Hear Ye! Hear Ye! 10-Year-Old Makes Grade as New Town Crier
Joey Rihl, a fifth-grader at Haddonfield's Central School, has a new gig.
Photos
There's a new town crier in the borough of Haddonfield, and he's a 10-year-old kid.
That's right. A fifth-grader from Central School will be shaking the bell and informing the fine citizens of Haddonfield about the news of the day. At least, he'll be part of a team that does.
Joey Rihl wowed judges at the historic Indian King Tavern recently during tryouts for a new town crier. He sat among older, more seasoned criers during tryouts and forced judges to rethink how they wanted to shape this volunteer position to highlight a borough historic treasure.
"We wanted to have one town crier, but we had so many good applicants we now have five," said Bill Brown, who led the selection committee. "Joey was just so knowledgeable about town history and the Indian King Tavern, we had to select him."
The Huffington Post on Feb. 13 chose Joey Rihl as its Greatest Person of the Week. Congratulations to Joey—check out the Greatest Person of the Day page.
Joey credits his interest in history on a first-grade play.
"I played Abraham Lincoln in a first-grade play and it all branched out from there," he said. "I used to be able to recite most of the Gettysburg Address."
Two years ago, he visited the 260-year-old Indian King Tavern on Kings Highway East and, in an instant, he knew what he wanted to do when he grows up.
"I found it neat," he said. "I thought, 'One day when I grow up, I want to work there.' I didn’t know growing up meant two years."
The Indian King Tavern Museum is at the center of Haddonfield's historic district, and is landmark in United States history. With Trenton and Princeton already under siege from the British, New Jersey's General Assembly met at Indian King in 1777, read the Declaration of Independence into the minutes and officially declared New Jersey an independent state. The assembly also adopted New Jersey's seal at Indian King.
Indian King Tavern was New Jersey's first historical site, declared as such in 1903.
Rihl will share the duties of town crier with four others, all decades older than him. When he's not acting as the crier, he'll be a docent of the museum, informing and guiding guests around the historic property.
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In This article
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Central Elementary School
3 Lincoln Ave, Haddonfield, NJ -
Indian King Tavern Museum
233 Kings Hwy E, Haddonfield, NJ -
Chrisltianson
7:57 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Congrats Joey, I was there on that first grade play with Mrs Wagner and you rocked it as I know you will do now. - Tyler Christianson
Lori Kadar
8:17 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Way to go joey! You'll be the best one they ever had! Alex Kadar
Janet Wagner
9:37 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I am so proud of you, Joey! Mrs. Palmer and I recognized your talents and predicted you would be a history professor someday. You were the hit of the show in first grade and will be the star town crier now. I also remember at your First Communion party that you recited the Gettysburg Address and impressed all your guests. Best of all you have a thirst for knowledge and are a very interesting person. Congratulations!
Mrs. Wagner
Kathleen Steacker
10:24 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Way to go Joey! We're so proud of you! Can't wait for you to show us around the Indian King. I knew it was there most of my life, but have never been there. I will definately see it this year.
Congratulations!
Aunt Kathleen
Frances Guenkel
10:41 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Joey-love you and love what you have accomplished!! Always knew your enthusiasm for "all things history" would lead you to great things! Love, Doppy and Poppy
Maryann Campling
1:04 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Joey...I don't know you personally, but I am so happy that you are interested in the history of our great Country....good for you! It makes me sad that so many kids (and grown ups) just don't care about our past. Keep up the good work. And Mom and Dad....thanks for raising such a wonderful child!
Kathy T
2:37 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Joey, The Tully Family is so proud of you, and are not the LEAST bit surprised to see that you were chosen! xo The Tully Family
Dennis Tully
4:03 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Joey, Congratulations from the Tully's. Can't wait for our tour...
Quinn Richards
4:19 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Your awesome at what ever you set your mind to. Congratulations Joey-Quinn Richards
Claire Steacker
5:05 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Joey that's awesome! S much happened since Sunday for you! Haha! Congrats Joey and I love you guys so much! Tell Em and your mom and dad I said hi too!
~Your cousin Claire~
Patricia Saia
6:05 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Joey,
It is so fitting that you have become a herald of history in your very own home town. You are truly a “great”-nephew and a “great”-grandson, and we know your love of history will always be an inspiration to others, especially to those who visit the Indian King Tavern and the historic town of Haddonfield.
Love, Aunt Pat, Uncle Tony, and Mom-Mom
donnelly
8:41 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Hey nice job Joey! I remember that play... Mr.Regan please Stand up!
donnelly
8:44 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Mrs.wagner? Hi! I miss you soooo much!!! Your still the best!-Beth Ann
Theresa Gostovich
7:55 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Congratulations Joey in making the new town crier. We can't wait to visit!
Mary Goodwin
1:26 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Joey, what a wonderful contribution you are making to our town. I can't wait to hear your performance. Mrs. Goodwin