1957: EMILY C. REYNOLDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!"

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

KUSER SCHOOL CENTENNIAL "KICKOFF" PROGRAM

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

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...."

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

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"

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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"

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

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

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

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?

1941: KUSER PTA ACTIVITIES

This little, seemingly insignificant article detailing the affairs of the Kuser PTA will be of interest only to those of us who recall Kuser School in the 30's and 40's. For me personally, Mrs. Jesse Anderson was the mother of one of my best friends, the late Jess Anderson, with whom I went through all my years at Kuser and on through Hamilton High as we both graduated from the class of 1951. Mrs. Lloyd Cherry was the Mom of Kuser student, Lloyd Cherry who I believe was in the class of 1945, but I am not sure. And of course, Mabel Carnall was my second grade teacher; one of a number of teachers who had snow white hair. Dr. Herman Cohen delivered all ot the Glover children. He was our family doctor and had two "Straight A"Kuser students, Barbara and Eleanor.

KAREN PETERSON BROWN, KUSER '47

What a joy it is, as I go through the pages of my newspaper collection, to find people with whom I have walked at some time during life's lengthy journey. I have been posting photos of World War II veterans who served valiantly during the years of "Greatest Generation." It is special when I find very close friends with whom I went to school. Thus it is with Karen, who spent all 12 years with me as we journeyed through the excellent Hamilton Township public school system. I was moved to write a short poem, along with Karen's photos and the results are depicted above. Love ya, Karen!

PLEASE SIGN THE GUEST BOOK

ATTENTION KUSER ALUMNI:

IF YOU WANT TO BE KEPT UPDATED ON THE PROGRESS AND EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR THE 100th CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF KUSER SCHOOL, PLEASE USE THE GUESTBOOK TO REQUEST INCLUSION ON OUR LIST OF ALUMNI, OR EMAIL ME AT

thomglo@verizon.net.

IF YOU KNOW OTHER ALUMNI WHO ARE NOT ON THE COMPUTER, SEND ME THEIR MAILING ADDRESS AND WE WILL SEE THAT THEY ARE KEPT UP TO DATE.

BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

1918-1937 "KUSER IN THE NEWS"

I have painstakingly assembled this vignette of just a few Kuser School related articles from the distant past, adding a few embellishments which will be attractive to visitors to Kuser related history some 50 or 60 years hence. Of particular interest to me is the "Broadcaster," which was the Kuser newspaper back in the 1930's. The "Broadcaster" illustrated above has been digitized page by page and reposes in the "KUSER SCHOOL" folder in the Hamilton Township Library's Local History Collection.

1950: THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE 1st OR 2nd GRADE

This photo is from my collection of old Kuser School class photos. The young boy on the extreme left, second row seems so familiar, but I can't seem to identify him. Any assistance from members of the class illustrated will be appreciated.

1982: Dedication of the New Kuser Courtyard

THIS DELIGHTFUL PHOTO FROM ERIN BROWN (SZEJNER), KUSER 1986. Many thanks, Erin, this makes a wonderful addition to the Hamilton Library's "KUSER SCHOOL" folder and also to the Kuser School archives;

Erin wrote:

Here is a cute photo from when they dedicated the "new" courtyard back in the Spring of 1982. I was in 1st grade (Mrs. Young) and each class had to get dressed up in early 20th century clothing - I remember it was an all day event with a ribbon cutting ceremony and original Kuser relatives were in attendence. Thought you would enjoy (see attached photo).

Erin Brown (Szejner)
Kuser Class of 1986

1941: KUSER CLASS OF 1941 PHOTO ALBUM

This is such a cool album! My brother Bud is in this class. These Kuser Kats went on to be in the class of 1945 at Hamilton High. It was my privilege to present "The Music We Grew Up With" at their annual reunion luncheon.

1980: KUSER KINDERGARTEN

Here's a re-touched photo from Kuser Kat Erin Brown(Szejner) from the Kindergarten class at Kuser 1980-1981. Many thanks for adding to our grammar school history files, Erin!

