Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Break a Leg at the Basie Awards, RFH!

Tonight’s the night. It’s the 12th annual Basie Awards, celebrating the talent of area high school students and their mentors.

This year, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) actors, singers, musicians, directors, producers and tech crew have netted 17 nominations.

They are:

• Outstanding drama production, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight;

• Outstanding lead actor in a drama, Calvin Bruno, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight;

• Outstanding direction in a drama, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Suzanne Sweeney;

• Outstanding set design in a drama, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Matthew Leddin;

• Outstanding lighting design in a drama, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Matthew Leddin;

Musical Productions

• Outstanding musical production, Tarzan;

• Outstanding lead actress in a musical, Rachel Makstein, Tarzan

• Outstanding supporting actor in a musical, Jake Rallo, Tarzan;

• Outstanding chorus, Tarzan;

• Outstanding featured ensemble group, Tarzan, The Gorillas;

• Outstanding featured ensemble group, Tarzan,  Island Spirits;

• Outstanding student/adult orchestra, Tarzan, Amy Fredericks;

• Outstanding direction in a musical, Tarzan, Suzanne Sweeney;

• Outstanding choreography, Tarzan, Jen Costa;

• Outstanding set design in a musical, Tarzan, Matthew Leddin;

• Outstanding lighting design in a musical, Tarzan, Matthew Leddin;

• Outstanding musical direction, Tarzan, Amy Fredericks.

Local Life

Scene Around: Classic Car Coolness

Classic car moment in Sea Bright
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Call it a classic moment at the convenience store. It’s not every day that you pull into the 7-Eleven parking lot in Sea Bright and get a close-up gander of an old classic — car, that is.

Or, maybe it is. Could be that this car belongs to a local.

There have been quite a few classic sightings in the area intermittently. This one, though, we’ve never seen before.

Being slightly car illiterate, we’re not sure of the make and model of this one.

Anyone know? Know its owner?

Yes, we forgot to just look on the bumper or hood.

 

Local Life

Scene Around: Decent Victory Park Proposal

Prom proposal for a birthday girl at Victory Park in Rumson on Sunday.
Photo/Maeve Bradley

It’s a place where many a Rumsonite has spent many a simple, reflective or milestone moment and racked up many a vivid memory, from childhood through adulthood — the Navesink riverfront Victory Park.

Continue reading Scene Around: Decent Victory Park Proposal →

Local Life

Swimming in Retro ‘P’ House

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It’s just one of those days — an everybody-in-the-pool kinda day.

It’s the kind of day when a Rumson-Fair Haven area person wishes he or she could take a swim, sit on a poolside porch overlooking the ocean and rock. Really rock … in a rocking chair at the old iconic Peninsula House.

It’s been gone for years, but the memories of the giant old hotel-turned-beach club are definitely not. It’s a pretty sure bet that anyone who grew up in the area has at least one story tucked away in the memory and ready to tell about the place that was a beach club by day (and a reasonable one at that) and seaside club by night.

Most locals met up at P House for socializing one way or another, be it at a swim meet, to take a little non-competitive dip, lounging by the ocean in the summer, or rocking in those rocking chairs on that wrap-around porch or to the tunes of one of the bands at night.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take us back to the spot with some shots of Rumson’s well-known longtime mayor, John Ekdahl, poolside and megaphone in hand for a meet, the entrance to the grand place, some familiar area ladies on the porch and the swim team of yesteryear.

 

Take a gander and tell us your favorite P House memory.

Peninsula House Swim Team of the mid-1970s
Photo/Facebook collection

— Photos/Facebook collection screenshots

Local Life

Retro RFH Senior Year Cruisin’

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Heat’s on. Top’s down. Spirits are riding high. Summer’s coming. So is RFH graduation. So are those last summer days with high school buds before college.

That last summer before college is a pivotal, cherished milestone. It’s all about making memories that last a lifetime. Even one ride, top down, top 10 hits blasting on an AM radio, belly laughs, pranks and soaring spirits makes an indelible mark in the heart. It’s a mark that always conjures up a smile and an exhale of content.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day is dedicated to that time with a look back to the summer of 1978, best of friends from RFH, a 1965 powder blue Mustang convertible and, well, a big ol’ grimace of good times’ remembrance.

Yes, your esteemed editor is one of these alligator shirt-clad cronies. Another is gone. And one is still a best bud.

The memories … they’re a best friend, too. Smile.

What kind of car did you cruise in back in those summer days? Favorite spots? Pranks?

This crew spent an inordinate amount of time egging unwitting young lovers on the beach, ordering a Ham Dinger (they had them at 7-11) and dancing with the top down just to annoy people making out on Scenic Drive.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Sea Bright Fire Department Carnival Time

Tonight’s the night that a longtime annual area tradition sets the pace for riding into summer. The Sea Bright Fire Department Carnival is all set up and ready for its start at 5 p.m. in the municipal parking lot.

The carnival, or fair, is, as usual, is host to rides, games of chance, classic fair food, and live entertainment, and runs through Sunday.

Here’s the schedule: 

• Thursday, May 18, 5 to 11 p.m.

• Friday May 19, 5 p.m. to midnight, featuring The West End Dogs band at 6 p.m.

• Saturday May 20, 5 p.m. to midnight is also Mug Night, featuring The Jukebox Criminals band at 6 p.m.

• Sunday May 21, 2 to 9 p.m.

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde 2016

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