Students Selected for Awards

On Sunday, May 15th, the Union County Historical Society again held its annual Student Awards Presentation.
The Society sends applications to every public and private high school in the County, inviting Seniors to apply for this award.
The Selection Committee, headed by former U.C.H.S. President Charles Shallcross and U.C.H.S. Board Member Richard Esperon,
evaluated the responses and selected the top four applicants. This year’s recipients included Tatiana Dilollo (Rahway H.S.),
Heavyn Kamora Foster (Rahway H.S.), Elizabeth Miller (Union County Magnet H.S.) and Amelia Moraghan (Mother Seton H.S.).

Each student spoke about their achievements and future plans. They received awards including a special certificate,
a commemorative poster showing the history of the Union County Court House, two Society publications,
and a check from the Society. “Many thanks to the hard-working Selection Committee,” UCHS President Joanne Rajoppi stated.
“We congratulate the exceptional young winners, their families and their teachers and wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Annual Luncheon

After a two-year hiatus, the Union County Historical Society was once again able to hold its popular and well-regarded Annual Luncheon.
The 2022 Luncheon was held on Sunday, April 10, at the Garden Restaurant in Union. A fine turnout of members and guests shared
an enjoyable afternoon of good company, delicious food, and an excellent presentation by one of our favorite guests,
renowned scholar, author, and speaker, Dr. Jonathan Lurie.

Prof. Lurie’s interesting and thought-provoking talk was entitled
“What Has Happened to Our Commitment to Honesty? A few Strictly Non-Partisan Observations.”
His keen historical analysis and present day comparisons provided fascinating and perceptive insights into this important
political and social concern. Dr. Lurie presented several examples illustrating the connections between the past and present
relating to the topic discussed, and an active and informative question and answer session followed.

Also featured and on display was a 1771 Ogden family Bible recently acquired by U.C.H.S. Vice-President Charles Shallcross.
The Bible contains dates and information on many Ogden family members, including New Jersey Governor Aaron Ogden.

Thoughts About the Last 100 Years by Bill Frolich (Continued)

Comic strips had been a feature of most newspapers for several years by this time, and in the twenties we enjoyed reading
about the adventures of “Reg’lar Fellows,” “Ella Cinders,” “The Katzenjamer Kids,” and “Barney Google.”
There was the Toonerville Trolley that met all the trains, driven by an oddball skipper, and Happy Hooligan,
who wore a tin can as a hat.

There was Buck Rogers, a veteran of the World War, who, while on duty exploring a cave, was trapped inside by an earthquake.
A mysterious gas held him in suspended animation, until another earthquake set him free five hundred years later,
to return to a world of rocket ships, jumping belts, rocket pistols, and interplanetary travel.
Although still in the army, apparently he never received longevity pay; it would have been substantial.

Athletic events, such as football and baseball, were broadcast on radio, with announcers describing the action on the field.
Red Barber handled the Brooklyn Dodgers and was quite impartial about good plays by either team.
The Newark Bears, a Yankee farm team, played mostly night games, with the Ballantine Brewing Company as their sponsor.
Mel Allen, the announcer, bragged about a Bear home run as a Ballantine Blast, while a home run by the enemy was just another run.
Later he graduated to the New York Yankees as that team’s reporter, with very little change in his delivery.

Back in those days the names of prominent ball players were household words, but today, if you mention Joe DiMaggio
or Mickey Mantle, the reaction is apt to be, “Who are you talking about?” Babe Ruth is still remembered for his many
home runs, but how many remember that he was a pitcher for Boston? College football became a Saturday afternoon event
with various commentators, if the game was not rained out, while Sunday afternoon was taken over by the professional
football teams. Their games were played in snow, rain, or mud, and rarely postponed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who received the 2022 Union County Historical Society student awards?

The 2022 UCHS student awards went to four Union County high school seniors: Tatiana Dilollo and Heavyn Kamora Foster
of Rahway High School, Elizabeth Miller of Union County Magnet High School, and Amelia Moraghan of Mother Seton High School.
Each student was recognized for academic achievement, community involvement, and future educational plans.

What was the focus of Dr. Jonathan Lurie’s presentation at the 2022 Annual Luncheon?

At the 2022 Annual Luncheon, Dr. Jonathan Lurie delivered a talk titled
“What Has Happened to Our Commitment to Honesty? A few Strictly Non-Partisan Observations.”
He examined historical and contemporary examples of honesty in public life, connecting past events with present-day
political and social concerns.

What topics does Bill Frolich reflect on in “Thoughts About the Last 100 Years”?

In “Thoughts About the Last 100 Years,” Bill Frolich recalls popular comic strips, early science fiction like Buck Rogers,
radio broadcasts of baseball and football, and legendary players such as Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Babe Ruth.
His reflections highlight how sports, media, and everyday culture have changed over the last century.