2014: AND I CONSIDERED MYSELF AN AMTEUR ORNATHOLOGIST

I remember when I was a boy, how Mom Glover used to treasure the arrival of the W. Atlee Burpee spring seed catalog. Mom Glover had one of the more beautiful gardens in our neighborhood and really loved receiving that annual spring catalog with all its lovely flower seeds for sale. I remember how she considered the Burpee catalog one of the two "harbingers of spring." The other was the welcome sight of a Robin or two scampering in our yard. Back then in our Kuser Farm neighborhood, one seldom saw a Robin until at least as early as March. I didn't know it at the time, I was told that the Robins wintered in the South Jersey Pines, and the arrival in March was considered the aforementioned "harbinger" label. Well, a quick Google search which was not available in my electronically challenged youth, finds that Robins do indeed winter in central Jersey and those with berry bearing trees and bushes were the ones who apparently enjoyed the uplifting experience of seeing them in their yard. The photo above was taken just a few days ago when I witnessed what I estimated at 160 or more of the beautiful birds flocking to the 50 year old Holly tree in my front yard and also on my bayberry hedge. This morning they were gone and so were the holly berries on my Holly tree. Unlike my youthful years when I loved snow winters, I have found that as I age,  I am waiting with bated breath for the arrival of the 2015 spring season. The Robins are now gone from my yard and the true harbingers of spring won't be back until March, 2015.

1905: "CLIMATE CHAGE" 110 YEARS AGO!

With all the media buzz regarding "climate change" and "global warming," this article shows that there were unusual weather changes 110 years ago. As this is being posted, the prognosticators are calling for a genuine blizzard as a "north easter" moves up the middle Atlantic coast. The eastern coastlines from Delaware to Maine are supposedly getting the brunt of the storm with dangerously high winds, coastal flooding, and snow up to 16 to 24 inches inches.

2015: ONLY A FEW OF MY MORE RECENT COLUMNS

Below is a link to some of my Times of Trenton columns. Wow,the online edition is so clear and bright and very easy reading. is it ever easy reading the online edition! Subscribe! It is a really good deal and you can read it 24 hours a day.

http://connect.nj.com/user/njotglover/posts.html

1950's REMEMBERING WHEN NBC NEWS REPORTED THE NEWS

"Goodnight, Chet; Goodnight David!" And then the last of the real newscasters went into retirement. I remember when NBC was the stalwart of news reporting. Today, the peacock has morphed into MSNBC, a progressive medium whose agenda like the NY Times, presents "All the news that fits." Are you old enough to remember Huntley-Brinkley, John Cameron Swayze, Douglas Edwards, Edward R. Murrow, Frank Singizer, and other newsmen who were in the national spotlight from WWII up until the mid 1960's when America's social values began to change?

1938: MARIJUANA: AN UNKNOWN DRUG DURING MY TEEN YEARS

I had never heard the word Marijuana used during my teenage years. It wasn't until the Hippies, Woodstockers, and other anti social rebels brought it into society in massive amounts, This front page is a very large graphic and unless you have a larger monitor you will not be able to read it in full. Below is an extract of the graphic only. It was only recently that I saw the now cult movie, "REEFER MADNESS;" which was supposed to scare the viewer with the mind altering ability of a joint or two.

1920 and 1938: THE PRIOR BAKING COMPANY

This 1920's era photo gives a rare glimpse into the Prior Baking plant. Is there anyone from my generation who didn't pass by the shop on South Clinton Avenue and Liberty Street and savor the aroma of fresh baked goods....an aroma that nearly made you swoon? Prior's "Creamsticks" were imitated but never duplicated UNTIL NOW! Yes, Eet Gud Bakery on Hamilton Avenue has incredibly delicious "Creamsticks" that are every bit as good as those I remember from Prior and also the now defunct Paramount bakery.

1940's and 50's: Time for a Nostalgia Break!

