1931: THE OLD "BRUNSWICK CIRCLE"

If you look to the left in the above photo, you will see a portion of Trenton's fabled "Dunn Field;" home of the Trenton Senators and later the Trenton Giants. It was also the field where many Catholic schools played ball.

1931: R.V. KUSER MOVES TO 30 FISHER PLACE

There are nearly 100 graphics and articles on the Kuser Family in my "KUSER FAMILY" folder. This clip reminded me of an evening back in 1945, 46, oir 47 when Don Slabicki and I went to the Kuser home in the western section, assisting Fritz Kuser as he presented a movie to those in attendance. I can't recall whether it was a feature film or short subjects for a young person's birthday. All I do recall was the cozy atmosphere and beautiful furnishings in the home.

1929: SWITLIK'S ASTOUNDING PARACHUTE

From the "Aircraft" and "Local Businesses" folder comes this very interesting graphic which tells of the successful thousand foot drop of a Switlik parachute over the skies of Ewing Township's Mercer Airport. Apparently the jump was made by a plane was rigged with a trap door, where the jumpers sat in a seat attached to the parachute. As we all know, most flyers "bailed out," pulling on the "rip cord." It would be an impossible task to even attempt to count the number of lives saved by Stanley Switlik's parachute. The company started business in the South Trenton area and ultimately moved to its current location on Walnut Avenue in Hamilton Township.

1931: James Moses School, Villa Park

Once upon a time, Villa Park area school children went to the James Moses School on Park Avenue near the intersection of Hamilton. In fact, and if memory serves me, it was located just a bit opposite the intersection of New Jersey and Park Avenues. I'm sure a visitor from the area can either confirm or deny the accuracy of my memory.

1929: DOES ANYONE REMEMBER MAGGIO'S?

I really like these old ads that are specific to a neighborhood. In this case, Maggio's, right in the heart of the Burg! I will be publishing ads similar to this in future posts.

HHS PRESENTS CAROUSEL

I need help from HHS alumni to date this program. Recalling the many times Louise Baird played music from this wonderful operetta while we were nightly visitors to her next door apartment, I would guess that the date was 1958 or 1959. I do remember the lovely Kay Salvatore and her beautiful singing voice; a very capable Julie Jordan, as was George Bolge who was Billy Bigelow. Carousel is still my very favorite operetta and motion picture. I still fill up with tears in that last scene where Billy comes back to visit Julie and his daughter at graduation. Heavy stuff, but ethereal in nature.

1950's: FISCHER BAKING CO.

Thanks to Joe San Fillippo for this and other local graphics. I remember Fischer as being "Fischer's Buttercup Bread." The baking industry in Trenton has a fascinating heritage all to itself. We had Barber's Bread from Jesse Barber, a very popular baker in the early part of the 20th century as was Kolb's Bakery on Pennington Avenue, Rossi's, Tilton's, Mack, Prior (the donut bakery), and I'm sure there are others floating around my aging brain. No, I didn't forget the Italian Peoples' Bakery nor Barbero's; methinks they are from a later generation.

THANKS FOR THE VERY INTERESTING GRAPHIC, JOE.

1913: TRENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: IN THE BEGINNING

From its it very beginning right up to the present time, there have always been dedicated lovers of Trenton who helped to keep the magnificent history of the city of Trenton alive. Foremost among them is the Trenton Historical Society. This "Daily True American" article is probably the harbinger of the organization of that wonderful group of historians. With an abject apology to Mr. F.B. Lee for the 1913 era reproduction of his photo. Like most newspaper offset photos from that era, it was just too poorly printed to respond to digital enhancement. Check out the very interesting Trenton Historical Society website at:

http://trentonhistory.org

1934: Greenwood School Class of 1944

Hey, that's my lifelong friend Web Grimm in that class! Web's relationship with the Glover family goes way way back to the 1k930's when he and my older brother Len conducted a boys' club known as the "Lynx" club. I can still see those guys pouring the jelly stuff into a flat pan and duplicating documents that came out printed in blue. It was called a "Hektograph" process. Now I know I'm getting on in years! I haven't heard that word in years.

1934: WOODLAWN PARK

Here's a relatively rare and pretty vibrant photo of "The Whip" at Woodlawn Park in Hamilton. The entrance to the park was off So. Logan Avenue. It was located in the area of Greenwood, Connecticut, and down to the Quincy Avenue area.

1934: There's my friend, Webb Grimm!

The class of 1934 at Greenwood school has a number of name which are familiar to me. Grace Breen was a friend during my years at St. Anthony Parish. This post will also be included in my new Bromley website which can be found by clicking on the link in "Blogs Worth Visiting" elsewhere on this page.

(For some reason, I can't create the link on this page. Go figure!)

1913: NO CRANKING ON THE NEW MERCERS!

