By: Betty Jane Hunt
The theme of the 2003 West Amwell Township Country Fair, to be held Sept. 13, will be the 1950s.
In order to prepare everyone and make them more astute about this period of history, there will be 10 trivia questions each week before the fair, covering events from each of the 10 years from that decade.
Here are your questions for 1952:
1. Who was township treasurer during the whole decade?
2. What Christian theologian, musician and medical missionary won the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work in Africa?
3. Who was elected president? What was his campaign slogan?
4. What British king died in his sleep Feb. 6?
5. What island gained self-rule and became the first United States commonwealth?
6. What powerful wife of an Argentine president died July 26 at age 33?
7. Who’s legendary address on television Sept. 23 became know as the "checkers speech?"
8. What component was introduced into such products as chewing gum, toothpaste and dog food with the promise of freshening the breath and body odor of its users?
9. What television situation comedy about a family of four debuted Oct. 10?
10. What was successfully tested by the United States Nov. 6 and completely obliterated Eniwetok Island in the Pacific Ocean?
Answers to 1951 questions:
1. Who was the township clerk during the entire decade?
William "Bill" Lauderdale served as township clerk April 1, 1911 until he died Nov. 21, 1968. He grew up and later farmed on Rock Road West where the Seibers live now.
He married Rebecca Hart and farmed with his brother Arthur. There is a scholarship at South Hunterdon Regional High School set up in his name as well as an entire chapter about him in "Wandering West Amwell."
2. What couple was convicted as part of the Cold War for stealing secrets about the atomic bomb and passing them on to the Soviet Union?
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
3. What popular TV comedy premiered and became the single most popular TV program in the 1950’s?
"I Love Lucy."
4. What famous novel was published by J.D. Salinger?
"Catcher in the Rye."
5. What famous nearby development sold the last of more than 17,000 nearly identical homes?
Levittown, Pa.
6. What famous American middle-weight boxing champion lost his title to British fighter Randy Turpin and then regained the title when he knocked Turpin out later in the year?
"Sugar" Ray Robinson.
7. What two catchers won the MVP one for the National League and the other for the American League?
Roy Campanella and Yogi Barra.
8. What New Jersey Road first opened this year?
New Jersey Turnpike.
9. What general was removed as commander of U.S. troops in Korea for unauthorized statements?
Douglas MacArthur.
10. What company started using the flavor additive MSG to make its baby foods taste better to mothers?
Gerber Products Co.
There will be exhibit tables at the fair, and anyone having collections of 1950s memorabilia are encouraged to contact the clerk’s office at 397-2054 to reserve space.
