2009: MY "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" COLUMN IS NOW ONLINE

Talk about "hi-tech!" As I was writing this post, I recalled with bittersweet memories how as a lonely and homesick soldier, serving two and a half years in Italy and Germany, I was starved for hometown news, I asked Mom and Pop Glover to send me the Trenton Times. It took upwards of two weeks to cross the ocean and be put in my barracks mailbox, but I savored each and every paper. Now, those lonely G.I.'s and others who yearn for the news from home, can just click on their computer and journey across the miles to read their hometown newspaper. Incredible!

Online newspaper readership is growing rapidly and a portent of things to come in this digital age. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee with my favorite morning newspapers spread across my breakfast table. Most of my fellow senior citizens prefer reading the morning paper as they have been for decades. Conversely, most of the younger generation are computer users, and reading the local news online. Realizing the changing demographics, Times Editor Brian Malone has brought the "Times of Trenton" (known to we old timers as the "Trenton Times") into the digital age with a much easier to negotiate website. The Times is the oldest daily newspaper in Trenton, and among the oldest in the Trenton-Bucks-Burlington-Delaware Valley area. The website is very attractive, and those who prefer to read their local news via the online newspaper, along with those who live anywhere in the world can now read comprehensive daily hometown news in brilliant, living color.
My bi-weekly "Sentimental Journey" column, along with all of your other favorite Times columnists, is now available online and quite easy to access. The graphic above is a cut and paste of today's "Sentimental Journey" column. Bookmark the website below for your daily online read of the Times of Trenton, and thanks for being a reader!

Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name, along with any of the many Times columnists.

2009: CLARK PERRY-GOODBYE FOR NOW

I really get a morose and melancholy reaction when I read of the passing of still another classmate. Especially those who went through twelve years of school with me, from Miss Mary Kelley's Reception grade at Kuser School, through Hamilton High Class of 1951. Clark was one of the stalwarts as a tenor in our years with Louise Baird's vocal music class. I have been blessed with an incredible ability to remember persons, places, and things from my very earliest years. Countless memories of Clark and his twin brother Art will always be with me. Louise Baird used to mix a bit of philosophical wisdom in with our music repertoire. One of those philosophical gems applies to my old friend, Clark:

"Make the world a bit more beautiful because you have lived in it." Clark did. Rest in Peace my friend, we WILL meet again.

FYI: THE TRENTON TIMES WEBSITE

They tell me that multitudes are reading newspapers on line. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee and my favorite morning newspapers. But for the growing internet newspaper readership, the folks at the Times of Trenton have made it easier to surf their website. It will be much easier for out of towners to access my latest
"Sentimental Journey" column. Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name.
Thanks to all my loyal readers!

2009: WELCOME SWEET SPRINGTIME

Join us tomorrow (Sunday, March 22) from 1 to 3 PM as I bring the program, "Welcome Sweet Springtime" to those of us who remember the golden years. The program will be presented in the main dining room-theater of Kuser Farm Mansion on Newkirk and Leonard Avenue in Hamilton. I will be recalling those wonderful years of our youth as we played sandlot baseball, the first girlfriend, the story of the old boiler, and of course, the main feature of our program, singing along to the songs we all loved. Come on out; based on past programs, I can assure you that you will spend a very happy two hours.

1994: KUSER SCHOOL 75th ANNIVERSARY

Tempus Fugit! Has it really been 25 years since we celebrated the 85th anniversary of the finest and best grammar school in the U.S.A.? Considering the color of the hair on that dopey looking guy in the photo, I would guess that time has indeed past. Even today, as we prepare to celebrate the centennial of that grand old school, the charming atmosphere remains. Principal Roberto Kesting and his staff have managed to keep that "home town" mistique in that historic place. I, and many alumni who hold the same love of Kuser as I, will be here in spirit when the 200th anniversary is celebrated in 3009; albeit looking down from one of the many mansions the good Lord has prepared for us.

1989: KUSER CELEBRATES FOUNDERS' DAY

None of the Kuser kids are identified in the above photo, but it would be my bet that a visitor will be able to relate to this photo which was taken in the Kuser School auditorium. If you can identify any of the children in the photo, please email me or add it to one of the "comments" in this post.

