haven area siblings.

These shots of still recognizable siblings go back as far as the 1930s and are as recent as a few months ago.

So, as a Retro Pic(s) of the Day, we honor siblings in the area with a slideshow. These photos, most likely taken with one of those Brownie cameras or the Instamatic with the cube flash, are classics.

Recognize anyone? Favorite shot?

— Elaine Van Develde

Thanks to Facebook friends for the photos in this slideshow!

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

RFH Talent Show: Entertainment & Charity

Call it a night of fun, entertainment and charity RFH style.

It was the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Talent Show and it showcased 18 student acts on April 7 with the proceeds from the show donated to the American Cancer Society.

“A great variety of music and talent, coupled with creative hosts and judges’ commentary, made this year’s talent show the best one yet!” RFH Student Council Advisor and Spanish teacher Yannell Maglione said.

Of the 18 acts, three were chosen by judges Bill Grillo, RFH music director, and Stefania Flecca, English teacher.

In the end, first prize was awarded to the group that performed David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, featuring Paddy Ahimovic and Matt Bavuso. Katie Person claimed second prize with her dance performance to Sinner. Third prize went to Anthony Cinko and Tristan Kilper performing Nothin’ on You by B.o.B. and Bruno Mars.

The cast of student performers for the evening …

• Joe Esposito, Rob Lenza, Joe Monte, and Noah Sullivan – Grand Theft Auto by Fall Out Boy;
• Mia Sourlis – I’m Yours by Jason Mraz;
• Fiona Lenahan – Original Piece;
• Julia Handerhan and Rogan McGarvey – Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd;
• Ally Calvanico, Emily Cooner, Leigh Forsyth, Jenny Greener, Brian Incremona, Rachel Makstein, and Bailey Newsome performing a mashup of Love Yourself and Photograph;
• RFH Dance Team Members – Dance Mix;
• Max Connery – piano piece;
• Kate Gagliardi – This Is Gospel by Panic! At the Disco;
• Paddy Ahimovic, JC Liang, and Kate Sustick – Tears Dry by Amy Winehouse;
• Michael Frissora – No Such Thing by John Mayer;
• Sophia Maita and Jen Sandoli – Can’t Make You Love Me by Bon Iver;
• Stephen Appezzato, Calvin Bruno, Henry Manelski, and Anthony Paolantonio – Naïve by The Kooks;
• Emma Singleton – Fix You by Coldplay;
• Matt Bavuso and Peter Hogan – Mrs. Handerhan, a rendition.

This year’s Talent Show was hosted by RFH seniors Olivia Teevan and Danny Trocchia and physical education and health teacher Eric Zullo and organized by the Student Council.

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

Local Life, Obituaries

Rumson Says Goodbye, Thank You to Joe Sorrentino

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Joe Sorrentino (left) in Rumson DPW retirement photo in 2003 Photo/Rumson newsletter
Joe Sorrentino (left) in Rumson DPW retirement photo in 2003
Photo/Rumson newsletter

By Elaine Van Develde

He was a community pillar. He was the go-to Rumson Department of Public Works (DPW) guy for decades. He was a volunteer fireman, first aid squad member. He helped out many in need through church and many a charitable cause. He was a mentor. He was king of the zeppole-makers. He was a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was a warm hometown embrace with a lot of heart, no pretense. He was Joe Sorrentino and his hometown of Rumson said goodbye to him today as he was laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Keyport.

Joe was 81 years old. He passed away on April 2 surrounded by his loving family at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

Continue reading Rumson Says Goodbye, Thank You to Joe Sorrentino →

News, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Sea Bright: Cat Gains One of Nine Lives After Fire Rescue

Sea Bright firefighters, joined by their brothers from the greater Rumson-Fair Haven area extinguished a fire in the borough this morning and gave a pet owner some good news with the rescue and resuscitation of Felix the cat.

Yes, Felix the cat, like the iconic cartoon. After Sea Bright stations 43 and 44 responded to a structure fire at a town house in Sea Bright Village early this morning, a Rumson firefighter found Felix “unresponsive in the third floor bedroom,” a Facebook post by Sea Bright Fire Rescue said.

“Felix the cat was removed from the house and turned over to Firefighter Joe Eskridge and FF/EMT Dan Drogin who, utilizing the new pet O2 masks that were recently donated, performed numerous rounds of pet CPR which resulted in a successful resuscitation.”

Sea Bright firefighters thanked the responding companies for their assistance with the the morning blaze: Rumson and Fair Haven fire departments, Monmouth Beach Fire Company, Little Silver Fire Department and Community Fire Company.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Sea Bright Fire Marshal’s Office, the post said.

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, News

Young Fair Haven Firefighter Faces Aggravated Arson Charge

A young Fair Haven volunteer firefighter was arrested on Saturday and could face up to 10 years in prison on a charge in connection with a Friday arson in the borough in which he serves after also responding as a firefighter to extinguish the blaze, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni announced in a released statement.

Nicholas Joyce, 19, of Fair Haven, also a former boy scout in the borough, was arrested on one count of second-degree aggravated arson after he allegedly set fire to a storage shed on Friday afternoon on the property of the United Methodist Church at 300 Ridge Road, the release said.

The Fair Haven Fire Department, Joyce included, responded on Friday, April 1, at 4:28 p.m., to a report of a fire in the back of the church property at a storage shed belonging to a local scout troop, the release added. Responding firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was contained to the exterior of the shed.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Fair Haven Police Department resulted in Joyce’s arrest the next day, Saturday. The investigation revealed that Joyce had allegedly set fire to the shed, returned to the fire house and then responded to the scene with other firefighters when the fire was reported, according to the Prosecutor.

Joyce was released from custody after posting $5,000 bail with a 10 percent option, set by Municipal Court Judge James Berube.
If convicted of Aggravated Arson, Joyce faces up to ten years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the No Early Release Act (N.E.R.A.), requiring that he serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Decker.

 

Schools Scene

RFH Students Serve Up Some Food for the Soul

Members of the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Cooking Club volunteered at the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s Soul Kitchen Community Restaurant in Red Bank recently.

Working with Soul Kitchen’s Front-of-House Manager Dolly Bonilla, the RFH students on April 16 cleaned off and set tables as well as organized menus for that evening’s crowd.

They were also given a tour of the facility’s garden, which provides fresh organic ingredients for meals, by gardener Robin Grossman. The students learned more about what the Soul Kitchen means to the local community.

“Hope is Delicious” is the motto of the Soul Kitchen, which provides healthy, organic, and locally grown food in a restaurant setting. For paying customers, there are no prices on the menu. Instead, they are invited to “pay it forward.”

A donation of $10 covers the cost of one meal, and anything extra helps defray the cost of someone else’s meal. Nonpaying patrons of the Soul Kitchen can perform volunteer work in exchange for family meals. Those who volunteer in exchange for meals are guided through their tasks by Soul Kitchen staff members, giving them a step up in qualifying for jobs in the restaurant industry.

The Soul Kitchen treats all customers with dignity and respect, while uniting communities and forming healthy and lasting relationships through food.

Volunteerism is very important to the success of Soul Kitchen, and there are opportunities available for those who would like to help out by busing tables, cleaning, stocking items, or serving. More information can be found at jbjsoulkitchen.org.

RFH students who volunteered their time were: Tori Hyduke, Christy Jadevaia, Katie Kane, Michaela Lake, Julia Marascio, Jenna Sandoli, and Becky Unsinn. They were accompanied by RFH Library media specialist Linda Wien Murray and English teachers Cassie Fallon and Lauren Grumbach, who are the club’s co-advisors.

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