Chris Rotolo
Middletown
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Articles by Chris Rotolo
Shapiro’s Individual Titles Lead Colts Neck Girls Track to Sectional Championship
COLTS NECK, NJ: Three weeks removed from setting the New Jersey state record in the 1600-meter race at the Holmdel Twilight’s Royal Rumble event, Lily Shapiro continued to dominate the mid-distance field at the Central Jersey, Group III Sectional Championships. The junior secured two individual championships in the 800 and 1600-meter events, leading Colts Neck to the overall team title with a program record 148 points over Hopewell Valley’s second place mark of 94 points.
VIDEO: Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Grand Opening of Alexander Ching Memorial Dog Park at Holmdel's Bayonet Farm.
By CHRIS ROTOLO June 2, 2021 at 12:53 AM HOLMDEL – Alexander Ching’s boundless love of animals is now his legacy after the Memorial Day unveiling of a state-of-the-art dog park situated amongst the sprawling greenery of Holmdel’s historic Bayonet Farm.
Track & Field: Middletown South’s Stillitano a Double Champion at Conference Meet
MIDDLETOWN,NJ: Middletown South sprinter Aaron Stillitano entered the Shore Conference Championship meet in an air of uncertainty.
Community Sports: Schild, Wood Help Secure Middletown South’s Spot in SCT Finals.
By CHRIS ROTOLO May 28, 2021 at 10:05 AM MIDDLETOWN – The threat of inclement weather postponed a Shore Conference Tournament semifinals matchup between Middletown South and Rumson-Fair Haven to Thursday afternoon, allowing Eagles ace Ben Schild to make his second post-season start in a week.
Schild Shuts Out Lions; Sends Middletown South to Conference Semis
MIDDLETOWN – On his final pitch of the day, Middletown South sophomore Ben Schild froze the opposing hitter with a sharp breaking ball, before releasing a celebratory shout to the heavens. The right-hander’s seventh strikeout of the game capped a sensational 3-0 complete game shutout of crosstown rival Middletown North to secure the Rich Veth-Walter Woods Memorial Trophy and advance his Eagles into the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals.
Middletown High School North: Schnoor Leads Lions to Monmouth County Girls Track Championship
MIDDLETOWN, NJ: For just the second time in program in history, the Middletown North girls track and field program are champions of Monmouth County. Following multiple individual title-winning performances by Rett Schnoor and Hailey Guerrieri, the Lions delivered 84 total team points to edge second place Colts Neck (68) and third place Holmdel (67.5).
Pastor Paces Colts Neck Boys to Secure Sectional State Golf Championship
COLTS NECK, NJ: When Jack Pastor posted a score of 80 to pace Colts Neck High School in the Cougars’ Central Jersey, Group III sectional championship victory at Riverwinds Golf Course in West Deptford, the senior said his team shouldered a responsibility to perform for those who missed out on the opportunity. Last spring, a strong Colts Neck program saw their chase for a state title erased when the COVID-19 health crisis strengthened its grip.
Softball: Metzger fans 13 in Second Straight Colts Neck Win over No. 10 St. John Vianney
COLTS NECK – Following a bottom half of the fifth inning in which Colts Neck scored twice to snap a tied score, Ava Metzger delivered the knockout punch when she struck out the side on 12 pitches, seizing the momentum her club needed to secure a 6-3 victory over divisional rival St. John Vianney.
Softball Community Honors Middletown Teacher at Rick Unterstein Invitational
The Middletown high school softball community gathered at High School North on Saturday for the inaugural Rick Unterstein Invitational, a six-game event featuring some of the top programs in the Shore Conference competing in honor of the late Middletown educator and softball coach, who unexpectedly passed in 2019.
Holmdel Girls Flag Football Creating New Opportunities For Female Athletes
By CHRIS ROTOLO May 1, 2021 at 6:45 PM HOLMDEL, NJ - Lindsay Cannon comes from a football family. Her grandfather John starred for Holmdel High School ahead of nine-year National Football League career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Her uncle Gary played at the NCAA level for the University of Delaware. Lindsay’s father, Scott, is a member of the Holmdel High School football coaching staff, as well a youth coach in town, where he oversees his son Jack’s team.
