1988: THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIEND, WE THOUGHT THEY'D NEVER END.."

FROM THE JACK LACY MERCER MESSENGER COLLECTION, THIS VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE ON AN ERA WHEN HAMILTON HAD AHHH...... FINANCIAL MEANS! WHO SAID THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "THE GOOD OLD DAYS?"

I RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM JACK LACY, A COUNCILMAN DURING THE JACK RAFFERTY YEARS:

Tom...

Sad isn't it. Everything listed in that article except for the amphitheater was accomplished...on time and within budget !! The state grant never came through or we would have done the amphitheater, too. Oh well...so much for sound fiscal management.

Best...

Jack

1988: MCCORRISTIN CLASS OF '88 20 YEARS AND COUNTING

WITH THE BACK BREAKING LABOR MONSIGNOR MICHAEL P. MCCORRISTIN AND HIS CREW OF HARD WORKING VOLUNTEERS EXERTED TO REPLACE THE OLD TRENTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, I HOPED IN VAIN THAT THE POWERS THAT BE WOULD HAVE RETAINED THE NAME MCCORRISTIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN HONOR OF THE MONSIGNOR AND HIS SMALL BUT MIGHTY VOLUNTEER WORK CREW.

1959: HERE COME THE OFF SHORE AUTO IMPORTS

WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER, IT WAS PLYMOUTH, DODGE, DE SOTO, CHRYSLER, FORD, LINCOLN, MERCURY, CHEVROLET, PONTIAC, BUICK, CADILLAC, NASH, STUDEBAKER AND HUDSON. BACK THEN, WE COULD IDENTIFY NEARLY EVERY CAR THAT CAME DOWN THE STREET. TODAY, THEY ALL HAVE A "COOKIE CUTTER" SIMILARITY AND ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO RECOGNIZE.
LABOR DEMANDS ON THE INDUSTRY, ALONG WITH APATHY ON THE PART OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS LEFT THE DOOR WIDE OPEN FOR THE ONSLAUGHT OF IMPORTS. AS I RECALL, THE VOLKSWAGEN, DATSUN, SAAB, SIMCA, AND RENAULT WERE THE EARLIER ENTRIES INTO THE AMERICAN AUTO MARKET. FROM THEN IT WAS ALL DOWNHILL FOR THE AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS. HIGH LABOR PRICES IN THE U.S. AUTO INDUSTRY ALLOWED THE FOREIGN AUTO MAKERS TO TAKE A LARGE BITE OUT OF THE MARKET.
THE ABOVE GRAPHIC IS ONE OF MY WEEKLY "HAMILTON SCRAPBOOK" ENTRIES FROM THE MERCER MESSENGER.

1915: NEW JERSEY BELL TELEPHONE CO.

"21st CENTURY PROGRESS"

"FOR SPANISH, PRESS ONE..... FOR ENGLISH, PRESS 2.....IF YOU KNOW YOUR PARTY'S EXTENSION, YOU MAY DIAL IT NOW....FOR THIS, PRESS THAT....FOR THESE, PRESS THAT......" "YOU HAVE REACHED 555-5555; SORRY I CAN'T COME TO THE PHONE NOW.....LEAVE YOUR NAME AND NUMBER
AND SOMEONE WILL GET BACK TO YOU." (AND THEY USUALLY DON'T)
DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU COULD PICK UP YOUR TELEPHONE THAT REPOSED ON THE TABLE OR ON THE WALL, DIAL A NUMBER AND TALK TO A REAL LIVE PERSON?

MA BELL, WE REALLY MISS YOU!
I REMEMBER WHEN WE TOLD SOMEONE WE WOULD CALL BACK, WE DID!

1988: AL DEMARTIN AND PRIM REEVES

I JUST SAW AL DEMARTIN LAST WEEK AT A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON AT CEDAR GARDENS. EXCEPT FOR SOME DISTINGUISHED "SALT 'N PEPPER'" HAIR, HE STILL LOOKS JUST LIKE HE DOES IN THE PICTURE ABOVE. AL IS A REAL GENTLEMAN. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ALLOWING ME TO GAIN ACCESS TO HAMILTON SCHOOL'S ARCHIVES TO HELP US CELEBRATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF KUSER SCHOOL.

