Once again, January’s column offers an opportunity to think back on these columns over the past year, and see if anything stuck!
Thus, we start 2025 off with some questions from material from 2024’s columns. If you saw the columns, let’s see what you remember—just for fun! I promise no grading! (And the answers are below).
February: In February, I very sadly marked the passing of my fellow Observer columnist, whose column often appeared across the page from mine for over a decade. I know many readers and Ewing residents still mourn the loss of, and miss the commentary formerly written by this individual.
March: On March 1, we celebrated the 190th birthday/anniversary of the naming of a particular place. What particular place did we celebrate?
April: Some 18th-century European immigrants to our region selected and purchased a plot of land on high ground in Ewing in 1709 on which to locate a burial ground, and later a series of meeting houses. What 315-year-old Ewing institution was created at that time?
May: The column in May celebrated a Ewing entity that replaced Mount Washington as the location for doing what?
a) Riding cog railways
b) Testing thermometers, wind socks, and other weather instruments
c) Testing Navy and Air Force jet engines
d) Driving crazy, winding roads
June: True or False—The June column highlighted the opening of an exhibit at the Benjamin Temple House (home of the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society) on “Blacks in Ewing,” and the agricultural and domestic labor provided by enslaved people on Ewing farms.
July: True or False— My column in July was the most amazing, fascinating, informative, interesting and well-written column in the history of newspaper columns!
August: The West Trenton Garden Club was responsible for the improvement and beautification of a park in the Township that celebrates veterans. What is the name of the park and where is it located?
September: True or False—Ewing was the location of Olympic events this summer.
October: The October column highlighted the opening of a second major exhibit this year by the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society. This new exhibit focuses on the Ryan Family, their care for the historic Temple home and farm, and a particular type of farming which was prevalent in the Township. Which type of farming?
a) Tobacco farming
b) Pineapple farming
c) Dairy farming
d) Soybean farming
November: November’s column continued describing the Ryan Family’s commitment to preserving the historic Temple home while farming the land surrounding the home. One special individual was present at the exhibit opening in October. Who was that person?
December: December’s column encouraged readers to attend some of the events held in the area highlighting Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Night in 1776, and other related historic events in the area. Which event did you attend, and what did you learn?
As always, If you have a story to tell, or some history or photos to share about Ewing, please consider sharing them with me and this column’s readers, and/or the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society. To do so, please email me at ewingthenandnow@gmail.
Answers:
February: Ilene BlackMarch: The Township of Ewing, officially named as such March 1, 1834.April: Ewing Presbyterian Cemetery and Church (now known as Ewing Covenant Presbyterian Church)May: Naval Air Propulsion CenterJune: True – and the exhibit remains for people to see!July: False (of course!). No column ran in JulyAugust: Birmingham Park, at Parkway and Grand avenues in West TrentonSeptember: True – Special Olympics NJ events held at The College of New Jersey (for the 34th year!)October: C – Dairy farmingNovember: Patrick Ryan was present at the exhibit openingDecember: (Individual answers may vary!)! com, or the Society at info@ethps.org.Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2025!
Helen Kull is an Advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
,