 

That girl in the photo above is probably listening to "Meet Corliss Archer" or "A Date With Judy" as she does her homework in her rolled up jeans and Bobbysox. It is typical of those lovely girls I grew up with back before the advent of TV and the increasing exploitation of women that followed. The lovely example of true femininity in the photo below, brings back precious memories of a Sunday afternoon with my then girl friend Judy as we drove out to dinner at the Old Heidelberg, or perhaps Landwehr's or the Glendale for dinner in my 1952 Willys "Aerolark.". My dear wife Judy was a fashion plate back during those years. White gloves, a crinoline skirt, and sheer wholesome female beauty.

1938: TERNSTEDT DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS TO MOVE INTO EWING TOWNSHIP

It was HUGE news back in 1938 when General Motors Corporation decided to build a HUGE factory on Parkway Avenue in Ewing Township to manufacturer hardware parts for their trucks and automobiles. With the mobilization effort on the part of the U.S. Government War Department back in the early WWII years, the plant was converted to the manufacture of the legendary Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber for the U.S.Navy.

1952: A FABULOUS CUT-AWAY SHOT OF DOWNTOWN TRENTON

How I love these center city R.C. Maxwell photos! This is a magnified and extracted portion of southbound autos leaving State Street as it was back in 1952; the year I began my working career with the now defunct Trenton Bearing Co. Those of us who remember the Trenton of the mid 20th century will agree that it was a lively and bustling town with countless retail stores.

1933:COLEMAN DRUGS - STACY LAUNDRY - STANDARD FIRE INSURANCE

 

I seem to recall that my friend,the late Meredith "Med" Havens worked for the Standard Fire Insurance Company. Old timers will remember that old reliable Coleman Drug store that was on the corner of Greenwood and So. Olden Avenue. The building still stands but Coleman is long gone. As to the Stacy Laundry, when I saw their appearance on the graphic, I tried to recall some of the others that still linger in my memory......Blakeley, Lincoln, and......my gosh, I forgot many of the others!

1933: SOUTH BROAD STREET - PALACE THEATOR AND VAN SCIVER

I only went to the Palace theater once during my early years. I do recall that on the day I went there, a little novelty store was nearly next door with all kinds of kid stuff. Exploding cigars, that little thing you put in your hand and when you reached out your hand to handshake your buddy, a spring actuated a little gizmo on your buddy's hand. Ahh the joys of childhood! By the way, the telephone pole is obscuring the view of the PALACE sign.

1952 STATE AND BROAD AND THOSE "FIVE AND DIMES"

Here's another zoomed in Maxwell photo giving a closeup view of Woolworth's, Grant's and Kresge's. on E. State a. The original was dark but sunshine has been added!

1952: EXPLODED VIEW DOWNTOWN TRENTON STATE AND BROAD

What a familiar sight! Look at all the downtown shoppers milling around the busiest intersection in Mercer County back in the year 1952. You can see the news stand that was on the corner of State and Broad just outside the window of J.B.Wilson's Store. And of course, let's not forget that "Futuramic" Oldsmobile heading in our direction as it passes an oncoming 

Trenton Transit Bus No. 545.

1929: ZOOMING IN ON THE 900 BLOCK OF S. BROAD ST.

Remember Frizzell's on South Broad Street? I sure do. Here's a zoomed in photo showing Robbin's Auto store, Berg's Department Store, and just up the road a bit, Leigh Frizzell's mien's shop. This was a familiar route for those of us who entered downtown Trenton from South Broad Street.

When I found the incredible R.C. Maxwell collection of Trenton and area photos a year or so ago, it led to an open door to others who also enjoy these wonderful photos. Accordingly, somewhat later, they started appearing on various web pages posted by newcomers to the site. All of which led me to wonder about the copyright law and whether I was legally posting the few that I did post early on WITHOUT the crediting properly. I was told to superimpose the accreditation on the physical graphic. I immediately began posting as per those instructions. The response I received this morning from the Duke Library Maxwell collection has been digitized as above.

