1966: A BREATHTAKING VIEW OF "JUNIOR 4;" AKA GRACE DUNN MIDDLE SCHOOL

We should pay full attention to these BEAUTIFUL examples of QUALITY architecture and do all in our power to see that they do not deteriorate and require replacement with glass encrusted replacements. Every time a pass by my original Hamilton High School on So. Clinton Avenue, I realize the quality that was the hallmark of the generation that built these beautiful red brick neighborhood schools. The shameful neglect  of Trenton Central High School, Trenton's most beautiful high school should never have happened.  PREVENTIVE maintenance should have been the order of the day instead of "kicking the can down the road" until the mold, mildew, rust and lack of attention resulted in its demise.

1946: JUNIOR 4 "ARGUS" FORWARD PAGE

It was my privilege to present an onscreen presentation for the Junior 4 Alumni Association a few weeks ago. There ar 54 Junior Four files (24 gigabytes) of photos and articles in the growing "JUNIOR 4" folder and growing. There were over 100 alumni at that annual dinner and I was completely amazed at the incredible love they had for that great old school and the education they received during their years as students. The graphic shows the "Forward" page with an empty graduation gown cleverly placed on a chair, vacated by one of the students who graduated from there with a splendid and complete education. I superimposed the cover of the 1946 ARGUS to add a bit of color.

1940: JUNIOR 4, DAYTON STREET; TODAY'S GRACE DUNN

 

I am building up a nice collection of Junior Four grammar school articles, photos and quite a few "ARGUS" yearbooks. It seems that this school holds many fond memories to many visitors who were fortunate enough to attend that school during the golden years of education in Trenton and the surrounding area. Of particular interest is the weekly "Assembly" which we all had back in the 1930's and 40's. It was usually a Friday affair and we were exposed to fascinating cultural and educational on stage programs.

1940: EVENTS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1940-41 AT JUNIOR 4

I am saving graphics from the growing Junior 4-Grace Dunn School for my friend, Gus Perilli. Gus is an active member of the Junior 4 Alumni Association which meets monthly  here in the Hamilton Township Public Library. I am really happy to hear that the Jr. 4 alumni folks are very active in their new found organization.

4 Comments

Close this window Jump to comment form

Mack said...

Hi Tom:) Please tell the JR4 Alumni to get on the net. If they have important memories they are sharing amongst themselves they can spread these to an additional and appreciative audience.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Tom Glover said...

UNFORTUNATLY MIKE, MOST ALUMNI ARE FROM THE OLDER GENERATION, AND THOSE WHO ARE ON THE COMPUTER ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. I AM TRYING TO GET GUS PERILLI TO LEARN THE BASICS. GUS IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE NEW ASSOCIATION. I SPEAK BEFORE MANY SENIOR CITIZEN GROUPS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. IF THERE ARE 50 OR 100 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, I ASK HOW MANY ARE ON THE COMPUTER. MAYBE 2 OR 3 HANDS. IT'S FRUSTRATING. MANY SAY IT'S "TOO COMPLICATED," MANY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING, AND MANY ARE JUST TOO OCCUPIED WITH GROWING OLD. MY BLOG WOULD BE A TREASURE TO MOST OF THEM WITH THE MIX OF HISTORY, NOSTALGIA, AND PERSONAL PHOTOS FROM THE PAST. PERHAPS AS THE TECHNOLOGY MATURES, THERE WILL BE A "1-2-3" ABILITY TO ACCESS THE WEB. THANK GOD FOR OUR MANY VISITORS WHO TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO LEARN (RALPH LUCARELLA COMES TO MIND; JUST LOOK AT THE VALUABLE INSIGHT HE HAS ADDED TO MY POSTS.) TOM GLOVER

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Michael said...

Hi Tom:

I'm confused. You refer to Gus as "one of the founders of this new organization". To the best of my aged memory, i was a member of the Jr.#4 Alumni Association perhaps 20 years ago. We met at Johnny Cipriano's wife's dance studio on 2nd St. near Cass. Cip, and the late Ray Kostrua of the Amoroso Florists kept the group going. The last function I attended before heading South was our class of 1949 reunion at the Roman Hall in 1999. I was joined by at least 300 of my closest classmates. Just this past month, my sister Hilda (class of 1946) attended her 20 or 25th straight annual reunion, coming up from her place in Florida. I know Gus, from his Tindall Ave days, I remember dating his sister in law Jeanie, but don't recall him starting "our group" 20 some odd years ago.

On Jr. 4 roll up the score, we'll rally round you to beat the foe! etc. etc.

Regards, and good wishes

Mike Kuzma

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Tom Glover said...

 Monday, November 01, 2010

SORRY, MIKE. I UNDERSTOOD THAT THE ASSOCIATION WAS SOMEWHAT INACTIVE. WHAT I SHOULD HAVE SAID WAS THAT GUS WAS ONE OF THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS WHO RE-VITALIZED THE ASSOCIATION. 

GO SIT IN THE CORNER, TOM GLOVER, AND PUT ON THAT WHITE DUNCE CAP; YOU'RE GROUNDED! TOM