Savor the Past: a Big Pretzel Success
17 September 2025
Spencer Martin, Colby Martin and Reid Buehler Photo by J. Martin
Sydney Vilensky, Max Nicholson and Spencer Martine. Picture by J. Martin
“Pretzels for $2.00! Activities and games! Tours of the Osborn Cannonball House!”
This was a winning combination for the SPFHS History Club’s fundraiser
for the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood that was held
June 1st at the historic Osborn Cannonball House, a Revolutionary War-
era site and the Township Museum. For the second year in a row the
History Club successfully hosted a tasty fundraiser with all proceeds going
to the Historical Society. This year netted $500 which the Historical
Society plans to put towards the renovation of the popular “necessary
house,” aka the outhouse, which was always a popular stop on the
Museum tour, especially for kids. Unfortunately, it has been in such a state
of disrepair that it has been closed to visitors for the last few years. The
Historical Society is very grateful to have had the help of the eager and
energetic History Club members in raising money towards its repair.
Two years ago, the SPFHS History Club was founded by Spencer Martin.
Spencer Martin and Max Nicholson steered the Club as co-presidents
during its first two years, their sophomore and junior years. The Club
quickly became a school favorite, having 175 students join and participate.At its inception, the Club also reached out to form a partnership with the
Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood.
Besides organizing and running two successful fund raisers on behalf of
the Historical Society, Spencer and Max and other student members,
volunteered to help out and give tours of the Osborn Cannonball House at
two of its biggest Fall events: Scotch Plains Day and Four Centuries in a
Weekend, which is a two-day event. The students helped to run the
children’s games and crafts and gave tours of the museum. Visitors were
delighted by the students’ knowledge of the history of the 18th century
house.
In addition to thanking Spencer Martin and Max Nicholson for organizing
volunteers for these events, The Historical Society wants to give a big
“shout out” to the other student members who made the fundraisers and
community events a big success: Aavik Akavte, Camoron Azad, Reid
Buehler, Jacob Cristobal, Jada Dadlaney, Colby Martin, Luca Rousseau,
Liam St. John, Ryan Sharma and Sydney Vilensky.
As the SPFHS History Club embarks on its third year with a new president,
Colby Martin, at its helm, the Historical Society wants to thank Spencer,
Max and the other student volunteers for all their enthusiasm, commitment
and dedication to promoting and protecting our local history. The
Historical Society looks forward to the continued partnership with the
History Club as we strive to help keep history alive across all generation.
