1946: CARNIVALS: THOSE WERE THE DAYS

THE PAGES OF THE PAST ARE FILLED WITH CARNIVALS ALL OVER THE MERCER COUNTY AREA. HERE'S AN INTERESTING ONE WHERE THE GUYS AND GALS AT THE RUSLING AND WHITE HORSE VFD COMPANYS JOINED FORCES AND HELD THEIR CARNIVAL IN DE COU VFD'S AREA. THANKFULLY OUR OWN ST. GREGORY THE GREAT PARISH IS KEEPING THE FLAME BURNING WITH THEIR ANNUAL AND VERY SUCCESSFUL SUMMER CARNIVALS. FOR MANY YEARS WHEN I WAS A PARISHIONER AT ST. ANTHONY PARISH, I WAS THE "BILLY BIGELOW" BARKER AT OUR ANNUAL CARNIVAL. AS ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN CARNIVAL WORK WILL ATTEST, IT IS A GREULING ORDEAL; HOT HUMID NIGHTS, UN-EXPECTED PROBLEMS AND IN THE CASE OF ST. ANTHONY, ONE OF THE REASONS CARNIVALS WERE DISPENSED WITH: TROUBLE MAKERS WHO ARE THERE ONLY TO START FIGHTS. A TIP OF THE HAT TO ALL THOSE LOYAL ST. GREG'S PARISHIONERS WHO GIVE SO UN-SELFISHLY OF THEMSELVES EVERY YEAR!

LETTERS, WE GET LETTERS

MANY VISITORS HAVE RENEWED OLD ACQUAINTANCES

VIA THE GUESTBOOK. HEREWITH THE MESSAGES

FROM THE LATEST GUESTBOOK.

==============*************=================

I attended kuser school in1937 I lived between the two schools I HAD THE CHOISE OF LALOR OR KUSER SCHOOL PICKED KUSER I GRADUATED FROM 8TH GRADE IN 1937 MY HOME ROOM WAS WITH MISS METZGER I RODE MY BIKE TO SCHOOL PASSED KUSER FARM EVERY SCHOOL DAY
#17 6/17/2008, 12:06:48, PDT robert fred johnson

i am a member of hhs class of 1942 I am 85 years of age and I live in wildwood nj e mail address oldbob23@yahoo.com
#16 6/17/2008, 11:56:58, PDT Chris Munson

Tom: Thanks for posting my message. My E-Mail address is chicsdad@sbcglobal.net Let me add how grateful I am that you have created and maintain this site for those of us interested in rediscovering the cherished memories of times and places past, but not forgotten.
#15 6/16/2008, 12:55:12, PDT Chris Munson

Your website brought back many cherished memories and a some surprises. I was born and lived on Julia Avenue from 1946 until 1968, and attended Lalor School where I was in Elma Borden's First Grade class. My father was born in Deutzville, and lived in the area until his passing several years ago. He worked at the Mack Toy Works as a second job after his service in WWII during the period before Christmas when there was need for extra labor making toys for the holiday. I have searched far and wide for an example of their goods and never found anything with the brand. Do you have any thoughts as to whether any examples of the toys made there might be on exhibit or sale? I would also like to locate the names of my 1960 graduating class from Lalor School, and would appreciate any help in this regard. Thanks
#14 6/3/2008, 18:53:14, PDT Sherry Stewart

In case I forgot to include my email address: sherrystewart@hotmail.com
#13 6/3/2008, 18:44:41, PDT Sherry Stewart

Mr. Glover I tried to email you but it came back undeliverable. See my email below
I hope this email finds you in good spirits. I enjoyed searching your website for information. My son attends a Elementary School here in hamilton. He is in 3rd grade and they are studying the history of Hamilton. I have to say that I was not born here, I moved to hamilton in 1985 and I did not know that there was so much history here. Wow. I enjoyed going through the book with him. I showed him how to do some research using the internet. Imagine that I am digging up information about events and history that happened a number of years ago using the internet. Kind of strange isn't it? I was able to dig up pictures from the "White City Amusement Park". It was neat. He took it into class and it allowed the children to see what it looked like. They loved it. I think it is good to give the kids a visual of what took place because you can always read it in the book but to have actual pictures to look at is great! What I am having trouble with is getting pictures for the "Lakeside Park at Gropps Lake". Can you help me or point me in the right direction?Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to read this email.Sherry Stewart
#12 5/29/2008, 13:03:06, PDT Debi Culler

Tom Reed's daughter here. I live in South Carolina now but have been listening to my dad's Goosetown stories my whole life. Thanks for what you do to keep memories alive!
#11 5/17/2008, 13:01:02, PDT Larry McElmoyl

I was suprised to see my family name among your memories, my daughters will get a kick. Great effort, thanks!! I love the faiground shots, brings back alot of fond memories.
#10 5/14/2008, 11:49:05, PDT Carol Sautter

Great site. I am trying to do some research on my husbands family. I saw you article on the internet regarding the Pearsonville ME church and was wondering if you could get me any information on the church itself. His grandparents were married there long ago, and I was just doing some history on the church. My grandmother was Eva (Hodson) Bittmenn and my grandfather Joseph Bittmenn. Any help or websites would be greatly appreciated.
#9 5/10/2008, 11:25:12, PDT Kevin Walsh

Great site. I was wondering if you could add old CYO basketball articles/photos.
#8 5/8/2008, 14:19:39, PDT Maria Morreale-Nomejko

Dear Tom,
This website is really much better than the Trenton Historical Society. I have been looking through everything all afternoon and now I am tired. Great stuff!
Maria Morreale-Nomejko
#7 5/2/2008, 12:16:28, PDT Maria Morreale

Dear Tom,
Great job on the website; thanks. I am looking for info on the Centennial School and/or any school (grammar), around 1930. thank you
#6 4/29/2008, 18:48:59, PDT Betsy Scott Fitzmeyer

1946 Kuser Grad and gggranddaughter of Henry Forest Lawton.Really enjoy your site.
#5 4/26/2008, 17:36:39, PDT Rick Beekman

Tom;This is a "Must See" Website for all We Seniors scattered all over. A lot of us are here in Florida.
All my childhood memories are growing up in Mercerville. would Love to hear from those I knew from St. Anthony's school...Notre Dame and Steinert. The last time I came "Home" was July of '96...
#4 4/25/2008, 08:00:39, PDT L. Jane Atkins

I am looking for the name of band playing at Woodlawn Park around July 1931. Have really enjoyed seeing you sites.

