Tag Archives: RFH

Schools Scene

RFH Spanish Teacher Christina Gauss: AATSP Teacher of the Year

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Spanish teacher Christina Gauss, has been honored as Outstanding Teacher of the Year by The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP).

Continue reading RFH Spanish Teacher Christina Gauss: AATSP Teacher of the Year →

Obituaries

Longtime RFH Teacher, Coach Thomas Bain Passes Away

Thomas Bain
Photo/Woolley-Biglioli Funeral Home

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.

 

News

Retro Donovan’s Devastation, Memories

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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

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

RFH Takes Home Two Basie Awards

“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

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

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

Retro RFH Spring Ballgame Antics

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The RFH boys of spring baseball season
Photo/George Day

It may look like it, but, no, it’s not a Jets rumble …  And it’s not a musical, either. It could be the west side of the field. But a west side story? Eh, could be. Only the players on this stage know for sure.

So, a few days back, we revisited a case of retro RFH spring fever hitting a high pitch in the 1970s on the ballfield at the high school — or somewhere around there.

Continue reading Retro RFH Spring Ballgame Antics →

Local Life

Retro RFH Joy Rides

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With the thaw of the cranky and closed-in mindset imposed by a heavy dose of spring fever, people tend to get in the mood for a little carefree joy ride to let their hair down, or at least mess it up a bit.

So, the Retro Pics of the (George) Day are dedicated to the good old days of hitting that spring fever pitch with a good ol’ ride in a classic kind of ride, be it a dirt bike, a classic car or a go cart.

In the featured pic, these guys of the 1970s are hanging outside by what was the Junior Lounge at the high school and they’re looking a little restless.

While we’re not certain, it certainly seems like they are a little antsy and looking to break out of the confines of the school, shed their coats and any inhibitions they actually have left and do the “happy days are here again” dance … or ride … ride into some spring fever-like antics.

The other dude and team of monsters are cruising for something. What? No one is exactly sure.

RFH 1978 yearbook photography editor George Day in his yearbook profile shot.
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

George Day, the RFH yearbook photographer of the time is taking a spin in a go cart.

Riding with the wind — or something — at RFH in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

And whoever those ghouls are … Well, they’re not getting far on that dirt bike in the sunken floor of the RFH Senior Commons.

Know who the monsters are? How about that car in the featured pic? Whose is it? And what are these guys really up to? Anyone know what the most popular car or bike was in the 1970s?

Baby, they were born to ride at RFH — or something like that.

— Elaine Van Develde

Oh, and thanks, once again, to the fabulous George Day for this photographic gem!