1926: KUSER SCHOOL: CHARACTER AND CULTURE

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

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

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!

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!

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.

1908: KUSER SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A PLOT OF LAND

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.

1908: KUSER SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A PLOT OF LAND

Monday, May 04, 2009

1908: KUSER SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A PLOT OF LAND

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.

1940: Alethea Skokos

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

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

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.