Local Coach: William Clifton Named National Cross Country Coach of the Year
MIDDLETOWN, NJ: Middletown High School South Girls Cross Country Coach, William Clifton, isn’t just tops in the state, but the nation. After being named the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) coach of the year, as well as the Northeast Regional coach of the year, Clifton was recently recognized by the National Federation of State High Schools Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year for the 2019 season.
David Salkin Thriller: "Blood From a Stone" Sees Wounded Warrior Unravel a Dark Secret
A remote North Carolina island situated to the south of the Outerbanks is forgotten by the modern world. The Elizabethan English spoken by its inhabitants is a stronger link to the settlers who landed 500 years ago than the southern drawl of outsiders who make port at the ferry launch, the only connection to this secluded community. The isolation of these curious surroundings serves as a character unto itself in the new thriller by Monmouth County author David M.
American Civil War: Local Historian Gregory Acken Offers Links to the Past
By CHRIS ROTOLO April 6, 2021 at 1:26 AM MIDDLETOWN – Scattered about the Bayshore, across Monmouth County and throughout the state of New Jersey is an abundance of tangible landmarks connecting us to the very beginnings of our country, and various other significant moments in time that rippled around the world.
Ice Hockey: Late Goals by Cavendish, Volpi Lead Middletown South to Mayor’s Cup
MIDDLETOWN – Three goals in the final two minutes of a rivalry bout between High School North and South allowed the Eagles to secure its second consecutive Mayor’s Cup victory by a 5-3 decision.
Boys Basketball: Pennino’s 30-points Spurs Middletown North Comeback over Keyport
MIDDLETOWN – A milestone performance by Vincent Pennino and a barrage of three-point field goals erased an 11-point halftime deficit to lead the third-season Lions to a 71-61 victory over the sixth-seeded Red Raiders in the opening round of Shore Conference Tournament Pod C competition.
Boys Basketball: 1000 Points for DJ Thompson Highlight’s Two Keyport Wins over Keansburg
By CHRIS ROTOLO February 26, 2021 at 9:42 PM KEYPORT – A long outlet pass landed on the fingertips of DJ Thompson on Tuesday. The lanky multi-sport athlete tracked the pass and hauled it in just as he’s done regularly over the last three fall seasons, starring as a 6’4 wide receiver for the Red Raiders football program.
Hockey: Kapranov Shines as Marlboro-Holmdel Edges Middletown North
MIDDLETOWN – “Nothing special,” was the phrase used by goaltender Dmitrii Kapranov to describe his game-saving stop in the final 10 seconds of a Friday evening meeting between the Marlboro-Holmdel hockey cooperative and Shore Conference Northern Division foe Middletown North. Those who witnessed the closing moments of this rivalry bout might disagree.
Girls Basketball: Positive Takeaways After Holmdel Drops Two to St. John Vianney
HOLMDEL – An undefeated Shore Conference power entering the week of Feb. 8, the Holmdel girls basketball program delivered four consecutive victories over Colts Neck and Middletown North to open this 2021 campaign. However, back-to-back bouts with the conference’s top ranked team, St. John Vianney, may prove to be a pivotal learning experience for the Hornets, according to head coach Darren Ault. “St. John Vianney is No. 1 for a reason.
Boys Basketball: Devine and Kenny Inspire Middletown North Win Over Raritan
MIDDLETOWN - An offensive outburst by Matt Kenny spurred Middletown North’s 48-35 victory over Raritan on Wednesday, but it was an intense third quarter series by Colin Devine that inspired the Lions win. With under 3:30 remaining in the third quarter, Devine knocked down a three-point field from the right wing to put the Lions up five.
Family Claims Gas Regulator Proposal Puts Future in Jeopardy
HAZLET – A family in search of a better life believed they obtained that dream when they purchased a South Laurel Avenue home in September of 2019.