2009: Thanks to Ms. Nancy Mull, Kuser Secretary

Here's a photo of the man who was loved and respected by those of us who attended Kuser School in the 40's. Mr. Shockey was a fixture at Kuser. Each morning as we arrived at school, we would find him on the front lawn raising the American flag, and as the day wore on we would see him doing whatever custodial duties were required of him. Many of us boys, yours truly included, were impressed by the huge number of keys he carried with him throughout the day. We were equally impressed with his navy blue trousers and policeman blue shirt with matching the contrasting black tie. Clarence Shockey: A Kuser School legend along with Emily Reynolds, Mary Kelley, Ruth Parker, and all those wonderful faculty who were instrumental in giving me . an education which has held me in good stead for over 70 years

Thanks again to Nancy Mull for the photo. Nancy, I forgot what Mr. Shockey's relationship to you was. Please let me know so I can include it on this page.

1989: THE EASTER BUNNY COMES TO KUSER

Little Jessica is sittin' pretty on the lap of the Easter Bunny in this 20 year old photo from Kuser School as published by the Hamilton Observer. It would be my "guesstimate" that little Jessica is now in her mid-20's, and perhaps a visitor to my Kuser School website.

2009: THANKS FOR ATTENDING MY PROGRAM AT KUSER MANSION!

Many thanks to that wonderful group of 25 or more who attended the Kuser Mansion program we had this afternoon. I can honestly say that you all were one of the most receptive and enthusiastic groups I have had the pleasure of performing for in my 25 or more years of presenting "The Music We Grew Up With." We had a wonderful two hours of music and memories, and I was really impressed me with how enthustically you sang, and more impressively, how you remembered the words to some songs you haven't heard in 60 and 70 years! Thanks so much for being there. I hope we can do it again soon.

1908:

In 1908, the very beginnings of Kuser and Klockner Schools were made a part of the public record. Klockner chose 1908 as their centennial year. Kuser chose the year 1909, the year when the school was actually presented to the public with the dedication of the school in September, 1909.

My apologies for the missing letter "l" in the word "egal" in the black bordered note I added above. It was a typographical error, the results of a very poor keyboard on a Toshiba "Satellite" keyboard.

(Just one feather touch to an adjacent key will jump the cursor and text to another location on the screen.)

Thanks to George Conwell, Director of the Hamilton Township Public Library, the Toshiba has been replaced with a computer made for touch typists rather than a "hunt and peck" keyboard.)

1922: Rosalie Kuser School

In the early years the school was referred to as "Rosalie Kuser School," named for the incredible lady whose family, along with the Lawton family, played such an important part in the founding of the school. Rosalie Kuser was an incredible lady who was very active in the affairs at St. Francis Hospital. Her portrait still holds a place of honor at the hospital. There is a press account that at one point in her early life, she was out in the fields cutting asparagus or some other vegetable from the Kuser garden while in her ninth month of her pregnancy.

MISS KELLEY'S ROOM

We called it "Reception Grade," not "Kindergarten." The chair in the foreground was replaced ages ago, but there was a rocker there when I was a student in 1939. The fireplace is the original and has thankfully been preserved. I'm sure that many of my contemporaries agree that there are many memories in that little room at Kuser.

A REDUNDANT REMINDER FROM TOM

This Sunday afternoon, February 22, from 1 to 3 PM, I will be presenting my music program " When Music Was Music" at Kuser Farm Mansion, Cedar Lane and Newkirk Avenues in Hamilton. We will be singing the songs of Patti Page, Dean Martin, Barry Mannilow, Joni James, Andy Williams, and all of the "easy listening" songs from the 40's, World War II, and choice ballads and novelty songs through the 60's and 70's. This year, in recognition of the centennial of Kuser School, I will also be recalling grammar school in the years of my (and our) youth. Once again we'll be singing "Do You Know the Muffin Man," "Go In and Out the Windows," and other school playground songs, and recalling ink wells, blackboards, milk boards, girlfriends, lavatories, cloak rooms and all those fascinating vestiges of a now vintage era. I can pretty much guarantee a fun filled two hours. I hope to see you there. Call 890-3630 and leave a message to reserve a seat (or seats). I hope to see y'all there!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

"LOVING GREETING" from this early 20th century trade card in my collection. I hope each and every visitor to my website has a love-filled St. Valentine's day. Have a great day, and remember to keep that
lamp of love burning brightly! As Petula Clark sang so beautifully back in the 1960,s,
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love..not just for some, but for everyone..."