The Mercer Automobile Company's popularity was in its peak in 1913. The new self starter was a real hi tech innovation, and along with the racing success of the Mercer "Raceabout," hopes were running high that the success would continue. Unfortunately, and unknown to management at the time the future was bleak.

1913: Notes from Hamilton Square

Here's a bit of yesterday's news from Hamilton Square, telling of events at the Baptist and Presbyterian churches, and other small town news.

1913: "The Cadwalader Park Tunnel'

This was a very familiar place for me back in the 1960's when I was deeply involved in metal detecting on the sprawling and beautiful grounds of Cadwalader Park. This photo is from the era when offset photos were very primitive. It took a bit of tweaking with Photoshop and this is the best I could do to bring out the details, even though they are very obscure...(Look closely; that's a horse drawn buggy going toward the tunnel.

1955: Beverly Brenner Muschiatti Obit

This email received from Jack Lacy, HHS '56, via Noreen Brenner McBride:

Hi All !

Noreen "Ish" (Brenner) McBride asked me to pass this on to those on my several mail lists who knew her sister, Bev, who was also the former wife of Larry Muschiatti. Bev was in the HHS55 class.
Jack

BEVERLY (BRENNER) MUSCHIATTI
Beverly (Brenner) Muschiatti, age 71, of Bear, DE passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 19, 2009 surrounded by her family.
Born in Trenton, NJ, Ms. Muschiatti was the daughter of the late Fred and Iva (Collins) Brenner. For over 20 years, she worked for Delaware Importers, retiring in 2005. She was the first woman president of the Newark National Little League in 1977 and the Football Director of the NCC New Castle Bulldogs and Glasgow Dragons for the NCCFL. She also coached cheerleading for Capitol Trail Junior Football and taught ceramics. She enjoyed garage sales and flea markets and was a proud supporter of the Delaware Stars Cheerleaders.
Ms. Muschiatti will be dearly missed by her sons, Jeffrey of Sherwood, OR, David of Wilmington and Michael of Newark; her daughter and son-in-law, Debi and Kurt Bartell of Bear; three grandchildren, Ashley, Kelly and Makayla; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Doris Brenner of California; and her sisters, Joyce Berrien of Lakehurst, NJ and Noreen McBride of Trenton, NJ.
Family and friends are invited to visitation on Tuesday, February 24 between 6-7 pm at Mealey Funeral Home, Limestone and Milltown Roads, Wilmington, with a memorial service beginning at 7 pm. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, 111 W. 11th St. #3, Wilmington, DE 19801.
www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com

2009: THANKS TO YOU ATTENDED OUR KUSER MANSION PROGRAM!

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 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.

2009: VOTE TODAY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009

Polls are open at the Hamilton Volunteer Fire House for Bromley Fire District 4 on Klockner Road. Polls open at 2 and close at 9. Paper ballots are being utilized, and the time taken is minimal.

If you are a Bromley resident, you owe it to your community to cast your vote. While you're at the firehouse, wish the fire guys a happy 100th birthday for their fire company!

HAMILTON VFD: 1909 - 2009

A century of service to Bromley

1972: HHS ALUMNUS PAT MCGARRIGLE MAKES A CAREER MOVE

2009: KUSER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT KUSER MANSION

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!

1909-2009: Happy 100th Birthday, Hamilton Volunteer Fire Co.!

A week or so ago, Joe Whartenby, Jimmy Cope, and Bob Wiles from the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company visited my archives workshop at the Hamilton Library. It was at this meeting that I decided to form a website dedicated to the Bromley section of Hamilton (http://www.tomgloversbromley.blogspot.com/.)
The fact that I have numerous files in both the "BROMLEY" and "HAMILTON FIRE CO." folders seems to be a good time start the website to coincide with Hamilton VFD's centennial. One hundred years! They must be doing something right. As a resident of Bromley for nearly half the time Hamilton has been in existance, I find the history of this veteran fire company to be very interesting.

1959: HAMILTON VFD: FROM THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

A week or so ago, Joe Whartenby, Jimmy Cope, and Bob Wiles of the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company visited my archives workshop at the Hamilton Library. It was at this meeting that I decided to form this website. The fact that I have numerous files in both the "BROMLEY" and "HAMILTON FIRE CO." folders

seems to be a good time start the website to coincide with Hamilton VFD's centennial. One hundred years! They must be doing something right. As a resident of Bromley for nearly half the time Hamilton has been in existance, I find the history of this veteran fire company to be very interesting.

1936: Maple Shade Class of '36

This and the following Maple Shade series of class photos is included in my "Maple Shade School" digital and hard copy folders in the Hamilton Library. As indicated elsewhere on this website, I have a special interest in class photos; probably due to the fact that I have met many of the individuals in the various photos from schools all over the Hamilton-Trenton-Mercer County area.

