KUSER SCHOOL: A LOCAL LEGEND

1936: KUSER SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL

2011-12-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

Long live the NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL! This article from 1936 lists the students at Kuser School, all now in their mid 80's who were on the "Boys' Patrol' and the "Girl Guard' which I assume is the predecessor to the old Keystone Safety Patrol which is more familiar to those of us who attended Hamilton schools in later years. My oldest brother Len is in the group as are many other familiar names from the Colonial Gardens/Liberty Street area.

1951: HERE COMES OUR 60TH! (RIGHT CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

2011-11-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

The list of missing classmates is the latest I have in my records. If any classmates can add or see errors, please email me.

1991: LOIS BRAENDER: ANOTHER OUTSTANDING KUSER PRINCIPAL

2011-10-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

This charming lady was the Principal back in the 1980's when I was selected to be the Kuser alumnus who represented all Kuser "Kats" from past years. Doctor Braender was a classy Principal and fit in beautifully with Kuser School's roster of outstanding Principals. The last I heard, Doctor Braender was Assistant Superintendent of the Hamilton Township School system.

1982: TOM GLOVER'S KUSER SCHOOL

2011-09-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I will take memories of my years at school with me as long as I live and I hope into the great beyond. Kuser School and the enviornment in which I grew up were all conducive to my very receptive intellectual potential. From Miss Mary Kelly's "Reception Grade" way back in 1939, right up to my upcoming 78th birthday, I still fondly recall nearly all of the wonderful teachers we had back when decorum in dress and manners was a matter of good taste and expected of each and every student.

2011: THOSE MEMORIES JUST KEEP ON COMING

2011-09-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

See? I'm not the only guy with wonderful memories of a great grammar school education. Here's a comment I received on the Hamilton Local History blog from Gordy Fish, who was a student during WWII when I was also a student. Gordy wrote:

Tom,
My wife pointed out the great article you wrote for the Trenton Times today. I attended Kuser from 1943-46 while my dad was in WWII. I very clearly remember Miss Kelly. I started Kindergarten in Homedell School over near Olden Ave and Liberty. At that time we lived on Liberty St. My dad took the trolley to work at Crecent Wire but had to leave the job due to asthma. He was in the NJ NG just before the war. Back to Miss Kelly, I remember one of the days in which I had no snack for recess. She always kept a jelly sandwich and gave me half. I remember Miss Reynolds and was in her niece's class at Jr. 3 and Ewing HS. I think there is a school named for her. I had Miss Forge for 4th grade, after which we moved to Trenton. Can't remember grades 2 and 3. Also remember Hogan's, the bldg. is still there. I was in front of Hogan's the day the war ended. We lived on Elizabeth Ave. between Atlantic and Pacific.

1939: KUSER SCHOOL GLEE CLUB

2009-09-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

This very nice photo was a bit washed out when I received it from Ms. Clugston, but as you can see, with a little bit of Photoshop "TLC," like Phoenix, Kuser School 1939 comes back in clear and pristine condition. Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Clugston.

1941 KUSER HONOR ROLL

2009-09-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

Here's the honor roll for the 3rd marking period of 1941. I was in the second grade, my sister Dot in the 5th and brother Bud was in 8th.

1940:The Kuser School "Glee Club"

2009-09-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

We called it the "Glee Club;" today they call it by other names, but whatever it was it did indeed fill us with glee as we sang the many songs we were taught at Kuser. On September 26 at the
Alumni homecoming Centennial celebration, I will be remembering some of the songs we sung so very long ago. The above article tells of one of the many auditorium presentations put on by the students at Kuser. This one happens to be my brother Bud Glover's class.

1943: A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR KUSER PARENTS

2009-09-01T04:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a listing of the honor students throughout Kuser during the second marking period. As I recall, there were originally six marking periods, and they were ultimately reduced to four. I also have a confession to make: Over the years I recalled the incredible number of times I made the honor roll. NOT SO! History has a strange way of coming back to haunt those of us who try to gild the lily. I am herewith retracting my often told story that I was on the honor roll nearly every year during my years at Kuser. I am finding that my name is missing from a few of those listings of honor students. Looks like I have a few 3:30 after school detentions!

2009: KUSER SCHOOL FROM THE AIR

2009-08-31T08:49:00.001-07:00

Here's an interesting view of Kuser School as it would be seen by a low flying helicopter. Note the square shape of the Kuser court yard. Thanks to "Bing."

1915: OUAM Give Bible to Kuser School

2009-08-28T07:08:00.001-07:00

If you haven't yet done so, by all means take a few minutes to see the display of Kuser School memorabilia which is currently on display in the Hamilton Township Public Library. I took the above photo of just one item in the fantastically interesting display. From my "KUSER SCHOOL" folder, I inserted the article describing the event. Kuser School, founded in 1909, is celebrating its centennial this year of 2009. By the way, "OUAM" is the Order of United American Mechanics.

1994: KUSER PTA FALL COUNCIL DINNER

2009-08-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Principal Ms. Lois Braender poses with PTA executives from the school and county.

1947: "PUPPY LOVE" AT KUSER GRAMMAR SCHOOL

2009-08-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

This is one of my childhood girlfriends whom I met long before meeting my dear wife of 56 years, Judy Britton. most of us guys had a young lady during our years in grammar school who gave us that very interesting emotional malady known as "Puppy Love." Millie Long was one of those grammar school classmates who captured my 13 year old heart. Few indeed are those of us who will ever forget the object of our affection in those grammar school years. The late Mildred Long was one of those lovely young girls who brightened my life when I first met her in 8^th grade at Kuser School. I recently went to that big old Sycamore tree in front of Kuser School and looked in vain for the heart that I carved on that tree that I thought would last forever: “Tommy G. + Millie L," but it was nowhere to be seen.

2009: A REDUNDANT REMINDER

2009-08-09T05:07:00.001-07:00

(I will be posting this graphic on this, and my Kuser and Hamilton High websites periodically to remind any alumni who are interested in attending this historic event.)

I have no idea how many Kuser alumni visit this site. However, I would be remiss if I didn't remind those Kuser Kats who are visitors to mark their respective calendars for Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 1 to 5 P.M. for a visit back to the best grammar school in the world! I hope to see you there!

1915: THE COLONIAL CIVICS CLUB

2009-08-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

Without knowing the actual boundaries, I believe it is safe to assume that the Colonial Civics Club was instituted by citizens who resided in the Colonial Gardens area of Hamilton. My educated guess would be that the area was from Hamilton Avenue, along New Street, Liberty Street, Camp Avenue Beal, Ellwood, Edmund streets and Miller Avenue.

1945: The Big Red "K" and GAA!

2009-07-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

Lorraine Feehan May was kind enough to share these two very unusual examples of memorabilia. I had never seen either of these emblems, but they are much appreciated as they also enter into the Kuser School Centennial Library of historic material. Thanks, Lorraine, and also please thank your sister for her addition to our "Kuser School Museum."

1945: Kuser Commencement Program

2009-07-31T18:31:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Ms. Lorraine Feehan May for this 1945 Kuser commencement program. These were the "upper classmen" who were two years ahead of me at Kuser. There are many familiar signatures on the program.

1987: KUSER SCHOOL READING PROGRAM

2009-07-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

That great faculty at Kuser has been carrying the torch for all these years, emphacizing the importance of CHARACTER and also the very important lessons of LITERACY.

1930's and 40's KUSER SCHOOL "GLEE CLUB" PATCH

2009-07-01T06:57:00.001-07:00

Many many thanks to Ms. Alice Feehan Hasty for this incredibly preserved Kuser School "Glee Club" patch, which was proudly worn on our favorite sweater. Lorraine Feehan May, (HHS '49), brought her sisters Alice Feehan Hasty (HHS '41), Mary Feehan Kieffer (HHS '44), and Evelyn Feehan Appleby (HHS '46), to my Kuser Farm program "The Music We Grew Up With" on Sunday, June 28. It was such a pleasure to meet them. The Feehan family lived on Newkirk Avenue next to the Colonial Volunteer Fire Company. For many years Mrs. Feehan was the dispatcher for the fire company.

And Alice Feehan Hasty, thank you again for this wonderful addition
to the Kuser School memorabilia and history folder.

2009 KUSER SCHOOL GUEST BOOK

2009-06-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

The guest book serves as a very good vehicle to bring classmates together. Many people ignore the book, but it really helps classmates find one another. It is a tribute to Kuser that so many visitors, yours truly included, hold pleasant memories of their years this legendary neighborhood grammar school.

A REDUNDANT REMINDER FOR KUSER SCHOOL ALUMNI

2009-06-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

2009: Come Sing With Me and
Remember Kuser School Days!

For those local residents who were unable to attend the June 4th Centennial Dinner Dance at the Nottingham Ballroom, I will be presenting my onscreen multimedia presentation,
"KUSER SCHOOL: A LOCAL LEGEND" on Sunday afternoon during my regular singalong program. The program will be from 1 to 3 PM in the Kuser Mansion theater. I hope to see you there. Call 890-3630 to reserve a seat or seats.

SEE? I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVES KUSER SCHOOL!