Colonials Cooperative Ice Hockey Program Notches Opening Night Win over Manalapan.
By CHRIS ROTOLO January 19, 2021 at 1:40 AM MIDDLETOWN – The character of a team is best observed in response to a body blow suffered in the heat of competition. Such a punch was delivered by Manalapan in the second period of an opening night bout with the cooperative program of Freehold Boro, Colts Neck and Raritan, as a pair of unanswered Braves goals knotted the contest at 2-2 heading into the final frame.
CBA Basketball Alum Josh Cohen Steps Into a New Role at St. Francis University
By CHRIS ROTOLO December 19, 2020 at 12:09 AM On the Lincroft campus of Christian Brothers Academy, basketball season is traditional and ritualistic for a group of super fans known as the Colt Crazies. The pre-game tribal chanting is a precursor to their coordinated pop-corn bouncing in the gym’s rollout bleachers, and synchronized incantations of cheers and wit-filled jeers passed down from graduating class to class.
First Vaccines Mark Historic Fight Against COVID-19 for Hackensack Meridian Health
“Never before has our nation attempted such a mass vaccination of our citizens,” Garrett said. “We have delivered an effective and safe vaccine in record time. This is truly the beginning of the end of this nightmare. It’s the good news the world has waited for.” Hackensack Meridian Health CEO, Robert Garret. Hackensack Meridian Health CEO, Robert Garrett. Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.
Holmdel’s Jon D’Agostino Honors Father with ‘Every Wednesday Night’ at The Count Basie
By CHRIS ROTOLO December 14, 2020 at 12:44 AM Content Options HOLMDEL, NJ: From Shakespeare to The Beatles to Beyonce, the most challenging task for a writer is devising a new way to say “I love you.”. For Holmdel resident Jon D’Agostino, preserving his late father’s essence in an upcoming original production, Every Wednesday Night, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts is the method. During a recent nterview with TAPinto Holmdel, D’Agostino is setting the scene of a moment in time.
Hazlet Gas Regulator Hearing Stirs Debate on Compliance vs. Courtesy
HAZLET – The merits of compliance versus courtesy were debated Thursday evening during a township land use board meeting, where a controversial site plan hearing continued for a proposed New Jersey Natural Gas regulator station at 469 South Laurel Ave. The gas utility is seeking upward of 20 variances and waivers for a regulator project that would transfer natural gas from a transmission line to customer distribution lines.
Andrew Rosenbloom Named New Middletown South Hockey Coach; Continuing Family Tradition
By CHRIS ROTOLO December 1, 2020 at 10:53 PM Content Options MIDDLETOWN, NJ: A family tradition continues for the Middletown South Ice Hockey program with the recent announcement of Andrew Rosenbloom as its new head coach. Two decades ago, when scholastic ice hockey was launched in Middletown, it was Andrew's father, Dr. Mark Rosenbloom, who was at the forefront of the proposal.
Overcoming Trauma by Paddling into the Storm; New Keith Buff Film Focused on Surfing Brotherhood
By CHRIS ROTOLO December 3, 2020 at 1:55 AM Content Options WATCH above trailer for Against the Tide: A Surfer's Journey Keith Buff has never shied away from a storm. As a kid who spent his formative years catching waves up and down the Jersey Shore, Buff savored an opportunity to stare down thunderclouds and gusting salt water winds. Sign Up for Middletown Newsletter Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.
Colts Neck Field Hockey Captures Sectional Championship🎉
Sign up for your free Colts Neck News, choosing Holmdel and Colts Neck daily news HERE. Follow Colts Neck on Facebook HERE COLTS NECK – A slow opening quarter put the second-seeded Cougars on the defensive in the NJSIAA Central East C sectional championship, but four unanswered goals over the final 45 minutes secured a victory over Central Regional in this season finale. Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.