PRIM REEVES WAS THE PRODUCER FOR MY TKR WEEKLY LOCAL INTEREST TV TALK SHOW, "IN FOCUS," PRIM REEVES AND TKR, SERVED US VERY WELL, AND THEN ALONG CAME THE CABLE GIANT, CABLEVISION. THEY IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUED LOCAL ACCESS PROGRAMMING, CLOSED DOWN THE HAMILTON STUDIO,AND REPLACED TRULY LOCAL PROGRAMMING WITH WHAT THEY CALL "TV THAT'S CLOSE HOME"

"CLOSE TO HOME" COMES FROM 30 TO 50 MILES AWAY. WE GET TO SEE PROGRAMS WITH INTERVIEWS OF MAYORS IN OCEAN COUNTY, MONMOUTH COUNTY, MIDDLESEX, SOMERSET, WHO ARE COMPLETE STRANGERS TO US AND AN OCCASIONAL 3 MINUTE HAMILTON PIECE. CABLEVISION'S "CLOSE TO HOME" PROGRAMS ARE ANYTHING BUT "LOCAL," AS IN HAMILTON AND ALLENTOWN.

THE REASON?
WE ARE ON THE FAR WESTERN END OF THE CENTRAL NEW JERSEY CABLEVISION COVERAGE AREA. WE MIGHT GET A 3 MINUTE SPOT EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT GETTING TRUE LOCAL COVERAGE IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. TRAVELING FROM WALL TOWNSHIP TO HAMILTON IS COSTLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE TOWNS LIKE MARLBORO, BELMAR, AND OCEAN COUNTY TOWNS NEAR CABLEVISION'S HOME GROUNDS IN WALL TOWNSHIP.
CAN YOU SAY "AUSTERITY?"

1987: HAMILTON HIGH TOP TEN OF THE SENIOR CLASS

BACK IN MY DAY, THESE WOULD BE THE HONOR STUDENTS FROM THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE. DO THEY STILL CATEGORIZE THE COURSES: "GENERAL," "COMMERCIAL,"AND "ACADEMIC?"

1988: NOTTINGHAM NORTH STAR CHEER LEADERS

IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE NORTHSTAR CLASS OF '88 GRACED THE HALLS OF NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL. HERE IS A PHOTO FROM THE MERCER MESSENGER WHERE THE TALENTED CHEER LEADERS "DO THEIR THING." THANKS TO THE JACK LACY MERCER MESSENGER COLLECTION.

1928: ITALIAN AMERICAN WORKERS' CLUB

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LOCAL HISTORY "AMERICAN-ITALIAN" FOLDER. THERE ARE MANY LOCALLY PROMINENT NAMES IN THE ARTICLE. INCIDENTALLY, MY DEAR FRIEND, BOB IMMORDINO CORRECTED ME MANY YEARS AGO WHEN I USED THE PHRASE "ITALIAN AMERICAN." BOB INSISTED THAT IT SHOULD BE "AMERICAN-ITALIANS." I AGREE AND HAVE CHANGED THE LABEL ON MY FOLDER ACCORDINGLY. HIS CALLING CARD LISTS HIM AS AN AUTHORITY ON "ETHNICANA." HE IS AN EXPERT ON THE AMERICAN-ITALIAN EXPERIENCE, DOROTHEA'S HOUSE IN PRINCETON, AND SPLENDID HISTORY OF HIS HOMETOWN OF LAWRENCEVILLE. HIS MONUMENTAL EFFORTS OVER THE LAST 60 PLUS YEARS GET VERY LITTLE RECOGNITION. CAN YOU SAY,
"AGE DISCRIMINATION?"

1931: SUMMER OF '31

CARNIVALS, CONCERTS, MOVIES, DANCES......THINGS HAVEN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH OVER THESE 77 YEARS. THERE'S AN AD FOR THE LATE, LAMENTED WOODLAWN POOL WHICH IS PRETTY CLOSE TO MY BACK YARD, ALSO THE CONCERTS AT CADWALADER PARK WERE EXTREMELY POPULAR. 1931 WAS TWO YEARS INTO THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND TIMES WERE REALLY ROUGH BACK THEN.

1940: TRENTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION

SORRY ABOUT THEPOOR QUALITY OF THE ABOVE PHOTO. THE ORIGINAL PRESENTED A REAL CHALLENGE TO MY EFFORTS TO ENHANCE IT.

THEY WERE THESPIANS WHO WERE PART OF THE 1940 TCHS PRODUCTION OF "MAN IN THE SHADOW." I WONDER IF THE JOE MALONEY IN THE PHOTO ABOVE IS RELATED TO MY ST. ANTHONY/ST. ALPHONSO RETREAT FRIENDS,
JIM AND BILL MALONEY.

1928: THE HOTEL HILDEBRECHT

ONE OF THE VERY SAD THINGS ABOUT HOSTING A WEB PAGE IS IN THE VERY UNFORTUNATE FACT THAT THE GENERATION WHO REMEMBER THE HOTEL STACY TRENT AND THE HOTEL HILDEBRECHT ARE OVER THE AGE OF 65 AND VERY FEW SENIOR CITIZENS ARE INTERESTED IN THE COMPUTER. THEY ARE MISSING SO MUCH! THEY WOULD REMEMBER THE HILDEBRECHT AND THE STACY TRENT, ALONG WITH MANY OF THE IMAGES FROM THE PAST ON THIS SITE AND MANY OTHERS.

1928: WHAT'S HAPPENING-CROSSWICKS

THAT BUCOLIC AND VERY HISTORIC TOWN SOUTH OF US IS AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT! THERE IS SO MUCH HISTORY THERE, ALSO, MANY FAMILIAR FAMILY NAMES.

1928: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SQUARE

THESE ARE FASCINATING GLIMPSES OF LIFE AS IT WAS LIVED IN YEARS GONE BY. I WILL CONTINUE TO POST SOME OF THOSE WHICH HAVE INTERESTING FAMILY NAMES AND ACTIVITIES. LOOK FOR GROVEVILLE, CROSSWICKS, MERCERVILLE, ETC.

2008: Yanping Wu: A Librarian's Librarian

This young lady is a relatively recent addition to the staff at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The article accompanying Ms. Wu's photo has been extracted from a press release from Hamilton Library Trustee Jack Lacy. Ms. Wu is a real asset to our library and community.

2008: Yanping Wu: A Librarian's Librarian

This young lady is a relatively recent addition to the staff at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The article accompanying Ms. Wu's photo has been extracted from a press release from Hamilton Library Trustee Jack Lacy. Ms. Wu is a real asset to our library and community.

2008: Yanping Wu: A Librarian's Librarian

This young lady is a relatively recent addition to the staff at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The article accompanying Ms. Wu's photo has been extracted from a press release from Hamilton Library Trustee Jack Lacy. Ms. Wu is a real asset to our library and community.

2008: Yanping Wu: A Librarian's Librarian

This young lady is a relatively recent addition to the staff at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The article accompanying Ms. Wu's photo has been extracted from a press release from Hamilton Library Trustee Jack Lacy. Ms. Wu is a real asset to our library and community.

2008: Yanping Wu: A Librarian's Librarian

This young lady is a relatively recent addition to the staff at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The article accompanying Ms. Wu's photo has been extracted from a press release from Hamilton Library Trustee Jack Lacy. Ms. Wu is a real asset to our library and community.

2008: Yanping Wu: A Librarian's Librarian

This young lady is a relatively recent addition to the staff at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The article accompanying Ms. Wu's photo has been extracted from a press release from Hamilton Library Trustee Jack Lacy. Ms. Wu is a real asset to our library and community.

2008: Yanping Wu: A Librarian's Librarian

This young lady is a relatively recent addition to the staff at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The article accompanying Ms. Wu's photo has been extracted from a press release from Hamilton Library Trustee Jack Lacy. Ms. Wu is a real asset to our library and community.

1947: HAMILTON HIGH DEBATES

"PS&D" WAS A FAMILIAR TERM TO THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED HAMILTON HIGH IN YEARS PAST. IT WAS USUALLY THE DOMAIN OF THE HONOR STUDENTS WHO WERE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE WE "AVERAGE" STUDENTS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THOSE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND DEBATERS WERE IN THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE OF STUDY.

1947: HAMILTON HIGH DEBATES

"PS&D" WAS A FAMILIAR TERM TO THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED HAMILTON HIGH IN YEARS PAST. IT WAS USUALLY THE DOMAIN OF THE HONOR STUDENTS WHO WERE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE WE "AVERAGE" STUDENTS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THOSE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND DEBATERS WERE IN THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE OF STUDY.

1947: HAMILTON HIGH DEBATES

"PS&D" WAS A FAMILIAR TERM TO THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED HAMILTON HIGH IN YEARS PAST. IT WAS USUALLY THE DOMAIN OF THE HONOR STUDENTS WHO WERE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE WE "AVERAGE" STUDENTS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THOSE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND DEBATERS WERE IN THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE OF STUDY.

1947: HAMILTON HIGH DEBATES

"PS&D" WAS A FAMILIAR TERM TO THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED HAMILTON HIGH IN YEARS PAST. IT WAS USUALLY THE DOMAIN OF THE HONOR STUDENTS WHO WERE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE WE "AVERAGE" STUDENTS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THOSE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND DEBATERS WERE IN THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE OF STUDY.

1947: HAMILTON HIGH DEBATES

"PS&D" WAS A FAMILIAR TERM TO THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED HAMILTON HIGH IN YEARS PAST. IT WAS USUALLY THE DOMAIN OF THE HONOR STUDENTS WHO WERE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE WE "AVERAGE" STUDENTS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THOSE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND DEBATERS WERE IN THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE OF STUDY.

1947: HAMILTON HIGH DEBATES

"PS&D" WAS A FAMILIAR TERM TO THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED HAMILTON HIGH IN YEARS PAST. IT WAS USUALLY THE DOMAIN OF THE HONOR STUDENTS WHO WERE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE WE "AVERAGE" STUDENTS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THOSE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND DEBATERS WERE IN THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE OF STUDY.

1947: HAMILTON HIGH DEBATES

"PS&D" WAS A FAMILIAR TERM TO THOSE OF US WHO ATTENDED HAMILTON HIGH IN YEARS PAST. IT WAS USUALLY THE DOMAIN OF THE HONOR STUDENTS WHO WERE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE WE "AVERAGE" STUDENTS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THOSE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND DEBATERS WERE IN THE "ACADEMIC" COURSE OF STUDY.

1938: KUSER ANNEX SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE SPRING ENTERTAINMENT WAS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT KUSER ANNEX. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH "THE ANNEX," IT SERVED THE LIBERTY-HAMILTON-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA AS THE 9TH GRADE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.

1938: KUSER ANNEX SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE SPRING ENTERTAINMENT WAS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT KUSER ANNEX. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH "THE ANNEX," IT SERVED THE LIBERTY-HAMILTON-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA AS THE 9TH GRADE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.

1938: KUSER ANNEX SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE SPRING ENTERTAINMENT WAS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT KUSER ANNEX. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH "THE ANNEX," IT SERVED THE LIBERTY-HAMILTON-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA AS THE 9TH GRADE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.

1938: KUSER ANNEX SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE SPRING ENTERTAINMENT WAS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT KUSER ANNEX. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH "THE ANNEX," IT SERVED THE LIBERTY-HAMILTON-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA AS THE 9TH GRADE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.

1938: KUSER ANNEX SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE SPRING ENTERTAINMENT WAS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT KUSER ANNEX. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH "THE ANNEX," IT SERVED THE LIBERTY-HAMILTON-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA AS THE 9TH GRADE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.

1938: KUSER ANNEX SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE SPRING ENTERTAINMENT WAS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT KUSER ANNEX. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH "THE ANNEX," IT SERVED THE LIBERTY-HAMILTON-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA AS THE 9TH GRADE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.

1938: KUSER ANNEX SPRING ENTERTAINMENT

THE SPRING ENTERTAINMENT WAS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT KUSER ANNEX. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH "THE ANNEX," IT SERVED THE LIBERTY-HAMILTON-COLONIAL GARDENS AREA AS THE 9TH GRADE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.

1947: ST.JOACHIM'S CATHOLIC YOUTH CLUB

POST WAR AMERICA SAW AN ALARMING INCREASE IN WHAT WAS THEN TERMED, "JUVENILE DELINQUENCY." THE OFFICERS OF ST. JOACHIM PARISH'S CATHOLIC YOUTH CLUB WERE IN THE FOREFRONT OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AIMED AT GIVING AREA CHAMBERSBURG YOUTH WHOLESOME ACTIVITIES.

1947: TIMES BOWLING CHAMPIONS

1946: HOPES WERE HIGH THAT WE WOULD BE FLYERS

MANY AIRCRAFT ADS BACK IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WWII WERE SUGGESTING THAT THE AIRPLANE, ALONG WITH THE AUTOMOBILE WOULD MAKE A COMPLETE ADDITION TO THE TYPICAL AMERICAN FAMILY. THE PIPER CUB WAS AND IS, A CLASSIC AIRCRAFT.; EASY TO LEARN AND ECONOMICAL TO FLY. THERE WERE ALSO A FEW "AUTO AIRPLANES" WITH 4 WHEELS, AND REMOVABLE WINGS. THAT IDEA NEVER TOOK OFF, IF YOU WILL PARDON THE PUN.

