News
Red Bank Regional Honors Its Distinguished Alumni For 2008
By John Burton
LITTLE SILVER - The Red Bank Regional (RBR) Education Foundation recently held its seventh Distinguished Alumni Dinner honoring ten alumni who spanned graduation years from 1938 through 1982. The honorees included several World War II veterans, longtime Red Bank business proprietors, exceptional educators, community volunteers, a jazz performer and sculptor, a former deputy police chief and the current and first African American fire chief in Red Bank. Longtime community official Norman Sickels and current Mayor Pasquale Menna rounded out the list of these accomplished individuals. The celebratory dinner was held at Branches, in West Long Branch, on May 9.
Earlier in the day, the alumni were given a personal tour of the modern RBR by Principal Jim Stefankiewicz. The last stop of the tour brought them to the media center where many of their old yearbooks were on display as well as eight by 10 blow-ups of their yearbook pictures. RBR's creative writing class then presented the life histories of each alumnus along with their congratulatory distinguished alumni plaques in order of graduation.
RBR student Scott Galante introduced Calvin Carhart, class of 1939, highlighting his WWII service in which he flew 83 missions over France from England. Calvin was able to marry his wartime bride, Ada, in 1943 and returned to his piloting duties. The two settled back in Red Bank where they raised four sons. Calvin worked locally and served his community rising to the rank of Chief of the Red Bank Fire Department. Wearing his favorite hat, inscribed with the slogan "Grumpy Old Man," he regaled the students with the interesting conversations his curious hat has engendered. He explained how his wife bought him several knowing he would always leave them someplace.
Dorothy Loversidge graduated RBR in 1941 and plunged directly into her 44-year-long career of indispensable school secretary and cheer-leading advisor at the high school. She was affectionately known as "Aunt Dotty" by generations of RBR graduates. Active in her church and the Women's Guild, Aunt Dotty addressed the students while affectionately rubbing her Buccaneer pin given to her by her last superintendent, Dr. Donald D. Warner. She chortled, "I really enjoyed the job. The pay wasn't good but the kids were great!" Aunt Dotty retired in the 1980s at the high salary of $22,000. When she required heart surgery and an extended convalescent period, she left her position with 400 unpaid sick days. Her biographer, student Roxana Harrison explained, "Aunt Dotty thought 'it wouldn't be fair for the school to pay for me when I wasn't there.'"
The Noglows brothers Paul (1942 graduate) and Bill (1946) were honored as community stalwarts having operated Monmouth Meats for four generations in Red Bank. Their recognition, however, was bittersweet, as Bill had passed away a month prior. Their childhood was described by Bill's son, Paul, as children of an industrious Greek immigrant who started several iconic businesses in Red Bank, all in which his sons dutifully worked. These included the Red Bank Candy Kitchen, the Monmouth Diner and the Strand Restaurant. Upon graduation, Paul was immediately drafted into WWII and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Bill graduated at the top of his class and later graduated from the prestigious Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the Air Force during the Marshall plan, rising to the position of First Lieutenant and was also decorated with the National Defense Service Medal and German Occupation Medal. The brothers began their business venture together in Red Bank, as their father before them, and enjoyed a very successful, lucrative partnership and stellar reputation as considerate employers.
Bill's son Paul Noglows spoke to the students in his father's stead stating, "My father always considered the years he spent at Red Bank High as the launching pad for that success. My grandfather taught him that education, coupled with hard work, can enable you to attain anything in life, and that is what I think he would have liked to share with you today."
Anne Fitzgerald, a 1955 graduate, was a pioneer of her gender having graduated from Glassboro College in 1959. She enjoyed a 39-year career in education and is currently completing her 34th year at St. James Elementary School as their Director of Technology and Mathematics. Having nurtured the love of learning in generations of young people, her biographer, Victoria Ramirez stated, "She most enjoys when they (her former students) return to visit her as successful doctors, lawyers, educators, parents and engineers."