2009-06-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Date: 6/18/2009, 1:25 pm, EDT Name: Ruthie Sickles Email: ruthsrescue@erols.comJavascript required Number: 10

I went to Kuser School with Pat and Carol Freeman, Judy Weaver, Linda Graycar, Jean Jefferson, just to mention a few. Then we moved to Ewing, where I graduated in 1962. I'll always cherish memories from Kuser School though. Remember all the activities we had during the summer, in the school playground. Unrelated, but how about Woodlawn Pool on those hot, summer days when none of us had air conditioning?

Date: 6/15/2009, 9:10 pm, EDT Name: Shari Faskow Email: eos_d@hotmail.comJavascript required Number: 9

Tom, I very much enjoyed reading through your Kuser memories. I graduated from Kuser in 1965 (and HHW in 1971). I remember Alex Bencivango well. We had some classes together and sometimes swam together at the Robin Dee Swim Club (there's a blast from the past!). I think that caption over Alex's pic should be 1960. Oh and I remember Madeleine, too. She was a cutie and all the boys had a crush on her! Thanks again for the memories. [Photo]

Date: 6/12/2009, 2:28 am, EDT Name: Pamela Hamer Email: pjhgauthier@yahoo.comJavascript required Number: 8

I graduated from Kuser School in 1974 and Hamilton West in '80. Lost track of some Kuser friends that went to Steinert... after the redistricting in '76. Wish I could find them. Kept track of Principal Katherine Geller for many years, but have lost track of her in the last few. Is she still with us?
Thanks for this site.

Date: 5/29/2009, 4:45 am, EDT Name: S.G.Stubbs Email: sharlieg@optusnet.com.auJavascript required Number: 7

You are an example of "you never know what's out there 'til you look". I'm researching the Wildblood family history amd also doing a course on internet sources fo genealogy. The combination of the 2 brought me to you. Wish you had mentioned more about the family. One of it's descendants, Alan Wildblood, is keenly interested in researching it also. Thanks for this site. SGStubbs

Date: 4/22/2009, 11:06 am, EDT Name: Ethel ( Van Lieu ) Bitler Email: dandebitler@comcast.netJavascript required Number: 6

The Happiest Days Of My Life Were At Kuser School.I Attended From 1943 Until I Graduated in 1953.To Go on To Be In The First Class At Stinert High When It Was Only 1 Grade 9th.It Sure Was Not The Same As Being At Kuser School.

Date: 1/14/2009, 7:33 pm, EDT Name: Sandi (Faltum) Morris Email: sandimorris@comcast.netJavascript required Number: 5

I went to Kuser School from about
1959 to 1966 K-6 and so did my father (George) and aunt. I found a picture of my Aunt Betty (Elizabeth) Faltum in one of the posted group pictures from 1935! I'm guessing my dad would have been around 1933 or 1934. How exciting! Thanks for the web site.

Date: 1/10/2009, 11:21 am, EDT Name: Marlene R. Mincher (Hawk) Email: jtmar112@verizon.netJavascript required Number: 4

I attended Kuser School beginning from kindergarten to third grade. Mrs. Reynolds was our principal. We moved and I then attended Lalor School from which I graduated in 1948. I loved Kuser School and sorry I had to leave. When I attended Hamilton High School, I finally met up with some of my classmates from Kuser School. I enjoy reading your column which brings back fond memories. I wish you continued success.

Date: 12/9/2008, 4:35 pm, EDT Name: Harry L. Bargholz Email: harrylb@bellsouth.netJavascript required Number: 3

Tom:
I am a graduate of Kuser School. Would appreciate being included in the Alumni Group. I also could use your help in finding the name of a baseball field on Hamilton Avenue.

Date: 10/21/2008, 1:31 pm, EDT Name: Stephanie Chianese Shaffer Email: steffishaffer@verizon.netJavascript required Number: 2

I was in the class of 1976 at Kuser Elementary - the last 6th grade before the conversion to middle schools. Please keep me posted on the centennial celebration. Thank you

IF YOU MISSED THE KUSER SCHOOL DINNER DANCE

2009-06-20T05:06:00.000-07:00

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: SUNDAY, JUNE 28 FROM 1 TO 3 AT KUSER FARM MANSION, FOR A COUPLE HOURS OF DELICIOUS NOSTALGIA. WE'LL BE SINGING THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH....PERRY COMO, TONY ORLANDO (NO DAWN!), BARRY MANNILOW, NEIL DIAMOND, PATTI PAGE, JONI JAMES, EDDIE FISHER, ALL THOSE EASY LISTENING SONGS THAT WE ALL LOVE TO SING IN THE SHOWER. COME ON OUT AND SING ALONG.

CALL 890-3630, WAIT FOR THE BEEP AND TELL TRACEY HOW MANY SEATS TO RESERVE.
AS I GEAR UP FOR THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON KUSER GAZEBO PROGRAMS BEGINNING IN JULY, THIS WILL BE THE LAST MANSION PROGRAM UNTIL SEPTEMBER. I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

************
FURTHER DETAILS HERE:

http://www.hamiltonnj.com/filestorage/899/185/2009_JUNE_28%2c_SING_ALONG_AND_KUSER_SCHOOL_PRESENTATION.

I HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

2009-06-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

tom.glover51@yahoo.com

I have had a nightmare of computer problems over the past 3 days. I hope I finally have the problem resolved. First I changed to AOL mail, and every message (with an attachment) that I sent had a message that the email couldn't be sent and to see the technical help file which was nowhere to be found. Enough of AOL. Then I tried "G-mail" knowing that good old reliable Google was a piece of cake. I signed on and on my first try I tried to send an email, and they told me that my password was incorrect and it WAS NOT. What a day. If I weren't a "tee totaler" I would tie one on. In fact I still might! Thanks for your patience. If you sent me an email and didn't get a response, please try again. Verizon nuked my thomglo@verizon.net email account when I transferred from Verizon FIOS to Verizon Broadband. Apparently these two entities compete with each other, because Broadband told me they didn't host email, but Verizon Fios did. I said they are Verizon also, but the email address is non-transferable. GO FIGURE.
I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EMAIL SO I CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO A NEW ADDRESS FILE.

1926: KUSER SCHOOL PHYSICAL ED PROGRAM

2009-06-16T08:21:00.001-07:00

With many thanks to Ms. Charlotte Cook, who found this very interesting Kuser School program tucked in the pages of a book she purchased at the Columbus Flea Market. Were it not for folks like Charlotte, this excellent example of memorabilia from Kuser School would have been wrinkled up and tossed into the recycle bin. Thanks, Charlotte!

1974: Can you help Pamela? Kuser '74 HHS '80

2009-06-13T04:50:00.000-07:00

6/12/2009, 2:28 am, EDT
Name: Pamela Hamer
Email: pjhgauthier@yahoo.com

I graduated from Kuser School in 1974 and Hamilton West in '80. Lost track of some Kuser friends that went to Steinert... after the redistricting in '76. Wish I could find them. Kept track of Principal Katherine Geller for many years, but have lost track of her in the last few. Is she still with us?

Thanks for this site.

2009: Come Sing With Me and Also Remember Kuser School Days

2009-06-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

2009-06-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

BE SURE TO CHECK THE ARCHIVES. THEY GO BACK TO THE YEAR 2006

2009: JUNE "KUSER NEWSER" NEWSLETTER

2009-06-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

Kuser Newser

June 2009

Principal’s Message

Dear Kuser Families,

It has been a historic year at Kuser School! This year I have had the opportunity to speak to so many people with such vivid and heartwarming memories of Kuser School. The alumni and former employees I have conversed with described teachers who were dedicated, caring and gave everything they had so that their students could learn. They described students with good character and manners. They described an active PTA and community. It is obvious how special Kuser was and still is to them!

As Principal I am fortunate to have a staff that always exceeds expectations. Our teachers spend hours in preparing their lessons and classrooms. The teachers and staff at Kuser are caring as many mentor students providing them with additional support and encouragement. Many staff members come early or stay late as they work as tutors in our Tutoring for Success and 21^st Century Programs. It is a privilege to work with so many fine educators.

The PTA has been a vital part of Kuser’s history. On June 4^th we inducted our new officers for the 2009-01 school year in style. I want to congratulate our new officers who will begin “officially” at the end of the year. Our PTA provides our students with so many exciting and enriching opportunities. They help to promote a positive spirit in the community and are consistently there to support Kuser School. I look forward to working with each and every one of you.

Our new officers are:

President: Jill Specian

1^st Vice President: Kim Grehan

2^nd Vice President: Collen Feinstein

Recording Secretary: Jill Conti

Treasurer: Mary Ritter

Corresponding Secretary: Bobby Jo Van Fleet

I also want to take the opportunity to thank this years PTA executive officers, committee chair people and parent volunteers who have given so many hours of dedicated service to Kuser. I especially want to thank Denise Parrish our former PTA president who made me feel so welcome and was so great to work with.

100^th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

Our 100^th Anniversary Dinner was a huge success!

Kuser School shone with pride as Mayor Bencivengo, Senator Bill Baroni and Mercer County Freeholder and former staff member Pat Colavita, Jr. spoke about this historic occasion. We were presented with beautiful proclamations which will be displayed during the school year and become part of our archives.

