Free Italian Ice at Rita’s on March 21

Diego Mazzara, Manan Patel, Candice Plasencia, Kaylie Goncalves, Makayla Di Fonzo, and Dariana Shihadeh • March 1, 2024

Hopelawn’s Rita’s Ice will open for the season on March 1.

On Friday, March 1, Rita’s is reopening countrywide for the upcoming spring season after being closed for the duration of the winter.

Rita’s will be continuing their long-awaited tradition, since 1999, of giving out free ice for the first day of spring on March 21. This 25-year-long tradition is highly anticipated by locals and visitors alike who can’t wait to indulge in Rita’s wide variety of flavors.

According to its website, Rita’s most popular flavors include Mango and Cherry Italian Ice, but they have over 95 flavors making it easy for everyone to find something they enjoy. Rita’s also offers many other delicious treats like ice cream, custard, milkshakes and gelati.

The first Rita’s in Philadelphia was founded by Bob Timulo (a firefighter), in 1984. “ICE + CUSTARD + HAPPINESS” has been Rita’s ‘way of life.’ On Rita’s website, Rita’s has promised their customers “A friendly face, Made Fresh Daily, and Happiness.”

Fun Fact: Bob Timulo named Rita’s after his wife – Rita.

Nearby Locations:
-1111 Westfield Avenue, Rahway
-205 New Brunswick Avenue, Hopelawn

About the Contributors

Manan Patel

Manan Patel is a junior at JFKMHS . This is his first year taking journalism. He has taken this course for one particular reason: to improve expressing his feelings through words. Manan has many hobbies and is on the Boys' Volleyball team. He started playing volleyball in freshman year and is planning on continuing his passion in his junior year and in college. Manan also enjoys playing ultimate frisbee with his friends outside of school. In his spare time, Manan likes to watch TV. His favorite shows are, "Outer Banks", "A Series of Unfortunate Events", and "How to Train Your Dragon: Race to the Edge."

Candice Plasencia

Candice Plasencia is a senior at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, where she is currently a first-year contributing member to The Torch. She is excited about joining The Torch and is very passionate about getting involved in the school community and helping share the voices of the student body. Candice’s extracurriculars consist of being a part of JFK Varsity Spirit Cheer as a 2-year member, Key Club, Kennedy American Cancer Society and Student Council. Outside of school, Candice enjoys baking, watching Netflix, and spending time with her family and friends. She is going to further her education after high school and is hoping to become a dermatology nurse.

Kaylie Goncalves

Kaylie Goncalves is currently a sophomore at JFKMHS. As a part of the class of 2026, this is her first-year as a contributor for the school’s student newspaper, The Torch. This spring semester her goal is to increase her interests in journalism. She is curious to see if journalism is one of her passions. In school she is also a part of the Kennedy Cancer Society and JFKMHS Girls Soccer Team. In her free time she loves to shop, bake, binge watch shows and spend time with her family. In the future Kaylie hopes to attend college and travel the world.

Makayla Di Fonzo

Makayla Di Fonzo is a 15-year-old sophomore at JFKMHS. She is currently in her first year of journalism and is a contributor to The Torch. She joined journalism to be more included and know more about what’s happening in our school while also letting other people who are not in journalism know too. Makayla is a JV Competition Cheerleader who’s striving to be on varsity one day. Outside of school, she enjoys watching a good TV show. She’s open to all kinds of music and loves Sza, Kali Uchis, Kendrick Lamar, and Daniel Caesar. Makayla is absolutely obsessed with crystals. When She grows up she wants to be a dentist or maybe take a step closer to law and possibly forensics.

Dariana Shihadeh

Dariana Shihadeh is a sophomore attending John. F Kennedy Memorial High School, and it is her first year contributing to the school newspaper, The Torch. She enjoys reading and writing, which was her main reason behind taking journalism. She hopes that journalism will help her to improve her writing skills. She is also involved in many clubs and extracurricular activities including Dance, Key Club, Kennedy Cancer Society, Choir, FCCLA, Model UN, and Raise the Arts club; she also plans to join spring track as well. She has many goals and aspirations for the future, despite not knowing what career path she wants to pursue.

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Bryce Tarnowski • Mar 1, 2024 at 1:16 pm

Been going here for a long time! Great article and thanks for the update. Can’t wait to get my hands on a chocolate frozen custard again. 🙂


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