GUEST BOOK REQUEST FOR INFO. CAN YOU HELP?

THIS GUEST BOOK MESSAGE HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM CHRIS MUNSON, RELATING TO MY RECENT POST ON THE MACK TOY WORKS. IF ANY VISITORS HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE TOYS ONCE MANUFACTURED BY MACK TOY WORKS, CONTACT ME AND I WILL POST IT, ALSO ANY INFO ON

LALOR SCHOOL CLASS OF 1960.

A NOTE TO THOSE WHO SIGN THE GUEST BOOK, PLEASE NOTE THAT I DON'T HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS UNLESS YOU INCLUDE IT IN YOUR GUEST BOOK COMMENTS.

CHRIS WROTE:

Your website brought back many cherished memories and a some surprises. I was born and lived on Julia Avenue from 1946 until 1968, and attended Lalor School where I was in Elma Borden's First Grade class. My father was born in Deutzville, and lived in the area until his passing several years ago. He worked at the Mack Toy Works as a second job after his service in WWII during the period before Christmas when there was need for extra labor making toys for the holiday. I have searched far and wide for an example of their goods and never found anything with the brand. Do you have any thoughts as to whether any examples of the toys made there might be on exhibit or sale? I would also like to locate the names of my 1960 graduating class from Lalor School, and would appreciate any help in this regard. Thanks

2008: BACK TO THE FUTURE? NO! MAKE THAT "BACK TO THE PAST!"

BACK TO THE PAST....YOUR PAST!

ONCE AGAIN THIS SUMMER,

TOM GLOVER AND TOM GLOVER

(YUP; TWO OF US!)

WILL BE BRINGING MUSIC AND

MEMORIES BACK TO THE KUSER PARK GAZEBO

EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON FROM 6 TO 8 P.M.

WE'LL BE GOING BACK TO THE MUSIC OF THE

30'S, 40'S, 50'S, 60'S, AND EVEN SOME 70'S!

THE PROGRAMS BEGIN ON JULY 4TH WEEKEND (SUNDAY, JULY 6).

SING-ALONG TO THE SONGS YOU GREW UP WITH!

AS THE SONG SAYS, "DANCE TO THE MUSIC!"

THERE WILL BE NO RAIN DATES.

1931: TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD TAKES

THIS IS ONE OF THE HISTORIC SITES OF THE CITY OF TRENTON. THIS, ALONG WITH THAT GREAT OLD "BROAD STREET BANK" SIGN WERE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MAGNIFICENT HERITAGE OF THE CITY OF TRENTON.

1946: SUMMERTIME IN THE BURG

WITH THE RECENT ETHNIC CHANGES IN THE CHAMBERSBURG AREA, I FIND I AM BECOMING MORE AND MORE INTERESTED IN THE EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE THERE DURING THE TIME WHEN IT WAS A PREDOMINENTLY AMERICAN-ITALIAN COMMUNITY. THE OPEN FIRE HYDRANT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN CHAMBERSBURG WHERE THE ROW HOMES AND HOT STREETS MADE FOR A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE LOCATION DURING ONE OF JERSEY'S CLASSIC HEAT WAVES.

1946: NEWS FROM PENNYTOWN

HERE'S AN INTERESTING PAIR OF ARTICLES ON PENNINGTON IN THE LATE SPRING OF 1946. DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, THERE SEEMED TO BE MORE COVERAGE OF THE DEEP SUBURBS OF PENNINGTON, PRINCETON, AND OTHER SMALLER TOWNS THAN THAT AFFORDED TO HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. I WOULD ASSUME IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH AN ATTEMPT TO GARNER ADDED CIRCULATION.

1946: THE A-BOMB AND JAPAN

OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE HEARD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE CRITISIZE AMERICA FOR DROPPING THE A-BOMB ON JAPAN IN 1945. IN RETROSPECT, IT IS NORMAL FOR SOME PEOPLE TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS. IT WAS MADE CLEAR BY THE JAPANESE THAT AN INVASION OF JAPAN BY THE AMERICAN ARMED FORCES WOULD RESULT IN THE EXECUTION OF MORE THAN 100,000 AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR.

1946:

1930'S HUSE ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR

BACK IN THE EARLY 50'S I WAS THE DELIVERY BOY FOR THE OLD TRENTON BEARING COMPANY. WE TRIED SO VERY HARD TO GET BUSINESS FROM THE NEW U.S. STEEL FAIRLESS STEEL PLANT IN MORRISVILLE, BUT OUR SMALL SIZE AND LIMITED INVENTORY RESULTED IN THE BUSINESS GOING TO THE GIANT OF THE DAY, "BEARINGS INCORPORATED." WE DID QUITE WELL WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR COMPANYS. ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR ON CHAMBERS AND TIOGA STREETS,
LOCKWOOD'S ELECTRIC MOTOR SERVICE ON NOTTINGHAM WAY IN HAMILTON, AND VERY SMALL SPECIALTY SHOPS: HENRY'S ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR IN HIGHTSTOWN, GILBERT'S ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR IN SOUTH TRENTON, AND THE COMPANY ILLUSTRATED ABOVE, HUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY ON COOPER STREET IN SOUTH TRENTON.

SUMMER 2008; MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

2008: LADIES & GENTLEMEN: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

ONCE AGAIN THIS SUMMER, MY SON TOM AND I WILL BE BRINGING "THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH" TO THE MATURE MUSIC LOVERS WHO ATTENDED KUSER FARM PARK LAST YEAR. I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF YOU ONCE AGAIN, AS WE SING SONGS WITH:
1) LYRICS THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND,
2) SINGALONG SONGS GALORE
3) SONGS THAT MAKE YOU WANT TO DANCE.
4) A DANCE FLOOR JUST INVITING YOU TO CUT A RUG!