1939: KUSER SCHOOL

THIS IS AN ESPECIALLY RELEVENT PHOTO FOR ME. IT IS THE WAY KUSER LOOKED ON MY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BACK IN SEPTEMBER, 1939. I WAS ASSIGNED TO MISS MARY KELLEY'S "RECEPTION GRADE." I CRIED, MOM GLOVER CRIED, MISS KELLEY TOLD MOM TO GO HOME, THOMAS WOULD BE QUITE ALL RIGHT. HE WAS.

ATTENTION KUSER SCHOOL ALUMNI!

I have received an email from Kuser Principal Roberto Kesting announcing the first formal meeting of the Kuser School Centennial Celebration. I know there are some visitors to this site who are "Kuser Kats" and have expressed an interest in being kept informed as to the activities surrounding the planning for this memorable and historic celebration. If you are interested in being kept informed, or are interested in attending as an alumnus (as I am), contact either Mr. Kesting at the address below, or email me.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF
THE FIRST CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION MEETING

The first Kuser School 100th Anniversary meeting will be held this Tuesday, September 9th @4PM. This will accommodate parents and alumni that wish to participate. The first meeting will be held at 4PM. The meeting is open to parents and alumni are cordially invited. The initial agenda will be a discussion of each committee's objectives and activities. We will solidify our memberships in each committee. Mr. Kesting stated that his goal is for our committees to be self-sufficient and our future meetings will be to discuss progress in each committee.Thank you for your support in this exciting endeavor!Roberto KestingPrincipalKuser Elementary School70 Newkirk AvenueHamilton, NJ 08629(609) 631- 4155 ext. 3850rkesting@hamilton.k12.nj.us

PLEASE EMAIL ME. RE: THE KUSER SCHOOL 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

THE CENTENNIAL OF KUSER SCHOOL WILL BE CELEBRATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 2009. MONTHLY EVENTS WILL CELEBRATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEST GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. WE ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO COMPILE A LIST OF KUSER ALUMNI EMAIL ADDRESSES. THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE NOT ON THE COMPUTER. IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR RELATIVES IN THAT CATEGORY, PLEASE GET THEIR PERMISSION TO INCLUDE THEIR MAILING ADDRESSE.

PLEASE EMAIL THE INFO TO ME AND I WILL SEE THAT THE ORGANIZERS OF THE CELEBRATION RECEIVE IT

I AM KUSER '47. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOURS! IF YOU WERE A KUSER "KAT" AFTER THE SCHOOL CHANGED TO A K-5, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR YEAR.

EMAIL: thomglo@verizon.net.

1913: BACK IN 1913, THE PTA WAS "THE MOTHERS' CLUB"

Whether they were known as "The Mothers' Club" or the PTA, grammar school parents have always been a valuable asset to the education system. Even though Halloween is two months away as I post this interesting Kuser School fundraiser, it is obvious that Kuser had great support from the parents in the local area.

1934: KUSER 4-H CLUB

HERE IS MUTE TESTIMONY TO THE FACT THAT HAMILTON WAS INDEED A RURAL FARMING COMMITY RIGHT UP TO THE 1940's, WHEN HAMILTON BEGAN THE PROESS OF BECOMING THE HIGHLY POPULATED COMMUNITY OF TODAY.

1927: KUSER SCHOOL TO BE ENLARGED

This public announcement is believed to be a request for authorization to add to the original 1909 Kuser School. "wings' were added to the existing building, and a large area around the back of the school with a court yard in the center, resulting in the Kuser School as it exists today. I had been under the impression that the above expansion was in the year 1924, but this is the apparent date.

1909: CENTENNIAL ON THE WAY!

THIS ARTICLE FROM MY EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF KUSER SCHOOL MEMORABILIA WILL BE A PART OF THE DIGITAL GRAPHICS COLLECTION WHICH WILL REPOSE IN THE "KUSER SCHOOL" FOLDER AT THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION. IF YOU ARE A KUSER SCHOOL ALUMNUS, BY ALL MEANS KEEP WATCHING THIS SITE; THERE WILL BE DETAILS ON THE VARIOUS CELEBRATIONS WHICH WILL BE HELD THROUGHT THE TWELVE MONTHS OF 2009. IN FACT AT THIS WRITING, THE CELEBRATION KICKS OFF IN DECEMBER, 2008.
===========================
AN ASIDE: I AM COMPLETELY INTRIGUED BY THE STATEMENT IN THE ARTICLE THAT THE SCHOOL WAS ON
"THE KUSER TRACT, NEAR OLDEN AVENUE."
I HAVE FOUND NO MAPS WHICH INDICATE THAT THE KUSER PROPERTY EXTENDED BEYOND KUSER AVENUE (TODAY'S LEONARD AVENUE).

