Wednesday, June 24, 2009

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.

Monday, June 22, 2009

A REDUNDANT REMINDER FOR KUSER SCHOOL ALUMNI

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.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

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.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

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.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

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!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

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.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

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

Monday, June 08, 2009

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 21st 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 4th 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

1st Vice President: Kim Grehan

2nd 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.

100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

Our 100th 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 9th, 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 12th- 5th Grade Memory Day

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

June 12th- 3rd Grade Picnic

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

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

June 15th- 5th Grade Picnic

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

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

June 17th- Last Day of School!

Friday, June 05, 2009

1950: HARRY HALL REMEMBERS



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:"

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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