HHS '42, THS '42, HHS 45: THE HITS JUST KEPT ON COMING!

1931: BOWMAN'S TOWER

I REMEMBER THE MANY TRIPS WE MADE UP THAT HILL TO BOWMAN'S TOWER BACK WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER. I MUST ADMIT, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN MY LITTLE '38 FORD COUPE DIDN'T WANT TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF THAT MINI-MOUNTAIN. BALD TIRES AND A FATIGUED FORD 6 CYLINDER ENGINE DON'T LEND THEMSELVED TO A STRENUOUS HILL CLIMB....ESPECIALLY WITHOUT A STUDEBAKER "HILL HOLDER!"

1931: JULY 4 CELEBRATION IN TRENTON

EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTRY WAS IN THE THROES OF THE "GREAT DEPRESSION," THE CITY FATHERS ENERGETICALLY GAVE THE LOCAL CITIZENS A GREAT CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY.

HHS '42 AND '45: REUNION LUNCHEONS

2008: KUSER FARM AREA FROM OUTER SPACE

HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED "GOOGLE EARTH?" YOU CAN FLY ANYWHERE IN THE WHOLE WORLD AND GET A FAIRLY CLEAR SATELLITE PHOTO OF THE SUBJECT OF YOUR CHOICE. THE GRAPHIC ABOVE IS ONE I DOWNLOADED A YEAR OR SO AGO. IT IS INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY. LIKE MAPQUEST, YOU ENTER THE ADDRESS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VIEWING. YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE YOUR OWN HOME AS IT LOOKS FROM WAY WAY UP THE THE STRATOSPHERE! CHECK IT OUT.

1938: WHADDYA MEAN I'M AN OLD MAN?

THIS IS A PHOTO TAKEN IN FRONT OF MY 119 HARTLEY AVENUE HOME WAY BACK IN 1938 WHEN I WAS A LAD OF 5. I AM HOLDING "SNIFFY" MY FOX TERRIOR WHO WAS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. NEWKIRK AVENUE AND THE KUSER FARM PROPERTY ARE IN THE BACKGROUND. TODAY, THE GRASSY WALKWAY ON WHICH I AM STANDING IS PAVED AND LANDSCAPED. THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY ONE OF OUR MORE AFFLUENT NEIGHBORS, WHEN HAMILTON TRULY EARNED THE NAME "RURAL." NEARLY EVERY HOME HAD A VEGETABLE GARDEN AND ONE OR MORE CHICKEN COOPS, AND AN OCCASIONAL OUTDOOR PRIVY. DON'T MISS THE HAND ME DOWN SHOES I AM WEARING; IN FACT, I SUSPECT ALL THE STUFF I AM WEARING ON THAT SEPTEMBER DAY 70 YEARS AGO WERE "HAND ME DOWNS" FROM MY BROTHER BUD WHO PROBABLY GOT THEM FROM OLDER BROTHER LEN. MY LITTLE BROTHER DONNY WOULD BE BORN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, AND I WOULD BET THAT THOSE DUDS ENDED UP ON HIM, TOO! THE GLOVERS WERE STILL DIGGING OUT OF THE CHAOS CAUSED BY "THE GREAT DEPRESSION."

1918: THE PLAAG FAMILY

THE PLAAG FAMILY NAME GOES BACK TO THE VERY EARLIEST YEARS IN THE AREA OF THE CEDAR LANE AND SYLVAN AVENUE. THE FAMILY WAS VERY ACTIVE IN GERMAN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY, LENDING THEIR TALENTS TO THE LIEDERKRANZ SOCIETY AND OTHER LOCAL ETHNIC ACTIVITIES. PLAAG'S GROVE WAS ALSO ONE OF THE FAMILY COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THE NAME OF "GUS" HEINTZ WILL ALSO BE FAMILIAR TO OLD TIME RESIDENTS OF THE "COLONIAL PARK" AREA OF HAMILTON. THE ORIGINAL PLAAG HOMESTEAD STILL STANDS, LOCATED ON CEDAR LANE BEHIND TODAY'S QUIK CHEK STORE.

ATKINS AVENUE: DATE UNKNOWN, BUT EARLY; CIRCA 1931

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHS I LOVE. ATKINS AVENUE IS A SIDE STREET THAT RUNS INTO SOUTH OLDEN AVENUE ONE BLOCK SOUTH FROM CEDAR LANE. A LANDMARK IS FUCELLO'S MUFFLER SHOP WHICH IS ON THE CORNER OF ATKINS AND SOUTH OLDEN AVENUE. THE PHOTO SHOWS ATKINS AS A DIRT ROAD. THE BUNGALOW IN THE FOREGROUND (LEFT) IS AT THE CORNER OF SYLVAN AVENUE AND ATKINS. PLAAG'S GROVE IS "CATTY CORNER." STRAIGHT AHEAD IS NEWKIRK AVENUE AND KUSER FARM IN THE DISTANCE. THANKS TO MS. LINDA TAYLOR FOR THE PHOTO.

1938:HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MERCER COUNTY

WOW, HOW TIME FLIES! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING APPOINTED TO THE MERCER COUNTY SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSION. AT THE TIME, I WAS WRITING FOR BOTH THE MERCER MESSENGER, AND ALSO THE TRENTON TIMES. RUSS ROBERTS' ARTICLE ALSO TOLD OF THE GENESIS OF MY "THE WAY WE WERE" COLUMN IN THE "MESSENGER."

1934: COOK SCHOOL FLOWER SHOW

I WOULD LIKE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON WILBUR'S COOK SCHOOL . I BELIEVE IT WAS THE OLDEST SCHOOL IN THE BOROUGH. THIS INTERESTING PHOTO FROM 1934 WAS A BIT FADED, BUT AGAIN, THROUGH THE MAGIC OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND ENHANCING, IT HAS RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION,.