1989: Dr. Lois Braender

FROM THE "NOTABLE PERSONS" FOLDER IN THE HAMILTON LIBRARY LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION, HERE IS DR. LOIS BRAENDER WHEN SHE WAS AT ALEXANDER SCHOOL. I REMEMBER HER FROM HER TIME AS PRINCIPAL AT KUSER SCHOOL. DR. BRAENDER IS NOW THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.

ONCE AGAIN, FROM KUSER SCHOOL, ONE OF HAMILTON'S TREASURED "NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS," THIS PHOTO FROM ONE OF MY "HAMILTON SCRAPBOOK" FEATURED IN THE MERCER MESSENGER. ONE OF THE MORE CHARMING FEATURES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL WAS IN THE FACT THAT THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED CAN USUALLY FIND BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF CLASSMATES WITH WHOM WE ULTIMATELY ATTENDED SCHOOL. FLORA WURFEL IS THE SISTER OF MY HHS '51 CLASSMATE, AUDREY WURFEL KISH, AND ALICE SCHENCK IS PROBABLY RELATED TO BILL SCHENCK, A CLASSMATE FROM MY YEARS AT KUSER. LORRAINE MAY, THERE'S YOUR SISTER ALICE.

1952: Banking Day at Kuser School

How appropriate that I would be fortunate enough to receive this Trentonian photo of the Kuser School Banking Day program from Helen Lawton, a fellow "Kuser Kat." The centennial of Kuser School will be observed with a year long centennial celebration beginning in December, 2008 and running through each month of the centennial year of 2009. Details will be forthcoming. Those visitors to my site who want to be kept updated, please email me, and I will include your name in my email files for future information. Thanks Helen for this great photo. It is being preserved for posterity in the "KUSER SCHOOL" folder at the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection.

1947: CHINA BOY; KUSER ANNEX ANNUAL SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE NEXT 6OR 8 PAGES COMPRISE THE COMPLETE PROGRAM FROM KUSER ANNEX'S 1947 SPRING ENTERTAINMENT. MANY THANKS TO HHS '51 CLASSMATE ALICE SCHMIDT MULLEN FOR SAVING THESE TREASURES OVER THE YEARS. I HAVE A COPY OF THE PROGRAM, BUT IT IS TOO WORN TO POST, AND DOESN'T HAVE NEARLY AS MANY AUTOGRAPHS AS THE EVER-POPULAR ALICE SCHMIDT HAD. THANKS ALICE, ONCE AGAIN, YOU'RE THE BEST!

1947: CHINA BOY INSIDE FRONT COVER

1947: CHINA BOY PAGE ONE CAST

1947: CHINA BOY STAGE CRAFT, LIGHTING, ETC

1947 CHINA BOY ADMINISTRATION, ETC.

1947: CHINA BOY INSIDE BACK COVER

1947: CHINA BOY BACK COVER

KUSER SCHOOL MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES

THESE ARTICLES WERE COMPILED INTO A VIGNETTE GRAPHIC. THERE ARE MANY FAMILIAR NAMES THOUGHOUT. THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE CHARMING FEATURES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL.

1916: PREDECESSOR TO THE PTA

THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY SAW THE LOCAL SCHOOLS GAINING SUPPORT FROM THE PARENTS. EARLY ON THE NAME MOST SCHOOLS CHOSE WAS "THE MOTHERS' CLUB." THAT NAME MORPHED INTO TODAY'S PTA. THEN, AS NOW, THE PARENTS PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN THE SUPPORT OF THE TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND SCHOOLS.

