Thursday, May 24, 2007

New Jersey Rest Area Quiz

My weekend road trip to New York took me up and back on the New Jersey Turnpike. It's a 120 miles of toll road that I think I have paid my share by now. The road is monotonous but there are sprinkled along the way several rest areas. Here's a quiz to see how good you are. Answers next week.
  1. The northernmost rest area is named for the man whose name is also on the NFL Super Bowl Trophy. He was born in Brooklyn, but one of his first coaching jobs was in New Jersey. He also worked for the New York Giants, whose stadium can be seen from the rest area. You may also know him better for his coaching tenure in Wisconsin.
  2. This man would probably not be happy to know he has a rest area named for him in New Jersey. He was shot and killed there.
  3. This man is the only man to be elected to two non-consecutive terms as President of the United States. Although raised in New York, he was born in Caldwell and died in the Garden State.
  4. The "Wizard of Menlo Park," you might think his rest area is the most well-lit.
  5. Born in New Brunswick, the poet with a woman's first name wrote the immortal words, "I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree."
  6. During the Battle of Monmouth, she brought water to the soldiers. When her husband was killed, she took over his cannon duties.
  7. Born in Staunton, VA, he served as Governor of New Jersey and President of Princeton University (and taught at Bryn Mawr), before going to the White House.
  8. This man was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Captured by the British during the Revolution, he died a pauper, having lost everything.
  9. More associated with New York, where his most famous novel is set, this 19th century author was born in New Jersey
  10. Also more of a "New York personality" (there is a school named for him in Syosset), he also would be disappointed with his New Jersey landmark. He moved to Camden after suffering a stroke, then his mother died, and he died there.
  11. Known for many other accomplishments, this woman did open a free school in Bordentown.
  12. A Quaker colonist, he secured a large tract of land in southern New Jersey (where the rest area is), only to give it up later to William Penn.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would like to point out to your loyal readers that the answer to number 6 died and is buried in a certain Boro in central PA.

Anonymous said...

What is it with NJ? They don't have enough of their own famous people, so they have to pretend that they're part of NY?