1935: THE CCC (CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS)

THIS SUBJECT ALWAYS INTRIGUES ME. I REMEMBER AS A SMALL BOY OF 10 IN 1939, WHEN MY BUDDY DON SLABICKI'S BROTHER KARL JOINED THE CCC. IT WAS A VALUABLE GOVERNMENT SERVICE, AND AT THE SAME TIME HELPED MANY A FAMILY THROUGH THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

2008: LADIES & GENTLEMEN: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

ONCE AGAIN THIS SUMMER, MY SON TOM AND I WILL BE BRINGING "THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH" TO THE MATURE MUSIC LOVERS WHO ATTENDED KUSER FARM PARK LAST YEAR. I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF YOU ONCE AGAIN, AS WE SING SONGS WITH:

1) LYRICS THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND,

2) SINGALONG SONGS GALORE

3) SONGS THAT MAKE YOU WANT TO DANCE.

4) A DANCE FLOOR JUST INVITING YOU TO CUT A RUG!

1933: WOODEN INDIAN IN BROAD ST. PARK

I FOUND THIS ANTIQUATED ARTICLE BURIED DEEP WITHIN THE PAGES OF A TRENTON "SUNDAY TIMES ADVERTISER" ARTICLE. I FOUND BOTH OF THE PHOTOS GAVE A NICE GLIMPSE AT TWO ARTIFACTS FROM TRENTON IN THE VICTORIAN ERA.

1933: TRENTON POLICE CHANGE TO FALL UNIFORMS

I ALWAYS LIKED THE LOOK OF THOSE "JODPHURS" WORN BY THE POLICE AND MILITARY IN YEARS GONE BY. OFFICER DENSON LOOKS IMPECCABLY ATTIRED IN HIS NEW FALL UNIFORM AS HE DIRECTS TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN TRENTON.

1933: HERMITAGE AVENUE IN THE 1930'S

I HAVEN'T BEEN DOWN IN THE HERMITAGE-BELLEVUE AVENUE AREA IN YEARS, BUT I DO RECALL THE BEAUTY OF THOSE TREES FROM CHILDHOOD VISITS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. HAS IT CHANGED MUCH OVER THE YEARS? PERHAPS A VISITOR CAN LET US KNOW.

1930: GROVEVILLE CAMP MEETING

THE METHODIST CHURCH PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF GROVEVILLE.

1930'S YARDVILLE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY NEWS

UNFORTUNATELY, THESE CLIPPINGS ARE UNDATED. IT IS A PRETTY SURE GUESS THAT THEY ARE FROM THE EARLY 1930'S, I SUSPECT 1930 OR 1934.

2008: WILBUR JACKSON, TRENTON GIANTS, R.I.P.

I JUST RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THAD OSTROWSKI ADVISING ME THAT WILBUR JACKSON PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING. WILBUR, ANDMAURICE "MO" CUNNINGHAM WERE THE TWO HOME RUN HITTERS ON THE OLD TRENTON GIANTS BASEBALL TEAM. MANY THANKS FOR PASSING THE INFORMATION ALONG, THAD. IF YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE FAMILY, TELL THEM HE IS IN MY PRAYERS.

ABOUT THE GRAPHICS ON MY WEBSITES

BY NOW, THOSE OF MY VIEWERS WHO HAVE BEEN VISITING THIS, AND MY OTHER 3 WEBSITES WILL TESTIFY TO THE FACT THAT THE IMAGES REPRODUCED ARE EQUAL AND IN MANY CASES SUPERIOR TO THE ORIGINAL NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS.

BACK IN THE 1970'S WHEN I ACQUIRED THIS NEWSPAPER COLLECTION, I HAD NO IDEA THAT I WOULD ULTIMATELY BE ABLE TO ARCHIVE THESE ARTICLES DIGITALLY AND PRESERVE THEM FOR POSTERITY. "DIGITAL IMAGING" AS WE KNOW IT TODAY WAS UNKNOWN BACK THEN. NOT UNTIL THE MACINTOSH "APPLE", THE IBM "AT" AND "PC" (286, 386, 486, PENTIUM, ETC.) PERSONAL COMPUTERS CAME ON THE SCENE DID I REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A TREASURE TROVE OF LOCAL HISTORY WHICH COULD EASILY BE RESTORED INTO PRISTINE CLARITY.

IN THOSE PRE-COMPUTER YEARS, I HAD TO PAGE THROUGH COUNTLESS PAGES, EXTRACTING ARTICLES OF LOCAL INTEREST, AND TRANSCRIBING THEM WITH MY IBM "WORD PROCESSOR" WITH AN 8 INCH FLOPPY DISK, AND A BIT LATER AN UPGRADE TO AN "BROTHER" ELECTRONIC TYPEWRITER WITH THE UNHEARD OF MEMORY OF 8 MEGABYTES. THEN A STATE OF THE ART EPSON "CPM" (MS DOS COMPETITOR) LAPTOP WITH 16 MEGABYTES OF MEMORY AND A TAPE DRIVE, THEN TO ONE OF THE VERY EARLIEST LAPTOPS. IT HAD NO NO HARD DRIVE. JUST A 720 MEGABYTE FLOPPY DISK FOR STORAGE. FINALLY THE
286," "386," "486," AND PENTIUMS BECAME AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND I WAS ON MY WAY. TRANSFERRING ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED OUTPUT TO MY LATES COMPUTER HARD DRIVE WAS A HUGE TASK, TAKING NEARLY 2 MONTHS.

