Prowns Home Improvements Zoe An American Bistro Branches Perfect Catered Affairs
Torcello Restaurant

THERE’S CASH IN THOSE ‘STACHES

MustachiosNot-so-stiff upper lips: R-FH Superintendent Pete Righi, far left, with teachers Tom Toohey, Darren Beatty, Zack Wilson and Tom Highton.

It’s crunch time at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High, where five staffers remain in a mustache-growing competition for charity.

The contest started earlier this month, when contenders who already had mustaches were required to shave them off and start over.

Since then, students have been voting for their favorite crumb catchers by depositing cash in designated bottles. Twice a week, contestants with the least cash have been eliminated.

The cultivated results have been mixed. One finalist (guess who, from the photos below) has been teased relentlessly for his meager showing, while others —all male, by pure coincidence — look merely anachronistic, like members of the Village People in schoolhouse mufti.

It’s all for the genuine corrugated-cardboard Tom Selleck belt, below, and the glory of raising money for Parents of Autistic Children. As of Monday, the kitty had grown to more than $1,200. The contest ends today.

We’ve got close-ups after the jump…

Belt

BeattyDarren Beatty, history: “I’m going for the Thurman Munson.”

RighiPete Righi, Superintendent: “I can’t wait to get rid of it. It’s bothersome. And I’m married to someone who hates facial hair.”

TooheyTom Toohey, history and special ed: “Call me Monsieur Toohey.” Mais oui!

HightonTom Highton, history: Gets the mercy vote for his bare front lawn, which he admits is “marginally creepy.” (Click to enlarge)

WilsonZack Wilson, art: “I’m going with the pyramid shape.”

BiglouAnd then there’s Luis ‘Big Lou’ Torres, who’s not in the contest, but whom each of the competitors must slink past every day at his front-door security post.

Email this story

Posted on November 26, 2008 at 7:48 am, filed under Charity, Education, Fair Haven, Fashion, Fundraisers, People, Rumson. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed. Email this story.
redbankgreen ad sales

  • I tried, but alas my gender prohibited any progress in growing my stache.

    Posted by: Cheryl Laviola on November 26, 2008 at 9:43 am | Permalink

  • Everyone knows beards are better… but I'm glad to have participated in the 'stache contest anyway. The generousity of the students, staff and community is to be commended. Kudos to Toohey for organizing it!

    Posted by: Jim Barbiere on November 26, 2008 at 9:57 am | Permalink

  • I think the guys look great with facial hair! Keep growin' em boys!

    Posted by: Lauren F on November 26, 2008 at 10:28 am | Permalink

  • Kudos to these employees for raising funds for Parents of Autistic Children, such a very worthy cause. My sister is employed at RFHRHS and always tells me how nice her co-workers are - this just proves to me that the employees and students go more than one step beyond the necessary. People like this are exceptional. Keep working there my sweet little sis.

    Posted by: BedazzledSister on November 28, 2008 at 6:57 pm | Permalink

    • Click teeth to read "comments on comments" file. Click GIF file to enlarge.

  • recent comments:

    • 02.09 - Author Dr. Joy OhayiaThe fitness professional, holistic nutrition expert and author of STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE SELF ESTEEM AND SUCCESS! conducts a free motivational presentation and workshop on that topic at the Warner Student Life Center at BCC's Lincroft campus. Registration is recommended, with the first 50 signups getting a free copy of Dr. Joy's book BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS—PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS AND SURVIVAL.
    • 02.09 - ETTY: A One Woman Show (Tuesday, March 9)Adapted and performed by Susan Stein and directed by internationally renowned actor/director Austin Pendleton, ETTY is a theatrical presentation based on the diaries of Dutch Jew Esther 'Etty' Hilesum, who perished at Auschwitz in 1941. A chronicle of hope and strength against all odds, the one woman show will be presented as part of Women's History Month in the Navesink I room at BCC's Warner Student Life Center. Tickets reserved exclusively via phone or email by advance payment (no credit cards) to the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Center at Brookdale Community College.
    • 02.09 - BAREFOOT IN THE PARKTRTC founder Robert M. Rechnitz returns to the director’s chair for a fresh look at 'the play that put Neil Simon on the map;' a comedy of newlyweds, neighbors and nosy in—laws that took Broadway by storm in 1964 and stood on the cusp of an era of changing sexual mores and gender roles. (PREVIEW PERFORMANCE)
    • 02.10 - Red Bank Humanists Monthly ForumDr. J. Brett Bennington, Hofstra professor and geologist, is guest speaker (on the topic 'When Dinosaurs Ruled New Jersey') at a forum hosted by the Red Bank Humanists organization.
    • 02.10 - BAREFOOT IN THE PARKTRTC founder Robert M. Rechnitz returns to the director’s chair for a fresh look at 'the play that put Neil Simon on the map;' a comedy of newlyweds, neighbors and nosy in—laws that took Broadway by storm in 1964 and stood on the cusp of an era of changing sexual mores and gender roles. (PREVIEW PERFORMANCE)
    • 02.10 - Author William D. CohanOn February 17, NovelTeas Authors, Aromas and Gifts on Bridge Avenue welcomes the author of HOUSE OF CARDS, the stranger than fiction story of the collapse of Bear Stearns and 'the beginning of the end of the Second Gilded Age on Wall Street.' A 45 dollar ticket includes presentation, a signing copy of the (updated paperback edition) book and a reception catered by David Burke Fromagerie at the new Bridge Avenue space.
    • 02.10 - Steve WinwoodThe Count Basie welcomes for the first time the rock music perennial whose career spans such 60s groups as Traffic, Blind Faith and the Spencer Davis Group — along with a resurgent solo career in the 1980s and recent triumphs with his old bandmate Eric Clapton. In addition to the regular ticket prices, there's a limited offering of $$250 tickets that include a tax deductible donation to the Basie's restoration fund, premium seating and a meet 'n greet with the artist.
    • 02.11 - Celebrating Chinese New Year at BCCBrookdale Community College invites the community to celebrate the Year of the Tiger inside the Navesink Rooms of the Warner Student Life Center, with a display of the traditional lion dance by 40 students of the Jersey Shore Chinese School, plus Chinese folk dances with drum ensemble, a dragon parade and a demonstration of Chinese yoyo technique. For more info on the free event, call Professor Linda Wang at 732.224.2861.
    • 02.11 - Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection MattersThe Red Bank Library and the Alzheimer's Association host a free educational workshop on recognizing the warning signs of Alzheimer's Disease. Seating is limited, so call for registration and additional information at 973.586.4300.
    • 02.11 - IF YOU EVER LEAVE ME...I'M GOING WITH YOU!Just in time for V—Day, the husband/wife team of actor—playwrights JOE BOLOGNA and RENEE TAYLOR return to Red Bank for one night only, with the toruing edition of their comedy celebrating the long running personal and professional relationship.
    • 02.11 - BAREFOOT IN THE PARKTRTC founder Robert M. Rechnitz returns to the director’s chair for a fresh look at 'the play that put Neil Simon on the map;' a comedy of newlyweds, neighbors and nosy in—laws that took Broadway by storm in 1964 and stood on the cusp of an era of changing sexual mores and gender roles. (PREVIEW PERFORMANCE)
    • 02.12 - FELA Party at Frank Talk Art BistroIn honor of the new Broadway show FELA — a celebration of the life and music of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti — Frank Talk founder Gilda Rogers hosts a '7pm til ?' party featuring Nigerian born guest speaker Yinka Coker and AfroBeat sounds from Claude Chingwe. All this plus door prize CDs and a grand prize drawing for a pair of tickets to the show at the Eugene O'Neill Theater. Seating's extremely limited, so call 732.747.2572 to reserve.