1933: MAPLE SHADE SCHOOL CLASS OF '33

These Maple Shade students are in their 90's now. I see my friend Lillian Tindall Smith from the Hamilton Township Historical Society in the front row, and another old friend, the late Al Thiel who was an active member of St. Anthony's Holy Name Society when I was president of that august group back in the 1980's. Al operated the cemetery monument business across from Greenwood Cemetery, and in some distant way is related to the late Phoebe Thiel, who was my uncle Charlie Gaudette's sister. Other names in that class are very familiar: Gropp, Stemhagen, and Markgraf.

1974: JULIANNA MEYER SCHUJKO REMEMBERS MAPLE SHADE SCHOOL

I am not the only person who has very pleasant memories of my grammar and high school years. Julianna Meyers Schujko has the same sentiments as I as she recalls some of her more memorable years at White Horse's Maple Shade School. Well done, Julianna! Memories are made of this!

DATE? MAPLE SHADE SCHOOL: GOODBYE, OLD FRIEND

What sad days they were, as the wrecking ball demolished still another grammar school. Along with Farmindale, White Horse's Maple Shade grammar school lives on in the memory of many of the alumni who are still with us. Thankfully, many of the early 20th century grammar schools have survived the wrecker's ball, with community and municipal personnel maintaining them.

CAN ANYONE ASSIST ME WITH DATING THE PHOTO ABOVE?

Tom - 1975 or 1976 is as close as I can come to an approximate year of Maple Shade's demolition. I substituted in Maple Shade when my son was in first grade at another school, and he was born in 1969.Lakeside Girl
Friday, February 20, 2009

1913: Pennington Volunteer Fire Dept. 21st Anniversary

This interesting look back at the Pennington Volunteer Fire Co. will give a good genealogical glimpse of the personnel who were active fire "laddies" back in the Late 19th and early 20th century. There are many locally familiar names in that article.

1875: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EWING!

Here's a pleasant Happy Birthday gift to all my visitors from Ewing Township. It is extracted from the 1875 Everts and Stewart Altlas in my collection. Enjoy!

1912: CAPTAIN CULLITON, TRENTON P.D.

From the "Police, Hamilton and Trenton" folder comes this notification of the appointment to chief, James Culliton. Mr. Culliton was a very high profile police officer back in the early 20th century.

1880: Making Ewing A Better Place

Early attempts at neighborhood improvement in a meeting held in the Ewing Presbyterian Church. Very interesting observations, especially as relates to vandalism which was alive and well all those many years ago,

2009: "THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH"

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

1911: WESLEY M.E. CHURCH - CENTRE STREET

Every Sunday morning as I wend my way down to the South Village apartments for two Communion services, I pass by this incredibly interesting and historic building which is once again housing the Wesley M.E. congregation. As you can see by the graphic above, with the assistance of the Trenton Historical Society's "History of Trenton 1679 - 1929," the little chapel size building has an interesting genealogy. It is located on the easter side of Centre Street near Landing Street and the Mott School.

2009: A HEADS UP FROM TOM

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

2009: HEADS UP 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!

1918: FIRST BAPTISTS PICNIC AT CADWALADER PARK

Cadwalader park was teeming with picnics from all over the area back in the early part of the 20th century. A sunday concert at the park was a regular feature, and world renowned artists performed concerts there.

1918: WORLD WAR I IN BROAD STREET PARK

Patriotism was alive and well as American fought to free the world from the dreaded "Hun," the Kaiser. These lovely young girls went all out and raised a tidy sum of money for the welfare of the local community.

1918: SLACKWOOD VOLUNTEER FIRE CARNIVAL

These fire fighters protected the Slackwood area of Lawrence Township. They were also very supportive of the Bromley section when assistance was needed....over the RR tracks on Whitehead road, and they were on the scene; a short trip from Slackwood to Bromley.

1918: SLACKWOOD VOLUNTEER FIRE CARNIVAL

These fire fighters protected the Slackwood area of Lawrence Township. They were also very supportive of the Bromley section when assistance was needed....over the RR tracks on Whitehead road, and they were on the scene; a short trip from Slackwood to Bromley.

1918: E,C, HILL'S CIVIL WAR CANNON GIFT TO CADWALADER PARK

This is not to be confused with the "Swamp Angel" which Hamilton's Civil War Roundtable restored and had moved to Cadwalader Park. The "Angel" was a "Parrot Gun," and fired a completely different missile. It is interesting to note that this armament was also made in South Trenton Arms and Ordnance Works.

1918: FRANKLIN SCHOOL CLASS OF 1918

Based on many emails and verbal converations, these old class photos are one of the more popular graphics on this website, probably due to their value inm genealogical research, or for visitors who are interested in finding parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and other relatives and friends. This class photo shows a Maxwell Solomon, and I would just bet that this is a blood relative of my veterinarian, Dr. Maxwell Solomon. I will see that he gets a copy.