THOSE OLD PAPERS WERE STORED IN MY GARAGE FOR OVER 25 YEARS. BACK THEN, THE PERSONAL COMPUTER AND DIGITAL IMAGING WAS ONLY A DREAM. MOST LIBRARIES SCRAPPED THEIR ORIGINAL NEWSPAPER FILES AND DECIDED THAT MICROFILM REPRODUCTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL PAGES WAS THE WAY TO GO. THEIR PRIME REASON FOR THAT DECISION WAS DUE TO THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SPACE REQUIRED FOR STORING THESE HUGE VOLUMES. ACCORDINGLY, MOST OF THOSE TREASURES WENT TO THE RECYCLING PLANT. UNFORTUNATELY MANY VOLUMES OF THE HIGHLY DESIRABLE "TRENTON SUNDAY TIMES ADVERTISER" WERE UNDOUBTEDLY DESTROYED. I SUSPECT THAT THE LIBRARIES WOULD NOT HAVE DISCARDED THESE HISTORIC TREASURES HAD THEY KNOWN THAT THERE WAS A TECHNOLOGY LOOMING ON THE HORIZON WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE ARCHIVIST TO CONVERT TO PAPERLESS GRAPHIC DATABASE.

BEFORE I ACQUIRED THE COLLECTION, I HAD A LOT OF MICROFILM-GENERATED ARTICLES WHICH I PURCHASED AT TEN CENTS A COPY FROM VARIOUS LIBRARIES IN THE AREA. MOST OF THE PRINTOUTS WERE FADED, DUE TO THE POOR PRINT QUALITY ON MOST MICROFILM READERS. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE CONSTANT WINDING AND REWINDING OF THE MICROFILM REELS USUALLY RESULTED IN VERY SCRATCHY MICROFILM PRODUCING A FINAL PRINTOUT WITH VERTICAL SCRATCHES OBSCURING MUCH OF THE PAGE.

1951 LAKESIDE: AHH, THE MEMORY LINGERS!

THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST HEAT WAVE OF THE 2001 SUMMER SEASON GOT ME THINKING ABOUT THAT ONCE POPULAR AREA OF HAMILTON WE ALL GREW TO KNOW AND LOVE: GROPP'S LAKE, AKA LAKESIDE PARK. ONE OF THE MORE TREASURED MEMORIES WHICH LINGER IN MY 74 GOING ON 75 YEAR OLD BRAIN IS THE BEACH PARTY OUR HAMILTON HIGH CHOIR ORGANIZED IN JUNE, 1951. THE GRAPHIC IS PART ONE OF A TWO PART GROPP'S LAKE ARTICLE I WROTE FOR THE LATE, GREAT "MERCER MESSENGER." IT BRINGS BACK BITTERSWEET MEMORIES.

1912: LAKESIDE: IT HAS CHANGED NAMES OVER THE YEARS

KIRBY'S MILL, LOWRIE'S MILL, HUTCHINSON'S POND, LAKESIDE, AND GROPP'S LAKE. OVER THE YEARS THAT HISTORIC OLD LAKE HAS BEEN THE GATHERING PLACE FOR MANY MERCER COUNTY RESIDENTS. WITH ALL THE OPEN SPACE AND PUBLIC PARK CONSTRUCTION DONE LOCALLY OVER THE PAST 35 YEARS, I OFTEN WONDERED WHY THE TOWNSHIP FATHERS GAVE UP ON BRINGING THIS NATURAL RESOURCE INTO THE PARK DOMAIN. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SUMMER AND WINTER PLAYGROUNDS DURING THE 30'S AND 40'S, AS CAN BE SEEN BY THE GRAPHIC ABOVE.

MANY THANKS TO MY DEAR FRIEND, HAROLD YAEDE FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PHOTO OF THE LAKESIDE HIGH DIVING BOARD.

1912: THE STORE AT LAKESIDE

I REMEMBER GOING TO THAT GREAT LITTLE STORE ON THE SHORES OF LAKESIDE BACK IN THE 1940'S. SOMEHOW A FROSTY BOTTLE OF ROYAL CROWN COLA TASTED EXTRA SPECIAL AS WE TOOK A BREAK FROM SWIMMING AND LOUNGING ON THE SANDS OF LAKESIDE. UNFORTUNATELY, 1912 GRAPHIC REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY WAS VERY POOR. YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE ORIGINAL...IT WAS NEARLY ILLEGIBLE.

1921: SKINNY DIPPING AT GROPP'S LAKE? SHOCKING!

MY GENERATION SKINNY DIPPED OVER AT THE CLAY PITS ON KUSER ROAD AND WHITE HORSE MERCERVILLE ROAD. I WAS QUITE SURPRISED WHEN I CARVED THIS ARTICLE OUT OF A 1921 GAZETTE. IT WAS INDEED "SHOCKING!"

MARION: HHS '54

I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING GUESTBOOK EMAIL FROM A HAMILTON HORNET FROM HHS '54. I FELT THAT A RESPONSE WAS IN ORDER. IN CASE THE WRITER PREFERRED ANONYMITY, I WILL ONLY USE HER FIRST NAME. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO RETURN EMAIL ADDRESS. ACCORDINGLY, I AM USING THIS POST TO RESPOND.

MARION, MANY THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS. I HOPE YOU WILL BE A REGULAR VISITOR TO MY WEBSITES. AS YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN, THIS, AND MY KUSER SCHOOL WEBSITES HAVE FEWER POSTS THAN FOUND IN MY MAIN WEBSITE, WWW.GLOVER320.BLOGSPOT.COM. YOU ARE A CLASSMATE OF MY FRIEND, GIL LUGOSSY. 1954 IS ONE OF THE YEARBOOKS WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN MY COLLECTION.

==================================

MARION WROTE:


Tom, It is a pleasure to see how diligent you have been in keeping the past alive! What a thrill! I was raised in Hamilton Twp since the age of 2 and was graduated from HHS in 1954! I am married to my best friend for 47 years, have three kids, who are all married and have presented us with 9 grandkids! We are still living in the house we built 41 years ago in Yardley. I am retired after 37 years of work as a Master's level nurse (full scholarship, U of P for both bachelor's & master's degrees! I served after retirement as a consultant to the CDC & HRSA, MCH, Genetic Disease Branch in the field of newborn genetic screening! I LOVE your site & will send you some of my photos as well. Keep up the great job!

