Continue reading Knollwood Graduation: Notable Moments, Awards, Recognition
Continue reading An Award-Winning Year for RFH’s Tower Players
Before the Pomp and Circumstance, those backstage moments with graduates are like that cumulative, final high five among friends — the smiles, the tears, the jokes, the barbs … up to that walk to the diploma and the goodbye to high school.
Continue reading Focus: RFH Class of 2017 Graduation … Before the Walk
The longstanding annual St. George’s-by-the River Canterbury Fair tradition in Rumson has always been, let’s say, something to talk about.
Continue reading RFH Spanish Teacher Christina Gauss: AATSP Teacher of the Year
Longtime Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) teacher and coach, Thomas J. Bain, passed away at his Ocean Township home on Friday, June 2. He was 89.
Born in Columbus, OH, Mr. Bain served in as a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant in the Korean War, according to his obituary information from Wooley-Boglioli Funeral Home. He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics. He received his master’s degree from Montclair State College.
Mr. Bain taught math and coached track and football for many years at RFH, retiring in 1985. Many former students considered him a favorite with an easy going manner and a bright smile.
He was also a member of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, West Long Branch, where he sang in their choir for many years.
Mr. Bain was pre-deceased by his wife, Marilyn, in 2003.
Surviving are: his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas J. and Colleen Bain, of Hillsborough; his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy B. and Thomas Ehlert, of Wall; and five grandchildren, Colin, Heather, Bryan, Shannon and Sean.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 992 Broadway, West Long Branch.
Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch.
It was like a scene out of The Wizard of Oz, with a wicked witch of a storm dropping a house on the spirits of Rumson-Fair Haven area locals. It was the scene of what many might call the Superstorm Sandy crime that devastated the Sea Bright peninsula and wiped out a decades-long iconic spot — Donovan’s Reef.
When the coast was literally clear of the storm’s wrath, locals flocked to the site to see what Sandy had spit out and left behind. They cried, reminisced, meditated on the jetty and gathered tiny scraps of memories made at the longtime RFHers’ hang-out.
The Retro Pic(s) of the Day take us back to Donovan’s in the aftermath of Sandy.
Laying on the ground were decades worth of remnants from a hut by the sea where many milestone memories were made. On the cusp of the iconic spot’s reopening, people wonder if the new and expanded hut by the sea will be a place to DO it again? Time will tell. Locals are poised for the fresh start. But, they always seem to look back on the good ol Donovan’s days.
What is your favorite Donovan’s memory from years gone by?
— Elaine Van Develde
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde
“The envelope, please …” as the saying at any awards ceremony usually goes. Last night it was the 12th annual Basie Awards and the winner was …
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) Jake Rallo in the Best Supporting Actor in a Musical category for his role in Tarzan and Joe Esposito for Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical.
RFH was nominated for 17 awards this year.
Congrats to Jake and Joe! Keep breakin’ those legs!
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde
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.
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
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