🎉Tushmann Hat Trick Secures Sectional Title for Colts Neck Boys Soccer
COLTS NECK – Seated on the turf with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation, junior striker David Tushmann turned his palms to the sky and gave a shrug of the shoulders to his Cougars teammates, before a dog pile celebration ensued in front of the opposing net. Tushmann had tucked home his third goal of the afternoon on a bicycle kick from 10 yards out off a perfectly placed pass from the baseline by sophomore Jiro Chira.
Golove Scores Twice to lift Colts Neck Past Central Regional in Sectional Quarterfinals
COLTS NECK – An ability to weather body blows from opposing defenders and a tendency to maneuver through the tangled limbs of double teams speak to the rise of Jordana Golove as one of the Shore Conference’s top goal scorers.
Shapiro, Shah Help Colts Neck Girls Secure 4th Straight Sectional Cross Country Championship
JAMESBURG – A stumble off the mud-slicked starting line at Thompson Park wasn’t enough to interrupt the race plan of Lily Shapiro, who outran the rest of the Central, Group III pack by more than 80 seconds to lead Colts Neck to its fourth consecutive sectional championship.
Bogdan’s title run leads Colts Neck to Sectional Cross Country Championship
COLTS NECK, NJ: Descending on Thompson Park following a title run at last week’s Monmouth County Championship meet, Colts Neck senior Matt Bogdan failed to disappoint as the favorite in the NJSIAA Central, Group III Sectional Championship race. Bettering the field by 54 seconds, Bogdan was chasing program history, eying the Cougars sectional championship meet record.
Holmdel Football: Rainess Reflects on Hornets Success in the Face of COVID-19
VIDEO ABOVE IS HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL VARISTY PLAYER JOSEPH MANCINO, REFLECTING ON THE SEASON. HOLMDEL, NJ: In the grips of a global health crisis that forced the world of interscholastic athletics to yield, the path toward to competition seemed bleak for so many student-athletes eying the opening of their fall season. Under normal circumstances, the dog days of summer allow football programs across the state to begin fixing their sights on those forthcoming Friday night lights.
Lions post perfect record; Women shut out the Saints and Herons
Fernandez backhands the ball. (Tim Lee / Photo Editor) The College showed no fear last week as both the men and women’s tennis teams went on the road for two meets apiece. The men had no problem picking up 7-2 wins against St. Lawrence University and Hobart College. The women’s team were even more dominant in their two wins as the Lions shutout both St. Lawrence University and William Smith College 9-0.
Video: Local H - "Another February" (CoS Premiere)
“The song was inspired by the brutal Chicago winters,” explains Local H frontman Scott Lucas of “Another February”, off last year’s Hallelujah, I’m A Bum. “It comes on after the holidays and everything just seems to slow down…It gets tough for people.
The Food Emporium Cuts Prices at Marlboro Shopping Center
The Food Emporium is located at 460 County Road 520 in Marlboro. Photo by Chris Rotolo By Chris Rotolo | With a new reduced pricing strategy in place, The Food Emporium invited customers to come take a second look inside the store, their first one in New Jersey. Store Manager Hasan Zghari said their New York-style prices have been re-evaluated since the May opening.
Speak Into My Good Eye The Dead Exs Dropped A New Single, "Relovolution"
In honor of America’s 236th birthday, The Big Apple’s own haze-encased Garage-Rock duo, The Dead Exs, released “Relovolution,” an electrified and distorted two and a half minute Rockabilly type-rager and a lead single to the battery’s forthcoming full-length release and follow up to the band’s 2011 debut release Resurrection, which can be downloaded for Free Ninety-Nine right here.
River Ecologists Hope to Develop DIY Oyster Growth Kits
That’s the way Aleksandr Modjeski described the miniature oyster nursery tanks he hopes to have in hand next summer to boost the Operation Oyster initiative started by The American Littoral Society. “The idea of these kits is about community engagement,” said Modjeski, a boat captain and licensed U.S. Coast Guard operator of uninspected passenger vessels with over 680 days at sea.
