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.