1993: TOM GLOVER'S CHAMBERSBURG

THE CHAMBERSBURG OF JUST A FEW YEARS AGO IS CHANGING VERY RAPIDLY AS THE OLD LINE ITALIAN FAMILIES ARE BEING REPLACED BY STILL ANOTHER IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. WHEN I WROTE THIS COLUMN 25 YEARS AGO, CHAMBERSBURG WAS STILL "THE BURG," WITH MANY LOCALLY FAMOUS RESTAURANTS, GENERALLY IMMACULATE HOMES WITH CLEAN FRONT STOOPS AND CURBS. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD AN INTENSE INTEREST IN THE EVOLUTION OF THAT AREA OF TRENTON.

THIS EMAIL RECEIVED FROM "MARCIA" REGARDING THIS POST:

Tom, as you probably know, the Maistri Pie Fillipini nuns also taught at Villa Victoria and many of the children of the doctors and professionals of the Burg went there. Both Candy Jens and I attended there also. When I go by 541 Hamilton now, where my family had a restaurant, it really hurts to see the neighborhood. But many of the streets still are kept up well in the Burg.

Omad

1898: Fiftifth anniversary of the The Italian Constitution

The Washington and Victor Emmanuel Societies celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Italian Constitution. Angelo Camera was a pioneer immigrant into the Italian community in Chambersburg. Can any viewer tell me where Camera Hall was located?

1937: ROAD WORK ON CASS STREET

HOW I LOVE THESE ROAD, STREET, AND TOWN VIEWS. THIS ONE FROM THE "TRENTON, VIEWS OF" FOLDER SHOWS A VERY DIFFERENT CASS STREET THESE 71 YEARS LATER!

2008: REGARDING A RECENT CCC POST

HERE'S A GUEST BOOK ENTRY FROM ROB ROMAN REQUESTING ANY INFORMATION ON THE "TRENTON PHANTOMS" SOCCER CLUB. I WILL KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THE SPORTS PAGES, ROB. PERHAPS A VISITOR MIGHT HAVE SOME INFO. I JUST RECENTLY RECEIVED AND POSTED A PHOTO OF THE WHITE HORSE SOCCER TEAM.

ROB WRITES:

Hi Tom
I have written a couple of times and you have posted some items that I share with my 88 year old grandmother. The Bayer Factory was awesome. I see recently you posted a picture of guys joining the CCC. I think one of the guys in the photo looks like my Grandfathers brother. The depression hit my family hard. Both my grandfather and his brother were in the CCC.
I was wondering if you have any information about any soccer clubs. My grandfather loved the game. I guess he played sometime in the early 30's. I believe the team he played for was called the Trenton Phantoms. My grandmother mentions Hetzel field is where they played
I am sure information is for these teams/leagues is not to common. I figure at that time in history the Polish Community didn't garner a lot of coverage.. Any info you could provide would be a great spirit booster for my grandmother. She recently fell and broke her hip. She sure could use a pick me up. Thanks Tom you are providing a great service with you time, effort and insight.

1946: DOWN GOES ANOTHER TRENTON LANDMARK

THOSE OF US WHO TREASURE HISTORY WINCE WHEN WE HEAR OR SEE THE DESTRUCTION OF OLD HISTORIC LANDMARKS. TO MANY DEVELOPERS, HISTORY TAKES A BACK SEAT TO PUTTING UP STILL ANOTHER GLASS ENCRUSTED OFFICE BUILDING. THE PHOTO ABOVE SHOWS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE MAGNIFICENT WASHINGTON ROEBLING MANSION. EVEN TODAY, MANY OF THE BEAUTIFUL OLD MANSIONS THAT LINE AREAS OF GREENWOOD AVENUE STAND IN BOARDED UP DISREPAIR. IT IS A SAD TRUTH THAT RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THOSE LOVELY OLD ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES IS FISCALLY PROHIBITIVE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.

1946: BEFORE OUR PARKS THERE WERE SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS

I REMEMBER THOSE MOVIES THEY USED TO PROJECT ON THE SIDE OF KUSER SCHOOL BACK IN THE 40'S. WITH THE PROLIFERATION OF MANY OPEN SPACE PARKS IN THE AREA, THE SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS HAVE BECOME AN OBSOLETE BIT OF AMERICANA.

1946: DDT VERSUS THE JERSEY MOSQUITO

HERE'S AN EARLY RIG SPRAYING DDT IN ORDER TO FIGHT THE MANY FLYING THINGS THAT PLAGUE MERCER COUNTY.