1887: A RARE DOCUMENT FROM CHAMBERSBURG OF OLD

Some of the letters and invoices in my collection are really quite unusual. The above invoice from the borough of Chambersburg is an example of the historic heritage of that grand old area of Trenton which was once part of Hamilton. This invoice pre-dates the arrival of the majority of Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th century.

1907: ST. STANISLAUS SCHOOL CORNERSTONE

Perhaps a St. Stan's alumnus can add his or her "golden rule days" memories to this interesting graphic detailing the cornerstone laying ceremony at St. Stanislaus School

1901: FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION AT SACRED HEART PARISH

1904: SACRED HEART SCHOOL ALUMNI

How I would love to have been at that reunion at Sacred Heart School on South Trenton's Lamberton Street. At the time, the parishioners and students were mostly of Irish descent.

1907: PUBLIC SCHOOLS BAN WHIPPING

Even if Mom and Dad plead with the teacher and the administration, there will be no further
whipping or otherwise physical contact with students. How quaint.

1951 ALICE SCHMIDT MULLEN: "KEEPER OF THE FLAME"

Sincere gratitude to Alice Schmidt Mullen, HHS '51 for diligently recording the activities and obituaries of our HHS '51 classmates. Though the years, Alice has clipped those articles and saved them for posterity. The numerous obits and achievement articles on this website would not have seen the light of day were it not for Alice. With gratitude, HHS '51 salutes you; you're the best!

1965: RONNIE LYNCH - HHS '51

Ronnie was a classmate through most of my Kuser School years, and all through HHS '51. As you can see by the graphic above, he was another of our "Academic" classmates who went on to a very successful career as a lawyer. Ronnie was known for that contagious smile.

2009: Lucia "Lucy" Spera Di Polvere - HHS '51

I only know her as "Lucy." She was a "straight "A" student all through her school years. She came over to Kuser Annex from Homedell, and after attending college became a local legend with the DiPolvere Nursery School on Cubberly Road. Lucy is very active in the local community, including a lengthy affiliation with the Contemporary Club. She and her husband Ed are also locally renowned for their dancing abilities.

2007: Ray Danberry-Goodbye old friend

Ray and I renewed old acquaintances in 2005 when he came to my office in the Hamilton Library to add material to this HHS '51 website. He and I had the "character" leads in our operetta of 1951, "Tulip Time." He was the "Burgomaster, and I was his flack, "Hans." He recalled that it was a very simple task for him to pick up my 98 pound frame and place it from point "A" to point "B." I can still hear him sing one of his lines in that production: "I am der Burgomaster of dis place, der guy vot fills der office. In politics und funny tricks, you'll find dot I'm no novice..." Ray and his lovely wife "Sandy" were an integral part of happy years at Hamilton High. He is missed by all of us who knew him. Rest in peace, Ray. We'll all meet again!

RICK STANICS:

Many thanks for the encouraging email, Rick. It's folks like you who make all the hard work worthwhile. Stay tuned; there will be more HHS articles which I am sure will be of interest to you. Thanks again for taking the time to write in my guest book. I was beginning to wonder if any Hornets were actually visiting the site, other than my class of '51.

Tom

A MORALE BOOSTING EMAIL FROM RICK STANICS, HHS '79:

Name:

Rick Stanics

Comments:
Mr. Glover, I am an HHS Hornet from 1979. Ten days after graduating I joined the service and have not lived home since. I came across your site by accident the other day and have spent many hours since, pouring over the articles. It was like finding buried treasure to see articles from my graduating year. You are doing an incredible service! I can't tell you how much I appreciate this link to my past, living so far away in Chicago. Thanks for all of your efforts

YARDVILLE-GROVEVILLE: A FASCINATING NEWS ACCOUNT

Join this State Gazette reporter on his visit to Yardville and Groveville in 1898. A fascinating visit!

1881: WOODWARD'S MILL AT GROVEVILLE

In the historic past of Groveville, one could safely say that it was a "mill town." The mill that was located where the park is now located had been a Groveville institution since way back in the beginnings of the town.

1944: Lt. Koczak Receives the Air Medal

Lt. Koczak was a Thunderbolt pilot, who may have been one of the "fighter escorts" that kept the enemy away from my brother Len's B-24 Eighth Air Force Liberator crew as they made nightly bombing raids over Nazi Germany during WWII. I have often heard my brother recall how thankful the bomber crews were to have those P47 Thunderbolts, and P51 Mustangs watching over them.

1975: HHS 75TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

1941: HAMILTON HIGH HONOR ROLL

Many familiar names in the list of HHS students in the above graphic. Kuser Annex, which was 9th grade for Kuser School area residents, is included in the list of honorees. I see a "Feehan" in there, and I just bet it is a relative of either Lorraine or Chet Feehan.