1929: YARDVILLE'S OWN MACK TOY WORKS

MY NOTEBOOK COMPUTER IS SITTING ON THE SURFACE OF A MAPLE MACK TOY WORKS TABLE WHICH JUDY AND I PURCHASED NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO. IT'S SHOWING ITS AGE, BUT BELIEVE ME FOLKS, IT'S LIKE AN OLD FRIEND. IT WAS AT THIS TABLE WHERE WE SAT OUR 3 CHILDREN BACK IN THE 60'S, WHERE WE HOSTED NUMEROUS THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, AND BIRTHDAY DINNERS, NOT TO MENTION THE COUNTLESS MORNINGS THAT IT PROVIDED A "JUST RIGHT" SURFACE FOR OUR 3 MORNING NEWSPAPERS. ADMITTEDLY IT IS LOSING SOME OF THE ADHESIVE IN THE JOINTS ON THE CHAIRS, BUT THE TABLE IS A STURDY AS THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT BACK IN THE LATE 50'S OR EARLY 60'S. REMEMBER THAT OLD SAYING: "GREATNESS IS HUMBLE?" IN THIS CASE OUR MACK TOY WORKS TABLE CAN RE-CAST THAT SAYING: GREATNESS IS QUALITY!"

LAKESIDE PARK BUILDING LOTS BARGAINS

IT'S BEYOND COMPREHENSION TO SEE A TIME WHEN BUILDING LOTS AT BEAUTIFUL LAKESIDE PARK WERE AVAILABLE FROM 100 TO 500 DOLLARS! MANY OF THE HOMES IN THE DEVELOPMENT WERE SUMMER HOMES FOR FOLKS FROM NEARBY CITIES.

1903: Christ P.E. Church

THE EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILDING ON HAMILTON AND WHITTAKER AVENUES IN TRENTON HAS AN INTERESTING HISTORY. IT SURVIVED UP TO THE MID 1960'S WHEN CHURCH POLITICS AND LIBERAL VERSUS CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS CARRIED ON SUBSTANTIAL INFIGHTING.

1934: YARDVILLE HEIGHTS SCHOOL PLAY

HERE'S A GROUP PHOTO OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE YARDVILLE HEIGHTS MINSTREL HELD AT THE SCHOOL IN 1934. ONCE AGAIN, FAMILIAR LOCAL NAMES, HOLZBAUR, BLAUTH, ETC.

1880'S ANNIE REED'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK

I SPENT A HAPPY HOUR OR TWO PERUSING THE PAGES OF THIS FASCINATING DIARY FROM THE VICTORIAN ERA. ANNIE REED HAD MANY FRIENDS, AND THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO SIGNED HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK ARE MANY OF THE OLDEST FAMILY NAMES IN HAMILTON SQUARE, YARDVILLE, EDGEBROOK, BORDENTOWN, AND ALLENTOWN: CUBBERLEY, NUTT, HAMMELL, HUGHES, ROBBINS...THEY'RE ALL THERE.

1928: JULIA MCCLAIN - A KUSER SCHOOL LEGEND

WITH THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF KUSER SCHOOL IN 2009, I FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT SOME SPACE BE GIVEN TO THE SPLENDID HISTORICAL HERITAGE SURROUNDING THAT GREAT OLD NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL. WITH THE MANY CHANGES BEING MADE IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, I FEAR IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS WILL BE A RELIC OF THE PAST. I HOPE I'M NOT AROUND WHEN THEY ARE ELIMINATED.

AS TO THE GRAPHIC, EACH OF US HAS ONE, TWO, OR MAYBE MORE TEACHERS WHO HAD A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON US AS WE PASSED FROM GRADE TO GRADE, GRAMMAR SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL. IN MY PERSONAL CASE, I HAD 4 TEACHERS WHO LEFT AN INDELIBLE IMPRING ON MY LIFE. JULIA MCCLAIN WAS ONE OF THEM. SHE DEMANDED PERFECTION AND WAS A STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN. IT WAS SHE WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO CONCENTRATE ON MY READING SKILLS, TELLING ME THAT I HAD THE NATURAL GIFT OF ELOCUTION AND PERCEPTION. I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE MEANT BACK IN 6TH GRADE, BUT I SURE DID LEARN AS I REACHED MATURITY!

YOU KNOW THAT OLD SLOGAN THAT HAS BEEN
TRIPPING AROUND FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS:

"SUPPOSE I GIVE A PARTY AND NO ONE COMES?"

WELL, THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED! THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION, AND THE KUSER SCHOOL PESENTATION A FEW MONTHS EARLIER ,TURNED OUT A PITIFUL FEW HISTORY-ORIENTED CITIZENS. CAN YOU SPELL "APATHY?" IN THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION, ALUMNI FROM THE CLASS OF '39, '46 AND '47 ATTENDED, AND APPRECIATED THE PROGRAM, SO THAT MADE IT ALL WORTH WHILE.

THERE WAS LITTLE INTEREST IN THE KUSER SCHOOL PRESENTATION WHICH IS COMPLETELY PUZZLING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE KUSER CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. HOWEVER, I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN GATHERING AND RECORDING HISTORY HAVE TAKEN A PAGE FROM THE GOOD BOOK AS WE RECALL THE ADMONITION IN THE "GOOD BOOK:"

"WHEREVER TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED IN MY NAME...."

I LEARNED A VALUABLE A LESSON: JUST BECAUSE I HAVE A DESIRE TO SHARE LOCAL HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY, I SHOULDN'T HAVE ASSUMED THE COMMUNITY HAS THE SAME ZEAL FOR HISTORY. LESSON LEARNED. I WILL CONTINUE COMPILING HISTORICAL DATA, AND KEEP ADDING IT TO THE COMPUTER.

NO HARD FEELING BUT SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED.

1956: PASSING OF HUSBAND OF JOELYN FERRETTE LOMBARDI

THE FOLLOWING FROM JACK LACY REGARDING STILL ANOTHER PASSING.

Hi All...