1928: "THE BROADCASTER"

This is the title and facing page from the 1927 Kuser School yearbook. It was printed on quality "enamel" paper. Thanks to Dorothy Obert O'Donnell.

1927: KUSER CLASS OF 1927

Thanks to Mrs. Dorothy Obert O'Donnell for this, the oldest Kuser class picture in my collection at this time. The clarity of the photo is exquisite.

2009: THANK YOU, BETSY FITZMEYER

I have received a message from the webmaster at Facebook.com that Betsy Scott Fitzmeyer has sent a message to me on my Facebook "Wall." As you can see by the message, Betsy is a published author who rightly gives credit to her Kuser School and Hamilton teachers for instilling in her the talent and ability to write. Thanks very much for the post, Betsy, it's a privilege having you as both a visitor to this website, and counting me among your friends.

===============

Betsy wrote on your Wall:

"Hi, Tom,

Don't know if you have had a chance to check out my website, www.betsyscottfitzmeyer.com. The site profiles my new novel, SEASON of the FLAME. I've had some book signings so far. A cross-section of readers, from teenagers to seniors have apparently found worth in the book, which glorifies God, and the overall theme of which is forgiveness. In any event, Tom, as I conveyed to the current principal of Kuser, I credit a lot of my passion for the written word to my dedicated English and Latin teachers of Hamilton.

Much appreciation for your work,

Betsy Fitzmeyer"

To see your Wall or to write on Betsy's Wall, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&v=feed&id=700676840&aref=22380357

Thanks,
The Facebook Team

1990: Anthony Gies, KUSER '47 AND HHS '51

Tony and I went through all 12 years in the Hamilton school system from Kuser School right up the the class of 1951 at Hamilton High. We were close friends during all those years, and I recently met Tony's sister Viola at one of my senior citizen programs. Tony was a gentleman, and is missed.

LAST MINUTE HEADS UP TO ALL YOU NOSTALGIACS

Today (Feb. 7) from 1 to 3 PM I will be presenting a Valentines Day program at Kuser Mansion, Newkirk and Cedar Lane. THe program is called "The Love Songs We Grew Up With," with the sing-along music of Perry Como, Patti Page, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond, Elvis Pressley and others from the 40's, 50's and 60's. The Valentines Day angle will also include stories of my experiences of Valentines Day at Kuser School, and other Kuser School memorie. This is the first of a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kuser School. Once again we will recall blackboards, clapping erasers, those wonderful teachers we had in the 40's and 50's, Friday assembly, and all those long ago memories. Come on out. You'll love the two hour program.

LAST MINUTE HEADS UP TO ALL YOU NOSTALGIACS

LAST MINUTE HEADS UP TO ALL YOU NOSTALGIACS

1918: TEACHER ANNIE HOLLAND RESIGNS

One of the more interesting projects I am working on (as time permits), is old letters I acquired some 20 to 25 years ago; correspondence which was destined for the recycle bin! These letters provide historians with invaluable information as to who taught at what school, where and when he or she taught, indeed, even a few copies of letters from the Superintendent of Schools notifying a teacher of his or her appointment as a faculty member of one of Hamilton's numerous schools. It really breaks my heart when I realize that there has been many critical historic documents consigned to the trash pile. Indeed, it is inexcusable. The graphic above tells us that Miss Annie Holland was a WWI member of the Kuser School faculty. Trivial? Not to anyone interested in Hamilton's educational system, and Kuser School's splendid heritage.