Mr. Bencivengo, (Hamilton Superintendent of Schools), was presented with a plaque honoring the district’s character achievements. Mr. Bencivengo then spoke about his memories as a student at Kuser. He is an alumnus from the class of 1961. Mr. Bencivengo attended Kuser for eight years from 1953-61..Did you know that the district’s Character Development program began right here at Kuser School with Dr. Lois Braender, (Current Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction- Former Kuser Principal 1991-98)? Mrs. Stephanie Crea continued with a yearly theme that unified our students, staff and parent community. Kuser’s current theme, “A Century of Character” will extend into our 2009-10 school year as we conclude our centennial celebration in December.

The evening was filled with music, great food, a lot of stories including a moving tribute by Mr. Tom Glover, (Columnist for the Trenton Times and alumnus from the Class of 1947.)

A special thank you goes out to our committee chairpeople, (listed below), along with the staff of Mastori’s, our musical entertainment- SophisTajazz with special guest Head Custodian Mr. John DiGiovanni on the saxophone and Mrs. Conte for all the hard work with the favors!

Committee Chairpeople:

Mrs. Mull, Mrs. Potash, Mrs. Palumbo, Miss Olenderski, Mrs. Smith

The evening was a special tribute to Kuser which is a Hamilton icon, and at 100 we are still going strong!

Our official birthday will be celebrated on September 9^th, 2009.

Please look out for more information on our centennial events.

If you have any questions Kuser, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 631-4155 ext. 3850. You may also e-mail me at rkesting@hamilton.k12.nj.us

Please sure to also check our Bulletin Board for updated information 631-4155- press 5.

It continues to be a pleasure serving as your Principal!

Sincerely,

Mr. Roberto Kesting

To our Fifth Graders……

We are almost at start of summer which means it is time to say goodbye to another class of fifth graders. This is a bittersweet moment for all of us. It is exciting to see young people grow and mature and begin the path to an infinite number of possibilities. It is also sad because our staff has made so many wonderful connections with students and parents. We love each and every one of our students!

I want to leave our fifth graders with some wisdom that was passed on to me by my grandmother. It took me most of my life and a lot of grief to realize just how smart she was.

Only you are responsible for your actions. No one can make you do anything.
The popular choice isn’t necessarily the right one.
The person who can do the right thing in a crowd of wrong doers is truly courageous.
If you can’t afford it you don’t need it.
A good person does not need a reward to do the right thing.

One of my favorite bits of wisdom is that a person’s most valuable possession is their reputation.

I want to thank each and every one of you. I have truly enjoyed getting to know you. I look forward to hearing all the great success stories that you will write in the future!

PLEASE REMEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JUNE 11-17 ARE 1:15 DISMISSAL DAYS!

Upcoming Dates (You may want to add this in another area combined with PTA)

June 12^th- 5^th Grade Memory Day

(Promotion & Awards Ceremony at 9:30- Parents Invited)

June 12^th- 3^rd Grade Picnic

June 13, 14- Relay for Life Event @ Sawmill 6PM 6/13- 8AM 6/14

June 15^th- K-2 Awards Assembly (Students Only)

June 15^th- 5^th Grade Picnic

June 16^th- 3-4 Awards Assembly (Students Only)

June 16^th- Paper Day- all paper items go home with students (Except report cards)

June 17^th- Last Day of School!

1950: HARRY HALL REMEMBERS

2009-06-05T18:04:00.001-07:00

At last evening's Kuser School Centennial dinner-dance, I renewed a number of very old acquaintances. The young fellow on the right in the photo above was one of them. I remember Harry from his Kuser School days. Even though I occasionally see Marty Majarowitz , I hadn't seen Harry since our school days. After my "Kuser School: The Early Years" on-screen presentation was over last evening, Harry came over to me, and in less than 5 seconds we renewed old acquaintances. Harry told me he was one of the kids in Miss Margerum's class who worked on the log cabin project which was part of the presentation. (See the photo above). How I would love to be able to say that I was involved in one of those classroom projects which have been preserved over all these years! Here's a note I received from Harry Hall; a true "KUSER KAT:"

================================================

Hi Tom - I finally got the log cabin to print - you have no idea how much that picture means to me - I've tried for years to get a copy of it - I remembered it to be much larger -- it was real labor of love - especially when Miss Reynolds came in & gave me praise - in Fridays auditorium - she urged all classes to come by and see it - how proud - even my parents came in to see it - oh yes - Miss Margerum gave me an A-plus and best of all a big hug & kiss - thanks so much - you made an old man happy - Harry

1926: KUSER SCHOOL: CHARACTER AND CULTURE

2009-05-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

I would ask your indulgence for the very few posts I have listed over the past day or two. I have been feverishly working on my part in the Kuser School Centennial Dinner Dance which will be held on Thursday, June 4, at the Nottingham Ballroom in Hamilton Square. I am in the process of completing an on-screen "Astound!" presentation covering the first 50 or so years of Kuser. What is Astound!" ?? (think a presentation program similar to, but better than Powerpoint.) These multimedia presentations are very complicated and time consuming. I will be getting back to normal by tomorrow, (I hope.) In the meantime, thanks for your understanding. By the way.....if you are going to the dinner-dance, you'd better call the school and let them know. Time is running out. The number is 631-4155. Tell 'em Tom sent you.

2009:JUST A REMINDER BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

2009-05-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

If you are going to the Kuser School Centennial dinner dance on Thursday, June 4, 2009, and haven't yet reserved a place or places, call the number above and reserve a place. This affair promises to be a memorable event. I hope to see you there!

1953: Sandy Stintsman DeAngelo, Kuser Kat from the class of '53

2009-05-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

Tom,

Just to let you know this is one reader you carried back to Kuser School memories and I'm sure there are many others. I've been meaning to let you know how much I enjoy your columns. I lived one street over from you on Edwin Ave. with my Mom & Dad and two brothers , Sam and Bill Stintsman. I think my Mom was the Avon lady for awhile back then and used to walk over to Hartley Ave. In fact, I was in the same grade as your younger brother, Donnie. We went all through Kuser School and on to HHW where we graduated in 1957 so I guess I graduated from Kuser in 1953. I remember Emily C. Reynolds was the Principal and I do remember Ruth Margerum as well. I enjoyed your columns about Plaag's Grove too (that's what we called it) and sneaking in with my girlfriend Anita Plaag when they were having parties. What great times we had! And then I think you wrote about McKeown's(sp?) corner store on Sylvan and Cedar Lane where we used to get penny candy and I remember that's where I waited for the bus when I got my first job downtown between my junior and senior year of high school. You also mention Don Slabicki and I think the Peterson brothers too although I was a bit younger and didn't know them very well.

Keep the columns coming - I enjoy all of them.

Sandy De Angelo

2009: COME SING WITH ME!

2009-05-10T05:02:00.000-07:00

A case of bad planning, along with a lack of publicity will probably result in a dismal turnout for my Wednesday night May 13th musical program at the Kuser Mansion. Unfortunately, the dates available did not coincide with the appearance of my "Sentimental Journey" column in the Times of Trenton. However, the program will go on, and perhaps a visitor or visitors to this website will be interested in participating in our journey back to the years of good music.

Here's the advertising poster for another of my very popular Kuser Mansion music programs. If you have two hours available next Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30, come on over to Kuser Mansion on Newkirk Avenue and Cedar Lane and join those of us who love the music we grew up with. We'll be remembering all those great 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's vocalists that sang the music we loved. Remember Tony Orlando and Dawn?....Barry Manilow?.....Englebert Humperdinck? Perry Como? Bobby Goldsboro? There's music with a melody and understandable lyrics....music for all ages from World War II right up to the recent past, when the music died, vocals turned to spoken words or screams, and instrumentals that puncture the ear drums.

COME SING WITH ME!

2009-05-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

1908: KUSER SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A PLOT OF LAND

2009-05-04T06:30:00.001-07:00

As we prepare to formally celebrate the centennial of Kuser School, I will be posting various historical photos and documents from my extensive collection of Kuser memorabilia. Above is an extract from the minute book of the era, wherein the Board of Ed presented a formal resolution authorizing the purchase of land on which to build the new school. Arthur Wildblood is highlighted. Along with the P.J. Hoare, Bachman and Petitt familes, the Wildblood family is included among the pioneer residents of the Hamilton-Newkirk-Kuser School area.

2009-05-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 04, 2009

1908: KUSER SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A PLOT OF LAND

1940: Alethea Skokos

2009-05-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Miss Skokos was a faculty member at Kuser during my years at Kuser. I can't recall what grade she taught. Perhaps a visitor can fill in that information. I did see Ms. Skokos a few years ago when I did a presentation for the "Echo" organization. She fondly recalled her time as a Kuser faculty member.

1908:Kuser School Genesis: In the Very Beginning

2009-05-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

1908:Kuser School Genesis: In the Very Beginning

Many years ago, Mr. Al DeMartin, then Superintendent of Hamilton Township Schools, let me have access to the Hamilton Township School Board minutes. At the time I was researching the history of Kuser School, the grammar school of my youth. Al was approachable in that era before "voice mail," and "he's in a meeting," and other personal access problems which plagues always busy 21st century Americans. In a phone call that took all of 3 or 4 minutes, Al gave me permission to borrow the minute book which pertained to the founding of Kuser School. Above is just one page from the meeting which led up to the construction of Kuser School, now celebrating an historic centennial year.