Today I received an email from HSS56 classmate Joelyn (Ferrette) Lombardi informing us that her husband Buzz passed away Dec. 26, 2007. If you would like to communicate with Joelyn her address is: 1108 Park Ct., Cinnaminson, NJ 08077, 609-829-4866, cedar4@hotmail.com.

Jack Lacy



FRANCIS A. LOMBARDI

Cinnaminson, NJ resident Francis A. 'Buzz' Lombardi, age 69 of Cinnaminson, passed away onDecember 26, 2007 at Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ. Born in Haddon Heights NJ, he resided in Cinnaminson for forty-three years. He was an educator in the Willingboro School system for five years and the Moorestown School system for thirty years. Buzz also retired from the United States Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was also active in the ......
Burlington County Times (Published: 12/30/2007)

ABOUT THOSE HISTORY PRESENTATIONS: I TRIED

YOU KNOW THAT OLD SLOGAN THAT HAS BEEN

TRIPPING AROUND FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS:

"SUPPOSE YOU GIVE A PARTY AND

NO ONE COMES?"

WELL, THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED. THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION WENT EXTREMELY WELL, (AS DID THE KUSER SCHOOL PESENTATION A FEW MONTHS EARLIER). BOTH PRESENTATIONS TURNED OUT A PITIFUL FEW HISTORY-ORIENTED CITIZENS. IN THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION, ALUMNI FROM THE CLASS OF '39, '46 AND '47 ATTENDED, AND APPRECIATED THE PROGRAM, SO THAT MADE IT ALL WORTH WHILE. THERE WAS LITTLE INTEREST IN THE KUSER SCHOOL PRESENTATION WHICH IS COMPLETELY PUZZLING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE KUSER CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. HOWEVER, I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN GATHERING AND RECORDING HISTORY HAVE TAKEN A PAGE FROM THE GOOD BOOK AS WE RECALL

THE ADMONITION IN THE "GOOD BOOK:"

"WHEREVER TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED IN MY NAME...."

I LEARNED A VALUABLE A LESSON: JUST BECAUSE I HAVE A DESIRE TO SHARE LOCAL HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY, I SHOULDN'T HAVE ASSUMED THE COMMUNITY HAS THE SAME ZEAL FOR HISTORY. LESSON LEARNED.

I WILL STAY WITH MY KUSER MANSION MUSIC PROGRAMS, AND CONTINUE MY NEVER ENDING SEARCH FOR HISTORICAL GRAPHICS AND ARTICLES FOR THE LIBRARY'S LOCAL HISTORY COMPUTER. NO HARD FEELINGS, JUST A BIT DISAPPOINTED.

ANOTHER HAMILTON ALUMNUS PASSES

FROM JACK LACY,

ANOTHER UNPLEASANT MESSAGE ON THE PASSING OF A HAMILTON HORNET. THANKS, JACK:


Hi All...

Once again it's our sad task to report a passing, this one of the husband of classmate Mary (Pietrowski) Johnson. Condolences may be sent to Mary and family at 119 Central Ave., West Trenton, NJ 08628.

Jack


Thomas H. Johnson

Thomas H. Johnson TRENTON - Thomas H. "Ounce" Johnson, 74, died Tuesday at Capital Health Systems at Fuld. Born in Trenton, he was a lifelong area resident. Thomas was a former basketball P.A.L. coach of the "Bullets", a passionate NY Giants, Chicago Cubs and soccer fan. He enjoyed chess, jazz and loved to read. Thomas was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and he retired from General Motors after 30 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Mary Decker-Johnson; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Maryann Decker-Stout, Susan and Charles McStravick and R. Darren Hampson; four grandchildren, Alex, Mary, Kaitlin and Matthew; a sister-in-law, June Perrine and a brother-in-law, John A. Pietrowski; and his nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 137 West Upper Ferry Road, West Trenton. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the M. William Murphy Funeral Home, 935 Parkway Ave., Ewing. Burial will be private.
Published in The Times, Trenton, on 6/5/2008

1909: DANIEL KLOCKNER

FROM MY "NOTABLE PERSONS" FILE IN THE LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION COMES THIS OFFSET PHOTO OF MR. KLOCKNER AS HE LOOKED AS A YOUNG MAN. THE KLOCKNER FAMILY HAD HUGE LAND HOLDINGS IN THE KLOCKNER ROAD, N.J. STATE FAIR AREA OF HAMILTON.

1909: FIRE DESTROYS THE KLOCKNER FARMSTEAD

AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE ABOVE ARTICLE FROM 1909, THE KLOCKNER FARM WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A TERRIBLE FIRE IN MID-WINTER, 1909. TWENTY COWS WERE DESTROYED IN THE CONFLAGRATION, AND SIX BUILDING DESTROYED. PART OF THE WINDMILL CAN BE SEEN ON THE GROUND IN THE LOWER PHOTO.

1893: ANNA KLOCKNER WEDDING

THE KLOCKNER FAMILY WAS AMONG THE MORE PROMINENT AND RESPECTED RESIDENTS OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, AS CAN BE SEEN BY THE IMPRESSIVE NAMES OF LOCALLY PROMINENT CITIZENS WHO ATTENDED THE WEDDING OF ANNA KLOCKNER TO CHARLES SCHIZLER.

1907: Daniel Klockner Farm Sold

Here's an account of the sale of the huge Klockner farm over in the area of the old New Jersey State Fair in the Klockner Road area. The Klockner's had a locally famous cabbage farm back in the 19th and early 20th century.

1950: FROM THE LATE JIMMY THOMANN HHS '50

THE POST FOLLOWING THIS ONE IS JIM THOMANN'S VARSITY LETTER. THE GRAPHIC ABOVE IS A COMBINATION OF VARIOUS NEWS ITEMS AND MEMORABILIA, SOME OF WHICH CAME FROM A DONOR OF JIMMY'S HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, AND FROM MY COLLECTION OF NEWSPAPERS. THE LATED JIMMY BRENNAN WAS ALSO IN HHS '50

1949: VARSITY LETTER OF THE LATE JIM THOMANN HHS '50

JIMMY WAS A MEMBER OF HHS '50. HE HAD MORE THAN ONE VARSITY LETTERS AND EXCELLED IN SPORTS. I KNEW JIMMY FROM HIS KUSER SCHOOL YEARS, WITH THAT EVER-READY FRIENDLY SMILE AND A VERY WARM PERSONALITY. HE PASSED ON IN 2003.

