2012: OCTOBER 30: HURRICANE SANDY AT KUSER FARM PARK

TODAY (OCTOBER 31) IS MY FIRST DAY BACK AT THE LOCAL HISTORY WORKSHOP IN THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY. IT WAS A VERY STRESSFUL TIME FOR MANY LOCALS, MYSELF INCLUDED AS WE ALL WAITED TO SEE WHAT HAVOC HURRICANE SANDY WOULD BRING TO THE MERCER COUNTY AREA. THE SERIES OF PHOTOS BELOW SHOW THE RESULTS OF SANDY'S VISIT TO THE KUSER FARM. THESE ARE ONLY TWO OF THE MANY TREES THAT WERE LOST OVER IN THE WOODED AREA BORDERING NEWKIRK AVENUE. THE LAST TIME I WAS INVOLVED WITH A HURRICANE AT KUSER FARM WAS BACK IN NOVEMBER, 1950 WHEN A DEVASTATING HURRICANE KNOCKED DOWN COUNTLESS TREES AT THE FARM. BACK THEN, WE USED A TWO MAN CROSSCUT SAW, A SLEDGE HAMMER, AND A STEEL WEDGE TO CLEAN UP MANY, BUT NOT ALL OF THE DOWNED TREES.

 

2012: THE CARRIAGE HOUSE AT KUSER FARM

I was delighted to see the scaffolding put up at the carriage house at Kuser Farm Park. Over the years since the property came into the possession of the Township of Hamilton, I have watched that great old complex losing it structural integrity. As all visitors are aware, I have a unique love for this historic Hamilton Township farm. It was one of my unfulfilled dreams to use the second floor apartment in the carriage house for my local history headquarters, but unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the many "pipe dreams" I have experienced in my life time. Back in the late 1940's Fritz Kuser offered me and my future wife no charge occupancy of the second floor apartment. This structure, and the adjoining buildings which once housed a pigeon loft, stables, and a workshop, were also falling into disrepair. And now, along comes Chuck Easton and his highly qualified craftsmen who are bringing this beautiful structure back to it former glory. I saw Chuck during our recent Armed Forces Day ceremony at Veterans' Park in May, and he told me the welcome news that the windmill soon be brought back to restored condition. Two Glover prayers have been answered!

THANKS TO OUR VISITORS!

THANKS TO OUR VISITORS!

TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ASKED ABOUT MY SUMMER 2012 CONCERTS AT THE KUSER FARM GAZEBO, I WILL BE THERE AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE WILL BE WORKING ON THE DETAILS, BUT AS OF THIS VERY SPRING LIKE FEBRUARY22 SPRING-LIKE DAY, THOUGHTS OF GREEN GRASS, FLOWERS, AND WARM WEATHER AT BUCOLIC KUSER PARK BEGIN TO COME INTO FOCUS. I HOPE TO SEE MANY VISITORS AT ONE OF THESE SUNDAY PROGRAMS. DETAILS WILL FOLLOW HERE AND IN MY "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" TRENTON TIMES COLUMNS.

2009: THE OUTRAGE OF GRAFITTI

I took these photos this afternoon while I was walking my dog in Kuser Park. More and more, the area is being polluted with this outrage perpetrated by the dregs of our society. Imagine if this were your property! This vandalism was done on the outskirts of the Kuser Farm property. The Kuser gazebo was beautifully restored by the folks at buildings and grounds. As soon as the finishing touch was put on the structure, a black marker desecrated the clean, white railing. (Not shown in the photo). How sad that certain individuals have no respect for the property of others, and get off so lightly when they are apprehended. One only wonders how long it will be before the Kuser mansion becomes a victim. Were I a judge, these criminals would spend a few months cleaning up the many litter-strewn streets and roads, and if juveniles, their parents would be responsible for restoring the damaged property to its original condition.

2006: TAKE A WALK WITH ME IN KUSER PARK

That's me way back in 1947 standing in the grape arbor at Kuser Farm. Click on my current Trenton Times columns on the link to the right of this page, or on this link:

(http://www.nj.com/columns/times/index.ssf?tomglover)

Join me in a pleasant walk with me into Kuser's woods. Note the flourishing grape arbor which was carefully tended back then, resulting in bushels and bushels of wonderful Concord grapes. When you read my article, you will be transported back to a simpler, more innocent and gentle time. While you are there, check out the Times website. There's something for everyone, and this is going to be the future of the printed page.

2006: Those Wonderful Volunteers

THANKS TO ALL THOSE VOLUNTEERS WHO GENEROUSLY GAVE THEIR TIME TO MAKE THE 2006 HAMILTON CHRISTMAS WINTERFEST A SUCCESS. WE TEND TO TAKE THESE EVENTS FOR GRANTED, AND THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND ENERGY SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHO APPRECIATE THEIR HARD WORK.