1908:Kuser School Genesis: In the Very Beginning

2009-05-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

2009: DON'T MISS THE KUSER CENTENNIAL DINNER!

2009-04-29T15:24:00.001-07:00

I will be keeping this form near the top of my website posts for the next few weeks. If you haven't already done so, right click on the reservation form, choose "Save Image As," save it to your hard drive, print it out and mail it.

1951, 1953, 1954, 1955 AND 1960 KUSER CLASS PHOTOS

2009-04-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

1956 1957 and 1958: Kuser Class Photos

2009-04-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

2009: DON'T MISS THE KUSER CENTENNIAL DINNER!

2009-04-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

I will be keeping this form near the top of my website posts for the next few weeks. If you haven't already done so, right click on the reservation from, choose "Save Image As," save it to your hard drive, print it out and mail it.

2009-04-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Even though this column I wrote back in 1983 related to Hamilton High School, Kuser School and Kuser Annex played a major part in my 12 years of education. As you will see as you read my "Odyssey," the part my fellow "Kuser Kats" played in my grammar and high school career reached a climax on the warm and rainy June night in 1951. Even in this year of 2009, I still feel a very close kinship with all my wonderful alumni from both Kuser and HHS.

Tom Glover’s Hamilton High School Odyssey

************************

I drove by the place the other day. Something made me go around the block and drive by a second time. As I rounded the corner of Park Avenue and South Clinton, I decided to stop and take a closer look. I pulled over to the curb, parked, and for a minute or two, just stood on the sidewalk, closed my eyes and savored the moment.

One of my favorite movies of all time is the 20^th Century Fox production of "Twelve O’clock High." You may remember the opening minutes of the film, as an aging Dean Jagger journeys back, alone in time, to the very spot where he spent a very memorable period of his life, with very memorable people. The background music, the prop wash from the B-17s readying themselves for another mission, the almost ethereal sound of male voices coming from out of the past in song:

Bless them all, bless them all The long and the short and the tall…”

Dean Jagger was on a nostalgia trip; a mental journey, if you will, into the past. Such a journey may be taken by anyone who has pleasant memories, just sitting there; awaiting recall. As I stood in front of Hamilton High School, thinking about "Twelve O’clock High," I became aware of the warm spring breezes rustling through those familiar Sycamore trees on the front lawn of Hamilton High School. I took a seat on the settee at the base of the equally familiar Hamilton High flagpole. My thoughts of the movie vanished, and were replaced by pangs of bittersweet nostalgia ... sort of a melancholy feeling that I had been here before ... right here, on this settee ... with a lovely girl ... the girl I would ultimately fall in love with and marry. It was spring. It was 1951. I was a senior at Hamilton High.

A strange, almost supernatural sound came to my ears as the breezes whispered through the trees. "Good morning... Hamilton High School ... Yes, this is Miss Gropp. Yes, Mr. Hesser is in ... he's in a meeting. Mr. Coursen? Yes, one moment please.

Six or seven cream-colored Trenton Transit busses pull up to the curb; their doors open and busloads of 1950's type teenagers jump to the sidewalk. Over on the Park Avenue side, Joe Layton pulls up with the "Blue Goose"... repeating the same ritual his competitor is doing on South Clinton Avenue. The "Blue Goose!" What a bus ...beautiful velour seats, a roof-top luggage rack ...a remnant of the depression. Still another Layton bus pulls to the curb. It's "Red." He does have a last name, but we don't know it; all we know is he is a nice guy. He still doesn't have any teeth, he still needs a shave, and his cigarette has a one inch ash hanging from it. How vivid everything is in my mind!

"Richard, Did you read chapter two of "David Copperfield?" "Yes, Miss Cornwell."

"If you read it, Richard, which is highly doubtful, I would think you would have gotten at least one question correct."

"Yes, m’aam," came the plaintive reply.

I pass Miss Cornwell's English class...pausing at the entrance way to Mr. Bird's history class: "Listen, you birds, tomorrow we will have a quiz on chapter 14. Be sure you study."

"Mr. Bird, these shoes are too small."

"It doesn't matter. I can get you any size you want."

"OK. Get me 8-D's in brown." Mr. Bird is moonlights as a shoe salesman for Mason Shoe Company.

As if on a magic carpet, I am standing outside the Park Avenue door of Hamilton High. It's a very cold winter day; too cold to go out past the third telephone pole for a cigarette. I have one cupped in my right hand; my hand is in my pocket.

"Thomas, put that cigarette out and come with me." It's Wendell Phillips. One of his assignments as a teacher is to police the "first," "second," and "third" lunch periods for those of us who choose to break the rules of the school. Mr. Phillips is a small, slight, man. He is very soft-spoken, and at the same time, a strict disciplinarian. He wears rimless glasses, and is impeccably dressed. He has a super white, stiffly-starched white shirt, and shoes so shiny, one's reflection can be seen. His uncanny ability as a faculty detective constantly takes us by surprise. He leads me into the office, and matter-of-factly tells Mr. Miss Gropp to write me up for "five hours" of detention. Detention; How we despise it! We miss the bus, and it's a long walk home; especially in the rainy weather.

And now I'm out in the athletic field. It's Friday afternoon, and the end of another week. Don Devine, Kip Breese, and Joe Bartlett are supervising intramural sports. We're playing softball. My team is batting ...I'm up. At home, when we play softball at Plaag's Grove, I smack the ball a country mile. Why is it when I'm playing high school sports, I can't get a hit? For that matter, I can't field too, either. I don't understand. I'm facing Buddy Rick. Rick is good at all sports. He looks in at Art Perry and winks…..a windup, a stinging underarm fastball….. another….. then a third. I'm called out on the third strike...I'm embarrassed. I didn't even swing at one of them. I'm such a wimp!

Gene Grauer's up next. As I hand him the bat, I hear somebody say something about a barn and a snow shovel. I mumble something about a sore shoulder. I have to have some kind of excuse ...I mean ...three straight strikes...not only that they all saw me miss that fly ball out in right field ...hell, I would have one-handed that if we were playing over at Plaag's...how come? I'm confused.

Now I'm off the athletic field. I seem to be in a shop ...yes..."Hamilton Job Press"...print shop! Who's the teacher?..."Remember boys, FFI and FFL are called ligatures. They are next to each other in the California Job Case. You must learn where each and every letter is stored. Spaces are called "quads "...there are "em" quads and "en" quads.

That Charles Dickens accent! It can only be "Pop" Mitchell ...It is! He sits at his desk with a green celluloid visor over his forehead. It contrasts with what is left of his silver hair. He stops his discourse on ligatures long enough to rebuke one of his talkative students:

"Mr. Wilson! I shall recite a poem just for you. You would do well to listen to every word. I shall be happy to explain it should you not understand the meaning. Are you ready?

Charlie Wilson is a happy-go-lucky guy. He likes Pop, and Pop likes him. Charlie is a good print shop student. He tells Pop he is ready. "Very well, here it is:

A WISE OLD OWL LIVED IN AN OAK.

THE MORE HE SAW, THE LESS HE SPOKE.

THE LESS HE SPOKE, THE MORE HE HEARD.

WHY CAN'T WE BE LIKE THAT OLD BIRD?

Do you understand the poem, Mr. Wilson?" "Yeah, I do, Mr. Mitchell."

"Very well, if you try to be like that old bird you will have very little trouble understanding ligatures. FFI, FFL..."

The voice trails off, along with the hum of the Hamilton Job Presses. And suddenly, I'm seated in the third row, front section of the Hamilton High School auditorium. It's operetta time. We're having rehearsals for the 1951 production of "Tulip Time". Louise Baird is playing the piano, accompanying Bill Baggott. Bill's lovely tenor voice obviously pleases Miss Baird as she plays the piano with a smile of satisfaction. Bill's solo ends and the chorus called to the stage. For the umpteenth time we will go over the one song which seems to need work.

"All right, choir, listen to me." It's Miss Louise Baird. Petite is stature, but with the uncanny ability to demand, and get, attention, and then perfection. "The last time we did this song, some of you basses were growling around off pitch. Was it you, Keith Kauffman?"

"No Miss Baird, it was probably Clark Perry." Clark is a tenor. We laugh at Keith's always present sense of humor.

Miss Baird's glasses are tilted on the top of her head, aviator style, as she calls Saundra Smith in to provide the accompaniment. Miss Baird takes up a position at the front of the stage so she can hear the offending voice, or voices. She taps her pencil for attention, and Sandy begins to play. We wait for the introduction, which by now is more familiar than out national anthem, then we sing:

“..TULIP TIME IN HOLLAND IS A TIME FOR MERRY FUN.

MARKET PLACE IS CROWDED, AND THE JOY HAS JUST BEGUN,

WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE, AND WHEN THE DAY IS DONE,

WE WILL NOT FORGET THE HAPPY HOURS...”

Again, the voices fade, and just as suddenly, I'm out of the auditorium. It's a warm June night. School will soon end. It's the last canteen of the year. It's such a delightful evening; almost as if God mandated soft moonlight, rustling leaves, and the heady smell of romance.

"Let's go outside and get some air, Jude."

We hold hands and walk out into the delightful spring evening. I can't explain the vibrant electricity I feel between my hand and hers. I wonder to myself if I'm trembling. She looks fresh and clean as the spring. I'm in love. We face each other ...holding each other's hand. We look at each other and wonder at the strange and beautiful happening. I kiss her. She's soft and fresh, and beautiful. She is becoming a woman ...I'm becoming a man.