2007: JESSE ANDERSON, HHS '51

There's an old saying, "Old friends are the best friends." It's true. But when that old friend is a person you grew up with from childhood to manhood, the boy who was with you from Kuser School "Reception Grade," 1939, right up to graduation day as a classmate in the Hamilton High Class of 1951, there is a real part of your soul that sustains an enduring pain. As a proud, God loving Christian, it is my belief that as we age, we become more and more aware of our mortality. In truth, our journey in this physical life is only the beginning of another journey which all of us will make. My religion teaches me that physical death is not the end...that there is another place "which the eye has not seen, nor the ear heard..." I'll see you there, Jess.

1942: Miss Abromovitz's Kuser Second Grade

Were we ever this young? These winsome Kuser Kats from 1942 are posing along the back fence in the Kuser playground. I would guess that the iron goal posts are nearby. A great photo, and many thanks Pat Markey for help to keep Kuser School's magnificent historical heritage alive.

1948: KUSER GIRLS IN "COTTON CANDY DANCE"

These pretty girls are putting their best foot forward in presenting "The Cotton Candy Dance." Thanks again to Pat Markey, Kuser '48 for this long forgotten press photo.

1982: A TEACHER'S PRAYER - Tom Glover Graphic

The above graphic, (Not "A Teacher's Prayer,") was published to accompany a column I did on little Tommy Glover's experiences in Miss Mary Kelley's "Reception Grade;" known today as Kindergarten. We laughed, we cried, we pasted, we cut out pictures from magazines, and a number of us hadn't quite learned to control certain bodily functions, but we were always patiently cared for and understood by Miss Mary Kelley; the epitome of a love and kindness toward very innocent children. It takes a special person with a special personality to be a "Reception Grade" teacher. She is a temporary "mommy" as well as a
teacher molding innocent minds. That beautiful poem, "A Teacher's Prayer," most certainly ascends directly to the intended source.

1982: ISABEL BAIR: KUSER FACULTY 1935-1945

My many columns relating to Kuser School which I have written over the years have elicited some special mail responses from former faculty members from both Kuser School and Hamilton High. I have heard from the late Margaret Gaydos, Ruth Parker, Carl Abbott, Louise Baird, the Larkin family (relatives of Julia and Veronica McClain), Alice Parent, and the above letter from Isabel Bair, who was a Kuser faculty member for ten years, but not one of my teachers. I remember that Ms. Bair accompanied me on the piano on a few of my singing performances on the Kuser School stage. At this stage in my life, I don't need my ego stroked, and I humbly publish this interesting 27 year old letter which has reposed in my collection for lo, these many years. Notice that once again, a teacher remembers our big brother or big sister. In this case, my 84 year old brother, Len.

What a treat! Here are the classes from Kuser School when I was in Miss Carnall's second grade. First of all, an embarrassing apology to those who have heard me boast about my extensive honor roll record! Through the years, Mom Glover boasted that "Tommy" was on the honor roll every year through Kuser School, right up to the 7th grade. Who wouldn't believe their mom? Well, much to my consternation, I find that Mom was either girdling the tree of truth, or honestly thought that I had reached the level of my intellectually superior classmates. As you can see, there is no "Thomas Glover" in the second grade listing! So now I find that I must confess to being an honor student for most of my Kuser Grammar School career, until 8th grade when along came Millie Long, Madeline Bencivengo, Shirley Whitebread....the list goes on. However, what a joy it was to run through the classes from lowest to upper. I looked for my grammar school "crush," Madeline Bencivengo in first grade, but she was also absent; but there was another of my childhood "sweethearts," Mary Lou Saxton, a second grade classmate. The other names are so familiar!---Eileen Quick, Lorraine Feehan, Jake Tarr, Carolyn Saxton and Mary Lou Litwin, plus all those in my brother Bud's 8th grade class at Kuser School.

Over many years of collecting, any collector will tell you that quite often clippings get mis-filed, lost, forgotten, or overlooked. The above graphic is an example of a few Kuser School related clippings that went astray. Fortunately, again as any collector will agree, those strays always seem to turn up in the most unusual places. These were on a 5 year old CD.

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.