Two graduates hailed from the year 1955. Judging by their success in life it was a very good year. Norman Sickels was a superstar student and athlete serving as class president, record-breaking javelin thrower and football player for both defense and offense. He also scored large in life in the spirits business as a successful director for a wine importer for 28 years. He currently lectures and is on the Board of Directors for the Sommelier Institute of NJ; he has co-authored a book, The Vintage Wine Book. He also serves as a wine consultant for charity fundraisers. Mr. Sickels is well known as a 28-year member of the Red Bank Zoning Board and its past chairman.
Alfred T. Wright, Mr. Sickels classmate, has also led a fascinating life. His first career as an elementary school educator returned him to Red Bank where he taught fourth and sixth graders.
His musical talent, however, brought him on tours around the world with the renowned Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra with which Alfred played the drums, viola and tap-danced. He is the current leader of the Al Wright Unit, a jazz trio. His talent extended into the fine arts as he has fashioned over 1,200 wood sculptures. Additionally, he published a book on aphorisms entitled Zo Sez - Nothing Profound. In accepting his award, he painted a picture for the students of his childhood Red Bank where he would drink fresh water from cool springs and watch boat-building at Irwin's Marina then known as "Steamboat Dock." As a young newspaper delivery boy, he laid upon the racing board of a car throwing his deliveries onto front porches. He committed to memory every street and address in town.
He stated, "I tell you these things because I want you to know of some of the things I had growing up in Red Bank. I hope you can feel the joy I experienced."
Gary Watson graduated from Red Bank High School in 1968, and after several years in college returned to begin a long and remarkable career in the Red Bank Police Department. Concentrating on educating youth about the dangers of drugs and alcohol he started a DARE chapter in Red Bank and re-established Red Bank's PAL boxing and Karate club to give Red Bank youth healthy recreational alternatives. He also helped form the Neighborhood Watch, McGruff Safe House and the Police Explorer Cadet Program. He rose to the rank of Deputy Chief and Operations Officer. Upon retirement he joined the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office serving as Agent for the prosecutor and Chief of Detectives. Gary Watson also created the Monmouth County Enforcement Explorer Training Program, which graduates young explorers to police departments throughout the county. Presently he is employed as the Acting Director of Public Utilities and Parking Utility.
He was very impressed with the new RBR, and told the students, "You have a great facility here, so give it 100%. Seeing the opportunities here, I know you will be back here, as we are today, receiving these accolades."
The biography of RBR's 1972 graduate, Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna, was detailed by student Emily Krachman. She told of his birthplace high in the mountains of Italy, and his immigration to Montreal, Canada, at the age of nine where he learned to speak French. He acquired his third language of English upon his family's final move to Red Bank when he was 11-years-old.
Ms. Krachman stated, "Mayor Menna knows about the evils of discrimination. He has a great understanding for those cultures that face discrimination."
The young Menna ventured to the country's capital where he graduated from George Washington University with a major in International Affairs and, later, American University Law School. He is currently the prosecutor for Eatontown, Asbury Park and Oceanport while maintaining a partnership at the Red Bank law firm, Menna, Supko & Casagrande. He has served as councilman for 20 years and became Red Bank's Mayor in 2006. Mayor Menna has been honored by various governments and other institutions for public and pro-bono service and has acquired many accolades. Mayor Menna is very well regarded by the RBR creative writing students whom he rewarded last year with Red Bank Borough official certificates of achievement for their work with the Red Bank Senior Citizens in the program Keeping Things Centered.
Ms. Krachman concluded, "The Mayor is a positive example for us; we will always cherish his kind and encouraging words."
The youngest alumnus to be honored was 1982 graduate Noel Blackwood, who is the current and the first African- American fire chief in Red Bank's history. His biographer, Nyrie Hardy spoke of his many community recognitions including the Monmouth County Certification of Recognition, the State of New Jersey Senate and General Assembly Community Service Award and the U.S. House of Representative Congressional Recognition.
Principal Jim Stefankiewicz thanked the distinguished alumni for their contributions to the RBR legacy and stated, "The one word uttered throughout the day by our alumni in their acceptance of this accolade seems to be humble. Know that we are truly humbled by you and how you lived your lives."