And now there's a clap of thunder, followed by a brilliant flash of lightning. It's still June, but it's our big day. Graduation! My brother drops me off at the side entrance to the War Memorial Building. Many of the guys are standing on the sidewalk. All of us feign confidence and composure. Inside, we're all experiencing butterflies. I walk up to Larry McGlynn. "Hi Stony ! ... `be glad when this is over, won't you?" Joe Kasian saunters over; always ready with that smile. Geez! I've gone through 12 years of school with Joe; from kindergarten to senior. I've grown up with him ...and George Morley, Joan Tart, Karen Peterson, Shirley VanMarter, Charlotte Wilson, Ronnie Tarr, Tony Gies, Elaine Globus, Jess Anderson, Don Slabicki…..all those "Kuser Kids"...I silently wonder to myself if I'll ever see them again after tonight. What an unsettling thought. There's uneasiness about this graduation business. The lightning flashes and it rains….hard. We rush for the protective shelter of the huge awning at the side of the War Memorial. My Uncle Charlie Gaudette comes out in his short sleeves and unlocks the doors. He's the superintendent here, and I'm kinda proud that my uncle has such an important position.

"Hi ya Tommy…. 'Ya all ready for the big night? Tell your Mom and Pop we'll be over Saturday". Almost as an afterthought, he reaches into his wallet and hands me a five dollar bill ...then wishes me well.

And suddenly, we're all on the huge War Memorial building stage. We're sitting on bleachers. The kids in the back row are way up there ...I mean way up...near the roof. The program begins. A minister delivers a stirring invocation. Reverend John Oman delivers a short, relevant prayer. The minutes tick away. Feet rustle and throats clear, more out of nervousness than necessity. On cue, the choir takes a place in the front of the graduates, center stage. We look down beyond the footlights and see the friendly and familiar face of Miss Baird, as she begins to lead us in song ...her smile is reassuring:

Our harmony is superb. All of a sudden, I realize the beauty of these lyrics. We've been singing this song for 3 years, and I never understood the full beauty of the thing.

“Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh,

Shadows of the evening, steal across the sky.

Jesus gives the weary, calm and sweet repose,

With thy tenderest blessing, may my eyelids close..”

As I ponder the lyrics, I am strangely choked up; my eyes are glistening ...the end is in view. I cast a furtive glance at some classmates...am I the only one with this intense emotional feeling? There's Judy Britton, Shirley Whitebread, Phyllis Booz, Joan Delowise, Karen Peterson, Charlotte Wilson...all crying. Most of the girls are crying ...what about the guys? ...Geez! I have this lump in my throat ...I feel the tears welling up to overflowing. The song ends. Miss Baird looks up at us, a smile of complete satisfaction on her face. She nods and silently sounds the word "good". We assume our places with the graduates. My nose is running ...I need a tissue, and don't have one. Who would have thought I would have needed one? ...I sniff and swallow.

And now, Mr. Hesser is presenting the class to Mr. Howard D. Morrison. We're on our way! They're handing out the diplomas. The applause, as each name is called, seems to emphasize the popularity, or lack thereof, of the recipient. And suddenly, they're all distributed ...there are no more ...this is the end. Twelve years of school ..this is really the end! Am I glad or am I sad? Mr. Morrison speaks the final words:

"And so, to the class of Hamilton High School, 1951, good luck, and may God Bless each and every one of you."

Suddenly the scene changes. I'm out of the War Memorial. It's September ...I don't know what year...yes I do...it's 1983...a school bus rumbles up to the curb on the Park Avenue side of Hamilton High School. Now they call it "Hamilton High School West". Here comes another bus, and another. They're not Trenton Transit ...not Joe Layton...they're all bright yellow and black. 1983-type school kids hop, skip, and jump to the curb and head toward those familiar old doorways. I'm standing in their midst but they don't seem to see me. Strange! How I envy them! I remember Victor Herbert's song, "Toyland"...how does it go...let's see...

"Toyland, toyland, dear little girl and boy land,

While you are within it, you are ever happy there,

Childhood joy land, dear little girl and boy land,

Once you've passed its portals, you may never return again..."

How true! Look at those Freshmen! Four years of high school still ahead of them! Oh, please enjoy it...Learn! Live every golden minute of it...someone please tell them it's all over so soon ...it ends so fast!

The bell rings; a bell much louder than the bell we had, and they are all in class. The breeze rustles through the trees, and ethereal voices, clear and bell-like, echo through the grand old building and a song mingles with the rustle of those big Hamilton High Sycamore trees….

“The New Years Eve, we did the town, the day we tore the goal post down,

We will have these moments to remember.

The quiet walks, the noisy fun,the ballroom prize we almost won,

We will have these moments to remember..."

----- Original Message -----

From: Iamdpw@aol.com

To: Thomglo@verizon.net

Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 11:55 AM

Subject: Permission

Tom-

I sent a copy of an item from your blog to some of my classmates as a suggestion of what we could present as entertainment at our next annual class meeting. It was your piece about "day dreaming" of going back to HHS and recalling pleasant memories of those days.

My question is this- Can we have your permission to quote some (or maybe all ) of that article in our presentation at our luncheon in June? We would of course acknowledge that the words are yours.

Don Whiteley

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1935: HAMILTON'S SUMMER SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS

2009-04-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

In checking the Kuser School participants in the playground program, I see my late sister in law, Kathleen Britton, and my cousin, the late June Williamson. Save those wonderful neighborhood schools!

1935: KUSER PARENTS OFF TO ATLANTIC CITY

2009-04-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

I love to meander through the Kuser School years of my youth! I find names of families whose children were there during my years at what I consider to be the greatest grammar school in Hamilton....no, in the county....no, in the entire U.S.! Many names in the above article are the parents of students who were there during my 9 years at Kuser and Kuser Annex. Classmate Audrey Wurfel, Upperclass Kuser Kats Lloyd Pratt, Bill Binder, Doris Binder, Joe Hurley, and Mary Lou Litwin.

2009: MY "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" COLUMN IS NOW ONLINE

2009-04-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Talk about "hi-tech!" As I was writing this post, I recalled with bittersweet memories how as a lonely and homesick soldier, serving two and a half years in Italy and Germany, I was starved for hometown news, I asked Mom and Pop Glover to send me the Trenton Times. It took upwards of two weeks to cross the ocean and be put in my barracks mailbox, but I savored each and every paper. Now, those lonely G.I.'s and others who yearn for the news from home, can just click on their computer and journey across the miles to read their hometown newspaper. Incredible!

Online newspaper readership is growing rapidly and a portent of things to come in this digital age. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee with my favorite morning newspapers spread across my breakfast table. Most of my fellow senior citizens prefer reading the morning paper as they have been for decades. Conversely, most of the younger generation are computer users, and reading the local news online. Realizing the changing demographics, Times Editor Brian Malone has brought the "Times of Trenton" (known to we old timers as the "Trenton Times") into the digital age with a much easier to negotiate website. The Times is the oldest daily newspaper in Trenton, and among the oldest in the Trenton-Bucks-Burlington-Delaware Valley area. The website is very attractive, and those who prefer to read their local news via the online newspaper, along with those who live anywhere in the world can now read comprehensive daily hometown news in brilliant, living color.
My bi-weekly "Sentimental Journey" column, along with all of your other favorite Times columnists, is now available online and quite easy to access. The graphic above is a cut and paste of today's "Sentimental Journey" column. Bookmark the website below for your daily online read of the Times of Trenton, and thanks for being a reader!

Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name, along with any of the many Times columnists.

2009: CLARK PERRY-GOODBYE FOR NOW

2009-03-31T07:13:00.000-07:00

I really get a morose and melancholy reaction when I read of the passing of still another classmate. Especially those who went through twelve years of school with me, from Miss Mary Kelley's Reception grade at Kuser School, through Hamilton High Class of 1951. Clark was one of the stalwarts as a tenor in our years with Louise Baird's vocal music class. I have been blessed with an incredible ability to remember persons, places, and things from my very earliest years. Countless memories of Clark and his twin brother Art will always be with me. Louise Baird used to mix a bit of philosophical wisdom in with our music repertoire. One of those philosophical gems applies to my old friend, Clark:

"Make the world a bit more beautiful because you have lived in it." Clark did. Rest in Peace my friend, we WILL meet again.

FYI: THE TRENTON TIMES WEBSITE

2009-03-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

They tell me that multitudes are reading newspapers on line. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee and my favorite morning newspapers. But for the growing internet newspaper readership, the folks at the Times of Trenton have made it easier to surf their website. It will be much easier for out of towners to access my latest
"Sentimental Journey" column. Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name.
Thanks to all my loyal readers!

2009: WELCOME SWEET SPRINGTIME

2009-03-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Join us tomorrow (Sunday, March 22) from 1 to 3 PM as I bring the program, "Welcome Sweet Springtime" to those of us who remember the golden years. The program will be presented in the main dining room-theater of Kuser Farm Mansion on Newkirk and Leonard Avenue in Hamilton. I will be recalling those wonderful years of our youth as we played sandlot baseball, the first girlfriend, the story of the old boiler, and of course, the main feature of our program, singing along to the songs we all loved. Come on out; based on past programs, I can assure you that you will spend a very happy two hours.