2015 and 1981: KUSER FARM: TOM GLOVER'S CHAPEL OF MEMORIES

Perhaps it's memories of my youth which as I age comes into extremely sharp focus, or perhaps it's the proximity of the Hartley Avenue home in which I grew up 80 years ago. Whatever the the reason, I find a certain spiritual peace when I take one of my very frequent walks along Newkirk Avenue and into my own "Sherwood Forest," Kuser Farm. Time has taken a server toll on the woods as I remember them. Many of the trees have died and been cut down,and others are long gone. I remember how we kids were like monkey as we climbed those long gone trees which once bordered the Kuser property with the township's Newkirk Avenue. There are memories of catching tadpoles and dodging sewing bugs on the pond, and very special treasured memories surround this local Hamilton treasure give me both a spiritual oneness with God, and also much needed exercise for my aging body. The above article captures only a very few of the memories I have for this wonderful place. Before computers came into my life in the early 1980's, I wrote a  booklet with a titled I borrowed from Keats entitled, "KUSER FARM: A JOY FOREVER" It told of many of my memories of Kuser Farm along with a number of pictures I drew of the old Kuser GMC trailer, the "Alice in Wonderland" Beech tree that has since been cut down, the "Bear Tree" that was a scary sight that Don Slabicki and I thought was the bear that had escaped from the N.J. State Fair area. We were sure that bear was climbing up the tree. Memories are a gift God has given to his human creation. Some are sad, but for me, most of them are precious and spiritually refreshing.

1935: CLOSEUP OF E. STATE AT SO. BROAD ST. 70 YEARS AGO.

Here's a fabulous zoom in view of a few of the store fronts on the south side of East State Street as it approaches South Broad Street.  Note that the familiar "Nedick's" which was a very familiar State and Broad venue during the 1940's and 1950's was not yet in operation.

Over the past year or so since I discovered this incredible collection of Trenton area photos, I note that there are a number of these R.C.Maxwell Trenton area photos that are being posted with no credit as to the source which is in violation of U.S. Copyright "fair use" laws. In keeping with this law, and as required by the Duke University Library R.C. Maxwell Collection, I insert the copyright information on the actual photos which I post on various internet locations. This  effectively prevents me from being in violation of the aforesaid law. Posting with no credit physically printed on the photo allows for copying and re-posting elsewhere on various websites.

1920: SO. BROAD ST. AT E. FRONT STREET

These incredible R.C. Maxwell - Duke University Library photos allow for clarity which I find particularly fascinating. Here's a closeup of the intersection of So. Broad and E.Front Street with the Methodist Church tower just partially visible. Below is a GoogleEarth view of the intersection as it appears today. What a difference in the transformation of that intersection after these 95 years!

. Over the past year or so since I discovered this incredible collection of Trenton area photos, I note that there are a number of these R.C.Maxwell Trenton area photos that are being posted with no credit as to the source which is in violation of U.S. Copyright "fair use" laws. In keeping with this law, and as required by the Duke University Library R.C. Maxwell Collection, I insert the copyright information on the actual photos which I post on various internet locations. This  effectively prevents me from being in violation of the aforesaid law. Posting with no credit physically printed on the photo allows for copying and re-posting elsewhere on various websites.

1929 AND 1940: THE GAIETY THEATER

In our neighborhood it was either the Gaiety or the Greenwood theater. The Gaiety, along with the Centre Theater on Centre Street in South Trenton were not known as "first run" theaters. I remember going to their summer Tuesday matinees where a kid could spend a summer afternoon watching a double feature, a news reel, a cartoon carnival, and usually a 12 chapter serial, all for the miserly sum of a lttle over 10 cents admission. The younger generation won't remember the Gaiety. However most of them will recall that it morphed into the Olden Theater in later years.