    • 02.12 - LeAnn RimesThe Grammy winning country firecracker who duetted with Bon Jovi on 2008's 'Til We Ain't Strangers Anymore' comes to BoJo's stomping grounds for a full band acoustic concert that puts an Americana spin on her 15 years worth of hits.
    • 02.12 - BAREFOOT IN THE PARKTRTC founder Robert M. Rechnitz returns to the director’s chair for a fresh look at 'the play that put Neil Simon on the map;' a comedy of newlyweds, neighbors and nosy in—laws that took Broadway by storm in 1964 and stood on the cusp of an era of changing sexual mores and gender roles. (PREVIEW PERFORMANCE)
    • 02.13 - Paper Moon Puppet TheaterMaster puppeteer Jim Racioppi and crew present CINDERELLA, the latest in their long running series of Paper Moon marionette shows for family audiences. One of the Shore's best kept secrets, these productions (on the custom scaled mini stage at First Avenue Playhouse in Atlantic Highlands) combine handmade figures and scenery with genuine theatrical artistry for a rare experience that's capped by the 'backstage tour' following the show.
    • 02.13 - GEORGE SEGAL EVERYMAN Preview and BenefitOn February 27, the Monmouth Museum hosts a special preview party for their major installation of sculptures, paintings and drawings by 20th century great Segal, featuring a discussion with daughter Rena Segal, his friend and documentary photographer Donald Lokuta, and several of the artist's other friends and models. Tickets are 65 dollars and include refreshments, tour and discussion. Contact Julia Fiorino at 732.747.2266 for reservations and further info.
    • 02.13 - A Night of Old Time Doo WopFrom the streetcorner to the stage: the Basie hosts another evening of classic vocal rock and roll, starring the 21st century editions of The Cleftones ('Heart and Soul'), The harptones ('Sunday Kind of Love'), The Jive Five ('What Time Is It?'), The Dimensions ('Over the Rainbow'), The Students ('So Young') and the Solitaires ('Walking Along').
    • 02.13 - BAREFOOT IN THE PARKTRTC founder Robert M. Rechnitz returns to the director’s chair for a fresh look at 'the play that put Neil Simon on the map;' a comedy of newlyweds, neighbors and nosy in—laws that took Broadway by storm in 1964 and stood on the cusp of an era of changing sexual mores and gender roles. (OPENING NIGHT with catered reception)
    • 02.13 - SOCIAL SECURITYAndrew Bergman's comedy about art gallery owners whose urban lifestyle is thrown into disarray by the arrival of the wife's aged mom is presented by the Monmouth Players as part of a completely comic Season of Laughter here in 2009/2010, seriously served up with that famous Players dessert spread.
    • 02.14 - 13th Annual Brookdale Guitar ShowThe yearly expo and seminar on all things stringy has become a 'can't miss' event for neophytes and know it alls alike. Included on the menu at the Student Life Center on BCC's Lincroft campus are a series of free clinics, technique workshops and panels on licensing/copyright, careers in radio and the changing face of women in the music biz. There's live music from a slate of acts to be announced, plus scores of guitars to see, touch and taste, all presented by Raritan Bay Guitar Repair.
    • 02.14 - SOCIAL SECURITYAndrew Bergman's comedy about art gallery owners whose urban lifestyle is thrown into disarray by the arrival of the wife's aged mom is presented by the Monmouth Players as part of a completely comic Season of Laughter here in 2009/2010, seriously served up with that famous Players dessert spread.
    • 02.14 - BAREFOOT IN THE PARKTRTC founder Robert M. Rechnitz returns to the director’s chair for a fresh look at 'the play that put Neil Simon on the map;' a comedy of newlyweds, neighbors and nosy in—laws that took Broadway by storm in 1964 and stood on the cusp of an era of changing sexual mores and gender roles.
    • 02.14 - Trey Anastasio & Classic TABSOLD OUT! The Phish guitarist and bandleader makes his Basie debut with the extended bigband version of his core quartet, fortified by a full defensive line of horn players.
    • 02.14 - Open Mic with Rob Dye and Mike GheganA tradition around Red Bank for years, the Sunday night event is THE place to find musicians congregating, hanging out, trying new ideas, cutting up on some classics and generally enjoying one of the MUST events for Jersey Shore music fans.
    • 02.15 - Acoustic Open MicIt's an open mic for strummers, singers and poets, hosted by guitarist David Crowton and Carol Barbieri, now and every Monday at the venerable Val's Tavern in Rumson (starts 9pm; performer sign—in 8pm).