1994: KUSER SCHOOL 75th ANNIVERSARY

2009-03-18T07:52:00.001-07:00

Tempus Fugit! Has it really been 25 years since we celebrated the 85th anniversary of the finest and best grammar school in the U.S.A.? Considering the color of the hair on that dopey looking guy in the photo, I would guess that time has indeed past. Even today, as we prepare to celebrate the centennial of that grand old school, the charming atmosphere remains. Principal Roberto Kesting and his staff have managed to keep that "home town" mistique in that historic place. I, and many alumni who hold the same love of Kuser as I, will be here in spirit when the 200th anniversary is celebrated in 3009; albeit looking down from one of the many mansions the good Lord has prepared for us.

1989: KUSER CELEBRATES FOUNDERS' DAY

2009-03-07T06:18:00.000-08:00

None of the Kuser kids are identified in the above photo, but it would be my bet that a visitor will be able to relate to this photo which was taken in the Kuser School auditorium. If you can identify any of the children in the photo, please email me or add it to one of the "comments" in this post.

2009: Thanks to Ms. Nancy Mull, Kuser Secretary

2009-03-06T05:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of the man who was loved and respected by those of us who attended Kuser School in the 40's. Mr. Shockey was a fixture at Kuser. Each morning as we arrived at school, we would find him on the front lawn raising the American flag, and as the day wore on we would see him doing whatever custodial duties were required of him. Many of us boys, yours truly included, were impressed by the huge number of keys he carried with him throughout the day. We were equally impressed with his navy blue trousers and policeman blue shirt with matching the contrasting black tie. Clarence Shockey: A Kuser School legend along with Emily Reynolds, Mary Kelley, Ruth Parker, and all those wonderful faculty who were instrumental in giving me . an education which has held me in good stead for over 70 years

Thanks again to Nancy Mull for the photo. Nancy, I forgot what Mr. Shockey's relationship to you was. Please let me know so I can include it on this page.

1989: THE EASTER BUNNY COMES TO KUSER

2009-03-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

Little Jessica is sittin' pretty on the lap of the Easter Bunny in this 20 year old photo from Kuser School as published by the Hamilton Observer. It would be my "guesstimate" that little Jessica is now in her mid-20's, and perhaps a visitor to my Kuser School website.

2009: THANKS FOR ATTENDING MY PROGRAM AT KUSER MANSION!

2009-02-22T16:06:00.001-08:00

Many thanks to that wonderful group of 25 or more who attended the Kuser Mansion program we had this afternoon. I can honestly say that you all were one of the most receptive and enthusiastic groups I have had the pleasure of performing for in my 25 or more years of presenting "The Music We Grew Up With." We had a wonderful two hours of music and memories, and I was really impressed me with how enthustically you sang, and more impressively, how you remembered the words to some songs you haven't heard in 60 and 70 years! Thanks so much for being there. I hope we can do it again soon.

1908:

2009-02-22T15:52:00.000-08:00

In 1908, the very beginnings of Kuser and Klockner Schools were made a part of the public record. Klockner chose 1908 as their centennial year. Kuser chose the year 1909, the year when the school was actually presented to the public with the dedication of the school in September, 1909.

My apologies for the missing letter "l" in the word "egal" in the black bordered note I added above. It was a typographical error, the results of a very poor keyboard on a Toshiba "Satellite" keyboard.

(Just one feather touch to an adjacent key will jump the cursor and text to another location on the screen.)

Thanks to George Conwell, Director of the Hamilton Township Public Library, the Toshiba has been replaced with a computer made for touch typists rather than a "hunt and peck" keyboard.)

1922: Rosalie Kuser School

2009-02-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

In the early years the school was referred to as "Rosalie Kuser School," named for the incredible lady whose family, along with the Lawton family, played such an important part in the founding of the school. Rosalie Kuser was an incredible lady who was very active in the affairs at St. Francis Hospital. Her portrait still holds a place of honor at the hospital. There is a press account that at one point in her early life, she was out in the fields cutting asparagus or some other vegetable from the Kuser garden while in her ninth month of her pregnancy.

MISS KELLEY'S ROOM

2009-02-22T15:37:00.000-08:00

We called it "Reception Grade," not "Kindergarten." The chair in the foreground was replaced ages ago, but there was a rocker there when I was a student in 1939. The fireplace is the original and has thankfully been preserved. I'm sure that many of my contemporaries agree that there are many memories in that little room at Kuser.

A REDUNDANT REMINDER FROM TOM

2009-02-20T15:21:00.001-08:00

This Sunday afternoon, February 22, from 1 to 3 PM, I will be presenting my music program " When Music Was Music" at Kuser Farm Mansion, Cedar Lane and Newkirk Avenues in Hamilton. We will be singing the songs of Patti Page, Dean Martin, Barry Mannilow, Joni James, Andy Williams, and all of the "easy listening" songs from the 40's, World War II, and choice ballads and novelty songs through the 60's and 70's. This year, in recognition of the centennial of Kuser School, I will also be recalling grammar school in the years of my (and our) youth. Once again we'll be singing "Do You Know the Muffin Man," "Go In and Out the Windows," and other school playground songs, and recalling ink wells, blackboards, milk boards, girlfriends, lavatories, cloak rooms and all those fascinating vestiges of a now vintage era. I can pretty much guarantee a fun filled two hours. I hope to see you there. Call 890-3630 and leave a message to reserve a seat (or seats). I hope to see y'all there!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

2009-02-14T04:59:00.001-08:00

"LOVING GREETING" from this early 20th century trade card in my collection. I hope each and every visitor to my website has a love-filled St. Valentine's day. Have a great day, and remember to keep that
lamp of love burning brightly! As Petula Clark sang so beautifully back in the 1960,s,
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love..not just for some, but for everyone..."

1928: "THE BROADCASTER"

2009-02-12T19:54:00.000-08:00

This is the title and facing page from the 1927 Kuser School yearbook. It was printed on quality "enamel" paper. Thanks to Dorothy Obert O'Donnell.

1927: KUSER CLASS OF 1927

2009-02-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mrs. Dorothy Obert O'Donnell for this, the oldest Kuser class picture in my collection at this time. The clarity of the photo is exquisite.

2009: THANK YOU, BETSY FITZMEYER

2009-02-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

I have received a message from the webmaster at Facebook.com that Betsy Scott Fitzmeyer has sent a message to me on my Facebook "Wall." As you can see by the message, Betsy is a published author who rightly gives credit to her Kuser School and Hamilton teachers for instilling in her the talent and ability to write. Thanks very much for the post, Betsy, it's a privilege having you as both a visitor to this website, and counting me among your friends.

===============

Betsy wrote on your Wall:

"Hi, Tom,

Don't know if you have had a chance to check out my website, www.betsyscottfitzmeyer.com. The site profiles my new novel, SEASON of the FLAME. I've had some book signings so far. A cross-section of readers, from teenagers to seniors have apparently found worth in the book, which glorifies God, and the overall theme of which is forgiveness. In any event, Tom, as I conveyed to the current principal of Kuser, I credit a lot of my passion for the written word to my dedicated English and Latin teachers of Hamilton.

Much appreciation for your work,

Betsy Fitzmeyer"

To see your Wall or to write on Betsy's Wall, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&v=feed&id=700676840&aref=22380357

Thanks,
The Facebook Team

1990: Anthony Gies, KUSER '47 AND HHS '51

2009-02-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Tony and I went through all 12 years in the Hamilton school system from Kuser School right up the the class of 1951 at Hamilton High. We were close friends during all those years, and I recently met Tony's sister Viola at one of my senior citizen programs. Tony was a gentleman, and is missed.

LAST MINUTE HEADS UP TO ALL YOU NOSTALGIACS

2009-02-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

Today (Feb. 7) from 1 to 3 PM I will be presenting a Valentines Day program at Kuser Mansion, Newkirk and Cedar Lane. THe program is called "The Love Songs We Grew Up With," with the sing-along music of Perry Como, Patti Page, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond, Elvis Pressley and others from the 40's, 50's and 60's. The Valentines Day angle will also include stories of my experiences of Valentines Day at Kuser School, and other Kuser School memorie. This is the first of a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kuser School. Once again we will recall blackboards, clapping erasers, those wonderful teachers we had in the 40's and 50's, Friday assembly, and all those long ago memories. Come on out. You'll love the two hour program.

2009-02-07T07:06:00.000-08:00

LAST MINUTE HEADS UP TO ALL YOU NOSTALGIACS

1918: TEACHER ANNIE HOLLAND RESIGNS

2009-02-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

One of the more interesting projects I am working on (as time permits), is old letters I acquired some 20 to 25 years ago; correspondence which was destined for the recycle bin! These letters provide historians with invaluable information as to who taught at what school, where and when he or she taught, indeed, even a few copies of letters from the Superintendent of Schools notifying a teacher of his or her appointment as a faculty member of one of Hamilton's numerous schools. It really breaks my heart when I realize that there has been many critical historic documents consigned to the trash pile. Indeed, it is inexcusable. The graphic above tells us that Miss Annie Holland was a WWI member of the Kuser School faculty. Trivial? Not to anyone interested in Hamilton's educational system, and Kuser School's splendid heritage.

2007: JESSE ANDERSON, HHS '51

2009-02-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

There's an old saying, "Old friends are the best friends." It's true. But when that old friend is a person you grew up with from childhood to manhood, the boy who was with you from Kuser School "Reception Grade," 1939, right up to graduation day as a classmate in the Hamilton High Class of 1951, there is a real part of your soul that sustains an enduring pain. As a proud, God loving Christian, it is my belief that as we age, we become more and more aware of our mortality. In truth, our journey in this physical life is only the beginning of another journey which all of us will make. My religion teaches me that physical death is not the end...that there is another place "which the eye has not seen, nor the ear heard..." I'll see you there, Jess.

1942: Miss Abromovitz's Kuser Second Grade

2009-02-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

Were we ever this young? These winsome Kuser Kats from 1942 are posing along the back fence in the Kuser playground. I would guess that the iron goal posts are nearby. A great photo, and many thanks Pat Markey for help to keep Kuser School's magnificent historical heritage alive.

1948: KUSER GIRLS IN "COTTON CANDY DANCE"

2009-02-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

These pretty girls are putting their best foot forward in presenting "The Cotton Candy Dance." Thanks again to Pat Markey, Kuser '48 for this long forgotten press photo.

1982: A TEACHER'S PRAYER - Tom Glover Graphic

2009-02-05T08:01:00.001-08:00

The above graphic, (Not "A Teacher's Prayer,") was published to accompany a column I did on little Tommy Glover's experiences in Miss Mary Kelley's "Reception Grade;" known today as Kindergarten. We laughed, we cried, we pasted, we cut out pictures from magazines, and a number of us hadn't quite learned to control certain bodily functions, but we were always patiently cared for and understood by Miss Mary Kelley; the epitome of a love and kindness toward very innocent children. It takes a special person with a special personality to be a "Reception Grade" teacher. She is a temporary "mommy" as well as a
teacher molding innocent minds. That beautiful poem, "A Teacher's Prayer," most certainly ascends directly to the intended source.

1982: ISABEL BAIR: KUSER FACULTY 1935-1945

2009-02-03T09:02:00.000-08:00

My many columns relating to Kuser School which I have written over the years have elicited some special mail responses from former faculty members from both Kuser School and Hamilton High. I have heard from the late Margaret Gaydos, Ruth Parker, Carl Abbott, Louise Baird, the Larkin family (relatives of Julia and Veronica McClain), Alice Parent, and the above letter from Isabel Bair, who was a Kuser faculty member for ten years, but not one of my teachers. I remember that Ms. Bair accompanied me on the piano on a few of my singing performances on the Kuser School stage. At this stage in my life, I don't need my ego stroked, and I humbly publish this interesting 27 year old letter which has reposed in my collection for lo, these many years. Notice that once again, a teacher remembers our big brother or big sister. In this case, my 84 year old brother, Len.

2009-02-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

What a treat! Here are the classes from Kuser School when I was in Miss Carnall's second grade. First of all, an embarrassing apology to those who have heard me boast about my extensive honor roll record! Through the years, Mom Glover boasted that "Tommy" was on the honor roll every year through Kuser School, right up to the 7th grade. Who wouldn't believe their mom? Well, much to my consternation, I find that Mom was either girdling the tree of truth, or honestly thought that I had reached the level of my intellectually superior classmates. As you can see, there is no "Thomas Glover" in the second grade listing! So now I find that I must confess to being an honor student for most of my Kuser Grammar School career, until 8th grade when along came Millie Long, Madeline Bencivengo, Shirley Whitebread....the list goes on. However, what a joy it was to run through the classes from lowest to upper. I looked for my grammar school "crush," Madeline Bencivengo in first grade, but she was also absent; but there was another of my childhood "sweethearts," Mary Lou Saxton, a second grade classmate. The other names are so familiar!---Eileen Quick, Lorraine Feehan, Jake Tarr, Carolyn Saxton and Mary Lou Litwin, plus all those in my brother Bud's 8th grade class at Kuser School.

2009-02-02T07:10:00.000-08:00

Over many years of collecting, any collector will tell you that quite often clippings get mis-filed, lost, forgotten, or overlooked. The above graphic is an example of a few Kuser School related clippings that went astray. Fortunately, again as any collector will agree, those strays always seem to turn up in the most unusual places. These were on a 5 year old CD.

1957: EMILY C. REYNOLDS

2009-01-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

To those of us who are Kuser School "natives," the e lady whose biography appears above was one of those Readers' Digest "Most Unforgettable Characters I Have Ever Met." She was indeed. Ms. Reynolds was a legend at Kuser School during her 40 plus years at the school.

A TIP FROM TOM

2009-01-25T05:20:00.000-08:00

Basic "How to" information is located
at the top of the home page.
(How to save graphics to your computer,
the guest book, etc.)

TO NOTEBOOK COMPUTER USERS:
AS I AGE, I AM BECOMING MORE AND MORE "OPTICALLY CHALLENGED." I HAVE FOUND A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE IN THE PAGE WHEN IT IS VIEWED AT A DISPLAY RESOLUTION OF 800 X 600 (LARGER IMAGE) INSTEAD OF THE STANDARD 1024 X 768. (SMALLER IMAGE).
Click on START on the bottom left of your computer screen, click on CONTROL PANEL, find and click on DISPLAY, click on SETTINGS,
slide the resolution setting to the left
from 1024 x 768 to 800 x 600.
Your screen will blink and the new resolution will appear. Click Click APPLY, or click on OK.
Simply reverse the process to return to the
original screen resolution.

TRY THIS LINK TO ACSCESS MY RECENT COLUMNS

2009-01-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

A number of people out of the area have sent me emails advising me that they tried to get my most recent Trenton Times "Sentimental Journey" columns. They are buried deep in the "14 day archives." All of my columns are archived, but the only ones available free of charge are the two most recent submissions. The link below worked for me. Click on the link below and see if it works for you. If it does, copy and paste the link and save it to your hard drive for the next posting of my column. Let me know if you succeed (or fail). The first time I tried, it failed. It worked on the second trial.
http://search.nj.com/sp?aff=100&keywords=tom+glover

1909: LAWTON SELLS LAND FOR KUSER SCHOOL

2009-01-18T04:55:00.000-08:00

Years ago I read an article detailing the sale of the Kuser School land purchase from the Lawton family. The article indicated that the land was on a portion of the Kuser Farm. I was confused by the article and at the time asked if anyone knew that the Kuser land holdings extended all the way down New Street (Newkirk Avenue) to Hamilton Avenue. No one knew. I did read somewhere that the Lawtons sold the land to the township for one dollar. What added to the mystery is that the house which stands today on the northeast corner of Liberty St. and Newkirk Avenue was built by Herman Mack, who constructed most of the out buildings we see at today's Kuser Farm Park. During my childhood years, the Mack family lived there and operated a small bakery with the entrance on the Newkirk Avenue side. In an interview many years ago with the late Helen Mack Sutterlin, I was told that Fred Kuser and Herman Mack had a "falling out" when the Kuser questioned the source of the materials used to build the home. The Mack family served as caretakers at Kuser Farm in the early part of the 20th century.

1989: Kuser Principal Richard Klockner

2009-01-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry to say I didn't get to know Mr. Klockner. He was the Principal at Kuser School while I was commuting daily to New Brunswick. However, Klockner and the area in which Klockner School is located is quite familiar to me. Somewhere in storage, I recall articles relating to Daniel Klockner, a devastating fire at the Klockner Farm, and also an article regarding the Klockner cabbage farm.

2009: ATTN: KUSER ALUMNI FROM 1959-1961

2009-01-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

I received the following email from Ms. Pat Hoffman, requesting contacts with Kuser classmates from her class at Kuser School from 1959 through 1961. Pat then went on to Reynolds Middle School. If you are a Kuser Kat who was in her class, by all means contact her. She will be glad to hear from you. Thanks for writing, Pat. I hope you receive a response.

Tom

PAT WROTE:

Hi Mr. Glover,

Way back in September we both attended a meeting at Kuser School my name is Pat Hoffman and I was (and still am) a Kuser Kat from 1959 through 1961. Although I offered my help at that meeting I was a little disappointed that no one ever called or e-mailed. I would love to contact any former classmates. I also have a book from 1959 with all class pictures and staff. I have listed my phone and also e-mail address - HOPE TO HEAR FROM FORMER CLASSMATES.

Thank you so much for all you do.

Cordially,

Pat Hoffman

Home Phone: 609-888-0593

Work Phone: 609-587-6641

1936: KUSER CLASS OF 1936

2009-01-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

These were the "big brothers and big sisters" for my 1940's generation. I still live in the Kuser neighborhood, and I am familiar with many of the students in the class.

A reminder that Kuser School will be celebrating its Centennial throughout the year 2009. Kuser was "opened for business" in September, 1909. See the announcement of the "Centennial Kickoff" program scheduled for January 16th at the school. Also, see the announcement further down this website and read about the June celebration at the Nottingham Ballroom.

1989: HERE THEY ARE, THE DECEMBER 1988 "STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!"

2009-01-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

Most of these "Kuser Kats" are now in their 20's.