Route 35 Resurfacing Continues Into Fall
MIDDLETOWN – A resurfacing project on Route 35 in Middletown will continue for several more weeks. Motorists should expect lane and ramp closures on Lake Shore Drive and Green Oak Boulevard in Middletown, Cherry Tree Farm Road/CR 516 in Middletown and Matawan Creek in Keyport. The road improvement project started Aug. 1. It will continue from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday for next few weeks.
Restaurant Owner McLoone Takes A Stand Against Straws
SEA BRIGHT – One of New Jersey’s most prominent restaurateurs is joining the fight against throw-away plastics. Tim McLoone, the owner of 11 shore-area dining establishments, has pledged to stop offering plastic straws to his customers, save for use by individuals with special needs and children. Any other customers who request a straw with their beverage will be offered a paper version.
Syringes Wash Up, Shut Down Local Beaches
SANDY HOOK – Monmouth County beaches, including those at Sandy Hook and Long Branch, were at least partially closed Thursday, July 19 and Friday, July 20 due to floating garbage and reports of syringes, needles, plastic and other trash washing up on shore. According to Clean Ocean Action executive director Cindy Zipf, the garbage wash-up was the result of a rainstorm that ripped through the metropolitan area, flooding sewer systems in major northern New Jersey cities as well as Manhattan.
New Device Developed In Monmouth County May Help Detect Heart Attacks
Cardiac patients living with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) might feel they have a guardian angel looking out for them, thanks to a new medical device invented right here in the Two River area. After a long journey of starts and stops, research and trials, in April the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the AngelMed Guardian®System, the world’s first implantable cardiac monitor and patient alerting system for ACS.
Beacon Hill Country Club Earns Eco-Friendly Badge
By joining and participating in the ACSP, Beacon Hill Country Club will be involved in projects that enhance habitat for wildlife and preserve natural resources for the benefit of the local community. These projects may include placing nesting boxes for cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds and swallows, utilizing integrated pest management techniques, conserving water and maintaining food and cover for wildlife.
Love and Marriage, Go Together Like a Horse and Carriage
Though much of the hoopla surrounding the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has mercifully passed, Melissa Ziobro, Monmouth University professor, reminded a Tinton Falls audience that the recent British matrimonial event was just the latest in a tradition of across-the-pond “romances” between members of the European royalty and American brides.
Strauss Mansion To Preserve A Piece Of History
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – Residents of Two River communities are surrounded by history, like the Strauss Mansion, perched atop East Mount Avenue since 1893. Constructed as the summer vacation home for a wealthy New York City merchant, the historic house at 27 Prospect Circle overlooks the borough’s harbor and what has since developed into a bustling downtown area.
Monmouth Beach Bans Single-Use Plastic
MONMOUTH BEACH – It was standing room only on Tuesday at a town meeting where nearly 50 residents and local environmental leaders came to witness a small town pass bold legislation prohibiting single-use plastics.
Basie’s Center For The Arts An Inspired Evolution
RED BANK – A veil of secrecy shrouded Red Bank’s revered Count Basie Theatre Monday evening, May 13, as supporters flocked to the event center to usher in its future. The audience entered the theater at 6:30 p.m. and was met by Tom Widener, chairman of Count Basie Center Board of Trustees and Count Basie Theatre’s president and CEO Adam Philipson.
Letter: Middletown’s Ideal Beach Supports Beach Sweeps
Contributed by Sandra Vazquez | Tucked away in the North Middletown section of Middletown Township, along the Raritan Bay, is a beach called Ideal Beach and a community which refers to itself as the “Ideal Beach Community.” This idyllic beach recently went through a wonderful makeover. The Ideal Beach project included a beach replenishment, installation of a dune walkover, dune plantings, upgraded parking lot and the installation of storm fencing.
Iconic Filmmaker Kevin Smith Comes Home To Support FilmOneFest
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – If a kid from Highlands who worked at the Quick Stop can make it, so can you.
Independent Toy Stores Hope Service, Expertise Will Keep Them Busy
For Hobbymasters owner Lou Torisi, the announcement that Toys ‘R’ Us had filed for bankruptcy and would be liquidating its 800 stores around United States produced mixed emotions.
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