2015: HERE'S A CUSTOM MADE JANUARY 2015 CALENDAR JUST FOR YOU!

One of my often used software programs is "SMILEBOX;" which allows me to make excellent on screen programs and project them at the monthly meetings of the Historical Society of Hamilton. Above is just one of the other features of Smilebox. A template which allows me to customize their template with local oriented graphics as seen in this January 2015 calendar page., Ahh...modern technology; I wish I had another 30 years left in my lengthy lifespan to see what incredible technological miracles lies in the future!  

You should be able to download this, print it out and put it on your fridge.

2015: HUMBLE, GRATEFUL AND PRAYER-FILLED THANKS!

This is a humble thank you to the many readers of my Times of Trenton “Sentimental Journey” column, my once per month Times of Trenton “HAMILTON PLUS” column, the many visitors to this website, 200 plus emails of condolences I have received from my countless Facebook and other social media friends, and upwards of 150 visitors to Judy's viewing at St. Anthony of Padua Church. It would be an impossible task for me to personally acknowledge each and every one of your condolence and Mass cards. The outpouring of love and compassion was overwhelming and I am truly humbled. I had no idea there were so many wonderful folks out there who took the time to express their sympathy at this very sad life changing time in my life. I thank my God for friends such as you!

PRIVATE GLOVER'S UNFORGETTABLE NEW YEAR PARTS ONE AND TWO II

 I posted the top graphic a day or so ago, not realizing that it was a "two parter." Herewith the completion of the "continued next week" column as it appeared way back in 1993.  I received a few emails asking if and when I was going to post the second part. Here it is.

1948: AMERICAN MORALS AND THE SOCIAL FABRIC

Back in the 1940's and 50's when my friend Don Slabicki and I worked for Fred and Edna Kuser there were always copies of the "MOTION PICTURE HERALD" and "LIFE" magazine in the Kuser "den." (The den being the room which now serves as the office of Ms. Patti Krzywulak. (pronounced Sheh-voe-lack). I just came across an article, extracted above which is from the complete article entitled "FAMILY STYLE MODEL AGENCY," which in this case happened to be the Ford Modeling Agency. I was immediately taken back to my years at Kuser Farm. Even though I recall her as a Powers model, lovely Mary Corey, Fritz and Edna's niece, was the epitome of the "girl next door." All of us admired and hoped one day to meet the perfect girl she personified. Mary was a frequent visitor to the Sunday night movies at the Kuser family theater, and whenever she was there, you can be assured that she was dressed in extreme good taste. How we have changed over the years! What was once a society where wholesome femininity was the norm, we have morphed into a society where tattoos, belly buttons and other "in your face" examples of societal changes have become the rule rather than the exception.  

Note that this is my personal observation, and also note that it comes from a person who longs for a return to those years when life was much less complicated. In other words, from an old "fuddy duddy" who remembers how June Allyson, Kim Novak, Betty Grable, June Haver, Jeanne Crain and other Hollywood lovelies exhibited "wholesome" feminism and were every bit as "sexy" in their one piece bathing suits when compared to the "derriere-exposing" Bikinis.

1911: RIKER'S DRUG STORE

I posted the photo below on this website many months ago and it has since been appearing here and there around the internet.However, the article I attached to that photo tells the interesting story of the Riker company who had similar super stores in other cities. Every time I look at that beautiful fountain, images of Victorian splendor come to mind. Perhaps a lovely Judy Garland hopping off that trolley with Tom Drake to partake in an ice cream soda with two straws! What an imagination!

1950: THE PERRY STREET TERMINAL

You're on the other side of 50 years of age if you remember this very prominent landmark from Trenton's golden age when those yellow and green Trenton Transit buses moved in and out all day long. It was here that U.S. Army Pvt. Glover, Thomas L. waited for a Trailways bus on a warm Wednesday morning to take him to Fort Devens, Mass. where he was to begin 9 months of hush hush training at the New England HQ of the Army Security Agency.