1932: MS CLOWNEY, FACULTY

WHENEVER I FIND FACULTY MEMBERS FROM ANY OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS, I FILE THEM IN THE APPROPRIATE HAMILTON LIBRARY LOCAL HISTORY FOLDER. IN THIS CASE, THE "KUSER SCHOOL" FOLDER. CORILLA CLOWNEY WAS A PROMINENT TEACHER EARLY IN THE 20TH CENTURY.

1932: KUSER SCHOOL HOSTS A CARD PARTY

THE SCHOOLS SERVED AS MEETING PLACES FOR VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS BACK IN THE FIRST 30 YEARS OF THE 21ST CENTURY. FARMINGDALE SCHOOL HOSTED A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION, AND AS ILLUSTRATED ABOVE, KUSER HOSTE THE COLONIAL DEMOCRATIC CLUB. GONE ARE THE DAYS!

1915: KUSER SCHOOL MINSTREL

MINSTRELS ARE NOW POLITICALLY INCORRECT. BACK IN THE 20'S AND 30'S THEY WERE A POPULAR FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT. HERE'S THE KUSER KATS WHO TOOK PART IN THE MINSTREL IN 1915. MANY OF THE NAMES ARE QUITE FAMILIAR TO THOSE OF US WHO GREW UP IN THE HAMILTON-LIBERTY-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA.
IMMY BACHMAN WHO IS OBVIOUSLY RELATED TO THE JAMES BACHMAN IN THE FIRST ROW, FAR RIGHT, WENT THROUGH ALL THE KUSER YEARS WITH ME, GRADUATING WITH ME IN THE CLASS OF '51 AT HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL.

1928 JULIA MCCLAIN, TEACHER EXTRAORDANAIRE

EACH OF US HAS ONE, TWO, OR MAYBE MORE TEACHERS WHO HAD A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON US. IN MY PERSONAL CASE, I HAD 4. JULIA MCCLAIN WAS ONE OF THEM. SHE DEMANDED PERFECTION AND WAS A STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN. IT WAS SHE WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO SHARPEN MY READING SKILLS, TELLING ME THAT I HAD THE NATURAL GIFT OF ELOCUTION. I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE MEANT BACK THEN IN 6TH GRADE, BUT I SURE DID LEARN!

HONESTLY, I REALLY TRIED!

YOU KNOW THAT OLD SLOGAN THAT HAS BEEN
TRIPPING AROUND FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS:

"SUPPOSE YOU GIVE A PARTY AND NO ONE COMES?"

WELL, THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED. THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION WENT EXTREMELY WELL, (AS DID THE KUSER SCHOOL PESENTATION A FEW MONTHS EARLIER). BOTH PRESENTATINS TURNED OUT A PITIFUL FEW HISTORY-ORIENTED CITIZENS. IN THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION, ALUMNI FROM THE CLASS OF '39, '46 AND '47 ATTENDED, AND APPRECIATED THE PROGRAM, SO THAT MADE IT ALL WORTH WHILE. THERE WAS LITTLE INTEREST IN THE KUSER SCHOOL PRESENTATION WHICH IS COMPLETELY PUZZLING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE KUSER CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

ACCORDINGLY, I WILL CONTINUE GATHERING AND RECORDING LOCAL HISTORY AND PRESERVING IT FOR POSTERITY ON THE COMPUTER'S HARD DRIVE. AS TO THE VERY LOW TURNOUT, I HAVE TAKEN A PAGE FROM THE GOOD BOOK AS WE RECALL THE ADMONITION IN THE "GOOD BOOK:"

"WHEREVER TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED IN MY NAME...."

I LEARNED A VALUABLE A LESSON: JUST BECAUSE I HAVE A DESIRE TO SHARE LOCAL HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY, I SHOULDN'T HAVE ASSUMED THE COMMUNITY HAS THE SAME ZEAL FOR HISTORY. LESSON LEARNED.
I WILL STAY WITH MY POPULAR KUSER MANSION MUSIC PROGRAMS, AT THE SAME TIME CONTINUE MY NEVER ENDING SEARCH FOR HISTORICAL GRAPHICS AND ARTICLES FOR THE LIBRARY'S LOCAL HISTORY COMPUTER.

NO HARD FEELINGS, JUST SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED.