1939: KUSER SCHOOL GLEE CLUB

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

1947: "PUPPY LOVE" AT KUSER GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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

(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

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!

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

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

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

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

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: 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

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

2009: JUNE "KUSER NEWSER" NEWSLETTER

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.

1. Only you are responsible for your actions. No one can make you do anything.
2. The popular choice isn’t necessarily the right one.
3. The person who can do the right thing in a crowd of wrong doers is truly courageous.
4. If you can’t afford it you don’t need it.
5. 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!