Press release from the Harrison Township Historical Society
The Harrison Township Historical Society’s annual Groundhog Day Dinner and Silent Auction is set for Feb. 2 starting at 6 p.m., in Ewan Fire Hall (312 Ewan Rd., Ewan). This annual event features “Down Jersey” sausage links, sausage gravy and biscuits, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, candied yams, fried apples, green beans and a dessert buffet. Now in its 15th year, the event is a revival of a century-old Harrison Township tradition.
“The menu entrée is a play on words,” said society president, Bob Schumann. “We serve sausage — the ‘ground’ hog — to celebrate the holiday.”
The first local Groundhog Day dinners took place in the early 1900s. Local farmers belonging to the Richwood Men’s Bible Class made the sausage and prepared the dinner for the entire church.
“The society’s board decided to revive the tradition, several years ago,” added Schumann. “Not only are we preserving local culinary history, the dinner also helps fund the society’s activities. It’s a unique local event.”
The dinner is a fun-filled evening for the entire family. In addition to the home-cooked menu, the program includes an emcee decked out in tails and top hat, a popular silent auction and perhaps the only opportunity in South Jersey to sing Groundhog Day songs.
“We found lyrics about Groundhog Day set to familiar tunes and thought they would be fun to include on the program,” said trustee Judy Suplee. “15 years later, they’ve become a Groundhog Day Dinner tradition.”
Tickets for the event are $15 and are available at the Amazing Grace Resource Center (46 South Main St., Mullica Hill), by calling (856) 478–9800 and at the door.
“Advanced purchase is recommended since seating is limited,” added Suplee.
All proceeds benefit the society’s exhibitions and educational programs at the Old Town Hall Museum, located at the intersection of South Main Street and Woodstown Road in the heart of the Mullica Hill Historic District.
In October, the Historical Society published a book Mullica Hill and Old Harrison Township, which explores 300 years of Harrison, South Harrison and Elk Townships’ rich history.
Author-signed copies of the book will be available at the dinner or can be ordered online at the society’s website (www.HarrisonHistorical.com), or purchased at the Harrison House Diner, The Old Mill Antique Mall, The Parsonage, Amazing Grace Resource Center or The Yellow Garage, all in Mullica Hill.
More information about the Groundhog Day Dinner and upcoming activities can be found at the society’s website.