ABOVE: AN EXTRACT FROM ONE OF MY MANY HAMILTON HIGH COLUMNS, "THE BEACH PARTY," RECALLING OUR HAMILTON CHOIR'S MOONLIGHT EVENING AT "LAKESIDE." (GROPP'S LAKE) IN 1951

***************************************

A PRESS RELEASE FROM HAMILTON TOWNSHIP:

“Graduation Day: A Day To Remember”

At Hamilton’s Kuser Farm Mansion

Free Admission

===========****************==============

Join Tom Glover in an incredibly nostalgic evening as he presents a digitally projected on-screen presentation entitled, “Hamilton High School: The Golden Years.”

Tom’s presentation took many months to put together. It traces the history of Hamilton High from its opening in 1930 through the early 1950’s.After the digital on-screen presentation, we will recall “Class Night,” “Baccalaureate Service,” and most of all, the annual Graduation Ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial Building.

The program will be presented in the 45-foot dining room of Kuser Farm Mansion on Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m.

This will be an evening to enjoy at Hamilton’s Kuser Farm Mansion.

Advance Reservation Required - Free Admission

Call (609) 890-3630

Entrances Located at: 390 Newkirk Avenue and also Kuser Road at Ferrante Lane, Hamilton (Mercer County), New Jersey

1951: JOIN ME THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING!

HERE'S AN EXTRACT FROM ONE OF MY MANY HAMILTON HIGH COLUMNS, "THE BEACH PARTY," RECALLING OUR HAMILTON CHOIR'S MOONLIGHT EVENING AT "LAKESIDE." (GROPP'S LAKE) IN 1951

A PRESS RELEASE FROM HAMILTON TOWNSHIP:

“Graduation Day:
A Day To Remember”
At Hamilton’s Kuser Farm Mansion
Free Admission
===========****************==============
Join Tom Glover in an incredibly nostalgic evening as he presents a digitally projected on-screen presentation entitled, “Hamilton High School: The Golden Years.”
Tom’s presentation took many months to put together. It traces the history of Hamilton High from its opening in 1930 through the early 1950’s.
After the digital on-screen presentation, we will recall “Class Night,” “Baccalaureate Service,” and most of all the annual Graduation Ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial Building.
The program will be presented in the 45-foot dining room
of Kuser Farm Mansion on Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m.

This will be an evening to enjoy
at Hamilton’s Kuser Farm Mansion.

Advance Reservation Required
Free Admission
Call (609) 890-3630 at Kuser Farm Mansion

Entrances Located at: 390 Newkirk Avenue
and also Kuser Road at Ferrante Lane
Hamilton (Mercer County), New Jersey

Circa 1944 Kuser Class Room Project

I HAVE AN EXCELLENT MEMORY FOR THINGS OF THE VERY DISTANT PAST. THE PHOTO ABOVE WAS TAKEN IN MISS RUTH MARGERUM'S ROOM AT KUSER SCHOOL DURING MY YEARS THERE. TRY AS I MAY, I CAN'T RECALL THAT LOG CABIN THAT THE CLASS BUILT. FOR ALL I KNOW THIS MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE VERY CLASS ROOM WHERE I WAS A THIRD GRADER. RUTH MARGERUM WAS MY FAVORITE GRAMMAR SCHOOL TEACHER.

1911: BROMLEY: ANOTHER FASCINATING REAL ESTATE AD

"WATER, GAS, ELECTRIC LIGHTS, TO THE PROPERTY NOW!

I FIND THESE OLD REAL ESTATE ADVERTISEMENTS TO BE COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING. THIS WAS THE ERA WHEN THE POPULATION OF THE AREA WAS ON THE INCREASE, AND THE MANY DEVELOPERS OF THE DAY WERE BUYING UP LAND ALL OVER THE MERCER COUNTY AREA.

2008: MEMORIAL DAY-Sgt. Richard Pinter, "THE LONE BUGLER"

THERE WERE AT LEAST 75 PATRIOTIC CITIZENS AT ST. MARY'S CEMETERY MAUSOLEUM THIS MORNING AT 10:30 AM. (MOST OF US WITH GRAY HAIR.)IT WAS A VERY MOVING AND EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE. IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO SEE SUCH A RESPECTABLE STANDING ROOM ONLY TURNOUT. SGT. RICHARD PINTER, THE "LONE BUGLER" PRESENTED THE PROGRAM TO THOSE OF US WHO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY.

THE SGT. PERFORMED JUST AS A U.S. ARMY "TOP-KICK" DOES, AS HE ADMONISHED YOUNG INDUCTEES ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SOLDIER IN THE U.S. ARMY. AS HE SPOKE, HE REMINDED ME OF SGT. CROCKETT, A "TOP KICK" I REMEMBER FROM MY YEARS IN THE U.S. ARMY. HE EXPLAINED THE COMPLETE MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY, NOTING THAT EXCEPT FOR THE 28% OF OUR POPULATION WHO HONOR OUR VETERANS ON THIS DAY, TOO MANY OTHERS CONSIDER IT A LONG WEEKEND WITH A VISIT TO THE SHORE OR A BACKYARD BARBECUE.

THE "BIKER" GENTLEMAN WHOM I PHOTOGRAPHED WAS ALSO THERE, ALONG WITH A CONTINGENT OF HIS OTHER BIKER PATRIOTS WHO ALSO REMEMBER. IN THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE EVENT, I NEGLECTED GETTING HIS NAME, BUT HE AND THE LONE BUGLER ARE MY KIND OF AMERICAN PATRIOTS.