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Focus: Hoppin’ Egg Hunt Classics

In light of this past weekend’s onslaught of egg hunts, we’re taking you back again to the most classic moments in Rumson-Fair Haven area egg hunting …

Ahhhhh, the egg hunt! It’s known as the quickest event in any town all around the world — or at least the Rumson–Fair Haven area neck o’ the bunny hop turf.

The kids gather, baskets in tow. They smash themselves up against the “Egg Hunt Scene” tape. The tape drops. They scramble … for all of about three minutes of mayhem.

It’s a difficult event to photograph. You have to just hippity hop to it, keep clicking and hope you get a good few freeze-framed moments. Well, over the years, we have — gotten some priceless snapshots amid the mystical misadventure.

In Rumson, there has been a lot of flying, stumbling and seizing of the coveted eggs. In Sea Bright, where the event has been held on the beach, things have always been a little more calm, but anywhere from bizarre to classic adorable in photo captures, nonetheless.

Take a look back, laugh and remember the misery, mayhem and just plain cuteness of it all. Oh, and by the way, Fair Haven wins for the quickest of all egg hunts. We could barely get out of the car, camera in hand, before it was over.

But, we got Rumson and Sea Bright classics. These are our classic most popular pics from over the years … (Be sure to CLICK on one photo to enlarge for the full view and scroll. Enjoy and smile — or laugh a little!)

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro

Weekly Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Replacement Travel Advisory

As the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge replacement construction continues, Monmouth County officials have advised that work for this week, Monday through Friday, will resume during somewhat extended hours of 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Rumson-Fair Haven area and Sea Bright residents and all traversing the area of the bridge are advised of the following …

Continue reading Weekly Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Replacement Travel Advisory

Retro RFH Staged Follies with a Lovey ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Gal

Actress Natalie Schafer, Lovey on Gilligan's Island, visits the RFH Freshman Follies circa 1975. Photo/George Day
Actress Natalie Schafer, Lovey on Gilligan’s Island, visits the RFH Freshman Follies circa 1975.
Photo/George Day

We’re feeling that kind of a springtime fever when a little boat ride and escape to a deserted island, or one in the Shrewsbury River, makes for the perfect getaway not so far away — as long as there’s some mosquito netting.

Continue reading Retro RFH Staged Follies with a Lovey ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Gal

Scene Around: Remembering Rumson’s Maddy Massabni with Purpose

Maddy Massabni’s grave
Photo/Dawn Tilton Massabni

The Rumson sign says it all. It tells the singular purpose that was borne out of immense tragedy.

In bright red, the sign at the corner of River Road and Bingham Avenue flashed today, March 30, the day six years ago that 19-year-old Maddy Massabni died of menstrual toxic shock syndrome, “The Borough Recognizes March 30th as Menstrual Toxic Shock Awareness Day.”

It’s a day to look back. A day to forge forward. A sign of the time for Maddy’s memory to save lives. Educate “so others may live,” the sign adds. That’s the mission of Don’t Shock Me, the foundation created in Maddy’s memory by her mother Dawn Tilton Massabni and brother George.

“At 4:55 p.m. six years ago today forever changed our lives & they will never be the same,” Dawn said in a social media post for the foundation. “My son & I lost the most amazing beautiful person in the world, our very best friend & the person we love more than anything with all our hearts as she became an angel. Maddy was exactly what life should be. She was genuine, smart, creative, kind, caring, spirited, funny, pure sunshine, and beautiful in every single way … My sweet beautiful daughter please send your sunshine & love down to us in your magical ways.
Please continue to look over everyone you love & care about so that they may feel your presence.”

And the caring nature that emanated from Maddy continues with the foundation in its mission to educate, raise awareness and save lives.

Many remember. More learn. The sign marks the day, the remembrance, the purpose.

For more information about Don’t Shock Me, click here.

In Memoriam: Longtime Shrewsbury Resident & Little Silver Teacher, Susan Kolarsick Kelly, 72

Longtime Shrewsbury resident and Little Silver teacher, Susan Kolarsick Kelly, passed away in late March at the Shrewsbury home where she spent her childhood and in which she raised a loving family of her own. She was 72.

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Retro RFH Spring Musical’s ‘Mary Sunshine’ Girls

Well, it’s “another opening, another show” for those RFH Tower Players.

The high school’s theatrical troupe has opened its spring musical production of Spamalot this past weekend to rave reviews. And another weekend of shows is in store for adoring RFH Tower Players fans.

Continue reading Retro RFH Spring Musical’s ‘Mary Sunshine’ Girls

RFH’s Matthew Leddin Named ‘Educator of the Year’

You could say that he made his own history.

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Social Studies teacher and advisor, Matthew Leddin, has been named the high school’s Educator of the Year.  

Continue reading RFH’s Matthew Leddin Named ‘Educator of the Year’

Weekly Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Travel Advisory

In this week’s Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge replacement travel advisory for the Rumson-Fair Haven area, Monmouth County officials are alerting drivers that they should allow for extra travel time from Monday through Friday, noting the hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

County officials advise …

Continue reading Weekly Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Travel Advisory

Retro RFH Boys’ Spring Fever-Fueled Ride

RFH boys and their bikes.
Photo/George Day

Ohhhh, spring is starting to sprout a bit. The temperature is rising and all is good. Spring fever has kicked in. The fever is downright piping hot and spreading for many. And there’s nothing like a spring bike ride to kick daydreams of the season into full-swing gear.

Continue reading Retro RFH Boys’ Spring Fever-Fueled Ride

RFH Athletic Department’s Sue Wankel Honored

RFH’s Sue Wankel
Photo/RFH

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH’s) Sue Wankel has been honored as the recipient of the Central Jersey Administrative Assistant Award for Excellence by the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey (DAANJ).  

Continue reading RFH Athletic Department’s Sue Wankel Honored

Retro RFH Spring Fever Drive

A little RFH spring fever springing in the 1970s? Photo/George Day
A little RFH spring fever springing in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

A reprise to warm hearts as the thaw ensues and spring officially hits the air …

Spring is officially here. The weather is warming up. Sort of. People are shedding coats for sweaters and getting out and about a little more each day.

The thaw has started. Call it classic spring fever. And it’s a more feverish fever than ever with the demise of COVID mask mandates and people pulling closer together again. Thoughts of sunny, warm, close spring-is-in-the-air antics are racing through minds, especially those of high schoolers. 

Continue reading Retro RFH Spring Fever Drive