b'Matters heart of thematterThingsthat Matter Since 1990 Studying the PresidentsFeaturing Local People, Places and PUBLISHER It just might help my Jeopardy!& EDITOR IN CHIEFgameEllen Donker BY ELLEN DONKERASSOCIATEEDITORAnne MandellINTERNMiles House W atchingJeop- ifThefirst husband hadnt been finalized. Imag-SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERRachael Entineardy!isainewhattodaysmediawouldvedone ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS nightlyritualwith that revelation. Rene Conlon inourhouse.Certainly less exciting but interesting, Mar-H. Leslie Gilman Mydaughter,tin Van Buren, who followed Jackson, was the first Ryan Nish Madeline, and Ipresident to be born an American citizen. All of the Amy Powerplayrecordingspresidents were married, except for James Buchan-GRAPHIC DESIGN of it after dinner, sometimes doubling upan, who became known as the bachelor president. Ellen Donker we need to make up for games weve missed.first to die in office was William Henry COPY EDITORS Were always behind by at least a week becauseHarrison in 1841, just one month after inaugura-Charles Hammer not every evening is free.tion day. Vice President John Tyler took his place, Tia Swanson On most topics, Madeline does far betterbut there was significant debate in Congress about CONTRIBUTORS than I do. She has memorized all sorts of triviasuchwhether he could become the president or just the acting Henry Cooper as country flags, locations and years of the Olympics,president until a new election was held. Adrianna Donat stars and planets, the presidents and geography. It helpsUltimately, the Tyler Precedent established that if Miles House that shes just two years past the end of her college daysthe president dies, resigns or is removed, the vice presi-Cindy Perman and has a young brain. I have many more years of livingdent becomes president. That leaves the vice president Ilysse Rimalovski behind me, which can sometimes make a difference. slot open and, in some cases, that position was never Tia Swanson I am especially poor at history. My knowledge of U.S.filled. It wasnt until 1967, in the wake of the JFK assas-presidents is meager. If I were to recall them in order, Idsination, that the 25th amendment was adopted, stating get to John Quincy Adams, our sixth president, lapsethat when there is a vacancy in the office of the vice pres-until Abraham Lincoln, number 16, and then falter un- ident, the president shall nominate a vice president to til Theodore Roosevelt. Theres another big gap until Itake office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both get to FDR, and then smooth sailing up to present day. houses of Congress. The amendment was first tested in Please address all correspondence to:Visual Impact Advertising, Inc. You may feel embarrassed for me, for admitting in1973 with the appointment of Representative Gerald P.O. Box 198 print to being deficient in my knowledge of presidents.Ford when Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned.Maplewood, NJ 07040 But I am doing something about it, thanks to an itemI realize that Im reciting historical trivia, but this ex-973-763-4900 that I purchased at least 10 years ago at the Morrow Turn- ercise has given me a better sense of the continuum of mattersmagazine.comover Sale. Its a Fandex Family Field Guide of the U.S.American history. Were currently at number 30, Calvin info@mattersmagazine.com Presidents, a deck of flashcards that features a differentCoolidge, and should be done by early September. Matters Magazine is owned and publishedpresident on every page. It only goes up to George WalkerOf course, my interest in the presidents has likely by Visual Impact Advertising, Inc., P.O.Bush, number 43, but I feel confident I can fill in the rest. been fanned by our countrys upcoming election with its Box 198 Maplewood, NJ 07040. MattersEvery night at dinner, Madeline, my husband, Rob,turmoil and unpredictability. If my Fandex were up to Magazine is free, with editions direct mailedand I read out loud the president for the day and thendate, I would like to see how it describes our latest presi-seven times a year to the residents of Maple-wood and South Orange and distributed todiscuss what we just learned. The entries are well-writtendents. The book described Nixon, at his best a states-businesses and surrounding communitiesand even-handed, offering fun facts, insight into the ca- man with a true world-view and at his worst a covert totaling 16,000. Subscriptions are available to non-residents for $30 (U.S.) $40 (Foreign)reer path of each president and the shifts in the presi- and mistrustful, if not downright malevolent politician.annually. No part of the publication may bedency and political parties over time.Readingaboutourpresidentsshowsthattherewere reprinted or otherwise reproduced withoutFor instance, three of the first five presidents died onmany unfortunate moments in our history and times when writtenpermissionfromVisualImpact Advertising, Inc. the Fourth of July: John Adams and his rival Thomas Jef- we could be proud of and inspired by our leaders and our ferson died in 1826 on the 50th anniversary of the signingcountry. Heres hoping the latter is the pattern for our future.CIRCULATION VERIFIED BYU.S. POSTAL RECEIPTS. of the Declaration of Independence, and James MonroeIn the meantime, Ill see how my Jeopardy! game fares READ & RECYCLE died in 1831. Andrew Jackson married his wife, Rachel,with my new fount of knowledge. Next subject for me to without either of them knowing that her divorce from herconquer is geography. 8/ matters magazine / school 2024'