MARK YOUR CALENDARS! AUGUST 27

Circa 1943: Wartime at Kuser

Here's an article detailing activities at Kuser School during the WWII years. How well I remember "Red Cross Day! I still have one of those little red cross buttons around the house somewhere.

Mary Kelly: A Kuser School Legend

There are very few old time "Kuser Kats" who weren't in Miss Kelly's Reception grade. Back then, Kindergarten was known as Reception grade. Miss Kelly's room still looks much the same as it did in the 20's, 30's, and 40's. I recently visited the school, and Ms Crea, the Principal, allowed me to go through the halls and photograph some of the scenes of my childhood. One of the photos I took was the fireplace in Mary Kelly's room; much the same as when I was a boy. How many of you remember sitting on the floor while Miss Kelly read "Dick and Jane" to us? (And let's not forget Dick and Jane's pets, "Puff" and "Spot!"

Here's an oversized scan of the commencement exercises held by the Class of 1917 at Kuser School. Kuser and Klockner are the two oldest grammar schools in Hamilton Township. I note that the class of 1917 consisted of nine graduates, one of whom was James Bachman. I graduated with James A. Bachman in the class of '51 at HHS. The Bachmans lived on Hobart and Davis Avenue.

1943: Kuser Annex

Here's the cast of what was called the annual "Spring Entertainment" put on by the students of Kuser Annex. For those viewers who are not familiar with "the Annex," it served Kuser neighborhood are students as their freshman year. Students from Kuser, Greenwood, and Homedell spent their freshman year at "KA, then it was on to good old Hamilton High for the Sophomore, Junior and Senior years.

1921: Emily C. Reynolds

Long before she became Principal of Kuser, Emily Reynolds taught the 4th grade. Believe it or not, this historic letter was destined for the recycle bin!

1930: Kuser School Districts

Am I ever glad to have grown up on Hartley Avenue, well within the Kuser School district! This graphic details the boundary line for Kuser School as it was set in the year 1930. There doesn't appear to be much difference to the boundary we still use here in the year 2006.

1940: Ruth Margerum's Third Grade

Ruth Margerum was one of my favorite Kuser School teachers. It was she who nurtured and encouraged me in my music. Here is a classroom photo of the third grade class of 1940 attending to their "Cotton Plantation" project.

Emily Reynolds Leads the Kuser Khorus

Here is a photo, circa 1949-50 with Principal Emily Reynolds leading the Kuser Chorus in a Christmas chorale. When we old time Kuser School alumni see Miss Reynolds standing at the podium, it brings to mind the many times she stood before that very podium on the Kuser stage and led is in a old testament prayer.

...."You shall be like a tree planted by still waters..."

Circa 1949 Emily C. Reynolds

Here she is, a legend in her time. She was the Principal of Kuser School whose entire career was dedicated to the education of children at Kuser Grammar school. If any viewers have other photos of Miss Reynolds, I would really like to include them in the KUSER SCHOOL folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection.

MY ARCHIVES

JUST A REMINDER TO CHECK THE ARCHIVES FROM APRIL AND MAY. YOU ARE VIEWING JUNE ONLY.

1930 Kuser Soccer Team

This is another photo which I rescued from the trash bin. If you recognize any of the boys in the picture, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Kuser Class of 1935 Scan 2 Left

Here's the first of two scans of this extra large graphic showing the graduates. Once again, being a neighborhood school, I know many of the names and faces in the scan, as do many Kuser alumni. In fact, the pretty blonde lady who is in the tenth position from the left in the front row is my cousin, the late Ruth Williamson Gore.

Kuser Class of 1935 Scan 1 Right

This is one of those extra long graphics which require two scans in order to acheive at least a modicum of legibility. The young lady in the second row, far left, is a lifelong neighbor Henrietta "Sissy" Soffel Hawley.

1930's Kuser Cafeteria

Sorry, the actual date on this photo us unknown, however the knickers on the boys date this as sometime in the 1930's. The children are standing in line waiting to be served. The tallest girl in the photo 3rd from left is Magdalena Houlroyd, who went on to become an employee of the Hamilton School system and served as a librarian for many years.

1943 Kuser Keystone Safety Patrol

Here's a photo showing the boys on the fabled Keystone Safety Patrol of the grammer schools of yesteryear. I have identified those I know and if you can add to the list, contact me and the identities will be entered.

1930: Kuser's PTA; ALWAYS THERE!

During nearly 100 years of Kuser's existance, the Parent Teachers Organization has played an active and valuable part in assisting the faculty in fund raisers, and all other types of support. Then, as now, selfless parents volunteered their valuable time to aid the school in various ways. This interesting article gives a thumbnail sketch of the Kuser PTA.

Ca. 1945: Kuser Keystone Safety Patrol

This photo is being segmented which allows for identification of those with whom I am familiar. See the following post for the segmented graphic. Note that there are a number of students whom I do not know. If you can identify him, her, or them, please email me at thomglo@versizon.net and I will revise the photo.

Ca. 1945: Kuser Safety Patrol

This graphic is a work in progress. As you can see, I have segmented it horizontally and added identification to those names with which I am familiar. The bottom row is still in the process of identification. If you recognize any which I do not, please contact me so they can be listed.

Circa 1929: Kuser School

Thanks to my reputation as an "historical data prospector," this very interesting Kuser School requisition for supplies was rescued from the recycle bin. One of the really painful experiences we historical researchers experience is the thoughtless destruction of significant historical papers. This graphic is a good example.