KUSER SCHOOL CENTENNIAL "KICKOFF" PROGRAM

2009-01-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

A REDUNDANT REMINDER!
This announcement was received from Mr. Roberto Kesting, Principal of Kuser School, announcing the kickoff celebration for Kuser School's Centennial Celebration. Call the school if you plan on attending the program. If you haven't already requested inclusion in the Kuser School alumni listing, call the school at the number on the graphic or email me at thomglo@verizon.net and I will forward your name and year of graduation to the school.

1988: KLOCKNER AND KUSER SCHOOLS: TWINS

2009-01-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

Klockner school celebrated their centennial in 1988, the date when the township voted for a new school on Klockner Road. The school actually opened in 1909, the same as Kuser School which is now embarking on a 2009 Centennial year celebration. With few minor exceptions, Kuser and Klockner are twins. In fact, Klockner still maintains the little "Boys" and "Girls" foyers on either side of the school. Kuser had the identical construction back in 1909, and Kuser added the present "wings" in order to add rooms. Both schols started out as four room school houses.

1947: "To All the Girls I Loved Before...."

2009-01-03T05:14:00.000-08:00

You talk about "unrequited love!" These photos represent just a couple of the girls who captured my heart back in my young years. Not shown in the photo are those who came into my life as a teenager: Madeline Bencivengo, Shirley Whitebread, Shirley Gress, Mary Pyrah, Grace Miller, Mary Ann Sneath, and too many others whose names strangely escape me. I chased and chased and chased all those lovely gals and never caught one. And then, in 1950, the love of my life and wife of 55 years, Judy Britton Glover came along! Don't miss the pompadour on the14 year old Tom Glover who, along with the late George Blackwell, were the shortest kids in Kuser School!

2009: TO ALL KUSER SCHOOL ALUMNI

2008-12-22T05:52:00.001-08:00

This announcement was received from Mr. Roberto Kesting, Principal of Kuser School, announcing the kickoff celebration for Kuser School's Centennial Celebration. Call the school if you plan on attending the program. If you haven't already requested inclusion in the Kuser School alumni listing, call the school at the number on the graphic or email me at thomglo@verizon.net and I will forward your name and year of graduation to the school.

1944: "DELIVERING THE MILK"

2008-12-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

As many visitors to my various sites and readers of my columns over the years will recall, two of my very best friends throughout my grammar and high school years were Don Slabicki and the late Jesse Anderson. Jess's son Andrew has asked me to help him with my reminiscences of our childhood together for inclusion in a family scrapbook for his children. It occurred to me that one of the best ways to convey these little bits and pieces of memory is to post them here, thereby "killing two birds with one stone," as Mom Glover used to say. Accordingly I am posting this Kuser School memory here for Jess's family and for the upcoming Kuser School Centennial celebration in the year 2009. More to come, Andrew.

2008: My Trenton Times "Sentimental Journey"

2008-11-29T19:29:00.000-08:00

A number of people who are located in various places around the country have contacted me and said they have not been able to access my "Sentimental Journey" column on the Trenton Times website. In contacting the Times, I was told that they would check to see what the problem was and re-post my columns. I just checked, and my last column (Nov. 15) wherein I recall Canteen night at Hamilton High School has been posted. Here's the link.

http://www.nj.com/living/times/community/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1226725527182740.xml&coll=5

1916: A KUSER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS

2008-11-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas was always a very special time when I was a student at Kuser. Those of us who were involved in music and dramatics were really immersed in a fascinating experience which extended from the first week of December or so with extensive practice, right up to the Christmas progam which we performed in the Kuser Auditorium. Those special memories are indelibly impressed in my aging mind.

2008: Kuser School Kindergarten Class

2008-11-28T15:56:00.000-08:00

These incredibly delightful lads and lasses from the Kuser Kindergaten are performing for those of us whose privilege it was to be invited to Kuser's annual "Thanksgiving Feast," a delightful event which was under the direction of Ms. Julie Smith, Kuser Kindergarten teacher.

2008: Ms. Julie Smith

2008-11-28T09:49:00.000-08:00

The lamp is still burning brightly over at Kuser School. Here's a photo Ms. Julie Smith, the charming Kindergarten teacher who along with Kuser Principal Roberto Kesting, invited me to their annual "Thanksgiving Feast." Julie is one of the many dedicated teachers at Kuser who realize the importance of the heritage of this legendary grammar school. In the spirit of former principal Emily Reynolds, the Kuser faculty stress the importance of a quality education. Further, the school stresses the importance of CHARACTER. Character has always been an important part of the Hamilton educational system. In high school, my music teacher, Louise Baird, suggested we boys memorize the following bit of wisdom:

"The true test of a man's character is what
he woud do if he knew he would never be found out."

WORDS TO LIVE BY!

1940'S: EMILY REYNOLDS

2008-11-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

She was the most pleasant person one would ever want to meet. She was also the last person any Kuser Kat would want to encounter if and when he or she walked on the wrong side of the rules of her school. As I delve deep into my mental memory bank, I can still see her at a Friday afternoon assembly program reading from the Old Testament: "You shall be like a tree planted by still waters....." or "The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night..." I can also conjure up an image of her pulling up to the Mack home on Liberty St. and Newkirk avenue and pulling her big Buick into the Mack Bakery garage for another school day. Emily Reynolds was the consummate school principal.

1940'S: Miss Julia McLain

2008-11-28T06:34:00.000-08:00

Julia McLain was probably the teacher who molded my very early school years with her hands on method of teaching. On the one hand, she was a very strict disciplinarian. On the other, she was always fair, but may the good Lord help you if you violated any of the rules of the school.

"Thomas, there will be no chewing gum in my classroom . You have earned yourself a special seat here at 3:30."
"Emily (Reynolds), Thomas has taken to throwing snowballs in the school yard. I suggest he should be removed from the school safety patrol." (He was)
"Class, sit up straight and keep your eyes on your own paper."
"Thomas, you have a natural knack for reading. Your elocution is excellent."

2008: "THANKSGIVING FEAST"

2008-11-27T19:26:00.000-08:00

Herewith the wonderful ladies who were a large part of the successful November 26th "Thanksgiving Feast" provided by Ms. Julie Smith's Kindergarten class at Kuser School. On the far right is Mrs. Carol Bisanzio, Kuser Kindergarten Assistant. Unfortunately, I didn't receive an introduction to the other 3 ladies who have promised to send me their names so they can be identified. Ladies, the feast truly was a delicious repast. Thank you!

Melia said...: The woman all the way to the left is Bobbie Jo VanFleet.; 1:59 PM

2008: THIS WAS KUSER ANNEX

2008-11-27T19:17:00.000-08:00

There are many memories in the photo above. Were you to enter into the first entrance way on the left in the photo in 1947, you would be entering Jean Larzalere's 9th grade "General" class room. The next doorway was the entrance to Mrs. Veronica McLain Larkin's "Academic" class room. At the far end of the hall, around the corner to the left of the "Exit" sign one would find Lou Rader's "General Science" class room. Rader was also the Principal of Kuser Annex. To the right in that distant hallway, one would enter Dick Watson's "JBT" Junior Business Training class. Another misty water color memory of the way we were.

2008: THE OLD FASHIONED "BLACK BOARD"

2008-11-27T08:21:00.000-08:00

The graphic above is really and appeal to the powers that be in the Hamilton Township school system to PLEASE realize the necessity of preserving whatever can be preserved in the vintage schools in Hamilton Township. The black board is as extinct as the equally extinct "cloak room." We must be sure to save as much of Hamilton's magnificent historic heritage as possible, and make sure these relics and memories thereof don't end up in the trash bin!

1981: Tom Glover's Kuser School Diary

2008-11-24T12:06:00.001-08:00

Way back in 1981, before digital audio came to personal computing, I made an audio recording of my Mercer Messenger "Kuser School Diary" columns. This particular series was published on 8 consecutive Thursdays. Please remember that this was recorded on a reel to reel MONAURAL (not stereo) tape recorder, and the quality is a click or two below marginal. With my audio-converting software, I was able to convert "Kuser School Diary" from analog to a digital "mp3" file. Below is the link to that file.

WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO THE HOSTING WEBSITE. CLICK ON MY "KUSER SCHOOL MEMORIES" FILE AND DOWNLOAD IT. IT SHOULD LOAD AUTOMATICALLY INTO YOUR WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER.

http://www.speedyshare.com/555173553.html
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU WERE ABLE TO PLAY THE FILE PLUS ANY OTHER COMMENTS. YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT I POST FUTURE AUDIO FILES.
( thomglo@verizon.net )

1946: Circa 1946 Julia McLain

2008-11-19T19:46:00.000-08:00

Each of us had one or more teachers who had a great influence on us as we began the long journey into adulthood. I had a few. Louise Baird, Music, Margaret Gaydos, Shakespeare and things cultural, and the lady above, my 6th grade teacher at Kuser, Julia McLain, who taught me the sheer joys to be found in the printed page. Julia and Emily Reynolds were both Prussian type disciplinarians.

1930: Kuser School Red Cross Committee

2008-11-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

This photo is quite misleading. Based on the brickwork in the background, it would appear that these Kuser students were posing along the wall of another school. The "two tone" brickwork certainlydoes not appear to be a Kuser wall. Perhaps their near by neighbor, Greenwood School?