2008: HERE COMES SUMMER, 2008!

THIS FROM ONE OF MY LOYAL RETIRED FLORIDA RETIREES. THANKS TOM!
I'm sure many like me wish they were close enough to attend your sing alongs. As it is we enjoy your web page. Thanks for the memories.
Tom Reed
Miami FL
mimareed@aol.com

THE ABOVE SIGN HAS BEEN POSTED ALONG LEONARD AND NEWKIRK AVENUES ADJACENT TO KUSER PARK WHERE MY SON TOM AND I WILL ONCE AGAIN PRESENT SUMMER SUNDAY AFTERNOON MY MUSIC AND SINGALONG PROGRAM, "THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH." I HOPE TO SEE SOME OF MY MANY WEB VISITORS AT THE MUSICALE. BRING A LAWN CHAIR AND ENJOY!

1946: A LOCAL BASEBALL DYNASTY

ALL THROUGH MY EARLY TEENS AND INTO ADULTHOOD, IT ALWAYS SEEMED THAT POST 93'S BASEBALL TEAMS WERE AT THE TOP OF THE GAME. I REMEMBER ONE OF THE PLAYERS WHOSE FIRST NAME I FORGET, WAS A REAL PRO. SCHNORBUS? MAYBE AN OLD SCHROTH'S 93 FAN CAN HELP ME HERE.

1946: TROUBLE IN THE GOOSETOWN AREA

THAT STONE BRIDGE COMES UP FREQUENTLY AS I PAGE THROUGH THOSE OLD COPIES OF THE TRENTON DAILY NEWSPAPERS. THE HONEST PEACEFUL RESIDENTS OF THE AREA WERE UP IN ARMS ABOUT THE AREA WITH ITS RAMPANT CRIME AND DISTURBANCE OF THE PEACE.

1946: BEFORE TELEVISION CAME ON THE SCENE

THESE KIDS FROM THE "BURG" ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME AT A COLUMBUS PARK DANCE PARTY. NOTE THAT BOTH VERY YOUNG AND OLDER ADULTS ARE JOINING IN THE FUN.

1923: WHITE HORSE SOCCER CLUB

THANKS TO VISITOR MR. E. CUNNINGHAM FOR THIS PHOTO OF THE 1923 WHITE HORSE SOCCER TEAM. SEE MR. CUNNINGHAM'S EMAIL BELOW FOR IDENTIFICATION 0OF ONE OF THE TEAM, JAMES CUNNINGHAM. THIS PHOTO HAS BEEN ENHANCED FROM THE ORIGINAL IN ORDER TO BRING OUT THE FACIAL FEATURES OF THE TEAM MEMBERS, AND ALSO REMOVE CREASES WHICH WERE IN THE ORIGINAL.
Tom: I have attached a copy of a photo of the White Horse Crack Soccer Club 1923. I amwilling to drop off the original at the Library if you are interested. The photo hasbeen rolled, hence the cracks in the copy. I didn't want to do anything to it more thanonce. I can only identify the gentleman with mustache to the extreme right--James Cunningham of Taft Avenue. I don't know anything about the club or any of the pictured individuals and onlyrescued the photo when a family estate was being closed out and we were given free rein to takeanything we wanted. If interested in the original, let me know.

1946: GROVEVILLE AND BROMLEY SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS

I WAS A REGULAR VISITOR TO KUSER SCHOOL BACK IN THE 1940'S WHEN THEY HAD THOSE WONDERFUL OUTDOOR MOVIES PROJECTED ON A HUGE SHEET HUNG FROM THE SECOND STORY WINDOW OF THE SCHOOL. BACK IN THE PRE-TELEVISION DAYS, AN OUTDOOR EVENING OF MOVIES WAS A REAL TREAT. LAUREL AND HARDY WERE MY VERY FAVORITES.

1946: I HAVE OGLED, BUT HAVEN'T "MASHED!"

I DARE SAY THAT THE MAJORITY OF VISITORS TO THIS SITE WHO ARE OF THE MALE GENDER WILL ALSO ADMIT TO BEING AN OGLER AT ONE POINT OR PROBABLY MORE IN HIS LIFETIME. FROM THE "CRIME, MORALS, SOCIAL VALUES" FOLDER IN THE LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION COMES THIS VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE ON THE SUBJECT OF OGLING, WHICH WAS PART OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE 1950'S SONGS:

"STANDING ON THE CORNER WATCHING ALL THE GIRLS GO BY."